X Marks the Mod

Creative has invented a nifty plug and play device that promises to restore compressed audio formats such as the MP3 and AAC to an experience that is “beyond studio quality.” Attach it between your music player and speakers or headphones, and allow compressed playback to be converted into an adjustable surround sound vibrance. The Creative Xmod is compatible with both Mac and PCs and costs $139. Try before you buy at The Creative Store, #04-06 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd., 6895-4100.

Stealthy

The O2 Xda Stealth ($998) is a good solution for those who are used to a mobile phone, but crave the essential functions of a PDA. The latest addition to the recent spurt of convergent devices that support Windows Mobile 5.0, the aptly named Stealth comes in an unassuming matte black finish and slides up quietly to reveal a 12-key alphanumeric keypad. It comes with the usual Intel Xscale PXA272 processor, 2Megapixel camera, WIFI, Bluetooth, 192MB Flash ROM, 64MB RAM and expandable memory up to 2GB via a Mini SD card. Users familiar with O2 will be pleased they can still opt to access functions or text by using a stylus on the 2.4 inch QVGA TFT LCD screen. Available from the M1 Shop, #B1-28/29 Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., 1800-843-8383.

Check In

The residents of Habbo Hotel (www.habbo.com.sg)—the hot virtual community with features like online games and chat rooms—stand a chance to win a cool swag of items like Halo 2 Kubrick and Trexi collectibles. And all they have to do is blog about their virtual life on Windows Live Spaces (http://spaces.live.com). Along with Coke Singapore, Windows Live Spaces is handing out these goodies to the Habbo bloggers who show off the best design and content on their online diaries. Participating’s a synch—all Habbo Hotel residents need to do is sign up for a free account at Windows Live Spaces and blog according to a weekly theme decided by Habbo Hotel. There are three themes in all and prizes will be given out for the top three sites for each theme. The competition ends Nov 30.