Here’s a gadget unique in the world of gadgets!

From Dick’s Gadget Warehouse!

I found the Franklin LM6000SE Speaking Language Master Special Edition Speaking Dictionaryin the warehouse and wondered if I would be able to find anything about it on the web. I knew it was about 20 years old and who would care about an electronic device that ancient? The Franklin device can speak every word, letter, and definition. It was designed especially for the visually or speech impaired or learning disabled. I was afraid it wouldn't say a word for me because I could tell from the white ooze around the battery compartment that the batteries had corroded badly. I was able to pry the battery door off, insert new batteries -- and wow, it still speaks! Here’s a bit more about the device from the web: The Franklin LANGUAGE MASTER Special Edition is widely used in Braille institutes, for vocational rehabilitation and for speech therapy. It’s designed to make it easy for these learners to find definitions of words, to differentiate between words that can be confused with each other, and to distinguish between words that are spelled in the same way but Sound different and have different meanings. By speaking every letter, word and definition, it offers the visually impaired learners access to a comprehensive dictionary from Merriam-Webster, the most trusted name in the field of dictionaries. It can also helps expand written and spoken vocabulary; assist with reading and comprehension; improve spelling and grammar skills and aid in producing better-written compositions. It uses 4 AA Batteries or an AC Adapter. Now here’s the amazing part. Not only did I find it on the web. It’s still the same unit from years gone by! The only change I can see in 20 years of production is that the instructions are now included on a CD rather than on a cassette. The price is still way up there at about $450.00. Imagine a gadget holding its value and it same features for all those years! I haven’t bought anything here, but this place sells it today for $349.95: 

http://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Special-Speaking-Language-Master/dp/B00013KO7A 

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

Weekly Daily Giz Wiz 4! Episode 1309: Week of April 11th, 2011

Change bands & batteries, remove links with your own Watch Repair Kit

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

Our Giz Wiz YouTube Video of the Week: Keys to happiness...

A new way to carry your keys...

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

Yea! I got myself a Box of Crap

From the “I Have To Have That” (dot) com website comes my $14.98 Mystery Box of Crap

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

Leo’s Turn The Table Turkey!

Once you see this beauty, you'll agree Leo's gadget pick really can't be called a 'turkey'.

Wow, it must be almost a month since Leo brought himself a new cell phone. So it was about time. This time ‘round he bought himself an unlocked Nokia N8. From what I could see on the screen as we recorded this episode, it sure is one beautiful looking phone with a brushed aluminum case. The Nokia N8 features a 12-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and Xenon flash and Leo says it takes great pictures. I asked about video and Leo said it can shoot HD video. Since I don’t own this phone and didn’t see it in person, I got a few more features from the Nokia website. The N8 does HD video with Dolby surround sound. With a built in HDMI connection you can show off your images, videos and music on HDTV’s in 720p resolution. The opening menu pulls feeds and updates from Facebook and Twitter. The problem is that as much as Leo would like to “love” this phone, he demonstrated that the touch screen is a little sluggish and it's not brimming with features. He said the Nokia N8 would have the phone the beat a couple of years, but it’s behind the curve compared with what’s out there today.

http://www.nokiausa.com/find-products/phones/nokia-n8-alt  

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