ZimmComm – New Media, LLC

It’s possible to carry more production and transmitting power in your briefcase or Vera Bradley bag today than all the towers and equipment that it takes to run one tv or radio station. Gadgets get smaller, more affordable and then there’s the internet. We’re all about new media here at ZimmComm. Hey, it’s in our name!

If you’d like to learn more about gadgets and how they can be used to make you more productive on the job then consider scheduling me for a presentation. I’ll be doing just this in coming weeks for the Cooperative Communicators Association Institute, Association for Communicating Excellence Annual Mtg. and American Farm Bureau Federation Public Relations Conference. I can conduct a show and tell while providing live examples of how these gadgets can be used to enhance your communications efforts. I think I’ll call it Gadget Goodness.

So, let’s look at a new gadget that was just announced by Samson. It’s the Zoom H1 digital audio recorder which should be available next month. I’m betting this one goes over very well. The retail price is expected to be $99!

Features:

* Stereo X/Y mic configuration captures perfect stereo images
* Same frequency and SPL handling as popular Zoom H2
* Records Broadcast WAV (BWF) at 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit
* Records MP3 from 48 to 320kbps for maximum recording time
* Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port
* Built-in reference speaker
* Includes 2GB microSD card and one AA battery
* One AA size battery allows 10 hours operation
* Accommodates up to 32GB microSDHC memory cards
* Track marker function
* Low cut filter
* Built-in tripod mount
* 1/8″ external mic input
* Stereo 1/8″ line output
* Auto record level
* Optional accessory package (APH-1) includes windscreen, AC adapter (USB type), USB cable, adjustable tripod stand, padded-shell case and mic clip adapter

Follow Samson on Twitter.

My main man, Steve Mays, the Obamanator, is on the ground in Washington, DC to attend today’s inauguration. He’s blogging it and tweeting it, using Flickr and even some video. I’d rather watch his coverage than any of the network blather. We may be miles apart politically but he does a good job and gets the new media thing better than most.

I’m not sure where I’ll be at actual inauguration time. Heck, I’ve got to look up what time it is. I haven’t really been that interested. However, I did download the new Ustream.tv app to my iPhone and it works great here at KCI Airport wifi. It requires a wifi connection but allows you to watch live streaming video like Agwired Live TV! They’re supposed to have a live feed from the event. You can already watch some live webcam video from the area.

Just think of the possibilities for events of your own!

While we’re still celebrating iPhone 3G release day I thought I’d point out something that may make it a more desirable choice for bloggers. If you’re a WordPress user like me then there will be an application which allows you to post directly from your iPhone.

The WordPress for iPhone App is nearly ready to go. It supports WordPress.com blogs as well as self-hosted WordPress.org blogs running version 2.5.1 or newer.

While we wait, here is a brief video showing the App in action. (It’s high quality, so may take a moment to kick off.)

iPods make great gifts both personally and professionally these days. Apple has a program that lets you order iPods with your logo on them in case you didn’t know.

They can be used for any variety of purposes and they’ll even pre-load content onto them for you in the right quantity.

Visit Apple online to learn more or call 1-866-364-2167.

Whether they’re gifts, promotional incentives, training tools, or rewards for a job well done, nothing can create excitement like an iPod, iTunes Gift Card, or iPod accessory. Call today and ask about our special pricing on volume orders.

There’s a 50 unit minimum for iPods. You can also order other products as well.

Last year at MacWorld the big news was the iPhone. This year there were several pretty big announcements starting with this awesome little gadget, the MacBook Air. it’s a seriously light, thin notebook and might be just the thing for the road warrior.

MacBook Air is ultrathin, ultraportable, and ultra unlike anything else. But you don’t lose inches and pounds overnight. It’s the result of rethinking conventions. Of multiple wireless innovations. And of breakthrough design. With MacBook Air, mobile computing suddenly has a new standard.

I love my MacBook Pro and although you can do the same things on a pc, it’s just a lot more fun on a Mac.

This has to be the smallest portable audio studio I’ve seen.

It’s the just announced Belkin iPod Podcast Studio. According to Podcasting News:

Belkin has introduced the Belkin Podcast Studio – a $100 accessory that basically turns your iPod into a mini podcasting studio – just add a mic.

Dual XLR and 1/4-inch channels give you a range of recording options. The Podcast Studio has a built-in mic and speaker are powered by their own battery, so you won’t kill your iPod battery instantaneously. Belkin expects to ship this in June.

You might also want to keep the Belkin TuneStudio in mind too.

If you’re looking for a new mobile phone you might consider the Helio Ocean that now allows you to take a video clip and immediately load it to YouTube. I’m not sure what the quality is like but for that quick upload from an event this phone might be worth checking out.

Helio is a stand alone phone and service provider but they are leasing their service from Sprint so you know it’s on a fast network if you’re in one of their EVDO cities.

It’s getting easier and easier to publish content folks. You can find a video demo on their website.

After deciding that it’s not time for me to get an iPhone yet I did purchase an Touch. That’s one of the new Apple iPods. It’s got a big screen and connects to the internet via wi-fi. Like the iPhone this is really a revolutionary product.

Yes it let’s you listen to your music but it really makes video more enjoyable and with internet access you can watch YouTube videos and even download them to the unit. I think you have to look at it as more than an iPod. It’s a computer in a very small package. I can do email using my Gmail account and I’ve already posted onto my AgWired site with it.

I’m married to my Palm Treo for another year or so and I’d rather take pictures with one of my cameras so I don’t miss that on the iTouch.

We’ve come a long way with these devices in just a couple years. Think about all the people who are growing up with these and don’t remember when we didn’t have them!

• Now playing hotel california (by RealPlayer Windows Plugin)

I’m not trying to be an equipment review site here but I get asked often enough about types of equipment to use for production, especially audio. Here’s one I’m looking forward to adding to our tool kit. It’s a Marantz PMD620. I got to demo this one at the Podcast & New Media Expo. It’s supposed to be coming out some time in November.

Here at ZimmComm New Media we’ve got a Marantz PMD 660 which is the best you can buy right now but it’s still a large form factor. So you’ve been seeing me with an Edirol R-09 and Cindy with a Zoom H-2. Of course we still have our trusty Sony MZ-B100 too. Pricing should be comparable to the Edirol from what I understand.

You can read more about the new unit on Podcasting News.