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Dads,
Grads and Summer Fun Tech Gift Guide 2008 continued
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One iPod goodie
to add to the list for Dad, Grad or to take with on a Summer trip,
if they have recent iPod (generation 5 or 6), is the
new Macally
PowerTune. The PowerTune is
a very neat and
compact stereo combo speaker and battery package that is barely thicker
and wider than a Video iPod. Macally says it “delivers big
sound in a small package”, and that isn’t too far off.
For a very small package, the sound quality is exceptionally good,
though
not that loud.
It is meant to be a personal speaker system, something that you would
put on Dads desk, on the table next to your kids dormitory bed or any
place where it’s quiet and convenient for a quick listen to some
tunes or a podcast.
On the back of the PowerTune is a volume control and a three way switch
to select off – charge – speaker mode. This baby will easily
fit in a jacket pocket, briefcase or small school backpack. (click
picture above to enlarge)
A big bonus is the built-in 1050 mAh Lithium Ion battery pack that
will either power the mighty but little 500mW stereo speakers and run
or charge a sagging battery in your iPod. The Macally PowerTuner recharges
with a supplied AC adapter via a “mini” USB 2.0 port, which
means you can also charge from your notebook and a simple USB 2.0 cable.
The folding clear protective cover when you have your iPod in it, also
become the stand for table top listening. The PowerTune is our favorite
iPod accessory “must have” and all for an amazing $39.95
retail, but shop around bcause we found the Macally PowerTune for only
$25.54 at Amazon.
| If you need just a simple and very small battery extender or charger for your iPod, Zune and even your cell phone (if it uses a mini USB 2.0 port for charging), take a good look at Macally’s |  click
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small (W 2" x L 2.5" x H .5 ") glossy black JboxMini external Li-ion battery. Use it with an iPod classic and it will lengthen play time approx. 3 - 4 hrs; perfect for long flights to Europe or the Far East from the US. Fully charged, we found that the JboxMini will hold a nearly full charge for more than a couple weeks too. A great idea too for Dad or the Grads if they go on a trip and need more battery power for their cell phone. There are four LEDs that let you know the status of it charge level and it charges off your computers USB port in just a few hours with a supplied USB cable. Retail price is only $29.99, Amazon has it for $27.99 with free shipping and no sales tax in most states.
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images
The first is a budget “view
finder” digital
camera, something that you can slip into you pocket, dads brief case of
you grad daughters
purse. The compact and very slim Nikon CoolPix S550 is a stunning camera
in features and price. At 10MP (megapixel) for a sub $250 camera, it is
amazing. It delivers a 5x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens, Electronic VR
Image Stabilization, Bright 2.5-inch High Resolution LCD, Auto adjusts
up to ISO 2000 (Very-very fast!),a huge rear LCD, has Nikon exclusives
- In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™, Face-Priority AF Nikon's face-finding
technology and D-Lighting rescues dark or backlit images. The imaging
sensor is a true CCD (not an inferior CMOS imaging chip) at 1/2inch and
it does Movie Mode and Voice Memo for picture notations and playback (picture
review is a single button push.
click
images
The Nikon
CoolPix S550 comes in a number
of different colors too. List price is $229 but we found this great pocket
camera as low as $174 bucks and Amazon carries it for $199 – no
sales tax in most states and free shipping.
Our second camera is more serious, a true
Digital SLR with interchangeable Lens system. It’s the Nikon
D40 and perfect for
Dad who just spent $60,000 to put you through 4 years of college – come
on kids, don’t be pikers! Now if a dope like Ashton Krutcher can
use this camera (have you seen the movies he’s made?), than anyone
can. Seriously, we love the Nikon
D40 and actually all of the “D
line”.
click
images
The Nikon D40 especially compact and light (16 ounces ) for being a very
full featured true through the lens SLR (single lens reflex – your
actually looking through the lens just milliseconds before the picture
is taken) and one that is closely based on Nikon’s famous Professional
series SLR Digitals.
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The Nikon D40 features a 6.1-megapixel Nikon DX-format CCD sensor, a 3x AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II lens, 2.5-inch color LCD |
| monitor, 3-area auto focus, multiple image optimization options you can control, automatic exposure with 8 digital vari-program modes, fast startup with instant shutter response (0 shutter lag), in-camera image editing and a 1/4000 sec Fastest Shutter Speed. The D40 has a $499.95 list price, but do some shopping around the internet for lower prices – BUT make sure it is new and a complete kit with original Nikon Nikkor lens mentioned above. Want more pro level features, also take a look at the D60 or D80. | |
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