Mindjet recently launched MindManager 8, a software app that enables you to map your ideas and information visually, starting with a central topic surrounded by subtopics arranged on lines, or "branches." Creating new topics and subtopics is as simple as hitting the Enter or Insert key. Following are the new features in MindManager 8: * Transforms Mind Manger’s mindmaps into fully interactive Adobe PDFs or Flash .SWF files; * Enables the user to view Web pages and PDF documents without leaving MindManager; * Enables the user to view and edit attached Microsoft Word, Excel, Project and PowerPoint files from within MindManager's embedded browser, eliminating the need to exit the map and launch a separate application; * Enables the user to execute Google and Yahoo! searches from inside the Mind Manger’s mindmaps; * Enables the user to search for contents within MindManager-created maps by using many popular desktop search applications; * Enables the user to create automated task management scripts for project management tasks; and * Enables the user to access real-time information from spreadsheets and popular databases into a Mind Manager mind map. While the Mind Manger 8 is immediately available in English and German, the French and Japanese versions will be available in early 2009. I have used ...

If you are operating a small business from your home or office and use a great deal of wireless gear, check out the D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router. Expert reviews tell me that the D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router is at or near the top on most performance tests and it excels in mixed networks. The tests point out that this router delivers up to 14x faster speeds* and 6x farther range* than 802.11g This router is also backward compatible with the 802.11g standard. What I like about this router is that it can be used for streaming HD video or streaming multiple applications simultaneously and doesn’t conflict with other wireless devices. This device also has dual active firewall protection (SPI & NAT) that prevents malicious attacks on networks from the Internet. The only negative point about this router is that the USB ports don't support storage or print sharing. Overall, it is slightly expensive compared to other routers. But you want the best overall wireless router. You need to pay for it.

If you are a cyber car racer who loves to feel everything with ultra-realistic force-feedback effects, the Logitech MOMO Racing Force Feedback Wheel is the gaming implement that you need. What makes this racing car wheel unique is that it gives the user the proper feel of a professional car racing. It starts with the hand-stitched leather wheel designed by MOMO, one of the world's leading designers of automotive racing accessories. This top-rated racing wheel comes with six programmable buttons, two aluminum floor pedals, a shifter knob and two paddle shifters. It has force feedback on the 10-inch wheel. As soon as you get this Logitech racing wheel, you can go racing immediately. Why? It comes with pre-configured button maps for hundreds of popular PC games. The wheel also remembers your settings for different games, so your profile is saved for the next time you play. Expert reviews state that the Logitech’s MOMO Racing Force Feedback Wheel gives a realistic racing experience. If you are a serious racer, check it out.

A can opener in a tech blog? Yes, this one grabbed our attention. If you are looking for an electric can opener that does a perfect job in cutting the lid along the side of the can under the beaded lip, this Hamilton Beach model is the one. The design of the Hamilton Beach 76606 Pop-Top Electric Can Opener enables one to cut lids that have pull ring tabs and does not leave any metal shavings. When operating it, wedge the can between the two rotating discs. Push vertically down on the lever to grip the can. Assert the lever with a little more force to rotate and cut the can. Hold the lever down throughout the operation for less than 10 seconds, is well worth the outcome of an open can. Once it is opened, the device does not automatically shut off. A quite minor glitch. Other than that, the process is smooth and quiet, no absurd quirks. Another plus for this can opener is that its leaves the lid and the can with no sharp edges. The bottom line is your fingers are saved. The measures for this gadget are approximately 5 by 4 by 9 inches. It also ...

If you need a tool with hardware-based encryption that protects your data, online passwords, and Internet privacy, check out IronKey 4 GB secure hardware-encrypted flash drive. With this specialized flash drive, you can safely carry your digital files with you wherever you travel. You can privately surf the Web through almost any network--even across unsecured wireless hotspots. Although it employs advanced military-grade security, the Iron Key is easy to use and requires only a password to unlock it. You can manage all of your online accounts and passwords in one place with direct access and protection against keystroke-logging spyware and other online threats. The IronKey Cryptochip uses hardware-based encryption, which is faster, more secure, and easier to use (no software or drivers to install) than software-based encryption. If Cryptochip detects any physical tampering by a thief, it will self-destruct. Also, if your IronKey is ever lost or stolen, you can easily restore your lost data and passwords to a new IronKey. Love that feature. The IronKey is optimized for speed and designed to be waterproof and tamperproof. The size of the drive determines the price. In summary, The Iron Key is advertised as “the world’s most secure flash drive”. Expert reviews declared ...

If you're a fan of sports games or action games, reviews say that the Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 vibration feedback gamepad is the best basic game controller for PC gaming. Both expert reviewers and owners, praised the Logitech gamepad for its comfortable ergonomics. It is quite light and highly customizable. It is PC and Mac compatible. The Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 looks very much like a typical PS 2 console controller. It has ten programmable buttons, which allows maximum play control for each game. The receiver has a range of up to 30 feet, which means that even if you manage to get out of your chair, you can keep playing until you're finally out of range. This feature is what divides the Rumblepad from other gamepads. In my case, I prefer to stand instead of sitting. Overall, the Rumblepad 2 is comfortable, light and good quality construction. It is highly customizable and the wireless connectivity is A1. I give it a 4.9 stars out of 5.0 stars.

LiteOn IT, a well-know maker of optical storage solutions for PCs, announced the release of their first consumer electronics product Skyla's Memoir Scanning Digital Photo Frame. The Memoir is a 8-inch frame/scanner that scans prints of up to 4 by 6 inches in size and store the digitized images in its 1 gigabyte of internal memory. Images are scanned at resolutions of up to 600 dpi for playback on the frame’s 800×600 pixel screen. This device isn’t just for photos, it also play back digital video as well as MP3 audio files, Motion JPEG, MPEG1, and MPEG4 files. The Memoir is geared with a 5-in-1 memory card reader for digital camera cards and two USB ports that enable you to back up scanned photos to a PC or other USB-based device. (I always prefer to review my digital photos from a PC.) It also features a calendar, and a alarm clock with picture slideshows. Overall, you can operate this Memoir with ease. This device will be available for $220 in late December, just in time to display all of those holiday photos.

Some of you might know that I am a big user of USB flash drives and portable hard drives. If you are looking for a high-performance USB drive, look at the Corsair Flash Survivor GT. It is a Windows-compatible only USB drive. The Corsair Flash Survivor GT is supposed to be the fastest USB drive in the market. It includes software that lets you create a password-protected hidden partition for your secret data. From multiple reviews, it has been documented that the Survivor survived the following tests: the “smash and bash” test, the “boiling” test, the freezing” test, the “machine washing and drying” test and the “driven over by vehicles “test. I guessed it is designed for road warriors who might be caught in military situations or need some data security. Check out Corsair Flash Survivor GT 8GB. In most cases, it will probably out last you. You can get it in the price range of $30- $45. I give it a 4.9 Stars out of 5 Stars.

If you are looking for a different type of role-playing game that has an above-average story, check out the Bethesda Softworks’s Fallout 3 game. Here is the quick summation of the game: In the year 2077, nuclear war destroyed most of the game’s world and forced a segment of the human race (well, the lucky ones anyway) underground to live out their days in massive Vaults that could protect them from the radiation-spawned terrors lurking outside in the Wasteland. One day, your dad disappeared and leaves the vault. Now you are forced to venture out into the Wasteland around Washington D.C. to find him. The rest is obvious. The Positives: The mission design and the design of the whole wasteland is superb. It is a open world with tons of places and things to explore. While there are nice sound tracks and music, the storyline was good. I thought the user interface was superb. The Negatives: I cannot stand the VATS slow motion. Nor can I stand the part of the game where making choices wont affect the whole game too much. Unlike Fallout1 &2, the player has to face the consequences for ...

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 is the company's first Windows Mobile device that features a interactive panel interface that allows for an extra level of device customization. The Xperia X1 price of $799.99 is targeted toward high-end users who want a premium phone. This smartphone will be available unlocked through Sony Style stores. The Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 has a slide-out keyboard that is quite compact. It is 4.4 inches tall by 2.1 inches wide by 0.7 inch deep and 5.6 ounces. On the left spine, you'll find a mini USB port while the right side holds a volume rocker and a camera activation/capture button. The smartphone is also geared with a 3.5mm headphone jack. A minor but nice feature to have. Sony Ericsson did a really nice job with the hardware. The X1 has a nice, solid construction and sleek design. The phone is available in two colors: silver or black. The Xperia X1 features a 3-inch touch screen that displays 65,536 colors at an 800x480-pixel resolution. With such a sharp resolution, images and text looked crisp, and colors were vibrant. The highlight of the Xperia X1 is the interactive panel interface. Basically, you can choose from nine panels and depending on whether you're ...