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While I wouldn’t say, as MSI does, that this laptop is “Shattering the Boundaries of Ultra-thin Technology,” it does look like a hot little item. It’s got a 15.6″ screen but is only an inch thick, which is a pretty good ratio. Its shiny black finish (scratch-proof but somehow I don’t think fingerprint-proof) will attract eyes wherever you go, and the 6-cell battery means it won’t crap out on you while they’re watching.
The X600 Pro runs on Intel’s CULV platform and has a discrete Radeon 4330 512MB video card. It runs an unspecified Core2 Duo, which is an improvement over the Solo in the X600, and can handle up to 4GB of RAM. The Blu-ray player is nice, but mainly you’ll want to use that HDMI out, since HD isn’t so hot at 15 inches. They’ve added WiMax to the mix, and I’d take that option no matter what, just to be sure you’re future-proof.
The design of the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin mini is a thing of beauty. Not as much so as the $800, full-size Zeppelin, but that’s fine. It’s sort of like how da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man might not be the Mona Lisa, it’s still a work of art. But as good as it looks, it can be very frustrating to use. It’s not the Zeppelin mini’s fault though; iTunes is to blame.
Features
iPod touch & iPhone compatibility
USB syncing
PC speaker mode
3.5mm aux in
MSRP of $399.95
Pros
Sounds great
Can charge and sync iPod/iPhone
Classic B&W look
Cons
Likes to become unresponsive after syncing
Limited on-device controls
Top shelve is a dust and fingerprint magnet
The very first thing I noticed when I took this speaker dock out of the box was that this boy is sexy. Me like. But then again it’s a Bowers & Wilkins product so it better look the part. The iPod touch almost floats above the the concave chrome shelf and can be rotated into landscape mode for Cover Flow.
Even the small remote is classy and functional. It has basic playback controls along with a power button and input switch. The Zeppelin mini itself only has a power button and volume control. It really should have an input button as well. The moral here is don’t lose the tiny remote
Just like the original Zeppelin, this speaker dock is the best in its class. I put it up against the similarly-priced Bose SoundDock Portable and Altec Lansing systems and it clearly had better highs and lows. B&W put the good stuff in this little dock.
Actually the sound is pretty good for such a small package. Base comes through nice and full while the highs are crisp. It helps the rear-facing port if the speaker dock is placed in a corner or in front of a wall. But even when placed in the middle of a table, it delivers the goods.
The Zeppelin mini is nearly flawless until iTunes is involved.
This speaker dock is one of the few that can actually sync an iDevice and play back media via a type-A to type-B USB cable. It sounds great on the spec sheet, but syncing an iPod/iPhone often causes the speaker dock to freeze up and become unresponsive. Even when if iTunes is closed and the iPod is removed, most of the time the Zeppelin mini will need to be power cycled.
If iTunes doesn’t see the iPod though, everything works as advertised. You can easily switch the audio on the Zeppelin mini between playing back the iPod or media off the computer. But as soon as the iPod pops up in iTunes, everything goes to hell.
Conclusion
I’m torn here. I love the B&W Zeppelin mini’s sound and look. I’m even fine with the $400 price tag considering those two factors, but it just doesn’t work well when you try to sync your iDevice. Maybe the function would work better on a Mac than my Windows 7 machine or it’s something that can be resolved with an iTunes update. But I could see myself wanting to throw this thing into a wall if it was my main iPod syncing dock.
My advice here is to proceed with caution. Obviously the $400 price will turn a lot of people off anyway, but if it doesn’t faze you, buy the dock from a retailer with a good return policy. If it works for you or you don’t mind pulling the power cable after syncing your iPhone, keep it. If you get the urge to smash it like I did a few minutes ago, return it. But keep in mind that at least it sounds great, which is the most important factor when buying an iPod speaker dock anyway.
Short Version: Western Digital’s newest addition to its growing lineup of media players, the WD TV Live, essentially picks up where its older sibling (the great WD TV) left off. With the newly added networking capabilities via a built-in Ethernet port or USB Wi-Fi adapter (sold separately), the WD TV Live has taken Western Digital’s little black box to the next level. Be it photos, music, video (encoded with just about any codec under the sun), or the newly added access to YouTube, Flickr, Pandora, and Live365, the WD TV Live can handle just about any kind of media thrown its way. Overall, it is a highly capable, easy to use, and relatively affordable all-around high definition media player.
Long Version: The original WD TV HD Media Player was a great first attempt by Western Digital. Unfortunately, the lack of network and Internet access made the device less desirable to a large group of potential customers. Fortunately, WD seems to have listened to the growing community of WD TV fans while putting the new WD TV Live together and has added network and Internet connectivity features.
Hardware:
Although the WD TV Live is technically a new device, in reality it’s just a moderate overhaul of its aging sibling, the original WD TV. As such, I will try to focus more on the new changes than on the features that have remained the same.
Besides the newly added network and Internet connectivity, the most noticeable difference between the old and new WD TV Live is the actual color of the device. Where the original was clad in dust-loving, fingerprint attracting shiny black plastic, the new Live comes sporting an arguably more sleek, matte charcoal gray finish.
The device measures 1.57″ x 3.94″ x 4.94″ and weighs in at 0.67 lbs. It includes two USB ports (one on the side, one on the back), one HDMI 1.3 port, optical audio out, Ethernet, composite out, and component output. The included mini remote (below) is identical to the original version and the AC adapter is relatively small and self-contained (i.e. no power “brick”). Besides the remote and power adapter, the device also ships with composite and component cables (HDMI, optical audio, and USB storage devices sold separately). The WD TV Live is also compatible with various “universal” remotes such as Logitech’s Harmony series.
Installation:
Installing the WD TV Live couldn’t be much easier (assuming you’re using an HDMI cable). Once you’ve attached the little sticky rubber feet to the bottom of the unit, simply plug-in the AC power adapter, attach the HDMI cable to the device and your HDTV, and insert any variety of USB storage (i.e. external hard drive or flash drive) into the side and/or the back USB port(s). That’s it. Now fire up your beautiful TV, hit power on the included WD TV Live remote, and voila…you’ve got an HD media player at your service.
Interface / Functionality:
Just like the old WD TV interface, the slightly updated UI is reminiscent of many media player apps (think Windows Media Center, XBMC, etc). Essentially, you are presented with a visual navigation system to choose between video, photos, music, and system settings. Instead of trying to explain all the various screens and options, here’s a not-so-brief (kinda unnecessarily long) video overview of some of the features:
One thing I forgot to include in the video is the new “preview” mode, which joins the previously included List, Thumbnail, and Search modes. The preview feature allows you to see a file’s info (such as size, type, etc) while also showing/playing a clip of the video, photo, or audio track. This is nice, for example, if your media files are poorly labeled or if you can’t quite remember which was the last episode of Arrested Development you had watched.
Another “oops! I forgot” feature is the newly added ability to copy, move or delete files between connected USB storage drives and/or networked storage/computers. This is really handy if, like me, your DVD ripping machine (i.e. your PC) resides in room X but your WD TV Live is set up in room Y; now you can simply move your latest media files from your machine to your attached USB storage right over the network (with some patience, especially over Wi-Fi).
As for compatibility, the WD TV Live supports the following (enormous list of) file types:
The WD TV Live is a definite improvement over its older sibling (the non-Live). If you are looking for an HD media solution that will play pretty much every type of media known to man (see the list above), has a very small physical footprint, network/Internet connectivity, and has limitless storage (i.e. its only limited by the amount of storage you own), then you really can’t do much better than the WD TV Live HD media player.
For those of you who love lists, here is a quick recap of all the highlights and improvements found in the new media player:
Faster – boot-up, thumbnail loading, and overall operation
Network access – access content over your home network via Ethernet or USB Wi-Fi adapter
Internet – access content from YouTube, Flickr, Pandora, and Live365
Firmware updates – update the media player’s firmware directly over the Internet
File management – transfer files between USB storage devices, pull files off the network, and delete unwanted files
Preview mode – in addition to List and Thumbnail views, Preview mode shows the file’s information and plays the media
Component video – new connection choice in addition to HDMI and Composite
Color – new matte charcoal casing
As good as the new WD TV Live is, there is still room for improvement. I’d love to see future firmware updates bring Netflix ‘Watch Now’ functionality, access to sites like Hulu, the ability to navigate by ‘chapter’ like on a DVD (with VOB, MKV, etc), and even some sort of Internet browser a la Opera on the Wii. In terms of future hardware improvements, it would be nice if the device had Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built-in, thereby providing an even better network/Internet experience and the ability to use a keyboard with the hypothetical Internet browser. And a physical on/off button built into the WD TV would be handy if you (temporarily) lose your remote (read: there are NO actual buttons/controls on the device itself).
Nonetheless, for $149.99 MSRP (or cheaper somewhere on the ‘Net) the WD TV Live HD Media Player is a highly capable and worthwhile addition to most anyone’s media center. One caveat: if you’ve already got a PS3 and/or XBOX 360 (I have neither), then you are probably one of the few who wouldn’t benefit much from the WD TV Live. In any case, with increases in speed, utility, and functionality, the WD TV Live is definitely a welcome addition to WD’s line of HD media players and a worthy successor to the original WD TV. For more, check out the new WDTVLive.com.
And suddenly I wish I had a garage. The Chamberlain Fingerprint Keyless Entry system for garage doors is selling at HomeDepot.com for $18 (down from $68) until the end of the month.
According to the product description:
The fingerprint keyless entry incorporates the latest biometric technology in providing access to your garage door. It can store up to 10 fingerprints, is easy to program and install. It’s perfect for families with children who do not have to remember a 4 digit code and possibly pass a code to someone else. The universal adapter means it will work on all brands of garage door openers.
Pretty sweet deal, although you’ll have to hide one of your fingers in the backyard somewhere so you don’t get locked out by accident. That, or just keep your hands with you at all times.
Are you rich and short about 16GB of storage? Buddy, have I got a product for you. The SolidAlliance Mnemosyne USB drive is a beautifully designed little object that not only looks money, but stores your deepest, chromiest secrets (or mp3s). What’s the catch, you ask? No catch! Unless you consider a price tag of $10,000 a catch.
Yes, like many pieces of excellent design (and, of course, many pieces of terrible design), the Mnemosyne is so overpriced as to be relegated to the position of status symbol. Aside from its colossal MSRP, there are some other problems. It will, of course, be a fingerprint magnet if you use it at all. And honestly, 16GB is a little skimpy for ten grand.
I’m sure they could contact Guinness if they wanted to and get the record for most expensive USB drive, but the peasants who that record would impress aren’t exactly their target demographic! HA HA HA! (rich guy laugh)
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go sail around on my solid gold schooner, the “Galleon.” Get it — galleon? HA HA HA! Collar up!
7:13 AM: johnbiggs OK. So we have the Sense and the Hero today.
7:13 AM: johnbiggs The CEO just showed up to talk about Sense. Not much info.
7:14 AM: johnbiggs CMO John Wang
7:14 AM: johnbiggs Now on stage.
7:14 AM: johnbiggs “Phones have too many features made by techies.”
7:14 AM: johnbiggs HTC Sense
7:15 AM: johnbiggs “HTC Sense is a holistic experience that put people at the center by simply making things work as they should”
7:15 AM: johnbiggs You are the center.
7:16 AM: johnbiggs Bring all of your things to the surface. It is so much like Palm Pre interface it’s scary. Uses cards.
7:16 AM: johnbiggs Lots of widgets.
7:16 AM: johnbiggs Set your scene for the weekend - change the way it looks on the weekend.
7:19 AM: johnbiggs You can slide between icons to see different info on a person. One contact card has your contact’s smses, IMs, pictures on Flickr, etc.
7:20 AM: johnbiggs Land at a new place: clock, weather, appointments change
7:21 AM: johnbiggs search: in internet, search google, in twitter search twitter, in calendar, search only calendar
7:21 AM: johnbiggs Multi-touch - pinch in email to change text size
7:21 AM: johnbiggs
7:22 AM: johnbiggs
7:23 AM: johnbiggs
7:23 AM: johnbiggs
7:23 AM: johnbiggs Now releasing HTC Hero - first product to use Sense.
7:24 AM: johnbiggs
7:24 AM: johnbiggs Teflon coated
7:24 AM: johnbiggs so it doesn’t get messy
7:24 AM: johnbiggs wacky, right?
7:25 AM: johnbiggs
7:26 AM: johnbiggs
7:26 AM: johnbiggs Lots of “man on the street” interviews - “Very nice! Can I go with this?”
7:26 AM: johnbiggs
7:27 AM: johnbiggs The phone looks very similar to the G1. Angle bottom. Probably will end up as the T-Mobile G3.
7:27 AM: johnbiggs Finish is “soft to the touch” not cold and slippery… like the iPhone?
7:27 AM: johnbiggs Resists dirt and stains
7:27 AM: johnbiggs
7:28 AM: johnbiggs anti-fingerprint finish on hero
7:28 AM: johnbiggs “You shouldn’t be polishing your phone.”
And suddenly I wish I had a garage. The Chamberlain Fingerprint Keyless Entry system for garage doors is selling at HomeDepot.com for $18 (down from $68) until the end of the month.
