A watch that people will want to watch.

Even though I love my very old Timex Datalink when I was offered the change to use Phosphor E Ink digital watch for a couple of weeks, I jumped at the opportunity. The model I have is the new World Time Curved E Ink digital watch. The innovative E-ink technology – yep, just like you find in e-readers, makes this a really unusual watch. I wore it to a dinner the night I got it and it was just a few minutes before some asked about my ‘unusual watch’. So if you're looking for a conversation starter, this is a good choice. You can select from 24 time zones for one display mode, while displaying a second time zone simultaneously if you like. I set mine to display both NY and west coast time. The dual time zone display can also be configured to display the time of day or both the date and time in either over-sized or conventional-sized segments. (In the over-sized mode it’s really easy to see the time at a glance.) The case is curved to fit the wrist and it’s very comfortable for a watch that’s larger than usual. According to the instruction booklet, the band is integrated with the World Time watchcase and is non-replaceable. They don’t tell you what to do if you need a new band, but the one that comes on the watch is quite rugged and should last a long time. The company says the watch is water-resistant to 165 feet (50 M). You’ll need the booklet to set up the watch because all the settings are done using a single rocker bar at the bottom of the watch. Once it’s programmed you can cycle through the following display modes: Time of Day + World Time, Time of Day + Calendar / Time of Day Large / Time of Day Small / World Time. At the push of the bar you can select a white on black display, or black on white display. There’s plenty of contrast, but they’re not vivid black or white. A downside is that there is no night light function. With the polyurethane band, the MSRP is $150.00. I saw it on Amazon for $119.00 at this link. (I have not purchased anything here:)

http://www.amazon.com/Phosphor-WC01-World-Curved-Polyurethane/dp/B00404U0I4/ref=pd_sbs_watch_3

Company website: www.phosphorwatches.com

See or hear this episode: www.twit.tv/dgw1310

A very strange mash-up of gadgets.

Some weeks ago a reader let us know about sort of strange new merging of devices for the kitchen. It was the Breville Toaster with built in Internet Radio. It's not yet available in the US. But there's another new gadget that IS available here in the US. ADE Germany, respected for its hospital, industrial and kitchen scales, has entered the market with it’s own unique mash-up. Called the Joy scale, it’s the first electronic kitchen scale with a built in licensed iPod docking/charging station. So now you can cook while listening to your favorite tunes. On a crowded kitchen counter it eliminates having to have a a stand alone iPod docking station. The Joy Scale offers results in pounds, fluid ounces, or grams and it weighs dry and liquid ingredients in increments of .04 ounces / 1 gram. The add-and-weigh (tare) function allows for weighing all ingredients in the same container. Battery and overload indicators keep users alerted to how the system is functioning, and an automatic shut off helps preserve battery life. The large weighing surface is made of safety glass, for worry-free weighing. The docking port is compatible with all current iPods. And need we say it, no iPod product is included! The single speaker is located in the base and provides decent sound for its size. Obviously you’ll be using this a background music player as you cook. The scale is powered by one CR 2043 lithium battery, included. You must use the AC adapter, which is also included to power the speaker and charge your iPod while it’s docked in the Joy Scale. Price under $100.

http://tinyurl.com/3dylz46

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1308

Did you ever buy a box of crap -- on purpose? I did. Was it worth it?

Unlike Woot where you have to unlock a puzzle, on IHTHT you just answer two questions. Do you have a valid credit card? And do you want to buy A Box of Crap! I was lucky enough to answer both correctly – yes, turned out to be the right answer for BOTH questions, and I got my box of crap delivered to my door! By a uniformed employee of the United States Government. (Yep, the mailman.) I think I did very well. Here’s what I got:

1. Burgermaker – plastic pan that stores a pound of meat in the freezer in the form of four square burgers.
2. The Great Pumpkin Light (no battery) – steady & flashing strobe light.
3. Wall Graphics – a kind of ugly 18” X 24 horror graphic which kids will probably like.
4. My Digital Scrapbook Kit – software, scrapbook, and decorations. Pretty nice.
5. Smart Energy GE CFL Lightbulb
6. Inkjet Photo Album
7. LED Lighted Keyring
8. Monty python Toilet Paper
9. I'll Be Doggone -a mini book of facts about dogs.
10. Vitamin Mints – 2 packs.

Not a bad deal for a total of $14.98. The Mystery Box of Crap is available from time to time at

www.ihavetohavethat.com ---- every day of the week they offer other stuff, some of which is a good bargain. I’ve bought quite a few things from them.

I’m going to offer my own box of crap soon. It could be crap from the warehouse, from MAD, from the Daily GizWiz, or most likely, a combo! So keep tuned to this website!

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1309

A new way to carry keys in a much smaller package.

There’s not much you can about having to carry keys. But there’s a new device that changes a lot of the bad things about carrying them. The Keyport is compact, and fits comfortably in a pocket or pocketbook. While it’s in your pocket, it won't stab you, tear your pockets, or scratch your phone. It was originally created by an avid motorcyclist, which means the Keyport will not dangle on your handlebars & scratch your bike like keys on a regular chain do. It can handle up to six key blades, which weighs less than six standard keys because Keyport doesn’t need the heavy head of a normal key. Another advantage, no rattle or jingle of keys. The company says it can accommodate chipped auto keys used in newer automobiles & motorcycles, along with high-security keys including Abloy, Medeco, Multi-Lock and many more. There’s also a lost and found program via a serial number, which is used to reunite owners with a recovered Keyport. You can carry six keys in a Keyport, or a combination of keys and optional blades that fit into the slider. There’s a bottle opener (about $5), an LED light (which can light while a key is extended, making it easy to open a lock in the dark), and even a USB flash drive blade! A slider and six blades costs $79 plus S & H.

www.mykeyport.com

The GizWiz Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij34B3aQiXw

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1309

Do you like to change your own watch batteries and watch bands?

Recently my Timex Datalink watch started acting up by not connecting with my computer, which is easiest way to get info into the watch. I had a spare because I love this watch so I bought an extra one when they were discontinued. I didn’t like the band on the spare so I wanted to swap it out. Changing watch bands can be a drag, especially when the band integrates with the watch. So I thought I’d see if there was an easier way. On the web I found the 16 Piece Watch Repair Tool Kit! According to Amazon: This is a new set of 16 piece watch repair tools. You receive: * One watchband link pin remover * One watchband holder * One spring bar remover * 3 Pin punches * One metal and plastic hammer * One case knife * 3 slotted screwdrivers * 2 Phillips screwdrivers * One case wrench * One pair of long nose pliers with side cutters * One pair of stainless steel tweezers. --- And all for under $13.00. The kit arrived and it’s okay. The tools are on the cheap side, but the real stupid thing is that there are no instructions of any kind included. The tools are shipped in a clear plastic package with no words, pics or labels anywhere. In the reviews of this product several people did complain that it would help if there were some instructions. A couple of people said there were some skimpy instructions on the company website, but whoever edited the reviews made sure the name of the company was replaced with dots. I guess they didn’t want people to try to buy kits direct. I did a YouTube web search and found a video that described the tool that lets you remove a link in a stainless steel band. That was something I wanted to do too and using the tools in my 16 Watch Repair Tool Kit, it was pretty easy to accomplish. But there’s another block of plastic in the kit with all sorts of ridges and I have no idea what it does. If you know what it’s for, or know where instructions might be found for this kit can you put that info and/or link in the comments section? Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/SE-PCS-Watch-Tool-Kit/dp/B002Q7TUII/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1309