In the same week that Yahoo offers copy-free music (albeit a Jessica Simpson track), Slim Devices announce their audiophile digital audio player, the Transporter. The later looks like a very slick device, if a little on the expensive side. But I still don’t think it’ll make Ms. Simpson sound any better …
The Trackstick is a curious device … I wonder what nefarious uses people will put this to …
Microsoft redux on the iPod packaging. Very clever and “on message” as they say.
The DIY music player is cheaper than buying a Roku Soundbridge or equivalent. Might be a useful addition to a Kurobox or other NAS device also.
Figuring out what size wide-screen TV you’d need to get to see the same size picture as on your normal TV — ie. the height of both images will be the same, ignoring letterbox or windowbox/pillarbox — involves pulling out your school books to remember basic trigonometry (I think). This handy-dandy calculator does it all for you.
For example, if you were to replace a 27″ normal 4:3 TV with a wide-screen, you’d need at least a 33″ set to see the same size of picture.
Lifehacker have a nice how-to on making automatic harddrive backups, and some good constructive comments on the various options. Like everyone, I know I have some things that aren’t backed up but probably should be. I think none of this is irreplaceable, but I suspect you never know until it’s too late. More reasons not to sleep soundly at night …
Being a frugal sort of chap, I often scour the ‘net looking for deals on various things. Friends complain that I don’t share these deals, so here you go: todays deal is on a SanDisk Cruzer Micro USB memory key. This particular USB key is tiny and fairly robust, which makes it much more practical than others. Amazon have the 256MB and 512MB ones for $24 and $26 respectively. I know I said I didn’t need one, but it’s hard to resist a good deal! [via fw]
Okay, now I’ve seen everything: a company called US Bunkers are selling personal bunkers. It looks more like something you’d put in the garden for the kids to play in, but they claim that it can withstand 6,000 to 10,000 psi! I’m glad to see that their sales pitch is aimed at Floridians riding out hurricanes, rather than cashing in on the current media-created paranoia over terrorism or war.
Some of the grammer on the site is questionable: “Technologically its purpose will work now or twenty years from now, since there are no mechanisms”. And my favourite quote: “…it can even be adapted to become a steam room or sauna for the months you don’t use it as a Shelter or Bunker”.
I’ve been semi-addicted to AnandTech’s Hot Deals forum for the past few days. I finally gave in last night when someone found a deal on a flat bed scanner which when all the rebates are added up, you only pay sales tax. Amazing!