PowerMat First Impression

So my PowerMat review unit arrived in the mail yesterday. We got the "home" unit and the "portable" unit. Haven't put them to the test yet, but a few things to mention:

1)Design-wise, the PowerMat Home Charger is better looking than the Duracell myGrid. In fact, the PowerMat looks like a swanky horizontal mouse pad. The portable unit is a little less swanky, but then again it's meant to be portable.

2)Both the home and portable unit came with a handful of tips/adapters, which you're supposed to use to charge gadgets that aren't natively supported by the PowerMat. For instance, the iPhone 3GS is natively supported because there's a PowerMat "sleeve" specifically for the 3GS. (Granted, that sleeve will cost you a few bucks.) So for non-native devices, here's how it works. You connect the tip to your device and then the tip connects to the PowerMat adapter. You then place the adapter on the pad. Sound confusing? It is. It's a lot more tedious than I would like.

I'll test both of the units side by side to see which one is faster at charging, which one has the better construction, and which one offers the better bargain. Stay tuned!

dealnews meet up

Wednesday night was the first ever dealnews Social in New York City. There were prizes, tasty food, good conversation, and lots of drinks for all. Here's what you missed out on in case you couldn't come.

iPod touch screens

I have a 1G iPod touch that I love. I use it all the time, especially at the gym and on the treadmill. To save it from scratches, I paired it with one of these $15 screen protectors. The pack includes one for the front of the iPod and one for the back. Recently, however, the front screen was looking pretty grimy, so it was time for a new one. I guess I've gotten cheap over the past year, because suddenly $15 seemed steep for a screen protector, so instead I got the iPod touch version of this from eForCity for $7 shipped. They arrived over the weekend and I applied one. It's awesome. Just as good as the $15 screen from Apple, but rather than get one front and one back screen, I got 3 front screens, which is all you really need, for half the price. Applying the screen is a pain (stupid air bubbles), but after you iron it out it's all good. Thumbs up on these screens! Also thumbs up to Griffin. Been using its Reflect case for over a year and it's shielded my touch from scratches.

Showtime

I'm not a Showtime subscriber, but I find this kinda interesting. Showtime is releasing (actually, it's already out) an app that will let non-subscribers, like me, watch previews and full episodes of some of their programming. And for a limited time, Apple owners can sub to Showtime for $7.99/mo (how generous of them.) All I want is a la cart cable TV. Till then, you can keep your discount Showtime.

Gazelle Update

Quick update to a story I did a few weeks ago on Gazelle. I've used the service about 3x since then to clear out my gadget closet and in all, I've made about $500 total. Most recently, I sold two old smartphones and an old laptop (we're talking Core Solo here). In all instances, I had the original packaging and the hardware was in perfect condition. (I'm nice to my gadgets.) So here's what's up:

1) The service has gotten faster. Way faster. On average, I was paid about 2 weeks after sending in my gadgets (compared to the 26 days it took the first time I did it.) And that's via snail mail, I imagine being paid via PayPal is even faster.

2) Gazelle is good with coupons. Over the summer I used a $10 bonus coupon (now expired) and most recently I used the "tweet" coupon I found on their Twitter feed for an extra 5%.

3) Gazelle has expanded its category tree, meaning they're buying back more stuff. From calculators to iPod docks to satellite radios.

4) Unfortunately, they still don't beat out eBay. In some instances, they get damn close, but eBay still provides the biggest bang for your buck.

That said, I still recommend checking eBay before selling your stuff to Gazelle. Otherwise, if you're lazy or don't mind losing a few dollars to Gazelle, the service has improved.

iPod touch denied

My iPod touch is old. I noticed this last night when I went to install a new app and it required an iPod touch 2nd generation. Why? I have no clue. But it made me realize that Apple has turned the iPod into a computer. Give it a year and you'll need to buy a new one just so you can run the "latest apps." This annoys me. The last think I wanna do is upgrade my MP3 player every year. The app in question is the new Univision Movil app (iTunes link). I'm not a big fan of Univision (most of their programming is trash IMO), but I was curious to see how their app would compare to CBS's app and if I'd be able to get soccer updates and Univision's International newscast (which I do watch from time to time) via the app. But unfortunately I didn't get to try it out 'cause it simply wouldn't install. Don't get me wrong, I love my iPod touch. But it sucks that new apps will now come with "system requirements."

Cheap Wine Sites

I'm a big wine geek and I'm always looking for a way to either save money on wine or try new ones on the cheap, so I'm really psyched about these two new sites I recently discovered. One launched today (at 12am) — it's called CinderellaWine.com. (Not the best of names, IMO.) The site is part of the Wine Library network. (I purchase from WL every now and then and have been to their store in NJ. I like it.)

Every night at midnight, CinderellaWine.com will list one wine at a super cheap price. So cheap, that they promise to beat the lowest price for that wine on Wine-Searcher (Wine-Searcher is like PriceGrabber for wines.) I checked the site out at midnight this morning and it was down. I'm guessing too many ppl logged on and their servers buckled. By the time 12.05am came, the wine was sold out. The site is up and running now with a new wine, but that wine sold out as I wrote this post. That sucks.

There's a competing site called Wines Til Sold Out, which does the same thing. (Minus the Wine-Searcher promise.) They've been around a lot longer and list the wine reviews right on the homepage.

I've never used either of the sites, but I'm gonna try both of them out and see who offers the best discount, quickest delivery, best wines (anyone can sell a crap wine for cheap), best customer service, and which one I prefer. Who knows, I make like 'em both. I know there's also Wine Woot, but Dan mentioned they're kinda meh. I'll try to order from CinderellaWine and Wines Til Sold Out this week and post a quick update when I do.