We’re excited to announce a few new product Kallow-approved products! Of course, if you followed us on Twitter or subscribed to our awesome newsletter, this is old news to you!

First, we’ve updated our pick for best point-and-shoot digital camera. The new Canon PowerShot SD780IS sports a 12.1 megapixel sensor, which gives amazing detail to your photos, especially when printed. Like our previous pick, this PowerShot offers face-detection while focusing, so no more blurry shots of the kids — their faces will be clear and bright in every shot.

The PowerShot SD780IS also crushes competition with HD video recording capability. Shoot high-quality video directly on your SD card, and watch every moment on your new HDTV via the PowerShot’s HDMI output.

In addition, we’ve updated our recommendation for a great handheld video camcorder. The new Flip MinoHD records twice as much video as the previous generation. It also boasts a new HDMI output and a large two-inch anti-glare display.

We’re convinced the new Belkin G+ MIMO is the best router on the market. It’s plug-and-play, which means there’s no frustrating setup software and no complex hardware configuration.The router is compatible with both Mac and PC computers, and the price tag can’t be beat. If you’re in the market for a new wireless router, look no further than the Kallow-approved Belkin G+ MIMO.

Oh, and we are drooling over Apple’s new iMac and 13.3″ Macbook, both of which have our thumbs up for a great desktop and laptop, respectively.

That’s all for now. Remember, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our newsletter, or get in touch via email!

There comes a time in every website’s life when he or she must move on.

Move on from the ancient, dark and deprecated corner of the internet: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.

Starting today, and inspired by IE6 No More, if you are using IE 6 or below to browse Kallow, you will get a nice and helpful suggestion to upgrade your browser to something more… friendly.

Why not upgrade now? Try the latest version of Internet Explorer 8, Firefox 3.5, Google Chrome, or Safari.

We love all of these browsers, and we think you’ll love them too. Your Kallow experience will be even better. We promise.

Now you can shop even more simply on Kallow.

We’ve partnered with PriceSpider.com, the comparison shopping website, to offer Kallowers an exciting new feature. Starting today, you can compare prices for all of our recommended products without ever leaving Kallow!

With this easy-to-use new feature, you can find the best price across the internet at a glance, find out any tax or shipping fees, and even see if the item is in stock.

Just look below the item description for the table of prices, choose where you’d like to make your purchase, and have fun with your new toy!

We’re pretty excited about this neat improvement, and we hope it will make your hunt for the perfect gadget even easier!

We always love attention, so it’s great to be featured in the great Kansas City publication, Ink!

As a KC native, Jordan has always aspired to be written about in the city’s paper. Fortunately for everyone, he avoided the Local Crime section this time, and found his mug on the newsprint of this week’s Ink, a popular publication for young adults in the area.

If you’d like more insight into Kallow, you should read the short article online or, if you live in wonderful Kansas City, just find your nearest newstand. It’s free! Yay!

From the article, here are some hot gadget-shopping tips:

• Forget the hype. Don’t buy the latest and greatest. There’s a reason why they call it the ‘cutting edge.’ Sometimes a little too sharp, I guess.
• Go simple. Complexity is the only guarantee for failure. The more moving parts there are to a system, the more chances of something going wrong.
• Seek advice. Every family has a resident geek who is usually the best resource. Ask around.

Great advice! But, then again, we gave it!

This morning, we’ve updated our Blu-ray player selection for the first time ever!

The past year has seen amazing price drops and technical advances in the wonderful world of Blu-ray. After the high-def disc format finally stomped HD-DVD, more manufacturers focused on Blu-ray. They continue to cut costs, drive down prices and give us better products. Mmm…we love it!

But this also means even more options for you! More choices, more techie features, more headaches! Don’t get too stressed out, though, because we’re hear to help!

Announcing the new, improved and Kallow-approved Samsung Blu-ray player.

Isn’t she sexy? Let’s count the ways we love the Samsung BD-P1600.

1. Beautiful, full HD 1080P Blu-ray disc playback
2. Upsampling of standard DVDs makes them look better than ever
3. Stream over 12,000 Netflix movies and TV shows instantly, directly to your TV
4. Stream your favorite music and discover new artists with built-in Pandora internet radio support

If you’ve been waiting to hop on the Blu-ray train, now might be the right time for you. For more information, visit our Blu-ray Disc Player page.

Happy June everyone!

If you live in the United States, you may be aware of a big change coming to your television sets later this month.

On June 12, 2009, all broadcasts from network stations will no longer be transmitted via analog signals! The US government has said “Come on, dinosaurs! Get with it,” and mandated that all broadcasts starting June 13, 2009 be broadcasted over-the-air digitally.

Digital programming, as opposed to analog programming, will offer higher quality video and audio. Your favorite TV shows will look better than ever.

So, what do you have to do to take advantage of the national DTV switch? Well, it depends.

If you’ve got a new television, such as most HDTVs, chances are you already have a digital tuner installed, and you are set. You don’t have to do anything at all! Just check your TV manual and look for phrases such as “Integrated Digital Tuner,” “Digital Tuner Built-In,” “Digital Receiver,” “Digital Tuner,” “DTV,” “ATSC,” or “HDTV.”

If you subscribe to cable or satellite programming, it is likely that you’re getting digital broadcasts already. But, to be safe, you should call your provider and double check.

But if you are still using a rabbit-ear OR outdoor antenna to receive your television programming, you will be affected. In order to continue receiving programming, you will need to purchase a set-top converter box.

These boxes convert the digital content into analog, which your television can display. However, if you use one of these boxes, you will not get the full DTV experience, as sound and picture quality are downgraded for your television.

Well, that’s not fair. You gotta buy ANOTHER ugly box to put underneath the TV? Fortunately, the US government is providing coupons for these converter boxes to lessen the damage on your wallet. You should apply for the coupon as soon as possible.

Or could it be time for an upgrade?

As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment, write us an email, or follow us on Twitter!

Digital cameras have come a long way.

My first digital camera was an Olympus that weighed like a brick in my hand, and recorded onto a 3.5″ floppy disk! I think each disk could store about six photos before becoming full.

Now, photos from mobile phones kick the tar outta that camera’s results. All the while, prices continue to drop for your standard point and shoot, as well as digital SLR, cameras.

As prices fall and cameras improve, more and more people are turned onto photography. Today, it’s so easy to grab your little PowerShot, throw it in your bag, snap a few shots, and preserve your memories forever.

One of the most common questions we’re asked here at Kallow is whether a newcomer to digital photography should start simply with a point and shoot camera, or dive head first into the DSLR world.

Our answer depends on a couple factors.

First, what all do you intend to shoot with the camera?

For someone interested in taking photos of your newborn, or of all the fun nights out with your friends, or of the wonderful places you travel to, a point and shoot will be more than enough.

Every year, we are amazed at the developments in compact cameras. Today, image quality rivals that of professional DSLRs, at a fraction of the cost and in a much smaller, more convenient package (don’t underestimate dragging that DSLR around your neck everywhere!)

But for the budding photographer, who is a bit more serious about the art, we say ‘Go for the DSLR!’

Entry-level DSLRs, such as the Canon XSi, provide an incredible opportunity to learn photography like a pro. The cameras are easy to use, very affordable and tons of fun.

As your hobby grows and develops, you have the option of purchasing new lenses to allow for different types of shots, such as wide-angle, or telephoto (great for capturing breathtaking sports action shots).

We sure hope this helps. If you have a question, you can always Ask Kallow.

Ahh…memorial day. The neighborhood pool, brats on the grill, a cold beer in the hand. What else could you need?

We can think of a few things!

This weekend, don’t forget your:

GPS unit. Before you have any fun, you gotta get there first! And the best way to get there is with the kick-ass Garmin Nuvi 255W.

iPod and iPod Speakers. It’s Summer time! Turn up the tunes! Bring the speaker dock on the patio, in the boat, or by the volleyball court.

Digital camera or DSLR. Crazy uncle drink a little too much and getting near the edge of the boat? Don’t miss a shot! Be ready with either the great Canon PowerShot SD890IS or the professional-quality Canon Digital Rebel XSi.

Leave the laptop at home and go have some fun! See ya next week!

One of the most viewed product categories on Kallow is the earbud page.

Currently, we recommend the excellent and affordable Sennheiser CX300s, which are miles above and beyond the standard, white buds that come packaged with most MP3 players.

There is something unique about these Sennheisers: their wires are unequal in length. The right bud’s wire is about twice as long as the left ear’s. So, we’re often asked, what’s up with that?

While most headphones and earbud cables rest in front of the body, in a Y-shape, the CX300s are designed to be worn as a J-shape.

To be worn properly and comfortably, insert the left earbud first. Then, take the longer cord leading to the right earbud, and instead of running it in front of your neck, wrap it around the backside of your neck and insert it into your right ear. This will form a “J-shape,” instead of the more common Y.

This is especially great when exercising. No more annoying wire getting in the way when you’re pumping iron or jogging outside in the beautiful summer weather!

Check out the Sennheiser CX300 earbuds now.

Happy Thursday everyone!

Many Kallowers often wonder the process by which products are selected here on the site. How can we recommend just one product? What all goes into the final decision?

Ease-of-use is one of the most important considerations. If our moms can’t figure it out, we’ll likely rule it out immediately. What good is a fun new toy if you can’t play with it? Fortunately, manufacturers are finally catching on. The Flip camera is a great example of this.

Naturally, price is also important. While some shoppers enjoying being on the bleeding edge where price isn’t a factor, we know that 90% want something that won’t break the bank. A good balance of features and price is paramount for a Kallow product.

We also only stand behind products that prove themselves valuable, durable and usable over time. If you buy a new digital camera, it should last you at least a few years. To us, having a reliable product is more important than having the latest and greatest.

When you buy a new gadget, what do you look for? Leave a comment, or follow us on Twitter!