Effective immediately, DBL will begin marketing SPOT-1 to customers nationwide. This state-of-the-art personal messenger with GPS tracking, once activated by a satellite subscription, will send the exact coordinates of your location to International Emergency Response Center or 9-1-1. If your exact coordinates cannot be obtained, the device will send a distress signal instead. Other excellent features include personal messaging capabilities that reaches out to friends and family to request for help or to let them know you are okay. In addition, SPOTcastingSM sends a message to your account every 10 minutes, allowing your friends and family to view your entire route through GoogleMapsTM. Designed for maximum reliability, Spot performs a self diagnostic test every time it is powered on. It works worldwide and even in the most remote areas where cell phone service is scarce.

“This new and innovative product and technology introduced by Spot has revolutionized the navigational market,” stated Tim Coakley, Senior Vice President of Merchandising for DBL Distributing. “Its tremendous versatility coupled with its unique functionality greatly appeals to customers within our navigational product segment.”

SPOT-1 was included in DBL’s new Spring/Summer catalog featuring nearly 520 product lines, 5,200 new items and over 20,600 products. To order SPOT-1, please call DBL’s dedicated sales staff at 800.733.6766 or order online at www.dbldistributing.com.

The new FreeLoader 8.0 Portable Solar Charger by Solar Technology is a smart looking, versatile device that charges a multitude of the latest mobile gadgets for free using Solar Energy. The FreeLoader 8.0 can charge devices such as; digital cameras, iPods, PDAs, PSPs and mobile phones, and even supports a direct connection to two of the most recent mobile gadgets available on the market, the iPhone and the iTouch.

Designed to sit comfortably alongside the latest fashionable gadgets with its futuristic looks and design, the Freeloader 8.0 is gadgetry eye candy. It is also conveniently mobile, boasting a durable casing for hard-core mobility and the ability to fold into a stylish minimal device that can easily be slipped into a pocket or handbag.

Extremely reliable and easy to use, the FreeLoader 8.0 Portable Solar Charger uses the latest in cutting edge solar technology to convert solar energy into electricity, making power readily available for a wealth of popular mobile devices. For example, the FreeLoader 8.0 boasts the ability to power an iPod for 18 hours, a mobile phone for 44 hours, a PSP for 2.5 hours and a PDA for 22 hours. And because the FreeLoader 8.0 can partner with such a wide variety of gadgets it also eliminates the need to carry country specific adaptors when travelling abroad, making it the ideal travel partner.

To ensure batteries never run flat, the Freeloader 8.0 can simultaneously charge its own internal battery which holds its charge for up to three months and features extra sensitive solar panels which are more much efficient at absorbing light in cloudy and dim conditions that the UK in particular is prone to.

The Freeloader 8.0 is available in both Hot Pink and Cool Aluminium Silver from www.solartechnology.co.uk and popular retail outlets. At only £29.99 everyone can afford an environmentally friendly way to charge their favourite hand-held gadgets and help to offset the carbon emissions that would otherwise have been created. Because working towards saving the planet, needn’t cost the earth.

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Universal Remote Control, Inc., the leader in control system design and manufacturing for home and professional entertainment systems, will introduce the next big step in the intelligent evolution of A/V control, the MX-980 Remote Control, at CEDIA EXPO ’07, beginning Sept. 6 in Denver, Colorado.

The MX-980 is a powerful wand-style custom control designed to advance the state of the art of Home Theater programming and integration. Achieving an apex of power, style and versatility, it enables professional installers to more quickly and efficiently customize and automate sophisticated Home Theaters and whole house A/V systems — while empowering their owners to handle them as naturally as a race car driver hugs the road.

Ideal for homes with one or more A/V systems, the MX-980 is as intuitive for installers to program as it is for users to operate. Its unique synergies automate and simplify operation of even the most complex home systems. Its many highlights include a big, bright color LCD display, an open programming architecture, Narrow Band RF capability, and seamless integration with other control devices.

The MX-980’s display shares the vibrant color capabilities of URC’s popular MX-3000 Remote Control with an active matrix LCD that offers a 320×240 pixel window to any graphic an installer would like to provide, including BMP, JPEG, PNG, GIF and animated GIF files, all of which can be assigned to any of eight adjacent activity buttons.

The MX-980 also integrates more strongly than other remotes with URC’s breakthrough MSC-400 Master System Controller. The MSC-400 flawlessly harnesses the power of sophisticated home entertainment systems to provide installers with options and advantages not otherwise available. It offers triggered macros, RS-232 and relay control, video and voltage sensors, and many more features — taming system complexity, while delivering unmatched flexibility, automation power, installation speed, and diagnostic capabilities.

With or without the MSC-400, the MX-980 is an exceptionally versatile remote that delivers automation solutions for every purpose as well as superior entertainment. Like the MX-3000, the MX-980 is programmable by any Windows-compatible laptop or desktop PC with a USB port. The port provides access to a vast array of custom solutions, available free of charge using URC’s proprietary Complete Control Suite programming software, available online at the URC Control Room.

WATCH and LISTEN buttons on the MX-980 display activities users can control. When a user wants to watch something else (a DVD, a videotape or an HDTV broadcast), he or she simply presses the WATCH button and selects the new activity. When a user wants to listen to the radio or a CD, he or she touches LISTEN. Then, with the press of the button, the MX-980 automates the entire routine of turning on components, selecting inputs and favorites, even resetting the lights to the optimum scene for the selected activity.

The MX-980’s unique OpenArchitecture PC Editor provides professional installers with new solutions to the age-old problem of automating a central system as well as local TVs, cable or satellite receivers, and even local surround systems in secondary rooms like bedrooms and offices. Using the MX-980, installers can simply select an appropriate solution for each equipment location.

In the central system, for example, the MX-980 can trigger sophisticated smart macros, RS232 and relay controls via a centrally installed MSC-400 Master Controller. At each local system location, the MX-980 addresses an RF Base Station, like URC’s new MRF-260, which extends the remote’s range to 50 to 100 feet, and eliminates the line-of-sight requirement. In any room with a projector, lighting switch or other IR-controlled device not connected to a central MSC-400 or local MRF, the MX-980’s built-in IR signal is effective at a range of 30 to 50 feet.

The MX-980 is packed with practical features for users as well as installers. These include a motion sensor that automatically turns on the display when the remote is picked up and refreshes when it’s moved, and automatic blue backlighting for all the buttons to ensure the remote can be used easily in dim or darkened rooms. A small integrated speaker optionally beeps in response to button pushes, indicating the MX-980 understands an instruction. A built-in time/date display, a low-battery alert, a rechargeable lithium ion battery, and a supplied USB programming cable further enhance its ease of use.

The MX-980 Remote Control will be available in September from authorized Universal Remote Control dealers at a suggested retail price of $599. It can be seen with URC’s other outstanding products in Booth 918, Colorado Convention Center, during CEDIA EXPO.

In Bill Gates last hurray project, Microsoft announced it’s $10,000 piece of furniture. Yup, ten big — huge — ones for a table! But this isn’t like any table you’ve seen before and it’s one you probably won’t want Uncle Fred putting his feet up on or Grammy’s tea set placed on the top of this table. What makes this table special is that it’s touch sensitive and much like the iPhone, it allows you to control everything on-screen with just your fingers and gestures…and even objects! The 30-inch display called Surface is a technical breakthrough without a doubt and is that very digital hub Steve Jobs keeps talking about! Irony on who has brought it to the world though, huh?

Microsoft describes Surface likes this:

Microsoft Surface puts people in control of their experiences with technology, making everyday tasks entertaining, enjoyable and efficient. Imagine ordering a beverage during a meal with just the tap of a finger. Imagine quickly browsing through music and dragging favorite songs onto a personal playlist by moving a finger across the screen. Imagine creating and sending a personal postcard of vacation pictures instantly to friends and family, while still wearing flip-flops.

Surface also features the ability to recognize physical objects that have identification tags similar to bar codes. This means that when a customer simply sets a wine glass on the surface of a table, a restaurant could provide them with information about the wine they’re ordering, pictures of the vineyard it came from and suggested food pairings tailored to that evening’s menu. The experience could become completely immersive, letting users access information on the wine-growing region and even look at recommended hotels and plan a trip without leaving the table.

Due to the high price tag, you’ll first see Surface in retail stores and entertainment venues. T-Mobile will use it to allow customers to place a phone on it and Surface will give instant details on the device, its available plans, and cost. Harrah’s Entertainment’s Las Vegas properties, such as Caesars Palace, will allow guests to order tickets to an Elton John concert, browse a menu, and check out the various stores within the Palace.

Bill Gates may have closed the chapter, and book, at Microsoft with an amazing story that might be told for many years to come. The question is, will it be a happy ending?

The one thing you’ll find in my collection of over 100,000 pictures is rather what you won’t find (mostly.) Me. When you’re the photographer, you’re always behind the lens and not in front of it. My wife often comments about how I need to be in more pictures but things never seem to work out that way for what ever reason. Having a DSLR, holding the camera out pointing back at myself is a bit difficult and not done all too often. So again, I’m absent from most of our photos. Well now with the Quik Pod, I can once again be in the photo. If you have a similar problem like me, then you, too are back in the game, mate.

One thing I really like about the Quik Pod is you don’t have to worry about asking someone to take your photo. One, it is a bit intruding and two, many people do not know how to use DSLRs. Further, no matter what the camera, many people have no idea how to properly crop and set the frame. (Sure, post production can fix this, but now you have an added step.) With the Quik Pod, no amateur worries will ill your photo memory.

With various other examples of how Quik Pod can better your picture taking, like holding your camera above crowds at May Day riots in LA, Quik Pod’s web site has a great wealth of example shots. For fun, see if you can figure out what’s wrong with this one.

Digital Foci, Inc. www.digitalfoci.com announced today their Mother’s Day Promotion for their award-winning Image Moments 8” digital photo frame. The perfect Mother’s Day Gift, customers will receive a FREE Gold or Silver interchangeable frame (a $20 value) for a limited time when they purchase an Image Moments digital photo frame.

Priced at $199, the Image Moments digital photo frame comes with a Standard Black Frame that matches perfectly with living room or office décor. To celebrate Mother’s Day, from now until May 13th, Digital Foci is offering a free Gold or Silver interchangeable frame with any Image Moments digital photo frame purchase. In addition to the free frame, customers can also receive another Gold or Silver frame for just $10 more. In addition, there are 10 other different frame styles to choose from Digital Foci’s frame selection, sold separately at $19.95 each.

This Mother’s Day, give your mom a Digital Foci Image Moments digital photo frame and let her display, share, and re-live her precious memories at home or at the office on a selection of beautiful interchangeable picture frames. Just insert any digital camera card into Image Moments and memories will instantly come to life in sharp, vibrant color on its big 8-inch high-resolution digital LCD screen.

The handy “Slideshow Mode” lets your mom automatically scroll through her photo collections. MP3 music soundtracks and MPEG video can be also added for more creative options to personalize her experience. Slideshow intervals and transitions can be changed with a touch of the included remote control. The frame also includes an automatic on/off timer, which can be set to activate or turn off Image Moments according to her schedule.

With its built-in memory card slots, Image Moments can display photos directly from digital camera memory cards without a computer or subscription. Image Moments reads from virtually all cards, including CompactFlash I/II, MD, MMC, SD Card, Memory Stick, MS PRO, miniSD, MS Duo, and xD-Picture Card (Standard & H-Type).

For more details, go to: http://www.digitalfoci.com/mother_day_special.html and http://www.digitalfoci.com/image_moments.html

I saw Roadmaster USA’s scrolling message systems at CES in January. The license plate frame one was interesting, but this rear deck version is much more usable. With a larger display and an easier wire job, you’ll be sending drivers messages in no time. The Roadmaster Scrolling Digital License Plate Frame (Model RLPF100) and Scrolling Rear Deck Message System (Model RRDS100) both retail for $69 and both allow for personal messages to be entered. A great way to advertise a business on the go for sure. If you don’t have any insight (or you’re too lazy to key in the message), you can pick from one of 99 pre-set words and phrases such as, “Help me,” “Slow down,” “Turning left,” “Your lights aren’t working,” “Baby on Board”.

I can see this getting pretty rude and adding to road rage but at the same time, I do see a good value in this if you have a business. I could also be fun to see if people are paying attention by putting in your cell number and see if they call you.

DXG USA announced today the new DXG-Roadster all-in-one Personal Media Center that lets you take your entertainment on the road wherever you go. The DXG-Roadster (Model DXG-521) is the only device you’ll ever need to capture precious memories and keep you entertained while traveling. The Roadster is a combination 5 Megapixel digital and video camera, video game and music player with FM radio, voice recorder and storage device, with 32MB of internal storage and an SD slot for additional memory.

Instead of being bored on a plane, waiting at the doctor’s office, at your kid’s soccer practice, or at the Department of Motor Vehicles, why not entertain yourself while waiting? The DXG-Roadster lets you listen to your complete collection of MP3s and videos anywhere you go. You can record TV shows and movies ahead of time directly from any video source via the included AV cable and then watch your favorite “American Idol,” “Desperate Housewives” TV shows, or NBA basketball games on the 2.5” bright TFT LCD screen.

As featured in the March 12, 2007 issue of Life & Style Weekly, the Roadster is the ultimate in design and functionality. Geared towards kids, teens, and young parents, where style, price, and usability are most important, the DXG-Roadster is popular for its price-performance ratio and the multiple features available in one easy-to-tote compact package. Not only can you store and watch your entire media collection of music, videos, and photos wherever you go, you’ll also never miss another once-in-a-lifetime photo-op with the Roadster’s 5 Megapixel camera and camcorder. Also, if you remember something important while on the road, you can record a reminder on the spot with the included digital voice recorder.

“Are we there yet?” How many times do parents have to hear this on a family trip? With the DXG-Roadster, kids can now enjoy their OWN entertainment. The DXG-Roadster features 4 pre-stored popular video games, such as Tetris, Boxman, and Gobang, and is shaped like the familiar Sony PSP™. And since the device is lower cost than competing products, you won’t be as worried about sticky fingers playing with it.

“No other product offers the amount of features at such a low price,” said Paul Goldberg, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, DXG USA. “The DXG-Roadster is a one-of-its-kind mobile experience at a user-friendly price.”

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Sometimes, all we need to make our tears go away (or make them start running) is a good, hearty laugh. Comedian Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling has released a new line of simply hilarious electronic joke products, through Excalibur Electronics. You are sure to get a kick out of this comedian’s new toys. Supposedly “A laugh a day keeps the doctor away” and The Joke Man is sure to keep you nice and healthy with his new laugh tools.

First up is the GrossMaster. This machine is designed for pretty much any age and provides hours of gross fun for everyone. It features over 50 of G-rated gross kid jokes, songs, and of course, who could ever forget, sound effects. Hit the nose to start the fun, if you want a joke repeated hit the right eye, hit the left eye to continue with the gross out fun. GrossMaster can be purchased at the Discover Channel Store for $19.95.

Also available is the Mini JokeMaster Jr. This is the pocket version of the original, designed with the 4-12 age group in mind. This little guy has 45 jokes, knock-knocks, riddles, you name it. It’s nose will light up when it spits out a new joke and if you like it enough, you can repeat it with the repeat button. Also included is adjustable volume and an off/on switch that can help preserve your battery. The Mini comes in either blue for little guys, or pink for little girls and can be purchased at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for about $9.95. The original JokeMaster Jr. (not the mini) is basically the full size version, designed for ages 6-12. It has a little higher price tag at $24.95.

I personally have never been a huge fan of math. Jackie has realized that this is true for some people, so he has now released the Talking Comedy Calculator. It is your everyday desktop calculator, but hit a button and the jokes start coming. Keep your favorite of the nearly 200 jokes on this device handy by saving them. It also includes a built in alarm clock with time and date display. I know some people that would never get their math homework done if they had one of these to play with. The current price for this baby is $29.95.

With over 1200 jokes, the JokeMaster Jr. 2 will provide you with many many laughs guaranteed. It is a handheld device with over 30 categories of jokes ranging from lawyers to rednecks, one-liners to kids-at-heart jokes, and many more. Another neat feature is the ability to rate the jokes based on you and your freinds’ reactions. It comes with a carrying case to help keep it protected and the going price is $29.95.

So if you want some laughs or are looking for a good birthday present, check out Jackie “The Joke Man’s” new products, it may be just what you needed.