Do you need a Blu-Ray player, but don’t want or need the gaming aspect of the Playstation 3? The Samsung BD-P3600 one of the highest rated non-PS3 Blu-Ray players on the market. The features on this player are a laundry list of what you will need to never leave your couch again (or so the marketing people say). According to cNET (the holy grail of tech reviews) “The Samsung BD-P3600 is a huge leap ahead for standalone Blu-Ray players with blazing-fast operational speed, tons of features and excellent image quality.” Well let’s see if this player reaches its potential, or lags back like the rest of standalone Blu-Ray players we’ve seen in the past.

The player claims to boast a new innovative Video Quality Enhancement (QVE) feature that further improves the picture quality by adjusting brightness, flickering and other visual “noise”. While this sounds like an awesome feature it really only goes so far to improve video quality. This feature is clearly targeting videophiles but most videophiles have manually tweaked their settings anyways. We’re talking about guys so geeked about their home entertainment that they’ll spend $120 on a single oxygen free gold plated HDMI cord. This is not a mark down, but a heads up.

Besides the QVE vido enhancement this player really shines when you see all the options for viewing your media. First it has your Blu-Ray player, of which the benchmarks of the loading times met or came close to the industry leader, PS3. Next, it has a Netflix instant streaming player, which in term of performance works only slightly as well PS3’s Netflix player (but at least it’s there). It also has a Pandora Internet radio player but it feels tacked on and load times are on the slow side. Finally, the player offers the ability to stream content from your PC or laptop. Once again the feature seems tacked on, and not as full featured as it could be. It seems like it is only there so Samsung can say “look what we did!”

I really wanted to like this player. It seems like for everything it does right, it does two things wrong. If you are in the market for a Blu-Ray player or you are looking to upgrade, get a Playstation 3. Its really easy and it offers all the features of this player and much more, but it does it all much better.

Samsung BD-P3600 Blu-Ray Player 1080p HD
	USD 130.10 (3 Bids) End time: 2010-03-13 01:29:54

Samsung BD-P3600 DVD Blu Ray Disc Player wifi Netflix
	USD 199.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2010-03-12 20:14:52

BD-P3600 SAMSUNG BLU-RAY DVD PLAYER NEW IN BOX
	USD 167.50 (12 Bids) End time: 2010-03-13 02:25:06

Samsung BD-P3600 Blu-Ray Player
	USD 162.50 (16 Bids) End time: 2010-03-13 06:21:47

Original Review

Last year in 2007 I remember when the Amazon Kindle was launched, and I thought “that’s kinda cool”. But it’s yet “another device” that does something you can already do on your mobile phone AND computer AND laptop! So, my first impression (back then) was that it was “cool” but not completely necessary. Now, let’s talk about what makes it viable as a gadget and why it’s becoming more popular.

The Amazon Kindle is an “eReader”. It’s meant for you to take it with you and read things, from novels and books, to newspapers and blogs. Battery life is long and it only needs a charge about every other day, and the screen is what they call “ePaper”. It’s not like your cellphone, laptop, or monitor screen – it has no glare (and it’s not backlit). It’s easy to read in any light, just like a book or newspaper.

Kindle has an “EVDO” connection just like the high speed connections of cell phones. This means that it’s “wireless”. The Kindle is different than other eReaders because it can get new content, download new books, or get fresh newspaper or blog content from RSS feeds “on the go” wherever you are. Don’t be fooled – you have to buy the books, but the “e” version is much cheaper. A latest New York Times best seller might be $26.99, but on Kindle it’s probably $9.99. Newspaper subscriptions cost money too, but with Kindle you can download the first few chapters of a book or read two weeks for free on a newspaper subscription before you pay anything. At least you can test drive before you pay. Magazines are available too like Time and Forbes.

You can’t exactly surf the web with Kindle, but one feature that is available is the ability to look anything up on Wikipedia. The included of the New Oxford American Dictionary could be very handy as well. It also has an annotation feature and bookmarking – so you can keep notes or keep track of where you were. One of the more controversial features are the RSS feeds. You can subscribe to any one of hundreds of RSS feeds (which are freely available on the web) for about $2 per month. Many people feel these should be completely free, as they are on the web. What they fail to realize is that kindle has no wireless charges at all – once you buy the unit there are no monthly fees. Your subscription fees basically cover the EVDO wireless access charges.

I didn’t even mention that it has an SD memory card slot, and that you can email documents to your Kindle for review, like pictures, PDF files, and Word docs. Now – it’s a tool you can use to review documents for school or work.

Here’s an Amazon Kindle review from a tech evangelist that has used many other eBook readers before he got the Kindle, this was his first review 12 hours after he got it.

Another Kindle video review:

I think that the Kindle could be one of the few gadgets you could give as a gift to people that are so “geeky” if you know what I mean. It’s easy to use, and Amazon has done a good job of taking away all the technological barriers away. It doesn’t have to be charged that often, and it never has to be connected to a computer or anything to work – it’s completely independent. This could actually be a really cool gift for Mom or Dad, Grandma or Grandpa. If you’re an avid reader or on the go a lot – the Kindle may be for you. There’s two ways to get one, and they are of course “new or used” Amazon Kindle’s. There are some for sale on eBay – check out these auctions.

US $289.99 End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 11:56:11 PST Buy It Now for only: US $289.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $17.49 End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 11:56:38 PST Buy It Now for only: US $17.49 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $187.50 (17 Bids) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 12:15:53 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $34.95 End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 12:59:03 PST Buy It Now for only: US $34.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $5.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 13:25:25 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $6.95 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 13:38:56 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $240.00 (14 Bids) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 13:40:05 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $173.00 (25 Bids) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 13:44:18 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

In addition, you can buy one new directly from Amazon itself here:

Fonolo.com

Check out fonolo.com. How many times have you put off calling the cable company, the gas company, the electric company, your credit card company, or some behemoth like gateway, microsoft, or dell simply because you didn’t want to have to go through the “phone system hell”, and you knew you’d be on the phone for at least an hour on hold? Enter Fonolo. Go to the web site, enter the company name, and where you want to connect in their “phone tree”. Enter your phone number. Fonolo will call the company and get connected to that part of their phone system, and then CALL YOU and you can continue the conversation from there! Hells Yea!

Aardvark

Aardvark is a cool service that helps you get answers. You probably think – WTF, there’s alread Yahoo Answers!? No dude, this is REAL TIME! I have to say I rarely use the old IM client, ‘cept for when I have to communicate with someone right away. However, with Aardvark – you just ask a question, and once you have an account seutp they find you an answer like in under a minute. You don’t have to worry about old creepy dudes having your IM info too, because you just accept “aardvark” as a friend, and it relays all the IM’s through it’s handle and everything is anonymous! I asked a Wordpress question earlier today and got an answer in 30 seconds. Hells double yea!

Supercook

Supercook is the s**t. I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting for a site like this? I mean seriously – I love to cook, I love to eat, and not only do I avidly find recipes online, but I publish them online to (on another site). Sometimes I search for hours to find what I want, and new stuff to make. Supercook is the bomb, because you just enter the ingredients you have on hand – and it spits out what you can make with it! I type in beer, hamburger, and onions – and voila – I got a recipe! w00t!

What were your favorite web sites for 2009?

I’ve waited for this day for a looong time. I literally just found this deal. What you’re looking at above in the pic is what I just bought on Buy.com, it’s a small computer in a box – a network storage server (NAS server). Literally, this is a mini computer with 512MB ram, a 1.6Ghz Celeron processor, and 250watt power supply. That’s not why I bought it though. This has 4 USB ports, a 100mbit Lan jack, and slots for both older ATA style drives, and newer Sata and eSata drives. Do you have any idea what this means?

I can plug this into my Wireless Linksys router in one of the 4 ports, and instantly every computer in my house can access this thing, my Ubuntu machines, Mac, PSP, Wii, PS3, our Xbox 360, even our Window XP, Vista, and Windows 7 machines (yes we have this much crap in our house). So, in this new Intel NAS Server I’m going to install my old 120GB ATA drive (from a machine that burned up), my new 750GB Hitatchi drive I just bought off woot.com, and then I’m going to plugin via USB my new 1.5 TB Seagate drive and 320GB myBook. Once I do this, every computer in the house will be able to access all these drives via the network!!!

Oh I forgot to mention the best part, this Intel NAS server only cost me $135 (and had FREE shipping)! Best find of the holiday season! Click here if you want one too.

The advantages of keep your current number do not need to be expressed, as most people have experienced the pain of getting an all new number, but if you get a new ‘Google number’ then you get several advantages that I personally took advantage of. First off you can set up call forwarding so that your Google number will ring to your cell, home or business phone number. Second you get FREE SMS (text) messaging, with all of them saved online (you can delete them if you so choose). Third you get several calling feature which either you pay extra for on your cell phone plan, or no not get at all. These features include blocking calls, record calls, conference calls and screening callers.

Now this may sound too good to be true, but I guarantee you it is NOT. All of your calls to anywhere in the United States are completely free. International calls will cost you but google does give you 10 cents free to make a international call. I can’t comment on the call quality of international calls as I don’t know many people out of the friendly confines of Michigan, but from the reviews I have read online the call quality is the same as it is from domestic calls, excellent.

Google rarely drops the ball and this is not one of those times. The call quality itself is enough to make you switch from your current VoIP provider, but add the fact that Google voice is nearly completely free and offers free text messaging make joining Google voice a literal no brain.

We doing business with “the beast” there have been lots of issues of course – going back to when Comcast would “hijack” packets when people were filesharing or using peer to peer networks, to bandwidth caps, and all kinds of other things. There have been many times when web sites would hang (or be really slow) – but when I ping them from another data center they were just fine. Lately, the thing I really don’t like is the fact that Comcast now participates in “DNS hijacking”. When you mistype a URL that doesn’t exist, instead of giving you a “not found” page – they give you targeted ads! I guess other ISP’s do it too, and it’s called “DNS Redirection Advertising“. I call it BS.

So, when google announced “google public DNS” today – I about peed myself! Everyone knows google’s data centers are fast as hell and very redundant (all over the world). They are faster, more powerful, and probably more secure than Comcast will ever be – and they don’t filter a damn thing! No ads, no BS – woohoo! You can use google’s public DNS whether you are on Windows, Ubuntu, or Mac! It’s easy and quick to make the change, google has directions on using pubic DNS here.

If you’re using Ubuntu (like me), just to go to “System -> Network Connections” and “edit” whatever connection you’re using (Wireless, Wired, etc), and then go to the “IPv4″ tab:

Just enter their public server addresses like I did:
8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4

(make sure there is a space between the 2 sets of numbers).

I have to say – I noticed an IMMEDIATE improvement and MUCH FASTER speed! I LOVE it!!!

Sidenote – if you want to continue to use Comcast DNS – they apparently a DNS Health Portal, where you can use “opt out” servers for the DNS redirection. I’m sure nearly no one knows about this (or uses it) – AND it’s STILL slower than google! Some people use Open DNS because they have filtering options – might be good for families with younger kids, or protection against malware. Me – I now prefer the lightning quick speed on Google’s Open DNS!!

Can you get Dual Band Wireless N, both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at the same time from one router? Is a dual band router twice as fast? Let’s find out!

Just about everyone who has multiple computers in their home have a wireless router. Most of those people bought theirs on a recommendation from [insert big box store here]. For most people these routers do their job and don’t give there “operator” any problems until it clunks out and you buy a new one. Well why not get educated on the new guy in the router game, IEEE 802.11n-2009, also known by its common name, “Wireless N”. The best way to take advantage of this technology are dual band routers as two is always better than one, right?

First off, if you go by CNET reviews (and I always do), no dual band wireless N router currently has above a 3 out of 5 rating, which if you’re not familiar with their system is only ‘good’. Okay, now that is out of the way, I rarely go with new technology or recommend it to others until it is completely fool-proof. I think that it just may be getting there now. Here are my recommendations of the best Dual-Band Wireless N routers.

Airport Extreme Review

Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11n ($175, although you could get it cheaper) – Don’t call me crazy until you have read all the features this little Apple that could offers. It has all the features of comparable features of routers of this type, but offer the ease that apple offers with all their products. If you run a mixed mac and pc network this router is perfect, if you however run all windows machines then you can find something a little cheaper with all the same features (it just may not be as fast). Believe it or not, you can use this Apple product as a router – even if you have no Apple computers in your house (it works just fine with Windows). This is a “true dual band” wireless N router, meaning it won’t make you choose between 2.5 and 5 GHz – you can actually use both. It will support printers and network storage, but it’s pick about USB external hard drives. It only supports 50 clients, which is more than enough for most households, just be forewarned there is a limit. Bottom line, I think most Windows users (advanced ones) will want more features).

Apple Airport Extreme wireless router
	USD 125.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2010-03-16 04:38:14

Apple AirPort Extreme MB053LL/A Wireless Router
	USD 76.00 (14 Bids) End time: 2010-03-12 21:09:07

Apple AirPort Extreme Wireless Router MB053LL/A
	USD 43.10 (8 Bids) End time: 2010-03-13 02:53:17

APPLE A1301 AIRPORT EXTREME WIRELESS ROUTER
	USD / 73.01 (16 Bids) End time: 2010-03-13 02:55:09

Linksys WRT400N Review

Linksys WRT400N ($120-149.99 just look around) – In our home we have almost exclusively used Linksys routers since we got our first high speed internet connection many years ago. They have always been easy to use and maintain and have that weird little purple-blue look to them. Well the WRT400N sports a new design but works as well as you would a expect a Linksys should. This router has true dual band support, but no Gigabit or USB support. The 5 GHz speed is a bit lacking.

Linksys Dual Band Wireless N Router WRT400N Simultaneou
	USD 72.99 (88 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2010-03-16 23:43:47

LINKSYS WRT400N Wireless N Dual Band Router L@@K!
	USD 65.45 (17 Bids) End time: 2010-03-12 21:44:40

Linksys WRT400N Router
	USD 65.00 (2 Bids) End time: 2010-03-13 08:06:34

Linksys WRT400N Router
	USD 70.56 (3 Bids) End time: 2010-03-13 08:07:34

Linksys WRT610N Review

Linksys WRT610N ($160.99-199.99 again look around) – This one is the next model up from the previous Linksys. The routers only major complaint is that the warranty is too short. Sounds like a good problem to have, meaning at least the complaints were performance related. The router offers a single mode, mix mode and simultaneous mode for sending the signal out. It support both 2.5 GHz and 5.0 GHz at the same time. You can attach storage devices to it, and on this one the mixed-mode throughput could be better. Other than that, it may be the best of the bunch, especially if you have external storage you want to make wireless.

Linksys WRT610N Wireless Router RealDualBand Cheap NAS
	USD 109.99 (1 Bid) End time: 2010-03-12 21:04:12

Linksys WRT610N Wireless Router REAL DUAL BAND NEW NAS
	USD 159.99 (0 Bid) End time: 2010-03-12 21:06:25

Linksys Simultaneous Band Wireless Router ULTRA WRT610N
	USD 136.00 (13 Bids) End time: 2010-03-12 23:11:46

Linksys Simultaneous Band Wireless Router ULTRA WRT610N
	USD 137.50 (11 Bids) End time: 2010-03-13 02:11:39

I know most of these routers are more expensive than most routers you will find at Wal-Mart but as they say, you gotta pay for quality. One final note if your computer, laptop or wireless capable device is only wireless G compliant you have a few choices. First you could just stick with what you have as your new wireless N router does accept all incoming signals. Next you could buy wireless n adapters which are usb enabled, work as they should and are relatively expensive. The final choice is yours, the consumer.

Just about everybody has a Netflix account. Most people get their DVDs in the mail, watch them and send them back, but there is a new way to watch some of the movies instantly. All Netflix subscriptions above the $8.99 include the ability to stream movies instantly. Currently Netflix offers over 19,000 (and counting) available streaming options. For most people sitting at your computer to watch a movie is impractical and downright uncomfortable. Thankfully Netflix knows this and has begun to integrate the ability into many popular consumer electronic devices including these:

Watch Instantly on your PC ($ Price included in Netflix subscription, no extra cost) – This is the throwback way to watch all the Netflix instant watch movies your heart desires. Like I said earlier this can be a very uncomfortable way to watch anything for a long period of time, but if you love your computer chair and have a nice monitor this is the cheapest option available.

Watch Instantly on your Xbox 360 (Starting from $199.99) – The Xbox 360 began offering Netflix instant watch in there Fall 2008 update. Netflix reported over 1 million people had begun and kept their free trial straight from the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 was one of the first generally used consumer electronic device to offer Netflix instant watch. One note, to stream Netflix on your xbox 360, it requires Xbox Live Gold which is only 40 dollars a year. Chances are if you bought one for your child they have Xbox Live Gold anyways.

Watch Instantly on your Playstation 3 (Starting from $299.99) – This is one of the newest ways to stream Netflix Instant watch titles. Currently, you need to go to Netflix and request an Instant Streaming Blu-Ray disc (which is free). Every time you want to use Netflix you put the disc in (just like you would a game.)

Watch Instantly on your internet connected Blu-Ray player (Starting from $149.99) – This are becoming more and more popular as each day passes. Some of the players are better than others (as you saw in our review of the Samsung BD-P3600. Do your homework before making a large purchase such as this, because the best Blu-Ray player that streams Netflix is the Playstation 3.

Watch Instantly on your TiVo HD DVR (Starting at $549.99) – I can’t recommend this to someone who doesn’t already own one. It is by far the most expensive option mentioned in this article, not to mention TiVo monthly subscription fee. If you do, however already own one this is your best option to watch Netflix instantly on your television.

As you can see Netflix instant streaming offers many ways to watch on your television, and more options are being created each day. If you already have a Netflix account this is the best way to get more outta your dollars.

We use Netflix nearly every day – I don’t know how we’d do without it. If you don’t already have a Netflix account – I suggest you get one: