rblog

The gifts for 2007 were an interesting mix - here are some of the highlights.

• Amazon Kindle - We now have both a Kindle and a Sony eBook (PRS-500, not the newly released 505). Quick review (I have not yet read any books on the Kindle, as I can't get it out of Molly's hands) . The biggest win for the Kindle is the availability of books - over 94,000 already - probably 4x the eBook. I also like the built in dictionary and the choice of six fonts and it was kinda neat to be able to purchase books directly from the Kindle. All in all, the Kindle has more functionality than the eBook, but the eBook better accomplishes the goal the Kindle sets out - to "disappear" during the reading process, to let the reader feel that there is nothing between them and the text. The eBook accomplishes this by being simpler and more limited. And the eBook has better usability - the power switch is in a better place, the cover works better and it just feels nicer (and the 505 fixed the placement of the "next page" buttons). Both the Kindle and the eBook 500 share the eInk technology and are extremely readable. It will be interesting to see if the eBook 505 (which improves the display and speed of page turns) is a significantly noticeable improvement. But I think the bottom line is the availability of titles - and will libraries support either of these devices?


• Emerson Clock - Officially called the Emerson CKS3516 SmartSet Dual-Alarm Clock Radio with Time Projection System - this is one of those "atomic clocks" that synchronizes with a radio signal that broadcasts the precise time. When you power on the clock it sets the minute, hour, day, month, and year in about 5 seconds - very cool. In addition to a very readable display and the ability to set two alarms - in daily, weekday, or weekend mode - this clock projects the time onto the ceiling - perfect for viewing when awaking at night. I am thrilled with this present. (Sure, I picked it out for me, but that doesn't diminish the enjoyment).
  


• Comforter - Somehow, I have the image of the perfect down comforter locked into my mind (perhaps it was the first one I ever saw, owned by my roommate Mike in college). I am not sure that that comforter actually exists, but for Xmas, we are trying a new one - the old one having lasted 10 years or so. This one is the top of the line from Macy's - the Pacific Coast Feather® Six Star® Grand Embrace® Comforter. I put it out in the sun for about 45 minutes to fluff it up and then ran it through for 30 minutes on the fluff cycle in the dryer - but tonight is its first test on the bed. Then tomorrow it goes into the duvet for the real test.
  


• Massage Cushion - I think the favorite gift for the whole family was the Homedics® Shiatsu One Massage Cushion, which turns any chair or couch into a massage chair. I can't say much about it because I am not a big fan of massage chairs - but everyone else seems to like it.
  


• Foot Massager - Now here is a massage item that I do like - the Equalizer Foot Pro Massager. It is not really a massager it is far more percussive, similar to the devices you find at county fairs which seem to rejuvenate tired feet and legs. We have set this up on the corner seat of the couch - along with the massage cushion, an electric blanket, and a nearby laptop. We call this our "cozy corner".
  


• e260 MP3 Player - We got Emily a new MP3 player as her first one has run out of space (512MB). This one is 2GB but more importantly, accepts an SD card for essentially unlimited memory. Plus it has a screen for watching video - if we only had any video that was worth watching on a 1.5" screen. But the big win here was that it worked with our Yahoo Music Unlimited To Go subscription without any hassle whatsoever.