Even since our trusted floppy disks retired from active service after many years of dependence on the format, progression towards the USB memory stick has been rampant. With masses of storage, widespread adoption with various devices and of course zippy transfer speeds, the USB stick is the true successor. So how can they add to the wonders of a simple physical storage medium? By adding online storage it would appear. This actually makes a lot of sense when you consider the additional features this provides.

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As much as I love my Apple iPhone 3GS, there is a lot of media resting in the devices storage that is simply yearning to be released to an audience. I have already reviewed a set of great earphones by Creative Labs, which are just wonderful for when you require a solitary music experience, but there is still the matter of sharing the entertainment within a room with your family and friends or for when you wish to dance around a bit to the melodic rhythms (don’t worry I won’t tell anyone if you don’t!).

The Creative ZiiSound D5 Bluetooth Wireless Speakers may have the answer, but not just for my iPhone, but other Bluetooth audio compatible hardware and anything else with a headphone socket. So that pretty much covers everything!

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I am sure many of you like myself now own either an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch, enjoying the Internet browser capabilities as part of the feature set. The ability to check emails on the move is a blessing and a curse as although you can keep an eye on your inbox wherever you may be, the urge to check just one more time and responding to those so called ‘urgent’ requests will more than likely have you in up to the neck in deep murky water with your loved ones from time to time.

I hate being disconnected from this information though and now many sites use an iPhone and iPod Touch compatible theme, feature an App on the Apple iTunes Store for a slightly different viewing experience or at the very least add a little bit of code so that its easier to scroll for these modern mobile devices.

My blog and indeed my Yamaha keyboard and digital piano enthusiast website both have an iPhone/iPod Touch theme designed specifically for these devices (and others of course!), allowing to view the latest posts and features, run a site search, listen to podcasts and comment on articles.

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Not so long ago Satellite Navigation systems (or Sat Nav’s for short) were considered a luxury item which only the hardcore technology enthusiasts who yearned for the latest gadgets would dare purchase. Now though, the market for these devices is far more accessible for those who desire a decent aid to our driving needs, with an exhausting amount of brands and an even larger array of models to choose from. The days of stupidly large road atlas maps have thankfully been assigned to the history books and even for those who loath gadgetry, user friendly interfaces are often part of the appeal.

It is very easy to spend hundreds of pounds buying the hardware and the software in one complete package for a fully featured Sat Nav, yet if you own an Apple iPhone 3G or later, you already own a powerful piece of portable hardware, so why not save some of those precious pennies and invest in just the software side alone.

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 10:13 — 37.7MB)

There is certainly an amount of dare I say snobbery going on when well respected professional musicians take time out to have a go at the myriad of rhythm titles for our gaming consoles. Both the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises have certainly opened up our eyes to the marvel of combining musical favourites with strumming and hitting actions on our plastic peripherals and although really not meant to be taken seriously, there are those who shine with their real instruments that despair at our antics.

Reported on the BBC News website, both Bill Wyman from the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason have expressed concerns.

It irritates me having watched my kids do it – if they spent as much time practising the guitar as learning how to press the buttons they’d be damn good by now.
Nick Mason

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