Technology & Gadget Blog

We all know stealing music is lame and I’m an avid iTunes user — I like the option of purchasing songs without having to buy the whole CD. Unfortunately bricks-’n'-mortar music stores have suffered because of this availability.

With the holidays fast approaching, I was in the mood to search for tunes to add to my Christmas playlist and I heard about a brand new digital download site. HMV Canada has finally joined the tech world and created a site for you to browse and download music, similar to iTunes (although still in the Beta stage). The benefits of the HMV site is that you have a longer preview time of songs, and it creates a mini-playlist of recently browsed songs. And like iTunes, most songs are $0.99 a download, with the current chart toppers selling for $1.29 each.

I’m really glad HMV decided to do this, not only because I had a blast working at the stores throughout my high school years, but because HMV is a British corporation that invests largely in the Canadian market and not within the US. Even though I love Apple, I’d rather support a company that gives back more to the Canadian economy.

Check it out at hmvdigital.ca

The recent release of the new bright iPod Nanos inspired me to pull together a few products that come in a bunch of different colours. Because a girl should have a choice.

1. iPod Nano, comes in 7 colours, plus black and silver. Price: $169 (8 GB), $219 16 GB. Available at: Apple.

2. Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 in Milk Chocolate, Aloe and Pomegranate (also comes in Strawberry Sorbet and Blue Sno Cone). Price: $39.95 each. Available at: Best Buy, Office Depot. Microsoft for info.

3. Dell Studio 15 laptop in Jet Black, Tangerine Orange, Flamingo Pink, Midnight Blue, Ruby Red, Spring Green, Plum Purple and (in centre) Graphite Grey with colour trim. Price: From $799 each. Available at: Dell.

4. (From left) Dyson DC20 Stowaway, $549.99. Limited edition Issey Miyake Dyson DC16, $179.99. Dyson DC25 Ball $599.99. Available at: Future Shop, Sears, Home Outfitters, The Bay. Dyson for info.

5. KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 quart 325-watt tilt-head stand mixer. Price: $469.99 each. Available at: Home Outfitters, The Bay, KitchenAid.