Nikon CoolPix S6500 Review

Pocket Sized Camera with Great Zoom, and Instant Sharing.










Nikon unveiled its new point and shoot camera this past January.  To be honest it isn't much different than the S6400 model.  The major improvement is its Wi-Fi capability. You can download the Wireless Mobile Utility App for your smart phone or tablet to control your camera from up to 30 feet away.  The app allows you to share and edit photos instantly.


Nikon added 5 new touch-up options which include eye and teeth whitening, and the ability to adjust the dark circles under the eyes.  In addition, Nikon now allows for the user to pause movie redordings, so you don't end up with several short movies.  All movies are captured at 1080p full HD.  


The Nikon 6500 offers a 16 mega pixel BSI CMOS (Backside Illumination) sensor, which significanly improves low light performance.  Nikon also features its face detection technology using face priority and smile capture with blink detection.  The camera features a 3" LCD display.  The 12x optical zoom with image stabilization and 4x zoom which makes for great group shots, close ups, and everything in between.  


The only draw backs of this camera appear to be its limited battery life, and its focus speed is a little slow.  The battery is rated at 150 shots, but you may get let with wifi enabled.  I would definitely suggest this camera for your next point and shoot upgrade.  All in all the Nikon 6500 is a great Wi-Fi camera for the price.  You can get it here for at least a 15% savings.


iPad Mini 2 Review

Twice as Fast, More Stunning Than Ever!










The iPad Mini was launched last year.  Apple wanted to take hold of the 7 inch tablet market.  The original iPad Mini launched with a 1024 x 768 resolution which offered 162 pixel density.  Many critics complained about the lack of resolution offered with their first 7 inch tablet.  The new iPad Mini 2 will offer a resolution of 2048 x 1538 and a pixel density of 324 ppi with Retina Display.  The new Mini will rival the iPad 4's resolution.  Retina Display will offer a better looking screen with sharper text, and no perceptible pixels when gaming, reading, or viewing pictures.  In addition to the increased clarity, there are rumors that the new Mini will contain the speedy A6 1.4Ghz processor, which is currently included in the iPad 4.


The new Mini may be heavier, which many consumers loved how light the original design is.  With the addition of Retina Display, a faster processor, and other improvements, the battery will have to be larger.  We will have to wait and see how Apple tackles this issue.  Experts have noticed a decline in sales for the original iPad Mini, which suggest Apple will roll out with the Mini 2 sooner. Also, Apple is reducing the iPad mini panel shipments from AU Optronics from 4 million to about 1.8 million. If sales trends continue, consumers can be hopeful for a July/August release date; however, if Apple follows its usual pattern, we can expect a September/October release date.


Kuo from AppleInsider, who accurately forecast Apple's entire fall product lineup, suggests a lower priced iPad Mini 2, pricing between $199 and $249.  Kuo believes, Apple could reduce costs buy removing the rear camera, reducing internal storage to 8GB, or by using a more advanced process to build the A5 processor.  Some leaked pictures suggest that the iPad Mini 2 will have a rear facing camera however.  To get up-to-date information on the iPad Mini 2 stay tuned to my blog!


Vizio 5.1 Soundbar Review

The Pinnacle of Surround Sound Immersion!  











Vizio came out of nowhere a few years ago and quickly took over the HDTV market with well priced TV's with high end features.  Now they intend on tackling the home theater market.  The Vizio S4241W-4B was voted the best home theater and audio product at this years CES.


Vizio intends on combining both worlds with a traditional sound bar with wireless rear speakers and sub woofer.  The new 5.1 surround sound system will feature a new remote with a display, which is a first for any soundbar.  This speaker system is designed to fit under any 47" TV or larger.  Vizio offers the owner a choice of displaying these stylish speakers on a table or on a wall.


The Bluetooth speakers offer 60' of line of sight distance, which can also stream music from your smart phone or tablet.  With built-in bluetooth, these speakers offer plenty of ports for optical, coaxial, analog, and minijack inputs.  These speakers put you in the middle of the action with it's best in class audio performance of 102dB room filling crystal clear sound, with less than 1% harmonic distortion.


Vizio's new system is packed with drivers: four 3-inch left/right middle drivers, two 0.75-inch right/left tweeters, two 2.5-inch center channel drivers, and each rear channel has a 2.5-inch driver.  The sub woofer offers a 6.5-inch driver to complete package.  Vizio offers a true premium surround sound system that turns any room into the ultimate home theater system.


iPad 5 Review

Awaiting Announcement on June 18th! 










Rumors for the new iPad 5 are starting up.  Get your newest information here.  We are expecting to hear solid details for the new iPad 5 on June 18th, with a suggested purchase date in September 2013.  


The new iPad 5 will feature a new design and will be a slimmer and lighter device.  It will feature narrow bezels similar to the iPad mini.  Apple intends on keeping it's 9.7" display; however, they will implement a new Sharp IGZO touchscreen that boasts a use of 90% less power compared to the previous models.  Other features that will change is an option for 128 GB of storage, and with a rear camera upgraded to 8 megapixels.




Samsung LED 8000 TV Review

Samsung has delivered Again!   



Samsung launched it's final version of it's line of smart TV's.  Their new line of LED 8000 TV's will come in 3 sizes 46", 55", and 65" priced $2,199, 2,699, and 2,999 respectively.  These TV's offer a hypnotic full HD 1080p, 3D viewing experience.  Their new line of revamped TV's feature a quad core processor which delivers industry leading speed.  Samsung's intent is to bring the tablet and the smartphone into the living room.



The LED 8000 line of TV's stand alone from their competitors with built in software called "S-Recommendation" that helps you watch and find shows.  When you first switch on your new TV you will be greeted by it's default home screen "On TV".  This feature show you a live feed from your AV input, and six recommended channels.  These TV's will learn which shows you prefer and it's effectiveness increases over time.  Even after a few days the user will see a noticeable improvement.  While using the TV before it has a chance to learn your view preferences the "On TV" home page can feel more like a burden.  


Samsung's new line of TV's act as multimedia hubs where users can interact with using gestures or voice.  Samsung introduces it's Smart Hub which includes integrated web cameras and sensors for motion and voice control.  Even in a crowded room full of background noise, the TV performed remarkably.  Losing your remote will never be a problem again, this is the future of TV!  The app store curated by Samsung features plenty of TV-friendsly apps like YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Netflix, and Amazon Instant.  Samsung announced three additional apps that will enhance your experience:  Spotify, Univision, and Fox.  If you own a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 you will feel at home because it is essentially your dashboard.  


For those of you who purchased a 2012 Samsung model, Samsung has a option for you too.  They are unveiling an Evolution kit available at the end of May for $299.  This will allow owners to update their TV's with all the latest features including the Smart Hub.



Xbox One Review

Xbox One Review.  The Console that 'Changes Everything'!



Microsoft has had their Xbox platform defaced on the news with ugly reports of their new system.  Microsoft announced today May 21st, that the official name will be Xbox One.  The new Xbox One will integrate gaming, internet, TV, and will recognize your heartbeat along with your voice.  Very similar to the new Smart TV's being released. Another feature Xbox one is taking from the Smart TV technology is voice control and gesture technology.  Xbox One will compete head to head with PlayStation 4 with its integration of cloud based features.


We should expect the new Xbox to be on sale for the start of the Christmas season.  Some people argue that Microsoft may opt for a November release date to get a head start on the competition.  Xbox One will be powered by an eight core processor, 8GB of memory, a 500GB hard drive finished off with a Blu-ray player.



A new Kinect camera and sensor, will allow the user to be the controller.  The new Kinect will feature a 1080p wide-angle camera with an improved sensor which will detect small wrist and shoulder movements. The Xbox One will include the new Kinect; however, Microsoft has yet to announce a price, which you can find here as soon as its released.


Microsoft filled a patent pertaining to "projecting augmented reality 3D images onto walls of a room you are gaming in".  The rumor is that it is code named "Fortaleza", which would include WiFi glasses similar to the Google glass. This would completely submerge you in the gaming experience.  


There have been rumors that Microsoft will unveil a Xbox mini which would offer the ability to stream games from the cloud.  Which sounds completely plausible, it appears that technology is moving to a streaming industry.  Stay tune, new news will be heard here!



HP Slate 7 Review

On Sale May 2013 for $169.99, get yours here!  











HP is finally getting into the tablet market with it's first 7" tablet the Slate 7.  HP hired Nokia's MeeGo head Alberto Torres, who will head the newly formed Mobility Global Unit. HP announced that this newly formed unit will focus strictly on the consumer tablet market, with plans to expand to additional segments and categories where they believe they can offer a differentiated value to their customers.


The HP Slate 7 is designed for the consumer who really wants and entertainment solution.  The Slate 7 will feature an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean system, ARM Dual Core Cortex-A9 1.6 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, and 8 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded with it's MicroSd slot.  The Slate 7 will be the only tablet on the market to feature Beats Audio speakers.  HP designed the Slate to have front and rear facing cameras, which is a nice option; however, the rear facing camera is only 3MP.  Their cameras are set up for users interested in Skyping, rather than taking top end pictures.




The Slate 7 provided great viewing angles with excellent color and brightness.  It looked very nice in person, but the specs don't quite match up with other 7" devices such as the Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire HD.  The Slate features a pixel density of 170ppi versus the 216ppi from it's competitors, then again those are more expensive tablets.



The HP Slate 7 is a very competitive tablet that offers a few different features over it's competitors.  This device doesn't offer ground breaking technology, but it isn't going to break the bank either.  You will not be able to find a better 7" tablet on the market for the price.  HP has finally made a tablet that brings the world into your hand.



Sony SLT a58 DSLR Review

Makes a Professional out of Anyone!  











Sony launched the new SLR a58 camera to replace both the a37 and the a57 cameras.  Their intent was to consolidate their entry level DSLR models into one camera.  Although, the a37 will continue to be offered for the time being.  The key changes include a higher-resolution image sensor, Organic LED-based electronic viewfinder, and a significant improvement in battery life.  In my opinion Sony did a marvelous job.  The a58 combines a user friendly operation and comfort with high end camera technology.


Sony's a58 DSLR features a 20.1-megapixel Exmor HD APS sensor which allows for the finest details to remain intact when enlarging.  Sony explains that it updated the Bionz image processing algorithms used in the SLT a58.  The new algorithms apply varying levels of noise reduction and sharpening across the image, based on the degree of subject detail detected.  Sony admits that these algorithms are the same used in its acclaimed SLT a99 model.  This camera creates wonderful images even in low light settings. You will never miss a moment with it's continuous shooting of up to 5 fps.

Sony's groundbreaking Translucent Mirror Technology enhances auto-focus performance for blazing speed and precision.  This feature is even available while capturing HD quality movies .  Sony added a Lock-On auto focus function, which allows the subjects to be tracked as they pass between auto focus points.  This allows the camera to better determine when the same object has arrived under an auto focus point, so to resume tracking the subject.  With the SLT a58, Sony introduces an expanded implementation of the camera's auto portrait farming feature, which can now detect a two-person portrait.


This model is Sony's first A-mount interchanging lens camera created a lens with a new cosmetic design, and a quieter auto focus motor for shooting video that offers support for the new Triluminos Color, which allows consumers to see a broader array of colors when played back on any Bravia TV that supports Triluminos.  The new A-mount system allows for a total of 35 interchangeable lenses.

Additionally, the a58 includes several creative options.  A Picture Effect functions which has 11 modes, and 15 possible effects.  The a58 offers a High Dynamic Range mode that combines multiple in-camera shots to yield a single image, plus a panorama mode that automatically captures and stitches images as you take your picture.


The a58 is a must own entry level DSLR camera.  It is an extremely user friendly camera that makes a novice photographer look like a professional.



Sony PlayStation 4 Review

The Highly Anticipated Release Date is set for December 2013! 



Sony revealed the PlayStation 4 back in February, CEO Andrew House claims the new console will give players "experiences that will surpass (their) wildest expectations .  The new console will feature a single chip x86-64 AMD Jaguar processor with 8 cores, a 1.84 AMD Next-Gen Radeon based graphics engine, 8 GB memory, and 6X Blu-Ray/8X DVD player.  


PlayStation 4's new "Dual-Shock 4" controller will include a touch pad, and a lightbar, which will allow a separate camera to track players movement in 3D for motion sensing games.  

The new PlayStation 4 is said to be the first to offer 4K resolution capability.  Which is rare, mostly due to the fact that the 4K technology is expensive.  The new resolution capability of 3840 x 2160 up from the PlayStation 3's 1920 x 1080.  We all know how prices have dropped with Plasma, LCD, and LED technology in recent years, 4K technology will too.  4K technology is on sale now with a hefty price tag.

Drive Club
Infamous: Second Son
Killzone: Shadow Fall
Watch Dogs

Rumors are flying, and it is suggested that owners will have the ability to stream games from the cloud or play games from a Digital download.  Backward compatibility may be a draw back, some report that old PlayStation games will be available for download, but owners may have to pay a fee to download them.