Gadgets Channel / Bullz-Eye Home
There are tons of resources online for anyone who wants to research gadget purchases. Start with the sites below, and also check out the numerous gadget blogs on the web, including our affiliated site - Gadget Teaser.
Our latest gadgets content can be found in the gadgets category in our new magazine format. Archived travel content can be found in the gadgets section on our blog.
Resources
Deciding
NY Times - The Wirecutter
This site was absorbed by the NY Times and offers excellent product reviews in the tech area going beyond the typical gadgets you're looking for and coverall all sorts of categories. The layout is also excellent.
CNET.com
A good first stop for in-depth reviews of anything computer related as well as camcorders, cell phones, digital cameras, MP3 players and televisions. They also have a price search engine to find stores that have your desired item in stock.
AudioReview.com
This is a site powered by user reviews. Just about every audio and video component is represented, though not all have reviews. Since it's user driven, common components (i.e. Sony receivers) will have more reviews than uncommon components.
ProjectorCentral.com
Also mentioned in our HDTV article, this site is dedicated to all things projection.
LetsTalk.com
This site is dedicated to cell phone and calling plan purchases. You can pick a plan then a phone, or vice versa.
WireFly.com
Similar to letstalk.com, checking this site will ensure you are getting the best deal on your cell phone and calling plan.
Buying
Once you've decided what to buy, it is a good idea to use several price search engines (including the aforementioned cnet.com) to find the best deal. Keep in mind that there are unscrupulous merchants out there that won't give you adequate service, so look at store reviews if they are available.
Archived Gadget Reviews
Blast from the Past - Here are some of the gadget reviews in the archive from the Bullz-Eye staff.
The Netflix Player (By John Paulsen, 08/29/2009)
Last May, Roku rolled out this little black box that costs only $99 and allows Netflix subscribers to watch over 12,000 movies and TV series instantly through their broadband connection. John says that it's worth the price, but only if you don't mind the lack of HD support.
The tree saviors? (By Sergio Ruiz, 12/13/2007)
Feeling green guilt when you buy a new book or toss your day-old newspaper into the trash? Sergio says the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader may be your tree saviors. These next-gen ebook readers boast a "paper-like" display and offer all sorts of book and newspaper titles for download.
Using your cell phone to get there first (By Sergio Ruiz, 11/06/2007)
Your cell phone has capabilities you never imagined, and we're not talking about making movies or MP3 ringtones. Sergio serves up a quick and dirty tutorial on how to use Google's SMS service to find movie showtimes, check what your stock is worth, and generally impress everyone.
Microsoft is scratching the Surface (By Gary Fairchild)
Remember that scene from "Minority Report" where Tom Cruise used his hands to flip through a bunch of images on his computer screen? That may not be as far off as you think. Gary says Microsoft Surface, a multi-touch screen interface, could lead to a whole new realm of computing.
iPhone (By Gary Fairchild)
You've heard about it: the iPhone. Now the question is, is Apple's shiny new toy worth the $599 price tag? Well, we'll have to wait for the June release to answer that question, but in the meantime Gary Fairchild takes a look at what we know and don't know about the iPhone.
Nintendo Wii (By Jason Zingale)
When given the choice between the mega-expensive PS3 and the family-friendly Nintendo Wii this holiday season, there's very little debate. The Wii may not quite match the PS3's graphical power but it offers the most unique gameplay experience of all the new systems and it comes in at just $249.
JanSport LiveWire+ Trinity (By Jason Zingale)
While its $100 pricetag is a little hefty, JanSport's LiveWire+ backpack is one of the must-own items of the year. Offering dual-port connection for any 3G and beyond iPod plus an integrated soft-fabric keypad, this backback is perfect for college students who spend most of their day walking around campus.
iPod Mania (By Gary Fairchild)
In case you missed it, Apple announced several changes and upgrades to the iPod, Nano, Shuffle and iTunes Tuesday. Gary Fairchild says iPod buffs are going to love most of the changes, including game integration, a smaller Shuffle and the iTunes Movie store, but he's still waiting for the "iPhone" announcement.
Protection from spyware and viruses (By John Paulsen)
If you're currently having spyware problems, John's latest article may help you regain your PC sanity. In it, he reveals everything you'll need to keep your computer protected.
Game Boy Micro (By Jason Zingale)
Determined not to buy into the portable gaming market, Jason finally gave in to Nintendo's latest pocket player.
PlanOn DocuPen (By John Paulsen)
For anyone who's always on the run, this portable scanner might actually be worth the high asking price.
Xbox 360 (By Jason Zingale)
After braving the cold for a whole night, Jason secured this season's hottest gadget. The prognosis? Buy one; if you can find one, that is.
iPod Photo (By John Paulsen)
After months of deliberation, John decided to make his massive music collection portable and turned to Apple for help.
Internet Phone (By John Paulsen)
In his never-ending quest to save money, John discusses the benefits and drawbacks of internet phones.
HDTV (By John Paulsen)
If you've got an extra $4000 lying around, John says you'll love the upgrade HDTV represents over standard TV.
Slappa Media Cases (By Sergio Ruiz)
For those of you still lugging around piles of CDs and DVDs, these Slappa Media Cases are great buys.
Nixvue DAII - Portable Photo Bank (By Sergio Ruiz)
Going on vacation and worried that you don't have enough memory for your digital camera? Consider a Portable Photo Bank.
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