Motorola’s RAZR- Now in Green!
Motorola, not content with having a black, blue, light pink, hot pink, dark blue, maroon, violet, or gold RAZR, has not created the RAZR, but in green! I’m not sure what the name of this green is (pistachio, lime green, mint?), and I’m also unsure if/when this RAZR will reach the US or not, but regardless: it looks pretty cool!
Microsoft’s Media Player- Zune
Microsoft’s mp3 player in the works is called “Zune” (the project name for it being Argo), and the product logo is pictured above. Zune is Microsoft’s alleged “iPod Killer”. We saw these leaked, yet very blurry, teaser pictures before.
Apparently, the Zune mp3 players will have wireless Wifi technology that allows Zune to Zune file sharing. Microsoft is pitching this product as “Connected Entertainment”, and to that end the Zune owners will be able to have a wireless, social network of friends. To attract current iPod users, Microsoft is even going to let new Zune users download for free any songs they had previously downloaded from the iTunes stores. Even though this will cost Microsoft (they’ll be paying for the downloads), Microsoft believes this will pay out in the end. [And it will, *if* Microsoft can convert enough iPod users to become faithful Zune users]. The Zune mp3 players will also be available in a myriad of colours, will have a larger screen than the video iPod’s (around 3 or 3.5 inches) and have a brushed metal back quite similar to Apple’s iPod. The Zune’s launch date is set for November. Here’s a non blurry, alleged picture of the Zune, by the way, and it does seem to match up with the previously released blurry pictures.
6G iPod Nano Rumours
There have been a lot of sixth generation iPod Nano rumours floating about recently. The two most likely ones regard the 6G iPod Nano’s memory capacities and its colour options. It is very likely that in the fourth quarter of the year- just in time for Christmas saes- the iPod Nano’s memory capacities will jump from 2 GB and 4 GB to 4 GB and 8 GB (some predict it may even jump to 10 or 12 GB of memory).
Secondly, it is rumoured the the 6G iPod nano will acquire fun new colours- reminiscent of the good old iPod mini days. These colours not only will look appealing (see the mock-up above), but will also function to better protect the iPod nano (as they currently are quite susceptible to scratching and smudges).
The former iPod Minis in their fun, cute colours.
invisibleSHIELD Review
I recently applied the invisibleSHIELD on my Creative Zen Vision: M mp3 player. The directions were easy to follow, especially with the demo video, and the application process took about 30 minutes.
The invisibleSHIELD in its wrappings
Putting on the Front Shield
The Front is on!
It was harder to apply the invisibleSHIELD to the back (it had flaps, which folded over to cover the sides).
The finished product
The Pros: It really is invisible- you can’t tell its on the mp3 player unless you inspect it. The instructions are easy to follow, and the small bubbles disappear after you allow the invisibleSHIELD to set for 24 hours. Also, there’s a lifetime warranty on the invisibleSHIELD, so if you somehow manage to destroy it, they’ll get you a new one (although that’s highlly unlikely, as it’s created from the same material that protects helicopter blades- in fact, check out what this sceptic did to his invisibleSHIELD to test it.) The price is decent too: $25 for a full body shield, or $15 for the front shield.
The Cons: While the instructions are clear, it’s sometimes difficult to attach the larger pieces (ie the back). I had to reapply the back piece, as I had misaligned it slightly the first time. Also, you have to ration out the application spray (especially if you think you’re going to mess up), because there’s not a lot of extra spray to use.
Overall, however, the invisibleSHIELD offers excellent invisible protection for your electronic device (it covers iPods, mp3 players, laptops, digital cameras, PDAs, and gaming devices) at an affordable price.
Sony’s Racist PSP Advertising
Sony’s currently under fire for its PSP advertisments, which introduce the new White PSP by showing a white woman gripping a black woman by the jaw with the slogan “Playstation Portable White is Coming.” These advertisements were placed in the Netherlands. Instead of apologizing for its advertising blunder, Sony steadfastly defends its right to advertise in this manner. A Sony spokesperson said that, “The marketing campaign for the launch of the White PSP in the Benelux focuses on the contrast between the Black PSP model and the new Ceramic white PSP model.” Also, “All of the 100 or so images created for the campaign have been designed to show this contrast in colours of the PSPs , and have no other message or purpose.” With possible racist undertones, it would be advisable for Sony to more carefully choose its way of marketing the arrival of the white PSP in the US and the rest of Europe. Some of the other advertising photos are shown below.
