Podcast Gear and Podcast Audio is HERE! …New Media Gear

Welcome to the 2007 Edition of the PodSqod Holiday Product Roundup!

Whether for audio, everyday browsing or presentations, I always like to see the latest trends in mouse technology. Last year, Kensington had us try a nice, medium sized mouse that I still use on my notebook today. The new SlimBladeâ„¢ presenter mouse first struck me as a nice looking design with a slim, but slightly wider profile. However, the real beauty of this new design is the technology. The ultra-slim form factor USB dongle slips right inside the mouse for traveling. The Kensington SlimBladeâ„¢ Presenter Mouse slips in a pocket and feels great in your hand. And with laser tracking, the mouse delivers exceptional tracking on almost any surface.

Never worry about turning your mouse on or off again …your mouse goes into sleep mode when your notebook does. 4-way tilt scroll lets you quickly maneuver through documents and graphics just by moving your fingertip and the 2.4gHz frequency gives you accuracy up to 30 ft.

Finding a HotSpot is pretty easy when you have a receiver on your keychain! I like this useful little gadget, not only for its wi-fi (802.11b/g) sniffing capabilities but the BlueTooth receiver as well. Five small LEDs give you a relative signal strength indicator and there’s a small LED flashlight built-in too. Very cool.

There are a lot of FM modulators out there for your MP3 player of choice. They are getting better all the time, but I still haven’t found a clear winner since many of them have their own unique features. I like the LiquidFM because it has a USB tap!

The LiquidFM works with almost any MP3 player (or other device) with a 3.5 mm adapter. You also get a 2.5mm adapter for MP3 cell phone compatibility. Thanks to the widely accepted 3.5 mm input, the LiquidFM even worked great with my portable handheld Amateur Radio and scanner.

Copyright © 2007 Kensington All Rights Reserved

We have all likely seen and heard FRS and GMRS radios in the USA. These services offer unlicensed and (in the case of GMRS) licensed short range communications. They are great at providing inexpensive communications in malls, theme parks, or even commercial communications at construction sites and stores.

One of the problems with these services are that the handful of frequencies are getting crowded, the license-free FRS frequencies will only allow low (one-half watt) power, while the tempting 5-watt option can only legally be utilized after completing an FCC license form with a current cost in the $80 per year range. …that’s usually more than the cost of the radios

Enter a very unique option; eXRS Technology. I came across these radios by accident and am quite happy I did. These radios use frequency-hopping technology that provides privacy and range extension in the 900mHz. band. No license is required.

You end up getting 2 radios (I recommend the 300 model with a full keypad) with a handy drop-in charger, rechargeable batteries and 2 headset/microphones for even more privacy.

Laura and I took these to Disney and found them far superior to top-of-the-line FRS/GMRS radios. Where we would typically have to share a frequency (and our conversations) with hundreds of others, the eXRS radios were completely private and quiet between us, thanks to digital technology that constantly hops across billions of frequency combinations in an instant.

A couple of things that set the eXRS radios apart from others is the ability to store 100 unique eXRS contacts by name, SMS text messaging and caller ID. These hybrid radios take the best features of cell, cordless-phone and 2-way radio technology to create a unique option for short range communications free from per-minute charges and (most importantly) secure communications.

I can envision using these for on-site audio/video taping, camping, on-stage comms and hundreds of other uses. With or without the included headset, these will do VOX, which simply means you talk into the radio and it transmits - no PTT needed unless you want to. You can also tune into local NOAA weather.

Being a Ham Radio operator, I found the eXRS to be very creative and a real value.

© 2007 TRISQUARE ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

HoMedics products are a new addition to the Holiday Roundup. I know that there are no shortage of iPod® docking stations, but I noticed a few nice touches with this one. Of course, you get a digital alarm clock, AM/FM radio and universal dock on top.

The first thing I noticed was the large oval case, with fairly nice audio. Laura immediately noticed the multi-color faceplates that can color coordinate the iSoundSpa to its surroundings.

The iSoundSpa charges your iPod® while you listen. The AM/FM radio uses digital tuning along with a digitally indexed volume control. Wake up to your iPod®, nature sounds, radio or simple beep tone. The line-in jack allows you to use the iSoundSpas amplifier and speakers for generic MP3 players or just about any other low-output audio source.

The best part of this little device is is the ability to fall asleep (with an adjustable timer) to any of 6 nature sounds. As a person with tinnitus, this is a critical feature for me.

The LCD display is big and bright. Another plus is that you can completely turn off the backlight if you prefer a very dark room.

© 2007 HoMedics, All rights reserved. iPod is a registered trademark of Apple. Copyright © 2007 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

Be sure to check out and enter the CarMD giveaway!

Much more to come!