Tech Guy Labs

Grillbot! It's like a Roomba for the BBQ.

2013-05-18T15:21:05Z

Someone else I met at the National Hardware Show 2013 was Ethan Woods, real estate agent, turned inventor. The idea for his automatic BBQ grill cleaning Grillbot came to him when he put a wire brush into his electric drill to make cleaning his backyard grill easier. Like many others with want to bring something new to the market, the road from the basic idea to something people can buy took about two years and a bundle of money. He said that people telling him it can’t be done, made him keep going forward. And now Grillbot has launched. Grillbot is simple to operate. Press a button to set the amount of time you want it clean and place it on a hot or cold grill. (A built in alarm tells you if the grill is too hot for the device.) A built-in mini-LCD screen lets you to choose a light or deep clean. Three motors power three wire brushes. The brushes should be good for one complete BBQ season and are replaceable. The Grillbot comes with a rechargeable battery pack, charger, AC adapter and a hanging storage case. It’s available in four colors and can be pre-ordered now for $99.95. It should start shipping in the next month or two. (Written May, 2013.)

www.grillbots.com

Giz Wiz Grillbot Video: http://youtu.be/8owcqhTLHYw

New from the National Hardware Show: General Tool's Cordless Lighted Power Screwdriver for small, delicate jobs.

2013-05-11T15:35:41Z

General Tool's Cordless Power Precision Screwdriver (Model 502) is ideal for ultra-delicate applications such as computer and electronics repair, hobbies and crafts. The 100+ RPM motor features forward and reverse controls, and the quick-change chuck allows for effortless swapping between 1/8" Slotted, Phillips and Torx bits. An ergonomic handle design provides multiple grip positions to accommodate a variety of working situations. Includes 6 bits ( #0 and #1 Phillips, 1/16 and 1/8" slotted, T5 and T6 Torx. Super Bright LED Light. The company says you should get 6+ hours of power from the 2 AAA included alkaline batteries. Size: 7.50 x 1.0 x .88 inches. Available now, or very soon. Amazon was still showing the older model 500 as of 5/11/13. Another company was selling it for $49. It's $34.96 at the General Tools website.

http://www.generaltools.com/502--LED-LIGHTED-PRECISION-SCREWDRIVER_p_1953.html

A manual version, (model 75108) is available for under $15 here:

http://www.amazon.com/75108-8-in1-Lighted-Precision-screwdriver/dp/B00CCIL3XQ/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1368286114&sr=8-11&keywords=lighted+screwdriver

A travel clock that’s designed to shake you awake.

2013-05-04T03:48:02Z

This Sonic Alert Sonic Shaker clock is designed to wake you up, even if a normal travel alarm clock can’t. It’s small, lightweight, self-contained and battery-operated, but it should wake just about anyone who sets it. You may have seen alarm clocks with a bed shaker attachment. The Sonic Alert actually builds the whole travel alarm clock into the travel shaker alarm clock. Here are some specs from the company: 90 db Extra-loud alarm / Sonic Shaker bed vibrating unit / Pop-up display with convenience light (manually lighted display up to 50% longer battery life) / Test button to test batteries, vibrator and sound operation / Easy to set function keys / Easy to read .75” display / Continuous four minute Snooze setting / Swivel & flush mounted display protects settings. And now back to me! You stand the clock face up to set the time and alarm, then it folds down if you want to place the entire clock under your pillow. There’s an attached metal clasp to hook to a pillow or mattress so the clock doesn’t fall out of reach. The Sonic Alert SBP100 travel alarm comes complete with batteries, pillow strap and clasp, and protective travel case. MSRP is $34.95. You can find it on Amazon for $24.99. (This is a TWiT link. You don’t pay anything more, and TWiT gets a pittance of the price.) If you have Amazon Prime, it ships for free.

http://amazon.com/dp/B000EX3DQQ/?tag=twnene-20

Now you can know if your dog's been barking while you're away.

2013-04-27T03:21:42Z

It's the Bark & Activity Counter. How much barking and running around does your dog do when you’re away from home? This diagnostic tool can distinguish between abnormal or inappropriate behavior and normal barking. Worn around the dog's collar and can store up to 3,000 sessions (99 minutes each). After each session, the unit is connected to a computer detailed charts are provided, showing the time of day and the duration of each barking occurrence. Be aware that the dog wearing the unit should not be in close proximity of other dogs during sessions as it can interfere with results. And it’s not for use with dogs under 10 lbs, recommended for indoor use only. $71.00.

http://www.petsafe.net/products/bark-control/ultrasonic-deterrents/bark-activity-counter

A different kind of case for the iPhone5, it improves the WiFi.

2013-04-20T02:01:47Z

Looking for better WiFi reception on your iPhone5?

At the “Moms, Dads and Grads” Pepcom event, I saw an awful lot of gizmos and gadgets that I saw earlier at CES in January. The difference is that now most of them are available in the marketplace, or will be in the next month or so. But there was one brand new name (at least to me) at the event, the Linkase. It’s billed as a signal enhancer for iPhone5. On many of the iPhone5 forums there are major complaints about its WiFi reception. And that’s what the Linkase, from Absolute Technology, is offering as a possible solution. A spokesperson at the booth said that smaller, thinner phones with larger screens are great, but something has got to go. And that something is often the signal antenna, which gets shrunk. And if your hand blocks the antenna, you are really making it difficult for your phone to lock onto a WiFi signal. The Linkase solves that problem with a slide-out antenna cleverly built into a handsome protective phone case. Using something the company calls electromagnetic waveguide technology, the external antenna works with the antenna inside your iPhone to boost WiFi reception. There is not need for a physical connection. As a matter of fact, I don’t own an iPhone5, but I tried the Linkase with my iPod Touch. It did indeed boost the WiFi signal by one bar when I walked down the hall from apartment and had two closed doors between my router and me. Absolute Technology says that their Linkase can boost wireless reception by up to 50 percent. The case itself is handsome. It’s made from a polycarbonate back, with a shock absorbent rubber shield to protect the screen. A non-slip leather coating provides a smooth, but not slippery, touch. The slide-out antennas, called EMW elements, are interchangeable – and right inside the package with each Linkase, is an extra element in a contrasting color. (Linkase comes in black, grey, white, blue, and red.) If you like, you can buy other color elements eparately. Price is $49.95 and for now, the Linkase is only being made for the iPhone 5.

http://www.absolute.com.tw/products.html

More about this iPhone case is on this edition of The Giz Wiz with Leo Laporte and Dick De:

www.twit.tv/giz1412

The Epishock, 10 Times The Playing Power Of The Previous Model

2013-04-13T03:44:25Z

At first there was the Rocket 2.0, then the Rocket 3.0. These are small surface vibration speaker devices plugs into any music source with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Then you place the vibration "sound disc" on an empty box or other hard surface to get pretty decent sound. The newest version from Origaudio is the Epishock, which has ten times the playing power of the original. Simply put Epishock down on any hard flat surface like a desk or table and you will be amazed by the sound quality. A built in rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 6+ hours of playtime. I’m not sure you’ll want to do this, but you can daisy chain two more Epishock speakers together. A cable to connect another one is included. The company says: “The more speakers you connect, the louder and louder they get!” Unlike the Rocket models the Epishock has an adjustable volume control right on the unit. It works best on glass, wood, MDF, metal, plastic, etc. It connects to any device that has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack: iPhones, Droids, laptops, blackberrys, iPads, tablets, etc. And it’s small enough for travel: 2.4 x 2.4 inches. Kit Includes: Epishock unit with built in rechargeable battery, extra cling pad, USB charging cable, daisy chain cord, and a travel carry pouch. MSRP is $50, but it sells for about $30 on Amazon. It’s listed as Amazon Prime, so free shipping for Prime Members! (I love Amazon Prime!) It’s $30.40 at the link below. The main picture they have there is wrong! The description is correct, and the small picture on the side is also correct. I have not shopped at this link.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009WGSBN6/?tag=twnene-20

The Glove Handset Sounds Like A Joke, But They Exist & They Work.

2013-04-06T02:56:54Z

I really thought this gadget was a Think Geek April Fool’s joke. It’s the Glove Handset. So I called Think Geek to check. They said, “Are you kidding? It’s for real and it works great. We’ll send you one to try.” I’ll report my experience with the gloves, but first here’s some (shortened) info from their website:

Call me! There are a few fairly universal pantomimes that everybody in the civilized world understands, regardless of culture. Shake your head for 'no,' scribbling in mid-air for 'check-please,' thumb-and-pinky held up to the ear for 'call-me.' Now that universally recognized gesture has been turned into an actual working way to talk on the phone. Behold the telephone of the future, built right into your gloves! Warm knit gloves woven with conductive fibers let you operate those touch-screen phones like Androids, iPhones, Windowsphone, and Blackberries - but with extra-added Bluetooth capabilities! In the left glove's thumb is a tiny speaker, and in the pinky is a wee microphone. By extending them both in the usual hand-gesture, you can chat with your friends for up to 20 hours on a charge! Gone are the days where talking into mid-air will brand you a crazy-person! Now you can show the world that you can actually talk to the hand, and with excellent sound-quality! Features and Specifications. Bluetooth handset built into the left glove / Conductive-fiber allows smartphone operation / Operating range: 12 meters / Battery life: standby 10 days - conversation 20 hours / Sizes:Men's and Women's sizes / Colors: Black and Grey / Composition: 95% polyacrylonitrile, 3% cotton, 2% polyester / Charges over micro-usb / Tested and works with iOS, Android, Windowsphone, Blackberry. Dry-clean only, read all instructions before use.

And now back to me. Unbelievably, the Glove Handset really does work. Set up is easy. Charge the glove, (only the left glove has electronics in it, but you get the matching right glove) and pair it with your Bluetooth enabled phone. I paired it easily with the Samsung Galaxy 3. Then when the phone rings, just push the multi-purpose button once, and you’re connected. Pushing the button twice disconnects you. Voice quality is good, but not as good as when you’re talking directly on the phone. But if you like offbeat gadgets, this is one of the most unique. $70. And yes, you will look strange using it on the street. Right now – and I don’t know for how long – it’s half price at Think Geek. (As of 4/5/13) Normally $70, right now $34.99, plus S&H.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f2c9/?pfm=Search&t=glove%20handset

Forget 'singing in the rain', how about 'texting in the rain'?

2013-03-30T03:03:40Z

Stay dry in the rain with the compact Brolly rain umbrella. The Brolly features a unique finger hole grip that is comfortable to hold, durable and is a great conversation starter. It's the only rain umbrella that allows you to text/e-mail in the rain and stay dry at the same time. And, it is the perfect umbrella to carry on-the-go, as it fits in a small briefcase, purse or backpack. I tried texting with a normal small folding umbrella and then the Brolly. It’s definitely easier with the Brolly. With the regular umbrella, you can sort of text, but the umbrella tends to fall side to side depending on what keys you’re touching. If you have the need to text in the rain, this is a great solution. Here's more info from the company website: The focal point of the Brolly umbrella is its grip. It has two distinguishing characteristics: finger holes and an ergonomic handle. There are four finger holes on the Brolly grip that provides a firm, comfortable and strong hold, which you will not find on inexpensive umbrellas. Each finger hole is lined with rubber material to provide maximum comfort and flexibility. And, the outside of the finger holes are made of ABS plastic to reinforce the strong Brolly grip. The grip features an ergonomically-designed handle consisting of rubber material that conforms to your palm to provide maximum comfort. The rest of the handle is made of ABS plastic -- strong enough to hold up in wet and windy conditions. $19.95. It’s on Amazon at the link below. I have not shopped here. (This TWiT link doesn't add anything to you price, but TWiT gets a pittance.)

http://amazon.com/dp/B008NN8UGM/?tag=twnene-20

There's a video on the company website: https://www.brollytime.com/

Big sound tiny speakers.

2013-03-23T05:03:31Z

Actually, it's the Matrix Audio QUBE Universal Pocket Speaker. If you play music on this speaker for a friend without letting them see the size of it, they'll tell you they expected to see a much bigger speaker based on the sound. This little speaker is actually slightly smaller than a golf ball and twice the weight. With 3 watts maximum output and something maxtrixaudio calls Passive Vibrating Bass (PVB) technology, you’ll get really decent sound compared to its size. The QUBE is small enough to fit pocket or computer carry case and loud enough to let you enjoy movies on your laptop when you travel. It’s also perfect to listen to music or audio books in the hotel room. The QUBE has a built in rechargeable battery that offers up to 8 hours of continuous playback. You can recharge it via USB in about 2 hours. It comes with a carrying case and a combo cable. A single cable lets you charge the QUBE and hook it to any standard 3.5mm headphone jack. Retail is under $50 and it's available in sliver, black and red. More colors are coming soon. On Amazon, they're under $40. Company website:

http://www.matrixaudio.com/matrix-QUBE-universal-portable-speaker-188.html

Under $38 here: Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B2HUKWI/?tag+twnene-20 (TWiT gets credit in you decide to buy, but it doesn't affect your price.)

And here's info on the Bluetooth MatrixAudio One. With built in rechargeable battery and integrated mic and call answer controls, you can enjoy portable audio, share it with friends and family. Answer phone calls hands-free with the built-in mic. For extra bass the MatrixAudio One features a Xcavated Bass Amplifier(XBA). Just pop the speaker open for added bass. It's under $80 on the company website, but on Amazon, you can find it for under $47 here. I have not shopped at this etailer:

www.amazon.com/dp/B008I23YO6/?tag=twnene-20

Company website: http://www.matrixaudio.com/matrix-bluetooth-speakers.html

I join about 6500 others to watch the launch of the Samsung Galaxy IV!

2013-03-16T18:47:58Z

I was at the introduction of the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy IV at Music City Music Hall, along with some 6500 other folks. Fortunately I got play with the new Galaxy IV for a couple of minutes, and I was very impressed. It has a crystal-clear 5-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display with 441 pixels per inch. The reporter next to me was watching a basketball game on his Galaxy IV and the fast action was blur-free and brought lots of "wows!" from everyone looking over his shoulder. The US version of the Galaxy IV uses a 1.9 GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor. Overseas they'll be getting the Exynos 5 Octa eight-core processor! The S IV ships with 2 GB of RAM and they'll be a choice of 16, 32 or 64 GB of memory. If that's not enough, you can add in to 64 GB via a microSD card. As a very nice gesture, our parting gift was the Samsung Press Kit on a 64GB microSD card. (No, no new phones left the building (that I know of.) Photos shot with the front facing phone were also amazing. The 13 megapixel camera also shoots 1080p video. There's also a 2 megapixel rear-facing camera. That's even a feature that lets you shoot using both cameras at once so even the photographer can be in the picture. The S IV’s battery is higher capacity (2600 mAh) and yes, it's replaceable! Whew! I feel better - I LOVE having a phone with a replaceable battery. Since I use the Galaxy 3, I got to compare them side by side. The IV does have a bigger screen, but the case isn't that much bigger. The bezel on the IV is narrower. The IV is also thinner, but not by much. It will available in either a black or white polycarbonite case. Price was not announced, but it will be available later next month (April), with no specific date given. It will be available via all the major carriers.

Leo Laporte and gang followed the Samsung event live from the Brick TWiT House:

http://twit.tv/show/twit-live-specials/155