The Gazaro Insider

Introducing Gazaro Watchlist – Search, Watch, Save

SamStorry — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:48:08 +0000

So Gazaro Insider, you’ve finally found It. That specific device, software, computer, camera, smartphone, MP3 player, console, accessory… whatever it is you were looking for. But it’s a bit out of your budget – so what do you do?

According to comScore, US ecommerce spending for the first quarter of 2011 reached $38 billion, representing 12% year-over-year growth from 2010. With gasoline prices and unemployment at record levels, price sensitive consumers continue to search for the best deals, sales, and coupons. As a result, growth in online retail spending is now double that of offline retail spending.

What Does This Mean For You?

Prices online are always changing and it’s tough to know when it’s the best time to buy to save money. Have you ever noticed a $500 camera going for $300 one week and $700 the next? And that can be from just 1 store. What happens when you compare across 10 stores? 20? 50? It takes a lot of time to keep your eye on all those different stores and prices. It’s easy to lose track of who has the best deal, and there’s no guarantee that the deal will still be there waiting for you after you finish comparing.

Queue Gazaro to the rescue!

Available now and free to all Gazaro visitors, the Gazaro Watchlist completely automates the online shopping and deal-finding process. All you have to do is search for your products and choose the “Watch Product” option. Gazaro will alert you via email when the price drops! This ensures that you get the right product, at the right place, at the price and at the right time.

Do even more….

You can also leverage Gazaro Watchlist after you buy! If you buy a consumer electronics product you can also use Watchlist to alert you of any further price drops. If the price further drops within 30 days, you can return your product for additional rebates.

Are You Ready?

Using Gazaro Watchlist is as easy as 1, 2 3 ….

All you have to do is:

1. Search for your product here
2. Watch – click the button
3. Save money, before and after you buy

Enjoy your savings and remember: a smart shopper is a patient shopper.

Sam S and the Gazaro Team

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Do The Playstation Network Hacks Leave Sony Vulnerable?

gazaro — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:36:30 +0000

Sony has finally restored all Playstation Network services after a data breach forced them to shut it down in late April. The estimated damages to Sony from this PSN hacking is said to be roughly $171 million USD, or 14 billion yen, and it begs the questions:

Do the recent Playstation Network complications leave Microsoft and Nintendo at an advantage?

Although the recent chain of hacks and security issues have left Sony $171 million USD short, the company states that it estimates to be back in the range of profitability before the end of next year. Shareholders seem to have the same beliefs- Sony stock value has risen 2.5% since their apology over the security issues.

In the end, however, what really matters is what the customers think. It’s up to you to decide: does Sony deserve another chance, or would this server downtime and personal information scare push you towards PlayStation’s top competitors, Microsoft’s Xbox or the Nintendo Wii? We might just be able to help you make that decision…

PlayStation 3. So you know about the recent Playstation Network hacks, and, if you have no knowledge of the PlayStation prior to reading this article, you’re probably wondering why anyone would want a PlayStation 3 in the first place. Rest assured, there’s good reason. Released just 8 days before the ever-popular Nintendo Wii on November 11th of 2006, The PlayStation 3 takes pride in not only being a gaming console, but a home media unit all in all. With a built-in Blu-ray player, live chat, picture & music storage & playback, and tons of games to choose from, your PlayStation 3 is sure to get daily use. Albeit the recent PSN problems may leave its users in doubt, Sony truly is dedicated to bringing the best 1-stop media console possible to its users. A great advantage of the PlayStation 3 is that the Playstation Network is completely free.

Xbox 360. From the company that brings us Windows, the Operating System on which you’re most likely reading this article, comes the ever-improving Xbox 360. Released in November of 2005, this system has been out almost a year longer than its competing consoles. Although apart from the lower price of the Xbox 360, differences between the PS3 and Xbox 360 may seem miniscule. It’s been said, however, that the devil is in the detail. The Xbox 360 offers users access to Live Chat even when not playing a game, although Xbox Live requires a paid subscription (unlike PSN, which is free).

Nintendo Wii. Sitting pretty in the console market next to the gaming bad boys, the Nintendo Wii swept in seemingly out of thin air in November of 2006. Amazingly, this tiny white system, even now in 2011, is the best-selling console on the market, easily beating out the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. I’m sure that anyone who bought (or tried to buy) a Wii for that Christmas in 2006 will always remember just how impossible such a purchase was- the console was literally sold out before it hit store shelves. But what are the greatest contributing factors to the Wii’s success? There are 2 obvious factors here: the Wii’s infinitesimal price, and its unique appeal.

Before 2006, the gaming world had never seen such flawless controls using actual human movement. Enter Wii. This console offers something that most consoles still don’t offer today: fun for the whole family. Games for the Wii are typically far more family friendly and interactive than games for other TV connecting consoles offered today. However, with the PlayStation Move and the Xbox’s Kinect, the Wii might be given a run for its money. Another important con for the Wii that all gamers should consider is its inadequate graphics.

One of the greatest differences between these 3 consoles is their games, which, in the end, are what the consoles are built for. Although some games are available on all 3, the consoles are probably most widely recognized for their exclusive games. Here are some of the most popular games for each console:

PlayStation 3 (over 315 million games sold to date): LittleBigPlanet, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 & Black Ops, Gran Turismo 5, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction & A Crack in Time.

Xbox 360 (over 353.8 million games sold to date): Halo 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 & Black Ops, Gears of War 1 & 2, Grand Theft Auto IV.

Wii (over 716.09 million games sold to date): Wii Sports, Mario Kart Wii, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Fit.

The hard-core gamers will probably always go head to head on which is the best console. Despite the many persuasions you may have been exposed to, the best console is definitely arguable.

We’d love to hear your comments on the issue- whether you’re a PlayStation diehard, an Xbox fan, a Wii owner, or even simply have an opinion. Will the recent PSN complications push you towards Xbox, or will you stick with the free PSN service over costly Xbox Live membership fees? Let us know- comment below, find us on Facebook or share with us on Twitter.

-Kaylie Benner

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Giving The Gift of Life

Alex — Fri, 27 May 2011 20:57:10 +0000

Being the father of four children and the CEO of a technology company, my days are pretty full. And yet, as busy as I may be, I felt compelled to carve out some time to write about living, and specifically about giving the gift of life through your generosity.

You see, May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. We all tend to forget things that are not of direct importance to us, and I must admit that until this year, I had very little awareness or understanding of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). However, as it turns out, I recently had the opportunity to work with a gifted and enchanting young lady named Tania, who happens to be afflicted with CF. I say “afflicted”, but the reality is that it is hard to imagine anything afflicting Tania.

I learned that Tania had Cystic Fibrosis on her first few days on the job. Being completely ignorant of the disease other than by name, I generally steered clear of the subject. But over the course of her eight months at Gazaro, I not only received an education in CF, but also had the opportunity to work with a remarkable individual who has not let CF slow her down one bit.

At 21 years of age and in the final year of a Commerce program, she possesses a zest for life and learning that completely belies any hint of a condition whose sufferers live to a median age of only 47. She is a straight A student, an ardent participant in her church, and an avid traveler who has not only visited many countries, but lived in four different ones including South Africa, Canada, France, and now Thailand.

At work, Tania demonstrated a level of professionalism and dedication far beyond her tender age and level of experience. Her perpetually positive attitude, cheerful demeanor, and sincere desire to help in any way she could were always uplifting to the office environment. She is one of the most genuinely helpful individuals that I have ever met, and graced with many of the values that my wife and I try so hard to instill into our own children: humility, honesty and integrity, authenticity, service-orientation and an optimistic, positive outlook on life. I have not had the pleasure of meeting her parents, but I imagine they must be immensely proud of her, and I am sure they could teach me a lot about parenting.

And that brings us back to the here and now. Having gotten to know Tania, I cannot help but be moved to help her in any way I can – not because she has Cystic Fibrosis, but because Tania displays the kind of attitude and performance that we want on our team, and the kind of character that I would like to see my children emulate.

It is for Tania and others like her that starting this year, I am going to donate to Cystic Fibrosis. I implore you to do the same using one of the links below. And if, through our contributions, we are able to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, I really don’t know who will benefit more: Tania, for the gift of more life, or the rest of us, for the gift of more of Tania in our lives.

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Waterproof your Electronics this Summer

Tania Steyn — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:04:04 +0000

Summer is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to hit the beach, lake, pool or sprinklers. The unfortunate thing about all that water though, is that it can be detrimental to your electronics. So, as always, Gazaro is on the ball with these great water proof electronics solutions.

Gomadic Clean-N-Dry waterproof bags are perfect for keeping your smartphone, mp3, or camera dry, and it will also protect them from sand, dirt and dust. In the ocean or in your pool, these portable electronic bags will float- so you don’t have to worry about them when the canoe tips. The Gomadic Clean-N-Dry bags come in varying sizes, so you’re sure to find one that fits.

Swimming or listening to music? Well, now you don’t have to choose, since you can listen to music WHILE you swim with the Diver Waterproof MP3 player. This MP3 player holds 4 GB of music and comes with a matching pair of waterproof headphones which hook around the back of your ears to keep steady. Ideally, you should keep the headphones and mp3 player secure with a headband or swimming goggles. It is available in white, black, and summery aq ua.

Looking for the next coolest portable camcorder? Check out the waterproof ATC2K Action Cam. Wind, dirt, snow, dust and water resistant up to 3 meters deep, this camera will hold up well and shoot in the standard default 360p resolution. Now you can film your underwater adventures and summer fun, AND you don’t even have to pack it away in winter; being snow resistant you can even film your ski stunts. The innovative base on this camcorder makes it easy to attach just about anywhere- helmets, backpacks… whatever you can think of.

Stylish, comfortable and water resistant up to 10′ under water, DryBuds earphones may be the perfect earbuds for the beach or the poolside – no more worrying about getting splashed. They’re also great for exercising on the beach (or in the rain). These earphones come with 3 interchangeable bud sizes to fit your ears. With summer rapidly approaching and a 9.1 DealScore on our website, now is a hot time to buy DryBuds water resistant earphones.

If you’re looking a great digital camera that can survive your summer activities, look no further than the Olympus Stylus Tough 3000. This tough little camera not only takes pictures up to 12 megapixels in resolution, but can also withstand falls up to 1.5 meters and is water proof up to 3 meters. It’s a great option for beach volleyball, soccer, badminton and any of your other summer games. And it’s 42% off currently at buy.com!

So now you have no excuse not to get out there and enjoy the summer with these electronics that can stand the heat (or in this case the water pressure)! Do you have any water damage horror stories? Any awesome solutions? Let us know by dropping us a line, finding us on facebook and twitter, or commenting below.

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The Gazaro Gift Guru’s Guide to Mother’s Day

SamStorry — Thu, 05 May 2011 15:07:25 +0000

Once again Gazaro fans we have another major holiday quickly approaching, Mother’s Day! If you’re short on ideas this year, don’t worry, I’m here to help.

Deciding what to get for your mother can be hard. So today I’m going to take a look at the holiday from a few different perspectives that will be sure to get your creative juices flowing. Whether your looking for gift ideas for your wife, sister, mother, or dear old grandma, start here and and you can’t go wrong.

Know a Mom with Young kids?

One of the great alternatives to the Flip camcorder, the Kodak Zi8 shoots in 1080p HD video at the push of a button so she can capture those precious moments even with her hands full. It has a 2.5 inch high-vibrancy LCD screen and electronic image stabilization for easy viewing and easy shooting.

Is Your Mom a Health Nut?

The Wii Fit is a great gift for anyone who likes being active, and wants to have fun at the same time. They’ll be hooked on fitness with a variety of games and activities that get you moving, stretching, and balancing. The Wii Fit is also a great Mother’s Day idea for moms with young kids. It’s fun that the whole family can participate in.

What About Grandma?

My grandma loves to read mystery novels. People don’t think about this very often, but books can be tough to read when you have limited dexterity. Those tiny pages are hard to separate, and you’ve got to hold the whole book open the entire time you’re reading it. eReaders can help. With a size that’s easy to handle, pages that are easy to turn, and all your books in one place, it’s easy to see why this is the next evolution in reading. There’s a few devices out on the market now, each with pros and cons. The one pictured here is the Kindle, but is that really the best one? Check out the eReaders review here to find out what you need to know.

Got a Techie in the Family?

This one’s for those mothers that have everything. Why not get her a case for that iPad that she loves? Cases can show your personality, give your device some flare, and maybe most importantly, keep it safe. Check out these cool iPad cases to find one that matches your mother’s taste and style.

Well folks, that’s my top 4 Mother’s Day ideas for those lucky Mothers on Sunday the 8th. I hope they helped you. Let me know by sharing your thoughts and ideas in comments below, on our Facebook page, or on Twitter.

Sam S

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eReaders Review Part II

Tania Steyn — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:54:25 +0000

Last week, we took a look at the 3 most popular eReader options available and they’re definitely great options, but what if you want something more than just an eReader? Check out today’s article for two alternatives to a dedicated eReader; the Apple iPad and the BlackBerry PlayBook. And don’t forget to check out the handy comparison chart at the end to easily compare all 5 of the options we looked at and make the best choice for you!

iPad

It isn’t really fair to compare an iPad with an ordinary eReader unless you mention the price. Though the iPad actually offers a whole lot more than an ordinary eReader, you will pay at least twice as much for it.

The new Ipad 2 offers a dual core A-5 chip processor. It is thinner, lighter, and faster than its predecessor, the iPad 1. It has two cameras, FaceTime and HDVideo and a 10 hour battery life.

The iPad is a lot more than just an eReader though; you can surf the web, check your email, and watch movies as well. You can also play games, use it as a GPS, chat on Skype and so much more. Furthermore, you can download various eReader apps, including Nook, Kindle and Kobo for iPad, as well as Apple’s own iBooks. This gives you a huge variety of options for book titles, magazines and prices. However, one thing to consider is that, as it is not a dedicated eReader, it has a back-lit screen which can be stressful on the eyes if reading for a long time (think reading from a computer screen). The average cost is $500.

Blackberry Playbook

RIM has finally joined the tablet market with the BlackBerry Playbook. It was sure to happen eventually and as you might expect, they have designed a very sharp tablet (serving as an eReader) with many exciting features. It will run Android and Java applications, but it will not let you access your email unless you also own a Blackberry Smartphone. Many pros believe that Blackberry made a big mistake by not incorporating this feature into the new eReader.

The Blackberry Playbook is being advertised as the worlds’ first professional-grade tablet. The operating system technology comes from QNX software systems. It gives you intuitive navigation, a 7-inch LCD multi-touch display and Wi-Fi. It also has a 1 ghz dual core processor, dual HD cameras and a 90 day free technical support.

The dual HD cameras consist of one 3MP 1080p HD forward-facing camera and one 5MP 1080p HD rear-facing camera. The Blackberry Playbook also offers stereo speakers and stereo microphones. The manufacturer promises crystal clear video with H.264, MPEG4, WMV HDMI video output and Micro HDMI port for 1080p playback. You can download multimedia and apps from the Music Store by 7 Digital and BlackBerry® Podcast.

The Amazon Kindle and the Barnes and Nobles Nook are both available as PlayBook apps.

The price of the Blackberry Playbook is an astounding $500 to $600, which is even higher than the iPad.

Model	Amazon Kindle 3	Kobo	Barnes & Noble Nook	Blackberry PlayBook	Apple iPad 2
Size	7.5″ x 4.8″ x 0.335″	4.7 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches	7.7″ x 4.9″ x 0.50″	7.6″ x 5.1″ x .4	9.5″ x 7.31″ x 0.34″
Diagonal Display	6″	6″	6″	7″	9″
Pixel Resolution	600×800	1200 x 824	800×600	600 x 1024	1024×768
Gray Scale	16-Level	16-Level	16-Level, Also Nook Color edition	16-Level	Color IPS LCD LED-backlit glossy
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi connection using Bluetooth and select Smartphone	Wi-Fi/802.11b/g 1st Wi-Fi eReader/Free in all Barnes & Noble Stores	Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n network	Wi-Fi/802.11b/g/n Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Web Browser	Yes	No	Basic Web Browser	Yes	Yes
Storage Capacity	4GB internal, 3,500 books	1GB internal, 1,000 books	2GB Internal memory/storage (up to 1,500 eBooks)	32GB Internal memory, 1GB RAM books)	16GB – 64GB
Expansion Slots	No	Yes	Micro SD expansion slot	No	No
Touch Screen	No	No	1st color touch screen for navigation	Yes	Yes
Battery Life	Up to 1 month with wireless off	Up to 14 days with wireless off	Up to 10 days with wireless off, 2 days with wireless on	Up to 10 hours	Up to 10 hours with wireless on
Weight	8.7 ounces	8 ounces	11.2 ounces	9.6 ounces	1.33 lbs.
Price	$114 to $189	$120	$149 WiFi Only $199 WiFi+3G	$500-$600	$499-$829 depending upon storage (16-64GB) & Wi-Fi vs Wi-Fi + 3G

With so many options available (more than we discussed here – check out Sony’s eReader if you aren’t happy with any of these options), you are sure to find an eReader that serves all your needs. Whether you would like a dedicated, light weight, not back lit eReader like the Kindle, Nook or Kobo or prefer a multi-purpose versatile tablet like the Playbook or iPad, it is definitely a great idea to scope out your options.

Don’t forget to check out all the accessories for your iPad, Playbook, Kindle or Nook

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eReaders Review Part I

gazaro — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:16:15 +0000

Having worked in a book store for 3 years, I swore I would never buy an eReader – and then I tried one. Everyone I know who has bought one has loved it, even my mom has become a recent convert and totes her Kindle everywhere. An eReader is portable, compact, environmentally friendly, and very convenient. But what really is the best one to go with? What should you be looking for? We’re going to take a look at some of the most popular eReaders in a two part series….

Kindle

The Kindle from Amazon has always been a popular eReader. It has some very solid features and prices start at around $115. The newest release is advertised as having 50% better contrast, which is a big deal with e-Readers. Though you can’t get your email or play games on the Kindle, it does have Wi-Fi or 3G connection for downloading books and checking facebook.

One of the biggest things that users enjoy is that the battery will last up to a month. For an eReader this is phenomenal, especially compared to the Kobo, which lasts for 2 weeks and the Nook, which lasts for just 10 days.

The Kindle has a 6″ Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology; you can read in bright sunlight with no glare. They advertise a sleek new design and improved fonts for clarity. It only weighs 8 ½ ounces which is less than most paperbacks. It will hold 3,500 books which is twice what some eReaders offer.

Kobo

The Kobo eReader also runs around $120, making it one of the least expensive eReaders around. Their Ink Technology gives you book-quality printing with no backlight, glare, or reflection on a 6-inch screen (reducing the strain on your eyes!). They also advertise all-new and improve flexible fonts that are very easy on the eyes and offer a choice between serif and sans serif styles in five type sizes.

The Kobo eReader comes pre-loaded with Borders Desktop App making it easy to shop for eBooks, organize your library, and download content. Another feature that users enjoy is the Quilted Back, which gives users a comfortable touch experience. It offers easy navigation through text and books.

The Kobo measures approximately 4.7 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches, and weighs less than 8 ounces. With the 1 GB Memory, you can carry up to 1,000 titles wherever you go but it also has an SD memory card for additional storage. The Kobo eReader lets you wirelessly connect with select smartphones via Bluetooth, and update your reading list no matter where you are. The battery will last up to two weeks.

NOOK

The NOOK eReader is advertised as being Just-Like-Paper Reading Experience. It offers best-in-class E Ink® display with text as crisp and clear as a printed page. The 16-level gray scale display offers great contrast with no glare or backlight so you can read your favorite novel even in bright sunlight. This is an important feature to consider when purchasing an eReader.

The NOOK runs around $150 to $200 but does have 2GB of memory so you can store up to 1,500 books, magazines and newspapers. It also has a SD memory card slot for additional memory. They allow users to browse and buy from their extensive collection of over 2 million books, including over a million free titles and others priced at $9.99 or less. You can sample a book for free and then download it wirelessly in seconds.

One of the cool features that may catch on with other eReaders is the ability to sync the last page you read on your NOOK or NOOK app with another device. For instance, if you stop reading on page 85 of your NOOK, you can automatically open to the same place on your iPad, iPhone or Android-based smartphone using NOOK apps.

The NOOK has a catchy Easy-To-Use Color Navigation Panel that makes navigating through book titles and pages easy. The battery life is only 10 days, which is on the short side for an eReader.

The Kindle, Nook and Kobo are some of the more popular eReader options currently available, but definitely aren’t your only options. Check back later for Part II, focusing on some great eReader alternatives.

Do you have an eReader? Would you go back to paper books? Which eReader do you prefer? Comment below, drop us a line, or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

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Vote Gazaro for the 2011 TiE50 Awards

Tania Steyn — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:16:07 +0000

Exciting news – Gazaro has been named a finalist for the 2011 TiE50 Awards! It’s quite exciting since a few weeks ago, we were named Top Up and Coming company by the Branham Group, and just last year we named a Company to Watch by the OBJ.

For those of you who are not familiar TiE50, it is Silicon Valley’s premier awards program contested by thousands of technology startups worldwide. The awards program is run by TiE, a global network of entrepreneurs and professionals dedicated to the advancement of entrepreneurship.

This year, the TiE50 Awards Program is recognizing the top technology startups from the following segments: Internet (including Social Networking), Energy (including Cleantech), Wireless/Mobile, Software (including Cloud Computing), and Life Sciences.

There were over 1600 applicants this year and from these Gazaro was selected, by an expert selection committee, to be one of 300 finalists. The final judging began on April 20th, and continues until the announcement of the winners on April 30th. We are really hoping to win, but we need your help!

Gazaro is nominated under the Internet segment. You can vote for your favorite companies in each segment, and we hope that your positive experiences using Gazaro and finding the best deals, sales and coupons on you consumer electronic means you will cast your vote for Gazaro!

Here is how to vote for Gazaro:

Go to the finalist list of the 2011 TiE50 Awards: http://www.tie50.net/TiE50Awards/Poll_Default.asp
Select the segment Internet/Social Networking
Find Gazaro in the list and click Like

That’s all it takes. We thank you in advance for giving us your vote. Unlike most politicians, we stand behind the promises the Gazaro brand makes – When you need to find the best deals, sales, and coupons on Computers and Consumer Electronics, then Gazaro is your one-stop destination that will save you a lot of time and money.

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GPS vs. iPhone GPS – Which is the best deal?

gazaro — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:43:10 +0000

The iPhone appears to be at last showing us its full potential. What started out as a very cool Smartphone has evolved into an almost indispensable tool that millions use daily to do everything from shopping to paying their bills.

Over 350,000 apps in the App Store and Still Growing

With all-new and very innovative iPhone apps being released every day, you can easily use your iPhone for almost anything. The App Store now lists over 350,000 apps available for download.

One of the newest iPhone apps that seems to be catching on is the GPS navigation app. There are probably at least a dozen good ones that come with all the features you’d expect to get on a regular GPS system. But do these navigation apps actually hold up against a GPS unit?

An above average iPhone app for GPS will have turn-by-turn voice guided navigation, 2D and 3D (bird view) mapping navigation modes, arrows navigation mode, navigation over satellite imagery including ‘bird view’ mode, and optional routing for car or pedestrian. You can also expect to see address search, POI quick keywords search and local search in directories like yellow pages or white pages.

Tracking your Location: Love it or Hate it?

Another feature that some users love and others hate is the ability to track your location. The iPhone does this by employing an original algorithm using a three-way accelerometer and a three-way direction sensor. In layman’s terms, your husband can find you when you wander off in a crowded shopping mall. You can’t get that on a regular GPS unit.

Receiving a Signal: Cell Phone Tower or Satellite?

One of the major differences in using an iPhone GPS Navigation app as opposed to a normal GPS unit is where each one gets their signal. Most GPS units to date pick up their signal from GPS satellites. At times, you can lose your signal and may have to wait for the unit to begin picking up the satellite signal again.

With a GPS iPhone app, the signal comes from local cell towers. That means you can count on having a constant connection no matter what. If there is a serious storm in your area, such as a hurricane, the cell phone towers can be knocked out temporarily, but service is usually restored very quickly.

Let’s look at a few of the other major differences.

Screen Size: Does it Really Matter?

The screen is one of the most obvious differences. Most iPhone screens are around 2” x 3.5”. On a typical GPS unit, such as the Garmin nuvi 1450 series, you will get a 5” backlit color TFT touch screen. This type of screen gives you a clear picture whether its day or night, very sunny or really dark.

Turn-By-Turn Navigation

Turn by turn instructions are also important to most users. With most iPhone GPS apps, you will get turn by turn instructions. With a GPS unit, you can also choose the voice that will speak to you, whether it’s a man or woman.

One big drawback to using a GPS unit is that you can’t stick it in your purse and take it with you. With the iPhone, of course, you can. This is handy if you happen to be out walking around in a strange neighborhood and you want to see where the closest bus stop is. A typical GPS unit is not something you can carry in a handbag.

Color Maps that are up to Date!

One of the last things to compare are the maps. On both the GPS unit and the iPhone GPS app, you will have full color maps that are frequently updated for accuracy. As stated above, the maps on a GPS unit may be somewhat larger than on the iPhone and the sharpness of color may be just a bit better. On the iPhone you can even get a 3D street view, which is not only cool but can be helpful and keep you from walking around lost.

Still Can’t Decide?

All in all, both the GPS unit and the iPhone with GPS app can get you where you are going. Choosing one over the other may come down to your own personal preference. Of course, you could just buy them both and be covered either way.

What do you think? Would you go with an iPhone or a dedicated GPS system? Let us know in the comments, drop us a line or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

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Best Alternatives to the Flip Camcorder

gazaro — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:04:04 +0000

Many fans and enthusiasts were left in shock when, after 4 years of distribution, Cisco suddenly discontinued the production of the phenomenally popular line of Flip camcorders. There are a few great features which undeniably attributed to the Flip’s popularity: the 720p HD video, the 60 fps shooting capabilities, the image stabilization… but most of all, this camcorder took off because it offered all of these things, and more, in pocket-fitting compact dimensions.
In the end, however, the Flip wasn’t enough. John Chambers, CEO at Cisco Systems Inc., has pegged the reason for the camcorder’s discontinuation- resulting in the loss of 550 jobs at Cisco- on the brutal smartphone competition. The iPhone 4, for example, has above and beyond the effectiveness of the Flip. With 720p HD shooting and short-range focus in a smaller package as well as the ability to edit and upload video to the internet directly from the device, there’s no doubt that the iPhone 4 has the Flip camcorder beaten. An issue with smartphones, however, is the sky-high price in comparison to inexpensive pocket camcorders- buyers are paying for the additional features that they may not necessarily need.
With the Flip in retirement, consumers are left scrambling for the perfect alternative. Here are some pocket camcorders at great prices that may have given the Flip a run for its money:

1) The Sanyo Xacti CG6.

If you’re looking for the biggest bang for your buck, this camcorder is most likely ideal. Although this is an older model and provides a lower video resolution, it makes up for it with dual photography and video capabilities. With 5x optical zoom and the ability to capture video and take pictures simultaneously, you’re sure to be impressed. This camcorder is currently 64% off on Gazaro- a 10.0 perfect DealScore

2) The Kodak Zi8

Now at an amazing 9.8 DealScore, this is the lowest price this camcorder has ever seen- and, amazingly, it can shoot in full 1080p HD video. With a 2.5 inch high-vibrancy LCD screen and a rechargeable battery, this camcorder promises accurate playback or, if prefered, comes with the HDMI cables necessary to hook up to the big screen.

3) The JVC Picsio GC-FM1A

An instantly remarkable feauture of this camcorder is its highly attractive style. With a reflective, textured diamond pattern in black, blue or purple, it’s definitely an eyecatcher… and it can shoot in vibrant 1080p video. You may also be impressed by the automatic image stabilization and the dual 8 MP camera feature. This camcorder is available at a 9.8 DealScore on Gazaro.

These three great cameras offer everything and more than the Cisco Flip- so don’t sweat finding a new favorite pocket camcorder. Have any other great replacements for the Flip? Comment below, send us a tweet or find us on Facebook.

-Kaylie Benner

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