Printing on canvas has become popular over the past few years, and one of the best at this is a company called Your Photo on Canvas (YPOC).

Recently I sent the company an image I took in 2006 with a 6-megapixel Canon 700IS digital camera. They turned that photo into an 18 x 24-inch print, which is already hanging in my house.

While 6-megapixels is low by today’s standards of digital cameras, if I told anyone the same print was made with my 21-megapixel 5D Mark II there would be no doubters.

The company was founded on the philosophy of offering “Gallery Quality at Incredible Prices” and once you see the results, it’s easy to see they keep their word.

YPOC makes each print with giclée standards. Giclée is a high-quality art print used in high-end galleries.

Many who have done canvas printing might be familiar with this company via Costco. Even if you’re one of their warehouse or online customers, YPOC has made prints for the company since 2008.

The finished products come gallery wrapped ready to be hung right out of the box.

There are several frame choices; 8 x 10 up to 40 x 60-inch prints but custom sizes are also available.

Most orders are turned around in 2-4 days and they have a very user-friendly shipping rate of FREE for a limited time.

Any image enhancements will be done for free, along with free gallery wrapping. YPOC offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee, but you can bet that will never be used.

http://yourphotooncanvas.com

Multiple family members with multiple electronic gadgets result in multiple chargers. Teleadapt’s solves the problem with the ChargeHub charging solution.

With it, users get a device that is compatible with over 2,000 devices from dozens of manufacturers.

Up to 12 devices can be charged at the same time, each using a short cord connected to a base. The other end of the cord has the tips to connect to the gadget needing the charge.

My household generally has a digital camera, Blackberry, cell phone and an iPod charging at any given time. Now with the ChargeHub they are now are all confined to the same AC outlet resulting in much less of my counter space being consumed by charger wires.

Among the list of dozens of devices being compatible with the ChargHub are Garmin, Kodak, LG, Motorola, Palm and Sony. For a complete list check the company’s web site.

The base of the charger can be secured to a counter or desktop for a permanent installation.

Since there are multiple plugs for a variety of devices, the charger comes with a very handy sticker, listing the names of the device to be connected to each individual cord.

This also hides the screws to create a much cleaner and seamless look.

www.teleadapt.com $100

Another solution to eliminate some cable clutter mess is the Imation Pro WX External Wireless USB 2.0 hard drive.

Connection to the 1.5TB drive is simple for both Mac and Windows users to send files from multiple computers needing to be stored.

The wireless connection is made with the included USB host adapter in a simple plug-and-play manner. This creates a secure one-to-one connection to access your data. Users can also connect it to a computer directly with the USB cable.

While this connection is wireless, it is not Wi-Fi. Thus using the drive requires a direct line of sight between the computer hosting the USB adapter and the hard drive.

Imation suggests using the drive within 10-feet but it can be used up to 25 feet as long as the line of sight is maintained between the devices.

While it’s not the fastest in transferring data (15MB per second) the wireless convenience far outweighs that.

Users can expect to store about 300,000 photos or 750 hours of video, although this number can vary in either direction depending on the size of each file.

Other nice features include feet, which pop out from the sides to stand the drive upright and a capacity gauge on the front to show how much storage space is available.

www.Imation.com $440

Digital Storm has launched a new gaming computer, the Black OPS Gaming PC.

It’s built with an Intel i7 processor and ATI 5970 graphics card along with Digital Storm’s Sub-Zero Liquid Cooling System.

The cooling system removes performance-inhibiting heat from the processor, video cards, and the motherboard’s chipset.

Digital Storm has included the TwisterBoost Overclocking process, which optimizes and over clocks the system’s processor, memory, and graphic cards. This helps ensure all components are completely stable.

As for warranty, users get the Digital Storm 3-year parts and labor coverage. This includes a lifetime of customer support.

Each unit also includes a Noise Suppression Package, which eliminates the transmission of sound emanating from the PC.

www.DigitalStormOnline.com, $3,102

– Gregg Ellman

Just as the sign says on HDTV displays in electronics stores, you must have an HD signal sent to the TV in order to get HDTV-quality programming.

But what if you are happy with your analog TV, which doesn’t have a built-in HD tuner, but you want an HD quality picture?

A simple solution is the KWorld External TVBox (model SA295-Q DE), which connects to your older TV or even a computer to display HD content.

The device also allows user to view TV shows via the Web in the higher qualify format.

Once connected, programming is viewed with 16:9 aspect ratios in 1080i or 720p.

A nice built-in feature is a USB port to allow view of digital photos and MP3’s, which can’t be connected to many of the older TV’s without the addition of a device like this.

Users have a variety of options (VGA, DVI and HDMI output) for connecting the device depending with ports on the backside.

Many other features are included, such as parental controls for selected channel viewing, closed captioning and Power Smart energy-saving technology to shut the unit down when it is idle for a defined period of time (30-minutes up to 4-hours).

www.kworldcomputer.com, $109

The nio Bluetooth device makes sure you don’t leave home without it.

“It” can be whatever device you have chosen to pair with the nio using its security software with a device via Bluetooth.

Consider the nio your device’s burglar alarm. Once connected, the devices are secured as a pair, even if not in close proximity. An alarm on both devices sounds once they are separated past an acceptable distance.

Users have to do a simple software install from the nio download site and then pair the devices. All this takes just a few minutes.

When setting it up, the most important choice you will make is how far you want to allow the devices to be separated before the alarm sounds.

It’s about the size of a flash drive and is powered with a built-in battery recharge via USB. A reset button is the only control on the device.

www.bluenio.com, $69

The Concord Keystone EASY SHOT CLIP ultra-mini digital video camera is exactly that.

Measuring just 2.24 x 0.83 ix .071-inches and weighing less than ¾ of an ounce, users get a device that can film up to 2GB of video and sound to the built-in memory at 30 fps 640×480 pixels.

If you’re looking for a camera to film great HD video to produce DVD’s, this one is not for you.

Instead, if you want one of the most portable video cameras, which is incredibly easy to operate and produces decent video for what you pay for – then this video gadget is for you.

Working the device is incredibly simple, since it has just one button to operate.

ArcSoft Media Impression® Software (Mac and Windows compatible) is included to get videos uploaded to social networking sites.

Also included in the packaging is a bicycle mount, helmet adapter, mounting stand, neck strap and a shirt clip.

A Built-in Lithium-polymer rechargeable (USB) battery powers the recorder, which is available in both black and white options.

http://www.concordkeystone.com, $70

With all the apps available for the iPhone to use while in a car, the NewerTech Window Mount for the iPhone 3G and 3GS can be a handy accessory.

The best feature is that while driving you will be in a hands free mode when using mobile apps or phone calls.

For installation, simple mount the media player to any window, which gives you full view of the screen. It also gives access to the touch screen, but of course users would never use this while driving.

It’s made with a vibration resistant, flexible arm to adjust for most any view and NewerTech suggests it can be used just about anywhere in addition to autos. For example as I write this, the super vacuum adhesion suction cup is holding my iPod touch on an airplane tray table.

It suggested to use it with the Apple iPhone 3G and 3GS models only but obviously my touch is having no problem coming to a rest in the handy accessory.

www.newertech.com, $19.99

– Gregg Ellman

It’s not a great idea to use a $4,000 SLR digital camera, along with a $2,000 lens and a $400 flash, in the rain unless you have the new Hydrophobia 70-200 Flash rain cover from Think Tank.

Over the years I’ve tried many such products in the field only to go back to my old reliable roll of Saran Wrap.

In this case, I’ll put my plastic wrap back in the kitchen since this cover is incredibly well designed, like most everything else from Think Tank.

Users will find it protects the expensive gear from most of the harshest elements Mother Nature throws from the sky, including rain, snow and sleet.

It comes in two models, one that can be used with a flash priced at $145 and one without (Hydrophobia 70-200) for $139.

In the past, a cover like this on your camera limited how much access you had to the gear’s functions.

The Hydrophobia allows full access and includes a camera strap retainer loop inside the cover, eliminating any need to remove the existing strap. Users can carry the gear with a strap included with the cover to support the camera and lens.

When ordering your cover, specify what camera you will be using so the proper eye-piece (sold separately) is included for the proper fit.

The cover includes window for viewing the LCD for reviewing images and accessing the cameras menus.

www.thinktankphoto.com

These days good home all-in-one printers are commonplace and mostly affordable.

Companies now produce them with more and more innovative features and HP is no exception with the HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart Web.

Seems that everything being made now has to have a super-sized LCD screen with onscreen apps users can access.

HP brings that to the printer world with this desktop (18 x 19.3 x 7.7-inches) unit. The printer has a 4.3-inch touch screen, just under the size we have all come to like in the iPhones or iPod at 4.5-inches.

Although the printer has a high price ($399), it has a lot of great features. This includes connecting directly to the web in a wired or wireless environment, without a computer.

Most every feature, which is standard in home printers, is included: a built-in card reader, USB port for Pictbridge printing, Bluetooth, Ethernet port and phone jacks for faxing for those few who still insist on a paper copy.

I really liked the dual paper trays HP has put in this system. For 4 x 6-inch printing, users can put 20 sheets in on tray and 100 sheets of standing 8.5 x 11-inch paper in the other.

With the touch screen and direct connection to the web, HP advertises the printer to print coupons, recipes, movie tickets, calendars, coloring pages and more the oversized color touch screen.

While this can all be done, it doesn’t end there. The unit comes loaded with apps to for Google Maps, Coupons.com, Snapfish photo services and DreamWorks Animation.

Users should check the HP Apps Studio for updates and new apps.

www.hp.com

It might seem kind of odd to pay $270 for a lens that will intentionally make part of your digital images out of focus, but that’s what you get with the Lensbaby Composer.

The lens gives you a sweet spot of focus surrounded by an area of softness.

The lens fits onto your camera like any other, but that’s where the similarities end. It’s designed like a ball head, which enables you to swivel it in different directions.

This lets you find the point of the image you want to capture in focus. Focus point adjustments are based on the size of the aperture ring being used.

These rings are included with the lens but must be changed manually since there is no aperture adjustment on the manually operated lens. Instead, you adjust this with the rings, which can be stored in the included carrying case.

The composer comes with a double glass optic installed and has the look of a standard 50mm lens. The focus distance is several feet away but you can purchase macro filters to get closer and show a little more detail.

The lens and its accessories worked great and let you be creative in your photography in a whole new way. Using the products takes a lot of practice but the images produced are unique and fun.

Another accessory is the fisheye optic ($149.95), which can be added to the Lensbaby Composer. It must be installed inside the existing lens housing. To do this, you simply take out the installed double glass optic from the composer lens and then drop in the fisheye optic.

When in use, it allows you to focus as close as 1-inch away from your subject. For the most part, it’s a special effect accessory since it produces an image as a circle on photo on a black background.

http://lensbaby.com

– Gregg Ellman

If you ever think of asking whether you should backup your digital data, don’t bother: the answer always is yes.

There are many products that help users back up their data. Clickfree automatic backup products offer one of the simpler solutions I have found.

With this line of products, you simply plug in the hardware and the Clickfree smart software automatically finds the data and backs it up.

Users of both Mac and Windows systems can use the device, which measures about 4.52 by 0.67 by 2.9 inches.

As advertised, Clickfree is simple to configure and there is nothing to download. In addition, the products work with older hard drives you may have stashed in a closet or corner.

For me, all it took was connecting the Clickfree Transformer ($60) to my USB port and then to an external drive. From there all my data in my computer was automatically transferred. The processing time depends on how much data you have to be backed up.

Once connected on my Mac, I double clicked the icon on my desktop and set it up for a Mac system (You only have to do this the first time). From there, the software performed the backup.

Restoring files was just as easy. Users click on the “Search for Files” button, go to the drive with the backup data and select the item. Clickfree will then bring the data to a folder on the computer.

Each unit can backup the equivalent of data typically stored on up to 25 computers. The Clickfree products range in storage sizes of 120GB to 500GB and are priced from $90 to $170.

In addition, you can use also use the devices to back up the massive supply of music and videos on your iPod. Consider how long it too you to build your collection, not to mention the sum you spent purchasing the music or video files. Without Clickfree, your collection is one crash away from being destroyed.

The Clickfree Transformer for iPod is a $50 device that connects an iPod/iPhone to a computer for instant backup and can save you the worry of losing files you spent hundreds of dollars to assemble.

Also available is the credit card-sized Clickfree Traveler. This allows users to store up to 64GB of digital files in a pocket.

Traveler units are priced from $70 for the 16GB unit; $130 for 32GB and $220 for 64GB. The higher cost per GB is due to the small size and flash technology according to a company representative.

Once everything is backed up, files are listed by category: photos, music, e-mail, text docs, spreadsheets, presentations, artwork and drawings, video, favorite Web sites and others, making it super simple to find data.

www.clickfree.com

The Cobra Deluxe Bluetooth headset is built with T5 Sonance Noise Cancellation Technology to block out outside and unwanted noise.

Users can wear the headset on either ear for crystal clear communication from an office or a noisy environment such as driving a semi-trailer.

The earpiece and microphone are connected to an over-the-head adjustable band. This enables the boom microphone to be positioned in the most comfortable and useful position possible.

Once paired with a Bluetooth 2.0-enabled phone, using the Cobra Deluxe is simple. Everything is controlled by a button for powering it on and off, along with volume control.

Cobra gives ratings of 8 hours of talk time and 250 hours of standby for the headset, though the numbers may vary slightly. The unit can be charged via USB or A/C adapter with the included cables.

www.cobrahandsfree.com

Great sound for a great price is what you get from Yurtopia, makers of custom fit earbuds called the Yurbuds.

Priced under $20, these earbuds offer a custom fit and hours of comfort.

They are essentially a cover that fits over standard earbuds, such as those that come with an iPod or Bluetooth devices.

When attached, they convert standard earbuds into a true listening device that delivers the full frequency range of the sound being broadcast with much more comfort. This is especially helpful during activities or workouts with a lot of motion.

According to a recent e-mail from a Yurtopia company representative, they are based on a deep understanding of the human ear. Yurbuds have been designed by top audiologists and award-winning industrial designers and engineers, the company says.

To get the proper fit, the company requires a measurement of your ear size and shape in advance. Go to the company’s Web site and upload a digital photo of your ear. Yurtopia will scan the image to determine the proper size.

Then, with custom fit users will get the proper sound and more importantly a proper fit.

www.yurbuds.com, $19.99

– Gregg Ellman

This past week I opened a Canon PIXMA MX870 all-in-one printer, and it did exactly what I would want a printer to do right out of the box: print great quality photos with no hassle free.

We put the Canon to the test: Printing about 30 digital images for a high school photojournalism contest.

While the unit is packed with what seems like an endless amount of features I gave the printer a different kind of test.

A local high school photojournalism class, which I work with often on testing products, had about 30 digital images needing to be printed for a contest so I put the printer to work.

After unpacking the unit, I loaded the print drivers from the included CD, installed the five-ink cartridge system and connected the printer to my laptop. Each image was adjusted with Adobe Photoshop and then sent to the printer. Each came out with photo-lab quality, and I never had to leave my house.

(Was it fast? Fast enough. Print quality impresses me more than print speed, and the PIXMA MX870 delivers.)

This model offers much more than lab-quality photo prints: It also features a two-way paper feed, fax and copying. A 2.5-inch LCD screen makes it easy to view menus or even images loaded via the built-in memory card reader. And it’s wireless, which means fewer cables to wrestle.

The MX870 is part of Canon’s PIXMA line, which all have a new and improved operation panel. This lets users operate all the basic functions (scan/copy/fax/print) with a Mode button.

And, naturally, there is an iPhone connection. In this case it’s the Canon Easy-PhotoPrint EX for iPhone application, which is free at the iTunes App Store. This enables users can print digital images from the phone wirelessly.

Other new features include the Auto Document Fix feature, which sharpens and improves the quality of scanned items. Newspaper clips are notoriously difficult to scan, because the image on the back side of what you’re scanning tends to come through. Not so with this feature, which removed that background and preserved the scanned image.

www.USA.Canon.com, $199.99

The Dexim P-Flip Power Dock instantly became a must-have on my travel gadget list.

With so many iPhone/iPod accessories on the market, it’s really hard for one to stand out. The P-Flip certainly does.

To use it, you simply fold it open and dock your media player. While it’s docked, you can watch movies hands-free. Download the Pflip alarm clock app and turn it into a nightstand alarm clock.

The base has a rechargeable 2000mAh battery, so it charges your device while it’s docked. You can even connect a USB cable to the base for syncing with a computer.

The P-Flip fully charged my iPod touch, still had some power left when I docked it. Dexim rates the battery for 15 hours of videos, 60 hours of music or 8 hours of phone time. Even if you get close to those numbers, it’s a great addition to the capacity of the device’s actual battery.

Small lights on the battery indicate when it needs a charge itself; you can do that via USB.

When not in use, the pocket-sized device measures about 3 x 2.5 x.5-inches and folds up for easy storage.

www.Dexim.net, $55

Say hello to an easy-to-program alarm clock: the voice-activated Moshi Lifestyle.

It’s incredibly simple to set up: Plug it in, and then say “Hello, Moshi.” The clock then asks you which feature you want to set: time and alarm, date, volume control, night-light, temperature or alarm sound.

If you prefer programming the clock the old-fashioned way, you’ll find control buttons on the back of the clock’s LCD screen.

This worked perfectly right out of the box – despite my New York accent.

(And no, it doesn’t have an iPhone/iPod dock – which is almost a relief, given the glut of such products on the market.)

www.moshilifestyle.com, $39.99

– Gregg Ellman

Instead of flowers or chocolate, how about a holiday themed digital gadget for the upcoming Valentine’s Day?

One of my favorite portable devices, the Flip Video camera, has some new holiday themed models that are perfect for Valentine’s Day.

The Flip MinoHD camcorder can be personalized with many different romantic holiday designs. There is also the option to decorate it with one of your own photos.

With the pocket-sized (4 x 2 x 0.6-inches) camera, users can shoot 16:9 widescreen MPEG-4 videos at 720p (1280 x 720) at 30 fps.

The camera comes preloaded with FlipShare software. This enables video enthusiasts to edit and save the video and then easily share it on any of the popular social network sites.

Using this camera is one of the easiest things to do. After the internal rechargeable battery is charged, turn on the camera and hit record. That’s it unless you want to zoom in and out with buttons located on the back. They sit just below the unit’s 2-inch, no-glare display.

Videos can be replayed in the camera or just simply flip up the USB 2.0 arm and connect it to any Mac or PC. The camera has a port on the side to connect the included cables to a TV for viewing.

Browsing the company’s website, it’s easy to find or create personalization for most any holiday. The section for sweet designs for a sweet season has many to choose from but you are not limited to those.

First you must choose the model (4GB 60 minutes or 8GB 120 minutes) and then the design you want. If no design is desired, they come with a black or chrome finish.

www.theFlip.com, MinoHD 4GB $199.99, MinoHD 8GB $229.99.

A red SanDisk Sansa Clip 4GB MP3 player packs a whole lot of music into a golf ball-sized device built with solid-state flash memory.

Each player has a microSD memory card slot that enables the players to have an endless supply of music.

This feature is what makes the device unique in my mind. With the cost of microSD cards so low now, users can have multiple cards with thousands of songs for any type of playlists.

SanDisk estimates up to 4,000 songs can be loaded onto a 16GB card, but this number can vary in either direction depending on the length of each song.

This is all in addition to the internal memory of each device with the 4GB model being able to store about 1,000 songs and the 8GB about 2,000.

This slot also enables the device to play the SanDisk slotRadio and slotMusic cards.

Another great feature is the clip built onto the player. This lets it be used in a hands free capacity for most any activity.

A feature SanDisk has had in its MP3 players that others are finally starting to copy is the FM tuner. The Sansa Clip is equipped with 40 presets for anyone’s favorites.

A rechargeable lithium ion battery will give you up to 15 hours of life.

www.SanDisk.com, available in red, black and blue - 4GB $49.99, 8GB $69.99

Plattan headphones from Urbanears are for the style conscious and come in many colors, including red.

The full-sized adjustable headphones have padded ear covers for comfort and for portability fold down to the size of your fist.

On the cord is a microphone and remote for compatibility with many cell phone devices, including some BlackBerry’s and the iPhone. Two extra cable extensions are included to make the headphones compatible with many more devices.

A port is on each headset that the company calls a zound plug. This lets a second person plug in headphones to listen to the same music.

www.urbanears.com, available in 14colors for $59.99

The Jitterbug J cell phone comes in red and is designed for those who want simplicity and a healthy lifestyle. Included is an easy-to-read keypad, allowing easy dialing on its large and bright display and lots of healthful extras.

The phone is equipped with health and wellness features including American Heart Association Heart Healthy tips. One tip a day will be sent for a full year.

In addition, $10 of each unit purchased goes to the American Heart Association.

Jitterbug is showing its support by donating $500,000 to the

American Heart Association to help raise awareness so women can lead longer, heart-healthy lives.

The phone has large buttons to work as a simple device for those not up to speed on the technology. They also display the dialed number in large text.

Wellness services such as LiveNurse provide unlimited access to a registered nurse 24/7.

Other features include an easier-to-use interface with new main screen navigation. Users can personalize the ever-popular ring tones, which have been tested on the phone to work in all ranges of volume including for people with a hearing loss.

www.jitterbug.com, MSRP is $147 for the phone; monthly rate plans start at $14.99

– Gregg Ellman