Even if you can't play the guitar, you can "play" this one.

Paper Jamz from WowWee were a big hit at Toy Fair earlier this year and WowWee expects them to be a big hit for the holiday season. Paper Jamz are almost paper-thin musical instruments that provide kids with the thrill of being a rock star. What makes these guitars really unique; besides the fact they’re only about 1” thick, is that they’re string-less! Huh? Then how do you play them if they’re string-less? Turns out the printed design on guitar is touch-sensitive. Just strum or tap the circuit-embedded paper to get all the sounds a professional musician. Well, sort of the sounds of a professional musician. I managed to make it sound really awful. But in demo mode, you can play one of three actual rock hits. Here’s the scoop: There are six guitars and six drums sets to choose from. Each one offers 3 different songs. There’s also a cardboard amplifier so your kids can form their own rock band, hopefully in the basement or out in the garage. There are three play modes for the guitars and drums: Perfect Play lets you play perfect guitar to the three hits embedded in the guitar. Rhythm mode lets you control the guitar rhythm for each song. And Freestyle lets you play real chords or drum beats. WowWee says you can create your own songs – just like real instruments. And for the drums … well, you just bang away in time with the music. But wait, there’s more!! There’s also a karaoke function that allows players to mute the vocals, drums or backing tracks to really hear themselves “go off”! The instruments and amp are all battery-powered. Each guitar is $24.95 or under, while the drum set and amp each sell for $14.95. WowWee says the Paper Jamz are suitable for 8-12 year olds. But adults will play with them too. For a while anyway. 

http://www.paperjamz.com/ 

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1158

An inexpensive Timex timer that can do a lot!

I love my new Timex Electronic 7-Day Timer. It sure does a lot, but it could use a better model name. Right now it’s just known as Model TX12626X. With a 3 prong plug the timer can control heavy-duty loads up to 15 amps. And this is something I’ve never seen before in a timer. You can set up to 20 programs right on the built in mini LCD screen even if the timer’s not plugged in! Sit in a comfy chair and set up all your programs. When you first unpack the timer you have to plug it in for about 20 minutes to charge the internal battery. Then you can start to program it away from power. This neat little timer can store up to 140 on/off programs over 7 days. You can set up each day with a different schedule. There’s also a random feature which is great when you're going on vacation. It will turn on lamps in a random pattern to make the house seem occupied. And suppose you need light quickly? No problem, just use the manual override. It lets you turn the load on and off without affecting your programming. And your programs are protected against a power failure by that pre-installed back-up battery. Additional features: the LCD shows the time and day. The timer is rated at 125VAC, 15A, 1875 Resistive Watts and comes with a 3 wire grounded plug. It's small at 2 7/8 inches by 2 inches. Amazing you can find it for under $10. It under $7 here: 

http://www.opentip.com/Electronics-Computers/Timex-Electronic-Day-Timer-p-1240439.html 

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1151

The only backpack I know of that has a built in alarm & flashing LED's!

They're called the iSafe Laptop Backpacks. The company recommends their bags be used for children 8 years old and up. The model I showed, the iSafe Ultimate Backpack, is the top of the line and is designed for ages 14 & up.) The company says that children should be old enough to understand that the iSafe bag is an alarm system, not a toy. It should be used as a tool to help them escape dangerous or harmful situations. The alarm system is concealed in the lower section of a pouch that is in a pocket on the one of the front straps within easy reach. To activate the alarm system the child pulls the activation cord. That will disengage the safety pin instantaneously activating the alarm. To deactivate, reinsert the pin. It emits two siren signals in opposite directions, away from the user's ears, which should attract attention all around. The iSafe Bag is water resistant and shock resistant. The alarm can run up to 2 continuous hours, assuming the batteries are new. Because of the way the straps are located it should be extremely difficult and time consuming for an attacker to remove the iSafe backpack. (It is important that the company’s instructions are followed when wearing the backpack.) The Ulltimate Backpack fits laptops with up to 15.4 screens. There are ten pockets to store everything a college and high school student needs on the go. An audio device portal can accommodate mobile gear and more in secured compartments. There’s a feed-through for headphone cables. iSafe Backpacks prices range from about $60 to $100. The Collegiate is $99.99. It weighs 3.1lbs w/batteries. 

www.isafebags.com 

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1153

An inexpensive "security camera" that could deter crime.

Security cameras have come down in price over the years, but I bet you never saw one that sold for less than $30. Dormco, a popular website that sells everything for campus life, offers one. It’s their Dummy Camera with Zoom Lens & Motion Detector to help you deter robbery, theft, vandalism, etc. without the high cost of a real security camera. With this Dummy Camera even the most sophisticated criminals on campus or off will think the premises are guarded by a high-tech surveillance system and (probably) go in search of an easier target. Dormco says their dummy cameras look real because they are actual surveillance camera shells without the expensive electronics inside. They do look amazingly real, although real close-up you discover they're made of quality plastic. They feature a fake wireless antenna and zoom lens, but they also have a real motion detector with a range of approximately 10 feet. If someone walks by the camera, it will detect the motion and then start to rotate back and forth while a red LED light flashes for about 15 seconds. It has a fully adjustable mounting bracket that will let you adjust the camera direction. Requires 3 AA batteries that are not included. Dimensions of the camera (not including the mounting bracket) are 6 1/4 inches x 2 3/8 inches x 2 inches. The camera can be installed quickly and easily using the included mounting screws. $28.38 

http://www.dormco.com/Dummy_Camera_with_Zoom_Lens_Motion_Detector_p/dormco-dc.htm 

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1154

A "packable" version of a very popular emergency radio.

It’s the Microlink FR 160 from Eton. (Some models are branded “Red Cross”.) This emergency radio can be powered by the built-in rechargeable battery pack, solar power (also built in) or an AC adapter/charger, which is not included. And of course, you can charge the battery pack with the built in cranking handle. Turn the crank for about 90 seconds will result in 30 to 40 minutes of low volume play. Outdoors, place the unit directly in sunlight and the solar panel on the top of the unit charges the internal battery automatically. About 8-10 hours in the sun will allow about 3-5 hours of radio play. A green LED glows to indicate when the internal battery is being charged. But wait, there's more!  You can also use this gizmo to charge your cell phone. (There's a the built in USB plug!) Because cell phone batteries vary in their current ratings, Eton cannot specify charging rates or usage time. But they say 10 to 15 minutes of cranking may result in 1 or more minutes of talk-time. Not the best ratio, but in an emergency, it's better than no calls. You could give your kids this radio & take away their cell phone AC charger. Having them have to "crank to call" will give them great exercise and cut down on the  minutes they use a lot!  In addition to AM and FM, there’s 7 weather band channels.  There’s also a 3 LED flashlight for emergencies at night. About $30. The Red Cross version tends to sell for more.

Eton website: http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=914953

I haven’t shopped here, but they sell it for  under $29 http://tinyurl.com/2dqd9gt 

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1123