Small laptops are great, but their small sound isn’t.

When you get a small laptop, you won’t get big, decent sound. There’s really no way around that because tiny laptop cases have no room for decent speakers. The way around it is of course is to just add optional speakers. That’s okay desktop use, but not for the road. Enter the folks at Edifier. They have an easy solution to getting decent sound in a tiny package. It’s their Sound To Go micro speaker system. Well maybe it’s a touch bigger than micro at 10 ½ inches wide, 1 ½” inches high and 1 ¾” deep. It’s USB powered and has a 3.5mm auxiliary input port for listening to music from non-computer device like your MP3 player. Sound To Go has no power source of it’s own, so even if you use to play your MP3 tunes it either has to be plugged into an operating USB port, or as I’ve used it – via one of the those AC/USB adapters you plug into an outlet. If you’re using with your computer, the single USB connection provides both power and the audio. It’s just plug-and-play, the software loads automatically. There’s only one button on the speaker and that’s to control the volume. It takes a few tries to get used to. You hold the button steady to reduce the volume, and press quickly and let go to raise the volume. Inside the high tech aluminum case are two 1-1/4-inch mid range drivers, two 1-1/4inch tweeters and a single 3 x 1-1/4-inch oval subwoofer. It also has a built-in amplifier, which can provide very decent volume. The single blue LED light signals when the device has power. The wedge shaped design fits perfectly at the hinge of an open laptop and looks good too. With five speakers, the sound quality is really good, especially for its size. Compared to your laptop’s built in speakers, you’ll really be impressed with the improvement. It comes with two cables and a travel bag. It’s about $50 at the Apple Store and online. 

http://www.edifier-international.com/products/edifier-image/sound-go

Two tiny charger/sync cables small enough for your pocket or keychain.

Some time back on the Daily Giz we talked about the Scoshe keychain solar charger. (Link below.) This innovative company has come up two more practical and inexpensive gadgets. They are the Scoshe flipSYNC keychain USB charge and sync cables. They’re really pocket-sized, ideal for travel. Each one is about the size of a car alarm remote control, but offers users a convenient syncing cable when on the go. They’re also designed to fit comfortably on any key chain. There are two versions. The flipSYNC IPUSBM features an iPhone/IPod 30 pin connector at one end and a regular 2.0 USB connector at the other. When you unfold them for use, it’s best to check the instructions first. I couldn’t unfold one as much as I tried, so rather then apply undue pressure, I took a quick peep at the instruction sheet. I found the secret is popping out the hook up end first, then the USB end. It was after I did that, that I noticed the unfolding procedure was printed right on the back of one of the units! (But not the other.) The second unit is the Scosche USBMM features both Mini and Micro USB connections on one end, and a standard 2.0 USB connector on the other. Both flipSYNC models are available now in Bestbuy stores and online at www.bestbuy.com for 19.99. But do a web search. I saw them for under $10 at several websites.

More info: www.scosche.com Solar Charger: http://tinyurl.com/4p468ar

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1303

Magnets, Red & White LED's -- Light Mine has them all.

Back on June 10^th, 2009 Netcast 848 I talked about The Magnetic Light Mine. It’s a small powerful LED light with an underwater navy mine appearance. Twelve neodymium (rare earth) magnetic posts surround a central LED. The golf ball sized sphere fits into tight areas and aims a powerful beam of light where you needed most. Since the original Magnetic Light Mine was so successful Striker created a bigger, brighter, and more powerful version. Called the Light Mine Professional the new one is about the size of a baseball. Everything about the new model is bigger. It’s 8 times brighter, lasts 4 times longer, includes a signal beacon, and even red LED night vision light. Eleven powerful neodymium magnets are located at the end of each post so you can attach and aim the light in any direction. The posts also act as tripods and quad-pods so you can position the light accurately on non-magnetic surfaces. 8 powerful LEDs are used in the front white lens and 4 red LEDs power the backlight. A four-function switch provides low power spot, high output flood, red night vision, and a high visibility blinking signal beacon. You can even attach a lanyard and use it as a magnetic pickup tool for a dropped screw, nail, etc. Use one in the garage to stick to your car’s hood for engine repairs. Keep one in your home for repairs in tight spaces such as under the counter, behind a stereo, or when working on computer equipment. Stick one on your refrigerator as your 'go-to' light for emergency situations during a power outage such as finding and flipping the circuit breaker. Powered by 3 replaceable AAA batteries. MSRP $19.99, but the manufacturer is offering a 20% discount till March 15, 2011 if you use the code gizwiz. (I make no money no matter where you buy this device.) The Striker Light Mine Professional retails for $20 (price using gizwiz code =$16) And the original Striker Light Mine retails for about $7 (price using gizwiz code =$5.60)

www.strikerhandtools.com

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1288

Turn your iPhone or iPod Touch into a feature filled travel alarm clock

XtremeMac's 3 in 1 Microdock adds speakers to your iPhone or iPod Touch. and provides a good-looking docking station, snooze control and some other neat features. You start by downloading the free XtremeMac alarm clock app at iTunes. Yes the app works without the 3 in 1 Microdock, but you won’t be able to use a lot of the features without the speakers or external controls. The two very small neodymium drivers offerr surprisingly good sound from a docking station that weighs less than five ounces. You can wake to chime, your own music from your iPhone or Touch, or waves or rain, which are included with the free app. A sleep timer lets you fall asleep to sounds too. There are many personal settings, including how bright you want the clock display once you go to bed and how long you want to snooze when you hit the onboard snooze button. Also on the Microdock itself are volume up/down rockers and play/pause music controls. You also have your choice of several designs and colors for the iPhone or Touch clock face. But wait, there's more! A nap timer lets you sleep for whatever number of minutes you selected in settings. The Microdock ships with a cloth travel pouch too. The only downside is that you have to take along the transformer plug for AC power. There's no battery option. List is $59.99, but if you do a web search you can find it for about $45. All in all, this really beats those awful hotel clocks in style, sound and ease of use. And when you head out in the morning, (hopefully after a good night's sleep) your iPhone or Touch is fully charged!

www.xtrememac.com 

Don't get 'sticker shock' at the airport when you discover all those extra luggage fees!

Magellans Balanzza 3 in 1 Luggage Scale

With most airlines charging for every piece of checked luggage, plus a higher amount for overweight luggage, you want to know the weight of your bags before you start out. The Balanzza 3 in 1 Luggage Scale can not only help, it adds a couple of other neat features for travel. First there the ergonomic digital luggage scale with a comfort-grip handle and a large easy-to-read digital display. Find out the exact weight of your luggage up to 100 lbs. or 44kg. That way you’ll know instantly if your bag exceeds the international weight limit. A strong webbed strap secures the luggage to the scale, so there are no hooks to catch on things. The scale holds the weight in memory so you can put the bag down and still see the weight on the display. But wait, there’s more. The BZ300 also doubles as a flashlight. Push a button to turn on the bright 3-LED flashlight. And yes, still more!  There’s a built in 24-hour timer and alarm, so it can double as an alarm clock. Instead of dealing with those ungodly hotel alarm clocks, just set the count down timer for the number of hours you want to sleep and it will chime at the appointed amount of time. And it’s compact enough for packing so you can weigh your luggage after you bought all those souvenirs.  Uses 2 AAA batteries which are included. 

Size: 6-1/4 x 2-1/2 x 1-1/4"

www.magellans.com