Unless you are interested in the technical details when you go shopping for a new TV, not a lot of us will know the difference between a LED TV and a LCD TV with LED backlit. Thanks to Samsung who misleadingly promoted their new range of TV as LED TV. They are actually technically LCD TVs using LED for backlight instead of the traditional cold cathode fluorescent lights (CCFL). Using LEDs in a TV resulted in wafer thin panels and LEDs use less power and are much brighter. Hence, an improvement in the picture contrast and sharpness.

So LED TVs are not truly LED in technology terms. It’s simply enhanced LCD TV. Has Samsung confused consumers? I think they have but would that deter you from buying a LED TV, probably not. Considering Plasma and traditional LCD TVs are viewed as older technology now, the sensible thing to do is to buy a TV using a newer technology unless you don’t care too much and would rather pay less for older technology.

I recently decided to make the leap in TV technology and moved from a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), the old fashioned big TV with the CRT protruding out the back of the TV for a Samsung LED TV. That is a giant leap in the TV ownership world. Now I have HD (High Definition), saved at least 20 inches of space between the wall and my TV, am able to lift the TV without breaking my back and I am very happy with my purchase.

Did I buy the Samsung LED TV with 3-D capability? No I didn’t. I decided to be sensible and settled for just a 40″ Samsung LED TV. Would I recommend the TV to my friends? Of course I would in spite that it was wrongly promoted by Samsung as a LED TV. Samsung is not the only TV manufacturer with LCD TV with LED backlight. Other manufacturers have followed suit such as LG, Panasonic, Philips, Sony, etc.

So LCD TVs with LED backlit have also become competitive. How do you decide which brand to buy? I would recommend that you buy the brand that you prefer, consider the price, the picture contrast and most importantly which many overlook is the number of connection interfaces are available, i.e. no. of USB interface, HDMI, PC interface, SCART (if you live in Europe), etc.

Good luck on you next TV purchase.

So much has been said about Skype for iPhone. Everyone were anticipating the release and finally I read on BBC that it will be available for download from iTunes App Store today. Yes, today. I downloaded and installed it on my iPod Touch this morning. Later this evening after I got home from work, I installed Skype on my friend’s iPod Touch and noticed that there are already over 300 reviews on the application. When I downloaded Skype this morning, no one had left a review but this evening there’s over 300 reviews. It would be interesting to see the stats, if it is available to find out how many people have downloaded Skype since its release.

The next thing to do now that I have installed Skype is to find a microphone for my iPod Touch. Unlike iPhone, iPod Touch does not have a built-in microphone. The microphone that I would like to get is called TouchMic Handsfree Lapel Microphone & Adapter. The microphone is compatible with iPod Touch 2nd Gen and works with Skype application. It is small and neat and has a lapel which you can clip to your t-shirt or shirt.

What is even more awesome is you can use the TouchMic Handsfree Lapel Microphone with Voxie Recorder to record audio messages. Voxie Pro Recorder is available for download from the iTunes App Store for £1.19

There are times when I act in haste in a situation and then regret my action hours or days later. Upgrading my iPod Touch firmware 2.2.1 was one of those moments. In great enthusiasm, I trusted my instinct to upgrade to 2.2.1 without first checking online to find any reports of problem with 2.2.1 upgrade. I clicked Upgrade in iTunes as it started to sync my files with my iPod Touch. Now I wish I know how to roll back.

After the upgrade everything was fine for a while. Then my iPod Touch started to crash. Once it crashed I couldn’t restart the gadget. The Apple logo would appear then the screen would just go blank. Once after several attempts to revive my iPod Touch, it gave up and I had to restore my iPod Touch from a backup. After the restoration my iPod Touch was still crashing.

After some investigation I discovered the problem is caused by the wifi. If I have it on by default, it would consume the battery within minutes if I go online. I didn’t have that problem before the upgrade to 2.2.1. Since the upgrade my battery would drain in a few minutes if I go online using my iPod Touch.

I checked on Apple’s website and they denied that 2.2.1 had anything to do with wifi. Seriously what else could it be. I Googled, found a few others with wifi problem after 2.2.1 upgrade but no clear solution or fix is available.

I also discovered another problem with the 2.2.1 upgrade. It didn’t happen to my iPod Touch, thank God! but others would have their iTunes crash on them and they couldn’t sync their iPod Touch/iPhone after the upgrade to 2.2.1. For this problem, Apple provided a resolution. You are suppose to De-authorize and then Authorize again in iTunes before you connect your iPod Touch/iPhone to your computer.

Reason for de-authorizing and authorizing

Deauthorizing a computer allows you to manage which computers can play music, videos, audiobooks, or other content purchased from the iTunes Store.

Authorization helps protect the copyrights on the content you buy. You can use your digital rights management (DRM)-protected music purchases1 from the iTunes Store on up to five different computers (these can be any mix of Macintosh or Windows-compatible computers). When you play an item you’ve purchased, your computer is “authorized” to play content purchased using your Apple Account.

Learn how to Deauthorize and authorize iTunes here.

As for my wifi problem, it is not resolved. I’ve decided to book an appointment at the Genius Bar. If those guys can resolve my problem I will update the solution here. Till then, wish me luck.

The Google Android Phone is called G1. The device was developed by mobile manufacturer HTC. G1 is the first device to run on Google’s mobile platform, Android.

G1 features include:

I read that it will be available for purchase this Christmas and will compete with iPhone. Would you like a G1 for Christmas? Best include it in your wishlist now. It will be cheaper than iPhone by $300.

It is here, the new iPod nano. It comes in nine amazing colours, with storage space of either 8GB or 16GB and if you shake it, it will shuffle through your songs.

The union colors of nano.

It is small, slim and a practical gadget to carry around. The visual display is larger and it can display both horizontally or vertically depending whether you hold it upright or side ways. Like all gadgets, there are limitations. It it not an iPhone or iPod Touch substitute but it has its appeal. Would I get one? Yes, I can slip it into my jeans pocket and which colour would I choose? I don’t know. I am spoilt for choice.

In gadget land, owning anything that says GPS is fashionable. Satellite Navigation system is one of the most popular gadget that vehicle drivers own. I remember my first encounter with a Sat Nav system was I took a ride home with the two truck driver who kindly towed Herbie (my VW Golf) from Colindale in London back to my home in Surrey. That was quite a few years ago and the sophistication of Sat. Nav. is no longer a novelty but a norm. Everywhere I go the word TomTom is part of a conversation for commuters and travellers. It makes me wonder how we navigated around places before the existence of satellite navigation system and GPS.

Sony has also been a player of the GPS game. For some time now, Japanese PSP users have had the privilege of using their PSP with an add on GPS receiver. It is only recently the GPS receiver for Sony PSP has made its way into the western market. From what I have read, the GPS receiver and PSP will provide 2D/3D locations, driving directions, POIs downloadable city guides. It is said that the retail price of the GPS receiver will be less than $100.

If you are not keen on spending the money on a small and slick looking GPS receiver designed for Sony PSP, you can also get all techy and hack your PSP and add GPS to it.

How to hack your PSP and add GPS

Read the article: http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/25/impatient-add-gps-to-your-psp-the-hard-way/

My friend sent me a photo of a Quikpod today and I said to myself, I should get one of this awesome gadget to use when I am travelling. How many times have I gone on a holiday where I have to ask another tourist to take a photo for me because I can’t take a good photo of myself on my own. Well, that’s when I don’t carry a tripod.

Quikpod is actually a monopod. I have a monopod that I hardly use because they are actually no replacement for a tripod but when you are on holiday and want to quickly snap photos of tourist sites, a monopod like Quikpod is extremely handy. Quikpod now has a model for DSLR, one that is hardier and can support heavier DSLR cameras. It is lightweight, weighs only 9 ounces with quick release head, a panoramic mirror and extends into a monopod.

Would you get a Quikpod? They cost around $25 and comes with a carry bag and the Quikpod DSLR costs $49.95

Here’s a video by Calumet photographic.

Quikpod review

Website: http://www.quikpod.com/home.asp

It is official that Toshiba has dropped its plans for HD DVD. Companies like Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Netflix and others have abandoned HD DVD for Sony’s Blu-ray. The long format war between Toshiba’s HD DVD and Sony’s Blu-ray is over and the winner is Blu-ray.

Toshiba has announced that it would no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders.

What is HD DVD?
HD DVD or High-Definition DVD is a high-density optical disc format designed for the storage of data and high-definition video.

What is Blu-ray?
Blu-ray disc is an optical disc storage media format. Its main uses are high-definition video and data storage. The disc has the same dimensions as a standard DVD. The name Blu-ray Disc is derived from the blue-violet laser used to read and write this type of disc.

Some believe that Playstation 3 console with Blu-ray technology played an important role in helping Blu-ray win the format war with HD DVD.

What are your thoughts on this?

The Eye-Fi card is a memory card that uses built-in Wi-Fi technology to transfer photos direct from a digital camera to a computer or photo-sharing website. The technology is a brainchild of a California-based company Eye-Fi.

The card works by storing photos like a regular SD card and enables users to upload the photos automatically to the home network if the camera is switched on. Eye-Fi currently produces a 2GB wireless SD memory card and claims that it works at a range of more than 90ft outdoors and 45ft indoors.

How does Eye-Fi card upload photos?

Upload to computer
Photos are sent wirelessly from the Eye-Fi Card inside your camera to your home Wi-Fi network directly. It works on PC or Mac. Your computer must be switched on and the Eye-Fi manager software must be running. You can upload to the folder of your choice.

Upload to web
Eye-Fi card connects wirelessly to your home Wi-Fi network and uploads your photos to photo sharing and social network websites. Eye-Fi service handles login, re-sizes photos and upload is free.

Upload to computer and web
If you wish to share photos as well as transfer photos to your PC or Mac, Eye-Fi card allow you to choose both option to upload to your computer as well as the web.

Which websites can Eye-Fi card automatically deliver your pictures to?

costco.com
dotPhoto
facebook
flickr
Fotki
Gallery
Kodak Gallery
Phanfare
Photobucket
Picasa
Ritzpix.com
Sharpcast
Shutterfly
SmugMug
snapfish
TypePad
Vox
Walmart.com
Webshots
WindowsLive

The Eye-Fi card and service provides convenience and the company claim it will change the way people save and share their digital photos.

How much is the Eye-Fi card?

It is priced at $100 for a 2GB wireless SD card.

Eye-Fi website
www.eye.fi

The multi-dock Griffin PowerDock will allow you and your family to charge up to four iPod and iPhone gadgets. In my opinion, it does not look too cool as a product but it is practical.

Imagine a household where dad has an iPhone, mum has an iPod Video, your older sister has an iPod Nano and you have an iPod Touch and imagine four separate chargers and everyone is constantly looking for an available power point socket in the house to charge their gadget. The Griffin PowerDock solves the problem and everyone in the house will be able to charge their iPhone and iPod at the same time. No more arguing that there are not enough power point sockets in the house.


I heard that the four-port PowerDock will be available in April for $70 and a two-port version will be available in June for $50.

Let me know what you think of this product and if it is something that you will use.

Other gadgets that my interest you:

Cool Speakers for iPhone