New mandoline from Shun

You might get sticker shock when you look at the price on this new mandoline from Shun. But, let me tell you, this is the Mercedes-Benz of mandolines. I saw a demo of this mandoline recently and was amazed by three things: safety, results, and styling.

Safety: The clever design team at Shun deduced that the reason many people don't buy mandolines is because they're afraid. Either they've had a bad experience or heard horror stories. I could tell a first-hand--ahem, no pun intended-- story, but I'll spare you the gory details. Anyway, when using the Shun Pro Mandoline, it's nearly impossible to run your fingers or hand across the blade because the carriage features an offset handle. So, your hand never hovers over the super-sharp blade.

Results: I was amazed at how thin you could slice your produce. Think of the thickness of the ginger you get on the side of your sushi order. This mandoline could slice thinner than the thinnest slice of that ginger. So, what's the benefit in this for you? For starters, I'm thinking potato gratin, maple sweet potatoes, etc. And, how could those not be beneficial?

Styling: This is one pretty piece. The mandoline's legs are made of Pakkawood, which is known for its strength and durability. The black finishing on the wood offers a classy look to match other Shun Pro products. And, the sturdy stainless-steel deck matches more modern kitchen appliances. Overall, this piece is heavy, but that's what you'd expect of the Mercedes-Benz of mandolines, right?

Move over stand mixers, there's a new countertop king in town--the Shun Pro Mandoline.

--Sous-Chef on the Run

T-Mobile Launches 3G Network in New York City

Yesterday saw a flurry of blogging over the rumored launch of T-Mobile's long-brewing 3G network today in New York City on May Day, and speculation that the launch would be voice only--neglecting the data capability that is really central to 3G usage. Well, the 3G network did indeed launch today and Electronista is reporting that data is included:

Tests in New York City's Brooklyn borough using phones already capable of supporting the carrier's unique 1,700MHz UMTS Internet service show downloads at 300Kbps or more, pushing past the 200Kbps or less normally available on the EDGE (2G) network. Data can also pass through at the same time as calls -- a feat normally impossible with EDGE, which blocks phone service during heavy use.

T-Mobile's 3G network will be rolled out to at least 20 more markets by the end of the year, and no doubt their selection of 3G-capable phones will increase dramatically. Only a handful are currently offered, including the Nokia 6263 (seen at right) and 3555.

Despite the kleenex-ized generic monicker of 3G, there are actually several flavors of 3G connectivity as defined by the frequency that the cellular network uses. AT&T, T-Mobile's main GSM provider in the United States, offers dual-band connectivity on the 850 and 1900 MHz bands. However, T-Mobile's 3G network runs on the 1700 MHz frequency--thus a 3G-enabled phone that you may have picked up from AT&T won't get past the ropeline at T-Mobile's 3G party should you decide to switch networks.

This also prevents many current unlocked 3G-enabled phones from utilizing 3G on T-Mobile, as those that are geared for the American 3G audience currently offer connectivity to the 850/1900 MHz frequencies like the US network-enabled Nokia N95s. (Most unlocked 3G phones made for the European and Asian markets can't access either AT&T's or T-Mobile's 3G networks as those international networks run on the 2100 MHz spectrum.) But it does look like some new phones coming down the pike--such as the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1--are integrating 1700 3Gness in order to roll with T-Mobile.

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

from amazondaily