mySimon.com Shopping Blogs

Pogo Stylus for iPhone and iPod Touch

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:14:40 +0000

Pogo, a lightweight stylus with a soft, durable tip that won't smudge or scratch your screen. It works just like your index finger, only better. The included clip keeps the stylus handy. Choose from 4 colors. More iPhone accessories.]]>

Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:45:00 +0000

D90, a 12.3-megapixel digital SLR camera, a successor to the popular Nikon D80 and the first dSLR that can create HD movie clips at 720p. A reviewer on the Digital Camera Resource site raves about the camera's image quality, full manual controls, long battery life, and more, saying "I came into this review expecting to like the Nikon D90, and I ended up loving it." The camera has a 3" LCD with Live View mode, 11-point auto focus with scene recognition and face detection, 4.5 frames-per-second shooting, and minimal shutter lag - just 65ms. There's also a socket for a GPS attachment, which Nikon will release in November. ]]>

Third Generation Microsoft Zune (120GB)

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

iPod Classichas 120GB of storage. So does the new third generation Microsoft Zune. (120GB is enough space for approximately 30,000 songs, 25,000 photos, or 375 hours or video.) Both the iPod Classic and the 120GB Zune sell for about $250. So what's the difference? The Zune's a little bigger in actual size, for one, but it has a better screen for watching videos than the iPod. The iPod has better battery life, but the Zune has an (excellent) FM radio, and you can even tag songs you hear on the radio so you can download them later. Also, the Zune lets you update content wirelessly, share music wirelessly with other Zunes, and buy content from the Zune Marketplace. See all Microsoft Zunes.]]>

Griffin WindowSeat Windshield Mount for iPhone and iPod Touch

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:45:00 +0000

Griffin WindowSeat. It's a simple, adjustable suction bracket that holds your iPhone or iPod Touch at eye level on your car's windshield or dashboard. When you get to your destination, just press the corner tab to release your device (take it with you so no one smashes your windows!). The WindowSeat comes with an adaptor for steeply angled windshields, plus an audio cable to connect your iPhone/iPod Touch to your car stereo.]]>

Fun iPod Shuffle Case

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:00:00 +0000

"Applepod" iPod Shuffle case? It's got happy rainbow stripes in the shape of an apple; fits 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation iPod Shuffles; and has a hole in the top for your headphones. Yes, you can still use the clip function, so you can wear your iPod as a big brooch. Just $12 at Etsy.]]>

Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:15:00 +0000

Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones "Chronically good." Rolling Stone calls them "truly badass." And CNET says that, in addition to delivering on bass, the headphones are "nicely warm and balanced in the mids and truly impressive in their delivery of high-end detail." We say: They better be impressive for $350! The glossy headphones feature XL speaker drivers, powered amplification, active noise canceling, iPhone compatibility, and Dr. Dre's stamp of approval. And they ship with several useful accessories, including AAA batteries, a hardshell carrying case, two 3.5mm audio cables, and an airplane adapter.]]>

Fuji FinePix S2000HD

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:30:00 +0000

FinePix S2000HD. The "HD" is for "High Definition" - the camera can record movies in HD (1280 x 720) and convert both movies and still images into an HDTV signal output compatible with 1080i and 720p HDTVs. Other features include dual image stabilization, 15x optical zoom, face detection with automatic red eye removal, automatic and manual controls, and an "auction mode," which combines multiple photos into a single image for easy upload to eBay. More high-zoom cameras.]]>

The StressEraser

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:30:00 +0000

StressEraser. This portable medical device first measures your pulse. If your pulse is too high, the StressEraser prompts you to slow and deepen each breath, which slows down your pulse and makes your body relax. It's got on-screen visual prompts as well as audio tones, so you can use it in the dark or with your eyes closed. And it tracks your "performance" so you can understand your own stress triggers. The company recommends you use it for 15 minutes before you go to sleep, and whenever you are feeling stressed out.]]>

Apple iPod Touch - Second Generation

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:15:00 +0000

iPod Touch, a device Apple calls "the funnest iPod ever." It's a hair thicker than its predecessor, but now it has built-in volume controls, a built-in speaker, Nike+ hardware and software, more games (including Spore: Origins), and longer battery life (up to 36 hours for music, 6 hours for video). The new iPod Touch is priced at $229 for the 8GB version, $299 for the 16GB version, and $399 for the 32GB version.]]>

The New iPod Nanos

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:15:00 +0000

iPod Nano. Available in 9 different colors, the Nano is back to its former vertical (as opposed to short and squat) self, with a curved aluminum and glass design. Features include iTunes 8, an autoplaylist feature called Genius that finds and plays similar songs, voice recording, and accelerometer (the thing that switches the screen orientation when you turn it sideways). Also, you can shake it to make it go into Shuffle mode. Choose 8GB or 16GB.]]>

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:00:00 +0000

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50, a full-featured 9-megapixel camera with 15X optical zoom, a 3" tilting LCD, and all kinds of settings that will appeal to point-and-shoot users and experimenters alike. The camera recognizes both faces and smiles, and offers optical image stabilization, an advanced sports shooting mode, and even a NightShot infrared system that lets you take photos in the dark without a flash. More megazoom cameras. ]]>

Kodak Zi6 Pocket Video Camera

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Kodak Zi6 can record 720p at 60 frames per second, a step above the 640x480-pixel VGA resolution you get with other pocket camcorders. Available in black (pink is coming soon), the Zi6 has a 2.4" LCD and an expandable SD/SDHC card slot that holds cards up to 32 GB (you'll need a memory card because the camcorder doesn't come with much built-in memory). You can upload your videos directly to YouTube quickly and easily, thanks to the built-in USB connection. But if you want to clean them up first, the Zi6 comes with editing software. More budget camcorders.]]>

LG Combines Portable DVD Player and Digital Photo Frame

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:30:00 +0000

LG DP889. On the train to work, you can watch DVDs on the 8" screen. Once at work, you can display digital photo slideshows on the same screen. Or better yet: In the car, the kids stay entertained with Pixar DVDs, and once you get to Grandma's you can show off up to 250 photos. The device has audio/video input and output for flexible viewing, and a 3-in-1 memory card slot and USB connection so you can connect almost any digital camera. More portable DVD players. More digital photo frames.]]>

Peek Portable Email Device

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:15:00 +0000

Peek, a handheld device for email and only email. No phone, no text messages, no Web browser, just email. Designed for "everyday people," or people who don't want all the bells and whistles of an iPhone, Blackerry, or Treo, the Peek is super easy to use, has a well-designed QWERTY keyboard, a full color display, and supports Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, AOL, and other major email clients. The fee is $20 a month for unlimited emailing - with no contract. We're wondering if we can get our grandmother, who's a bit scared of "computers," to use one. ]]>

HP 8-inch Digital Picture Frame

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:00:00 +0000

best digital photo frames. We like the looks of this 8" HP display, which got the highest CR score, because you don't need a computer to use it (it accepts most memory cards); it can display single pictures, slideshows, or videos; and it looks like a normal photo frame. It even comes with 2 interchangeable faceplates - one black and one that looks like wood (shown here) - so it will complement almost any decor. More digital photo frames.]]>

The Chumby

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:00:00 +0000

Chumby. The size of a large fist, the Chumby is a plush gadget with a 3.5" screen, speakers, and Wi-Fi that combines the basic functions of alarm clock, Internet radio, iPod speaker, digital photo frame, and Web browser. Note: It doesn't have its own browser; you get all the widgets you need, including news, blogs, stock quotes, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, Gmail, eBay, and hundreds more at Chumby.com. Available in 3 colors, the Chumby might not be as cute as the Sony Rolly, but it's a million times more useful, and costs just $180.]]>

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700 Digital Camera

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:30:00 +0000

Cyber-shot T700, an ultracompact camera with a huge 3.5" touch-screen, 4x optical zoom, and 4GB of internal memory, so you don't have to worry about filling up (or losing) memory cards, although there is also a slot for an additional memory card, should you want to use one. The camera not only recognizes smiles, it also recognizes blinking - if someone blinks while you're taking a picture, the camera automatically takes a second one. The T700 will be available in silver, red, pink, gray, and gold. ]]>

Nikon D3 Digital SLR Camera

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:49:00 +0000

Nikon D3 an Editors' Choice award, saying the D3 is "a camera that reaches new heights in imaging with extremely low noise at astronomical ISO sensitivities, while maintaining the pro-level control and body design Nikonians have come to expect in the company's flagship cameras." Designed for professional sports photographers and photojournalists, the D3 has a 12-megapixel full-frame sensor, 2 live view modes (one for when you're holding it, one for when you're using a tripod), a 3" LCD, continuous shooting at up to 9fps, 51-point auto focus, and low shutter lag. We wish there was a way we could write this one off our taxes. More Nikon digital SLRs. ]]>

West Elm Lacquer Docking Station

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:33:00 +0000

lacquer docking station from West Elm (the hipper, cheaper, little sister of Pottery Barn). Available in white, mushroom, or espresso, this attractive, space-saving box is a centralized place for charging your phone, camera, iPod, etc. while simultaneously hiding their cords. There's a surge protector on the back and a big drawer for storing other desktop clutter.]]>

LG Dare: Verizon's iPhone

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:11:00 +0000

LG Dare. PC Magazine gave it an Editors' Choice award, saying it's a "compelling combination" of the iPhone capabilities and Verizon's great network, and that "if you want to play music, take pictures, record videos, surf the Web... the Dare is a blast to use." Features include a 3" color touchscreen display, virtual QWERTY keyboard, 3-megapixel camera (with face detection technology), Bluetooth, web browser, and access to Verizon's V Cast Music with Rhapsody service. ]]>