TiVo launches TiVo Mobile, a free Web site that allows owners of Series2 and Series3 TiVo boxes to schedule recordings remotely through m.tivo.com. The site, which is in beta mode, is available on any mobile phone with a browser. TiVo Mobile provides information on shows and actors and recommendations on new content or what's popular. TiVo users will also recognize the "If you like this... " tool which helps them find similar content. Prior to the release of TiVo Mobile, TiVo made a deal with Verizon Wireless to allow its users to do just that but for $1.99 a month. TiVo Mobile will only require data charges for users.

It has been rumored that Amazon’s Kindle 2 will go on sale 'early next quarter.' Based on rumors, it is slightly longer and not as thick as the original Kindle. Some of the button–related problems and bugs (such as pages turning on their own accord) have been fixed. The buttons and user interface definitely needed an overhaul -- and we hope that Amazon will add an audio reader for vision-impaired users or those who like audio books. Also scheduled for the first half of 2009 is a larger-screen student version. If you are not willing to wait, check out the Sony's PRS-700 Digital Reader. It's an interesting competitor to the Kindle. And for iPhone users, you must check out eReader.

The eBook reader is a device for those trying to slim down the size of their library, save a few trees, and be able to take tons of books with you when you're on the go. The PRS 505 is easy to use and has eight levels of gray scale that provides crisp and clear text, images, and graphics. This reader has the capacity to store up to 160 typical eBooks with expansion slots for Memory Stick Duo media or SD memory cards and a USB slot to make the device's library practically limitless. It also has an auto-sync feature that lets users set up folders with books and documents that can be automatically synchronized when the device is connected to a PC. Positives * Supports most formats without any conversion. The included software makes it easy to add books to either the main memory or one of the memory cards - simply drag and drop. * The screen displays clear text that is readable under the brightest of lights. It's quite easy on the eyes. * Supports MP3 playback while you are reading. * It's lightweight and doesn't put a strain on the body. * It has the capacity to store multiple bookmarks to keep your place ...

Last month Motorola announced the release of Aura as their latest luxury mobile phone on the 4th of Dec. The design of the Aura is based on the Motorola class v70 and v80 handset and a Rolex-like manufacturing process. Aura has a 16 million color, fully-circular LCD display, a 62 Carat lens crafted out of sapphire for scratch resistance, a stainless steel exterior with etched designs, a Swiss-manufactured bearing for the swivel, 700+ individual components, PVD coating (similar to high-end watches), and an all aluminum keypad. In terms of tech specifics, the Aura has the same ole stuff- Quad-band GSM/EDGE (No 3G), 2-megapixel camera, MPEG-4 video playback, MP3 and WMA decoding, Stereo Bluetooth, 2GB of internal storage, and an 810mAh battery. The total price for this stuff is at $1999. This watch looks slick, sexy and expensive. If you have upper-end taste and a top tier salary, the Aura might be your choice for X-mas.

If you are a XM radio fanatic, check out the Pioneer’s XMP3 model. It is the first radio that allows listeners to record up to five channels of XM radio simultaneously, and store up to 100 hours of programming. This portable handheld XM satellite radio/MP3/WMA player, lets you play back up to 8GB of your favorite MP3s and WMAs. The home accessories included: * cradle, * power adapter, * audio cable * internal memory for storage of up to 100 hours of XM programming, including individual songs and blocks of XM programming. For better audio reception, you need to use the XMP3's antenna placement option with its signal strength indicator. You can view the program guide on the screen by using the touch wheel. A great user enhancement! With the Pioneer XMp3 radio, your music never stops.

It has been eight years since an upgrade to the Unified Serial Bus (USB) specification -- but was it worth the wait? This new update of the USB will deliver greater power efficiency and the ability to recharge a wider variety of gadgets. Here's what you can expect: * Data transfers ten times faster than USB 2.0 and six times faster than FireWire 800 * A new interrupt driven protocol that optimizes power management * Power output bumps up to 900 milliamps from 100 milliamps -- meaning it allows more devices to be charged faster * Works with devices running the older USB 2.0 This superspeed rate of USB 3.0 makes data transfer more pervasive across devices than ever before. As a consumer, you should expect everything from keyboards, mouse, PDAs, printers, digital cameras, personal media players -- pretty much the entire spectrum of consumer electronics that can be connected to a host PC to be upgraded to this new standard. Don't expect USB 3.0 devices to show up until the end of 2009 or early 2010. However, you can get a glimpse into future devices sporting SuperSpeed USB as early as the annual Consumer Electronics Show in January 2009 -- and don't forget MEVIO will be covering ...

If a web newbie needs a webcam that is specifically designed for their notebook, check out the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks. It has a spring-loaded clip that clamps to most laptop screens. I found the integrated microphone to be quite good. The microphone performed well in terms of not picking up every sounds. Like the Quickcam Pro 9000, it includes an autofocus Carl Zeiss glass lens for very good image quality and a 2-megapixel image sensor that's capable of capturing video at resolutions of up to 960 x 720. The Webcam has a face-tracking feature that keeps your face in the center of the image. This QuickCam Pro did an adequate job in picking up lights. The installation was quite simple. I had a minor problem of securing Webcam to a laptop. I built my own camera clamp that worked better than theirs. Just like QuickCam Pro 9000, it is not optimized for use with Macs. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Now that Google Voice and Video chat is out. To the newbie, it is important to get a good Web Cam for their desktop PC. Based on my research and experience, the Logitech’s QuickCam Pro 9000 produces the best image quality of any webcam. It has the Carl Zeiss glass Tessar optical system that produces clearer images than other webcams. This Webcam is capable of capturing video at up to 1600 x 1200 and 30 frames per second for crisp, smooth transmissions. The bundled software package includes a variety of filters and video effects. The QuickCam Pro 9000 is Windows only; like most Vista-compatible Logitech webcams. Have not tested it with some late-model Mac computers. Rumors has it that none of the advanced features will work. I have seen the price of this unit range between $75- $100. The price sounds slightly steep. Overall, this unit produces the best video quality and more than justifies its higher price. I give it 4.0 out of 5 Stars

Google announced that it has added voice and video to its Gmail chat service. Google webmail differs from Yahoo's and Microsoft's product with its integrated instant messaging services. With video and audio chat built-in into Gmail together with regular text chat, it transforms Google's webmail platform into a central point of communications where users don't have to open various windows and applications simulataneously. Gmail video chat is almost universal, working with most browsers on both PCs and Macs. Gmail's new video and audio calling feature definitely sets Google's webmail service apart from the competition. Now a one-stop communications hub, Gmail will certainly become ever more popular among both email and avid chat users. While other upcoming (or delayed) features such as SMS Chat in Gmail will again raise the bar against competition, Google's Android-based mobile phones could also help increase Gmail's popularity.

If you are looking for a gift for the techie in your list, Best Buy has a pretty good one. They have a gift card that doubles as a speaker. If a Best Buy customer wants to pick up a gift card that is $50 or higher, he or she has the option of having one that serves as a miniature speaker. It comes with a 3.5mm jack that can connect to an iPod or other audio gadget, and will produce some excellent external sound. The cards -- available starting this week in $50, $100, or $200 values. It cost the same as any other regular gift card. You pay only the dollar value. One more thing, the cards do not expire or lose value over time. Is that cool? Not to be outdone, Target's also has a new digital camera gift card that anyone might like. The camera card offers 1.2 megapixel functionality with 8MB of on-board memory, It also includes its own USB cord and driver disk for computer connections. You even get a coupon for 40 free prints with it. The card operates on two replaceable AAA batteries. Totally Excellent!