Tis the season for all kinds of greetings. And if you’re into convenience, eco-friendly and charitable and creative, smartecard is the way to go.

It’s an easy-to-use process that makes custom greeting cards fun and fast. First, you sign up and pick a charity. Yeah, it costs a $1 per card but at least you know where your money goes. Every $1 you donate earns 1 credit and you pick where your money goes. The options include organizations like Urban Affairs Coalition, CURE, K.I.D.S., Doctors Without Borders and more.

Next. You choose a card.

And then comes the best part – you can upload up to 30 pictures. This is especially nice for families who want to do a holiday slide show for their loved ones. Me, I’m all about my dog.

You choose your frames, texts and even some holiday music. Jingle Bells, anyone? You can upload contacts from your email or just enter a few. You can even post it on Facebook. And let the fun begin.

If you’re in need of some personalized holiday cards, NerdLike is giving away 25 credits to smartecard. All you have to do is “Like” smartecard and NerdLike or follow us on Twitter.

Leave a comment on this post telling us why you need 25 credits for holiday cards this season! You have until Dec. 19!

Grace Audio has developed 8 models of Internet radios ranging in price from $129.00- $249.00, including our review unit – The Solo.  Meant to be used in a home or office, the Solo allows you to connect to your preferred internet radio station and play it through speakers or headphones throughout your space.  Powered by an AC adapter, the device comes with both RCA cables to connect to speakers, as well as an outlet for headphones. Some of the key features include, access to over 17,000 free internet stations, the ability to stream music from your computer, as well as access to Pandora, Rhapsody, and more. The Wi-Fi radio also comes equiped with a remote and the ability to use your iPhone or Android to control the device.

[REVIEW]

The set-up of the device is fairly easy however,I’ll be honest – it can be a bit tedious.  BUT, after scrolling through the various choices, completing the steps of all your programs, Pandora ect, and finding some speakers to connect to, you’re all set.  The connectivity is great, with only a few static moments or buffering.  You can set a number of different stations for each one of the supported channels, and start listening in under a minute.

Just like with every device, there are the pros and cons.  In the age of the smartphone, it is far more practical to connect your own handheld device to a dock or simply stick headphones in and go.  However, if you are a text junkie and addicted to apps, you may not want to be inconvenienced with switching back and forth between apps or always having to have your phone occupied.  It is a genuine addition to any home or office space – something stationary, like a t.v.

With the holiday’s coming up, I could easily see this being a perfect gift for your parents or someone with a no so busy lifestyle. Make the purchase, add their personal preferences, and introduce them to a lifetime of easy relaxation.

Pros

• Access to over 17,000 free internet stations
• Ability to link music from your computer
• Connectivity to popular outlets i.e Pandora and Rhapsody
• Remote control

Cons

• Features available from other devices
• Tedious set-up
• Must reconnect to wireless every use

Rating : 3.85 out of 5

Product: The Solo from Grace Digital Audio

Purchase: http://www.gracedigitalaudio.com/

Price: $129

 

 

Mobile music typically means listening through headphones isolating yourself from others and your environment. The Tunebug Vibe is an ultra-portable sound generator that can be connected to MP3 players, mobile devices, laptops or any other device with a 3.5mm audio jack. Tunebug’s patented SurfaceSound technology lets sound waves pass through the surfaces it rests on turning many surfaces into a flat panel speaker.

REVIEW

PURCHASE INFORMATION

www.TuneBug.com

www.Amazon.com

$99.95

Just as if it was Christmas morning, a mini-keg of Newcastle Brown Ale showed up at my doorstep for review.¬† After opening the box, chilling it and then cracking it open, we laid back and poured a cup as I thought, ‘I can’t believe that this is my job.’

REVIEW

Holding roughly 15-16 cans of beer, the keg was right on time for our Konami Def Jam RapStar party that NerdLike was hosting.¬† As instructed, we chilled the keg in the fridge for 10 hours, allowing it to achieve it’s optimum taste before we opened it.¬† Newcastle takes all of the work out of the preparation for you, with a small indicator on the top of the keg that informs you when the keg is ready to be opened.¬† Genius.

The taste of Newcastle Brown Ale is actually more full flavored than most of the other ale’s on the market.¬† Dubbed the¬† ‚Äúnever bitter‚Äù beer, it has a slight lemony/citrus after taste that goes well with its robust though slightly sweet finish.¬† It’d also a bit lighter than most brown ales and pours with only a marginal amount of head (which is perfect for the casual beer drinker).¬†¬† Being poured from the keg has it’s advantages as well, as the taste is¬† more similar to that of a tap than a bottle.¬† If you taste your beer like you taste your wine, you will notice a slightly nutty aroma with an afterhint of caramel…and absolutely zero of that often overpowering malt smell.¬† All in all, Newcastle is one of the most drinkable and ‚Äúfriendly‚Äù beers around as it would suit the palate of both the casual sipper and the more stuck up beer aficionado.

Last week we were sent an array of cases to test out on our brand new iPhone 4, which has become less of a gadget and more like a third child to me.  The PDA/Smart Phone/Mini Computer/Creation of God is always in my pocket or purse and while I used to be a Blackberry girl, I find that I actually cannot complete any task in my life without an App.

To protect the investment, you need a good, quality case.  If you purchased your iPhone 4 before September, then chances are you were grandfathered into their case program.  If not, then you may want to continue reading.  Arriving at NerdLike Headquarters were two cases from iSkin, as well as two from AGF, who were contracted by AT&T.  Check out the review below:

REVIEW

Both the iSkin solo and revo4 were visually appealing, coming in an array of colors for any gender and age.¬† I opted for the Clear as well as the Hot Pink so that I could alternate dependent on how snazzy I was feeling that day.¬† In regards to the feel and aesthetic of the cases, the solo definitely feels more durable, crafted out of a tougher polymer that is also phthalate-free.¬† This is particularly important as the chemical has been getting a ton of press lately for potentially causing liver, lung, kidney and testes’ damage.¬†¬† However, the revo4 is the more logical choice when it comes to durability, coming with a silicone shield to protect the highest resolution screen in cell phone history.¬† The downside?¬† You can’t actually use the touchscreen while that silicone screen is intact.¬† Wack.

Of all of the cases, the AGF Vandelay was hands down, my favorite.¬† In fact, it’s my favorite case out of ALL of the cases I own, including the one from Apple’s Case Program.¬† After using the Vandelay for the last week, I’m not shocked that AT&T licensed the case to be sold within their stores…it’s that great.¬† Constructed out of polished ot soft touch plastic, the shell features opulent inlayed materials.¬† While all of that is fine and good, it’s not the feature that makes this case the front runner.¬† It’s the ability to dock the phone with the case still on, by simply removing the small, bottom portion where the charger is inserted.¬† It also comes with a holster to clip the phone onto your belt loop.

With the ressurgence of Summer in the beginning of Fall, you are probably aching for something cool and refreshing to drink…and might just be like me.¬† TIRED OF WATER.¬† But who wants to load up with sugars and additives while in this heat?¬† Well, Hint has a solution for you: their own alternative to soda; pure water, nature’s original refreshment, accented with a hint of natural flavor. No sugar, no artificial sweeteners.¬† Just water…with a twist.

Review

Coming in ten refreshing flavors, Hint water is a healthy alternative for you and your ankle biters, while making you still making you feel like you are cheating.¬† We were sent three different flavors to try, the Blackberry, Watermelon and Pomegranate-Tangerine.¬† I wish I could post an extensive review, but to be honest, they were gone so quick that it made my head spin.¬† Zion got a hold of one of them, and hulked it like it was the last beverage available on Earth, my husband drank half of the Watermelon…and then there was one.

The taste is unlike anything I have had in the past, it is literally just a hint of flavor.  It keeps the refreshing feeling of water in tact [unlike some of these other 'water' companies] while shooting a small amount of flavor at the end.  I love it. Trust me.  You will too.

Styling, performance and versatility all in a 16:9 widescreen format. The Vuzix Wrap 310XL video eyewear is a new class of video eyewear offering designer styling with unmatched features and performance.

Styling Like Never Before

Stylish eyewear, at home beside the pool or at 35,000 feet, the Wrap 310XL sunglass-style widescreen eyewear allows you to watch your favorite movies and videos without attracting stares. And, if you are looking to be even more stylish the Wrap lens can be replaced with alternate colors to suit your mood of style.

Unmatched Performance

The virtual 55 inch* Wrap 310XL screen offers unmatched performance. It displays both standard 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios and plays standard 2D and side-by-side format 3D movies. A Vuzix Auto 3D feature automatically enables the 3D viewing configuration when supporting media is played.

* Equivalent screen size as seen from 10 feet (approximately 3m).

Includes Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad compatible cable.*

Review

Fresh out of the box, these glasses are a bit overwhelming.¬† With multiple wires and connectors, it takes a minute to get the right ones hooked up to the right things.¬† But, just like any brand new toy, the Vuzix 310XL were worth the wait.¬† After the earphones were hooked up and the nose bridge configured, the glasses were on my face and I was watching a few episodes of Lost in no time.¬† The viewing experience was more like a big screen t.v. than a movie screen, but that’s really tit for tat.¬† Bottom line – it wasn’t nearly as difficult as watching it on a 4 inch screen – something that will come in handy while traveling or relaxing in bed.¬† I will say that the glasses are a tad bit heavy for viewing sitting up, so I recommend laying down or at least leaning back while viewing; very similar to what is shown on the website.

The only downside to the Vuzix 310XL is that while using it with the iPhone/iPod/iPad, the only supported videos are from YouTube or videos purchased from the Apple store.  I would love to see an integration with the newest feature; live streaming of your NetFlix queue.

Features

* Supports 4:3 and 16:9 display formats
* Adjustable brightness, contrast and color saturation
* Works with 2D and common 3D video formats including side-by-side and anaglyph
* Supports “Vuzix Auto-3D”, automatic 3D detection technology[1]
* NTSC and PAL compatible
* Connects to all video devices with composite video
* Six hours use with 2 AA alkaline batteries
* Video zoom mode
* Onscreen display for video display adjustment
* Includes Wrap mini-port connector for optional expansion accessories
* Ultra-thin cabling
* Detachable premium quality noise-isolating earphones
* Includes 3 sizes of noise isolation inserts
* Wearable over most prescription eyeglasses
* Independent left and right eye focal adjustment
* Nine foot visual focus – reading glasses not required
* Adjustable, hypoallergenic nosepiece
* Changeable lens

Do you want to win a pair of Vuzix 310XL for yourself [a $250 value!]?

Here’s How to Enter: (this entry is mandatory)

• Leave a comment below letting us know what device you will be using the Vuzix 310XL with!
  

Additional Entries [leave a separate comment for each one]

• Comment on another non-giveaway post [comment below w/post name]
• Subscribe to this site via RSS.
• Friend us on Google Connect [see sidebar]
• Follow us on Twitter!¬† @nerdlikes!
  
• Tweet about this giveaway (daily entry, can use the following [ Win a pair of Vuzix from NerdLike! http://nerdlike.com/ooxam ]
• Digg or Stumble this giveaway [leave your username in the comment]
• Like us on Facebook [see the sidebar]

The  giveaway runs until September 10, 2010. Good Luck!

A few weeks back we were sent a sample of these Wicked Little Buds, the newest version of the Wicked Ear Buds done by Empire.¬†¬† Done in all black ery’thang, the Buds were unlike any I have seen before; with¬† extra small buds [for those of us with tiny ears] as well as a cloth cord.¬†¬† Check out the spec below:

Driver – 5.8 mm
Impedance – 16 ohm
Frequency – 20-20,000 Hz
Cord Length – 1.2 Meters
Plug Material – Gold Plated

Coming in four different colorways, each one features a polished finish.¬† But, that’s enough about the aesthetics, lets talk about the hardware and sound associated with the tiny, little Buds.

Review

The sound with these things is impeccable.  While they are inner ear buds, they actually cancel out a lot of the noise, even in a semi-active room.  With the cord being covered in fabric, it adds to the overall comfort of the Buds.  The best part of all?  The Wicked Little Buds fit snugly inside of my smaller than average ears, and I can barely even tell they are there.

Do you want to win a pair of Wicked Little Buds for yourself [a $30 value!]?

Here’s How to Enter: (this entry is mandatory)

• Leave a comment below letting us know what the last song you heard was!
  

Additional Entries [leave a separate comment for each one]

• Comment on another non-giveaway post [comment below w/post name]
• Subscribe to this site via RSS.
• Friend us on Google Connect [see sidebar]
• Follow us on Twitter!¬† @nerdlikes!
  
• Tweet about this giveaway (daily entry, can use the following [ Win a pair of Wicked Little Buds from NerdLike! http://nerdlike.com/xwitq ]
• Digg or Stumble this giveaway [leave your username in the comment]
• Like us on Facebook [see the sidebar]

The  giveaway runs until August 28, 2010. Good Luck!

A few weeks ago we received this little gem on our doorstep; the Photojojo Tokyo Dreamer Strap. While my assumption is that it’s¬† meant to be used for a bulky DSLR, I hooked it up to my Nikon P90 [bulky point & shoot] and went to work.¬† Coming in three different colorways [Berry Red, Butter Bronze & Sky Blue], the strap is not only durable, but fashionable….a attribute that is absolutely necessary when you are literally WEARING a camera.

Tokyo Dreamer Strap

• Durable vegan leather (no animal parts!)
• Removable pocket for film/memory card
• Adjusts to total length of 4.5 feet
• Soft velvet-y lining cushioned for neck comfort
• Name tag for finding forgotten cameras
• Strong enough to hold SLRs, DSLR’s and their big ‘ol lenses
• Strap is 1.25″ wide

Not only is the strap adorable,but it’s animal friendly for all of you veggies and animal lovers.¬† While it may be synthetic, it sure doesn’t feel like it, giving you that buttery soft ‘suede-like’ feeling that everyone desires.¬† Personally, one of the biggest lures of the Dreamer Strap is how far it extends.¬† You can adjust the strap up to 4.5 ft, which is more than enough room.

The inscription is a popular Japanese mantra, giving this strap a nice touch.  Below that is an embossed camera, on the tan portion of the strap.  The strap also comes with a small pouch, just the right size for your extra battery, film or memory card.  Easy to strap on and off, you can slide it on the strap to your desired location.

Review

It’s been two weeks full of photographing my kids’ sports events, event coverage and Comic-Con…and I can honestly say that I have not taken the strap off once.¬† I will admit that after the initial ‘installation’, the strap did loosen one time.¬† However, after checking it and tightening it up, it hasn’t happened again.¬† I am actually chalking it up as a user error, unless 10 other people comment saying it happened to them also LOL.

Pick one up here for$24 today!¬† Remember, Photojojo’s shipping rates start at $2.50!

We received a small lot of product from Big Headed Boxers, inclusive of both men’s and women’s designs. While my husband isn’t big on change, I forced him to ‘get down with the cause’ and try out all of the boxer briefs that came for men. After putting on the first pair, I didn’t have to do much arm twisting. With the exception of the bottom of the boxers being a tad bit flared [nothing noticeable when you have your clothes on], they were a perfect fit, with a supreme comfort level.

Review

I tried on the girls versions that we were sent and have to agree.¬† Initially I was concerned when I saw the elastic waistband, but the Big Headed Boxers proved me wrong.¬† They were stretchy enough to keep them up without leaving a ring around my waist, or pinching.¬† After initially putting them on, I found the gem that is the small pouch on the front; which could either be a condom holder or a ‘quickie hole’.¬† Genius.

Do you want to win a Big Headed Boxers gift pack?

Here’s How to Enter: (this entry is mandatory)

• Leave a comment below letting us know which pair sparked your interest!
  

Additional Entries [leave a separate comment for each one]

• Comment on another non-giveaway post [comment below w/post name]
• Subscribe to this site via RSS.
• Friend us on Google Connect [see sidebar]
• Follow us on Twitter!¬† @nerdlikes!
  
• Tweet about this giveaway (daily entry, can use the following [ Win a Big Headed prize pack w/NerdLike! http://nerdlike.com/xwitq ]
• Digg or Stumble this giveaway [leave your username in the comment]
• Like us on Facebook [see the sidebar]

The  giveaway runs until August 15, 2010. Good Luck!

As ¬†journalist/blogger/photographer/musician, I often carry around a lot of gear. A perfect example of this was last week when the¬†Nerdlike¬†crew went to Comic-Con. I needed to carry ¬†my laptop, my camera, a couple lenses, power cords and cables, chargers, point and shoot camera, and Kodak Zi8. I know what you are thinking,¬†and¬†yes it is a lot of stuff, but I was going to be there for three days and I needed to shot, film, charge, and write all at the same time. They only way I was going to get it done was to have everything with me. Earlier last month I was sent a Lowepro Fastpack 250 to review, and while I had already “played” with it a little bit, I felt like this was the real world test that it needed to give it a thorough review.

Packing

While I was packing the bag, I was¬†pleasantly¬†surprised¬†by how much gear I was actually able to fit inside the bag. My previous bag didn’t have a slot for my computer, so that fact that I could slide my 15-inch MacBook Pro in the back slot and not compromise the space for my other items was big. The back slot was actually large enough for a 17-inch laptop and I took full advantage of the space by¬†throwing¬†in my folders and moleskin. The next item I packed was my DSLR into the lower compartment. I have the smaller Canon T2i which allowed plenty of room for a few lenses, a charger, and my MKE400 microphone in the 5 adjustable velcro pockets. Though, I should note that¬†if¬†you bring anything bigger than a 70-200 lens, your space is dramatically reduced. Moving to the top compartment, I was able to pack my, a Kodak Zi8, and Canon SD960, an audio recorder, all¬†their¬†required cables, and a mini tripod into the available pockets and empty space. Finally, outside the lower compartment is a smaller zipper pocket that I used for the spare batteries as well as extra SD¬†cards¬†and a pair of ear bud headphones. So suffice to say I was able to throw a lot of stuff in the bag, and it made it a lot easier to get around with only one bag to carry.

Access

One of the best features of the bag is how easy it is to access the lower compartment, thus my camera. The lower compartment uses a a zipper that if placed in the right place can be easily opened for those moments when you need to snap a quick picture. Considering that we were at Comic-Con, there were plenty of times I had to throw the bag over one shoulder, unzip, and snatch the camera out so I could grab a pick of Zelda, or Superman, or some strange mixture of the two. Outside of the lower compartment is a security flap that can be used to prevent the pocket for being easily opened by placing the zippers beneath it. The right side features a small flat mesh pocket that is probably best used for maps or flat objects, but I used it for my water bottle.

Fit

The Lowepro Fastpack 250 fits like a typical backpack, but also comes with a waist strap for those longer trips. I probably should have used it more, but can confirm that like the shoulder straps, it is fully adjustable. As an added bonus, the left strap has a sewn-in cell phone pocket and a strap on the right shoulder strap that accepts the Lowepro accessory SlipLock Pouches, neither of which I used.

Comfort

Having used a few bags before, I can say that this is one of the more comfortable backpacks I have used. Lowepro did a really good job with padding on the interior and exterior of the bag and you immediately feel it when you put it on. I was worried about the laptop being directly next to my back and that it might become irritating after extended use, but it turned out to not bother me at all. The back of the bag has quite a bit of cushion, yet remains soft to the touch. The same goes for the bottom of the bag, which most likely will house your most expensive equipment outside of your computer.

Final Thoughts

Comic-Con is a grueling experience, and to have to work while you are there makes things twice as hard. However, that load is lightened when you have tools that operate the way they are supposed to. The Lowepro Fastpack 250 performed valiantly for me at the conference. It enable me to carry around all the gear I needed, and still remain comfortable. Even though I drove down to San Diego, I could have easily taken this same bag on a plane and used it as a carry on. I am very anal about carrying-on my camera equipment and computer with me whenever I fly, and this offers a¬†reasonable¬†solution. Lowepro has been in business for over 40 years, and that sort of history helps you make design decisions that really cater to the consumer experience. If you were not good at what you do, you wouldn’t still be in business.

Though I packed my bag to the gills, you could easily use this with a lighter load and still have the same experience. My only request would be to make the pockets in the lower compartment a little bigger, but that would also add to the bulkiness of the bag, so you have to be careful what you ask for. I could also see this doing well with an over the shoulder strap like their SlingShot 300, but that is more preference than function. Each photographer/journalist has there own set of gadgets they take with then when they go on assignment, and the Lowepro can handle those needs in most cases.

Overall, the Lowepro Fastpack 250 is a durable,¬†comfortable, and roomy bag. It doesn’t have a lot of flash and flair, but it definitely makes up for it in functionality. Next time you are in the market for a camera/computer bag, I can safely say that the Lowepro should be at the top of your list. Retail is ¬†for $119.99, but I have seen it on Amazon for $89.

Giveaway

When we received the bag for review, they mistakenly put two bags in the box. After a bit of back and fourth, they have allowed us to give to other bag away to our readers.

To enter to win is super easy:

1. Follow @nerdlikes on Twitter
2. Tweet this to your friends: I just entered to win a Lowepro Fastpack 250. Follow @nerdlikes & retweet to enter too! http://bit.ly/lowepronl

The giveaway ends August 9, 2010 at midnight PST. The winner will be picked at random the next day and notified via Twitter DM. If notified, you will have 24 hours to respond and claim your prize, at which point it will be given to another contestant.

*Must be a US citizen and over 18 to win. Free shipping to US addresses only.

For years, EA Sports’ NCAA Football has been the stepchild of Madden. But this year, the NCAA Football series sets itself apart from Madden by providing enough features to stand on its own and no longer be a one month tease before the NFL product hits the shelves. NCAA Football 2011 is different than Madden in just about every way and captures the college experience like no other. You have got to give kudos to that.

Visually, NCAA ’11 is stunning. The player models and lighting give the game an even more realistic look. The animations are on point and the view of the stadiums is breathtaking. The attention to detail is remarkable and you truly feel like you are playing a college football game rather than a minor league version of Madden. Each college team provides a certain level of authenticity that die-hard college football fans will truly appreciate. From rubbing the rock in Clemson to

But who cares about how the game looks if the gameplay is horrible? Thankfully, that is not the case in NCAA. Quite honestly, this is one of the better playing football games I’ve ever touched. The control mechanics are simple enough but it takes true dexterity to get it down pat. This year finds a new usage of the analog stick. Instead of flicking the stick left or right to juke, the amount of lean that is put on the stick influences how hard each player plants, shifts and leans. It’s pretty sweet to watch in action and makes all the difference between a short gain and getting those extra few yards for a first down. All 120 college teams have their own playbook so you’ll be busy dissecting which one works best for you. Teams like Nevada utilize the “Nevada Pistol” while Georgia Tech masters their patented triple option.

The animations are also an enhancement from the previous year’s game. Rather than having a toss to the sideline see your receiver bolt out of bounds, 2011 finds the receiver look to keep his feet inbounds while stretching for the catch. It’s a small – but much needed – detail that helps. The blocking finally matters in NCAA as well. Sure, there will still be times the Right Tackle doesn’t pull during the counter, but more often than not, you can rely on the offensive line to pick up their assignments. The passing game still has a few forehead slapping quirks that can be pretty frustrating (dropped passes, receivers running into each other, etc) but it’s nothing that will kill the experience.

That isn’t to say the game is perfect. Many of the game modes are the same. The biggest culprit is the “Road To Glory” mode where you take your own created player from high school standout to college stud. Erin Andrews again hosts while Kirk Herbstreit gives some insight on your performance. It’s frustrating to see Andrews appearance in the game is an exact replica of what was in 2010. Pretty lame. The dynasty mode hasn’t changed too much, but the recruiting process is a brand new minigame that feels refreshing and rewarding when trying to lock down high school stars for your team before, during and after the season ends. It makes you feel like your efforts to track down a particular player are worth your time, rather than being random.

The commentary of Herbstreit and Nessler is also a bit on the boring side. Lee Corso is no longer a part of the commentating team either – for better or worse. As the game rolls along, you’ll hear the same dialog recycled and there are times where the duo’s comments come a few seconds later than they should. With a game that pays so much attention to detail, you would expect that the commentators would get a brush up. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

For the online gamers, the game is solid and is what you would want out of a sports game online. The biggest treat however is the online dynasty where you and some buddies can battle it out to see who’s the best year after year. The best part is the web-based recruitment interface where you can keep tabs on everything via PC. It’s pretty cool to try and nab the best players while away from your gaming system.

NCAA Football 2011 is exactly what the doctor ordered for those who want a game that doesn’t feel like Madden. It has taken great strides visually to bring the college experience to your living room. It’s unfortunate that some of the game modes weren’t improved upon, but that is a minor detail. Overall, NCAA Football 2011 is a game that every football fan should have. The only question now is if Madden can keep up.

Pros

- Visually stunning

- The running game feels much better

- Truly captures the college football experience and does an excellent job of distancing itself from Madden

Cons

- The passing game could use some tweaks

- Not too many changes to game modes

- Blocking is a little suspect

Rating: 4 out of 5

I have had algoriddim’s djay for twenty minutes, and have already created a master mix of Janelle Monae and Daft Punk.¬† I am so bossy.

If you aren’t familiar with this minimalistically-fabulous software, algoriddim hails out of¬†¬† Germany,¬† and their DIY djay software is a major mixing tool.¬† It allows even the most techie challenged person to turn their iTunes dashboard into a mix, scratch and blending machine.¬† What sets djay apart from the rest?¬† It allows you to use your own iTunes library instead of the generic noises¬† and sounds in traditional programs.

Review

Now, I am no DJ, but I am a music lover…so I am familiar with tempo and what sounds good together [and of course, what doesn't].¬† I opened up djay on my desktop and grabbed two tracks that I felt semi-confident about mixing and went to work.

After the small learning curve that comes with learning how to DJ in 30 minutes, I was on my way to magic.¬† The cool thing about algoriddim’s program is that once you know what all the little bells and whistles do, it’s pretty easy to navigate.¬† You drag and drop your tracks from a sidebar that pops up, containing all of the tracks in your iTunes library.¬† If your tracks are legit, artwork will even pop up on the records.

After about an hour, I realized that DJ’ing wasn’t a natural born gift of mine…but you know what was?¬† using the Automix button.¬†¬† OMG, this thing was a Godsend, and incredibly fun.¬† All you do is select a playlist, or your entire collection if you like, and push the AUTOMIX button; djay does all the work for you.

To make life even cooler with djay, it has a complimentary app for the iPhone that takes your djay experience on the go.  With full access to all of the desktop features, you can work the two turntables individually, scratch and cue music in real-time and control high quality effects, looping, skipping and cue points. The best part is anything you create on your iPhone automatically appears in the iTunes library, and vice versa.

Advil, Aleve, Tylenol – we all have our brands of choice. But sometimes, I think all this shit is the same. When I first got this kit, as a gift, I was skeptical. Mostly, because it was so no-name. But the more research I did, I found that these pills were probably the best idea ever.

Each pill has only one active ingredient and is low on fillers, coatings and dyes. And did I mention the packaging is eco-friendly? So far, I’ve only tried the Help, I Have a Headache (it worked) and I gave a co-worker one of the loratadine tablets from the¬†Help, I Have Allergies package. I can’t say for sure I would¬†Buy it for myself ($30), but I would certainly give it as a gift, especially for the office. I’d like to see one that says Help, I’m in the kind of pain that could erupt in spontaneous ass-kicking.

We were sent the All in 1 App ToolKit to review last week, featuring over 60 apps that keep you organized, informed and educated all at the same time.  Separated into seven categories, the All in 1 Toolkit combines every aspect of your life and packs it into this one app.  Check out some of the apps included in the newest release:

- PDF Reader Pro (large file support)
- Virtual MIC Pro
- Business Name Card
- Big Notes Pro (notes, journal and diary)
- Calculator
- System Monitor
- Alarm Clock Pro
- Battery Monitor
- Ruler
- Flashlight Pro
- Language Translator
- Unit Convertor
- Digital Scale Pro
- Camera Zoom Pro
- Google Books
- Google Docs
- MultiTab Browser Pro
- Find My Location
- Spell Check Pro (dictionary)
- Handy Level
- Gmail
- Google News
- Google Reader
- Balance Ball
- Dice Shaking
- Google Talk
- Google Buzz
- Google Calendar
- iGoogle
- Yahoo
- Tip Calculator
- Random Number
- Service Bell
- Party Lighter
- BAC Calc
- Facebook Tool
- Twitter Tool
- Holidays & Event
- Push Beer
- Relax Music
- Cocktails Recipes
- Rss Reader
- Zip Codes
- Password Manager
- Coins
- Altimeter
- Currency Exchange
- Thief Alarm
- Find My Car
- Police Sound
- Shopping list Pro
- Classical Dart
- Women Menstrual Calendar
- Tap counter
- Timer
- BMI Tracker
- Wisdom Quotes
- Google Latitude
- Metronome
- Electric Shaver

While some of the apps are a bit kitschy, there are quite a few that are really useful.  With Google integrated apps, you can Buzz, find your location and read your news/blogs on the go.   For all of you giveaway hosts, there is a random number generator, to help you pick your winners.  Organize your groceries with the shopping lists, play darts or read/send your extra large PDF files via the iPhone.

Review

While some of the apps are things that we have seen before, and are included in the free release of the app, there are definitely some gems that are unique to this release.¬† With interchangeable wallpapers and icons, it’s easy to personalize, as well as simple to navigate.¬†¬† One of my favorite features of the app was how easy it was to zoom in the dark [with the camera functions].¬† Check out the pics I got in a pitch black room.

With Zoom:

The choices are endless, and the app is constantly updating, making it a great buy for $.99.

Do you want the app for yourself?  Good news, we have codes to give away to five lucky readers!

Here’s How to Enter: (this entry is mandatory)

• Leave a comment below letting us know what app/feature you most want to try!
  

Additional Entries [leave a separate comment for each one]

• Comment on another non-giveaway post [comment below w/post name]
• Subscribe to this site via RSS.
• Friend us on Google Connect [see sidebar]
• Tweet about this giveaway (daily entry, can use the following [ Win the All-in-1 App on NerdLike! http://nerdlike.com/oszlu ]
• Digg or Stumble this giveaway [leave your username in the comment]
• Like us on Facebook [see the sidebar]

The  giveaway runs until July 1, 2010. Good Luck