PowerDock

The PowerDock from Griffin Technology eliminates the need for multiple charging adapters for the same device. Two models are available to charge up to four iPods or iPhones simultaneously.

Users can choose a two- or a four-port model, which is housed in a single, tabletop-based charging solution. Any combination of different models of the Apple devices can be charged, as long as they are dockable.

It’s made with a brushed metal finish and has rubber feet so it won’t scratch counter tops and grips the surface it’s sitting on. Each dock comes with an eight universal dock adapters for most Apple iPods and the iPhone family of devices. Additional dock adapters can be purchased at the company’s website for $1.99 each.

A single AC power supply is included and plugs into the back of the unit to charge all the docked devices simultaneously. Most important, Apple has certified the charger so the charging will be proper for every device without damage.

http:/www.griffintechnology.com
 

Stagehand Wireless Presentation Controller

Computer accessory manufacturer Atek, Inc. has a new device for presenters with the 2.4 GHz Stagehand Wireless Presentation Controller.

A coin cell battery powers the device, which works on both Mac and Windows with its included USB receiver.

The slim, pocket-sized gadget can be carried on a neck lanyard and includes a quick release buckle for easy removal. It has a remote control wheel for controlling many of the functions and has a light on the bottom. The light can be handy to review notes while the lights have been dimmed during the presentation.

Other buttons on the controller were designed to be accessed with the touch of a finger without the need to look at the device itself. The buttons are conveniently placed and standout for easy access and also positions so the wrong button won’t get presses at the wrong time.

A laser pointer is included, along with a safety feature where users can disable the laser when not needed. This provides a nice feature for teachers and prevents the laser from being misused and pointed at someone’s eyes.

http://www.atek.com/

Out with the old and in with the new _ that’s just the way it is in today’s electronic world. An online option is available to get cash for the old by trading in older electronic items such as cell phones, digital cameras or MP3 players.

NextWorth.com will buy these items for money via check or PayPal, or even Target and Amazon Gift Cards. They recently announced that they now take older BlackBerry phones, digital cameras, GPS systems, video games and video game consoles for cash. This is in addition to the original iPhone and iPod categories.

NextWorth has a neat feature for some of these devices, which have no trade-in value. NextWorth provides free shipping and will then recycle the devices in the proper manner.

In a press release, NextWorth says it is expanding the categories to help recycle properly and reduce some of the 1.5 to 1.9 million tons of electronics waste every year from ending up in landfills. The company tries to get the older devices, which still function, into the hands of new users, thus extending the life of the device.

“In addition to selling some product on online marketplaces, we have a growing network of wholesale and retail buyers that purchase our product directly for resale on their channels,” said Dave Chen CEO at NextWorth. These outlets include GreatiPodExchange.com, Amazon, and Ebay.

Once on the site, there is a trade-in calculator where users select the product they wish to trade in. Next, customers answer some questions about its condition. A trade-in price is offered before any commitment is made.

A few examples; a first generation iPhone 8 GB, fully functional and light wear, including the dock station and AC adapter, will return $175.00. An iPod Nano 8 GB black fourth generation, also fully functional with light wear and including the USB cable and dock station will net $63.

http://www.nextworth.com/

The iHome colortunes iH15 iPod speaker system

The iHome colortunes iH15 iPod speaker system continues the company’s strong tradition of producing innovative accessories for iPods and other portable media players at an affordable price.

Like most any other iPod speaker system, The iPod just docks on the top with one of the included inserts to fit most any iPod model. It is not compatible with iPods released in 2003 or earlier.

The simple speaker system is built in a translucent cabinet, which is backlit and changes colors with the music. To activate, just press the “color” button on the top while music is played and the unit glows in colors including blue, purple, yellow, red, green, pink and orange.

Users have another choice; by pressing the color button, colors can display in five cycles to speedup or slow down the changes . If you want the music playing without the lights just hit the button to turn them off.
Other controls include on/off and volume, along with a line-in port for non-iPod MP3 players on the back. An A/C power adapter is included to power it up.

The desktop-sized system measures about 5 ½-inches cubed and houses a pair of Reson8 speakers, along with a subwoofer. All this produces a nice sound for a small compact unit.

For just over $50 this seems like a reasonable investment for those wanting to play their music without earphones imbedded into their ears. It doesn’t include a remote control and I would guess this helps keep the cost down.

www.ihomeaudio.com

SanDisk’s ImageMate All-in-One Card Reader

Today’s digital devices take a wide variety of memory cards and SanDisk’s new ImageMate All-in-One Memory Card Reader solve the problem of needing multiple readers. This one reads almost every format. The USB 2.0 device is a portable solution for downloaded data including images, music and video to any Mac or Windows system.

SanDisk designed the device to be efficient and fast, and they have certainly achieved that. It’s capable of reaching speeds up to 34 megabytes per second, depending on the memory card used and computer.

Among the formats it supports are SD, SDHC, miniSDHC, microSDHC, MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro Duo, xD and CompactFlash memory cards. This should cover most any digital camera, cell phone or media player having the option of removable memory.

It measures about 4.5 x 1.5 x .5-inches so it packs easily into any laptop bag. An included metal stand easily attaches to the reader with a magnet attached to the bottom of the reader itself. All this adds up to a space saving and stylish looking device.

When I plugged it into my Mac, with a SanDisk Extreme IV CompactFlash card inserted into the reader, it showed up on my desktop instantly and didn’t require any drivers or downloads. Just like any other card reader images are downloaded with a drag-and-drop method.

www.sandisk.com $29.99

Imation Corp. has announced the availability of Earthwise remanufactured toner cartridges. The cartridges are designed for the environmentally aware and cost-conscious users.

They are said to perform to specifications of the original cartridges produced by the original manufacturer, while also offering up a 50 percent savings of the original cost.

Monochrome HP-Compatible, Color HP-Compatible and Monochrome Canon-Compatible cartridges are available in the Imation Earthwise line of fax toner and laser printer cartridges. Each unit has a recycled plastic shell; a new printer drum and toner along with other reconditioned or replaced parts. Once completed, the cartridge is then packaged in a carton with no less than 80 percent post-consumer recycled materials.

Prices range from 41.99 to U.S. $265.59, depending on the model.

www.imation.com/Imation-Products/Earthwise-Toner