Hey, here’s an idea: if you have an extra seven hundred dollars laying around (US, that is - I guess that’s closer to eight hundred for us Canucks), why not buy the newest smart phone from Nokia? That’s right, their newest offering, the Nokia N97, is highly expensive!

So of course you’re thinking: what does this glorious new phone offer for such a steep price tag? Well, prepare to be disappointed. I mean, sure it has all of the things you would expect to find in a top of the line smartphone: a touchscreen display, a large amount of memory (thirty two gigs), and nice keyboard (full QWERTY), but there’s nothing so new and innovative to explain why Nokia thinks that consumers will be willing to pay the large price tag. While I’m sure it’s a serviceable smartphone, I’m calling a flop for the Finnish phone giant on this one.

I have to say that I am pretty excited today after hearing that one of my favorite video game series is coming out with a new installment. What’s more is that for the first time the series will be available on the Xbox, so I won’t have to dust off my ps3 (sorry PS3, I just generally find Xbox games more user friendly). So which game am I talking about? Metal Gear Solid, baby! That’s right a new Metal Gear Solid game was announced today at the E3 gaming conference!

What’s cool about this new game, besides it being available for the Xbox 360, is that instead of taking the role of Snake (the hero of the last couple of MSG games), the main character is going to be Raiden the ninja, who was the star of the second MGS game. The new console game is going to be called “Metal Gear Solid Rising”.

If you own or know somebody who owns a newer model (2007 and later) Hewlett Packard laptop, you may want to pay attention to a recall that the computer manufactuer has recently issued. Hewlett Packard is attempting to recall approximately 70,000 batteries that are contained in some of their notebook computers - such batteries would appear in notebooks sold between the dates of Aug 2007 and Mar 2008.

It’s important to note this recall because their have been several reports that they had overheated and caused small fires which resulted in low scale property damages. Luckily, there were no injuries caused by the fires. HP admits that the batteries can be a fire hazard, and so it is important to check your HP model and see if it corresponds which the models being recalled

Those who are effected by the recall will be provided with a replacement battery at no cost.

CDs and DVDs are considered to be the preferred media for storing certain types of files. CD-Rs usually allow for multiple recording sessions, however, the files cannot be deleted. Each CD-R Media can contain more than 600 MB of data. When it comes to DVD-R Media, it can contain more than 4.5 GB of data, which makes it suitable for storing video files. Blank CD-Rs can be usually purchased  for $0.50 to $1 each, based on how many you’re buying, the brand, and the quality while blank DVD-R disks normally cost a few dollars each.   CD-R or DVD-R containers (known as jewel cases) are sometimes included as part of the purchase.

Today’s computers are easier to operate with CD or DVD writers - and it is common to buy a computer that already has at least an internal CD writer. External writers are also available and simple to use with modern Mac or PC computers. These computers have ports known as Universal Serial Bus (USB) for simple and dependable connectivity of peripheral devices such as a printer, digital camera, CD/DVD-R writers, etc’. In a growing number of PCs, and in all new Macs, there is also a Firewire port, which allows for faster data transfer speeds. Certain computers include USB 2.0, which has similar data speed as some Firewire ports or, alternatively, you can add a USB 2.0 card.

In addition to the actual drive, you may need a DVD or CD burning software application. Commercial disk burning software is often preferred to the one that comes with the operating system of some computers.

In an effort to enhance the game play of its Nintendo Wii users, Nintendo is aiming to take the popular console’s motion detecting controls to new heights of accuracy, having just announced the scheduled release date for its much anticipated new MotionPlus add-on. The add on will hit store shelves on June eighth, and will retail for a slim $19.99. It will also come included with the new Wii Sports Resort game, though that is not scheduled for release until July twenty ninth, and comes at a cost of $49.99.

The add on is not a new remote in itself, but will rather plug in to the bottom of the current Wiimotes and provide additional sensors which will improve the accuracy of its motion detectors. Older games will not support the new add on, so there’s no use using it with them. However, many newer games such as Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, and Virtual Tennis 2009 have already announced support for the accessory.

Next Tuesday, Apple is going to hold an event to preview new software application for the iPhone. Apple stated that it will provide a “sneak peek” at the iPhone 3.0 software, together with information about the new kit that 3rd party vendors use to create applications for the device. Apple’s 3G iPhone has become an immediate hit with consumers since its release in the summer. 6.9 million units were sold in the third quarter and 4.3 million in the fourth quarter of last year. For the entire year of 2008, the company sold over 13.7 million units, exceeding its 10 million target. Key to the iPhone’s rise has been the applications provided by the company’s App store, which launched last July. In January, Apple stated that more than 15,000 applications were available and more than 500 million applications were downloaded.

Every time that you are faced with a new technology it requires learning how to use it. However, this can sometimes be quite difficult, especially when there aren’t many training resources. A good example of this is with the new Apple iPhone. When you first purchase an iPhone, you probably spend many hours getting familiar with the various features, however, there are some product tips that aren’t learned by simply playing around with this phone.

One such feature is the keyboard. With such a unique feature as a touch screen keyboard of the iPhone, then there are multiple tips that you should know in order to type your messages efficiently. Once you follow these tips, you will be able to type both quicker and error-free. The first of the tips involves the actual typing of the letters into the iPhone. When you wish to use a certain letter, you simply tap on it; however, the letters do not appear on the screen until you lift your fingers off of it.

Also, if you touch the wrong key you can simply fix this error by moving or sliding your finger to the correct letter. Then when you have found the right letter or number, you can lift your finger and the letter will appear onto the screen. This tip helps fix the majority of errors, and will save you significant time.

Many users have found that the auto-correction feature within the keyboard is a great way to keep the writing clear and easy. However, it is very easy to accept a word that you actually didn’t want to type. If you want to steer clear from this confusion then you need to learn how to accept and reject a suggested word. When you wish to accept a word, then you will want to finger tap either space, return or the punctuation mark. However, if you wish to reject a certain suggested word, then you will simply want to finish typing the word you want and after that you will have to tap the completed word.

Also a reminder, if you wish to write a full word at two different times, then finger tap on the word, the iPhone will actually add the word to its internal dictionary. It usually requires a couple of weeks to store all of your frequently used words into the internal dictionary, however, once this is complete, typing using your iPhone will be noticeably fast.

The last tip relates to the capitalization of words. If you want to capitalize the first letter of a word, you simply finger tap the shift key and then tap the letter you want capitalized. However, what happens when you wish to capitalize the entire word? This is very simple, and doesn’t require you to finger tap the shift key before each letter. You will want to go to settings and then tap general after that tap keyboard. From there you will tap “Enable Caps Lock,” and then when you double tap the shift key it will light up blue, and now you will be able to type in all caps.

Ever since the iPhone was introduced, a tremendous public response followed it. Hoards of people are enjoying the marvels of this mobile phone, calendar, iPod and Internet in one device. However, the actual question is, does anyone really need the iPhone? Naturally, it appears that it is a good product because it streamlines digital productivity and offers the bundling of many products in 1, but are there any real perks to having an iPhone? The answer really depends on who you ask. Nonetheless, there are many real reasons why the iPhone is a great buy.

The first reason for why having an iPhone is a good thing is because it helps to streamline your life. Undoubtedly many of us live a very hectic life. We rarely have time to relax, not to mention running around the house searching for your cell phone, iPod and PDA. However, an iPhone offers all of these electronics, in one slim and sophisticated product. Many people who are used to carry around two or three electronic gadgets are thrilled at how easy and convenient their iPhone is.

Another good reason why you do need an iPhone is because it allows you to have a world at your fingertips, literally. Unlike other mobile phones, which allow you to view a simple version of the web, with the iPhone, you are actually surfing the Internet in a similar way to the desktop way. If you have never accessed the web while on the go, sitting in your car during heavy traffic, or checking your your Facebook account on a whim, then you are missing out on how wonderful it is to be able to access the World Wide Web intantly. This real-time availability to information is so empowering, and once you experience it will be hard to switch to another phone.

Because so many of us live in large cities, and have friends and jobs that live on the other side of the city, we are often in our cars. So what happens when you have to go somewhere but you don’t know how to get there? Normally, you get on the Internet and MapQuest it, however with an iPhone, accurate directions to any destination is only a few ‘taps’ away. An iPhone offers powerful mapping service using Google Maps, and it is with this application you can find your local pizza joint, Starbucks, public library, etc’. Of course you can get directions to this location as well as call them too. For instance, if you typed in “Domino’s Pizza” you would then be shown the closest Domino’s to where you are currently at. You can then call them and place your order, or ask them questions about their pizzas.

Very rarely will a device exist that not only connects you to the world, but also brings you closer to it. With technology becoming more diverse and impersonal, it is refreshing to find a device that connects you with your surroundings in such a dynamic way.

In the business environment of today, you have to be aware of the changing monetary environment you are part of. One of the optimal ways to achieve this is to own a digital device that can accurately monitor your income as well as expenses. If you own an iPhone, then it is likely that your life necessitates a level of detail and organization. When it comes to financial situations, you must be relatively organized to assure that your money is not being wasted away. One of the benefits of the iPhone is that it allows the addition of applications that will assist in making your life more organized.

One of the useful iPhone productivity applications is called JustAddMoney Expense Tracker. This great application not only allows for tracking your money, but also offers the sharing of the information through a multi-user online tracker. The application is an ideal solution for a business that requires constant updating regarding the financial dealings of a given business. With the application, you can update expenses instantly, by entering in receipts, checks, credit card purchases and the actual amount of cash you currently have. Because it is possible to add additional users to the expense tracker, it is possible to see how everyone has spent money before making the next purchase.

This application can manage your finances, no matter how complex they are. If you are running a business, and you want to keep employees up-to-date with certain financial matters, then you can do so by creating an account for each of them. After you have created an account, you can transfer money from these accounts, organize expense categories and create financial reports as per a date range. This will maintain your financial reports highly organized as well as easy to comprehend.

Also, with the application, you can have real-time updates to how much money has been spent, and on what. This will save you time in waiting for your checks to clear with the bank, and help avoid any surprises when you open your credit card billing statement.

Yet another practical application for business-minded, in addition to those people who want to keep information private, is called the Mobile Password Safe. In our modern world, it is necessary to have a secure location for storing your passwords, and probably no better place than your mobile phone. Only the user is able to gain access to the passwords.

After you have done so the passwords will actually be decrypted into the browser, which means that your passwords cannot be hacked and you are provided with solid security. If you have many passwords, or if you just want to keep your online banking password highly protected, this application is for you.