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Category Archives: reviews

Feng-GUI Heatmap: what are people look at?

March 26, 2008 – 1:07 am

Ever wondered what the “focal point” of your site was? The Feng-GUI Heatmap generator is an awesome web-based tool that gives you an idea of where the eyes of a typical visitor tend to focus on. Essentially, it tells you where the “hotspots” are on your website. The Feng-GUI doesn’t use click-based heatmaps or eye-tracking methods (obviously), instead it uses a unique algorithm to determine your site’s hotspots. Simply visit Feng-GUI and enter your site’s URL into the text box and click the “HeatMap” button. Alternatively, if you don’t own a website, you can upload a photo to generate a heatmap for it. You can then download a screenshot of the output. Black indicates an area that is ignored, followed by blue, green, and then red. Red spots mean that it is a heavily looked at (focused) area.

By mark | Also posted in gadgets | Comments (1)

Sony Ericsson W890i: Review

March 18, 2008 – 12:44 am

Sony Ericsson has a successor to the mixed-received W880i, the W890i. Sony Ericsson, for the most part, has kept many of the design cues from the W880i: thin and attractive. However, this time, the W890i has a 3.2 megapixel camera and larger numeric buttons, which was a common complaint with the predecessor’s too tiny numeric pad. Overall, the W890i’s slim package, 3G support, and excellent Walkman player makes it worth considering.

Review after the break.

By mark | Also posted in cellphones | Comments (0)

iriver E100: Review

March 17, 2008 – 1:01 pm

The first iriver player to make waves in the U.S. was the Clix2, iriver’s flagship player. Now comes the E100. While the player hasn’t even hit US shores, reviews of the European model have spawn online. Unfortunately, it seems the E100, although a very decent player, doesn’t have the same pizazz as the Clix. For a little background information see here.

Review after the jump.

By mark | Also posted in audio, portables | Comments (0)

SanDisk’s Sansa Fuze: Review

March 16, 2008 – 1:09 am

Not long after posting the details of SanDisk’s newest MP3 player, the Sansa Fuze, did reviews start hitting the net. SanDisk has positioned the ‘Fuze’ as an Apple iPod Nano (third gen) competitor. Unfortunately, for the most part, the ‘Fuze’ falls flat in the video support category and doesn’t have the audio prowess of other MP3 players. However, to its credit, SanDisk has attached attractive price tags to the ‘Fuze’: $79.99, $99.99, $129.99 for the 2, 4, and 8GB model.

Continue reading the review after the jump.

By mark | Also posted in audio, portables | Comments (0)

Hulu: Now open to public

March 12, 2008 – 1:30 pm

Hulu is a brand new online video website, created by NBC and News Corp. Hulu makes TV shows available all in one place. No need to visit each individual network website just to watch your favorite show. There is also no need to download any additional software or player, it’s all flash-based. It’s also got some major TV network backing: NBC, FOX, Bravo, FX, Sci Fi, G4, and USA, to name a few. I’m pretty sure we’ll see more networks jumping on the bandwagon soon.

As far as the site goes, after registering, you’re greeted with Hulu’s rather simple and clean interface. You can browse the available TV shows, which are conveniently sorted alphabetically and by network. To my delight, I was shocked to see movies up on the site for viewing. Granted, the movies are “kinda old” (movies that show on TV for free), but it is still nice to be able to watch some old favorites of mine, like Requiem of a Dream. In all, you can watch shows, short clips, trailers, and movies. There is an HD section, but at the moment it’s just a bunch of movie trailers. Quality wise, the video compression is pretty good. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest, I’d rate the quality at a solid 7. It is certainly watchable, way better than the “illegal” YouTube video clips we see everyday. Hulu also provides basic video controls, you can pause, skip, rewind, and fast forward. You can also full-screen and even embed the video on your own website or blog — which was surprising.

Update (3/12/08) : It has come to my attention that you can also ‘clip’ shows and send the snippets to your friends and family via email or post it on your website, blog, myspace, facebook, etc.

Hulu is ad-supported, however, while watching a movie, I was asked if I wanted to watch the commercial before or during the video. Watching the ads before hand allows uninterrupted viewing. Pretty cool. I liked having the option of choosing how the ads are displayed to me.

I’d love to see more networks join Hulu. Honestly, this could put a major dent in the BitTorrenting of TV shows, assuming they get the shows up online in a reasonable manner. Catching up on your missed TV shows has never been easier.

[Hulu]

By mark | Comments (0)

Searchme: “Cover Flow” like search engine

March 11, 2008 – 6:33 pm

I like Apple’s Cover Flow feature. It rocks. But, would you like Cover Flow for your search results? That’s what Searchme is attempting to do. Instead of listing your search results in a list, like traditional search engines, Searchme organizes the results in the aforementioned Apple style.

It does look cool, but I wouldn’t want to use it. I want to be able to scan the results as fast as possible. If I have to “flip” through each search result, no thanks Searchme.

Searchme is still in beta. You can sign up for the private beta at Searchme.com

By mark | Comments (0)

Your Ad Here

Where’s my cell phone?!: Review

March 10, 2008 – 5:41 pm

We’ve all lost our cell phones temporarily at one point or another. Whether you left it in the car or in between the sofa mattress, it can be frustrating tearing up the house looking for the damn thing. A website aims to solve that problem, WheresMyCellPhone.com. The premise is simple: enter your cell phone number into the text box and the site will call your phone, hopefully, allowing you to find it. That is, of course, assuming your phone isn’t on vibrate (or silent) and is in the vicinity of your room. The site itself is pretty bare, but functional. The site promises not to “store” your phone numbers, so it should be safe to use/try.

A couple issues. First, I tried the site and entered my phone number, but nothing happened. I’m still waiting for the phone call as I write this. Second, this site is pointless for people with a second line, or for the ‘troopers’ still with a good ‘ole land-line. Finally, this doesn’t prevent an evil-doer from prank calling someone. However, it is still a good idea, especially if you don’t have a friend hanging around to call your phone for you or you no longer have a land-line.

Feel free to give it a shot. If you were able to get it to call you, let me know.

Update: I did get the call after trying again. I don’t know if it was my phone or what, but the site does work.

Via: geeksugar

By mark | Comments (4)

Samsung YP-T10 Review

March 9, 2008 – 3:47 pm

The Samsung YP-T10 is supposedly the Apple iPod Nano killer. Design-wise, it sure gives the Nano a run for its money. The YP-T10 is one fine looker. It sports a lightweight, clean, and sleek design with aluminum accents. The back-lit, touch sensitive navigational control doesn’t even appear until you boot on the player. However, the buzz surrounding the player is its cute animated menu system, which features “Sammy” the dog. Every menu page is vibrant, seemingly geared towards the young at heart. The only downside that is holding back the YP-T10 is that it only supports MP3 and WMA files. Additionally, video support feels more like an after-thought, supporting MPEG-4 and WMV @ 30 FPS.

Specs:
* 2″ QVGA (240 x 320 pixel) screen
* Bluetooth 2.0
* 3D sound with DNSe support
* USB 2.0
* 4GB ($129) and 8GB ($200)
* FM tuner
* Voice recording
* Video playback: SVI, WMV @ 30 fps
* Audio playback: MP3, WMA
* Supports TXT and JPEG viewing
* Battery life: 15 hours audio; 4 hours video
* Dimensions: 3.8 x 1.6 x 0.3 inches
* Weight: 1.5 ounces

Good:
+ lightweight, excellent design
+ screen is nice and bright
+ “drag and drop” supported for easy file transfer
+ FM radio is nice
+ excellent user interface. Sammy is cute.
+ Bluetooth allows up to two headsets to be connected (listen with a friend).
+ decent battery life

Bad:
- lack luster file support
- too sensitive controls – a little ‘too touchy’?
- some may prefer more ‘tactile’ buttons
- due to lack of file support, converting your video files can be irritating
- no podcast support

The Samsung YP-T10 is a gorgeous MP3 player hands down. However, audiophiles that demand a plethora of file support should probably look elsewhere. For the rest of us that only listen to MP3s and no other obscure audio files…give the YP-10 a look.

The player comes in black, red, white, green, and purple in either 2 or 4GB. $129.99 via Amazon (4GB).

By mark | Also posted in audio, portables | Comments (2)