Microsoft’s Budget LifeCam HD-5000

The Microsoft LifeCam HD-5000 is geared toward the budget-conscious buyer who wants a 16:9 high-def image. At $49.99 (street under $40), it’s the most affordable LifeCam with high-def.  But there are trade-offs that were made to get to this price point.

The LifeCam HD-5000 is set up to be plug and play.  Auto Focus, even with the new update, has some issues. At times sudden movements can cause it to refocus. Plus, refocusing is not instant. It can take two to five seconds to completely refocus. This makes the HD-5000 a video chat only webcam, unusable for creating video content.

The HD-5000 takes 4-megapixel still photos with sharp and accurate color in various lighting conditions.
The HD-5000 is quite adept at handling varied lighting environments and is huge improvement over past Microsoft webcams.  It boasts Microsoft’s new TrueColor Technology, and if you use the company’s software, you have free reign to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation and white balance, among other things.

Lens

Instead of a glass lens like the one Microsoft’s LifeCam Cinema has, you get a plastic lens with the HD-5000. This is one of the trade offs to get the price point down. When I compared the two cameras side-by-side, I barely noticed a difference. What is noticeable is the Cinema’s better handling on Auto Focus. Even when in 1280 x 720, it rarely stops to refocus, and when it does, the transition is brief.

Sound

The noise-canceling microphone is sharp and crisp when you’re sitting in front of the webcam. It can pick up conversation from across the room. I have used it as a speaker phone with Skype for both Audio and video calls.

Build

The HD-5000 has a plastic body and is sturdy enough to withstand a fall from the top of a computer monitor to floor.  Please don’t ask on why I know this.

It comes with the same flexible, rubber clip found on many of the other Microsoft webcams which makes it easy to mount on the a desk, monitor or even a laptop.

The Verdict

The HD-5000 delivers  excellent quality video and audio. Plus, HD-5000 cam does not feature onboard hardware encoding, which resulted in 40 percent CPU utilization for this tester when recording at 720p on a Core i5 750 processor.  That performance really makes using 720P only suitable with the lastest processors from Intel and AMD.  The CPUs usage also means HD-5000 will not be usable for Skype HD, since it requires onboard hardware encoding.  But this is a budget line camera and to get this price point Microsoft needed to make trade offs.

Now the slow focus issues did lower the final rating to 3 and half stars, but the camera delivered good quality and color for the price.  It is quite a bargain for the casual Webcam user.

Rating 3.5

Pros:

• Strong Picture and Color
• Sturdy Construction
• Does Well in Low Light
• Easy to Install

Cons:

• Auto Focus is a little to Active
• Doesn’t Support Skype HD
• High CPU Usgage

Technorati Tags: 720P, LifeCam, Skype, TrueColor, Webcam

Review: eBags Express Collector Laptop Tote

Like many women, I have a bag for every occasion, but my assortment of bags is made up of things to tote technology.  I’ve been through any number of backpacks, messengers and slings in the search for an everyday bag that can go with me to the office or out on errands.  Something that can do the job of both a purse and a technology lug-about.  I got the Express Collector Laptop Tote by eBags about a two months ago and so far, it looks to be a real winner.

The bag is a rectangular tote made of a ballistic nylon fabric, that seems to be stain resistant and pretty tough.   It has double should straps made of wide nylon webbing that are sturdy without being too stiff.  The straps have an 11 inch drop which is leaves room for larger upper arms, without it being uncomfortably long on those who have smaller/shorter torsos.  These features make it a comfortable bag for a wide variety of body types.

On the outside of the bag, there’s a front zippered pocket that keeps smaller items close at hand and safe.  A roomy back slash pocket holds a magazine or file folder.  There are also two end pockets, one unzips to hold a full size water bottle and has a mesh gusset for added space and breathability.  The other is the right size to hold a portable umbrella.

The main compartment is zippered across the top to keep contents secure.  Inside you’ll find a large, lightly padded file pocket that measures measures 14-1/4″ x 9-1/2″ x 1-3/4″. It can hold magazines or files, but I use it to hold my 15 inch laptop that I haul back and forth to the office every day.  It slip nicely into the pocket with a bit of room to spare, but if maximum padding is your priority, this pocket doesn’t provide that.  Mostly it just keeps the laptop from getting banged around by other things in the bag.  An additional large inside zippered pocket gives you yet another place for smaller items.  Also on the inside are a key leash to make sure your keys are always handy, and a light grey/silver lining to make items easily visible.

I like this bag so much, that I would buy it again…twice.  It’s roomy enough to take most everything I need for the day, laptop, phone, wallet, something to read and a few sundries.  If you need to add a lunch or gym clothes to that list you’ll need a second bag, or something bigger that this.  It’s built to last and looks good and I expect to enjoy it for a long time.  You can order it off the e-bags sight but get it quick as quantities may be limited.

Rating 5

Pros:

• Looks Good
• Sturdy Construction
• Well Organized
• Comfortable to Carry

Cons:

• Not big enough if you are a hauler
• Stock may be very limited

Technorati Tags: Bags, eBags, Fashion, Laptop Accessories, Women

Review: Treasures of Mystery Island

If you are looking for something tropical to keep your brain occupied between those baffling new Lost episodes then you might want to give the Treasures of Mystery Island a try.  In this new puzzle game from Alwar Entertainment, you take on the role of Alex, making just another routine run across the Atlantic Ocean in his cargo plane when his girlfriend’s lucky talisman starts to glow. Moments later, as his ride dives toward choppy waters, he finds himself parachuting to the sandy expanse of an uncharted island. When a native rescues Alex, he begins a hidden object adventure that will take him into the heart of a strange island.

The object of the game is to find pieces of lost object that are hidden in the intricately detailed scenes of island life.  Once the pieces of each lost object have been located, then you have to figure out where the object should be placed in the scene.  If you have trouble locating the pieces you can use the hint feature to help you zero in on an item’s location.  You can get as many hints as you need, but you do have to wait for a short period of time between hints as a meter refills.

One of the difficulties of the game is the amount of detail in each scene.  In order to find and place objects you will be zooming in and out a lot.  It is easily done, with just a tap of your finger, but even with that I found myself using the helpful hint button more than I would have anticipated, since some of the objects are pretty hard to make out when you are zoomed in as far as the game will allow, even accounting for my aged eyeballs.  The other option is to start tapping randomly on the screen to see what you happen to hit, and if you do to much of that, the game actually scolds you with a little warning message.

When you get all of the objects assembled and correctly placed in a level, you are rewarded with a mini-game.  I aced the first one and got an achievement, but am stuck on another that I may never defeat and all my progress in the game seems to be blocked.  That’s another frustration point, don’t leave a gamer stranded with everything hinging on one mini-game.

If you enjoy hunt and find puzzle games, then this one would be a good pick.  The game play is simple and straight forward, with the mini-games giving some added challenge.  The graphics have nice detail and the interface is crisp and responsive.  You can purchase Treasures of Mystery Island for your iPhone or iPod Touch from the App Store for $3.99.

Pros:

• Nice graphics and interface
• Engaging puzzle game play with challenging mini-games
• Good value for price

Cons:

• Could use stronger zoom
• Provide an alternate path for someone stuck in a mini game

Rating: 3.5

Technorati Tags: Alwar Entertainment, iPhone, iPod Touch, Puzzle Games, Treasures of Mystery Island

Review of Toki Tori - An Old Friend Brings Fun to Windows

One of the best games on the Game Boy Color was Toki Tori and now you can play it on your Windows PC. This is a new and improved version of the game which pays respect to past while bringing it up to date with HD graphics and a 5.1 surround soundtrack.  It also has additional levels not found in the Wii version. In short, you’re not just re-buying the same game without updated graphics and sound on a different platform.

The game is genius in its simple and straight forward goals and plot.  Toki Tori puts you in control of a yellow egg-shaped chicken on a quest to find his still in the shell siblings.  The movements are simple keeping to its roots as a platform game - left, right, up and down. You can control your chicken with the mouse, or the keyboard.  Toki Tori also supports joypads such as the Xbox 360 controller, if you have the hardware.  The Xbox 360 controller is our favorite way to play since it makes the control so easy.

You have 80 plus levels over 4 worlds where you must pick up each egg in that level using a set number of tools.  But is not just a simple case of avoid the monsters and collect the eggs.  You must plan your paths carefully since it is a puzzle game at its core.  As you move up the levels, you gain an array of tools to help solve that level. Some of those tools include Bridges, Telewarp, Freeze-o-Matic and InstantRock.  At times you may only get a limited number of some of those tools, so use them wisely.

For kids, or less experienced gamers, there are easy levels but those still make the player learn how to manage the spacial elements of the level with tools they have at hand to achieve success.  On the harder levels the puzzles quickly evolve into “what to do moments” to get those siblings. This what makes Toki Tori such a great causal game, you have great feeling of success when you finally beat that “it just can’t be done” level.  Plus for some of those moments of great accomplishment, you get Steam Achievements!

The Verdict

The bright cheery music is well suited to the game, as are the sound effects.   All four worlds and their levels are great eye candy which just make you want to play and watch the game.

The only con I had with the game came during install.  Make sure you have the latest video drivers for your graphics card before you install the game.  On my out of the box Windows 7 x64 bit machine with an ATI Radeon 4850 video card, the install would silently fail.  Once I went to ATI and got the latest drivers, the Steam install worked without a hitch.

It is a great game at a great price point which the whole family can play.  It has more fun and fewer calories that one of those fancy coffee drinks that Seattle is famous for, at about the same price.  Just buy it, you will be happy you did.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars

System Requirements

You get Toki Tori through Valve’s Steam service for $4.99.  But early buyers of the game will receive a special introduction discount of 25% - AKA $3.75.  Please note that this is for a limited time only.

Technorati Tags: Casual Games, Game Reviews, Games, Games for Windows, Platform Games, Puzzler, Steam, Toki Tori

Fueltank UNO - A Must Own Item for Heavy Cell Phone Users

One of the high points during the past CES was the FuelTank Uno.  If you own a phone without a replaceable battery or travel you really should buy one.  I got the review unit a week before CES, so I decided to test during what can be the most stressful time for me and my pocket devices, like my cell phone and iPod touch.  The FuelTank Uno passed with flying colors.

What is it?

The Fueltank Uno is basically a rechargeable lithium ion battery which has more than 4 times the capacity of a standard mobile phone.  You can safely charge smaller portable electronic devices multiple times without the use of an outlet.  So most PDAs, MP3 players, GPS units, and phones work with it.  You cannot use to change something large like a laptop.  Callpod claims it can charge up to 3,000 different mobile devices.

To use it, just plug the device adapter into your device and then plug  the other end into the UNO. You will see a blue LED come on the UNO and the changing indicator will activate on your device just like it does when you use it dedicated changer.

It has smart voltage regulation and current control for safe and optimal charging, so it won’t damage your devices.  A back-lit LED capacity indicator displays the battery life left in the tank.

A small wall power adapter is used to charged the Fueltank Uno on the opposite end of the device where you plug in the proprietary device adapter to change your device.  CallPod came up with a great user design by making sure the plugs on the FuelTank Uno are different size, so you cannot plug device adapter into the plug which is for the power adapter and vis-a-vis.  In another huge plus, Callpod has done something I wish more CE manufactures would do- They put their name on the power adapter!  While the Fuel Tank has won a spot in my daily work bag, it is so nice  to be able to see a power adapter and know what it is for just by looking at it.

In Field of Battle

Laura and I tested the product during CES with G1 and MyTouch cell phones, iPod touch and nano.  The review came with Mini-USB adapter, which we used with the MyTouch and G1, and Phone/iPod Direct Connect adapter.  There is also a coupon in the box for another adapter which you can order for free from Callpod.  CES is so large the cell networks in Las Vegas get overloaded, that means weak signals, so your battery does not last as long as it does normally.   In the past that might mean I would be out of contact by the end of each day since finding a power plug to recharge your phone is just not practical and would take you away from working the floor.

The Uno is small and light at 3.5 oz, so you can just put in your pocket or small hand bag and it solved that issue for me.  Unlike an iPhone, the MyTouch does have user changeable battery.  But in these days of flying, why carry a ton of different replaceable batteries for your different devices when you can just pack the UNO. Plus it means you only have to recharge the UNO at the end of day to have a “fresh battery” for all your devices at the ready.

The only real fault I had with the UNO is the length of the device adapters. If they were a little longer, it would make it easier to fold over to hold both your device and UNO in your hand while recharging on the go.

What’s Included

• Fueltank UNO base unit
• AC/DC Wall Plug
• iPhone/iPod Direct Connect adapter
• Mini-USB adapter
• Carrying pouch
• Voucher for 1 free adapter redeemable at Callpod.com

PROS: Easy to Use, recharges your devices very fast, supports many devices

CONS: Longer cords for the device adapters would be nice

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars

Technorati Tags: Accessories, Cell Phones, Gadgets, iPhone, Ipod, iPod Touch, MP3 Players, MyTouch

Vuzix Shows Evolution at CES 2010 with the Wrap 310’s

When you go to CES nearly every year, you get the chance to see a product or a category grow over time.  With the huge push that 3D was receiving at this year’s CES, I decided to visit Vuzix booth to see how their glasses compared to the ones the TV firms were using for 3D when it came to comfort and adjustment options.  Plus, I wanted to see what improvements they have made since I last took a look at them at CES 2008.

I have to say I have fell in love with the Wrap 310 model.  These glasses support video from a wide range of sources; Apple iPod / iPhone / iPod touch, portable DVD players, camcorders and even a VGA (PC) with the optional Wrap VGA Adapter. As a bonus the 310 supports both NTSC and PAL sources.

When worn they are equivalent to watching a 55-inch TV as though you are positioned ten feet away and they have 24 bit color.  You can view video content in both the 4×3 frame of standard TV or the 16×9 frame which HDTV is broadcast in.  The 310 supports stereo sound and you can use your own headphones if you like.  Onscreen display for video display adjustment such as brightness, contrast, hue and color saturation makes customizing the video to your tastes easy.

When it comes to comfort they use ultra-thin cabling, an adjustable hypoallergenic nosepiece, and independent +2 to -5 diopter focus adjustment. While I don’t wear eyeglasses yet, I had a few friends try the 310 over the course of the show and none had problems getting them to fit over their glasses.

So why did I did not go ga-ga for them 2 years ago?  Well first of all they are more comfortable than they were in 2008.  Vuzix also understands the need for upgrades and accessories to let the 310 fit your personal taste and style.  At this CES, Vuzix launched a line of accessories.  Included in the launch are the Wrap Style Lens which come in 3 colors or a mirrored finish.  While you do get six hours of video play back with 2 AA alkaline batteries, there is also a Wrap CV Recharge Pack.  It is a lithium ion rechargeable battery pack which you can recharge through a USB connection or the included AC adapter. It is a green way to go-on both your wallet and the planet.

Second, there is the way we travel. We are flying less and staying closer to home.  There are around 30 states which don’t allow video screens in autos where they could be seen by the driver.  Since most adults like riding in the front seat next to our travel companion, the 310 lets you enjoy a movie on your iPod and not be breaking the law. Plus you keep the sound to yourself, which reduces driver distraction even more than just having a video screen which can only be viewed from the back seat.

When we do fly, the airlines have cut back on services.  So why not watch the movie you want without anyone getting in the way of the screen. You can with the Wrap 310s and an iPod.  It is easier and more enjoyable to do in flight than watching a movie on a netbook.

I found the 310 to be a great value for those of us looking to watch video on the go at a reasonable price - $249.95 SRP.  The video is sharp and clear and comes from a wide range of sources.  The Wrap 310s are easy to adjust - both in video settings and to fit your face.  With the 30 day money back guarantee, you really should give them a try.

Vuzix makes a wide range of video glasses aimed for medical, military and consumer markets, so do take the time to look at their web site - www.vuzix.com

Technorati Tags: 3D-Glasses, CES 2010, Ipod, Travel, Video

Review: i.TV 2.0 is a Must Have App for TV and Movie Lovers

If you have been looking for a way to manage all the information that goes along with TV, movies, iTunes, Netflix and other media that you watch, then i.TV is the app you need.  i.TV (pronounced eye-dot-TV) is a free application for the iPhone and iPod touch that helps people discover, share and consume media.

With i.TV, you can browse up-to-date local TV and movie listings, as well as a catalog of hundreds of thousands of TV and movie titles available for download and DVD rental. i.TV also includes community features and allows you to write reviews, rate shows and recommend shows to friends via an e-mail alert. i.TV also lets you watch movie trailers and television previews, manage your Netflix queue, and use your iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control.

The main i.TV screen has a clean and simple interface.  The i.TV app is simple to control, just choose one of the icons at the bottom of the screen either TV, Movies, Favorites, Search or More.

Choosing the TV icon moves you to a screen that gives you the option to view a listing of shows on at the current time, a listing of channels, a list of program categories or a grid version of tvlistings.  Picking a program entry from any of the listings gives a separate screen with channel, air date and time, synopsis and cast, and the ability to even watch a preview of some shows.  The new addition of alerts to the iPhone allows you to set an alert to be notified when a new episode, or even a specific repeat of your favorite show airs.

Selecting the Movies icon, you can receive information on Coming (Movies), Released (Movies) or Theaters.  Individual movies listings are similar to television programs with synopsis information, and the ability to view a trailer.  Picking an entry from the list of theaters gives map, direction and contact information, as well as a list of all the movies playing at that location.

The Search option allows you to…wait for it…TADA Search! You can enter the name of a favorite show or celebrity and get up to date information and news.

The More selection on the main screen hides some useful and convenient features.  You can access News from a variety of sources including CNN and E! Television, manage your Netflix queue, adjust settings for the application and any remotes and view information specific to your cable provider.

Being Netfilx users we jumped right on in to try the Netflix integration and found that is was pretty great.  Once you have gone through the short validation process you can manage both your DVD and Instant queues, adding or deleting items and the changes are reflected instantly.

Along with the other program listing and information, the new version of i.TV also come equipped with iTunes integration.  You can access show detail screens, discover and instantly download relevant television episodes, movies, and podcast content from iTunes.  All watchable content related to a movie or show can be viewed from inside the application itself.

Also built into i.TV i.TV Remote Control Framework that gives third parties the ability to develop solutions to control external devices such as a television, an AV receiver or DVR via i.TV.  The Tivo remote is the first integrated remote control on i.TV for TiVo subscribers with a broadband-connected TiVo DVR. The framework gives developers the ability to create completely custom remote control experiences for almost any device.  The TiVo Remote has easy to use buttons can be customized via the i.TV menu for the different TiVo devices that are supported.

i.TV is the first device to use the that gives third parties the ability to develop solutions to control external devices such as a television, an AV receiver or DVR via i.TV on the iPhone and iPod touch. The Tivo remote is the first integrated remotecontrol on i.TV for TiVo subscribers with a broadband-connected TiVo DVR.

“With i.TV, you can now use your iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control for televisions, DVRs and other home entertainment devices,” said i.TV CEO, Brad Pelo. “By bringing together the television guide and remote control on a mobile device you carry in your pocket, i.TV will change how people discover and watch television shows and movies. We are pleased that TiVo is the first of our partners to introduce remote control capabilities for their customers who use i.TV.”

The Verdict

i.TV is one of those handy applications that you might not have known you were missing, but will wonder how you did without it.  It aggregates pretty much all the information you need about any screen you might want to watch.  The TV listings and Netflix queue management are the bits we found to be especially useful.  The technology for creating remotes for different devices will be a big win with enough developer/manufacturer adoption and we look forward to seeing more remotes available within the app in the future.  There are many apps out there that will help you do all of these things individually, but i.TV puts them all together in a convenient easy to use package, on your iPhone, literally at your fingertips.

More information about i.TV is available at http://i.tv/

PROS: Easy to Use, Lots of Information, Netflix Queue Management,

CONS: Remote Available Only for TiVo

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars

Technorati Tags: cell phone, Home Theater, i.TV, iPhone, Media, Remote Control

Review: Skyworks HorseShoes Pro

Skyworks Interactive has developed several games for the iPhone and iPod Touch, most of them sports themed.   We here at ToT tried our fingers at one of them recently, HorseShoes Pro.

This game has all of the things that we have enjoyed in other Skyworks games we’ve tried.  One of the things we like best is that the games are based around concepts that usually require just a flick of the finger, a good quality for casual games.  They also allow you to quit at anytime and give you the option of resuming your game from the point you left it when you return.  The games also let you upload your high scores so that you can compare them with other players.

The basic concept of HorseShoes Pro is simple, just like the version you play on your lawn…Stand at one end of a court, toss a horseshoe and hope that it lands on a stake planted in the ground at the other end, which gets you a point.

In this version, at the bottom of your screen is a horseshoe.  You give it a little scoot with your finger to toss it, and that’s the game. After several tries I was still having trouble figuring out the secret to get the shoe to go where I want it to go consistently.  The game gives you the ability to “grip” the horse shoe different ways, but that did not make any difference in my success rate.  Doug was able to get better results when he tried it, especially in the Arcade Toss mode.

The game has the following four different modes of play

* Ringers - this is just you and 24 horseshoes out on the pitch. You toss them one at a time and get points for each ringer or shoe that lands close to the stake.
* Arcade Toss - Gives you a different goal each round that you have to accomplish to move to the next round.
* Tournament - You take turns with an opponent, throwing shoes to score 3 points for a ringer and 1 point for being close.  First one to reach 40 points wins and if you defeat 3 opponents you win the tournament.
* Play-n-Pass - In this co-operative mode you can take turns throwing shoes with a real opponent, passing the IPhone when it is time to change turns.  Tournament scoring is in effect.

The information menu describes all the modes in detail, gives you some hints for tossing and also has slider controls for sound and FX.  Like other Skyworks games, you can save your high scores from the game and share them with other players via the high scores page.

Overall this game is fun. It has good graphics and features that make it a great game for those casual players who don’t mind having a bit of a learning curve as far as the game’s controls are concerned.  The addition of a beginner mode where the horseshoes are easier to control would be a plus.  It’s fun to be able to play cooperatively with your friends and check out high scores from other players.

The main down point for me with this game was that it had such a high learning curve for the control of the horse shoes, if there were some way around this the app would have scored much higher.  I expect casual games to have an easy entry point.

Skyworks Interactive’s HorseShoes Pro is available in the iPhone App store for 99 cents.

Pros: 4 different game modes, community scoring, one finger play, co-operative play

Cons: Needs an easy mode for those of us with fumbly fingers

Rating: 3.5

Technorati Tags: Casual Games, Cell Phones, Games, HorseShoes Pro, iPhone, iPod Touch, Skyworks Interactive

Getting To Sleep With Your iPhone

For those of you out there who are part-time insomniacs with iPod Touches or iPhones, a quick cruise through the App Store will show you that there are any number of apps designed to turn your iPhone into a sleep aid.  During a chain of sleepless nights I compared three of the apps and well they worked according to my non-scientific test methodology.

The first application I tried was WhiteNoise Light by TMSoft.  It works based on the idea that listening to a repetitive noise will help you relax and fall asleep.  After you start it up, each screen consists of a snapshot representing a particular sound.  Arrows navigate you back and forth thru the selection of sounds including:  Crickets Chirping, Thunder Storm, Fan and White Noise are a few of the selections.  The screen has a volum control and a time control that lets you set the duration of the sound too.  WhiteNoise Light is a free version of the application that has a small ad strip running at the bottom of the screen, for $1.99 you can upgrade the app to a catalog containing 40 ambient sounds and pictures.

Verdict: This was the first of the sleep apps I downloaded.  I liked the quality of the sounds, each one was distinct and did not distort when I turned up the volume to full drown out some loud noises in the room where I was sleeping.  The accompanying pictures are pleasant, but not important for me since when I’m trying to sleep I usually lay with my eyes closed.  Overall, a good basic free app with 16 quality sounds that is easy to use.

The next app I tried is called iBrainWave.  IBrainWave SE is a version of the binaural brain stimulator iBrainWave.  The makers of the program claim that by listening to the sounds iBrainWave provides you can tune your brain activity for enhanced fuctionality.  You can be more energetic or relaxed, depending on your preference.  The program woorks by sending a base tone to one ear and a slightly different to to the other ear, which causes your brain toresonate as the tones go in an out of phase.  The tones are masked be a choice of either a river sound or white noise.

The main screen shows a picture of a head with a visible brain and a slider control that goes from sleep on the left to active on the right with several states in between.  Simply choose you desired state with the slider and let the brain tuning begin. There is a sleep timer and a setting page where you can choose between river noise and white noise.  The free version of this app also has a small ad strip at the bottom.  You can upgrade the app with a pruchase from the app store to make the ads go away.

Verdict: I liked the water sound on this app also.  It was also high quality, crisp and did not diort when I turned up the volume.  I tried differ settings on the tuning scale over the course of one sleepless night and did not really notice a significant difference in the way my brain felt.  If I had to wait to see the effect over the course of several sessions, I think I would get bored with having a coice of only two noises to cover the phased tones. This was my least favorite of the apps.

The last app I tried was my favorite of the three.  eSleep is not only a noise generator it is specifically aimed at inducing sleep.  The main screen has choices of music and sounds that you can combine to create you own custom sleep soundscape.  You pick a music loop first, all the loops are calm and soothing with slow chord progressions.  Then you pick any number of other ambient sounds for the program to layer over the music.  The sound selection is quite diverse and includes both natural sound like streams, crickets, forest noise or oceans and man-mad sounds like trains, planes and fans.  You can adjust both the volume and the looping of the sounds to give what is essentially a limitless number of combinations.

Verdict: The sounds and music on this app were also very high quality with no distortion or background noise.  What really sets it apart is the variety of combinations you can come up with between the music and ambient sounds.  My only complaint would be that it would be nice to have a few tunes with a more distinct melody line in them since sometimes following a melody thru a tune can be a relaxing exercise.  eSleep is available in the app store for $1.99.

Next time you find yourself wakeful as the night hours tick by, hit the app store for one of these apps and let your iPhone help you drift off to dreamland.

Technorati Tags: eSleep, Health, IBrainWave, iPhone, iPod Touch, TMSoft, WhiteNoise Light

Left and Right Review of Microsoft SideWinder X3 Gamer Mouse

In our house, rather than having a battle for computers, we battle over mice.  One of us is a righty and one is a lefty.  When it comes to to gaming and higher end mice generally the lefty loses since they are ergonomically designed for right handed users only.

Microsoft is about to ship a new gaming mouse, the SideWinder X3.  Despite the fact that it is set at a moderate price, $39.99, it has many of the same features as it’s more expensive competition such as the Microsoft SideWinder X5 and the Logitech G9.  Though they are called gaming mice, they are also useful for people who do other high intensity activities with their mice, like using graphic design apps.

The mouse comes boxed with a short manual and a CD with the Microsoft Intellipoint software for both Windows and Mac.  Mac users please note the mouse is only officially supported for use with Vista and XP.  The Mac Intellipoint software in the box does not support the X3.

Laura, AKA the Lefty, installed it on an older laptop with Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2.  The install went quickly and smoothly.  After that it was just a matter of plugging the Sidewinder into the laptop’s USB port and verifying the settings, then the mouse was up and running. Laura’s mouse is typically what ever cheap left-over “came in a box with some PC” mouse that is not shaped specifically for the right hand.

Doug, AKA the Righty, installed the mouse on a Gateway i7 desktop running Vista Ultimate 64.  He typically uses either a Logitech G9 gamer mouse or a Microsoft Notebook Mouse 5000.

One of the things Lefty appreciates most about the SideWinder is its bilateral symmetry, that means the shape is the same on both sides so it feels the same whether you are using it right or left handed.  The Sidewinder also has a smooth surface on the bottom, with wide pads that enable it to move smoothly of a variety of different surfaces.   We tried it on cloth, paper, a wood desk top, a laminated desktop and a black leather blotter and it worked equally well on all of them.  It is one of the smoothest optical mice we’ve ever used.

For navigation control, the SideWinder has five programmable buttons. First are the standard left and right buttons accompanied by a center scroll wheel. The buttons are easily programmed with the Intellipoint software and they click quickly and accurately.  They are smooth and follow the curve of the mouse’s shell.  Lefty’s personal preference would be to have a bit of a finger groove, but that is a minor point.  The scroll wheel moves freely and quickly, so it takes very little effort from your finger.  The Intellipoint software enables the mouse’s scroll speed to increase the longer the user scrolls down a page.  That feature only kicked in once or twice, but it worked smoothly and was not intrusive. The X3 also has nice low profile side buttons that are programmable for different functions in the driver application.  Lefty’s old mouse has inconveniently placed side buttons that are always getting in the way, and start up things like Windows Magnifier when they are hit accidentally, what a pain!

The SideWinder is designed to be a gamer mouse, so DPI (Dots Per Inch) is important because that determines the rate at which the cursor moves across the screen.  The X3 has three different default DPI settings (2000, 800 and 400) that are set with 3 buttons, located just behind the scroll wheel.  Changing from one DPI setting to another can be done on the fly and is completely seamless.  You can also reprogram the order of these buttons, or even the DPI level using the choices found in the Intellipoint software.

In comparison, the Logitech G9 which is also a part of our regularly used equipment cost nearly 2 times as much or more. The G9 has many features including swappable shell textures and an interchangeable weights system to get the exact weight you want. At this juncture, Righty grudgingly admits that the G9 tends to be mouse overkill for “most” people.   Being able to have a higher DPI for more precision movement is a must for gaming though, that plus the smooth action the SideWinder provides is something we can all use.  The added level of precision without a high price is great for people who use graphics applications or other applications where precise mousing is a must. It is comfortable for long periods of fragging or working.  As a bonus, the X3 features “Quick Turn” which is a macro built into the software that lets gamers quickly check their perimeter with the click of one button.

One issue Lefty found was when plugging the X3 into a laptop with closely spaced USB ports, you are not able plug another USB device into the same set of ports because the SideWinder’s plug is a little larger than other USB plugs.  It also did not work with a  PS2 KVM switch, but that was expected since the documentation clearly states the the mouse needs a powered USB port. Righty had plugged the mouse into the back of his desktop since it needs a fully powered USB port. The G9 mouse, the X3 replaced, was plugged into a USB port on a Logtech G15 keyboard which did not provide the X3 with the needed power.  The X3 works great with powered USB hubs.

Conclusion

Overall the SideWinder X3 has a really solid feel and performs great. We recomend it for anyone, gamer or not, who wants the performance of a high DPI mouse but doesn’t necessarily need a lot of extra bells and whistles or the cost that comes with them. It will be shipping sometime in May.

Pros:  Low Price, Quality Construction, Multiple DPI Levels, Customizable

Cons:  Oversized plug, Needs a full powered USB Port, No Mac Support

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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Technorati Tags: 2000 DPI, DPI, Gaming, Microsoft, Mouse, Sidewinder X3

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