Gotta Have Gadget

I found a really cool gadget from Crosley Radio.  The Crosley Revolution™ turntable will truly rock your world.  Yes, that is right the Crosley Revolution™ plays record albums!  You remember those right?  The cool thing is the Crosley Revolution™ can play your 45s or full albums through your FM Stereo, through the built in speaker, or my favorite option you can connect it to your computer and record them into audio files which can be converted to MP3 files.  I know what you are saying, you can download the MP3 files on-line, guess what not every record is on iTunes!  Find those records in the basement you haven’t heard in years, convert them for your iPhone and rock out to your favorite tunes.  Another cool thing about the Crosley Revotution™ is it is portable.  It takes up very little space, and can run on AC or batteries making it easy for you to move all around your house.  It was fun to find records I have not downloaded, or couldn’t download and hear them again.  Check out the Crosley Revolution™ at www.crosleyradio.com.

With technology changing every day, there is a new computer, laptop, or tablet on almost everyone’s list.  However, when was the last time you changed your wireless router?  If it’s been a few years since you upgraded your router, you maybe slowing down your new device.  I recently upgraded to the Cisco Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Wireless-N Router.  The key here is the simultaneous Dual-Band signal.  If you use new computers and old computers on a single band router, your new computer’s internet speed will slow down.  With TVs, Xbox, Computers, Laptops, Cell Phones and Tablets connected to your router, you need to upgrade.  Do you have “dead spots” in your house?  You know, the room that no matter where you put your router, you still can’t get a signal.  Try the Linksys RE1000!  What does RE stand for you ask?  Range Extender!  Just sync up the range extender to your router, then plug it into any outlet in your home or office, and BAM better signal!  I have the E4200 in my basement and an RE1000 on the third floor, and there isn’t a spot in the house that I don’t get a great wi-fi signal!  If you are a heavy multimedia user or gamer, you will be interested in the Linksys WES610N.  The WES610N is a 4-Port Dual-Band N Entertainment Bridge.  With so many TVs, DVRs and game systems that require internet access, if you were to hook them all up via network cables, you would need a hole in your wall the size of Rhode Island!  The WES610N picks up your wireless signal from the E4200 and allows you to plug in up to four devices.  With push button set-up, it couldn’t be easier to be wireless throughout your entire house!  Find the best router and accessories for your home at www.linksys.com.

PowerSkin iPhone 4S

Looking for some holiday swap gifts or some great stocking stuffers?  Do you know someone with a SmartPhone?  Of course you do, most 13 year old kids have one now.  What is the biggest complaint?  Battery power!   I have a PowerSkin for my iPhone and now I never have to worry about the battery.  I can surf the web all day, use the GPS for golf, make calls or check email and still have a full battery at the end of the day.  The PowerSkin is basically a protective case that has a second battery built into the case.  Find your PowerSkin at www.power-skin.com.

Well if you combine Xbox and great audio, you would have the next product, the Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Omega Headset.  OK, that is a mouthful; however the sound is an earful.  The first thing you should know is just because my loyalty is with Xbox, these headsets will play on any computer or gaming System.  What is really cool about this gaming headset is the surround sound.  Playing a game such as Left 4 Dead or Battlefield and you will know what direction your attacker is coming from, and not only left and right, but up and down!  If you think back a few years, Creative was the leader in audio sound with their “Sound Blaster” cards for your PC, they are taking gaming back with this headset.   Another cool feature of this system is you can customize and share audio settings.  There are so many cool and unique features in these headphones you have to visit us.creative.com to see them all!  All I can tell you is that if you have a gamer, they will love this headset!

Crosley iJuke

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted a Jukebox! Tracking down a real 45’s (if you know what that is) record jukebox is next to impossible, so I turned to my friends at Crosley Radio! Known for their audio products, I knew Crosley would have something cool. The iJuke® Premier is a desktop jukebox which has an iPod dock and CD player. With blinking neon lights, and authentic jukebox look, this not only would look great in any game room, but it sounds great as well. Listen to your iPod or favorite CD using the fully functional remote control. The iJuke® Premier is lightweight, so on warm summer nights I bring it out on my deck and relax to my favorite tunes. My goal is to find a spot where I can upgrade to a full size Crosley Jukebox! If you have that person on your list who has a cool game room or mancave and is impossible to buy for, check out www.crosleyradio.com and check out all their unique audio products.

I’ve been a big fan of Xbox360!  I have reviewed several games and consider myself a gamer.  Then Kinect for Xbox 360 arrived!  Unlike most of the other motion games, you don’t need any wires or controllers for the Kinect system.  Out of the box and installed within minutes, I was dancing like a fool playing “Dance Central!” A camera records all your moves and interacts live with the game, I realized quickly I cannot dance, but we had a lot of fun playing.  We quickly moved over to “Kinect Sports,” so I could show off my true talents.  Boxing, soccer, bowling and a few more with no strings attached, I felt like Pinocchio when he was turned into a little boy. Plus sequel titles, “Dance Central 2” and “Kinect Sports: Season Two,” will be available this holiday.  For more intense workouts, try “EA Sports Active 2” or “The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout!”  If you think you can’t get a good workout from a video game, think again!  Try to dog it, and you will learn quickly what the personal trainers think of your effort!  No matter what Kinect games you chose, you will probably work up a good sweat and have a lot of fun.  So if that special someone has an Xbox 360, Kinect will be a great present!  Check out all Xbox has to offer, as well as Kinect games at www.xbox.com.  If you dare, check out my testing of Dance Central!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cXjdDY4sfw

First things first, THANK YOU Microsoft for making this a multiplayer game!  I know most of the Xbox world plays on-line, but I’m an old school, have a couple beers with a buddy, shoot ‘em up guy!  Multiplayer two controller campaign games are becoming rare, so when Gears of War 3 showed up at the front door, I couldn’t wait to play.  You can actually have a four player co-op campaign going with Xbox Live, or grab a buddy and play on a split screen!  The Gears of War series is the most popular franchise in Xbox history.  I feel silly talking about graphics because honestly, is there a game around where the graphics don’t kick ass anymore?  However, just when I think graphics can’t get any better Gears of War 3 raises the bar.  The videos (some maybe a bit too lengthy) and game play are awesome.  I had to call my brother-in-arms neighbor Don up to check it out.  We had to pry Gears of War 3 away from my son, but once we started we couldn’t stop.  Gears of War 3 is a tactical battle game where the story line actually makes you want to go deeper into the game.  The Delta Team battle locust and critters that seem to pop out from everywhere.  Stick your head out for too long and it’s almost guaranteed to get shot off.  The good thing is in most cases a single shot won’t kill you, and the Delta Team is there to help you get back up should you be wounded.  A wide variety of weapons allows you to find one that works for best for you, and if you run out of ammo, you better hope you chose the Lancer with a chainsaw on the end!  If you think you are good on these types of games, you have to prove it in Gears of War 3!  You will need to beat the game first before unlocking the third level of difficulty.  The COG soldiers are gritty and damn tough looking.  There are plenty of funky enemies that have different levels of toughness to kill as well.  Dig in, and make sure you have time to play, because once you start, you may not be able to stop!  Check it out on-line at www.xbox.com/gearsofwar