Find Our Latest Video Reviews on YouTube!
If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It’s free!
Latest Gear Live Videos
Microsoft Offers Waiting List For Soapbox Beta
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Microsoft, Movies, Music,
Watch out, iTube. MSN has announced the beta release of Soapbox, their user-uploaded video service. Available on MSN Video, it joins their growing family of Windows Live Spaces and Live Messenger. With Soapbox, you can upload and share videos, seach through 15 video categories, subscribe to RSS feeds, and even rate and comment on videos.
Soapbox is available in the U.S. by invitation only, but plans on expanding in the future so that you can also invite a few friends to your Internet party. Users must have MSN IE 6 or later with Windows XP, or Firefox 1.0.5 or later running on Windows XP or Macintosh OS X.
Read More 
| MSN Press Release
Gallery: Microsoft Offers Waiting List For Soapbox Beta
Advertisement
T-Mobile Releases Samsung Trace
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Music, Wireless / WiFi,
T-Mobile has added the diminutive Samsung Trace to its product line. Weighing in at only 2.5oz and a size of 4.5 X 2.0 X 3-inch, the Trace has a 262k color TFT display of 220 X 176 pixels. It has a microSD memory slot, a 1.3 megapixel cam, USB connectivity, and speakerphone. Other features include an MP3 player, bluetooth technology and caller ID.
The Trace is available for $199.99 in retail stores and T-Mobile, with a $50 instant rebate and $50 mail-in rebate with a 2-year agreement. With up to 6 hours of talk time or 8 days of standby time, the champagne-colored Trace can keep even the fussiest princess from whining.
Read More | Mobileburn
Gallery: T-Mobile Releases Samsung Trace
Creative Drops Price On 30GB Zen Vision:M PMP
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Music, Portable Audio / Video,
We love free enterprise. Obviously trying to keep up with Apple’s Showtime, Creative has just dropped the price of their 30GB Zen Vision:M to $249. Creative had previously cut prices on their Zen V and Zen Vision W. The Vision:M features a customizable main menu, USB host, FM tuner, voice recording, contact list, calendar, and repeat, resume, and random play. It also boasts eight EQ settings, sleep and wake timers, and functions as an external hard drive. At a weight of 5.7oz and a size of 4.1 X 2.4 X .7-inch, the PMP has a 2.5-inch Hi-Resolution Color Screen (320 x 240 pixels) display. It sounds to us like it’s time to do some serious comparison shopping.
Other Specifications:
- Storage Capacity: 15,000 songs
- Battery Life: Up to 14 hours of continuous audio playback and 4 hours of continuous video playback
- Battery Charge Time: USB 6.5 hours
- Power Adapter 2.5 hours
- Audio Playback Format: MP3, WMA and WAV
- Photo Format: JPEG (GIF, TIFF, PNG and BMP)
- Video Playback Format: MPEG1/2/4-SP, WMV9, Motion-JPEG, compatible DivX 4, 5, and XviD
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Up to 97db
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
- A/V Output: 3.5mm mini-jack composite TV-out (NTSC and PAL) with stereo audio
Read More | Creative Zen Vision Product Page
Gallery: Creative Drops Price On 30GB Zen Vision:M PMP
iLoads Transfer Audio and Video Without Computer
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Movies, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Wingspan’s iLoad has a very simple mission. Connect your iPod to any media source, such as cable TV, satellite box, cell network, or CD player. iLoad will transfer musical content, as well as data, directly to your iPod at high speed without the use of a PC or the Internet.
Wait, there’s more. Here comes the iLoad+, an add-on that will download audio and video to your iPod, USB storage device, or flash disc. Pre-order at the iLoad site and you will receive free priority shipping (a $20.00 savings) and a free 3-year extended warranty (a $29.95 value.) iLoad is priced at $249, while the iLoad+ will set you back an additional $100. Shipping begins in early November.
Read More | Wingspan iLoad Press Release
Gallery: iLoads Transfer Audio and Video Without Computer
Sonos System Software 2.0 Connects Rhapsody Without PC
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Home Entertainment, Music, Wireless / WiFi,
Sonos, Inc. has updated its service and released its system software version 2.0. Teamed up with RealNetworks’ Rhapsody web service, the new version enables a direct link with millions of songs from all genres and thousands of radio stations without the need of an installed application or computer.
Sonos allows you this access by means of their wireless controller - see our Sonos review on The Bleeding Edge. Simply plug and play the controller in any of up to 32 rooms in your home or office, and you get tunes with the aid of a 3.5-inch color LCD screen, scroll wheel, and a button. Choose the same music for each room, or have blues in the bedroom and classical in the bathroom. You can even download music that has been taking up all that valuable space on your PC.
The controller permits you to pick your fave artist and Rhapsody can build your very own commercial-free radio station that will include other artists from the same music genre. Select from their top 100 song charts or be your own jock. This 2.0 upgrade allows you to update daily with audible content or podcasts or choose a randomized shuffle mode. Also featured is improved multinational Internet radio and alarm functionality, as well as French, Italian, and Spanish language support.
Sonos is available at a whopping price of $999.99, but think of it as a way of getting rid of obnoxious DJ’s, endless commercials, and hunting in vain for that track that got lost somewhere in the bowels of your PC. Can musical life get any better? Sure it can. Rhapsody is offering a 30-day free trial of its service with your new Sonos.
Read More | Sonos 2.0 Release
Gallery: Sonos System Software 2.0 Connects Rhapsody Without PC
LG Clamshell Chocolate VX8600 Revealed
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,
If you like Chocolate, but prefer it in a clamshell, here is a sneak-peak at the LG VX-8600. Similar to its VX-8500 mate (it has a lower resolution display), this model features EV-DO high-speed data, stereo Bluetooth, a 176 X 220 main screen with 262k colors, a 128 X 128 external screen with 65k colors, a 1.3 megapixel cam, a microSD card slot, and music player with external WMA/MP3 controls. Although no pricing or launch date has yet to be set, rumor has it that this exclusive Verizon Wireless gourmet Chocolate will be available for our stockings this holiday season.
Read More | LG Home Page via Phone Scoop
Gallery: LG Clamshell Chocolate VX8600 Revealed
Microsoft Zune Comes Out To Play
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Microsoft, Movies, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,
Microsoft finally unveiled the long-awaited Zune today. Basics include a 3 inch screen, WiFi, 30GB hard drive, and a built-in FM tuner. Music, pictures, and video playback are all standard fare here. With Zune-to-Zune sharing, you can wirelessly share a full-length track with a compadre, who gets 3 viewings/listenings before purchase at the Zune Marketplace (unless they already subscribe to the unlimited “Zune Pass”.) You can also share your pictures and playlists with your amigos, along with homemade recordings.
Zune will be available in brown, white, and basic black, but no news yet on pricing or availability. Stay tuned to Gear Live for more details, or subscribe to The Zune Newsletter for updates.
Read More | Zune Release
Gallery: Microsoft Zune Comes Out To Play
South Korea’s latest D-click input-based portable media device is tinier than ever. The iriver S10 has 2GB of flash storage for MP3, ASF, Ogg Vorbis, and WMA playback. Its OLED display is a mere 1.5” at a resolution of 128 x 96 pixels. With dimensions of 42 x 30 x 10.8mm and a weight of just 17.5g, maybe you can even hide it from the boss.
Other features:
- Interface Type: USB 2.0
- Rated battery (audio) life: 8 hours
- Picture format: BMP
- Compatibility: PC
- FM radio/recording: Yes
- Voice recording: Yes
- FM recording: Yes
Not much else is known about the little critter, but we will keep you posted on its whereabouts, if we can find it.
Read More | Cnet Asia Review
Gallery: D-click iriver S10 Revealed
Apple iTV High Definition Set-Top Box Coming in ‘07
Posted by Brian Viele Categories: Apple, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Movies, Music,
Apple has revealed that it is working on a new set-top box codenamed iTV. At half the size of a Mac Mini, it will look minuscule next to your other HD devices, especially if you opt for a PS3. The iTV will be able to stream HD audio and video from your iPod or PC with connectivity through USB 2.0 and both wired and wireless ethernet.
The iTV is packed with all the expected HD interfaces including HDMI, component RCA video and optical digital audio outputs. Additionally, the iTV is rumored to include the capability to function as a cable box and there is also talk of the possibility of HDTV downloads to the device. Details of these capabilities have not yet been released, but expect to hear more soon since the device is planned to be released in about six months.
Read More | Daily Tech
Gallery: Apple iTV High Definition Set-Top Box Coming in ‘07
Shure Introduces E500PTH Sound-Isolating Earphones
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, Misc. Tech, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Shure has finally released their E500PTH sound-isolating earphones. These earphones actually consist of 3 speakers in each ear. Both ergonomically designed and lightweight, the triple Hi-Definition Drivers, one tweeter and two woofers, claim richer highs and lows with sound isolating sleeves that block over 90% of ambient noise.
The included Push-To-Hear control activates a VoicePort microphone that lets you carry on your conversation without removal. Two cables, 9” and 3’, allow the E500PTH to be utilized both at home and beyond. With a price of $499.00, it might be a good idea to test them at your local retailers or try the online demo on Shure’s site. An accessories kit with 1/4” adapter, level attenuator, and carrying case is also available.
These earphones were actually road-tested by professional musicians. What better test could there be than allowing aurally-challenged heavy metal performers to try them?
Read More | Shure E500PTH Product Page
Gallery: Shure Introduces E500PTH Sound-Isolating Earphones
Advertisement
© Gear Live Inc. {year} – User-posted content, unless source is quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Gear Live graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, videos, articles, blogs, forums, scripts and other service names are the trademarks of Gear Live Inc.