Hard-drive-based players

This type of player is the Rolls-Royce of the MP3 world.  It has a large storage capacity of 20GB or higher; the hard-drive-based player can hold just about every song you have ever heard.  The 80GB Apple iPod, for instance, can hold up to 23,000 songs.  All of that storage comes at a price; these players are larger and heavier than most other MP3 players on the market.  The hard drive on these players is considered a moving part; any sudden blow or impact to the player can cause irreversible damage.  If you want to listen to music while you exercise, this is not the player for you.  The player’s lithium-ion rechargeable battery may stop working after two or three years.  Without a battery, the player will not work; unfortunately, you will need to pay to have an expert replace the battery, a repair that could cost as much as $100. 

Micro hard-drive-based players

This type of MP3 player combines the storage capabilities of a hard-drive-based player with the compactness of a flash player.  These players use a miniature hard drive with a storage capacity of 12GB or more.  You can still store hundreds, if not thousands, of songs on a micro hard-drive-based player.  Yet its small hard drive gives the player a compact design.  The player is quite light, but you should never use it while exercising.  The hard drive is a moving part, and it can be damaged quite easily if the player is shaken or jolted around.  Flash-based players are gradually replacing this type of player, but determined shoppers can still find one or two models in stores.

Flash-based players

Flash-based players are fixtures in gyms and health clubs everywhere.  Since this type of player has no moving parts, it is ideal for athletes – no amount of running or jumping can damage the player.  The small size of a flash player makes it easy to carry.  Some have a built-in clip; if not, you might want to invest in a jogging kit that allows you to carry it on your arm or your shirt.  Some flash players use AA or AAA batteries, while others use an internal rechargeable battery.  The player recharges its battery while synced with your computer – no additional adaptors are required.  Batteries in a flash player typically last longer than those in a hard-drive-based player.  The storage capacity on a flash player ranges from 32MB to 8GB.  This is the main drawback of a flash player; where the hard-drive-based player can store thousands of songs, a flash player can typically only store a few hundred.  Its small size can also be a detriment to some, since tiny buttons and screens can be hard to use.

Before you buy any MP3 player, consider the source of your music.  If you download songs from an online store, be warned that not all MP3 players can play music from all stores.  For instance, iPod players play music from the iTunes store, while Zune players play songs from Zune MarketPlace.  Before purchasing that MP3 player, browse through the online music stores to find a site you like.  Then buy the player that is compatible with that site.  If you download your music from CD, don’t worry – all players are compatible with the types of music files stored on CDs.  To get the most music for your money, consider subscribing to a music service.  With a music service, you rent songs instead of purchasing them.  Once you pay the low monthly subscription fee, you will have access to thousands of songs.

Technology is constantly changing.  In a never-ending show of one-upmanship, MP3 manufacturers are reinventing the MP3 design.  Sound quality has improved significantly over the past few years, and it will continue to do so in the years to come.  And new features are continuously being added.  While these advancements in technology are great, they can be bad for your checkbook.  The MP3 player you buy today will seem ancient in a year’s time.  And in 10 years time, the MP3 player will no doubt be replaced by the newest in portable music devices.  So enjoy your player while you can – the next invention is waiting in the wings.

By Amy White

Most TV advertisements will flaunt 1080p as if that is the latest and greatest technology available. And it is – the question remains, do you need it and how much does it cost. Like many questions about technology, the answer is, it depends. First, the cost, depending on screen size and plasma vs. LCD, you can spend any where from a few hundred to over $1000 to get 1080p instead of 720p. In the smaller sets, the difference is less, but you may have a hard time finding 1080p in anything less than 32”. The reason for this is, the image is already compressed, so the extra lines of information become irrelevant. Even with sets that are 50 inches and smaller, you will have a hard time seeing a significant difference in image quality.

Next is the question of whether the extra money is worth it. This all depends on the sort of input you are going to be connecting to the TV. If you are going to be using a Blu-Ray DVD player and/or a Playstation 3, then yes, by all means, get the 1080p. This will take full advantage of the high definition available on these devices. Also, if you are going to use the TV as a monitor for a computer, then you definitely want the 1080p. Due to the high resolution required by computers, anything less will give you a fuzzy picture with jagged letters.

However, if you are just going to be watching television from cable or satellite, the extra cost for 1080p is a total waste of money. No broadcast television, regardless of set top box, or claims of High-Def are using anything higher than 720p. This is mainly due to bandwidth. There simply isn’t enough room in the pipeline for the extra data needed to produce 1080p pictures across the channels.

So the bottom line is this. If you are going to be buying a really big screen, and you will be using a true high definition input, such as a Blu-Ray or computer, then buy all means go for the 1080p. Otherwise, stick with 720p and save your money for something else.

By Darryl Brooks

Netbooks can be used just about anywhere. These small laptop computers are a good, inexpensive alternative for anyone who just needs something for e-mailing and web browsing. However, the gigabit Ethernet these Netbooks employ does not offer users the fastest browsing experience.

In any case, because these small laptop computers offer the basics which everyone is looking for, and because their compact size means they are easy to carry, Netbooks are actually useful across a wider group of consumers who don’t require or want the same amount or kind of features that a desktop or standard laptop computer offers.

As long as the potential users of these small laptop computers can put up with limited computer functions and low operating power, they should be greatly pleased with the selling price, which can run from about $330.00, for Linux-based Acer Netbooks, to upwards of $700.00 for models sold by HP, depending on miscellaneous features, operating system, and power levels.

The stronger the Netbook’s battery (lower-end models have 3-cell batteries, while more expensive models come with 6-cell batteries), the more one will have to pay for one of these small laptop computers.

But in spite of the convenience and low cost of these small laptop computers, they do have a couple of significant drawbacks. Netbook keyboards sometimes only give the user 80 percent of standard keyboard size –  great for a small child, but too constraining, or even uncomfortable for most adults.

Also, small laptop computers offer images on their 9- to 10-inch screens that are not as sharp as those one might find with, say, a 17-inch desktop screen, or even on a standard laptop screen. Indeed, an adult who has vision problems might find it especially difficult and fatiguing to look at screens on small laptop computers over an extended period of time, which could seriously cut down on productivity.

It is possible to connect these new small laptop computers to a desktop monitor, but that would certainly amount to an inconvenience, and the whole idea behind creating these small laptop computers is that they are extremely easy to use and convenient for users.

It is too early to tell whether the use of small laptop computers will eventually take off. There is usually room for improvement with any brand-new product, and the fact is that Netbooks, at this early stage, have been criticized for offering the public a lack of truly innovative technology. As such, innovations and improvements on these small laptop computers might ultimately make them more saleable.

Lately, technology seems to be evolving at such a breakneck pace that it can be nearly impossible to stay up-to-date on all of the latest gadgets and advancements.  Certain new products, however, are so revolutionary that they build up a buzz that makes them into household words.  In the past few years, Apple has had a few different products that fit into this framework.  The iPod, for example, hit the scene in the late 1990’s and revolutionized the way that people listen to, and think about, music. 

Apple’s newest franchise, the iPhone, is having a very similar effect on the marketplace and on consumers.  The iPhone is the quintessential example of a new piece of technology that has already proliferated itself so well that almost any person that you speak with knows at least the basic information about it.

Why?  Well, in short, the iPhone is such big news because it represents the integration of several technological advances that were once the stuff of science fiction.  It’s touch screen, for instance, is completely unique and is amazing.  The screen reacts to human touch and allows users to navigate the iPhone in a seamless, intuitive way.  Also, the accuracy and effectiveness of the touch screen far outperforms previous touch screen applications.

As if the touch screen were not enough by itself, the iPhone also allows for a shocking amount of data storage in a handheld cellular device.  The standard version of the iPhone includes an astonishing 8 gigs of memory, which is astounding considering the fact that high-end computers from around the mid-1990’s didn’t include as much memory.  Of course, the iPhone doesn’t include nearly as much memory as its sister product, the iPod, but new versions that Apple has promised are supposed to include a great deal more memory.

Finally, the iPhone’s biggest advantage is its revolutionary integration of so many different portable products.  This is, truly, a remarkable advancement in the way that human beings live and work.  Within the framework of the iPhone, one can access the internet, make phone calls, take pictures, record video, listen to music, watch videos, keep their calendar, and accomplish any number of other tasks.  That list of things the iPhone can do replaces all of these single items:  cell phones, laptops, cameras, camcorders, mp3 players, PDA’s, portable DVD players, and many other items.  When you really think about how much you can do with the iPhone, especially in comparison to how many of those things were completely impossible only a decade ago, it’s really quite stunning.

In the end, then, that’s really why Apple and the iPhone are leading the charge into the smart phone market.  The fact of the matter is that Apple has a great nose for what I’ll refer to as “cool factor.”  They, as a company, seem to understand what will make potential consumers think, “That’s a really cool product that I need.”  That, of course, is the true key to marketing.  And, with all the hype that’s built up around the iPhone, combined with the fact that Apple will doubtlessly be coming out with many new-and-improved versions on a consistent basis, it’s probably safe to assume that the Apple iPhone will continue to be the forerunner in the brave new world of smart phone technology.

Come see the Model S in New York City 

If you live in greater New York or plan to visit soon, you’re in luck: The Model S will be on display Thursday, April 30 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Friday, May 1 (noon to 9 p.m.) at The Plaza Hotel, 5th Avenue at Central Park South, New York, NY 10019. This is a rare opportunity for the general public to get up close and personal with the Model S, the all-electric family sedan that carries up to seven people and travels up to 300 miles per charge. 

Tesla sales representatives will be at The Plaza Hotel to answer questions and take reservations. Eventually we will have a Model S in all of our showrooms and at major auto shows. In the upcoming months, we’ll bring the Model S to Chicago, Seattle, Miami and Washington as we prepare to open regional sales and service centers in those locations. Keep reading these newsletters for details.

Model S to appear on Late Show with David Letterman

The Model S has gotten incredible buzz since its launch on March 26, when it was featured on blogs, in newspapers and on TV newscasts worldwide. On April 29, the Model S will make another historic debut: It’s expected to be the first fully drivable car to appear on Late Show with David Letterman.

Conventional cars and hybrids, which produce CO2 emissions, are not allowed in drivable form on the Late Show set due to strict emission regulations. The prohibition of internal combustion engine cars is an ironic twist, seeing as Dave is a passionate car enthusiast who loves to wax about his favorite vehicles – but hey, it’s a great opportunity for the Model S. I’ll be on the show along with the car, and I am looking forward to a lively conversation with Dave, a fellow sports car aficionado and Tesla fan. Please tune in on your local affiliate station to see this historic event.

EPA finding could lead to more EV incentives

On April 17, the Environmental Protection Agency declared that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions were “dangerous pollutants” producing toxic effects on human health. The landmark finding is likely to put even more pressure on Congress to pass legislation limiting greenhouse gas emissions. This is a huge victory for scientists and environmentalists seeking to slow the pace of global warming. It’s expected to trigger more state and federal regulations on gas guzzlers and pave the way for additional incentives on pure electric vehicles, which produce zero tailpipe emissions.

Earlier this decade, the Bush administration opposed putting mandatory limits on many greenhouse gases. Back then, some politicians engaged in the specious argument that tough environmental regulations would hurt businesses. But it’s becoming increasingly clear that the most successful 21st century companies – from photovoltaic panel manufacturers to electric vehicle makers — will improve the environment *and* the economy.

In fact, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said that greenhouse gases posed “a serious problem now and for future generations.” Despite that ominous warning, she had an upbeat call to action: “This pollution problem has a solution — one that will create millions of green jobs and end our country’s dependence on foreign oil,” she said.

We couldn’t agree more. Many Tesla customers are died-in-the-wool sports car enthusiasts, attracted to the Roadster’s eye-catching design and scorching acceleration. But equal numbers of early adopters buy the Roadster because they see it as their social responsibility. They are proud to support a company whose goal is to develop more and more affordable cars – a model automaker that’s democratizing EVs. This is a stark contrast to car companies whose revenue goes toward cranking out yet more gas guzzlers.

In the past year, the auto industry has come to a clear consensus: The future is electric. Every mainstream automaker is working on hybrid or electric concept cars, prototypes or limited-production fleets. But Tesla remains the only production automaker selling a highway-capable EV in North America and Europe. We are relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs so that more and more consumers can experience these incredible vehicles.

California regulation reduces carbon in fuel

Less than a week after the EPA’s seminal finding, California approved the world’s first regulation to minimize the amount of carbon in fuel. The rule puts the Golden State on the cutting edge of promoting alternative fuels and alternative-fuel vehicles — and it came at the same time that the world’s “most complete” EV charging station opened at a mall in suburban Sacramento.

The regulation, which will be phased in starting Jan. 1, seeks to slash 16 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year and return California emissions to 1990 levels. The standard is expected to serve as a template for a national policy advocated by President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress.

According to the rule, the California Air Resources Board will use fuel consumption in 2010 as a baseline for 2020. To meet the reduced targets, petroleum producers must use alternative fuels — including electricity and biofuels — for personal transportation. The ruling could widen the cost advantage that electricity already commands over gasoline, giving consumers even more of a financial incentive to buy an EV.

The price advantage of electricity over petroleum is already considerable. Gasoline would have to be less than $1 per gallon for the pure electric Roadster to as cheap to refuel as a comparable gasoline-consuming sports car. But consider a likely future scenario with the Model S, which has an anticipated base price of $49,900 after a US federal tax credit. If you assume that gasoline costs $4.25 per gallon – the same as it was last summer, and a screaming bargain right now in Europe — the Model S is equivalent to a gas guzzler with a sticker price of about $35,000. Importantly, those savings are realized immediately if you lease a Model S, so there is no need to wait years to earn back the price difference.

Model S: More than 900 reservations so far

Given the cost advantages, it might not come as a surprise that we’ve received about 900 reservations for the Model S. The surge of reservations online and at showrooms in California proves without a doubt that there’s pent-up demand for a car that doesn’t compromise on performance, utility or efficiency.

The Model S does 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and will have an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. A 17-inch touchscreen with in-car 3G connectivity means you can listen to Pandora Radio or consult Google Maps, or check the car’s state of charge remotely on your iPhone. The Model S can be recharged from any 120V, 208V or 240V outlet or quick-charged from an external direct current supply in only 45 minutes.

Tesla also is taking reservations for the Model S Signature Edition with a $40,000 reservation fee, which is refundable. Tesla will produce only 2,000 Signature Edition cars, which will be the first built and have unique interior and exterior features. Signature Edition cars will be evenly split between US and European customers.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see some of you in New York later this week.

Elon Musk

But why the switch? As technology has moved forward, we’ve discovered more efficient ways to use the radio frequencies (RF) that analog television depends on. After the switch, television will be using less RF bandwidth and transmitting more information. More shows, more music, more entertainment, and of course, more commercials. Digital broadcasts are less prone to noise and static, and the digital signal carries much higher resolution for HD displays to take advantage of. The bandwidth that’s released by the conversion will be re-targeted and assigned to other uses by the FCC after the cutover.
 
Generally it’s explained that you will be affected if you have an analog television now (probably so, if your television is older than a couple of years) and use an antenna to pick up locally broadcast programming. If you are currently using a cable box or satellite box, the changeover won’t affect you directly unless you decide to unhook that cable/satellite tuner and attempt to tune in broadcast channels. This is the part that most people need to understand – if you are a cable or satellite subscriber, you don’t have to do anything. You won’t even notice that the switch has happened unless you disconnect your television and try to tune in broadcast channels.
 
Remember to think about all the televisions you own. Maybe you’ve got cable in the living room and bedroom, but you’ve got a TV in the shop or garage for Sunday Football that’s using an antenna. Those televisions will have to be converted or connected (to cable), or you’re going to miss Monday Night Football. The little box under the kitchen cabinet? Same thing – no more cooking shows until you convert or connect.
 
If you find yourself among those affected directly by the changeover, there are three options. You can buy a new digital television, you can buy a converter box, or you can become a cable or satellite subscriber or extend your current cable or satellite connection to the other televisions.
 
You can obtain a coupon (up to two per household) for $40 from the government that can be used towards the purchase of a converter box. It’s very important to note that they expire 90 days after they are issued, so make sure you don’t apply for them very far in advance of your own need! The coupons aren’t restricted based on income, and you can only use one per converter box. The converter box goes between your television and its antenna and allows you to tune in digital broadcasts, although only at the standard resolution of your analog television. You’ll still have access to the expanded content provided by the digital changeover, though.

A new digital television is another option, one that offers you an enhanced viewing experience, bringing you clearer, higher resolution images and better sound than the analog format provides, along with the additional content. This can be expensive, but doesn’t have to be if you aren’t looking for a particularly large screen. Most digital televisions sold today are LCD, but nearly any TV that is HDTV ready is digital, whether they’re plasma, CRT, or DLP. Make sure you ask your salesperson, just to be safe; some, fairly rare, older HDTV systems are still analog.
 
The final choice is one most of us are familiar with. You can add a television to your cable or satellite plan, but most providers require you to purchase or rent another “box” (the tuner) from them. This can seem like a waste if you don’t use the television often, so consider the long term cost carefully. In some cases you can pay for a new, small, digital television for the cost of the cable/satellite tuner! And the converter box will almost certainly be less expensive – make sure and add up the cost before you commit.

Now you know what you need to know to make an informed decision on how to deal with the DTV changeover, and you know when it’s coming. All that’s left is adding up the cost and making the final decision. Add up the numbers and get ready to join the digital television revolution!