Belkin Desktop Internet Phone for Skype

I love Skype and have been a dedicated user for about two years now. With Skype's new subscription plans you can make unlimited calls for a fixed price, or free Skype-to-Skype calls for absolutely nowt. The only real way to take advantage of the Skype service is to have a phone or handset that negates the need to have your Mac or PC switched on. With such a device you can just pick up the phone and use it just like a normal landline.

The new Belkin Desktop Internet Phone for Skype is such a device and it is available now for £79.99. The main features include a contact list for over 500 sets of Skype and SkypeOut contacts. You also get automatic login to your Skype account. This little baby plugs into an ethernet port on your wired or wireless router, using your broadband or ADSL connection for ultra cheap or free calls. The fact that it is wired enables the promise of plug'n'play, so really easy for joe public to set up and use. It sounds really good and certainly looks the part... expect to see a full review here soon.

Logitech MX1100 Cordless Laser Mouse - WOW!

I love Logitech gear, their keyboards and mice (amongst other things) rock. Up until I recently changed to a Microsoft Natural Laser Mouse 6000, I had always used Logitech gear, including their S530 keyboard and mouse combo for the Mac.

Their latest offering looks very nice. The MX1100 cordless laser mouse has a total of ten programmable buttons, that include their Stealth Thumb Button. This one is strategically placed where your thumb would naturally fall, making it easy to switch between applications. Improved battery life is also claimed. Costing just under $80 in the USA with official UK pricing TBC, although I have found it for £50 on pre-order at some UK websites. Expect to see a video review on Geekanoids in due course.

Elgato Launches EyeTV DTT Deluxe

Today, 8th July 2008, Elgato is pleased to announce the EyeTV DTT Deluxe, a TV Tuner Micro-Stick for Digital Terrestrial Television (DVB-T). Exceptionally small and beautifully designed, this USB tuner is a perfect fit for every lifestyle and every Mac including the MacBook Air.

A perfect fit for your Mac
EyeTV DTT Deluxe slips easily into the USB port of any Mac without blocking other devices, not even on the MacBook Air's port hatch. For areas with a strong DVB-T signal, EyeTV DTT Deluxe comes with a miniature telescopic aerial that attaches directly to the end of the micro-stick. It's a good-looking and unobtrusive solution for those who wish to enjoy television on a Mac without the need for cables. EyeTV DTT Deluxe also includes a portable rod aerial for areas with a weaker DVB-T signal, as well as an adapter cable to connect a rooftop aerial to deal with a very weak or blocked signal. What's more, EyeTV DTT Deluxe ships with a remote control and award-winning EyeTV 3 software.

Quality and Power
Despite its exceptionally small size, EyeTV DTT Deluxe is a powerful digital TV tuner that delivers full-size, crystal-clear reception and uncompromising quality. EyeTV DTT Deluxe has one quality setting, lossless. The DVB stream is recorded unaltered for full quality DVB-T content as encoded by the broadcaster. EyeTV DTT Deluxe supports DVB-T multilingual programming and Dolby Digital sound. In areas in which HDTV is broadcast, EyeTV DTT Deluxe delivers stunning 720p or 1080i HDTV (MPEG-2 as well as H.264/AVC).

A perfect fit for any lifestyle
The whole package is ideal for watching TV on a desktop Mac, but EyeTV DTT Deluxe's tiny size means that it can work with a laptop in all kinds of places. Because the EyeTV DTT Deluxe takes its power from the USB, users can climb to the top of a mountain and watch the Olympics, or sit in a tent in the country and watch Ray Mears Goes Walkabout. It's the perfect fit for any Mac, and any lifestyle.

Included in the Box
- EyeTV 3 digital TV recorder software (CD-ROM)
- EyeTV DTT Deluxe TV receiver
- DVB-T rod aerial (MCX) with tilt/swivel magnetic base and detachable suction cup
- Telescopic DVB-T aerial (MCX)
- Infrared remote control with battery pack
- USB cable
- IEC-MCX adapter
- PDF product manual (CD-ROM)
- Quick Start Guide
- Installation instructions for MacBook Air owners

Availability
The EyeTV DTT Deluxe ships today and is available to buy online immediately, and be available in stores very soon. You can buy direct from Elgato at www.elgato.com, or most good Mac retailers, including the Apple Store. The price is £69.95, or €79.95 including VAT.

System Requirements
Macintosh computer with a PowerPC G4,G5 or Intel Core processor, 512 MB of physical RAM, a built-in USB 2.0 port, Mac OS X v10.4 or later. Internet connection required to download Program Guide data. Note: 720p or 1080i HD features require an Intel Core 2 Duo processor.