The Apple iPhone also has camera and a downloadable application store where the user can download application and games for the iPhone. Some programs are free of charge while others have charges that vary from $0.99 to $9.99. The apple iPhone glides through the programs with ease and rarely freezes. The phone reception is good and rarely has times with no service.

Now the iPhone also has it’s drawback which includes having exclusive service with AT&T and no other carrier has the iPhone. Now all the iPhone addicts will right away say “the iPhone is unlock-able” which opens the iPhone to any carrier. The problem with unlocking the iPhone is the user can not register the phone nor update its software on the iPhone because it will immediately lock itself.

The Apple iPhone uses an email system to send or recieve picture messages, now drawback to this system is that it does not allow the user to send or receive picture messages which creates a problem for the user because not everyone has an email to send or receive the pictures.

Now the iPhone has a great web browser which surfs the Internet with ease and has great viewing space with its incredible touch screen. The Apple iPhone also has limited Battery Life. Overall I like the iPhone for its ease of use and great screen quality but its limited service to AT&T creates a problem for me. Now the Blackberry Curve which has service for T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint makes it available to anyone.

The Blackberry Curve which I own has service for T-Mobile. The Blackberry Curve has tons of features ranging from Camera, Web Browsing, Picture Messaging, Blackberry Messaging (Exclusive Service where Blackberry users can text message for free), BlackBerry AppStore (Down-loadable application Store prices Ranging from $0.99 to $34.99).

Now the blackberry Curve also has its drawback which includes constant phone freezing, and small screen for viewing web pages. I guess it all boils down to which phone fits your lifestyle? But neither phone is better that we can declare one a winner. So Enjoy using either phone.

Premium WordPress themes are all the rage. After all, more people than ever before are using WordPress as their blogging platform of choice. That being said, you need to select a theme in order for your site to really take off: this is where One Theme comes into play. From the front page of the One Theme website you will see what the creators of this theme think:

“One Theme is not just a WordPress theme…It’s an enhancement, an “all in one” package that turns WordPress into the management tool you wish it was.” With so much already going for it, these are bold words. But after taking a closer look at what this theme has to offer, it is safe to say that you may agree with these accolades.

When it comes to features, there are too many to list them all. Of course, there are some that are better and more useful than others, and a small sampling of them include:

1. Custom control panel
2. Widget and AdSense ready
3. 100% valid xHTML and CSS
4. Custom control panel
5. Custom search result page
6. Five color schemes
7. Two homepage layouts
8. SEO optimized code
9. Numbered comments
10. Free support

As you can see, this WordPress theme does not lack features. While many themes claim to offer a lot, it is obvious by the partial feature list above that One Theme definitely delivers in this area.

Design

Of course, all of the features in the world are not going to make One Theme worth your while if the design has nothing to offer. Luckily, this is not something that you have to worry about. While the design may not be right up your alley, it does have quite a bit to offer.

In addition to being visually appealing, the homepage is nicely laid out which allows visitors to find what they are looking for without spending too much time jumping around from page to page. On the live demo, you will notice that the homepage offers a spot for a featured article as well as other top level content and “most recent” articles.

As you move to the two-column right sidebar, you will find that the layout is just as efficient and appealing as the main content. This includes an area for your RSS information, advertisements, and other widgets such as categories, pages, and tag clouds.
Backend Control Panel

Although you are sure to fall in love with the design of One Theme, the real fun starts when you begin to navigate the backend control panel. Just like any WordPress blog, you will access the backend via your username and password. But once you activate One Theme, you will have access to many other features that you would not find with other themes.

Even if you are new to WordPress, the One Theme control panel makes it easy for you to find your way around and to make changes to customize the look and feel of your site.

You can see a Live Demo of the One Theme, to see all its features.

If you are interested in monetizing your site with ads, One Theme offers a dedicated section for this task. Since the theme is preconfigured with AdSense, all you have to do is add your publisher ID and you are set to earn. Of course, if you do not want to run AdSense you do not have to. You can replace these blocks with other ads or content.

What else can you do via the backend control panel?

1. Adjust the appearance thanks to five color schemes.
2. Define the content that you want to use for the featured article, etc.
3. Upload a custom header if you are not satisfied with the packaged options.
4. Customize links for the top menu, sub menu, and footer.

By visiting the One Theme page and checking out the live demo and list of features, you are sure to agree that this is one of the top WordPress themes on the market today. To get started, you have three options. With the $99 Webmaster license you can use One Theme on one blog. For $199 you can use the theme on three blogs, and for $299 you have access to five licenses.

If you want to upgrade your blog but don’t have the money to pay for a custom design, One Theme may be right for you. Although the theme will set you back $99, once you take a closer look at the many options you will realize that it is well worth the money.

Have a Product, We can Review it!
Got a product you’d like reviewed here on TheBlogJoint.com?
Contact Us to let us know.

Since being released last September, the BlackBerry 8800 has made a lot of noise within the industry. After all, anytime that BlackBerry releases a new device it is safe to say that consumers and experts are going to take notice. Even though there were some people who were skeptical upon its release, the BlackBerry 8800 has proven mostly everybody wrong. The fact of the matter is that this is a great device, and for the most part, it suits the needs of every user.

The first thing that you will notice about the BlackBerry 8800 is its sleek and stylish looks. Even though looks should not sell devices such as this one, when it comes to consumer perception, it is something that is always front and center. The 8800 features the new pearl like trackball navigation in the middle of the device, instead of the side scroll. For some this might take time to get used to, but you will find it much more convenient and easier with the trackball. When you add this to the full QWERTY keyword, there is no wondering that first looks draw so many buyers towards the BlackBerry 8800.

The Blackberry 8800 Front/Back Views

For anybody who wants to take their device on the road with them, while still keeping up a high level of efficiency, it does not get much better than the BlackBerry 8800. Of course, this is not to say that the device is perfect. There are some drawbacks that may put you off, but for the most part, they are few and far between.

Top of the Blackberry 8800

Side View

With a two year contract, and the use of mail in rebates, you should be able to secure the BlackBerry 8800 (T-Mobile) for $299.99. This may sound like a lot to the average buyer, but if you know anything about mobile devices, you are sure to realize that this is a great deal. As far as messaging capabilities are concerned, the BlackBerry 8800 offers everything of higher priced models; and in many cases, much more.

Upon taking the BlackBerry 8800 in your hands, you will recognize the size as being easy to work with. It weighs in at .3 pounds, and the dimensions fit a device of this type nicely at 2.6 inches by .6 inches by 4.5 inches (W x D x H.)

Blackberry 8800(left) T-Mobile Dash(right)

Moving onto features, there are many that you will want to take in. As mentioned above, the full QWERTY keyboard is something that most professionals want when they buy a mobile device of this kind. This makes it easy for you to fire out emails and text messages without having to take hours upon hours to do so. If you are the type who needs to regularly send and receive email from the road, the BlackBerry 8800 is a great option. Not only is the keyboard suited to your needs, but the ease of use will make it simple for any professional to get started.

Blackberry 8800 (top) T-Mobile Dash (bottom)

Of course, you will not want to buy until you learn a bit more about the integrated GPS feature. A lot of the competition in the smart phone arena lacks this feature, but the BlackBerry 8800 was not taking anything for granted. As long as you are subscribed to a location based GPS service, this feature will work without any add-ons. If you are a big Google user, Google offers Apps such as Google Maps, Search, and Gmail for the Blackberry 8800.

Gmail for the Blackberry 8800

All in all, the BlackBerry 8800 offers mobile professional the ability to take their office on the road. With a stylish and small design, full QWERTY keyboard, it does not get much better than the BlackBerry 8800.

Pros

1. Sleek and easy to handle design
2. Integrated GPS
3. Full QWERTY keyboard
4. Long lasting battery

Cons

1. No Wi-Fi
2. Despite its sleek design, the BlackBerry 8800 is a bit wide for comfortable talking
3. Some calls seem to be full of static

Have a Product, We can Review it!
Got a product you’d like reviewed here on TheBlogJoint.com?
Contact Us to let us know.

There are five RSS readers that the majority of people use. But as mentioned above, some of them are better than others. Listed below are the five most popular RSS readers as well as the pros and cons that each one offers.

NewsGator

For all of your RSS reader needs, it does not get much better than the service that NewsGator has to offer. But despite its overall level of popularity, there are some downfalls that you want to be aware of.

Pros: NewsGator can be integrated with Microsoft Outlook. As you can imagine, if you are already using this email service you will be in for an easy time. Additionally, you can synchronize your NewsGator RSS reader to work with NewsGator Online. Drag and drop folders make organizing a cinch.

Cons: Although, they do have News Gator Online you can only use NewsGator if you also use Outlook; this is the biggest problem with this service. On top of this, many have found that NewsGator is hard to setup and install.

Overall Score: 8/10

FeedDemon

If you are new to RSS readers, FeedDemon is for you. It is set up for novices who are interested in getting their first taste of what an RSS reader has to offer.

Pros: The interface used by FeedDemon is among the best in the industry. This makes it easy for navigate the service without any issue; even for beginners. On top of this, there are many wizards that will help to walk you through any problems that you may have.

Cons: Online support is not as good as it could be. So even though FeedDemon is good for beginners, it can be difficult to get help when need be. Additionally, FeedDemon will set you back $29. Although this is not a lot of money, it is more than a free RSS reader would cost.

Overall Score: 7/10

Rojo

Rojo is a free RSS reader, and for both beginners and advanced users, it works quite well. It offers a standard news reader that is combined with a social community. While this is one of the most unique features offered by all services, Rojo lacks when it comes to ease of use.

Pros: The main benefit of Rojo is that it is a web based service which allows you to access your news stories from anywhere. Of course, this means that you do not need to install any software; a good thing for a lot of people. A social networking community makes it easy to share stories with other Rojo users.

Cons: There are two drawbacks that keep people away from Rojo. First off, the interface is not as updated and detail oriented as it could be. This leaves beginners stuck, and often times looking for answers. Secondly, there is no preview pane. This makes it impossible to preview the content before moving onto the actual web page.

Overall Score: 6/10

Bloglines

When it comes to the best free RSS readers, it does not get much better than Bloglines. It offers a lot of fun, free access, and much more. But of course, there are some areas that Bloglines needs to improve on. This is the one that I personally use, you can check out my public Bloglines Feed.

Pros: Bloglines is a web based RSS reader, which means that you do not have to install any software. It runs without any issues in most browsers, so you should not have to worry about mixed results. Of course, the fact that Bloglines is free is also a huge advantage to keep in mind. Additionally, the actual sign up process with Bloglines takes no more than a couple of minutes; this is perfect for beginners.

Cons: Just like Rojo, Bloglines does not have a preview pane that allows easy viewing of web pages before clicking through. Another beef with Bloglines is that it does not support a tagging feature; something that most others offer.

Score: 8/10

Google Reader

As you probably know, Google is one of the biggest players when it comes to the internet. And of course, this means that they offer their own version of an RSS reader. The Google name alone has gone a long way in attracting many people to use Google Reader.

Pros: One of the biggest benefits of Google Reader is its speed. When you want to see something, you do not have to wait around; a problem with several other services. Additionally, Google Reader makes it easy to subscribe to new feeds. All you have to do is type a URL, and from there, Google will automatically subscribe you to the appropriate feed. And if you are a Gmail user you will already be accustomed to the look and feel.

Cons: There are other RSS readers with a better interface. Google Reader seems a bit busy at times, and a cleaner design would probably do them some good. Additionally, the lack of drag and drop features is lacking as well. This is one feature that NewsGator readers love.

Score: 9/10

If you like this article please subscribe to the RSS Feed to be up-to-date with all our posts.

Specifications

Total FTC power: 25 watts RMS
Sub-woofer: 15 watts RMS (into 8 ohms, @ 100Hz, @ 10% THD)
Satellites: Left/Right: 5 watts RMS x 2
(into 8 ohms, @ 1khz, @ 10% THD)
Total peak power: 50 watts
Frequency response: 40Hz - 20kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio: >96dB
Drivers:
Satellites: 2″ high-excursion driver
Subwoofer: 4″ ported driver
Speaker dimensions (H x W x D):
Satellites: 6.9″ x 2.6″ x 3.8″
Subwoofer: 8.7″ x 5.9″ x 8.7″

Price:

Logitech: $49.99

As a freelancer, one of the most important tasks of your job is to accurately track the amount of time that you spend on each project. Of course, you may be able to get away with not doing this, but there is no point in taking the risk. Generally speaking, Tick seems like a simple service on the surface; it is nothing more than a web based time tracking service. But when you dive deeper into the services that are offered by Tick, you will begin to see just how much it has to offer.

First off, you need to know how Tick works. The nice thing about this is that the service is web based. What does this mean to you? Simply put, it means that you can use Tick on any browser. And since it is web based, you can also use the service on any computer. This is a huge advantage if you are a freelancer because many have more than one computer that they use on a regular basis. As long as you have your log in you will be fine.
The interface is a simple design, and despite some confusing sample images, you should be able to find your way around without too much trouble.

After you sign in via your login page, you will have the ability to get started with the many services that are offered by Tick. The main duties that you can perform include: maintenance to your account, creating a new project, entering time for a project that you are currently working on, or viewing reports on projects. As you can imagine, you will more than likely sign into your Tick account with one of these duties in mind.

Before you can create a new project, you will first need to create a new client. Remember, you need to be an administrator in order to do this. Tick gives you the ability to be either an administrator or non administrator. This works out well if you are going to have other people working on projects with you. If you have other people who may want to use the system, you will want to make sure that they are set up as administrators as well. Of course, this is personal preference based on the way that you want to run your company.

After you have created a new client, you can then proceed to do the same with your project. Doing this is easy enough, and once you create one project you will have a much better grip for future jobs. You then need to make a decision on your project’s budget. This is up to you, but if you are not sure you do not have to set a budget.

If you are dealing with a large project, you can break it down into smaller tasks and assign separate budgets. This will help you to better track the project, and is a huge benefit if you have more than one employee working on the same job.
Tick offers freelancers the ability to purchase the subscription that will best suit their needs. This ranges from a free membership, to $79 for the top of the line set up.

Benefits

1. Once you have your account set up, it is easy to customize to suit your needs and projects.
2. A simple interface makes for little to no hassles.
3. The system moves fast no matter what you are doing. This is a huge benefit that many people may take for granted.

Cons

1. Sample images can confuse new users.
2. Customer service is not as effective as it could be.
3. It takes some time to set up additional employees as either admin or non admin.

All in all, Tick offers a functional and effective way for freelancers and companies to track time and budgets. Although there are some bugs that need to be worked out, for now, Tick is a great service.

Have a Product, We can Review it!
Got a product you’d like reviewed here on TheBlogJoint.com?
Contact Us to let us know.

The first step to choosing a quality startup page is to learn which ones are available. Once you know what you have to choose from, you can then move forward with the actual selection process. But sometimes, just knowing about startup pages is not good enough. And with that in mind, you will want to use the roundup below to help you find what is best for your internet surfing needs.

My Yahoo: 8/10

My Yahoo is one of the largest start pages on the internet. If you are interested in mainstream information, and are not ready to branch out into something unknown, My Yahoo is a great option. There are two nice things about My Yahoo. First off, it offers a wide range of customizable features. Among them is the ability to set up a free email account. This alone is reason enough for newbies to decide on My Yahoo.

iGoogle: 8/10

Where there is Yahoo there is Google. And when it comes to start pages, this means iGoogle. Just like Yahoo, the service by Google offers plenty of features that are sure to keep you busy. And of course, a free email service, Gmail, is also available. The main benefit to iGoogle is the ease of use. But at the same time, it does not do much to set itself apart from the Yahoo crowd. For this reason, they end up in a tie.

Windows Live: 9/10

Believe it or not, many feel that Windows Live is the best start page available. Although this is more or less personal preference, you definitely need to consider what they have to offer. They offer an excellent startup page that is easy to customize and personalize. When you add in the ability to get a free email account, it is easy to see why Windows Live has become so popular.

Netvibes: 7/10

Netvibes may not be as popular as some other start pages, but this does not mean that they have nothing to offer. In fact, when it comes to the newest updates and additions, Netvibes is always at the forefront of the industry. The startup page if organized into tabs and allows for access to an RSS feed reader, weather updates, email providers such as Gmail and Yahoo, and much more. Additionally, users can choose from existing themes, or make their own. The only reason that Netvibes does not get a higher rating is the fact that it is not as well known or developed as the big three listed above.

Pageflakes: 7/10

Pageflakes was released to the public as a startup page in late 2005. Since then, thousands of people have come to notice the benefits that this startup page has to offer. Similar to Netvibes, Pageflakes is organized into tabs based on user selection customization. Tab modules are known as Flakes, and have the ability to contain information such as local weather, RSS feed reader, notes, calendar, web search, bookmarks, and much more. The main issue holding Pageflakes back is its relatively basic technology and development. But with a young age, it is safe to say that there is time for this startup page to catch up to the pack.

These are five of the most popular start pages that you will come across. Although it is up to you to decide which one is best, until you look at each startup page you will not know what to decide on.

It is hard to rate startup pages because every user is looking for something different. So even though it can be beneficial to read reviews and ratings, until you try out each option you will never know for sure what is available!

If you like this article please subscribe to the RSS Feed to be up-to-date with all our posts.

1. Mozy - An online backup system for your PC that safely and automatically backs up your files online. For the free version, it goes up to 2GB, but you can pay $4.95/mo to get unlimited storage. Mozy isn’t the best way to store your files online to share with your friends, or to post around the internet, but if you want online backups, then you want Mozy.
2. Box.net - A friendly looking storage system that is more geared towards sharing. It’s mainly a paid service, but you can try them out with 1GB space for free. Upon paying $7.95/mo you get 5GB of space. Box.net has some cool features, like setting up sub accounts for other people to view certain files, backups of certain files, or being very easy to share. Very nice interface as well.
3. OmniDrive - Store your files online and access them from anywhere at desktop-storage-speeds. The free version offers 1GB storage and 5GB bandwidth, but the paid options come out to be much cheaper than the competition. First paid plan is $40/yr for 10GB storage and 20GB bandwidth.The things I liked most about OmniDrive were its cross platform compatibility, and API possibilities. Not only do they have an application for both OSX and Windows, but they have a web version for Linux users or other users who feel like it. The API program also allows extensions and further developments.
4. eSnips - A file uploading and sharing community where you can share, drive traffic to your site and join like minded communities. You start off with a nice 5GB storage for free.The thing that bothers me about eSnips is the fact that they have less than 1000 users, and less than 4000 hosted files. What if they were to blow up and become huge? Could they survive the first part of that? This site only appeals to those interested in a community situation as well.
5. Xdrive - This site had one of the better first impressions, on a design based judgment. You can conveniently upload, share, backup and access from anywhere your files with Xdrive. The free plan comes with 5GB of storage space. If you want to upgrade, it’s $9.95/mo for 50GB. Xdrive has one of the better looking interfaces, so it’s safe to say that AOL (parent company) knows how to hire a designer. As far as features, its very similar, but what sets it apart is its Pro Package, where you get 50GB for $99.50/yr or $9.95/mo.

There is not a lot of diversity in this field, but here are some conclusions.

• Online Backups: Definitely go with Mozy.
• Free File Storage/Share: Try Box.net first.
• Upgraded: Go with Xdrive for best value.

Its three other compartments allowed room for my laptop’s extra accessories which included all of the following: the AC adapter, mouse, wireless card, not to mention a few DVD’s for the ride.

The Slappa backpack’s water-proof exterior gave me sound of mind knowing my laptop is protected against harsh weather. The small pouch on the backpack’s strap allow for easy access to your cellular phone or music player.

My opinion on the size, however, is that it’s not necessarily made for everyday travel or commute. Considering it be excessively bulky to lug around, the backpack’s padding is definitely present when you carry it. Perfect for a trip somewhere, the bag is reminiscent to that of a suitcase on your back.

Featured Information

Online businesses are getting popular day by day, whether you are looking to buy software or you want to register domains to setup your own website or if you are searching for mobile phones plan you can do it online. It is very simple and many sites provide free online learning to facilitate users. Also there are many affiliate software which provide free tutorials for how to use them. Of course a high quality internet connection is required from a good isp to carry such an activity.

The website offers a low transaction fee compared to other review website and only gives the job to well known bloggers that receive a lot of traffic, which pretty much makes it a guarantee that the review will be viewed by a lot of people. The layout of the website is simple and economic which allows for easier usability. The sign-up system Sponsored Reviews uses two types of accounts, Bloggers and Advertisers. This is smart because it doesn’t really let any mix-ups happen through miscommunication. Overall Sponsored Reviews is a great way to connect advertisers and bloggers together for writing reviews.

First Impressions
Brilliant! The spiffy box arrived at my house just a few days before Christmas. On opening the box, I was greeted by another brown cardboard box, this one more tightly sealed. Inside lay a bubble wrap bag containing two CD pouches with the installation discs inside. A users guide and ‘Quick Reference’ book were also included, along with a wired headset. So far, so good!
In goes the disc. Okay, okay… I got through the installation process till the ‘Select a drive to install your copy of Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking 9 on’, or somthing like that. I had lots of trouble installing the software, as it was claiming I had insufficient space on my main hard drive. Infact, I had “22.6 GB of free space” on my computer, and I finally got it up and running, after repeatedly retrying to install the software. The installation itself time took a resonable amount of time and I quickly registered my product with Nuance.
Training
I did about 30 minutes of training no problem. I was told to read the sentences that appeared on the screen so that the software could ‘calibrate’ my voice pattern. Thinking that everything will be fine, I opened up Dragon’s special dictation software, ‘Dragon Pad’. In the English language, there are a couple of things that are considered ‘standard sentences’.
The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Hen.
You want to see what Dragon Pad thought I was saying? No, you really don’t… But for the purpose of providing an honest review, I have to post the results.
‘My thick round ox jumped over my daisy’s pen.’
All in all, I can type a lot quicker and more accurately than that anyway. Since I was delivered the software, I’ve used it over 20 times. I must have done the training that many times too. The software crashes every single time I use it. I’m kind of fed up now, after many unsuccessful attempts. Okay, my PC isn’t state of the art, but it’s only a year old, and has twice the recommended amount of RAM, and a 3.3Ghz P4 processor, far more than needed to run a program like this.
Overall Impressions
I’m sure that the software really is a good product, and I know it’s had outstanding reviews from many top-class websites, but for me, it’s just not worked out. I’ve had heap loads of problems, and only a few sentences of garbled text and a new Skype headset to show for it.
Maybe next time I’ll have better luck.

*Update* I accidentally deleted this post while I was deleting some spam comments for this post, so I had to repost this as a new article. Don’t you just hate it when this happens!

A browse of more specific topics takes you to the respective current stock graph of the topic (Politics: ‘John Howard’; Entertainment: ‘Pop’). Seeing how this game can be played by just about anyone with an affinity towards gambling, stocks, or the like, the ‘Entertainment’ section is probably what most people will have most fun playing around with, while the ‘Business’ section is obviously for the knowledgeable . Just like real stock markets, stock quotes can and do change in a matter of seconds. What was the most traded stock in ‘Entertainment’ a second ago; i.e. ‘Britney Spears’, is now ‘Condoleeza Rice’ and ‘Eric Cantor’.

The brainchild of 21-year-old French-Swedish Jens Agersberg, Trendio.com – not even a year old (created circa March 2006) – has already made a splash in the U.S.. Likely due to its English- and French-translated versions – and more recently, Trendio.com is ‘stocking’ up in members (pun intended) with more than 30,000 members. While some stock market savviness is a plus, a lot isn’t required and ‘investing’ in a stock at Trendio.com is easy to get into. The ‘Forum’ section is available to those who need some help getting started, which also offers some strategies. Along with the beauty of other ‘fake-money’ games, from Monopoly to online Poker, Trendio.com’s currency can be spent without any real loss or relation to real currency. But those who have the knowledge, commitment, and time have earned themselves millions in ‘Trendillions’.

If you are a college student looking for a good deal on textbooks then you should use Chambal. I found a calculus book that cost me 150 dollars for about 10 dollars using Chambal. If I found out about this website before then it would have saved me a lot of money. However it has saved me money this semester when I had to buy new textbooks. It’s a great tool if you want to save money on any product. The search results are concise and immediately show the prices without the need to open new pages like some other websites require. It also shows the ISBN number if you are searching for a book so you can make sure if you’re getting the correct edition. You can compare prices for other products like music and movies. The website offers a good variety of products to compare prices despite some needed variety in the electronics section.

The problem with Chambal is that there isn’t much variety in the electronics section; you can only compare prices to cameras and camcorders. There are a lot more products that fall under the electronics category that can be searched for like televisions and MP3 players. Chambal’s format isn’t so great either, it isn’t really aesthetically pleasing and not really that efficient. In my opinion and standard menu-bar and content similar to amazon.com would be better. Besides these minor problems Chambal is a great website if you are looking for a great deal.

These buttons offer a great benefit in terms of control because you can assign two buttons that would usually be assigned to the keyboard. With these buttons on the mouse it allows faster reaction time when you’re gaming. The side programmable buttons are removable from the mouse because the mouse comes with two sets of programmable buttons. The two sets are there to give the user a preference between larger or smaller side buttons based on comfort.

When I first got the mouse I was skeptical because I was very used to my Logitech Trackball that I didn’t want to switch to any other type of mouse. But after using the Habu I changed my mind. It took some time getting used to but when I tested it by playing Counter Strike Source I could see why it’s a gaming mouse. My score increased significantly mostly because of the improved reaction time and precision the mouse offered. It’s also very comfortable to use even over long periods of time so you don’t have to worry about getting carpal tunnel.

Something that I thought the mouse lacked was being cordless because as with all mice the cord sometimes got in the way. I predict it won’t be long until a cordless Habu is made but this first model doesn’t have this feature. If the Habu was cordless it could improve gaming performance even more. Also the mouse doesn’t have a switch for the blue backlight, so whenever you use it, day or night it’s constantly lit up in blue. Update: Thanks to Gary for pointing out that the blue light can be switched on and off on the Habu mouse settings program, as seen in the screenshot above. The light up feature is useful when you’re playing in a low lit area but during the day the backlight could get a bit annoying.

Overall it is a great gaming mouse and I recommend it to anyone who plays any type of FPS online. The Habu offers everything you need in a mouse including speed, comfort, and precision. You can’t go wrong with the Habu.

Price:

Newegg: $59.99

Test 1: Being the freak I am, I lined up two identical 32″ HD Ready TVs. Both with Battlefield 2: Modern Combat loaded. The only difference, was that one was a PS2 version, and one an Xbox 360 version. The differences were startling. Realistic fire, smoke, fog, bullets, physics, sounds and movements in the 360 made the experience all that little bit extra. The PS2, great as it is, can only perform these tasks half aswell. The textures are less smooth and when flying in helicopters, background scenery flashes in and out of view. With the 360, none of this ever happens, making the game more enjoyable. I’m not going to tell you all the tech specs of the 360, because if you want to know them, you can simply head over to Amazon or Best Buy to check for yourself.

Test 2: Burnout Revenge is a classic game, one of mayhem and high-speed destruction. Obviously, the PS2 has trouble rendering the foliage and such, but the 360 has no such problems. Just to test this out, I hurled two identical cars off two identical cliffs off two identical TVs. PS2 result, nasty, blurred tesxtures of the mountain side. 360 result, well rounded, well shaded, well rendered, realistic surroundings, even when falling at high-speeds.

In other words, the 360 wins all round. I’ve tried and tested the PS2’s online functions, all of which are, no offense to Sony, abysmal. The Xbox however, has always retained the crown of online gameplay, even if the monthly fee is a bit off putting. Hours of extra fun can be squeezed from games online, and this really is, in my opinion, the 360’s biggest advantage. Will things change however? We’ll find out this holiday season with the PS3 and Nintendo Wii hitting our shelves!

Okay. You’ve read the review above, and I sincerely hope you like it. I spent 3 hours having fun trying and testing them games, so you best have liked it. Who am I though? Well, I’m Delta Taph, age 12 from Tech.co.nr and from now on, I’m going to be working around TheBlogJoint.com on and off, writing videogames reviews and such. First though, perhaps you’d like to know a little bit about me. I’m very weird, and am very good at all my subjects, particularly Maths, English, Science and IT. For me, blogging started off in late July, more as an idea than a real, serious money-making activity. I though that, as I loved technology, gadgets, computers and the internet so much, why not start my own website about them? The idea quickly formed and I hurried over to the folks at Google and grabbed myself a Blogger account. Having been going for quite a few months now, my website, Tech.co.nr is now about as good as Blogger can take it. I’m saving for a dedicated server, on which I can run Wordpress and to do this, I’m blogging for quite a few big names. Profy.com are my main employers. You should check them out my articles there some time. I wrote one about getting lots of visitors to your website, which has gone down very well over there. Seems appropriate since TheBlogJoint is often the centre of attention when it comes to SEO.

I’m not a big voicemail user, but I can definitely see where a service like this one would really make it easier for someone who receives a high volume of voicemails on different phones to keep things organized. Just a few of the top ten reasons to use GotVoice from their website include:

• Business travelers can conveniently access all of their work and family voicemails in one central location on the Internet in the comforts of their hotel room. Juggling tasks while on the road just got easier.

• Cost-conscious mobile phone users don’t need to waste precious “paid minutes” listening to people rambling on their voicemail. With GotVoice they can listen to those messages via the Internet and not pay for “air time.”

GotVoice offers three levels of service which can be compared in the table above. Some notable differences between the three levels is that the basic service only allows you to receive email notifications of new voicemails, while plus and premium allow you to receive the voicemail as an attachment in your email inbox, and only premium allows you to setup an RSS feed to receive your voicemail as an RSS podcast.

Setup is a pretty simple process that includes four steps: first you have to check and make sure the service is compatible with your phone type, second you need to give the typical personal information, the third step involves providing some information about your phone including the password for your voicemail account, and the final step is just to make sure everything worked and went smoothly during the setup.

After everything is setup and running correctly, it is pretty easy to check your voicemail manually, all you need to do is log into your account and press the “get new” button.  It does take a little time to actually complete the process, but after about 60-90 seconds any new voicemails show up in an inbox that looks like any other email inbox. Each entry shows you who the call is from, how long it is, who it was received from, and you can easily listen to it in a flash player by clicking on the speaker icon. The quality of the recordings is actually pretty impressive and everything can be heard very clearly.

All in all I would say that this is a service that anyone who finds themselves listening to voicemail many times throughout the day would find very useful. Even if you aren’t interested in checking your voicemail online, this is a great service to save those great voicemails you may receive from time to time because all three levels of service are able to save their voicemails as an mp3 file on their computers.

Give GotVoice a try, sign up is free, and you may find it is a valuable tool you didn’t even know you needed. Let us know what you think about it in the comments, and if there are any other services that are similar to this one that you like to use, why not share those with us as well.

GotVoice.com: Advanced Technology for Voice Messaging

Installation

Whats included in the package is:

• USB music transmitter for PC (with desktop stand)
• Music receiver for stereo system (with AC adapter)
• Remote control
• Stereo RCA interconnect cables
• Software CD
• Quick-start guide

First you need to connect the USB music transmitter, which even comes with a desktop stand, if you don’t want it to be in that back of your PC. And install the software CD that comes with it, which allows you to setup your media players, default audio devices, etc. After you have all that setup and rolling take the music receiver and plug the Audio cables to your speakers. Click the connect button and you’re done. The installation took all of 3 minutes.

Usability

After everything was up and rolling which only took a few minutes, I opened up Windows Media player adding a few songs to the playlist, went to the living room where my speakers were, and took the remote. And I was listening to the music, it was just that easy. It can play any type of music, mp3’s, wma, aac, even music with a DRM, so thats a plus. The one thing that bothered me was that the remote control has very limited functionality, although it has the necessities, but doesn’t have a fast forward, or rewind during the song play. But, you can scroll through to the next songs. Also a great add on maybe to an upgrade would be that the remote should have the title of the song thats playing on the remote, just a suggestion. Other than that everything is great, the sound quality is awesome, no skiping. The range is great, it can go upto 330ft. Although, the quality of the sound depends on the type of speakers you have.

All Images Courtesy of Logitech

Final Thoughts

I have to say that Logitech has made a great product, I would definitly reccomend the Wireless Music System to a friend, which is not too bad at $149.99, which does everything exceptionally well, and is very simple to install, even your grandmother can install this with ease. All you gotta do is just sit back and put on your favorite songs and enjoy.

Price:

Logitech: $149.99

Usability

So I connected the speakers charged it, and connected my iPod to it, and noticed great sound quality that came with a bang, I really didn’t expect it to be as loud as it is and the great quality, considering its a portable speaker system, with its 5 hour battery life. The one downside to these 40 watt BoomTube speakers are the Bass, even at the highest level the bass isn’t all there.

BoomTube in its carrying case

Final Thoughts

The BoomTube H2O1 speakers are an awesome portable speaker system, which is great in style as in sound quality. The ease of portability, which even comes with a carrying case, and how the speakers can be connected and disconnected while moving around is a great touch. And its stylish “tube look” gives it a great advantage from the rest.

Pros

• Rechargable Battery
• Powerful Speakers
• Cool design
• Comes with carrying case

Cons

• Bass can be better
• Too many cables

Price:

BoomTube: Direct $250.00
Newegg: $155.99

Then it also has another pocket for pens and other electronics. Another cool feature is that it has a pocket for a cell phone, or even an ipod on the strap, which is great for the daily commute, and easily accessable. It also has an adjustable bottle pocket.

The Buzz can fit a laptop of up to the dimensions of 11.5″ x 9.5″ x 1.5″, which is perfect for the smaller portable laptops. You can even go to their website to check which laptop fits inside the bag with their laptop Fit List.

Final Thoughts

The Buzz Sling Bag from Tom Bihn is an ultra sleek and stylish bag, which will protect you expensive laptop with its heavy duty padding, and have room for all your other belongings. I would totally recommend visiting their site and getting yourself the Buzz Bag, hey maybe I might see you wearing it on your way to school like myself on the commute on the R Train to school in New York City.

Price:
Tom Bihn Buzz $105.00

So I tested it out with my 15 inch dell laptop. I put it inside and it fight quite nicely inside, however there wasn’t much room to put anything else inside not even any room for its outlet charger.

But one thing for sure is that it would definitly be safe inside the case with its thick padding on all sides of the case. Another cool feature about this is the shoulder strap, which is adjustable to 9 different lenghts.

Final Thoughts

In the end this is a great case for protecting your costly laptop, which it will protect it quite nicely, and the only flaw with the case is its size to include anything but the laptop, but I guess this case is mainly for people who are traveling to and from work, not necessarily made for long travel, but I think its a pretty good deal for the money.

Price:
Slappa Metro Pro $69.99

Update: All of the readers of The Blog Joint can receive a 10% discount on all Slappa products with the discount code “blogjoint“.