Budget gifts will be a huge success this holiday season with the recent economic and financial troubles. Here are a few choices to get you started.

• Gift cards - Give an Amazon.com gift card this holiday season, available in amounts from $5 to $5,000, they’re perfect for anyone. With the number of products that Amazon sells, there’s got to be something for everyone.

• Apple iPod shuffle - The cheapest and smallest MP3 player available to date, is even cheaper than last year. Now available in 1GB ($49) and 2GB ($69) models, it’s perfect for adults, teenagers, and children alike.

• Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 - The best webcam is a perfect gift this holiday season. Now you can see your loved ones in stunning quality as they unwrap their gifts and join in with the holiday spirit. Grab one today for less than $70 bucks at Amazon.com and get free shipping with gift wrap while your at it.

• Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset - The top selling Bluetooth headset on Amazon is our pick this holiday season. It’s the most comfortable, and it won’t break the bank. Grab it for under $50 at Amazon.com with free shipping.

• Joby Gorillapod - Get the perfect shot this holiday season and mount your camera to almost anywhere for that Kodak moment. The Gorillapod is one of the best gadgets of all time, and it’s available in a variety of different version.

Ergonomic keyboards have been a popular staple in the office, and not many of them have been made specifically for the Mac platform. Today I’ll be taking a look at the newest one for the Mac, the Kinesis Freestyle Solo.In addition to being an ergonomic keyboard for the Mac, it also has two very interesting add-ons: the VIP and the Incline. The Incline accessory transforms the keyboard into something similar to the 12-degree split that the Microsoft Natural Keyboard 4000 (another very popular ergonomic keyboard) features, which we had reviewed previously here on ConnectReviews. By folding We’ll get to more on these accessories later.

The Freestyle Solo for Mac isn’t just a traditional keyboard that’s split into two pieces. It has some unique features that set it apart from the others. Some of these features include ten left-side hot keys for cut, copy, paste, select all, and dedicated keys for Mac users such as Force Quit, Brightness, Exposé, Dashboard, and all the other keys you’d traditionally find on an Apple keyboard. Those who use the number pad often will be disappointed, since the Freestyle Solo doesn’t offer a built-in number pad, however, Kinesis has listened to your needs and offers a separate numeric keypad that connects separately via USB.

Switching to an ergonomic keyboard does require some time for your hands to adjust properly to the key layout, as required by any keyboard. However, your hands will thank you and will feel more relaxed as you type. The keys feel somewhat mushy, compared to more tactile keyboards such as the famed IBM Model M, but there was still good tactile feedback.

Freestyle Solo shown with optional Incline accessory.

On the accessory front, both offer near equal amount of ergonomic comfort, with the VIP accessory offering up to 15 degrees of tenting compared to the Incline’s 10. I preferred the Incline since both halves of the keyboard were always stable and equally spaced. The VIP offers more control over position and tenting.

I was a bit skeptical before receiving the keyboard, since I didn’t know how comfortable it would be, and whether it would find a home inside my office closet. Little did I know how much better my hands felt after using the keyboard for just a few days. Although the Freestyle Solo for Mac has it’s flaws, it’s one of my all-time favorite products, and will continue to find its place on my desk.

The Kinesis Freestyle Solo for Mac keyboard is available for $99 from the Kinesis website, along with the VIP and Incline accessories which sell for $40 each.

Pros

• Ergonomic design without sacrificing Mac functionality.
• Two different ergonomic accessories.
• Dedicated media and Mac-centric keys.

Cons

• Lack of number pad.
• Somewhat mushy keys.

In a recent review, I knocked the Das Keyboard for having a high price point. Little did I know that I hadn’t seen the beginning of an expensive keyboard. Today we review the Optimus Maximus Keyboard, with a MSRP of around $1600 USD. However, how good of a keyboard is it for that price? Read on to get the scoop.

After hearing that price point, you may be wondering what makes this keyboard so special. Well, the answer lies within the keys, literally. Embedded into each key is a tiny, 48×48 pixel, OLED display, capable of producing up to 10FPS video. This display is fully programmable from the Optimus Maximus Configurator software, which works on both OS X and Windows. Depending on which application is active on your computer, the Optimus can change the displays according to what you set. For example, you could have a regular QWERTY layout, but and when you open Photoshop, the keyboard could automatically load a layout that is specifically designed for the application, with icons for specific hot keys, or whatever other customizations you prefer. Another option would be someone who frequently types documents in mutliple languages, and would like to be able to go between both rapdily. When the Optimus detects that the language has been changed in it’s host operating system, it changes the layout to the default layout for that language. I tested this option in windows, and it was extremely fast, especially with the language option in the toolbar, just a click away.

As you would expect from a product that was developed by a studio who specializes in industrial, graphic, web and interface design, this keyboard is extremely ascetically pleasing. The sleek, clean design draws attention to the magnificent keys. Even without all of the fancy key changing, and specialized layouts, the keyboard looks stunning. The OLED keys look spectacular; in fact this is one of the only products that you can find OLED displays in, save for a few specialized applications and a Sony TV (which runs for about $2500 for a 11″ display, which makes the Optimus seem like a bargain.) The attention to detail on the hardware of this keyboard is also nice. An ambient light sensor changes the keyboard brightness depending on the light in the room. The switch to reset the software on the keyboard is even hidden away in a spot that I have never seen before, inside of the the Kensington Security Slot. The hardware however, is just the tip of the ice burg.  The software is also elegantly designed, and extremely simple to use but extremely powerful. In the software, you have the option to individually program each key, import an Optimus layout file, or even import just a plain image file, which will then be tiled across the keyboard. Also, the option is given to open a blank layout in a photo editing software, which then can be applied to the keyboard.

Up to this point in the review, despite the price tag, this seems like an amazing keyboard. This is what everyone I have shown the Optimus Maximus thinks, until they attempt to type on it. This is the major downfall of this keyboard. The OLED displays are inside of the keys, with a clear plastic coating over it, so you aren’t physically pressing down on the displays. This makes sense, but the plastic coating seems slippery to me, and it seems to slow down how fast I can type. Also, it seems that the mechanical switches arent strong enough to support the weight of the keys. Unlike keyboards like the Apple Aluminum keyboard, or the Das Keyboard, the keys feel sticky and soft, as compared to solid and clicking when you press the key down. This is a major downfall for anyone who would plan to type on this keyboard as their main keyboard, but it could be used for things like video editing, or photo editing where you may need specialized layouts for each application.

However, despite the hefty price tag, I have noticed some faults with the keyboard that I don’t see as acceptable for any item that costs so much. So far I have gone through 2 of these units with none working perfectly. Perfect for me has a loose definition when it comes to quality control. As long as it works to all specifications, it is fine for me. The first unit I received had 2 dead keys, and one key that periodically distorted the image. The second unit had one dead key, and the Configurator software on multiple computers would not detect the keyboard. This was fixed by digging into restoring the firmware, after I had to hunt on Google for the instructions. When the keyboard works well, it is fantastic, but I cannot recommend buying this keyboard without first being informed about the potential problems.

The Optimus Maximus is available for $1681.77 directly from Art.Lebedev Studios online, or at their retail store in New York City.

Pros

• Fully programmable.
• Brilliant displays.
• Can display video.

Cons

• Extremely high price.
• Shoddy build quality.
• Requires external power source.
• Sticky/slippery keys.

Ahead of our review of Adobe’s latest version of Acrobat, version 9, we did an interview with Rick Brown at Adobe. He tells us about the Acrobat user base, how the PDF got it’s start, and the roadmap of Acrobat.

1. Starting off, can you tell the ConnectReviews readers about yourself and your position at Adobe?

As the senior director for Adobe Acrobat product management, I am responsible for managing the overall Acrobat product family definition. This basically means my team is constantly working with customers to better understand their needs and use cases and then translate that into products and product features that are developed by our engineering team. We are looking at what customers need right now and also looking forward to emerging opportunities. We then help our development team turn that into products and services that allow people to work and communicate better with Acrobat and PDF.

2. How many users are currently using Acrobat products in their daily workflow? Do you see this number growing in the future?

We have shipped over 30 million cumulative, new unit licenses of Acrobat and, in the last couple years alone, distributed over 500 million copies of the free Adobe Reader. That number is growing every day. In business, the creation and exchange of documents is frequently the way people get their everyday work done. Projects and specifications are defined in documents, transactions are recorded in documents, people are informed and trained through documents, products are marketed and sold through documents, information and data are collected through documents. There is a huge opportunity going forward to make these interactions more expressive, more collaborative and more efficient, which in turn makes documents more effective while taking time and cost out of the equation.

3. Many people are now accustomed to PDF and the ease of creating PDF files for transmitting documents via e-mail. How did PDF get its start in the business?

PDF was the brainchild of Adobe founder, John Warnock, who anticipated the need for a platform independent and graphically rich portable document format. Acrobat 1.0, which was originally codenamed “Carousel,” shipped in 1993. PDF’s emergence as a standard really began a few years later in 1994 when two things happened: 1) Adobe decided to give away the Adobe Reader for free and 2) Internet usage began to explode. Suddenly, there was a widely available medium that created huge demand for portable electronic documents and related applications. Adobe was there with the right solution at the right time and the freely available Adobe Reader insured zero barrier to adoption.

The new version of Acrobat supports embedded video.

4. How do you think the Acrobat application has evolved over time, have there been any milestone releases?

Nearly every release has been a major milestone. Acrobat 2.0 was the release where we made the Adobe Reader free; Acrobat 3.0 was the release to feature integration with the browser; Acrobat 4.0 introduced key features for the expansion of PDF in electronic document applications, including forms and digital signatures. I could go on! I think Acrobat 9, which is the most recent release, is incredibly significant because it is the first release where we were able to bring some of the incredible technology assets that came via Adobe’s acquisition of Macromedia. A key development has been the integration of Flash with PDF in Acrobat 9, which has completely transformed what we can do in electronic documents.

5. It’s clear that Acrobat and the PDF document format is the gold standard for transmitting documents over the internet, what kind of new features in Acrobat 9 make this release even better?

As I mentioned above, the integration of Flash has been a huge leap forward in Acrobat 9. The integration of Flash with PDF’s capabilities as a packaging format enabled us to create PDF Portfolios, which make it very easy for customers to create customized user experiences around sets of related content. Not only does Flash enable customers to create custom user experiences on top of their content, it also means content can be anything supported by PDF or Flash, including native MP3 files, H.264 video, Flash animations, 3D models, interactive forms, etc. The range of content that can be represented in a single, integrated format is really incredible.

6. Can you share with us a little about the future and the vision of the Acrobat brand and the PDF format?

We have only scratched the surface of what is possible in terms of Flash and PDF integration. We believe customers will increasingly want to leverage the range of rich media that is available to them as part of their everyday communications. General business workers want to differentiate their communication and take advantage of rich media as much as graphic designers and web developers. Our goal will be to make it easy and effective. You should also look for us to leverage the growing range of hosted services we are providing through Acrobat.com. These services make it incredibly easy for general business users to create collaborative business processes around documents without any IT investment or technical expertise.

Are you regretting neglecting wiring your house with Ethernet when you built it? Just don’t want to deal with the hassle of cutting holes in your walls? Read on to find what may be the perfect solution for you.

When thinking of networking, most people think about a traditional hardwire and wireless connectivity. One reason for this is due to the lackluster performance of the original powerline adapters. While the original powerline technology was slow and unreliable, the Actiontec MegaPlug AV Powerline Gaming Kit crushes any preconceptions you may have of powerline Ethernet networking.

The MegaPlug AV works with a two unit system. First you plug a transmitter into your router, and then an open power outlet nearby. (Note, Actiontec recommends that this is not plugged into a surge protector to insure optimal performance, which may create problems for some power users’ setups.) Next, the receiver unit is plugged in wherever you chose, and the Ethernet is plugged into your device nearby, and you are ready to be connected to the Internet, no complicated setup necessary. The connection is then routed using the preexisting powerline infrastructure in your house, which eliminates the need to route Ethernet wires through your walls, which can be expensive and very time consuming.

So you may be thinking, “This is great, but how well does it actually work?” In my tests, I found the difference between being hardwired into a router, and the MegaPlug AV adapter to be none at all. When using my Xbox 360 on the MegaPlug AV kit, I could not tell any latency or speed decrease from what I am used to with my standard wired setup.

While the MegaPlug AV is not marketed for this use, I have also tested this kit on a computer, and could not tell any difference. When running a speedtest from my computer, it returned a result that was exactly the same as my hardwire or WiFi setups. Also, transferring files over the Internet was fast, at around 100mbit, due to constrictions with my PC hardware, where as the adapter supports up to 200mbit. I even took the extreme of having 2 computers, and my 360 all connected at once using a switch, and I have seen no noticeable difference in surfing the Internet and other normal daily tasks.

At an average price of $150 online, it is more expensive than the Xbox 360 wireless adapter, but performs much better than it in my testing.

Pros

• Fast 200mbit speed.
• Easy setup.
• No need to run wires in wall.

Cons

• Price.
• Cannot be plugged into surge protector.

It’s almost been a year since we reviewed the HP Blackbird 002 gaming PC, featured on our 2007 Holiday Gift Guide. In June of this year, HP revved up it’s engines and released the new Blackbird 002 Exhilaration Edition, featuring the latest NVIDIA GTX 280 graphics. How does it perform compared to the previous model? Read on to find out.

First, let’s start with the specs of this beast:

• NVIDIA nForce 790i Ultra Motherboard
• Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 at 3.2GHz
• 2x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 in SLI
• 4GB Corsair Dominator DDR3-1600 RAM
• Super Multi Blu-Ray Disc and HD DVD-ROM Drive
• Windows Vista Ultimate Edition

The Blackbird 002 EE looks no different on the outside, but on the inside, it’s got the latest and greatest components available on the market. We were blown away by the performance numbers of the original Blackbird 002, and the Exhilaration Edition takes it to the next level, by only a small margin however.

In our PCMark Vantage tests, the Exhilaration Edition pushed out a score of 5617 PCMarks, compared to the original Blackbird’s score of 5389. Not a huge improvement. In our CINEBENCH tests, the EE performed somewhat slower than the original:

What irks me a little is that the Exhilaration Edition’s processor wasn’t overclocked like many other gaming machines on the market and in my research, only uses two SLI cards instead of a triple SLI configuration. Since the CPU is water cooled, I’m pretty sure that HP could have pushed the system even further.

It’s certainly a speedy system, and will play all of today’s latest games, but priced out at over $6500 bucks, it doesn’t give the exhilaration that it should for that kind of price.

Pros

• Crysis-capable.
• Latest and greatest components.
• Easy to upgrade.

Cons

• Not the performance boost we were hoping for.

We’re turning away from our traditional review format for one day this week, October 15th. It’s something called Blog Action Day, and is an annual event for bloggers to talk to the public about a single topic. Last year’s topic was global warming, this year’s is poverty. Poverty is an increasing problem in the world that we live in, and there are plenty of ways you can spread the word to help. It may sound complex, but there are simple things to do as well. You can donate your blog’s daily earnings to a charity, foundation, or donor like Kiva.org microloans and The Global Fund. Watch the video below and do your part. We’ll be back on this topic on Wednesday.

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Continuing our ConnectInterviews series on new and innovative products, we talked with Kyle Thornton, Category Manager, Ultra-Light at HP. We asked him about the future of “netbooks”, the HP Mini-Note 2133 and what makes their product better over others on the market today such as offerings from Asus and Acer.

1. Can you introduce to the ConnectReviews readers your position at HP and a little bit about yourself?

Kyle Thornton – I’m the Category Manager, Ultra-Light within the Business Notebook group. My category includes business notebooks, tablet PCs, and Mini-Notes that are 12” or smaller.

2. This category of small notebook computers called “netbooks” has become increasingly popular, who do you think this form factor applies to?

The HP Mini is ideal for those that have craved an ultra-portable (less than 12”) full-functioning notebook at an affordable price point. Until now, this was not achievable. Our entry into this market was primarily focused in serving the requirements of the Education market segment…not the consumer market. We’ve collaborated with our Education Advisory Council for years in bringing a product like this to market for some time. The Education segment has wanted an ultra-portable for some time now, but the high costs were not allowed by their shrinking budgets. Because of this, they had been drawn towards cheaper, but bigger notebooks…that were also a generation or two behind in technology. It is ideal for students that need a fully functional notebook PC that won’t weigh down their backpacks or take up too much space on their desktops.

Having done all this work for the Education Segment, we were somewhat surprised from the interest that we received from our SMB and Enterprise customers. Traveling professionals find the HP Mini to be a convenient “grab-and-go” secondary PC. Now that the price has come down dramatically, it is no longer just “executive jewelry”.

3. Why didn’t HP decide to go with the Intel-based Atom processor and go with the VIA processor instead?

Once we committed to this market, it was important that we meet this year’s Education Harvest Season. This is a period (usually Feb-Jun) when the Education public sector purchases their computer hardware…and they use the summer to prep and deploy the computers before their new school year starts. Intel’s Atom was not announced until July 2008, so, we would have missed this year’s Harvest Season. Based on some notable successes, it was the right decision. As for refreshing technologies, HP selects the appropriate choice based on multiple factors…such as time-to-market, technology trends, costs, and the right fit for the platform.

4. I noticed the 2133 Mini-Note does not have the option for a solid state disk drive (SSD). However, where do you see this technology going? Do you have any plans to include such a drive in a future netbook product from HP?

Actually, in the very near future, an 80GB SSD option will be available for those that require the additional durability and can afford the high price tag. We expect this option to be around $900. As for lower capacity SSD’s in the 8-16GB range, we are currently evaluating them. One thing to consider is that hard drives still provide the most capacity for the dollar…and many customers still value the higher capacity.

5. What makes the HP 2133 Mini-Note better than other netbooks available on the market today?

The HP Mini offers many HP Professional Innovations that are normally reserved for our higher-end business notebooks. Features such as anodized all-aluminum casing, scratch-resistant acrylic panel over the LCD, HP DuraKeys (UV coating that protects the keys and helps them look newer for longer), HP 3D DriveGuard (accelerometers on the hard drive to protect the data from sudden jolts and drops), spill-resistant keyboard, metal alloy hinges, HP Panel Protection System, HP Recovery Manager (quickly recover the system and data in the event of a hard drive crash), HP FastCharge (charges battery to 90% in 90 minutes), HP Smart A/C Adapter, and HP Total Test Process (multi-tiered product validation process which includes more than 95,000 hours of testing per platform. I challenge anyone to find such a comprehensive list on other Netbooks or Mini-notes.)

6. Looking ahead, can you tell us about the future for similar products from HP?

HP is playing to stay in this emerging category. As far as talking in specifics, we don’t discuss unannounced products.

Thanks for your time.

TV tuners are all the rage these days, turning your computer into a fully functional TV but letting you record your favorite TV shows directly to your computer’s hard drive. Today we’re taking a look at the Pinnacle TV for Mac HD Stick. How does it pan out compared to the EyeTV Hybrid and other TV tuners on the market? Read on to find out.

The Pinnacle TV for Mac HD Stick is a small USB stick that has a USB connector on one end, and a coaxial input on the other end. It’s no bigger than a flash drive which means it’s perfect for your MacBook or MacBook Pro laptop. It supports both ATSC digital (up to 1080i) and analog over-the-air standards, in addition to a breakout cable that splits out into S-Video, composite video, and stereo audio via a 1/8″ mini-jack. Also in the box is a Pinnacle remote control, but with a poor button layout it isn’t worth using. Worry not, it also supports the Apple remote included with new Macs.

It includes the Elgato EyeTV Lite software, which is perfect for viewing, but its limited features make the software somewhat tedious to use. We recommend upgrading to the full version for $39.95. It’s so worth the extra money.

We liked that Pinnacle included an antenna, unlike the EyeTV Hybrid (which on the other hand, includes the full version of the EyeTV software). The antenna worked great and picked up most of the ATSC HD channels that can be received in our testing area.

Overall, the Pinnacle TV for Mac HD Stick is a great choice for those looking to view TV on their Mac in high-definition with basic recording skills. For advanced users, we recommend updating to the full version of EyeTV 3. The Pinnacle TV for Mac HD Stick is available today for around $125 with free shipping at Amazon.com.

Pros

• Excellent reception.
• Antenna included.

Cons

• Limited EyeTV Lite software.
• So-so remote.

System Requirements: Macintosh® computer with a PowerPC® G4, G5 or Intel Core® processor (For HDTV reception, a Dual PowerPC G5 or an Intel Core Duo processor is required), Mac OS X v10.4 or later, Free USB 2.0 port, 256 MB RAM (512 MB required for HDTV reception), Hard disk with minimum 1 GB free space (20 GB recommended for TV recording), CD or DVD drive

When the Apple aluminum keyboard came out last spring, it instantly became my favorite keyboard. Can the Das Keyboard unseat this reigning champion? See after the jump to find out.

Many keyboard connoisseurs regard one type of keyboard the greatest of all time, the IBM Model M. The reason that people adore the Model M so much is because it uses mechanical switches, which give a tactile feel, and loud sound when a key is pressed. Most modern keyboards just don’t match up to the feel of these old keyboards, but, with the help of products like the Das Keyboard and the Matias Tactile Pro, which we reviewed last year, there is hope for those searching for that “clicky” feel.

This is where the Das Keyboard comes in. It features the mechanical switches that so many like, without sparing the modern features of a keyboard. Also, these switches allow for what is called the “n-key” rollover, which allows 12 key presses to be registered simultaneously. The casing of this keyboard is a shiny black plastic, with blue accent lighting, common in many consumer electronics. This is very prone to fingerprints, which is why a microfiber cloth is included with the keyboard to keep it clean at all times. In addition, there is a 2-port USB hub on the keyboard, which is perfect for peripherals such as a USB mouse, an iPod or other PMP, or a flash drive.

The Das Keyboard comes in 2 unique different models, both work with Windows, Mac, and Linux and do not require the use of extra software. While the core experience is the same, the “Ultimate” model with no printing on the keys caters to the geek audience. If you’re not into this look, they offer a fully printed normal model as well.

Pros

• Great, tactile feel when typing
• Sleek design
• USB hub

Cons

• Bigger than most keyboards
• Some people may not like the tactile feel or the loud sound the mechanical switches create.
• Hefty $130 price tag

We received a few of the new Marware iPhone 3G cases to take a look at. Do they do justice to the new iPhone 3G? Find out after the jump.

As a note, one thing is the same for all of the products from Marware. They all come with an invisible plastic cover for the screen of the iPhone. Personally, I didn’t install the cover, but I assume it works similarly to InvisibleShields or any other invisible covering for the iPhone. This is definitely a nice touch because the screen is, hands down, the most important part of the iPhone for any user.

First up in our reviews is the new Marware SportGrip for iPhone 3G. This product was the one we were looking forward to the most, as having a covering on the iPhone constantly is the best way to protect it from any undesireable cracks in the beautiful glass screen of the iPhone. Coming in pink, white, and black, the SportGrip appeals to a large group of people (especially thirteen year old girls with the pink case). We got our hands on the black model, and all I can say is that it loves to attract dust. However, it’s easy to clean off. Just a quick swipe with your hand and any stuck-on dust is quickly removed.

The grippiness of the SportGrip could use to be improved, but all in all, it gave the iPhone a more solid feel in my hand. On the other hand, it did take away the sexy and slim feel of the iPhone without any cases. The buttons of the phone are accessible through rubber buttons on the case which work well and press the buttons without exposing them to the outside world (minus the ringer switch which has its own opening in the case).

All in all, the Marware SportGrip performs well and for $19.99 offers a cheap way to protect your new $200+ investment.

Next is the C.E.O. series. We’ll start with the C.E.O. Glide. I got my hands on a red Glide, but the product also comes in white and black (black being the most attractive, by far, in my opinion). Regardless of which color you choose, the Glide is made out of (fake) alligator leather. This is instantly a turn off to me, in addition to the hideous red colored version I received. If you want to stand out like a sore thumb (even if you are a woman), feel free to purchase the red Glide.

However, back to the main point. The C.E.O. Glide has no ability to clip onto anything and is about a quarter’s diameter wider than the iPhone itself. This makes the Glide not so stealthy in your pockets. I would, however, reccommend the glide as a great option for women who want to carry their iPhones in a purse and not worry about other things spilling or scratching your new toy. One major issue I do have with the glide is that there is a Velcro closure. I don’t like Velcro anywhere near my easily scratchable electronics, but that’s just me. However, one nice feature I did find with the Glide is that the same Velcro strap that closes the case acts as a pull tab to easily remove the phone from its case. This makes life easier while trying to get to your ringing phone.

The C.E.O. Glide is best fit for people who don’t want to carry their phones in their pockets but instead place them in a bag. Also, avoid the red (and even white) models. They’re not too attractive. In addition, the $25 price tag is not justified by the case, so buy this only if you think you’ll really enjoy it.

Finally in our trio of reviews is the C.E.O. Sleeve. The Sleeve was my favorite out of the three cases due to its attractive design and overall simplicity. Constructed from real leather, the Sleeve simply sandwiches the iPhone between two microfiber walls. This offers great protection and an attractive design. This case is also the only case to feature a clip. You can attach a clip if you desire, or you can leave the sleeve as is. It is virtually the width of the iPhone so you’re not adding too much bulk if you want to put your iPhone in your pocket. However, the included clip allows for you to clip your iPhone onto a belt or pocket which can prove convinent while accessing your phone.

You can also purchase other clips for your case, such as a rachet mount that allows you to turn the phone on its clip in any orientation. These can be purchased through the Marware website.

The C.E.O. Sleeve is definitely a case to consider when looking for protection for your new investment. The $25 price tag is definitely justified by the design of the case and overall quality.

Make sure to check out all of Marware’s new cases at their website. A handful of their iPhone 3G cases are also available at Amazon.com.

1. First of all, how did you get your start in the gaming PC business?

Shortly after graduating from high school in 1991, I enrolled at Mount Royal College in Calgary, and in three months I realized that the computer science courses were lacking in substance. For me, learning WordPerfect for DOS as a prerequisite was not inspiring.

I remember it like it was yesterday: I was quite bored after high school, and sometimes I would roll out of bed at 11 a.m. with no desire to go to class. Luckily, my fiancé inspired me to take a major risk—I started Voodoo with $1,500 on a credit card and an $85 ad in the newspaper. After selling eight computers in my first week, I simply stopped showing up to classes. I didn’t even bother to drop out.

After a year or so, we landed a successful workstation contract with a large marketing company. I then acquired a heritage home more than a century old in downtown Calgary with a small shed in the back. We renovated the site and restored the old character of the building. We ripped the old kitchen out and built a new manufacturing space which we coined the “Quote Kitchen.” Even though we had to cram way too many people into our old 900 square-foot house, it was an incredibly cool place to work.

Eventually we realized that our passion was around gaming. At the end of each night we would lock up and hang around playing games like Wing Commander, when we first started, and eventually led to competitions playing games like Command & Conquer. We even had a trophy that we’d pass around to whoever was the C&C champion of the week. Over the years we built some lifelong friendships, and Voodoo has always been an inspiring place to work.

2. Where do you see computers in general in 10 years?

Computers are becoming a seamless part of our everyday lives. The word “computer” will be somewhat obsolete as we will eventually no longer go to a specific device to perform the tasks we need to perform. Our lives will be filled with devices that have some sort of processor inside, and rather than worrying about what they do, they will simply make our lives easier.

3. Do you believe that PCs still have a stronghold in the gaming industry with the introduction of products such as the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360?

Any time you get new consoles and new content coming to consoles, people always talk about the death of PC gaming and they do that prematurely. I don’t believe for one bit that PC gaming is in trouble. I think that it’s just changing. It’s not dying, it’s just changing. If you drill down the numbers PC gaming is actually growing. The genres and distribution model of the games is changing.

The other thing about PC gaming that’s changing is the need to create platforms that are stable and that just work. Lately it’s been to the point where companies have been launching new GPUs and new initiatives like multiple GPUs in a system without really factoring in the overall stability of the machine. That was a big blow to PC gaming, the lack of stability, especially after Vista, but now we’re starting to see a change for the better. Companies are starting to push back to ensure that new technologies being launched are stable and running up to our standards.

4. When and how did the collaboration between HP & Voodoo start?

In late 2004 we realized that there was a ceiling to our growth. More competitors started to jump into the space, and even though we felt we offered some advantages, we couldn’t ignore them. We reached a point where it became a challenge to innovate based on our volumes. Even though we were first to market with certain technologies, vendors would eventually make them available to everyone in order to facilitate volume. We could either follow our competition by going downstream and increasing our volume, or we needed to come up with another strategy to innovate. Thus it made sense for us to partner with a larger company.

Prior to partnering with HP, Voodoo had discussions with other companies, as well. But because HP is the only PC company with a true heritage of innovation, and because innovation has always been important to us at Voodoo, HP was our No. 1 choice. There’s no doubt that HP has embraced the Voodoo brand. It has given us the freedom to express ourselves and stay true to our roots.

We know that as time goes on the one thing that will bring value to shareholders of HP is innovation. I believe we play a significant role in the innovation at HP.

5. Is there anything that makes HP or Voodoo gaming products different from the rest on the market?

Since the beginning of the HP Voodoo acquisition, we have been crystal clear about our strategy: to bring together Voodoo’s first to market innovations and design with HP’s R&D to create the most exciting PCs ever. Even though the HP Blackbird 002 was launched in September of 2007, it is still a product beyond compare. This speaks volumes to the level of engineering and innovation that we put into the Blackbird, and HP’s commitment to excellence. What we offer is the perfect combination of performance, quality, and innovation.

6. Do you have any final thoughts on HP’s direction with VoodooDNA and future products?

Over the past few years we have experienced a few really big moments: joining the HP family, creating a start-up business within HP, launching Blackbird, and more recently introducing the Omen and Envy 133. Now, Voodoo products are no longer going to be stand-alone entities, but rather they have been welcomed into the greater HP catalog.

Ultimately, this means that Voodoo and Voodoo-influenced products will be easier to buy, faster to get, they will feature local service, and they will have the full power of HP’s marketing and sales channel behind them. The bottom line is we have ignited the brand and sparked big excitement; so we are now integrating our organizations to fuel our growth. We’re lucky to be part of an organization that appreciates everything we have built and accomplished so far.

The big challenge now is, how do we take the cool stuff we do, the innovation and engineering at HP, and combine it with the larger scale execution engines at HP to grow the Voodoo products globally, methodically, and meaningfully? Stay tuned for more.

We reviewed the Incase Slider Case for the first iPhone in April, and now we’re back to review the Slider Case for the iPod touch. It has the same great protection, but is redesigned for the thinner iPod touch.

Building on the success of the original Incase Slider Case, the Slider Case for iPod touch offers a sleek and ultra slim design, not adding too much bulk to the already thin iPod touch. Just like the Slider Case for iPhone, the case has rubber guardrails on the 1mm plastic walls for shock absorption on the inside, with a soft-touch or glossy finish on the outside.

The minimalist Incase design offers direct access to the display, headphone jack, sleep/wake button, and dock connector.

The case is available in black, white, red, orange, and rose for $35 from Incase and the Apple Store (retail and online).

Pros

• Same great protection as iPhone version.
• Available in both glossy and matte versions.

Cons

• None.

We’ve reviewed a fair share of EVDO modems over the years, from USB to PCMCIA versions. Most of them have been improved and redesigned to be more portable and compact, and that’s not stopping Sprint with the new Compass 597 USB EVDO modem.

Measuring in at only 1.2″ x 2.4″ x .4″ and weighing in at only .7 ounces, the Compass 597 modem is the smallest and lightest modem available, and it also includes the ability to store files on a microSD card, so it doubles as a USB flash drive. The Compass 597 supports both EV-DO Rev. 0 and Rev. A where available, so you always get the fastest speeds. For those EVDO nerds, there is also an antenna port for boosting your signal through the use of an external antenna (such as those from 3Gstore.com).

Personally, I’ve always loved EVDO modems, especially in places without ubiquitous Wi-Fi hotspots. Just pop it in and you’re good to go. Most of the latest EVDO modems also offer GPS functionality in addition to internet and email accessibility. No need to download drivers either, they’re built into the modem for both OS X and Windows operating systems, one of the coolest features by far.

We tested the Compass 597 modem in the Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area here in California, and received speeds ranging from around 800kbps to 1000kbps down and 500 to 750kbps up depending on our area and signal level.

The Sprint Compass 597 by Sierra Wireless is available from Sprint for $49.99 with $150 instant savings and a $50 internet rebate (with a 2-year agreement).

Pros

• Excellent reception.
• No CD required for driver installation.
• Lightweight and compact.

Cons

• No unlimited plan available from Sprint.