My generation was just about the first to grow up with digital/gadget toys: little games for a long vacation drive, home computers and video game systems. Kids today grow up with a mix of regular and digital toys. I still had a lot of old-fashioned toys, like blocks, and stuffed animals. As kids’ toys are getting more gadget-like and digital (I was around before Tamagotchi), what’s catching me off guard is the increasing of hybrids between the two types of toys – the most famous of these being the ubiquitous Webkinz phenomenon.

Often sold (and sold out) in retail stores, you can always buy webkinz online . What you get is an adorable plush animal, but with a tag code that allows the creation of a virtual pet, an online incarnation of the soft toy in your hands. Kids move their virtual pets around the digital world they share with others, buying items for them while decorating their online rooms. And they do. The army of the Webkinz kids is over 4 million strong, and counting. With the online platform adding to the value to the real life animal, there’s always something to keep the kids interested.

Indeed, as time goes by, new Webkinz animals are released, well-received by a frenzied consumer community. As these new animals are added, some are left behind. Some animals are dropped, retired, discontinued - but they never leave the Webkinz community. They become sought after, rare, retired Webkinz.

It’s hard to know what’s going to happen with Webkinz, or kids’ toys in general. You can be sure, though, that there’s a certain edge that digital products offer, that children all over seem to respond well to. My guess is that in the same way stuffed animals have been brought into the virtual world, as portable digital media and toy gadgets become more popular, the digital world will be more a part of the real one.

Unlocked cell phone sales are big business today.  If you do not understand what an unlocked cell phone is you are not alone.  They are for sale everywhere on the internet.  Unfortunately, most of the sites do not explain what an unlocked phone is.

Almost every phone sold today utilizes a SIM card.  A SIM card is a subscriber identification module.  It stores your subscriber data, such as your phone numbers and address book.  The card is usually issued by the carrier and activates any phone that it is inserted into.  This is where the Lock and Unlock comes in.  Here is what that means:

• Locked Phone:  A locked phone will only accept a subscriber identification module from a particular carrier.
• Unlocked Phone: This phone will accept a subscriber identification module from any carrier.

The “lock” part is a piece of software in the phone that keeps the phone loyal to one particular carrier.  What is the advantage for you to have an unlocked phone?  You may have a phone that you just do not like anymore.  Your phone may be damaged and not under a repair contract with your carrier.  The phone may not have many of the features that new phones have.

There are many advantages to having an unlocked phone.  You may even change carriers and want to keep your phone.  If it is unlocked you will be able to do that.  Unlocked phones are not cheaper.  You can get a discounted phone for signing up for a long contract with a carrier.  The popularity of unlocked phones has created a host of companies that will unlock your phone for you.  They will unlock your phone for a fee.  If you search the internet you will even find instructions to unlock most phones.

Be careful!  Using these instructions improperly can render your phone useless.  These instructions are usually considered “hacking” your phone.  Unlocked cell phones are nice to have.  Good luck with your venture into the unlocked cell phone foray.

One of the pitfalls of the Zune is that you have to access it through the Zune software. The windows operating system does not see it as an external USB drive. We thought this would be useful. Well, if it is something useful you can bet that there is a hack for it. We searched and sure enough there was a hack for the Zune to make it accessible as an external USB drive.

Please understand this could damage your windows operating system since it involves editing the system registry. Do this only if you want your favorite electronic gadget to do more than it was meant to. You do this at your own risk.

Be sure that you back up your system registry before you attempt this hack. Now that the warnings are out of the way, here is the hack:

1. Turn off the Zune software and unplug the Zune.

2. Run regedit. Hit the start button and select “run”. Type in regedit32 and hit OK or enter.

3. Look for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ControlSet001\Enum\USB\ (note: with Zune software v2 you may have to edit ……\ControlSet002\…..

4. Look for “PortableDeviceNameSpace”. It should be contained in theVid_045e&Pid_0710\########_-_########_-_########_-_########\Device. Parameters within this string …\USB\ The ##’s listed here will be numbers and letters specific to your Zune.

5. Change these values:

a. EnableLegacySupport to 1

b. PortableDeviceNameSpaceExcludeFromShell to 0

c. ShowInShell to 1

6. Plug in your Zune; make sure the Zune software starts up.

7. If all went well you can open “My Computer” and browse your device, though it will not show up as a drive letter.

You should now be able to access both as a hard drive and sync through the Zune software. There was an additional edit to this hack. Edit 2:

1. If you use this hack two Zune icons may appear in Windows Explorer. To get rid of one of them go back to the regedit device parameters we edited before and look for \WpdMtpDriver\UseWpdPrivateInterface and change the value from “1” to “0”
2. Zune software needs to be open at all times. There is an authentication Mechanism and if you close it you can only view the contents of your Zune and not play them. By pressing the “Start Sync” in the Zune software, temporarily you get write access to files and folders during the sync. Just drag and drop files into their proper folders. Music, Video, or Pictures. Do not delete any files from the Zune root directory.

You are done. This proved to be the most useful hack we found for the Zune. Thirty gigs is a great deal of space. The hack turns your Zune into a portable hard drive. Apply the hack to another computer and you transfer huge amounts of data between the two. Overall, the Zune is the best electronic gadget we have used in a long while. Great fun!

P.S. There are some late reports that some could not sync after hack. If this happens just reinstall the Zune drivers and possibly the software and you are golden.

And if you don’t have a Zune this far, it’s time to buy a Zune.

Image courtesy of tomeppy

That is where the best camping gadget comes in. The family had been planning a big camping trip to the mountains. It is a wonderful place but it is very challenging for me. There are no tables and we have to use the small fold out table.

I was struggling with planning this trip when my husband came home with this strange looking metal rod gadget. I said “what the *%$# is that”? My husband laughed and said “you will see”.

Well, we made the trip to the mountains and I was a wreck as usual. Dinner time rolled around and I was having a terrible time finding a place for everything. My husband pulled out the strange metal rod and proceeded to put it into the ground next to the table. Arms extended out from the rod and there was a cage to hold things. I was amazed. He had found the most amazing camping gadget.

It was perfect. I immediately hung up my frying pan and pot and put my salt, pepper and spices in the adjustable cage. The camping buddy gadget organized my dinner area in two minutes. I was hooked. I have been so excited about it I thought I would share it with all of you. Go get one.

The problem is one that has been seen before; you cannot sell what you do not have.  Yes, there were lists for the PS3 a mile long at almost every outlet.  A list for upcoming transactions does not pay the bills.  Retailers were upset that there were not more console’s available on their shelves.

Gamers everywhere felt the same way.  They camped out in long lines for the chance to get their hands on that sleek black gaming machine.  Sony also pulled in huge numbers of older generation gamers.  This is not just your kids gaming console.  The Sony PS3 is playing on many a big screen TV everywhere.  The hardware and tremendous graphics capability have much to do with this popularity with the more mature gamer.  Some of the features that make the PS3 stand out are:

• Killer CPU.  3.2GHz PowerPC core with 512KB onboard cache memory.
• Awesome GPU. (Graphics processing unit) 550 MHz speed with parallel shader pipelines.
• 256MB main memory and graphics memory.  Giving the system more power and speed.
• Mind blowing 5.1 channel Dolby sound.  Fantastic sound.
• Blueray media.  The new winning standard offering beautiful picture and sound.
• Detachable HD slot. Very nice touch that allows portability.

These are just a few of the features that make the Sony PS3 the electronic gadget you just have to own.  Good luck finding one and happy gaming!

Then, I would set out to try and accumulate as many items on the list that I could.  Never mind that I knew I would not get many of them.  I just thought it would be something fun to do.  I am still working on marking items off the list. 

I thought I would share this process and resolution with everyone.  It has been allot of fun and I thought some of you might like to try something similar.  So here is my wish list:

• • Apple IPod Phone.  Well, who would not want one of these babies?  It is the most awesome electronic item I have ever seen.  It has everything; touch screen, awesome web browser, it plays video, takes pictures, plays and stores MP3’s, maps, and emails and more.  Oh yea, it is also a phone.  Price is a huge amount though; $495.  At that price it will be on the list for a while.
  • Zune 30gig.  This electronic gadget has been on my list for a long time.  It has a radio, will store any file type, play your mp3 files, will also store and show your pictures, and plays your videos.  It will also sync to other Zune players.  Price is around $300 retail.  This one can be marked off the list.  Woo Hoo!  I absolutely love it.
  • New Laptop: Alien Ware makes the best computers in the world.  I have been drooling at their laptops for a long time.  I settled for a blue nineteen inch beauty with dual processors and SLI video.  Yea, yea, this one got marked off.  Don’t tell wife how much I spent. 

These are just the start of a long list of great electronic items that are available for your pleasure this year.  Think about changing your New Year resolution list into a real electronics wish list. Be sure you make it a list that is attainable.   Good Luck.

The biggest differences between the Motorola RAZR1 and this new model is the massive external display and the antennas is not so bulky,. And it feels pretty durable if you have bigger hands, this RAZR2 will more likely hold up good to the drops and falls that happen. Another good feature of the newer version is the vibration from the front screen, this will let the owner know if they are touching the screen on accident and that will cause far less breakage with the new slender phone. The vibration will also make for a distinct feeling to know that your are touching the buttons when you are wanting to and not missing them.

So is the Motorola RAZR 2 going to beat out the I Phone? Lets just compare the two phones features and then we can judge this.

Their Sizes:

Keeping the original RAZR design for the new edition, but making it 2mm thinner (and it was already mighty slim). The design Makes for a pretty easy handling of the phone and in bigger hands might feel a bit small. Its compact and it can be very easily carried in almost any kind of accessories that you can find.

The I Phone… well, it’ll have Apple fans in raptures over its slinky feel and tactile touch-screen interface, although the unconverted will point out that it’s still a little on the hefty size.

Music:

It’s tempting to say the iPhone is the better version, especially when you have the Apple’s iTunes Store for all your music needs.
The RAZR 2 has some impressive music credentials . It has the Blue Tooth feature that allows for music, It is also compatible with Windows Media Player 11

Camera:

Both the iPhone and RAZR 2 have two-megapixel cameras built in, which is fine for printable snaps. The RAZR also has a neat multi-shot feature to boot.

I believe the RAZR 2 will give the iPhone by Apple a run for their money when it comes to sales and features. The most notable change with the new RAZR 2 is obvious: no more hump, chin, or lump used to accommodate the chunky internals. I found that the main keypad was great, with a not-too-rubbery feel, didn’t give it a “cheap” feeling, its more of a slick glassy type that lets you know this phone isn’t cheap and made to last. The RAZR2 is also very user friendly that allows the owner to customize it to his or hers own unique style. I think the RAZR2 is going to be a winner to us.

More info on the Wirefly blog !

The Toshiba’s Gigabeat u103’s big marketing plan was to make so many different colors of them, which hasnt really went well for the company seeing that people are paying 150 Dollars for a player that doesnt really do anything. When your looking for a good mp2 player you should always be looking for quality not quanity. Because you use your mp3 player everday, so you want to be comfortable with it so you know it works.

I personally enjoy the Zune Player, made by Microsoft, I will later post a full review on the Zune Player, but for now all mention just a few of its cool fuctions, well for one its screen when watching movies is sideway, which makes it wider is width, something the Toshiba’s Gigabeat u103’s, or iPod cant do. The zune also has a built in Radio FM/AM Tuner, so if you ever get bored of your music. It is a little bit bigger and comes in a few colors, but it is a high quality mp3 player.

Like we said about the Toshiba’s Gigabeat u103’s, it only comes with a Gig of memory, the screen is only 1.1 inches in diamiter. And it has a FM player. Doesnt really give you much for your buck does it? You make the choice.

Now keep in mind this is just the interface. There is alot more Serato Scratch LIVE.. Here is so some more information on the accual program itself.
# Scratch LIVE supports all these file formats: Fixed and Variable Bit Rate MP3, AIFF, WAV, OGG Vorbis, CD Audio and direct from the mic input.
# Easily import your playlists and iTunes library

# Import files easily by dragging from Explorer (Windows) or the Finder (Mac) into the Scratch LIVE library.
# You can play and scratch tracks direct from CD and CD-ROM.
# Includes extensive keyboard shortcuts for fast access to key functions.
# Built-in help and tips in multiple languages are accessible anytime.
# It even gives you a low power warning when running off a laptop battery.
# No preprocessing of MP3 files is required except to use the auto-BPM and auto-gain functions.
# For tracks with no BPM information, a tap tempo button is displayed for entering your own.
# Scratch LIVE includes hardware interface, USB cable, 4 stereo RCA cables, printed manual, keyboard shortcut page, two vinyl records, two CDs, and software install disc in a display box.

Serato Scratch is perfect for mobile Djing because you can easily bring extra hard drives for more and more music. This whole get up sells for about 500 dollars at a Best Buy Music, or a Music store period. Very good investment. If you were ever thinking about starting a mobile DJ company, for Wedding or just House Party, so you would have all the jams that every crowd liked. Serato always has updates to you are always on top of your game when using this RANE product in your turntable set up. These features make it possible for you to spin mp3’s that you have stored on your computer, onto vinyl. Now that is a very nice thing to know, because music is quite easy to get on the internet, so your record collection would be enormous.

For the past year Sony has been working on their sound quality head phones to hone them down to perfection, and they are almost there! Each year it just seems to be getting better and better, I wonder when it will end? Never. Sony is a remarkable company and has never done a bad move in their whole careers. Now lets give you some facts on these awsome heads phones beisdes my knowledge im rambling on about.

Listen to your music, not the plane, train or bus with the MDR-NC50 noise canceling headphones.

Sink into your music. The MDR-NC50 noise canceling headphones offer a sublime listening experience. The advanced noise-canceling circuitry reduces ambient noise through a special phase canceling process. You get 14dB noise reduction at 300Hz. That means you’ll hear more music and less plane, train or bus noise. Perfect for work, traveling, or even when you’re trying to sleep in a loud place. The ear conscious design offers premium comfort, so you can wear them for long stretches without getting your ears pinched. The built-in monitor switch lets you hear surrounding sound without taking off the headphones. Shut out the noise with the MDR-NC50.

These headphones are perfect for those lazy days when you want to jut relax and keep to yourself. You know when you don’t want to be bothered and you can just groove to the toones on your headphones. Yes these are what your looking for. They have the best quality out, and are well worth the money, take control of your music.. Hook them to your iPods, Zune Players, Turntables, and anything else that you can, they are perfect.