Ask Engadget: Best Guitar Hero / Rock Band axe?

Are you ready for this? No, seriously — can you handle yet another episode of Ask Engadget? Considering that our omnipresent intern bots are recording your head nodding up and down this very moment, we’ll just cut straight to Chad’s question:

“After viewing the special edition bass for Rock Band: Beatles (and longing for a true lefty guitar), I noticed that no one has asked which aftermarket guitar for either (or both) game(s) works better than the standard — especially for those of us who play like Hendrix. So I put it to you, which is the best RB or GH axe out there with price being no issue?”

First off, big ups to the fellow southpaws out there. Secondly, which third-party axe really is the best to rock out with? Don’t be afraid to place your modded Squier at the top of the charts, either.

Filed under: , ,

Ask Engadget: Best Guitar Hero / Rock Band axe? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 May 2009 00:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: Best small camera (with good video) under $600?

We know, you were hoping to just glance over today’s hottest articles in the world of consumer electronics, and along comes this: something that actually asks a little of you. Trust us, it’ll be alright, and hey — after you’ve replied, you can send in a question of your own to ask at engadget dawt com.

“The family and I are headed to Walt Disney World in June for the first time. I have a Canon Digital Rebel and a Canon GL1, but really do not want to haul either or both of them to the Magic Kingdom with us. So, the question is: what is the best camera that does great stills and video and is super small? Under 600 bones preferably. Thanks!”

No Rich, thank you for making us all envious. Be sure to take the advice that’ll surely flow in comments below and send us picture postcards while waiting in line to ride the Tower of Terror for the forty-third time. (Seriously, do not miss Tower of Terror.)

Filed under: ,

Ask Engadget: Best small camera (with good video) under $600? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 May 2009 00:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: Best 4.3-inch GPS unit?

We know, it’s a little late here on the east coast to be “thinking clearly,” but we (and David) are pleading with you to pull it together in order to contribute. Afterwards, you and your freshened mind can shoot us a question to ask at engadget dawt com.

“I know, it’s a really boring question, but the last time this was asked was 2 years ago. I’m looking for a 4.3-inch GPS unit with decent battery life (so I can walk around with it as well as use it in my car), Bluetooth for making wireless calls, and good voice-recognition. Traffic updates would be a plus, too. I don’t care too much about multimedia functions. Is there anything out there that fits the bill? I hope to hear some advice from the community!”

As do we David, as do we. So, what’s the verdict here, folks? Are connected units worth the monthly surcharge? Sound off below!

Filed under: ,

Ask Engadget: Best 4.3-inch GPS unit? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 May 2009 02:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: Best mobile note-taking device?

Like it or not, the spiral bound notebook is going the way of the Dodo. Okay, so maybe that’s absolutely incorrect and totally sensationalistic, but you catch our drift. If not, take a whiff of what reader Allan is cooking:

“My boss is a prolific note taker, filling many spiral bound notebooks with notes. As I deal with more projects, I find myself moving in the same direction. I would love the ability to search my notes, something not available with dead tree software. Is there a simple relatively cheap device that would allow me to take notes (preferably using hand writing), and then search them later? Ideally, I’d like something the size of a small internet tablet, but no smaller than an iPod touch. I’m looking for something far cheaper than a full-blown tablet PC, by the way.”

So, ladder climbers — what’s the deal here? What device would you recommend for wowing that suit in the corner office while making your note taking all the more efficient? When you’re done answering, shoot us a question of your to ask at engadget dawt com.

Filed under: ,

Ask Engadget: Best mobile note-taking device? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: Best wireless keyboard for living room?

Unbeknown to you, you’ve just stumbled upon this week’s Ask Engadget. If you want to get in on this action, feel free to drop us an inquiry at ask at engadget dawt com. Before you get those gears turning, we’d invite you to chime in on Mitch’s question below:

“With the upcoming release of Ion-based “nettops,” I’ll be in the market to buy one and I’ll also be looking to buy a wireless keyboard and mouse for my living room. Some things I would like to see on the keyboard are prices below $100 and backlit if possible. Media buttons would be nice but aren’t totally necessary. Thanks!”

Timely question, Mitch. Considering that the AspireRevo is just the first of many miniature PCs that’ll undoubtedly be headed to dens across the globe, we figure you’re not alone in wondering about the perfect keyboard to pair with it. So, readers — whatcha got?

Filed under:

Ask Engadget: Best wireless keyboard for living room? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: Best tiny MP3 player for exercise enthusiasts?

No need to twist your dial — you really have just stumbled upon this week’s episode of Ask Engadget. You know, the place where you can send in your question to ask at engadget dawt com and hope to see it plastered for the world to have a think on. This week we’ve got one from J.S., so we’ll let him take it from here:

“The new iPod shuffle is so small you can simply clip it onto your shirt while running or working out. However, I’d never buy it because of two reasons: iTunes and the fact that I’d have to get a new pair of headphones that has the Shuffle controls or use the subpar included ones. So, what’s the best small (close to Shuffle-sized) MP3 player for a gym rat like me that doesn’t require iTunes?”

We’ve no doubt that legions of you fitness freaks can chime in here, so next time you take a breather, drop some knowledge in comments below.

Filed under:

Ask Engadget: Best tiny MP3 player for exercise enthusiasts? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: Best solution for Bluetooth stereo audio?

Look out! You’ve just stumbled upon this week’s episode of Ask Engadget, and we’ve got a real brain burner on our hands this evening. Before you dig in, though, feel free to blast your own question in to ask at engadget dawt com.

I recently got a new music-oriented phone (Nokia 5800 XpressMusic) with Bluetooth stereo audio (A2DP) and am trying to get some opinions on what might be the best solution out there for me. It seems to me like I have 3 options as far as general solution types: self contained Bluetooth headphones, such as the Motorola S9; Bluetooth receivers with headphone jacks, such as the SonyEricsson HBH-DS220; or transmitter / receiver pairs. My specific needs are that it supports remote control (AVRCP), has good sound, is under $100, and if the unit can bind to multiple devices that would be great. The ultimate item would somehow work with my phone as well as my PSP, but that’s probably a pipe dream. Thanks!

So, wireless audio partakers — what say you? Got any great tips? Got any horror stories? Either way, spill it below.

Filed under: , ,

Ask Engadget: Best solution for Bluetooth stereo audio? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive enclosure?

No need to check your LCDs, folks — this is happening. This is this week’s rendition of Ask Engadget, and if you’d rather your own question be in this space next week, shoot us a good one at ask at engadget dawt com.

“Like any good geek, I have upgraded my MacBook’s hard disk many times, and have all the old 2.5-inch SATA disks sitting in a pile. I’d like to put them in a case, but the enclosures I see are either very expensive or look hideous and unreliable. I’d love to get some recommendations for dependable, fairly-priced portable enclosures; USB’s a must, but FireWire 400, then FireWire 800 then eSATA would be bonuses, as would any extra features.”

So, HDD upgraders — what kind of case (or cases) did you procure in order to keep using those displaced drives? Any great stories of success / failure? Let us know, would ya?

Filed under: , ,

Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive enclosure? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: Best wireless router with USB printing capabilities?

If your low-rate router fails on you, you might as well select a replacement with more utility than the one you’re burying, right? Axel sure thinks so:

“My bargain-basement CompUSA-branded wireless router is finally starting to fail on me, prompting me to buy a new one. I want to get my huge color laser printer (a Konica Magicolor 2400w) off my desk and tucked away next to the router, so I want it to have wireless USB print hub functionality. Gigiabit Ethernet and Draft-N are also necessary here, as I am eventually going to be adding media clients around the house to stream to every TV. Thanks a lot!”

So, there you have it — which wireless router will provide solid, relaiable USB printing while handling the heavy loads of high-def streaming? Think carefully, you wouldn’t want to ruin this guy’s life. Oh, and if you have a question of your own you’d like to see here, send it over to ask at engadget dawt com.

Filed under: , , ,

Ask Engadget: Best wireless router with USB printing capabilities? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive under $100?

Ask Engadget is back this week with yet another thoughtful reader-submitted question, and if you’d like your own inquiry to get some face time, just send one in to ask at engadget dawt com. Without further adieu, we’ll let Zach take it from here:

“So I need some extra storage because I’ve been going a little iTunes “crazy” lately and have been downloading gigabytes of albums, podcasts and movies. I’m looking for a reliable hard drive but at the same time, price is a key factor considering not a lot of money is available at the moment. I’m thinking 100GB or more should suffice. I don’t want to get roped into buying a crappy hard drive and have it die on me a week after using it. What’s the best one out there for around $100 or less? Thanks!”

We’ll go out on a limb here and assume he’s looking for USB 2.0 (sorry, FireWire 400), so let loose those opinions!

Filed under: ,

Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive under $100? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments