How to Buy an MP3 Player Vi

MP3 Player Shopping Tips

Choosing the right MP3 player isn't that difficult, but one player does not fit all. People will want different things from their players.

Think about how you'll use the player
Joggers will almost certainly want a lightweight, flash-memory-based device, since hard drives don't react well to the shock of bouncing around all the time; audio aficionados who want lots of music at their fingertips should keep their eyes on the highest-capacity hard-drive models. And if you want to view video or photos on the device, the quality of the screen is an even more critical consideration.

Try your favorite before taking it home
We can't stress this enough. Make sure you can use the on-screen display to navigate to a specific song, and ask a clerk to show you how to transfer music to the device, if possible. Always bring your own set of headphones to listen to the sound quality of each unit you're interested in.

Get the largest-capacity device you can afford
Whether you buy a flash- or hard drive-based MP3 player, make sure to choose a model with the largest storage capacity possible. Even if you don't think you'll need it now, you will probably be happy to have it later.

Pay close attention to the user interface
Does the player's menu system make sense to you, and is the interface easy to use? If you can't find the songs, artists, or albums you want to play quickly and easily, keep looking.

Mind your power options
While some flash-based portable players use replaceable alkaline batteries, most hard drive-based units feature a built-in rechargeable battery that cannot be easily removed. While these devices can keep going for tens of hours, if you're not going to be somewhere near a power outlet or a computer with a USB port, you might find yourself out of juice with no way to charge the player.

Look for wide file format support
All players should support the MP3 format; but if you prefer WMA, AAC, or Ogg Vorbis, make sure your player of choice can handle the files.

Consider a player with an FM tuner

Usually found on flash-based players, this feature isn't essential, but it's nice to be able to listen to the radio--especially if you grow tired of your recorded music.

Do you need a carrying case?
Some players come with a small carrying case, others don't. The more expensive and more fragile the player (hard-drive devices are the most delicate), the more likely you'll want a custom-fitted case to protect it. Even if the drive mechanism isn't delicate, you should take into account how upset you would be if your new possession were to get scratched.

Shop around, online and offline
MP3 players are widely available in almost every consumer electronics outlet, and their prices fluctuate. You can check prices from a variety of sources before you buy.



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How to Buy an MP3 Player III (continued)

How to Buy an MP3 Player III (continued)

The Specs Explained

Initially only a few MP3 players dominated the market. Now you can choose from dozens of players, each sporting a wide variety of features. (Compare prices now.)

No matter which player you pick, be sure to test it in a retail store before you buy--even if you don't buy it from that store. When you test a player, pay close attention to the interface you use to choose the song you want to play: Large LCD screens will let you find and organize stored music more easily than tiny ones. Also look for a player that holds the most songs in the smallest package you can afford.

MP3 Player Specs

Size and weight: Important considerations
People who plan to bring the player with them on trips or while exercising will want a smaller, lighter player. The constant evolution of the technology means that smaller and lighter players are always around the corner. Flash memory-based players run from about $90 to $250. These players can range from about the size of a pack of gum to a bit smaller than a deck of cards. A good flash-based player should weigh less than 2 ounces. Hard-drive-based players run from $175 to $400, and range in weight from about 0.3 ounce to just over 6 ounces.

Storage capacity (at 128 kbps): An important consideration
CD-quality MP3 music occupies about 1MB of storage space per minute, so storage capacity determines the maximum number of songs you can upload from your PC. Some flash memory devices let you put songs on removable storage cards, which can hold additional gigabytes of music. The capacity of flash-based players runs from 512KB to 8GB. Hard-drive-based players can hold from 6GB to 80GB of music.

Battery life: Somewhat important to consider
Hard-drive-based devices--especially ones that play video, too--chew through batteries. Flash-based players with no moving parts are relatively energy-efficient. Most devices of both types run on rechargeable batteries. Flash-based devices can support a battery life of 20 to 60 hours. Hard-drive players average about 14 hours of battery life when running audio alone; but playing video will drain the battery much faster. For instance, the video iPod averages 21 hours of battery life playing music but only 5.5 hours playing video. Flash players generally get from 20 to 100 hours of battery life playing music; hard drive players generally get from 12 to 25 playing audio only.

Upload interface: Somewhat important to consider
The faster the player's interface is, the faster you can load music onto the device. Some players let you transfer songs via removable storage cards. Speed is less important on players with smaller storage capacity, which is why larger hard-drive devices support faster interfaces (USB 2.0 or FireWire). If you want to view video on your player, make sure that you have the fastest interface you can afford.

File format support: A minor consideration (but make sure that the player you like can deal with the file formats you adopt)
Among the most common types of audio file formats are AAC, AIFF, Apple Lossless, ASF, Audible, FLAC, MP3, MPEG4, OGG, WAV, WMA, and WMA Lossless. If your player has video capability, you'll need to work with files saved in another array of formats. Some of the most common video file formats are DivX4, DivX5, H.264, Motion JPEG, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, WMV, and XviD. And if your device can display photographs, check to confirm that it can handle the format your photos are in; the most common of these are BMP, GIF, JPG, and PNG.

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How to Buy an MP3 Player II (continued)

How to Buy an MP3 Player (continued)

Key Features

Storage
The greater the storage capacity, the more songs you can take with you. Hard-drive-based players hold the most--currently, the highest capacity is 80GB (which can accommodate about 20,000 MP3 songs ripped at 128 kilobits per second). The latest (and most expensive) flash-based players can hold up to 8GB of music (about 2000 MP3 songs ripped at 128 kbps); more-affordable options tend to max out at around 2GB.

File management
MP3 files include ID3 tags, meta information embedded within each song file that provides artist, song title, and album name information to the player. Working with this data, a player can organize the files for you, though each does so in its own way. Most players have a built-in LCD screen, so look for one that shows the information you use most.

Transfer speed/port type
Downloading 5GB of songs all at once from your PC using a USB 1.1 interface can take all night. Almost all new players employ the much faster USB 2.0; but if speed is important, ensure that your player of choice supports the faster standard before you buy.

Software
All players come with software and drivers that allow you to download songs to them from a PC. Some units work well only with their included software, while others work with a variety of music programs. Before buying, always be sure your favorite jukebox software will work with your player of choice.

File type support
All digital audio players can play MP3 files, but your music may not be recorded in that file format. If you use media files encoded in the proprietary Windows Media file format (.wma) or the open-source Ogg Vorbis format (.ogg), your media player will be able to play those files only if it has appropriate support built in. Check the player's specs, either on the box or on the manufacturer's Web site, if file format support is important to you. And even if your player doesn't support your preferred format out of the box, many manufacturers provide downloadable updates to the player's firmware, some of which can add support for other formats.

Music service compatibility
Online music stores offer users with a broadband connection a fast, easy, and legal way to build their digital audio collections. However, not all players work with all stores. For example, Apple's ubiquitous iPod line works well only with the iTunes Music Store. Similarly, online music subscription services (such as Rhapsody) that let you "rent" music for your portable audio player work well only with specific players that carry Microsoft's Plays For Sure logo. If you have a favorite online music source, make sure that it works with your player of choice.

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How to Buy an MP3 Player

Whether you want to get your groove on while working out or would like to amuse yourself as you commute on public transit, a portable MP3 music player could suit your needs. MP3 players--available in a wide variety of styles and sizes and capable of storing thousands of songs--capitalize on digital technology to supplant traditional Walkman-style cassette-tape players and portable CD players.

____________________________________________________________
The Big Picture
Today's players pack loads of songs, and the devices are easy to manage, too. We'll help you figure out which one is best for you.

The Specs Explained
The storage capacity and battery life of an MP3 player can have a big impact on how much you enjoy it. We'll explain what's behind these and other specifications.

MP3 Player Shopping Tips
Our advice will help you find the right MP3 player for your lifestyle without paying too much.

____________________________________________________________
The Big Picture

A portable digital audio player sets your music free so you can easily mix and match songs in any order and take the tunes with you. MP3 players use one of two storage mediums: hard drive or flash memory. Hard-drive players offer the greatest amount of storage space but tend to be larger and more susceptible to damage due to the fragile nature of hard disks. Flash-memory models hold a more limited number of songs, but their lack of moving parts makes them more durable than hard-drive players.
An alternative technology beckons as well: Portable media centers, made by companies such as Archos, Creative Labs, and IRiver, play both music and video (on LCD screens about the size of a playing card). Exclusively hard-drive devices, these handheld entertainment consoles tie in closely with desktop PCs and let you watch hours of recorded television shows or movies.

Getting Started

Nearly all MP3 players require that you have a reasonably modern PC with a free USB 1.1 or 2.0 port. Your songs will load much more quickly with the latter. As you begin creating your music collection on the computer, you may want to upgrade your hard drive to be able to store more files.

Specialized MP3 players are not the only devices you can buy to listen to your music: You can now get mobile telephones, thumb drives, digital cameras, personal digital assistants, and car stereos that can store and play back MP3 music files. Many pocket-size voice memo recorders can now also record and play back MP3 files. But a word to the wise: Dedicated MP3 players usually sound better and have more user-friendly controls than hybrid devices.

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GARMIN : Garmin nüvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

GARMIN : Garmin nüvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.9 x 0.9 x 2.9 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BKJZ9Q
• Item model number: 010-00455-00
• Average Customer Review:

  2,795 Reviews 5 star: (1,792) 4 star: (730) 3 star: (138) 2 star: (64) 1 star: (71) See all 2,795 customer reviews...

  (2,795 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #1 in

  Electronics > GPS & Navigation > Vehicle GPS

Technical Details

• Compact 700 MB GPS navigator with bundled MP3/audiobook player, photo viewer, and world travel clock
• Small enough to fit in a pocket or purse; mounts on vehicle windshield with included suction cup
• Preloaded with City Navigator NT maps of U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico
• Turn-by-turn directions, automatic routing, and 320 x 240 color touchscreen display
• Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot; measures 3.87 x 2.91 x 0.87 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
What if one device could help you navigate anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, while offering travel tips, storing your favorite tunes and photos, providing translation assistance, and more? That device is here, and it's not much bigger than a deck of cards. The Garmin nüvi 350 is set to revolutionize what we expect from a GPS navigation device, or from any device for that matter.

Which nüvi is Best for You?: Click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators

The nüvi 350 is a portable GPS navigator, traveler's reference, and digital entertainment system, all in one. View product demo (requires Flash).

A simple touchscreen interface and voice guidance allow you to keep your eyes on the road. View larger.

With a total weight of 5.1ase, media files and electronic guides (see below). The flip-up antenna includes unately, Garmin has made it easy to interface with the nüvi 350's 700 megabytes of onboard memory, thanks to "plug-and-play" USB mass storage support. Just plug the device into your computer's USB port and you've got instantaneous access to all the audio books, music, photos, supplemental maps and other data on the nüvi 350's internal and SD card memory. Navigation The nüvi 350 is first and foremost a personal GPS device. Wherever you go -- in your car or on foot-- the device offers extrem-play" USB mass storage support. Just plug the device into your computer's USB port and you've got instantaneous access to all the audio books, music, photos, supplemental maps and other data on the nüvi 350's internal and SD card memory. Navigation The nüvi 350 is first and foremost a personal GPS device. Wherevy" USB mass storage support. Just plug the device into your computer's USB port and you've got instantaneous access to all the audio books, music, photos, supplemental maps and other data on the nüvi 350's internal and SD card memory. Navigation The nüvi 350 is first and foremost a personal GPS device. Wherever you go -- in your car or on foot-- the device offers extremely accurate position dat you've got instantaneous access to all the audio books, music, photos, supplemental maps and other data on the nüvi 350's internal and SD card memory. Navigation The nüvi 350 is first and foremost a personal GPS device. Wherever you go -- in your car or on foot-- the device offers extremely accurate position data, thanks to a high-sensitivity integrated GPS receiver by SiRF and WAAS-enabled, 12-satellite reception. Combined with detailed maps of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico the nüvi 350 provides automatic routing, turn-by-turn voice directions, and touchscreen control-- making it easy to find your way anywhere. Plus, the unique "text-to-speech" feature calls out turns by street name, and you can choose from either 2D or 3D mapping perspectives when you're viewing your route on the display. Additionally, the nüvi 350 is compatible with Garmin's GTM 10 FM TMC traffic receiver*, which allows users to avoid traffic tie-ups by simply pushing a button that will calculate a new route. As mentioned, the nüvi 350 comes packed with mapping data for North America, but you can can also load up your custom points of interest. Set up proximity alerts for school zones, safety cameras, and more using Garmin's free POI (points of interest) loader program (available from garmin.com). Important note about map updates: Due to our high volume of sales, almost every Garmin portable GPS navigator sold by Amazon.com will come with the most recent map version. If you ever do need a map update, you can purchase one from Amazon.com at our Garmin Store. The device automatically calculates the fastest route and provides voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions along the way. Tools for the Journey Navigation is just part of the journey, and the nüvi 350 is one of the first devices to recognize that. The built-in "Travel Kit" offers an MP3 player, an audio book player from Audible.com, a jpeg-format picture viewer, a world travel clock with time zones, a currency converter, a measurement converter, and a calculator. In addition to the included travel tools, additional software add-ons are available, such as the Garmin Language Guide, with data provided by Oxford University Press. This software suite contains a multilingual word bank, phrase bank, and five bilingual dictionaries. The multilingual word bank and phrase bank supports nine languages and dialects, including American English, British English, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, European Spanish, and Latin American Spanish. Now you can look up and translate more than 17,000 words or 20,000 phrases per language -- right in the palm of your hand. Through the unit's text-to-speech interface, users can get a spoken pronunciation of each entry in the word bank, along with gender and part of speech information. Another useful add-on software package, the Garmin Travel Guide, is loaded with information provided by Marco Polo. These guides put in-depth travel information such as reviews and recommendations for restaurants, tourist attractions, and more at your fingertips. The snd if you stray off course, the nüvi 350 automatically calculates the quickest way to get back on track. *Traffic services available only in select cities where RDS-TMC coverage exists. Requires the GTM 10 FM TMC traffic receiver and subscription fee to enable traffic capability. What's in the Box nüvi 350, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America and Puerto Rico, Vehicle suction cup mount, AC charger, Vehicle power cable, Dashboard disc, USB cable, Carrying case, Quick reference guide Which nüvi is Best for You? For a slightly higher pricepoint, Garmin's nüvi 600 and 700 series devices have richer feature sets including: MP3 players, JPEG photo viewers, the ability to receive traffic and weather information, bluetooth for hanle power cable, Dashboard disc, USB cable, Carrying case, Quick reference guide Which nüvi is Best for You? For a slightly higher pricepoint, Garmin's nüvi 600 and 700 series devices have richer feature sets including: MP3 players, JPEG photo viewers, the ability to receive traffic and weather information, bluetooth for hands-free calling, FM transmitters that deliver audio through your cars own stereo system, and multi-destination routing that will tell you the best way to make a trip that involves several destinations.

Kindle Books : Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga Book 4) (Kindle Edition)

Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga Book 4) (Kindle Edition)

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 826 KB
• Print Length: 768 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (August 3, 2008)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0015DYIH2
• Average Customer Review:

  3,543 Reviews 5 star: (1,612) 4 star: (479) 3 star: (310) 2 star: (368) 1 star: (774) See all 3,543 customer reviews...

  (3,543 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1 in Kindle Store (See Bestsellers in Kindle Store)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Great love stories thrive on sacrifice. Throughout The Twilight Saga (Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse), Stephenie Meyer has emulated great love stories--Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights--with the fated, yet perpetually doomed love of Bella (the human girl) and Edward (the vampire who feeds on animals instead of humans). In Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final installment in the series, Bella’s story plays out in some unexpected ways. The ongoing conflicts that made this series so compelling--a human girl in love with a vampire, a werewolf in love with a human girl, the generations-long feud between werewolves and vampires--resolve pretty quickly, apparently so that Meyer could focus on Bella’s latest opportunity for self-sacrifice: giving her life for someone she loves even more than Edward. How close she comes to actually making that sacrifice is questionable, which is a big shift from the earlier books. Even though you knew Bella would make it through somehow, the threats to her life, and to her relationship with Edward, had previously always felt real. It’s as if Meyer was afraid of hurting her characters too much, which is unfortunate, because the pain Bella suffered at losing Edward in New Moon, and the pain Jacob suffered at losing Bella again and again, are the fire and the heart that drive the whole series. Diehard fans will stick with Bella, Edward, and Jacob for as many twists and turns as possible, but after most of the characters get what they want with little sacrifice, some readers may have a harder time caring what happens next. (Ages 12 and up) --Heidi Broadhead

From Publishers Weekly
It might seem redundant to dismiss the fourth and final Twilight novel as escapist fantasy--but how else could anyone look at a romance about an ordinary, even clumsy teenager torn between a vampire and a werewolf, both of whom are willing to sacrifice their happiness for hers? Flaws and all, however, Meyer's first three novels touched on something powerful in their weird refraction of our culture's paradoxical messages about sex and sexuality. The conclusion is much thinner, despite its interminable length. [...] But that's not the main problem. Essentially, everyone gets everything they want, even if their desires necessitate an about-face in characterization or the messy introduction of some back story. Nobody has to renounce anything or suffer more than temporarily--in other words, grandeur is out. This isn't about happy endings; it's about gratification. A sign of the times? Ages 12–up. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.




Product Description
Twilight tempted the imagination. New Moon made readers thirsty for more. Eclipse turned the saga into a worldwide phenomenon. And now, the book that everyone has been waiting for.... Breaking Dawn, the final book in the #1 bestselling Twilight Saga, will take your breath away.


About the Author
Stephenie Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English Literature, and she lives with her husband and three young sons in Arizona. Stephenie is the author of Twilight,New Moon, and Eclipse.

From AudioFile
This final novel in Meyer's popular teen vampire series is sure to satisfy fans, even with its somewhat fizzled-out ending. Unfortunately, narrators Ilyana Kadushin and Matt Walters do little to enhance the tension, romance, and excitement of the plot. Kadushin's voice is lovely to listen to when she reads Bella's sections, but she adds little inflection or vocal variation among speakers, resulting in whole sections where the listener is unable to identify which character is talking. Walters's performance is certainly more varied and more effective, but his characterization of Jacob's narration sounds contrived���a caricature of what an angsty teenage werewolf "should" sound like���gruff, angry, and loud. One wonders if the all the hype surrounding Meyer's series encouraged a rushed job on this audiobook. A.A. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Kindle Amazons Wireless Reading Device

Kindle Amazons Wireless Reading Device

Product Description

Introducing

Kindle™ Three years ago, we set out to design and build an entirely new class of device—a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. The result is Amazon Kindle. We designed Kindle to provide an exceptional reading experience. Thanks to electronic paper, a revolutionary new display technology, you’ll find reading Kindle’s screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper—and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. It never becomes hot, and is designed for ambidextrous use so both “lefties” and “righties” can read comfortably at any angle for long periods of time. We wanted Kindle to be completely mobile and simple to use for everyone, so we made it wireless. No PC and no syncing needed. Using the same 3G network as advanced cell phones, we deliver your content using our own wireless delivery system, Amazon Whispernet. Unlike WiFi, you’ll never need to locate a hotspot. There are no confusing service plans, yearly contracts, or monthly wireless bills—we take care of the hassles so you can just read. With Whispernet, you can be anywhere, think of a book, and get it in one minute. Similarly, your content automatically comes to you, wherever you are. Newspaper subscriptions are delivered wirelessly each morning. Most magazines arrive before they hit newsstands. Haven’t read the book for tomorrow night’s book club? Get it in a minute. Finished your book in the airport? Download the sequel while you board the plane. Whether you’re in the mood for something serious or hilarious, lighthearted or studious, Kindle delivers your spontaneous reading choices on demand. We’re very proud to introduce Kindle and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. - The Amazon Kindle Team

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1 in Amazon Devices
• Color: Bisque
• Brand: Amazon.com
• Model: D00111
• Dimensions: .70" h x 5.30" w x 7.50" l, .65 pounds

Features

• Revolutionary electronic-paper display provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper.
• Simple to use: no computer, no cables, no syncing.
• Wireless connectivity enables you to find, buy, and read instantly—whether you’re in the back of a taxi, at the airport, or in bed.
• Shop the Kindle Store directly from your Kindle.
• Buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute.

---

Customer Reviews

Kindle is Great!!
I love my Kindle! I live in a RV and am limited on space. My husband was tired of hauling a tub of books around for me so he bought me my Kindle. I flew to my sister's and didn't have to pack half a suitcase for my books. It's so user-friendly that even a senior citizen (like me!) can use it!

Kindle Reader
The Kindle is a wonderful tool in today's techno / greening world. The idea that you are also saving trees, minimizing landfills and reducing costs to the producer and consumer make it well worth the expense. Keep up the good work.
Bill Bryant
Nashville, TN

Wife loves it
I purchased the Kindle as a gift for my wife whom by the way is not really up to date on gadgets. She loves it and in a very short time was able to navigate around with ease and purchased her first book within 15 minutes upon opening her gift.I think this device is a must for anyone who enjoys reading alot. The price seems a little high but Amazon is true to its word about the cost of books being only 9.99. My wife had been searching for the new Warren Buffett book with very little success. Everyone seemed to have this book back-ordered but she was able to download this book in less than one minutefor 9.99. The retail price of this book was 34.95 at most stores. So I think the Kindle will pay for itself within the first year for most dedicated readers. As for the things she dosent like about the Kindle, The hardcover case is nice but needs work on holding the device. The device slips out of the case pretty easy. The on/off button on the back is not very practical making you take it out if the case to power it off but their is a sleep mode you can put it in which works really well and does not run the battery down at all. I'm very impressed with the battery life also. All around great product and a must for everyday readers. Also to make it easy for the owner if you purchase by credit card make sure it is a card that they can purchase books with, then they won't have to make any changes on the account. i.e I'm thinking about purchasing another Kindle for my Mom this Christmas and I'm giving my Dad the money and will be using his credit card to make the purchase. This way my Mom won't have to do make any changes to her account to purchase books(Sometimes these things are very hard for the older generation and anything to make it easier on them is greatly appreciated). All she has to do is open the Kindle store on her reader and say purchase book and it downloads in less than one minute and will be charged to their credit card.
Mike T

Samsung WEP200 Bluetooth Wireless Headset (Black)

Samsung WEP200 Bluetooth Wireless Headset (Black)

Samsung WEP200 Bluetooth Wireless Headset (Black)

Manufacturer: Samsung

Specs: Microphone Built-in, Headset, Convertible, Black, 0.3 oz, Voice dialing, Call rejecting, Call waiting

The Samsung WEP200 is yet another newcomer to the growing group of supercompact headsets. While not as flashy as the Jabra JX10 and the Nokia BH-800, the WEP200 is still a tiny little thing that's just as small as the other two. The WEP200 comes in basic black and is available for $89.99.
Measuring only 1.5 by 0.5 by 0.5 inches, the WEP200 is encased in a very lightweight plastic, making it one of the lightest headsets we've used. Like the other compact headsets, it's inconspicuous when worn, which we definitely appreciate. It has a very simple design with a square multifunction button in the middle, a blue indicator light below that, and the volume rocker on the left spine. On the back is the earbud to which you can attach a removable rubber ear hook for a snugger fit. You can switch the position of the ear hook to accommodate either ear. We found the buttons on the device very tactile and easy to press, even when the device is worn on the ear.
The headset comes with a little carrying case that doubles as a charging station--just place the WEP200 in it and plug the case into the adapter. You can't charge the headset without the case, so it could be a little troublesome if you happen to lose it. However, the convenience of having a headset case that can be used as a charger may be worth the risk.

We paired the headset with the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 and the Sony Ericsson K790a. It paired successfully with both devices without a problem. You must make sure to hold down the multifunction button for 8 seconds or until the indicator light has a steady blue glow to get it in pairing mode. Call quality was good, but it suffered windier environments. Aside from answering and ending calls, you can reject them, redial, place a call on hold, answer a second call, call mute, and voice dial. The Samsung WEP200 has a rated talk time of four hours and a standby time of three days.

Sony Ericsson launches ho hum Z780 and G502 cellphones

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Sony Ericsson launches ho hum Z780 and G502 cellphones
Sony Ericsson just announced a pair of mid-range handsets. The Z780 clamshell -- now official -- is the global sister to the announced Z770 for Europe. As such, she comes packing UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE radios. While it comes loaded with Google Maps for Mobile and aGPS navigation, you won't get much use from it on that itty bitty 128 x 160 pixel display of unknown dimensions. Hell, that bezel chews up an equivalent amount of real estate. The G502 candybar also features Maps but lacks aGPS. No worries for US Americans though as it's likely to stay put in Europe with UMTS/HSDPA 2100 and GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800/1900 radios. Both will feature M2 memory expansion, Bluetooth, and 2 megapixel cameras when they launch in "selected markets" come Q2. Sorry Sony Ericsson, but we're not seeing a lot here to distract investors (or consumers) for very long.


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Sprint Sanyo Katana LX Review - Cnet

Sprint Sanyo Katana LX Review - Cnet

Cnet reviews the Sprint Sanyo Katana LX: “The Sprint Sanyo Katana LX is completely different than previous Katanas. Measuring 3.7 inches long by 1.9 inches wide by 0.7 inch thick, the Sprint Sanyo Katana LX is thicker, curvier, with rounded edges and a smooth reflective front surface. The surface is so reflective you could use it as a mirror. It’s not too heavy at 3.4 ounces and has a nice heft in the hand.
The good: The Sprint Sanyo Katana LX has an attractive translucent OLED display and a mirror-finish exterior. Features include Bluetooth, voice dialing, and GPS functionality. It has excellent performance as well.
The bad: The phone has a lackluster screen and disappointing photo quality.
The bottom line: The Sprint Sanyo Katana LX is a decent entry-level camera phone for its price range.”
Read another Sprint Sanyo Katana LX review.

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