The Power of Touch!

For the past couple of years, there has been a rising popularity of giving out gadget gifts. Gone are the days when the word “gadget” was associated to the geeks. Or perhaps, with information technology being the “in” thing these days, everyone is no longer conscious of letting the geeks in each of us come out.

The holidays are just around the corner and there have been quite a handful of people already dashing the malls to do their holiday shopping. And, as suggested above, more and more people going in and out gadget stores to find the perfect gift for their loved ones.

The most popular gadget gifts these days are cellphones, GPS units and mp3 players. There is something about these gadgets' design and user-friendliness that attracts people of different ages. What consumers are particularly into are those with touchscreen features. There is just something about that idea of being able to interact with the display or monitor by just using the tip of your finger that draws consumers to it.

So, while you do your shopping list and check it twice, here is the list of touchscreen gadgets that you might want to consider to give out as gifts:

1- iPhone – Apple Inc. launches another revolutionary innovation, iPhone 3G, that definitely tops the list of gadget gift ideas. The iPhone 3G's holistic features give every shopper all the right reasons why he or she just has to have it. This device gives you the convenience of using three different devices in one sleek and stylish package. The iPhone 3G is a breakthrough phone, a widescreen multimedia player (an iPod) and an Internet device. Its appearance definitely equals the convenience it brings its users. In addition, its thin and slender design makes it handy, and all the more portable to carry around in your bag, purse or pocket.

2- iPod Touch – From the same team of geniuses that manufactures the iPhone 3G, Apple Inc. brings the iPod Touch, fondly called the iTouch for short. It is yet another portable media player with a Wi-Fi mobile platform. The iPod Touch comes in 3 different flash memory capacities – 8, 16 and 32 GB. Once again, Apple Inc. offers convenience with this iPod Touch as it is the first line of iPod that allows wireless access to the iTunes store and a software update that also has access to the App Store, Apple's online store. Just this September, iPod Touch launched its second generation that, as expected, came with additional features to entice consumers even more to buy this product. One of those features is the built-in Nike+ support. The number of people listening to their iPods while jogging, running or walking sparked this idea as the Nike+ support records the distance and pace of the walk or run. With the help of an iTunes software, the Nike+ support also allows users to view the walk or run history. Because of that, those who love working out while listening to music have listed the iPod Touch in their gadget gifts wishlist.

3- Samsung Instinct – Apple Inc.'s competitor, Samsung Mobile, has also launched a touchscreen device that will leave consumers procrastinating and asking themselves whether they should get Apple's iPhone or Samsung's Instinct as a gadget gift for their family and friends. The Samsung Instinct is also armed with state of the art features. It is an Internet-enabled multimedia mobile phone that has a built-in camera, a portable media player, a text messenger and an Internet browser.

4- Pharos Traveler GPS 525 – This device would be a great gadget gift to the dads or basically everyone who loves going on road trips. This hand-held computer is very small and light, which makes it all the more ideal to be carrying around when traveling to new places. It also has the same intelligence of touchscreen that allows you to stay connected with mere taps on the display. The Pharos Traveler GPS 525 is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and has a long battery life. Asking for directions and stopping by at gas stations to buy maps are now history with the Pharos Traveler GPS 525 as the maps of this device are accurate and efficient.

Technology has been advancing very fast these days that we sometimes find ourselves in dire need to catch up. Luckily for us, there are these gadgets that will help us get into the pace of that advancement. There are so many of these gadget to choose from. All we have to do is decide which of these gadget gifts fits the character and style of the people we wish to give them to.

Photo credit:

www.cnet.com

www.informationarchitect.jp

www.marketingpilgrim.com

Acer Aspire 5315-2713 – Affordable and Portable

If you are looking for an affordable computing system that offers you portability and a great price tag of just under $500- the Acer Aspire 5315-2713 laptop is a great option. Whether you are a student or mobile professional, this handy laptop is made for people on the go who are looking for a bargain while getting quality performance.

The Acer Aspire 5315-2713 is a rather attractive laptop which is colored in a light grey and black color scheme- simple yet elegant. There is a brilliant 15.4-inch WXGA (1280 x 800) LCD display with Acer’s exclusive CrystalBrite Technology creating a beautifully colored picture. This 6.2 pound computing device boasts a 1.86GHz Intel Celeron M 540 processor, 1GB of DDR2 667 SDRAM memory, a 120GB hard drive, and a Super-Multi optical drive. This PC is perfect for Word documents spreadsheets, storing pictures, PowerPoint presentations, surfing the web, and watching movies with plenty of memory to spare.

This laptop is ideal for connecting to the internet with the Acer Aspire's 802.11 b/g WLAN. When using this PC for communication purposes the Acer’s Video Conference Solution integrates real-time video over the Internet which allows you face to face interaction with whoever is on the other end. The built-in Crystal Eye webcam enables Acer’s Video Conferencing which supports enhanced Acer PrimaLite technology for improved performance in low-light environments. So whether it is day or night the screen visibility should adjust according to its lighting environment. The Acer Aspire 5315 is also designed with the convenience factor by placing the media ports on the sides for easy access. This Acer aspire comes equipped with Windows Vista Home premium which is the preferred operating system among computer manufacturers today, however, feel free to install Windows XP if that is your preferred operating system.

The bottom line is that the Acer Aspire 5315-2713 makes a great replacement for that desktop and at an incredible price. If you are looking for a multimedia computer which has built-in LAN, webcam, sizeable screen to enjoy movies and plenty of memory capacity for all your office documents and pictures - then this computer delivers. All of these features just under $500- now that is what I call a deal!

For online shopping in Canada I would strongly recommend Deal-eh.ca, which let’s you compare prices in Canada, quick and simple. They have a very large selection of consumer electronics and online retailers to choose from enabling you to find the best deals in Canada. Most of the consumers are Canadian-based, so you don't have to worry about international shipping or cross-border taxes. Shopping on this site was a pleasure and I found what I was looking for with complete ease.

Cheap MP3 Players- You Don't Have to Break the Bank!

With all the competitive technology wars, manufacturers are constantly building upon existing technologies by improving features and inventing new ones. Today, if you are looking for an MP3 player you can also get a cellular phone, GPS and gaming system all in one device. The advantages to all these evolving technologies are that the consumer benefits by the consistent falling prices of what is considered to be "outdated" technology. For those of you who just want an MP3 player for listening to music on the go, there is good news. In the world of consumer electronics, it is now feasible to find cheap MP3 players in Canada that will more than satisfy your music listening needs. Models such as the Creative Labs Zen Stone Plus available in 1GB and 2GB memory capacity, the Klegg Mini 1GB, Creative Zen V Plus 2GB, and Sandisk Sansa e250 are just some examples of bargain MP3s that can be purchased at incredibly cheap prices.


The Creative Zen Stone Plus offers 1GB and 2 GB models and both come in a choice of six colors. If you are looking for an MP3 player which offers good sound quality, easy to use, and includes a standard mini USB port for syncing and charging then the 1GB should more than suffice. It also supports audible files and has a skip folder that’s makes it easy to skip through groups of tracks. This device has the ultra affordable price tag of a mere $40. If you are looking for some extra handy features, the 2GB model offers an FM tuner, a stopwatch, and a voice recorder all for $70! It even has a tiny screen displaying the current track being played. These models are perfect for taking to the gym or on the go and offer different carrying accessories such as the armband, leather cases, or clear-plastic cases for optimum portability.


The Klegg Mini 1 GB is the smallest MP3 and Photo Player with a color display, voice recorder and FM tuner. The Klegg Mini can store up to 300 songs displaying song titles on the screen and plays back your photos as a slide-show. It has an easy to control navigation mode where you can select your songs or pictures. This little device can offer you up to 26 hours of playback time and has a USB rechargeable battery charge via your computer's USB port. Included with the Klegg Mini are Headphones and a workout necklace all for the cheap price of $60- Now that is a bargain!


There are also relatively cheap MP3 players out there, which offer some more features without inflating the price too much such as the Creative Zen V Plus. This device has a lot to offer in one little package with a 1.5' viewable screen for clips, pictures, and song title display as well as an FM tuner and video playback features. You can pick up the 2GB for $79.99, which is only $20 more dollars than the Zen Stone plus 2GB model. For the 20 extra bucks the screen display brings more to the table with its 1.5" display and photo/video playback. If you're already running Windows Media Player you don't need to install any software to start syncing content to the player. Unfortunately, the device uses MTP, so you won't be able to sync it with any machines that aren't running Windows XP. The device is covered in a scratch-resistant coating, but if you prefer you can cover it up with a protective skin available in 6 colors. Overall, this is a great buy for someone looking for more than just a music player and at a cheap price.


The Sandisk Sansa e250 is another MP3 with extra functions such as an FM tuner/recorder, voice recording, and photo and video playback in a compact and durable device. It has a nice tactile navigation wheel and a well-designed software interface. The SanDisk Sansa e250's 1.8-inch screen is oriented in portrait mode, and provides a large amount of space for navigation and watching clips. The user-removable battery and the Micro SD expansion slot are nice added touches to this sleek device. The SanDisk Sansa e200 package includes the player, earbuds, a black slip-on case reminiscent of the iPod case, a lanyard, a proprietary USB cable, and a software CD. Unfortunately, there is no AC adapter in the package. You can get all these advanced features for the price of $100, which is considered cheap for an MP3 player which packs all these features.


With all these new models and rising technologies, MP3s are not the expensive item they once were. Today you can compare Canadian prices for MP3 players find a perfectly fit MP3 player for very cheap prices with additional features as well. Whether you are looking for a basic MP3 for listening to music or an MP3 with a screen and playback mode, there is something for everyone looking for a cheap MP3 player.

Canon Powershot S5 IS - Better than Ever

Canon's popular line of image-stabilized superzoom cameras is constantly evolving into a more advanced and efficient camera with each new model. The Canon Powershot S5 IS is no exception and boasts more advanced features then ever before. Canon PowerShot S5 IS is similar to its predecessor, the 6-megapixel PowerShot S3 IS in that they both possess an image-stabilized 12x optical zoom lens with a focal range of 36-432mm (35mm equivalent), an SLR-like design, an articulated LCD, and a versatile feature set that mixes a full range of manual exposure controls (Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual) with easy-to-use Auto, Program, and Scene modes. The canon Powershot S5 IS measures 4.6 x 3.15 x 3.06 inches (117.0 x 80.0 x 77.7mm) and weighing 1.25 pounds (574g) with battery and card. The Canon S5 IS operates more like a digital SLR than the average digital camera with many external controls creating an SLR feel. It is an affordable substitute for a DSLR and accommodates snap shooters who want the power of a telephoto lens without the learning curve and expense of a digital SLR. The S5 has many attributes which have been upgraded from its predecessor the S3, to deliver the quality you can only expect from a Canon digital camera.
The Canon S5 IS is slightly larger and heavier than the S3 which is partially due to S5 IS's new 2.5-inch LCD where the resolution of the LCD has also been upgraded from 115,000 to 207,000 pixels which increases the LCD's usability especially in bright light and when using the manual focus. One of the nicest features on the PowerShot S5 is its flip-out, rotating LCD display. The screen rotates a total of 270 degrees and when rotating still maintains the subject in an upright position. In addition, the new Speedlite flash units are specifically designed to capture motion and ideal for sports photography. One of the apparent physical changes is the spring lens cap in place of the S-3's clip on design.

In addition, the Canon S5 now has the ability to correct red-eye in Playback, and has two new Continuous Shooting options: Continuous Autofocus and Live View. The Continuous Autofocus and live allows you to use a single, manually set focus point when shooting in Continuous mode. This is where the S3 excels, in fact, the S5 does not even possess High Speed Continuous Shooting and its continuous shooting speed is much less than its predecessor, the S3. You win some, you lose some. Although you lack some of the continuous mode that was present in the S3, it is well made-up for in increased recording time of up to 4GB of movie clips which is 4 times the length of the S3. A new LP (Long Play) option increases recording length in movie mode. One of the big features on the S5 is its movie mode with the MovieEdit task which lets you edit videos, complete with transitions, effects, text overlays, and more. One of the most important features is the ability to downsize the videos, which makes them easier to share with friends via e-mail or your website

Canon S5 IS's processor has been updated to DIGIC III and now offers Face Detection Autofocus and Auto exposure for a more defined and accurate capture of group and single portraits. Maximum ISO has increased to 1,600 and ISO Shift has been added for convenience purposes to quickly adjust light sensitivity if you need a faster shutter speed.

The function essentially is a menu of most frequently changed settings which is found to be extremely helpful and easy navigable. This function saves you from having to refer S5's more extensive menu. The S5 delivers according to CIPA standard, about 450 shots per charge which adds to the list of added conveniences to the S5. Another attractive feature is the RemoteCapture Task which lets you control the S5 over the USB connection enabling you to save photos directly to your computer instead of a memory card where you can control the camera's features as well. A separate program called PhotoStitch can put together separate photos to create a panoramic photo with just the right amount of overlap. Between the lens and the flash are the PowerShot S5's stereo microphones making the Canon S5's playback much more enjoyable when listening in stereo sound.

Whether you are point and shoot type of person or camera enthusiast, the Canon S5 has something for everyone. If you are an automatic shooter you'll enjoy the larger selection of automatic and scene modes while enthusiasts can appreciate the full manual controls and the ability to control the camera through a computer. Everyone will enjoy the camera's excellent movie mode, which lets you record up to 30 minutes of continuous VGA-quality video with stereo sound. Another feature to get excited about is the new redeye reduction tool in playback mode which is new is the S5 model. The S5 is definitely a big step up from its predecessor the S3 with new and improved advanced features and a plethora of functions to choose from, this is one hot item!

To find the best deals in Canada, please refer to Deal-eh price comparison page for the Canon Powershot S5 IS.

Nokia N95 Review - iPhone Beware!

Would you believe that there is a portable device on the market which encompasses GPS functionality, has a built in 5 mega pixel digital camera with Carl Ziess and Tessar optics, WI-FI wireless Internet connection, Bluetooth, MP3 player and of course covers your every communication need? When it comes to packing features with optimum performance, the Nokia N95 delivers.

The Nokia N95 is the newest edition and the most advanced 3G smart phone of the Nokia N series built on a series 60 Symbian interface topped with up to 160 MB internal dynamic memory for messages, ring tones, images, video clips, calendar notes, to-do list and applications. The Nokia N95 boasts an impressive screen measuring 2.6 inches across, 240 x 320 pixels in an unbelievable 16 million colors! The ambient light detector adjusts the lighting depending on your environment which allows for screen-visibility in most lighting conditions.


The built in GPS navigation system offers up-to-date Maps covering more than 100 countries. Through the Nokia N95 navigational system there are brilliant colored maps, route planning, and a sizeable points-of-interest database. The GPS calculates the total distance, time, speed, etc. In order to use the GPS function you must purchase the upgrade which is downloaded into your device for an additional $91.93 for a year license or $11.81 per month. The software and maps are basically free for as many devices as you choose to upload it on. The idea is that detailed street maps of virtually the entire world are made available for free, along with route calculation and display of your GPS position. There is the option to have all maps stored on your expansion card or download them as needed over GPRS or 3G data - you decide which is a more practical method for you.

Aside from the GPS navigation system, other wireless options include integrated Bluetooth capabilities, WI-FI, and an infrared port. The web-browser allows you to view HTML web pages on the Internet, displaying the original design. You can also browse web pages specifically designed for mobile devices, and use XHTML or the Wireless Markup Language (WML).

One of the most attractive features of the Nokia N95 is the 5 mega pixel camera with world renowned Carl Ziess lens and Tessar optics. The camera application has a number of extras, which include 4 ISO settings, contrast plus sharpness adjustment, and an enhanced burst mode (now with gaps of up to 15 minutes). The video camera is also quite impressive with recording capabilities in VGA resolution (640 x 480 pixels) at up to 30 frames per second with stereo audio. In addition, there is second front-facing camera for making video calls with a conferencing option. Supported video formats include MPEG-4, H.264/AVC, H.263/3GPP, RealVideo 8/9/10. Included with the Nokia N95 is the Nokia Video Connectivity Cable for direct connection and compatibility to your television.

Through the XpressMusic branding, Nokia has sought to emphasize the music capabilities of its Nseries portfolio. The Nokia N95 music player is easy to use and can be controlled by the directional pad or slide-out, or front-side buttons to navigate through your music selection. Included is a microSD (TransFlash) card slot that can support cards of up to 2GB in size, and should provide enough space for approximately 500 tracks (depending on length, formatting and encoding). The slot also supports hot-swapping, meaning the user is no longer required to having a card dedicated to music usage. The N95 contains the standard Nseries/Nokia S60 radio player. To operate the radio, you must plug in a headset or the remote control. Sound can then be channeled through the phone's loudspeakers or the 3.5mm stereo headphone plug and TV-out support jack. There is the 3.5mm stereo headphone plug and TV out support (PAL/NTSC). If you happen to be a Sandisk MP3 owner, it is noted on Sandisk website that its 4 GB micro-SDHC card is compatible with the Nokia N95.

With 160 GB of memory one can save an abundance of photos and videos on this multi-media device. The gallery interface is designed to list all of the photos and videos which can be found in internal memory and on a memory card. You have the option of viewing the small thumbnails, or clicking on each one individually. The file manager allows you to browse through all your media files with ease where you have the luxury of landscape browsing with its unique 2-way slide design feature that allows you to transition quickly between a multimedia-computer to a player.

Above all, the Nokia N95 is a high quality and efficient phone and messenger. This multimedia device can cost you up to $750. Some of the best prices can be sought out through online retailers or Canadian price comparison sites. The Nokia N95 is built for the user who can appreciate this feature-packed device- a true specimen of the latest technologies!

GARMIN GPS NUVI 350 – A Life Changing Gadget

Ever found yourself lost trying to maneuver your way through downtown Ontario without a clue where you were? Or maybe you have taken one too many road trips that has landed you in an unknown destination… sure it's fun to not know your destination occasionally, but most of the time we are all in a hurry – whether it is to be at a meeting, picking up the kids or trying to make a personal engagement with friends - maybe it's time to check out a new navigation system available to make your life a little easier.

One new product on the market destined to save you a lot of time and money navigating the streets alone is the GARMIN GPS NUVI 350.



The NUVI 350 is not only an extremely stylish and slim lined navigation system it also has the ability to be an MP3 player, audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, clock with world time zone capabilities, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and of course an anti theft device to deter anyone who might be interested in stealing this attractive addition to your car!

The NUVI 350 can be bought and used just about anywhere due to the preloaded City Navigator® NT street maps. Depending on your location for travel it is possible to insert a micro SD/SD data card with the designated country map to find your way happily out of any spot of bother you might find yourself in. Canada maps are available for purchase at the Garmin store for just $79.99.

Some features of this hot little product include a 2.8" wide x 2.1" high screen with the total product size being 3.87" wide x 2.91" high. The screen features a nice QVGA color antiglare TFT with white backlight and also responds nicely to touch screen commands. The battery is a rechargeable lithium ion with 8 hours of life and can be continuously charged through the use of the vehicle power cable included in the NUVI 350 package.

Further features include voice prompts, spoken street names, the options of either 2D or 3D map views, auto re route (fast off route options and recalculations for ETA), route setup (allowing you to achieve faster times, shorter distances and off road options), and route avoidance (if you are wanting to avoid tolls or freeways). Custom points of interest (POIs) is another strong feature which will alert you to when important town information is approaching such as safety cameras or school zones, ATMs, restaurants, and hotels.

Like all good technology these days the NUVI 350 is not just a navigation system and comes with additional accessories to boost your already highly efficient system including data cards, traffic receivers, accessory kits, adapters, antennas, cases and covers, memory, cables and mounts. Of all the accessories my favorite are the data cards which serve as travel and language guides. As the world seems to be getting smaller with regard to ease of travel, it seems a necessary option for technology to be able to be utilized in any part of the world. The SD data cards, relevant for the country you are traveling, can provide you with current travel information – sites to visit, shops to wander through, and restaurants to eat in. The data is provided by Fodors who are one of the leading trip planning and information companies available. The language guides are equally as important as you visit new countries. The information is provided by Oxford University Press and contains comprehensive word and phrase banks and bilingual dictionaries!

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) rely on a variety of satellites to assist you in figuring out where you are at any given time. The one major benefit of buying an in-car GPS is so that you don’t end up wasting time and money finding a location that should have ideally taken you perhaps only 20 minutes. The technology now available for these systems is getting better and better and the GARMIN GPS NUVI 350 is no exception, it is sitting comfortably in the market at the top of the range.

The GARMIN GPS NUVI 350 is also very competitively priced with the product having an average cost of $348.00 in the Canadian market. Although you will be able to find the NUVI 350 within most Canadian electronic stores the best way to quickly find this product and compare prices without visiting every shop in Canada is online. Deal-eh.ca is a new and exciting Canadian price comparison website which makes it possible to find the best online deals in Canada.

How to Choose the Right Camera for You

When deciding what camera to buy, I felt lost in the large selection of different models, brands, and features available on the market today. With my very basic knowledge of cameras I knew that I had to do some research and comparison between different models in order to make a fully informed decision. I started and ended my search at deal-eh.ca where each product contained product details, a large amount of stores, and great deals- all in one site. When going through the different types of cameras I gained a better sense of price ranges, features that appealed to me, and an overall idea of the camera that most suited me.

When choosing a camera for my travels I decided that a high optical zoom was important in order to photograph from a longer distance. Ease-of-use was also an important factor so I opted for an automatic camera rather that an SLR camera where I would have to adjust the lens myself. My set price limit was anything under $400 . With these criteria in mind, I initiated my comparison search on Deal-eh. While comparing and looking at the different features of each model, I found the side-by-side feature on deal-eh's site very helpful and enabled me to compare the different models in one screen shot. While looking at the different models' product description I discovered that most cameras could take either a rechargeable lithium-ion battery or standard AA batteries. For my travels and convenience I chose to go with a camera that is compatible with AA batteries rather than constantly having to charge the lithium-ion battery. I finally narrowed it down to three cameras: Canon Powershot S5 IS, Canon SX100 IS, and the Fuji FinePix S700. All 3 cameras possessed the main features I was looking for and were within my price range. One of the most important features for me was the optical zoom and the Canon Powershot S5 IS has x12 zoom in comparison to the other 2 models that were x10 zoom. I then considered weight and whether or not I was interested in a compact model such as the Cannon SX100 IS, which had a slimmer design and was lighter in weight. In deciding which of the 2 cameras was more of a fit for me I decided that it was more important for me to have the zoom in my travels in order to take advantage of every photo opportunity and not feel limited by distances.

I was very impressed by Deal-eh's selection of cameras and amount of online retailers listed for each product. It was very easy to locate what I was looking for in terms of zoom, design, brand name, etc., which made my Canada online shopping experience pleasant and hassle-free.