NEW TOOLS

Below are some recent hardware and software discoveries.

HARDWARE

Pinnacle Video Transfer Device
This is a unique device is designed to digitize any S or Composite video signal to a USB device without a computer. The final Quicktime files can be viewed on your video iPod, iTV or on your computer. I use it to digitize movies and TV shows directly from the TV. I also use it to digitize TV programs I have recorded on my Cox digital recorder. Its a great way to create free video content for you iPod. You can use this device to convert home videos to a digital format as well. I have experimented with several types of USB devices and have found the SanDisk 8GB Cruzer Slide to work the best.This is a great USB drive! Check out the Pinnacle Video Transfer.Canon G9 Camera
This is an outstanding camera. I took it to Myanmar as a back up to the two 5D's. I also used it to make group snapshots and film clips. There are several things that make this a great camera. It will record both RAW and JPEG 12.1 MB images at the same time. You can use it in a completely manual mode. I like shooting in this mode because you get real time feed back on the big LCD regarding the exposure of your image. I gave up using the Kodak I have mentioned previously because other than its great panorama function its images are poor quality. I solved the problem of shooting pans with the G9 by using the great pano stitching program DoubleTake. I am never without this camera. Check out the G9 and accessories out at B and H.iPod Touch
When Apple upgraded the memory of the Touch to 32GB I broke down and bought one. I am glad I did. It is a phenomenal device. I highly recommend it. I use it primarily to watch movies when traveling. The screen size is great, its clear and sharp. The battery will last across the country. Beyond films it is really a tiny computer when connected to a wireless network. You can send and receive email, surf the web and all sorts of other stuff. Check out the iPod Touch!
iPod Touch and iPhone Case
I love good cases for all my gear. I hate scratches on anything. I ran across this case recently and decided to try it out. It is unique because it completely covers your iPod Touch or iPhone. The surface of the case is designed to telegraph your touch through to the device screen. So far it works great. Its very thin. Check out the iPod Touch Retro T2 Case.
GeekPod 100
I may have mentioned these amazing rechargeable batteries before. They are epic! I loaned my battery to my daughter's boyfriend who took it to Fiji with him on a surf trip. He use his iTouch on the 12 hour flight and it went from four green lights to three. He used it all week and on the return flight and had power to spare. Check out the GeekPod 100, its the best external battery I have found! Great company also!

ScanSnap S300M
I have been patiently waiting for this device to come out since MacWorld in January. They are finally shipping. This is a great portable, duplex, sheet fed color scanner. I have been using it for about a month with no problems. I also use their ScanSnap S510M at work. Its small and not portable, nor will it run off USB port power like the S300M. In the past these scanners suffered from having unreliable feed rollers. It seems ScanSnap has solved that problem in both devices. Its a great tool.IntelliScanner SOHO
I finally broke down and bought the IntelliScanner SOHO bar code scanning device. I had an early device like this several years ago however you had to use it plugged into the computer. You use this tool to catalog your books, DVD's, CD's, Wine etc. I ships with software called Collector. The beauty of the device is that it is cordless and will hold in its memory 2500 scans. After scanning you plug it into your computer via USB and it downloads its contents into Collector. Collector then checks the internet to gather an image and data on the item you scanned. The following are screen shots from Collector.The thing that finally sold me on re-scanning all my stuff is the built in tool Collection has for publishing your collections to the web. You can access your library and search it from any location, even on your iPhone. Check out my book and film libraries! As you add titles you just hit the Publish button to update the info on the web. Intelliscanner hosts the site. Check out the IntelliScanner SOHO.

Trihub 7
I have been eagerly awaiting the delivery of MacAlly's USB Hub called the Trihub 7. I plan to use this hub as a device to charge our iPods and other things that use the USB connection for charging internal batteries. I won't even hook it up to the computer. I will let you know if this idea works.Altec Lansing iM207 Orbit
This is a battery powered speaker for your iPod or other mobile device that uses a small stereo phono plub. The speaker sounds good but is not as small as I thought it would be. Check out the iM207 Orbit.

SOFTWARE

eMedia Guitar Instructional Software
This is the first instructional software I have used on my laptop to advance my playing ability. I started with the intermediate version and then purchased the Blues version as well. I think its a great learning tool. The only thing I don't like is that you have to use the CD while the software is running. Other than that it is great. There are a whole range of other versions eMedia offers.

Google Maps
Until recently I had not tried making my own custom maps via Google Map. I experimented with the tool by making a map of places we like to visit in New York City. I was blown away by how easy it is and have plans for a whole series of custom maps. Check out the NYC Map!

iToner
If you want to create custom ringtones for you iPhone this software works great! Check out iToner.

Monocle and GOOD Magazines
I know its not Mac hardware or software but I had to put in a plug for two interesting magazines I am enjoying. Both Monocle and GOOD are about world culture, issues and design.

AVOID THESE PRODUCTS

Iris
IRIS just released a new TINY USB-powered sheet scanner called the IRIScan 2. It totally sucks. I have never been able to get a scan out of it without big black stripes across the image. Total piece of shit. The ScanSnap S300M is larger but far superior.