On this page is -- or will be --- all the gadgets and gizmos from The Daily Giz Wiz for October, 2007. And yes, the crap from TTTT - Turn The Table Tuesday - is here too.
To make it easier (hopefully) the latest week is at the top of the page.
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Daily Giz Wiz, Week of October 29th, 2007
Monday,October 29thNetcast 431
GE 2 in1 Internet Phone.As I mentioned on the Netcast, I’m reporting on this gadget because it seems like something very different. But I did not get to actually field test it. I saw it at trade show and I had it overnight to show on ABC News, but it had to be returned right away. But here’s what attracted me to the phone. You can use itto make free calls via Skype (you didn’t even need a computer, the software is on the phone)or you can use your standard landline. Now you still have to have a router for the base unit to get on the Internet. But you can use the cordless phone throughout the house. You can dial out through the router (the base is hard wired to the router) using Skype, or you can tell the phone to use your landline. Both router and landline are plugged into the same base unit. It’s also features the new 6.0 Dect technology which is supposed to make cordless phones clearer than ever. Cost is under $180.00. Be aware that this is a new model. As I’m writing this on October 24th, it’s not even on the GE/RCA website yet. There is a GE Internet phone that does far less on the market. If you see it for under $100, it’s probably one of the older models. The link below shows you all the features of the new model.
It’s Turn The Table Tuesday and Leo talked about the Meraki.
Don’t worry, I never heard of it either, but here’s some info from Meraki website.It actually sounds pretty neat!
Empowers San Franciscans to Free the Net Wi-Fi Community Expansion Planned for Neighborhoods Across San Francisco
A community Wi-Fi movement is taking place in the urban neighborhoods of San Francisco. Today more than 6,500 San Francisco residents and business owners concentrated in the Mission, Haight, and Alamo Square neighborhoods are tapping into a growing free Wi-Fi network with the help of Meraki. Compared to a top-down municipal Wi-Fi approach, Meraki takes a truly unique and innovative bottoms-up approach by empowering individuals to connect and build a Wi-Fi community. The new San Francisco Wi-Fi community was started a little more than five months ago by Meraki as an initiative called Free the Net. Due to the successful expansion of this Wi-Fi community and significant interest coming from many other San Franciscans asking to join, Meraki today announced plans to expand its support to neighborhoods across San Francisco.
The Meraki Mini (indoor version) has a list price of $49. Meraki is distributing these units free in limited quantities to volunteers who want to sign up and expand community Wi-Fi access in San Francisco. To date, there are approximately 1,500 volunteers in San Francisco who are already signed up to help build and power the network.
This turned out to be a perfect gadget to use on the Halloween episode of the Daily GizWiz.Heck, I even wore to a Halloween party!
It’s the Optimus Prime Voice Changer! I love this line from their website:
“The ultimate headgear for any OPTIMUS PRIME fan, strap on this awesome helmet and rule the galaxy — or your living room!”
That’s a wide range – the galaxy or your living room!There are thee different modes built in. It lets you make your voice sound like a robot, or hear conversion sounds of OPTIMUS PRIME changing from a truck to a robot and back again, or hear OPTIMUS PRIME movie battle phrases like, “I am OPTIMUS PRIME!” “The DECEPTICONS must be stopped!” and three more! Easy-to-adjust straps allow you to fit the helmet comfortably on your head. There’s a built in microphone, and you hold a button on the side of the helmet to change your voice into a robotic one. The helmet adjusts to fit head sizes ages 5 through adult. 3 AA Batteries Included. I found that out after I removed all the screw from the battery compartment!And remember: CAUTION: This is not a protective Device!
Thursday, November 1st, 2007Netcast 434 Playing game at the office?Don’t want to get caught?
The Stealth Switch is the answer. Install the software and plug the hidden foot switch in. It either goes between the keyboard and your computer, or just into an available USB port. Once installed just a light tap of your toes on the foot switch hidden under your desk and it will work its magic for you. (But you have to remember the switch is down there. I installed it at MAD Magazine and as I tried to show something on my computer screen I kept hitting the switch by mistake and the program I was in kept disappearing and reappearing!)Based on your preferences, it can hide the current window, hide all windows, or hide all windows except for specified windows. Not just minimize, mind you, but totally erase from your screen. The Stealth Switch can also mute the sound, hide the taskbar, hide the desktop icons, and password protect the restore function. When the coast is clear, another quick tap and you are ready to frag in peace. Software Requires: Win 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP Home/Pro$24.99.From our friends over at Think Geek. http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/76ed/ Back to the Warehouse, Friday,November 2nd Netcast 435 The Panasonic ShowStopper PV-HS2000
Here’s what PC Magazine said about it in their August, 2000 issue. The Panasonic ShowStopper PV-HS2000 is one of the first ReplayTV units to be manufactured by a company other than Replay Networks itself. The ShowStopper ($600 street, including lifetime subscription for listings service. The ShowStopper contains four input options (S-Video, RF/antenna, and two composite jacks. The ShowStopper provides 10 hours of storage in its top-quality mode and 30 hours in extended mode. (Those weren’t bad specs for 7 years ago!) The ShowStopper doesn't allow for manual programming. This can be a hassle when trying to tape programs such as sporting events, which often run longer than the TV listings indicate. Replay Networks says by fall it will roll out features that add extra recording time at the end of TV shows and sporting events. It’s still available if you do a web search on Ebay! Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw435 **********************************************************************
A long time ago (thirty years) in a galaxy far, far away (California) . . .
It is a period steeped in cinematic lore. Rebel filmmaker George Lucas, striking from a base in Northern California, won a tremendous box office victory against all odds with Star Wars, his sci-fi spectacular. During the ensuing craze, MAD’s “Usual Gang of Idiots” managed to steal a few laughs at the movie’s expense, soon discovering that Star Wars was the ultimate pop culture punching bag. Pursuing each Star Wars film’s release with more mockery, the MAD men spent the next three decades making a farce of the Force and spreading mirth across the galaxy. In this special edition volume, you’ll chuckle as the Star Wars saga’s greatest moments are mocked by such MAD greats as Dick DeBartolo, Mort Drucker, Don Martin, and Sergio Aragonés; smirk as the striking similarities between the space battles created by Industrial Light & Magic and by the “Usual Gang of Idiots” are revealed; hum along to the unforgettable Star Wars musical, as penned by MAD’s master lyricist, Frank Jacobs; gasp at the startling insights into R2-D2’s love life; and marvel at the real reason why Lucas’s lawyers never sued MAD. If you do a web search you can find it for about $15!There are a lot of my satires in the book, even my letter from George Lucas. Pick up this book and see why, when Star Wars gets the MAD treatment . . . Sith happens!
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For those Match Game fans who emailed me, I have good news. (Even if you didn't email me, you might be interested.) Some Match Game questions are available again. But not as many as before. The previous batch sold out in less than three weeks!
Were you, or are you, a fan of THE MATCH GAME? .....Now you can own a small piece of its history -- a 3" X 5" piece! Actually, three 3" X 5" pieces. Read on.
After writing The Match Game for 18 years I never guessed it would live on. And on and on and on. 25 years later and it still goes on. I've earned no residuals on the 25 years of repeats, but I did get something special. I own some of the original Match Game questions. If you want to read more, go here:
The DAILY GIZ WIZ, WEEK OF OCTOBER 22nd, 2007 Monday, October 22nd, 2007, Netcast 426 Insignia Pilot 4 GB Bluetooth MP3 Player.Model:NS-4V24 This 4GB MP3 video player delivers quite a few features for a low price. And it’s one of the few Bluetooth enabled MP 3 players on the market. It comes with ear buds, but not Bluetooth headphones. However with compatible Bluetooth headphones you can listen to music anywhere you go wirelessly. Range is about 30 feet, so you’re player can be in your backpack, jacket pocket, etc. The Insignia brand is exclusive to Best Buy.This unit has a lot of features including a 2.4" high-resolution LCD color display, bult-in digital FM tuner with 20 presets; and I like this a lot --- you can remember songs you hear by saving track and artist data from FM stations broadcasting RDS data. Other features are a Secure Digital card expansion slot for additional memory capacity, and custom EQ with 4 presets,According to the company the rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 25 hours of playback time.PC and Mac compatible $139.99.But you might want to consider the 8 MG version for $179.99. Insignia also makes a wireless Bluetooth headset/mic that can connect to your Bluetooth-enabled MP3 player, cell phone or PC. It’s a comfortable behind-the-head design with over-the-ear phones. 10 hours of continuous music play on one charge. Built-in microphone. $59.95Model NS-BTH’DP www.bestbuy.com Hear this Netcast: www.tiwt.tv/dgw426 TTTT, October 23rd Netcast 422 Another actual gadget from Leo on this Turn The Table Tuesday. Leo picked the Freedom Keychain GPS. Here’s some info from their website:The Freedom Keychain GPS currently the world’s most compact and neatest GPS receiver is aimed directly at the ever increasing number of users of SmartPhones and BlackBerrys (150 million will be sold in 2007.) Only about 10-15% of the new devices will have GPS built in, e.g. the 8800 BlackBerry, but all the Pearl and older models have no GPS. Charge it up in your car or at home. No need to take it off the key ring in the car, and when walking it can stay with your keys in your pocket, briefcase, handbag, rucksack or anywhere else you want and still maintain an accurate lock with the GPS satellites. Ideal for connecting wirelessly to your notebook, PDA or Mobile Phone by state of the art Bluetooth technology. Owners of hand held devices can now easily and cheaply (some for less then $10) obtain new styles of maps and mapping programs that can be downloaded directly onto their mobile phone, PDA or Laptop. These new maps can aid the visitor to find their way in a new city, and in the U.K. even giving them detailed maps for country walks. http://freedominput.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96&Itemid=81 Hear this Netcast: www.tiwt.tv/dgw427 Wednesday, October 24th – Netcast 423
Free your computer from your kids!
Zipit Z2 lets kids IM on the go via WiFi hot spots. At home they can IM without tying up the parent’s computer. However, parents will have access to what kind of language can be passed through their computer and can block features they don't want their kids to use. I tried one of the pre-production models and it worked fine. Charge it with the AC adaptor, turn it on and it searches for available WiFi hot spots. (They have to be unlocked for the Z2 to use it.) In my office the Z2 found my wireless WiFi quickly and I was able to sign onto AOL. You can easily IM on AOL/AIM, Yahoo and MSN. There’s a memory card slot so you can carry tunes and photos when you’re not in a WiFi zone. This is a big update from the original Zipit with had a monochrome screen.The new Z2 model is priced at $150, Coming to stores soon, available on line now. www.zipitwireless.com Hear this Netcast: www.tiwt.tv/dgw428
Thursday, October 25th Netcast 429 An easy way to get kid’s to brush their teeth. TOOTHTUNES features a patented technology that transmits songs and music vibrations through the teeth, which are then heard in the inner ear. Users will hear two full minutes of some the hottest music from today’s biggest stars which will keep them brushing.Some brushes will feature a congratulatory message upon completion. The revolutionary toothbrush uses a micro-chip that provides music from artists, including Black Eyed Peas, Hilary Duff, Destiny’s Child, KISS, Kelly Clarkson and The Cheetah Girls. Each toothbrush plays one song and stops after the minimum dentist recommended brushing time of 2 minutes. TOOTHTUNES is more innovative – it is also very practical. Kids will enjoy brushing their teeth and parents will be thrilled that their child is developing good dental hygiene habits. A spokesperson told me the brush and batteries will last about 3 months before needing replacement. And that is the recommended time to get a new toothbrush! www.toothtunes.com Hear this Netcast:www.twit.tv/dgw429 Back to the Warehouse, Friday,October 26thNetcast 430 No buttons, no knobs! The Total Touchscreen Alarm Clock. Here’s another device I expected to be a big hit.You simply touch icons on the screen to set the time and alarm. Zero buttons. The Westclox TECH Touchscreen clockcontinuously displayed alarm time in the upper right hand of the clock face. Rubberized grips run along the sides of the case for easy handling. Fast forward/reverse setting icons make setting the time and alarm very easy. Simply touch the screen icons and the arrows to adjust the settings. Alarm indicator lets you know when the alarm is on or off. Soft green backlight on demand. Features a large snooze bar. Requires two AAA batteries which are not included.Well it wasn’t a big hit and you probably never heard of it. Here’s something interesting. I just did a web search at this minute it seems to be available at the ACE Hardware website for under $16.00! http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1279853 Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw430 ***********************************************
It's almost the end of the month!
Not much time left to play the "What The Heck Is It?" game. You can win an autographed copy of MAD magazine for the right, or often, the wrong answer, assuming it's cute, clever or silly.
The picture of the mystery gadget is at the bottom of the opening page on this very website:
Monday, October 15th, Netcast 421 Set it and forget it – and wake at a different time every day of the week! From our friends at Think Geek comes the Neverlate 7-day Alarm clock is perfect for those of us who have to wake at different times on different days. That’s because this clock has seven alarms, one for each day of the week. The independent daily alarms make this clock a must for the dorm, or for people who do shift work where the hours keep changing. You’ll be able to get the maximum sleep based on your class or work schedule. And the snooze button can give you anywhere from 1 to 30 minutes of extra sleep – you set it once and the Neverlate will remember it. Also, there is a “nap” button, which is great for both dorm and office. One push and you can set a nap duration from 1 to 120 minutes. It doesn’t change any of the other alarms. Setting each daily alarm is easy. Just turn the top inner knob to the day, and rotate the top outer wheel until the proper time is displayed. Advance the knob to the next day and repeat. Once all the alarms are set, you’re good to go. Get the notice that tomorrow’s class or early meeting has been cancelled? Not a problem. Just turn off tomorrow’s alarm, and leave the rest of the week active. Each alarm is really that independent! This clock is also an FM/AM radio (which, of course, you can set the alarm to turn on). Best of all, it’s a reasonable price - $34.99 www.thinkgeek.com Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw421 TTTT, October 16th, Netcast Leo comes up with a real gadget for this week’s Turn The Table Tuesday! The Blackberry Curve 8320 from T-Mobile! I don’t know anything about this unit since it was Leo’s gadgets, but here’s some info from the T-Mobile website: Wi-Fi and Mobile Calling. Easy transition between Wi-Fi calling and T-Mobile's wireless network while you talk when used with a HotSpot@Home wireless router and HotSpot@Home optional service. Send and receive e-mail messages on your phone. Access fast, wireless connections from anywhere on the T-Mobile USA network.. Real web browsing. Get more pages and better Web content delivered efficiently to your phone. Text messaging. Send pictures from your phone to others. 2.0 mega pixel cameraMicro SD memory slot Add more memory for multimedia files, data, and more. Get unlimited any-network calling to any 5 people with a myFaves plan. Quad-band world phone (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) Use this phone in any of the countries where T-Mobile provides GPRS service. AOL, Yahoo!, MSN, and ICQ Instant Messenger. Music player. Bluetooth wireless technology Lose the wires and keep your hands free for more important things. Speakerphone. Prices will vary will contract, but I just saw it on the T-Mobile website for $250. http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/detail.aspx?tp=tb2&device=a2262565-32f0-4d50-bd1c-4fd62ce2db70 Hear this Netcast:www.twit.tv/dgw422 Wednesday, October 17th 2007. Now any kids can be a movie producer, complete with special effects! Creation Station allows anyone to create, edit and upload their own personal videos.The kit includes a digital camera with a green screen, tripod, integrated software and a bonus CD.Record yourself in front of the green screen andproduce your own short movie by replacing the green with any background. You can even use the “newsroom” background and put yourself at the news desk! Heck, I may never have to go to ABC News again. I can just do my reports at home in from the green screen and add the ABC News room background when I’m done. After you create your own video, and add music and special effects, then with the special one-click feature, you can upload it to YouTube, etc. Then stand back and wait for the awards to come rolling in!$99.99. http://www.riproarmedia.com/
Thursday, October 18thNetcast 424 I have to add something to my shopping list.Where’s the pencil and paper? Come on, this is the modern age.We don’t use pencil and paper anymore. SmartShopper is your electronic shopping list. It has a magnetic back so it sticks to the refrigerator door. Out of something? Simply press “record” and speak the name of the item or items you wish to add. The unit comes with nearly 2,500 grocery items already entered and the user can add their own favorite items or brands. Another unique feature is the 'errand list'. Before leaving for the store, the user can say the names of errands they may also need to run, such as bank, car wash, post office, dry cleaners and many others. The errands will be the first category to print on the list followed by their grocery list. When it time to go shopping hit “Print”, and SmartShopper prints your listWhen I first tried the unit it didn’t seem to recognize any of the things I said. But I knew from the demo at a trade show, but it did work.So I went into settings, and adjusted the microphone to “low”.From then on the unit caught about 99% of what I added to the list! It’s pretty impressive, especially since you don’t have to do any “voice training” with the unit! $149.99. www.smartshopperusa.com Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw424
***** Gadget Warehouse Friday- October 19thNetcast 425 The Swany Walkin'Bag Stick Chair Cart.Huh? The EZ-Swany Stick Chair Cart combines a light weight wheeled bag with a small seat. And I’m not kidding about small. It’s about 8.75" x 7.5". And it’s kind of low to the ground, so it would be comfortable for kids or short adults. But it’s rated at 300 pounds. Also the capacity of the bag is rather small. Figure roughly 16" x 11" x 7.5".And it doesn’t lock securely, so you wouldn’t send this through as checked luggage. This company makes some wonderful bags, with plenty of packing room, and a unique wheel system that lets you “walk” the bag at your side rather than drag it along. But although this bag will fill a specific niche, it’s quite expensive at $179. www.ezswany.com www.twit.tv/dgw425 **************************************************** Don’t forget to play the WTHII (What The Heck Is It) game and win an autographed copy of MAD Magazine.
The November issue just came out, and you can win a copy.Go to the opening page of this website: www.gizwiz.biz and scroll down to the WTHII photo. Email me with what you think that gizmo really is, or make up something silly, clever or even stupid that the item in the photo might be. Each month we give away up to 48 autographed MAD Magazines!
You'll see a real familiar name in the satire too! Zany artwork for the satire was done by MAD artist Tom Bunk.
It's on sale now.
Dick De MAD Magazine’s Maddest Writer
Week of October 8th, 2007
Monday, October 8th Netcast 416
What’s a big problem when you want to use new rechargeable batteries?
If you said you had to charge them for several hours before you can use them, you were right!But now there’s something new! Duracell Pre-Charged Rechargeables! Right out the package you can drop them into your favorite gadget that takes AA’s and start using them. And Duracell says they’ll retain their charge when not in use for about a year. Normally batteries sit there losing power day by day. Four of the new AA’s retail for $12.95.
And there’s something else pretty neat from Duracell. The Duracell Power Gauge NiMH Battery Charger Kit. The list is about $27.00, but I saw it on Amazon for under $19. It charges 4 AA or AAA NiMH batteries in 4 to 6 hours. I like lights, so I like the Dynamic LED indicator that displays via a row of color lights the charge status for each battery. And there’s a built in USB port for charging USB devices. However you can be charging batteries and using the USB port charger at the same time.
Tuesday, October 9th, Netcast 417. Another TTTT – Turn The Table Tuesday.
Okay, so after a dozen emails saying: “Dick, why did you let Leo get away with that shopping thing he did, Leo comes back with a real gadget!
The Motorola Rocker S9 - Works with any brand of Bluetooth®-enabled compatible phone or music device that supports Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP).
I don’t one of these headsets, but here’s a list of the features from the Motorola website:
Wireless music. Stream from your compatible phone or iPod (adapter sold separately)
Lightweight. Barely 1 oz, probably lighter than your keys!
Discreet. Behind-the-head wearing style
Never miss a call. Music mutes or pauses when calls come in
Control music and calls from the headphones
Stable and secure fit. Small 13mm speakers for better comfort and fit on the ear
Durable. Sweat and water resistant for active conditions
Long play time. Up to 6 hrs of music play from a single charge.
Yes, that’s the name of this product: The Amazing Water Clock!
The company that sells it thinks it is Amazing!“Use it to amaze your friends! Teach children the science of molecular energy! Without batteries, electricity or any other power source the large LCD displays the time and date in clear easy to read numbers. Our exclusive state of the art Energy Converter extracts electrons from water molecules to form a steady stream of electric current which act as fuels to generate electricity which drives the clock. A truly green product, it's an all natural wonder. Educational and entertaining, pollution free and environmentally friendly. Just pour a little water (or any liquid) into the tubes on the back of the clock. Translucent blue with mirrored front.. Start it up with tap water or nearly any liquid: coffee, orange juice, beer, and more! Clear LCD screen displays time and date.”Well, guess what. I like this clock a lot! It worked just as described. I poured in ordinary tap water and the digitals came alive! It keeps pretty good time and it’s running on plain old tap water. There’s no alarm function, but if you do a web search you can find it for as low as $10.00. Like this place:
Turn you Laptop, or desktop, into a TV, even a Hi Def TV!
Pinnacle has been making PCTV USB Sticks for a long time. Their latest model is the PCTV HD Ultimate Stick. This brand new version doesn’t require software installed on your computer, the software remains on the USB Hub. So you slide it in and follow the prompts as to what the input will be. You can connect it to cable, roof antenna, or the included indoor antenna. The indoor antenna has a magnetized base so you can stick on a metal file cabinet or car roof. The software on the stick included time shifting capabilities, so you computer can be a mini DVR. The hub itself can also record 2 hours of video. As this was written in early October, the PCTV Ultimate Stick had not yet appeared on the Pinnacle website, but it should soon. Under $130. www.pinnaclesys.com
Back to Warehouse Friday, October 12th – Netcast 420 A very old iPod! 5 years old which is about 35 years in dog and tech years. ABC recently ran an old clip of mine from Nov 14 2002. The day the iTouch was released they thought it would be fun to show clips of older iPods. The $500 (Well, $499)iPod I showed was available in 5 GB and the newly released(March 2002) 10 GB version. Back then it came with a wired remote control. Also fairly new was the fact that out of the box it could be used with a MAC or a PC. Before that you had to go to the Apple Store to have it formatted for the PC. The one I showed was white with a stainless steel case and for it’s time it was “so thin!”, -- about the size of a deck of cards! Something I had forgotten was that it charged via FireWire port, not USB. Battery life was an estimated at 10 hours. It did music, and some PDA functions, but not even video or even JPEGS. $499. The 5 GB version was $100 less. Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw420 Don't forget to play the WHAT THE HECK IS IT Game. You could an autographed copy of MAD Magazine.
It's at the bottom of the opening page of this website: www.gizwiz.biz. Good luck!
DGW Week of October 1, 2007----
Monday, Oct 1,Netcast 411-Peanut Emergency Lites.
I’m not quite sure why some places on the web refer to these LED lights as “Peanut Emergency Lights.I don’t get the “emergency” part. The “peanut” part is perfect because they are shaped like a peanut. Peanut Emergency Lights come with Velcro strips so they can mounted in small places like under tables, under shelves, under steps, in drawers, in cabinets, in closets, well you get the picture. Cool, efficient Peanuts include replaceable 12-hour batteries and bright LED bulbs that last a lifetime. They are sold in a set of three. Size: Each light is approximately 2"L x 1"W x 3/4"D. You can find them atMuseum of Modern Art Shop for $24.00. And at Zelco for $22. Zelco is the manufacturer. For the record, the batteries are 2 CR1225 lithium batteries. 2 are installed already. Be sure to slide out the plastic tab to activate the batteries when you first receive your Peanut Lights!
Okay, it’s not a gadget, but Leo came up with something you might like to know about. Especially if you have a large family and need to buy a lot of stuff. It’s a service of Amazon.com called Subscribe and Save.Here’s what I found about it on the web:
Welcome to Subscribe & Save
When you order through our Subscribe & Save program, you'll:
• automatically receive a new shipment of the item in intervals you select--every one, two, three, or six months
• get a discount on our everyday price
• get free shipping on every Subscribe & Save shipment
• pay for each order only when the item is shipped
Here’s someone you won’t mind talking back at you!
SQUAWKERS McCAW is the latest in the FURREAL FRIENDS Line. This fun Parrot takes interactive play one step further through animatronics, voice recognition and programmable features. A remote control triggers pre-programmed voice commands and provides “shortcut buttons” to activate varied play modes. I taught him to say Crappy Tuesday and Warehouse Friday in less than a minute. You can also getSQUAWKERS McCAW to respond by simply putting him in the repeat mode. SQUAWKERS McCAW also loves to dance! If music isn’t played, SQUAWKERS McCAW will play and dance to his own signature song which is built right in. He responds to preprogrammed phrases, like "Hello" and "Are you hungry?", with his very own quirky phrases.
You can also "teach" Squawkers to respond to you by programming your own voice commands! For example, you can program him to respond with "Who's there" every time you say "knock, knock".This parrot can also flap his wings, coo and kiss. And goes to "sleep" complete with snoring whenever you say goodnight or turn out the lights? The only think I couldn’t do is get him to eat his cracker. Maybe he knew it was fake! Shipping now. Approx. Retail: $ 69.99 Ages: 5 & Up.
Bose creates smaller speakers with even bigger sound!
It’s the new Bose Computer Music Monitor. How can Bose get that much musical power from speakers that small? They use"dual opposing internal passive radiators.” Plus a lot of technical stuff I barely understand. But instead of trying to figure out how they did it, stop by a Bose store and ask for a demo. Hopefully they’ll let you hear the music first before they show you the size of the speakers producing the music. The system use full DSP (Digital Signal Processing) which make the music spring to life. The handsome speakers come with a small remote control that offers On/off and volume up/down. At the back of the right speaker is a standard 3.5mm jack to connect to your PC, or your iPod, CD player, etc. Bose engineers said this micro system was designed as a personal speaker system to enhance the stereo experience when sitting at your computer. But they would be excellent for small rooms like the den or office. $399.00 www.bose.com Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw414
**************** Back to the Warehouse Friday, October 5th –Netcast 415 – We asked, we got it!A Dick’s Gadget Warehouse Theme! It premiere’s today.
We start with a bit of a history lesson! In 1970, an all-electronic handheld calculator caught the attention of Bill Hewlett, co-founder of HP. This 1.8-pound device was designed to compete with simple mechanical adding machines with its ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Hewlett was convinced HP could do better.Just one year after Hewlett’s encounter with the basic handheld calculator, HP brought the pocket-sized HP-35 to market. Quickly dubbed the “electronic slide rule,” it could perform trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions – the essential tools of technical professions and the primary calculations performed on slide rules. Part of the HP-35’s technical achievement was its innovative and efficient data input method called Reverse Polish Notation (RPN). With RPN, the HP-35 required fewer keystrokes and was able to handle larger and more complex problems with less memory than other calculators. Weighing in at only 9 oz, the HP-35 stood apart from its elementary predecessors in portability and computing power. Although marketing experts declared there was no future for a handheld scientific calculator that cost $400 when a slide rule cost $20, more than 100,000 HP-35s were sold in the first year,
It's 35 years later and HP has unveiled the retro HP 35s Scientific Calculator in commemoration of the original HP-35, the world’s first handheld scientific calculator launched 35 years ago. The new calculator is also HP’s most advanced scientific programmable calculator, featuring ample memory for keystroke programming, equation solving and more than 800 storage registers; 100 built-in functions; and a large, two-line display with adjustable contrast to easily view entries. The HP 35s Scientific Calculator is expected be available in late summer for a suggested retail price of $59.99 at www.hp.com Hear this Netcast:www.twit.tv/dgw415
The original HP-35, $400 35 years ago!
This website is current only up to the end of April, 2009. My new website with everything from May 1st, 2009 forward is: www.gizwiz.biz.
