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I've had the good fortune to give the Jaybird JB-100 Bluetooth Stereo Headset a workout, and it's been a good time.

Now the JB-200 supersedes the groundbreaking JB-100 -- which boldly presented a new design in this field.

The JB-200 offers the same great design, but now with:

• More control of music, with complete AVRCP Music and Call Controls
• Improved fit, with 25% narrower ear-tip
• Sound isolation, with 50% longer sound-isolating ear-tips
• Greater comfort, with higher grade, softer silicon ear-tips
• Enhanced audio experience, with 25% more volume and improved bass performance
• Clearer voice reception on phone calls, with relocated & upgraded mic
• More freedom of movement, with a one-inch longer behind-the-neck cord 

www.jaybirdgear.com

If you make cases for mobile phones, then why not make cases for cameras?

At least that's what Krusell may have been thinking with the announcement that they will roll out their first line of camera cases next month at the huge Photokina trade show in Germany.

If they are anything as interesting and practical as the existing product line, they will be sure to attract attention.

And will there be a monthly list of best selling cameras based on case sales?

www.krusell.se

We've all been there before -- trying to fit our key into a pitch black keyhole. Pick car or house, it's still a pain fumbling in the dark to get that darn key in there!

NanoLite to the rescue!

The world's smallest adhesive light (0.56" X 0.7" and 0.2" thick),  it easily adhers to keys or any other flat surface and can be activated simply by pressing a small recessed button, which radiates a small but bright light.

No tools or assembly are required. Just pull off the adhesive protector and stick it on the key ... it's that easy. 

Unlike old fashioned key chain lights that require two hands to operate,
NanoLite automatically shines where your key is pointing. One hand
operation means no more fumbling when you're hands are full carrying
groceries, tools or children. With NanoLite you'll have faster, safer entry
into your car, house or anyplace else.

MSRP: $2.99

www.januaryinnovations.com 

Printing CD and DVD labels can be a chore. It often requires special labels and only certain printers can accept CD/DVD labels. Certainly burning CDs and DVDs has become more popular so users are looking for quick, easy, and fun ways to label and decorate their CD/DVD collections. I have an Epson printer at home that doesn't print the size labels I need, so I resort to using a black Sharpie pen and hand scribbling on the CD or DVD. And when I had "scribbling" I mean scribbling! I have the worst handwriting. One other problem with the various label stickers you can run though a printer, is you have to align them perfectly, they look cheap and they can gum up CD drives if the label starts to bubble or fray. Further, sticky labels are quick to print, but they take forever to peel off, and stick on (even with a stomper), and would often jam in the disc drive.

Well, to the DVD/CD labelling rescue comes the Dymo DiscPainter, a pint-sized printer that you simply stick in your CD or DVD media into the drive, use their software to add graphics & text, hit print, and the DiscPainter spins the DVD/CD as it prints. It's pretty cool how it prints in a circular fashion starting from the inner ring outward. I found myself staring at the spinning media through the clear windows as it was being printed just to watch the image grow outwards. I guess I'm easily amused. As it spins it prints an amazingly good 600dpi, a pretty decent resolution.

Below is a shot of the printer sitting on my desktop PC with two printed CDs. The one in the printer is one of my with my daughter Megan and the other is a promotional photo of the new Toy Story Mania! Disney World attraction. Now when you do go to Disney World and take some home videos you can burn the video to a DVD and have a pretty graphic printed on top - perhaps using one of the photos from the vacation trip itself.


The Discus for DYMO software was very easy to use. Adding graphics and text was a snap. Here's a sample of me adding the Dark Knight poster image:

The software gives you fine control over the image, including the size, the rotation, and even the opacity. Essentially, you can also control the "opacity" of the image so that it fades into the background with the text more prominent. You can also draw freehand, add shapes, and more.

Here's another sample showing the Toy Story Mania image:

The software lets you set the print quality (draft, normal, best) and the ink density (matte1 - matte5, glossy 6 & 7, and color 8 and color 9). Dymo's DiscPainter CD/DVD software makes printing fun and easy. The DiscPainter includes a USB 2.0 cable, AC power supply, three inkjet printable discs, and a full-color ink cartridge.


Currently, the DiscPainter resolution is around 600dpi, and not 1200dpi as some reviews have reported. DYMO told me they are working on updated drivers and firmware so that the 'Best' print quality is even more crisp and clear. That will be available for people who want it probably by the end of summer (probably as a download online)


Dymo states that the DiscPainter's ink cartridge is good for about 100-CDs. A full cartridge is included in the box, and spares are priced at $39.95 or basically $0.39 cents per print. Perhaps a wee-bit on the high side for ink, but it's fair price to pay for have the coolest looking DVD/CD collection on the block! Just three printable CD-Rs are included (no DVD+R or DVD-RW) with the DiscPainter to get you started -- but you can buy more inkjet-printable media online. Surprisingly printable discs aren't that much more expensive than non-printable discs.


Pros:

• Small footprint and no accessories or trays to keep track of
• Easy to use software
• Very quiet
• Fast print speeds 1-2 ,minutes per CD/DVD
• Ink dries quickly (some printers require 24 hour long drying times.)

Cons:

• It's only a 4 color system not 6
• Single cartridge system even for black, the most common color used. So if black runs out you throw out the entire cartridge.
• Bit pricey - $279 retail. Though it has come down in price. Amazon has it listed for $249.88

Conclusion
Overall, I was very impressed with the Dymo DiscPainter. I liked its speed, easy-to-use software, and its small footprint - easily fitting on top of any computer. Users looking for near-professional looking CDs and DVDs will enjoy the results of this printer. Several online retails carry the Dymo DiscPainter, including Amazon, which currently lists the DiscPainter for $249.88

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Logitech has announced a wireless keyboard for the Nintendo Wii console that enables users to chat online when playing games like "Animal Crossing." The keyboard was unveiled during the E3 Expo in Los Angeles. Combine the Logitech Wireless Keyboard for Nintendo Wii with the new Wii MotionPlus more accurate motion sensor -- or even the current Wii controller's accelerometer technology --  and who needs to type an emoticon such as  ":(" when you can just shake the damn keyboard to indicate you're mad. Ok, maybe not.

According to Yahoo News, Microsoft Corp said today that its Xbox 360 console will sell better than the Sony PlayStation 3 over the lifetime of the machines.

"Xbox 360 will sell more consoles worldwide this generation than PlayStation 3," Don Mattrick, a senior vice president at Microsoft's Xbox division, said at Microsoft's news conference before the start of the E3 video game industry trade show. Microsoft said the Xbox 360 has outsold the PS3 in the United States by 5 million.

Yeah, well you wouldn't be forgetting the Wii now would Wii? The Nintendo Wii might just kick both your butts in worldwide units sold. Still, the PS3 is a more applicable comparison to the Xbox 360. The Wii is for the casual gamer where as the Sony PS3 and Xbox 360 are for your hardcore gamers. Actually, I've been eyeing a PS3 just so I can have a Blu-ray player.

In related Xbox 360 pwn'ing PS3 news, Microsoft's Xbox 360 video game console will be able to stream thousands of movies over the Internet, thanks to a deal with Netflix. It was announced today at the E3 Media & Business Summit in Los Angeles. This deal will give Netflix's 8 million subscribers the ability to stream movies on a TV instead of a computer.

And don't forget the Netflix-backed startup called Roku already sells a small streaming device that connects to TVs.

The Netflix streaming service offers 10,000 movies and TV shows. Your move Sony...

 Love this concept!!

Get pulled over for using a mobile phone in the car, get a ticket (you have to be in the right state to be in the wrong -- you know who you are!), send that ticket to Headsets.com and get a free headset.

Yessir! That's what I'm talking about.

If you don't believe me, then just click here for the full story from CNet.

 Time to upgrade your headphones or ear buds for some high-quality iPod music listening? Not to mention some high-quality VoIPing, Skyping, etc. etc. Well, why not get cash back for your headphones to offset the costs of a new one? Check out this news I just received...

Due to the wild success of Sennheiser's upgrade program, the high-end German headphone manufacturer has relaunched the trade-in program with several enhancements. The cash back offer now includes wired AND wireless headphones of all sizes:

+ Audiophile headphones
+ Wireless headphones
+ Hi-Fi headphones
+ Portable headphones
+ Sport headphones
+ Noise cancelling headphones

(yes, you can even trade earbuds for $50 bucks off of the mighty HD 650)

Even better, the program has been extended to the end of September 2008 to include summer travel and back-to-school shopping.

From now through September 30, 2008, upgrade to a high quality pair of Sennheiser's and they will give you cash just for unloading the old ones...even if they are broken, crusty, damaged or an obscure brand. Best of all, you're likely to find a better type of headphone for your needs than what a stock earbud can provide: sport headphones, in-ear headphones, noise cancelling headphones and more.

Here's how it works:

• Gather up your old headphones, which can be new, old, broken, used, any brand - they don't care!
• Upgrade to a pair of Sennheiser's (see link below for eligible models)
• Mail us the old headphones E-Z trade form and get $$ for your trade. It's really that easy.

Simply visit www.sennheiserusa.com/upgrade to get started

Looks like you can only trade-in Sennheiser brand headphones (and earbuds) per their Terms and Conditions included below. Still I think this is a nice deal that helps build customer loyalty. They know they will at least get something for their old headphones if they want to upgrade. It doesn't appear this trade-in cash back deal applies to Sennheiser headsets (i.e. built-in microphones). Bummer.

Terms and Conditions
$5 rebate applies to Sennheiser MX 51, MX 55, MX 55V, MX 560, MX 660, MX 760, MXL 51, OMX 50, OMX 52; $10 rebate applies to Sennheiser PMX 100, PMX 200, PMX 60, PX 100, PX 200, LX 70, MX 75, MXL 70V, OMX 70, PMX 70;
$15 rebate applies to Sennheiser CX 300, CX 400, CX 500, CX 55, CX 95; $20 rebate applies to Sennheiser MX W1, RS 110, RS 120, RS 130, RS 140; $25 rebate applies to Sennheiser PXC 150, PXC 250, PXC 300, PXC 350, PXC 450;
$30 rebate applies to Sennheiser HD 515, HD 555, HD 595; $50 rebate applies to Sennheiser HD 600, HD 650;

Headphone exchanges are limited to one per customer, household, or organization per rebate form submission. Headphone exchanges greater than (1) per rebate form will be discarded. Headphones submitted cannot be returned under any circumstances (all trades final). Offer valid only on consumer purchases made between April 1 - September 30, 2008 from an Authorized Sennheiser USA dealer. eBay purchases are excluded from this offer. Rebate claim forms must be postmarked no later than 10/31/2008. Sennheiser distributors, retailers, their employees or their families may not claim rebates on behalf of consumers (end users). Rebate requests not including proper documentation (this official coupon, original UPC code, and dated sales receipt containing model # and retailer's name) will be ineligible. All checks will be issued in U.S. dollars. Sennheiser is not responsible for lost or misdirected mail. Sennheiser reserves the right to terminate program at any time. Void where prohibited by law. Sennheiser is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Rebate eligibility as determined by Sennheiser is final. Offer valid to U.S. addresses only, for new product only.

Microsoft is giving up on the SPOT watch which leverages MSN Direct (FM frequency transmission) to send stock quotes, news, and even sync your Outlook calendar with your watch.

The only person who I know owns one is Rich Tehrani, who reviewed one here. He will be so upset to hear the news. Well, least his wrist will be 3 pounds lighter so his typing should improve.

You know what the problem was? They didn't have VoIP on the watch. Now if you could talk to your watch - ala Dick Tracey (see image) then this product may have succeeded. Then again, maybe not...

Via Engadget
Watch Image Top - Credit to Engadget

Western Digital (WD) released their latest VelociRaptor 300GB hard drive. The WD VelociRaptor hard disk drive (HDD) is one scary looking beast! This puppy spins at 10,000 RPM - fast enough to tear through your gigabytes of naked flesh in nanoseconds. Did I say gigabytes of 'naked flesh'?  I meant gigabytes of important files - you know Word documents, financial spreadsheets, music files, iTunes videos, etc.

The WD VelociRaptor HDD was engineered for maximum speed. WD VelociRaptor's 10,000 RPM SATA hard drive combines a SATA 3 Gb/s interface and 16 MB cache, to deliver performance that’s up to 35% faster than its speedy older brother, the Raptor.

The hard drive enclosure is pretty scary as well. The heat sink just screams "I'm one bad ass hard drive."


Key Features
Killer Speed - Built on the performance bloodlines of WD Raptor, these 10,000 RPM drives, with SATA 3 Gb/s interface, and 16 MB cache deliver mind-bending performance. According to WD, "Not only are they 35 percent faster than the previous generation WD Raptor drives, but they also beat out all other competitors in the field."

Rock-solid Reliability - Designed and manufactured to mission-critical enterprise-class standards to provide enterprise reliability in high duty cycle environments. With 1.4 million hours MTBF, these drives have the highest available reliability rating on a high capacity SATA drive.

Double the Capacity - State-of-the-art technology packs twice the capacity per disk compared to its older brother WD Raptor resulting in 300 GB of high-performance storage space in this enterprise-class 2.5-inch drive. (Not compatible with notebook computers)

IcePack™ Mounting Frame - The 2.5-inch WD VelociRaptor is enclosed in a 3.5-inch enterprise-class mounting frame with a built-in heat sink that keeps this powerful little drive extra cool when installed in high-performance desktop chassis.

Rotary Acceleration Feed Forward (RAFF™) - Optimizes operation and performance when the drives are used in vibration-prone, multi-drive chassis.

SecurePark™ - Parks the recording heads off the disk surface during spin up, spin down and when the drive is off. This ensures the recording head never touches the disk surface resulting in improved long-term reliability and increased drive protection when the chassis is moved.

The VelociRaptor comes with a sweet 5-year limited warranty!