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Tip of the Day -

Converting to Better Audio

It has been a while since we featured an audio application so lets put that to rights straight away with AIMP. It’s a highly featured audio player, bearing a striking resemblance to WinAmp, but it does have a number of unusual features. In addition to support for all popular formats it has a built-in file format converter, an audio ripper, recorder, tag editor, speed, pitch, tempo adjustment, chorus, flanger, echo and reverb effects, voice mute, a highly configurable equalizer, and support for a wide range of plug-ins. It’s small, the download is only 7Mb and it’s light on resources too, there’s also a portable version and as an added bonus, the sound quality is really very good!

02/09/10  

Do you have a tip or tweak for Windows that you would like to share with other PC users? If so we would really like to see it, jot it down and email it to us at: PCTopTips

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iPhone Got Bottle

At last, what appears to be a proper use for the iPhone. Now this is what I call an app; it’s a case for the ubiquitous mobile, with a built-in bottle-opener. Cunningly named the iBottleopener, it’s a hard shell case with a soft-touch finish, but it’s the metalwork built into the back that does the business for thirsty owners. The good news is that it fits all 3G/3GS variants, it doesn’t block any ports or the camera, and presumably repeated use won’t harm your precious phone. The price is expected to be around £18, with worldwide shipping in the region of £5.00. You can express your interest now, and watch it in action at ibottleopener.com.

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Pioneering Kodak Cassette Contraption

This odd-looking device is almost certainly the first working electronic still camera. It’s the granddaddy of today’s digital still cameras and it was put together by a team of Kodak researchers, led by Steve Sasson, almost 35 years ago. All of the elements we’re familiar with are there, in one form or another. It uses an early experimental CCD image sensor to capture the image, a lot of discrete electronics to process the information coming form the sensor – chips were still in their infancy in 1975 -- and instead of a memory card it recorded images on a standard cassette tape. In fact it took almost 23 seconds to record a single image. Resolution in those pre-digital and megapixel days was measured in TV lines, 100 lines to be precise, or around a sixth of the definition of a standard 625 lines picture. Incidentally, before cameras went digital there were analogue still video cameras or SVCs and if you are interested take a look at an early Canon model over at our sister vintage gadget website Dustygizmos. 

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Ryno Hits The Road

The Segway is sooo last year. If you want to say ahead of the curve in personal human transportation then the Rynois the new way to go. This one-wheeled, self-balancing electric scooter is just the job for popping down to the shops, or a spot of commuting. It’s still in development, and they’re after funding, but the specs may well convince you to invest, or put your name down for one. The price will be in the region of $3500, it should have a range of up to 30 miles with a top speed around 25mph. Recharge time from flat is just 1.5 hours, it weighs in at 57kg, can climb 30 degree gradients and has a turning circle of zero to one metre.

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