My iPod Touch has gone from a nifty little extravagance to an integral part of my life.  It stores all my music.  It holds videos to entertain me when the doctor is running 45 minutes late.  It is my alarm clock.  My personal assistant.  I listen to it at home and at work and in the car driving to and from work.

I use it to check the weather forecast in the morning.  I use it to keep the kids occupied with games and videos.  I download comic books via the Comixology app.  Ask me about my kids and I’ll show you their digital pictures and maybe even a couple of home videos.

She… I mean, it… just an it… goes with me everywhere I go.  My work schedule and personal schedule, in as much as they can be separated, are both contained entirely within the 16 MB memory of my little iPod Touch.

This is my second iPod.  The first was the iPod photo, the last model before they went to video.  That eventually wore out, but not before it reminded me that everything Apple makes ‘just works’.  I was so impressed that when my PC broke down, I spent the extra money and bought the cheapest, low end Mac on the market.  That was eight years ago.  One operating system and two memory upgrades later it is still running.

The only problem that I’ve ever had with my Mac was when my 2 year old son shoved a Playstation disk upside down into the disk drive.  Other than that – not a single crash, not one virus in eight years.

So iPod has not only revolutionized my entertainment and personal organization world, but also indirectly changed my whole computing life as well.  iPod Touch is the next step in the my evolution into “Mac Guy”.  And I’m loving every minute of it.

Alright Red Sox fans, here is the latest Red Sox paraphernalia that you must own. Well, okay, you really do not have to own a pair of these, but if you are all about the Sox and are determined to own all that is Red Sox, then here is a gadget you can parade around with.

For about the same price as a ticket, two hot dogs, and a beer, here is something a diehard fan could go for– Red Sox Headphones. They look like your typical full-sized big headphones, except they have Red Sox plastered all over them. Officially licensed as the Red Sox Beats, these lovely headphone will provide you with a wonderful sound experience. According to some people who were given the chance to test out the Red Sox Beats (which had been held a secret until this week), they are very comfortable and they sound great. The headphones were designed by the legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Geffen A&M chairman, Jimmy Iovine,– so you would hope that the sound quality and design would be amazing!  Iovine and Dr. Dre have designed custom headphones for athletes like King James in the past. However, this is the first officially licensed professional sports team to have a set of this headphone style called Beats.

For $400 you could be sporting the latest in Red Sox Nation fashion. To make things even better, they have come out just in time for the opening game! The downside about these headphones is that they use two AAA batteries, and it is hard to get the cover off in order to replace the batteries. However, there are plenty of other “pros” to these headphones that overcome the “cons.” For instance, they come with a protective carrying case, two 1/8-inch cables and a 1/4-inch adapter– which is always a plus!

Why you would need to sport around headphones at a game, I do not know, but you certainly can show off your pride at other times! If you are a diehard fan, here is your next purchase!

After realizing that I was constantly craving the ability to have a web browser in the palm of my hands during the school day, I decided it was time to invest in either a Microsoft Zune or an iPod Touch 3g. I knew that the 3g was not what people were expecting and that it was a major let down, but after comparing the prices for a used 2g via Amazon or Ebay to the prices of a new iTouch, I decided that I was going to get something brand spanking new.

I will put this out there, I hate iTunes with a passion. I had decided that the ZuneHD was the toy for me based solely on the fact that I would not have to deal with iTunes and would instead be using the Zune Marketplace. For instance, the Zune Marketplace offers a great deal where you can listen to any music that you want for $15 per month and at the end of the month you can pick 10 songs to download. I then held my friend’s Zune in my hands.

Let me tell you, that thing is fantastic. It is so small, but it does have a generous 3.3 inch (diagonal) screen. It is extremely light (75 grams versus Apple’s 113) and a beautiful player. The Zune had pretty much sold itself to me when my friend put it in my hands. It self-orientated faster than the touch, it was well organized, and its sound quality was absolutely astonishing. Oh, and did I mention the built in radio or the OLED screen–making video crystal clear? It also is offered in a 16gb version while Apple cut that one out of the production line.

Needless to say, I went with the iPod touch. I had gotten rid of my first one because I wanted built in speakers and microphone compatibility– two things that the Zune did not have. I know that I bought something that comes with iTunes and that has a lesser quality screen (though it is bigger) and sound. I also know that Apple is probably going to come out with this killer new update next year, but I cannot wait a whole year. So, we’ll see how this Touch goes…

In my, opinion, many people buy iPods, not because of capabilities, but because of the name.  There are many equal, but under loved competitors.

Let’s talk about the biggest, but still relatively unknown competitor, Microsoft’s Zune.  The Zune is a digital audio player produced by Microsoft. The line also includes Zune software and the Zune Marketplace services sold by Microsoft, which provide online music, video, and podcast downloads.  The Zune 30, the first generation Zune music player, has a 30 GB hard drive, 3” screen, and simple directional pad for menu navigation.  The second generation set of Zunes includes the Zune 4, 8, 16, 80 and 120.  The Zune 4, 8 and 16 are smaller in size and hold 4, 8 and 16GB of flash memory, in the same order. The Zune 80 and 120 are replacements for the Zune 30, as they are thinner and lighter than the original.  The Zune HD was confirmed for release in fall 2009 by Microsoft.  This will be Microsoft’s version of the iPod touch.

One of the best features of the Zune is the Zune Marketplace.  The Zune Marketplace is an online music, video and podcast store , equivalent to iTunes.  Purchases are made through Microsoft Points, in which users prepay $5.00 for 400 points that can be applied to downloads at 79 points per song.  As an alternative to Microsoft Points, the Zune Pass is a subscription service that allows users to pay a flat monthly fee of $14.99 . Zune Pass subscribers can download unlimited music from the Zune Marketplace, but this music will be lost when the pass runs out.  However, you can keep ten songs a month.  You can sync this info wirelessly.  Unfortunately, you need Windows Vista or XP to use a Zune.

The Zune also can play music though an Xbox 360 and create play lists for gaming.   More features supposedly are coming to the Xbox.

So, what are you waiting for? Think outside the box!

Remember that time when you finally mustered up enough money to splurge? After a few weeks, or months, of thinking about how you wanted a new mp3 player but did not know if you wanted the whole nine yards (Internet browser, stopwatches, touch screen, playlists, album art, etc. ) you finally gathered up your confidence to  purchase the famed iPod Touch. Either that or you decided that it was time for a new MacBook, and you took the deal that enabled you to get a Touch for dirt cheap.

Well, if you were an iPod Touch consumer by method of the first case scenario, do you then remember how you felt when they came out with the iPod Touch 2G just a few months after you had finally worked up the courage to buy the 1G?  It had better Wi-Fi, a thinner shape, much lower prices, a volume control toggle, built-in speakers (granted the speaker quality was not that great), and more.

Well, Apple did it again this year! They came out with a new iPod Touch. The thing that they have on us consumers now is that the first generation iPod users may decide that it is time for a new iPod Touch– though based on history some users would say, well… they’re coming out with a new one next year that will be even better, and they will wait for the next one to come out in September 2010.

In any case, those who waited and bought the 2nd generation knowing that the first was no longer going to be the “hot new item,” still can be laughing at the 1st generation buyers. Even though the 3rd generation is even less expense to buy, you are pretty much buying the 2ndG iPod Touch.

When Apple released the 3G at the beginning of September, it was such a letdown. There is no camera, no built-in mic, no GPS system, and more. It simply has  a faster processor, comes with mic and remote headphones, and has the built-in voice control and voice recorder. Oh, and they got rid of the 16GB option.

There is a new music gadget out there.  Sony has unveiled The Rolly, a music player.  But, there’s something else…  It’s a robot, and it can dance!

The Rolly is made of a central cylinder with a thick rubber ring and a LED ring on each end. Attached to each end is a rounded cone.  The cones each end with a dome.  The dome is on a motorized hinge that moves them.  When open, they reveal the speakers.  The size is approximately 4-1/8″ x 2-9/16″ x 2-9/16″ and weighs approximately 11 ounces.

The Rolly can stream music from your PC directly to the Rolly for your listening enjoyment via Bluetooth.  It also can store up to 2 GB of music.  The Rolly can be programed from a PC for certain dance moves but also can analyze the song automatically and create motion based on the music.  You even can share motions over the Internet!  The LED lights will flash and glow to the beat.  It supports AAC6 and MP3 playback.

On the down side, the dancing moves the domes over the speakers, which tends to distort the music.  Also, the Rolly cannot play music while in its charging cradle.  It also lacks a headphone jack for private listening.  Almost all reviews put it as too pricey. One said, “If Sony could make this product half off I think more people would buy it.”

The Rolly is a fun little toy, great for offices, parties, etc.  If the price were reduced, I think it could be good enough to be worth buying.

A lot of things these days are available on the go: email, Internet browsing, gaming, portable DVDs and now television… not that it wasn’t portable already.

Imagine being at your least favorite place: the mall, shopping with your girlfriend or wife. Bored out of your mind, and as always holding your significant other’s purse while she tries on clothes or browses the clothing racks.

Isn’t it terrible to miss that game you’ve been waiting for all week, your favorite television show, or even a movie you’ve been wanting to see for some time?

Now, there’s an incredible option to pass some time, and it might just make shopping a little better.

The BagTV is an incredible handbag/purse fashioned out of high quality leather complete with a built in 7″ LCD screen and stereo speakers. It features full support for DVDs, mp3s, photos, and videos of differing formats to allow full entertainment while on the go. All files can be transferred to the bag via PC, but the BagTV also supports SD memory cards for additional storage, which gives users an added option to transfer files.

Usually items like this aren’t very attractive, and no female out there would be caught dead using something so sinister. However, the BagTV has seven different flavors, all of varying tastes, which don’t look half bad either. In fact, I think many women will agree they’d compliment their outfits amazingly!

The BagTV itself retails for a total of 295 Euros and is sold in London. A BagTV handbag can be ordered on their website and shipped to the United States, just visit the official site here.

I certainly will pick one of these up next chance I get, just to keep myself entertained!

I bought my refurbished iTouch about a month before the newest iTouch came out. Needless to say, I was a little bit upset when I heard that the newer iTouches came with built in speakers, a volume toggle on the outside, and they had starting prices at about $100 cheaper than the original iTouch. I had no idea that the newest one was coming out so soon, apparently my research had been a tad bit off!

In any matter, I am enjoying my iTouch. I’m still not a big fan of iTunes, but hey, I’m getting used to it–as I should, in the event that it becomes the only music player from which you can download songs. I say this because free services such as Rhapsody and Ruckus that allowed college students to download songs into players, but not copy songs to a CD, iPod, etc, have shut down. Ruckus discontinued its services very recently, I believe even last week.

However, I am not here to wallow in my sadness about how my music has been taken away from me.

Applications–yet another way for Apple to make money. Granted, they do offer a lot of free applications, people are now making their iTouches do even more than play music and go on the Internet.

Personally, my favorite application is Google Earth. A free download, I now have Google Earth at my fingers! I also love playing TapTap. Like guitar hero, here is a game that you match your fingers to the colored dots to play music. Another common application is Labyrinth–this a game where you try to get a ball through a maze without having it drop into the holes along the path. It’s super addicting, along with a game called Cube Runner. Cube Runner is a game where you try to avoid cubes as your triangle moves forward. It sounds simple, but while it’s easy to learn, it’s hard to get past every level!

Those applications are all free; there are a ton more (free and not free) that are just waiting to be explored! They don’t take up too much memory, so download some fun!

Old cassette tapes used to be magical. The compact invention could store up to two hours of music, which was an incredible phenomenon in the past. Of course, the best music from the past was recorded in cassette. Enter the iPod and everyone kissed the cassette goodbye. But some people still have long-forgotten music and compilation albums that are only available in their old cassettes.

For people who still have their favorite songs recorded in cassette tapes, there is no need to worry. An invention from Ion known as the USB Cassette Recorder TAPE2PC allows users to convert old cassette recordings on a personal computer. After conversion, it can be loaded into your iPod.

Features available in the USB Cassette Recorder TAPE2PC include:
•    Dual dubbing cassette deck
•    Metal and CrO2 selector
•    Audacity software (for PC and Mac) for cleaning up worn recordings
•    EZ Tape Converter 2 software and EZ Audio Converter
•    Plug & Play USB interface
•    Ability to quickly transfer music from cassette tapes to MP3 using the computer

Other items you can expect to be included in the package are:
•    User’s manual
•    RCA cable
•    USB cable
•    Installation software

Of course, because this gadget is quite sophisticated, it won’t work with outdated computers and operating systems. It is important for your PC to run using Windows Vista or XP at the very least. For Mac users, the computer needs to run on OS9 or higher.

This invention is definitely a welcome one for music fans who love the songs from the 70s and 80s. After converting their music from cassette tapes, they will enjoy more freedom to listen to their favorite songs wherever they go.

Computers are quickly growing even more popular than they already are. Before long, if not already, computers will become not just a part of our lives but a mere necessity. Frequent computer users know that everything is stored on a computer, much like their own brain. Some of the more important stuff includes, office and business files, banking information, music, movies, pictures and photos, word processing documents, such as books, articles, and homework, and even with this list there are still many others. The big danger with storing files on a computer hard drive is that sometimes if not protected correctly they can be deleted, erased or even become corrupted and therefore no longer readable.

With the creation of laptops also came the creation of portable accessories to compliment those with an on-the-go lifestyle. Arguably one of the greatest portable assets is the portable and external hard drive. External hard drives provide an excellent way to store and transfer files between many different devices.

External hard drives can be plugged into all types of computers and used to transfer, but for the most part store, files. This means that any type of electronic device that can utilize the external hard drive’s interface (USB, eSATA, Firewire) can access the files on the device. You can store a large variety of files to transfer from one computer to another. You can store music and movies and then connect the hard drive to a gaming console and interact with the media on your TV. You even can backup important office or banking files and then copy protect or security protect the files so only one user can access them.

There are, of course, many ways to use an external hard drive. The biggest thing to note is that they provide many advantages. For the most part, everyone wants their important files to remain safe and backed up in the event of a hardware or file failure. After all, before computers most people knew to make copies of important documents and keep them in several places. The same holds true for computers and in many cases is very important. Even something just as simple as a power outage can cause serious problems in different circumstances, and thus ruin files stored on a computer.