ExtremeTech's Jason Cross examines PVR software that runs in Windows -- applications from SnapStream, Cyberlink, and SageTV. With TiVo's mounting price hikes, service contracts, and 'features' like self-deleting shows, the DIY option is getting more appealing all the time. If you want to turn your PC into a time-shifting, commercial-skipping, show-recording TV monster that can also handle DVDs, music, and photos, your best option is one of these choices.

Read ExtremeTech's Review of PVRs.

First reaction: I am finding it pretty had to get terribly excited about the 30 and 60 GB iPods introduced earlier today. Sure, they show video, but there isn't much programming available now and won't be for some time. And what's the joy of watching a movie on a giant 2.5-inch screen? It's always nice that the devices are thinner than their predecessors and have more capacity, yet cost them same. But, how much capacity is too much? What percentage of the potential market has a 60 GB music library they want to carry around?

It seems like the world has decided that the Nano is the iPod of choice, specifically the black model, which has been in short supply. The Nano hits the price and size-points that people want, perhaps relegating these newest models to a "special purpose" status for those who need really huge storage (like people who download photos and video in the field).

(Apple Computer photo)

Sure, many Mac fans raved over the Mac mini when it first arrived, but the concept of a teeny PC isn't new. ExtremeTech has reviewed its share of these small-form-factor machines, and their latest review of SilverStone's box has been very positive. For the PC enthusiast looking for a tiny package that delivers great performance, you may want to check out the SG01B.

Read ExtremeTech's review of the SilverStone SG01B MicroATX Case

Updated to add photograph.

Here is the press release announcing the new iPods:

Apple today introduced the new iPod(R), featuring a gorgeous 2.5-inch color screen which can display album artwork and photos, and play stunning video including music videos, video Podcasts, home movies and television shows. The new iPod holds up to 15,000 songs, 25,000 photos or over 150 hours of video and is available in a 30GB model for $299 and a 60GB model for $399, with both models available in stunning white or black designs. 

 

    "The new iPod is the best music player ever -- it's 30 percent thinner and has 50 percent more storage than its predecessor -- yet it sells for the same price and plays stunning video on its 2.5-inch color screen," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Because millions of people around the world will buy this new iPod to play music, it will quickly become the most popular portable video player in history."

 

    The new iPod plays music, audiobooks, audio Podcasts, video Podcasts, home movies, music videos and popular television shows like "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives." The unrivaled combination of iPod and iTunes(R) 6 now provides customers with a seamless experience for buying, managing and playing video as well as audio content, including over 2,000 music videos, six short films from the Academy-Award winning Pixar Animation Studios, and five television shows from ABC and Disney Channel, including the immensely popular "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives."

 

    The new iPod combines all of the ground breaking features that have made the iPod the best music player in the world with revolutionary new features such as the ability to view video content on a larger stunning color display. 

 

    The new iPod features Apple's innovative Click Wheel for precise, one-handed navigation and the portable design is ideal for putting music, Podcasts, photos, audiobooks, home movies, music videos and popular television shows in a pocket for on-the-go viewing. iPod users can also watch their video content and slideshows of their photos on a television via optional Apple accessories.

 

    Featuring seamless integration with the iTunes Music Store and the iTunes digital music jukebox, iPod features Apple's patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads digital music, Podcasts, photos, audiobooks, home movies, music videos and popular television shows onto the iPod and keeps them up-to-date whenever the iPod is plugged into a Mac(R) or Windows computer using USB 2.0. The 30GB model features up to 14 hours of battery life for music playback and the 60GB model features up to 20 hours of battery life for music playback.*

 

    Pricing & Availability

 

    The new iPods will begin shipping next week for a suggested retail price of $299 (US) for the 30GB model and $399 (US) for the 60GB model through the Apple Store(R) (www.apple.com ), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. All iPod models include earbud headphones, USB 2.0 cable, case, dock insert and a CD with iTunes for Mac and Windows computers.

 

    Optional accessories designed for the new iPod include: Universal Dock for $39 (US), giving users easy access to a USB port for syncing, IR support to work with the Apple Remote and a variable line out and S-video connections for integration within the living room; Apple Remote for $29 (US), providing wireless integration to the Universal Dock and quick and easy access to controls from across the room; Apple iPod AV cable for $19 (US), enabling television viewing of video content in full-screen; the iPod Camera Connector for $29 (US); and Apple Socks for $29 (US) providing six vibrant color socks to dress up and protect your iPod.

 

    iPod requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 and Mac OS(R) X version 10.3.9 or later and iTunes 6; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional (SP2) and iTunes 6.

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It's not even posted on Apple's Web site (as I write this), but the new video iPod already has its first accessory. Yes, is Griffin's ubiquitous iTrip FM transmitter ($49.95), now available for the newest iPod. I am not yet sure if this took any special engineering, but here it is.

More on the new iPod itself soon.

Once again, Europe will get the first crack at Nokia's latest batch of phones. Today, Nokia announced the E60, E61, and E70 phones that will come loaded with 802.11G, VoIP support, and the ability to connect to corporate Blackberry installations. What's more the e70 will come with a 352 x 416-pixel display, which is better than anything currently on the U.S. market.

Why should U.S. users care? Although these particular models may not reach these shores, similar models probably will. PC Magazine's Sascha Segan found out that Nokia is working with Cingular, among other carriers, to bring phones with the same features stateside. This is welcome news for Blackberry addicts, because these sound like a big step up from the current RIM options. You can read Sascha's full report here.

RCA took a different approach to digital audio by creating a sound system that can rip CDs without the use of a computer.

It's a smart idea and all, but the biggest drawback is that you can only encode music in real time. So, if there's 45 minutes of tunes on the CD, it will take 45 minutes to rip it.

Despite the rigorous ripping process, the RCA RS2052 Rip & Go Digital Music Studio ($169-$180) is still pretty cool, considering it will fit nicely on your bookshelf. It comes with a five-CD changer, FM tuner, and SD card slot, as well as a 128MB MP3 player that connects to the main unit's USB port via a built-in USB plug.

Find out what else the system can do in this review.

No one, actually, and certainly not PC Magazine, which has named the Palm TX its Editors' Choice. This model supersedes the T5--I can't say replaces since the T5 since it's such an improvement. The TX, for example, adds Wi-Fi, better memory, a faster processor, and costs $100 less than it's predecessor. The only knock is relatively short battery life.

If you're in the market for something less expensive, check on the Palm Z22, another Editors' Choice, and a great value at only $99.

It would be sad if these were the last Palm OS devices. I suspect the OS still has a little life in it, though the recent sale of the PalmSource OS business to Japanese company doesn't bode well. But, with Palm now offering Windows Mobile and perhaps soon to offer a Symbian OS-based device, the company won't lack for operating systems. Or the chance to play Microsoft and Symbian off each other.

Sony Ericsson has announced its P990 mobile phone, the first smart phone from the company to support Symbian OS Version 9.1 and UiQ 3 open-software platform. You can read all about it at PC Magazine, but don't get too excited. Way at the bottom of the story it says: "Sony Ericsson expects to begin shipping the P990 commercially in early (Q1) 2006. The Symbian-based mobile device will be available for purchase in Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, parts of China and the Middle East, though pricing details have not yet been released." Alas, yet another cool phone that Americans will never use.