DFA’s Summer Favorite’s in Consumer Electronics, Home and Mobile Computing, Home Appliances and more…

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Ideal for the busy home office, the WorkForce 645 is a hassle-free all-in-one that brings you the World’s Fastest one- and two-sided print speeds in its class plus automatic two-sided printing / copying / scanning. It boasts a 250-sheet paper tray, and you can save on ink with available Extra High-capacity ink cartridges — up to 40% less printing costs than color lasers. You can even save time with speeds of 15 ISO ppm (black) and 7.2 ISO ppm (color). Use the 30-page ADF to quickly copy, scan or fax stacks of two-sided originals. Easily share your all-in-one with built-in wired and wireless networking. Or, use Epson Connect to print from popular mobile devices. This powerful product is built to run your business at full speed.

ARCHOS NEW ELEMENTS LINE

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 8.9

Like the Archos Tab, the Samsung unit is faster, easy to use and much more expandable than the IPad. But the beauty of this Android device is that you have much greater flexibility than IPad to arrange things however you want. You’ll have multiple home screens to compose and design, plus active changeable home screen wallpapers to express your mood and personality. The Tab also offers you the freedom of TouchWiz®, the intuitive user interface that allows you to quickly drag and drop your icons, widgets and Live Panels with only the touch of a finger. Now, reorganizing your tablet’s menus and navigational options will be simple and straightforward.

MARANTZ SR SERIES RECEIVERS

Marantz has three new models in its acclaimed SR Series audio/video receiver line with advanced networking and no-compromise sound: the 7.2-channel SR5007, 7.2-channel SR6007 and 7.2-channel SR7007.

With their advanced networking, Apple’s Airplay® and app control features, each receiver opens up a host of exciting possibilities for enjoying ultimate-quality home entertainment from multiple content sources and in multiple zones throughout the home. Key enhancements to the line include an improved user interface with Setup Assistant, simplified remote controls, and advanced networking features.

All three models feature a full complement of Audyssey sound-enhancing technologies, including MultEQ XT, Dynamic Volume, and Audyssey Dynamic EQ, allowing users to customize the performance of their system in their room, while maximizing enjoyment in real world usage.

NEW DELL ALL-IN-ONE COMPUTER

Dell’s new lineup includes the XPS One 27, their largest ever all-in-one and part of the premium XPS performance family, and the Inspiron One 23 and Inspiron One 20 all-in-one computers for families. The three desktop computers are slim and stylish and reflect Dell’s design aesthetic that places a premium on unique materials and a desirable form factor.

LITHIUM ION STAINLESS STEEL ALL-IN-ONE GROOMER KIT

The Wahl 9818 lithium ion stainless steel all-in-one groomer kit includes rechargeable trimmer, trimmer head, t-blade, detail shaver head, rotary detail head, 6-position guide, 3 standard trimmer guides, 8 t-blade guides, comb, storage pouch, charger, cleaning brush, blade oil, and English/Spanish instructions. Features detachable blade, heavy-duty, stainless steel blades and body, shave trim detail, outline for better grooming and touch-ups. This lighter and more ergonomically styled than most all-in- one trimmers is made in the USA.

POWERBAG™ BRIEFCASE COLLECTION

Briefcases with integrated on-board battery and connectors take you from the subway or runway to the conference room or hotel room…all while protecting your laptop and keeping your average smartphone charged. Equipped with a complete charging system — battery, Apple connector, Micro- and Mini-USB connectors and an on-board USB port – Powerbag is ready to charge up to 4 devices at once anywhere, anytime. One Powerbag charge will boost the average smartphone at least 2X. Even eReaders and tablets can be topped off! The company also sells Messenger Bags, Suitcases on wheels and other business cases that have the exclusive built-in charging systems.

SQUEEZEBOX NOW COMES IN RED

One of the most asked for and recommended devices that Digital Family Advisor has reviewed, the Logitech Squeezebox Internet Radio now comes in a stylish red and black model. For those not familiar with this digital music player, you can listen to music, news and sports from every corner of the globe with this easy-to-use, all-in-one Wi-Fi music player-all with or without a computer.

While some Internet radios, like the finely crafted Tivoli and high priced Sonos, have some of these features, none have all of these built in applications.

• You can listen to free Internet radio stations, online music services, your personal digital music collection and/or iTunes collection in minutes.
• Connects easily to your home network via Wi-Fi
• Bring full, high-quality sound to any room with an ultra-compact design that fits easily on your night table or kitchen counter.
• Synchronize your listening pleasure if you have more than one Squeezebox.
• Enjoy your favorite out of town radio stations as well as the top digital music Apps like Pandora, Live 365, XM-Sirius, Tune-in Radio, MOG, Spotify and 100s of other music or information on-demand services.

THE TV MEETS INTERNET MEETS THE TV AS SLINGBOX EXPANDS ITS CAPABILITIES

While many services and some hardware devices can provide on the go families with the ability to watch their favorite TV stations on their Smart Phone, Notebook PC or Tablet, none of these, including the ubiquitous Sling Box, had a convenient way to watch your favorite stations in HD on a TV. But recently Google TV’s Revue, Boxee, and soon Roku Internet TV set top devices will add (or have already added) a Slingbox Sling Media App that lets you use your vacation home, hotel room, even your neighbor’s house as if it was your own living room. Now, with Slingbox PRO-HD hardware, you can watch your favorite shows and content on your laptop, tablet, smartphone or other connected device in stunning high-definition (HD) too.

VIZIO’S LONG AWAITED WIDER SCREEN TV GETS RID OF BLACK BARS

VIZIO has finally released its highly anticipated XVT Series Cinemawide™ LED Smart TV with Theater 3D®, the first 21:9 ultra-widescreen TV available in the United States. It allows movie lovers to experience the latest Hollywood blockbusters without the distraction of black bars at the top and bottom of the picture.

The 21:9 Cinemawide screen is wider than the standard 16:9 screen found on most HDTVs, allowing it to perfectly fit the 2.35:1 aspect ratio used for most major Hollywood films. The unique 2560 x 1080p screen and Edge Lit Razor LED™ technology deliver HD at a higher resolution than conventional 1920×1080. Smart Dimming™ assures a brilliant picture with outstanding contrast and detail and, with the integration of SRS StudioSound HD™, this TV’s rich surround sound is beyond the conventional audio capabilities of other models.

PLASMA AND HIGH QUALITY VIEWING AT BUDGET PRICES

If you don’t need 3D or Internet Apps, or if you already have a Internet TV accessory like Boxee, Roku or Google TV, but you still want the crisp deep color of a plasma TV or the sharpness of end LED, there are several models from major TV makers that are perfect for you all priced below $550. These are our picks:

Samsung PN43E450 is the company’s entry level Plasma that rivals higher end models from some TV makers.

In the harder to find 37 inch LCDs, Panasonic still makes a very simple but very well reviewed Viera TC-L37E5.

LG’s 42 inch Plasma model 42PA4500, produces color range and optimal sound for a budget priced plasma TV.

BUT, IF YOU HIT THE LOTTERY…

Sharp recently launched the world’s largest consumer smart television, a 90-inch (diagonally) LED screen. The new AQUOS is approximately 4 feet high, 5-inches thick and weighs 141 pounds (without the stand). Sharp has not skimped on Internet and just plain fun features offering Netflix, Hulu and Vudu among a bevy of Internet Apps. Sharp is including a pair of 3D glasses, and its’ $11,000 price tag is actually less than some 70 inch TVs launched just a few years ago. The best feature, though, is that this model and other 2012 Sharp models, can be serviced without a phone call. Aquos Advantage Live allows a staff of technicians to troubleshoot your set remotely over a Web connection, access settings, and adjust them.

Next week: Point and Shoot Cameras Reach SLR Capabilities

For a long time there was such a difference between digital single lens reflex cameras (the upper echelon of consumer and Pro-Sumer models) and the mid priced point and shoot models. Now with smaller, cheaper, faster photo compression micro chips and feeling the competition from camera based Smart Phones, the digital camera makers have lowered their prices and vastly improved the quality of their digital cameras where the average person can take a professional picture in almost any condition. Next week read about some of our year choices in this category.