Roku's nifty little box delivers on-demand video from sources like Amazon and Netflix.
(Credit: Roku)Did Santa bring you cash this year? A big fat gift card? An unexpected work bonus? Whatever the case, you're probably primed and ready for a little splurging.
And on this one day out of the entire year, I'm going to recommend three decidedly splurge-y items. They're not necessarily deals (though I've found the best possible price for each of them), just items I've enjoyed myself in recent months.
1. A second monitor After years of hearing how great it is to run side-by-side monitors, I finally took the plunge. Guess what? It is great. Just having Outlook and Firefox visible at the same time is, alone, worth the price of a second LCD. You can usually pick up a 22-incher for around $140, like this Sceptre X226W available from Newegg for $139.99 shipped. but right now Staples has a 21.5-inch eMachines E211H LCD monitor for just $99.98 shipped (plus sales tax in most states). First time I've seen a screen that size for under $100.
2. Jabra Halo stereo Bluetooth headset I find it extremely liberating to walk around with my iPhone in my pocket, headphones on my ears, and no bothersome cord connecting the two. The Halo headset is slim, comfortable, foldable, and able to take calls. The controls aren't fabulous (show me a headset's that are), but overall this is my favorite headset ever. It lists for $129.99, but Amazon Best Buy has the Halo for $99.99 shipped.
3. Roku HD-XR Streaming media is the future. Roku's top-end box already delivers Amazon Video On Demand, Netflix Instant Watch, Pandora Internet radio, Major League Baseball, and various freebie channels like blip.tv and Revision3--all in high-def (when available). The HD-XR model ($129.99) offers Wireless-N connectivity, but get the cheaper HD ($99.99) if you're rocking Ethernet. Granted, some Blu-ray players deliver similar streaming capabilities, but usually without wireless, and definitely without the same fast, easy interface. For Netflix in particular, I really dig this little box.
So, there you have it: three splurge-worthy items. Let me know if you decide to pull the trigger on any of them, or if you have your own splurge-ables in mind.
The Xbox Wireless N Adapter is still overpriced, but at $79.99 it's slightly less outrageous.
(Credit: Newegg)Microsoft has some nerve charging 100 bucks for its new Wireless N Xbox adapter, what with virtually identical Wi-Fi gear selling for as low as $20.
Yeah, I'm mad, and not just because today's earlier deal sold out in 27 seconds. (And then the backup deal went 27 seconds after that.) Well, OK, that's the main reason--but come on, Microsoft! $99.99?!
If you're really itching for one of these adapters, look to Newegg. It's got the Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter for $79.99 shipped. Not a huge bargain, but the lowest price I've seen.
CNET hasn't reviewed it, but you can get some hands-on feedback from Gizmodo. Bottom line: It's way faster for video streaming, but doesn't offer much of an impact on gaming.
Of course, if you really want a cheap way out, you can turn a cheap router into an Xbox Wi-Fi adapter. Cheaper still, use your laptop's Wi-Fi connection to feed your Xbox.
Me, I'd love to have the Wireless N adapter for my 360. But it'll be a cold day on the sun before I drop $100 on one. Or, for that matter, $80. Get a clue, Microsoft.
On Sale Now: $87.99 - $99.00
View the latest prices for Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter
NFB Films streams over 1,000 shorts and feature-length films to your iPhone.
Like indie films? Documentaries? Animation? Ho, boy, have I got an app for you: NFB Films lets you watch over a thousand movies on your iPhone. For free.
The "NFB" stands for National Film Board, a kind of Canadian PBS. The app taps the NFB's mammoth library of documentaries, animated films, trailers (for upcoming NFB releases), and more.
All the movies are streamed to your iPhone, but there's also an ingenious "watch later" option that downloads a selected movie for later viewing. However, these downloads expire after 24 hours, not unlike App Store movie rentals, but that hardly seems unfair.
NFB Films includes a Channels section where you can browse various categories, including Documentaries, Kids Cartoons, History & War, and Environment. There's a search option, natch, and you can add movies to a favorites (sorry, "favourites") list for easier access.
If you come across a film you want to share with friends, the app lets you send an e-mail that includes a link to the Web version.
A while back I went to see 10 Oscar-nominated short films--five animated, five live-action. They were all tremendously entertaining. Since then I've been a lot more open-minded to non-mainstream movie fare like this. So for me, NFB Films is pure iPhone gold. I reckon you'll love it, too.
Watch over 100 free movies at Hulu.com
(Credit: Hulu)Many people already recognize video-streaming service Hulu.com as a great destination for watching TV shows (it has every single episode of Arrested Development, people!), but did you know it also offers movies? Over 100 of them, in fact, and some darn good titles, too. Here are my picks for the Five Best Movies to Watch on Hulu:
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
- Ice Age
- Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
- Monty Python's Meaning of Life
- The Usual Suspects
I didn't mention Sideways and The Big Lebowski because I think they're overrated--but they're there, too, along with plenty of other gems (and, truth be told, some serious dreck). You'll have to sit through the occasional commercial--and stay tethered to your PC, of course--but that's a small price to pay for watching free movies on demand. All hail Hulu!
Thanks to Craig for mentioning this deal!
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