Weekly Daily Giz Wiz – Week of April 16th, 2012, Netcast 1361

Samsung Introduces two new product lines.

The New Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Series tablets are available in a 10.1” and a 7.0” version. A dual-core processor powers them both, the same as the current Galaxy Tab. But the new tablets run Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest Android version. Also new is an integrated IR blaster, which uses the Smart Remote app to turn the tablet into a universal remote for compatible Samsung TV’s. Like the earlier model, the new tablets have a memory card slot (up to 32 GB) and a replaceable battery. But the two new models are WiFi only, so there’s no contract involved. And they are very attractively priced. The 10.1” Galaxy Tab 2 is $399.99 and the 7” model is $249.99. These prices put the 7” Tab 2 at just $50 above the cost of the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Barnes & Noble Nook. They each sell for $199.  So for the extra fifty bucks, you get Ice Cream Sandwich, Google’s latest OS, and access to the full Android Market, not just selected apps available with the cheaper e-book readers. The Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is less than 1/2 inch thick and weighs only .76 lbs. WSVGA screen:1024X600. It is available for preorder now at $249.99, and for purchase on April 22. The Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 WXGA screen – 1280X800 - will be available on May 13^th for $399.99.

www.samsung.com.

Also new from Samsung are two Galaxy Players. The 4.2 inch model has a WVGA screen and the slightly larger 3.6 inch model has a HVGA screen. It appears to be Samsung’s version of the iPod Touch. Use it for gaming, videos and music. You could even buy Line2 and make phone calls when in a WiFi area. It has built in Adobe Flash. I connected mine to my home WiFi network; signed in with Google and quite quickly I had my contacts and emails downloaded. You can also use USB 2.0 or Bluetooth 3.0 to connect or add content via a micro SD card. It ships with 8 GB on internal memory. The two Galaxy players run Gingerbread (Android 2.3) so all the apps in the Android market are available, both free and $$. The smaller model has a mono speaker, but there are dual-stereo speakers on the Galaxy Player 4.2. The Galaxy Player 3.6 is available now for $149.99 exclusively at Best Buy and soon at other retailers. The Galaxy Player 4.2 will be available for pre-order on May 4 and for purchase on May 13, at $199.99

www.samsung.com.

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Video of the week --- A Transformer in Riverside Park!

Don't worry - you can't see thru the real jacket! ScotteVest is famous for making clothing that can hold all your electronics without showing bulges. This newest lightweight Transformer jacket features sleeves that can be removed in a few seconds, while you’re wearing the jacket! That’s because they’re held in place with a dozen rare earth magnets! The sleeves pull off easily, even while you’re wearing the jacket. Because there’s no Velcro or zippers, you can Transform the jacket to a vest in about 5 seconds or less. It’s easy to get the sleeves back on too. You’ll hear the magnets click into place and every time I’ve done it, it seems the magnets know exactly where they should be. The sleeves and the fabric that join them are one single piece. And don’t worry want to do with the sleeves once you remove them. One of the 20-pockets in the Transformer Jacket has been specially designed to hold the sleeves! There’s even a pocket big enough to hold your iPad. Other pockets hold sunglasses/eyeglasses, passport, keys, water bottle and other essentials. So you know which pockets were designed to hold what, the glasses compartment has a useful diagram. The cloth the diagram is printed on is designed to clean your glasses. That’s a nice touch. It’s available in black, red, and grey. $160.

www.scottevest.com

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/P59xG7tqUHQ

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A great gadget to hold your gadgets in flight.

Here’s an easy way to keeps all your favorite gadgets at your fingertips. The Amazing Case has custom fitted pockets that provide you easy access to your laptop, tablet, eReader, phone, books, magazines, travel documents, business cards, pens, and anything else you’ll need in the boardroom, classroom, car, or plane. It has hidden straps that let you hang it on the tray table so you can view your iPad at eye level and have everything you need close at hand during the flight. It works great in the car too, so the kids in the backseat can watch movies and entertain themselves during a long car trip. I’m looking forward to using this on my next flight. On a plane it can be difficult gathering all the items you need from your carry-on bag while people wait impatiently behind you. And it’s hard to figure out where to put everything once you squeeze into your seat. With the Amazing Case you organize everything you want in flight before you board. It even allows you to turn your tray table into your own theatre. Simply latch it around the tray table (or car headrest), pull out the tablet-viewing frame, and sit back to enjoy your favorite movie or read a digital book directly in front of you. One thing I find a little confusing is that Cabeau Travel says the Amazing Case is made of Premium Durasynth Leather – but the actual label is easier to understand – 100% polyurethane! But the case does looks petty good, and it could pass for leather. There’s a hand strap to carry it briefcase-style or use the included strap to sling it around your shoulder. Under $60.

http://www.cabeautravel.com/amazing-case.html

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Update on May 4, 2012 by The Giz Wiz

Here's the latest ordering news from the Amazing Case website:

* Item is currently sold out and on backorder. Ordering now will guarantee delivery within 6-8 Weeks. Credit card will be processed upon purchase. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@cabeautravel.com.

Leo’s Turn The Table Turkey –

Surprised? Leo doesn’t have a new phone, or a new phone case as his pick for this week’s show. He has a new microphone. It’s the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone. (Yep, it could go on our l-o-n-g product name list.)  Leo likes this mic a lot, especially considering the price, under $55. This rugged handheld microphone offers two outputs, USB for digital recording, and an XLR output that connects with a sound system conventional microphone input for use in live performance. The microphone can plug right into your computer USB port, and it will work with your favorite recording software. But wait, there’s more! The ATR2100-USB also offers a quality analog-to-digital converter for excellent fidelity. Another very nice feature is a headphone output jack with level control. This will let you use headphones to monitor the output from your microphone with no audible delay. The cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of unwanted sounds from the sides and rear. The microphone is ideal for live performance, podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use. Right on this Netcast Leo unplugged his Heil PR-20 professional microphone and plugged in the Audio-Technica ATR 2100.  The sound was excellent. It wasn’t as deep and rich as the Heil mic, but it was amazing for a microphone that sells for under $55 on Amazon. Although Leo said it was advertised as working with the iPhone, he could not make that happen. However, using the $30 iPad camera adapter, he was able to record using the ATR 2100 on his iPad. All-in-all Leo thinks this is an excellent microphone for people who want decent sound and who are working with a tight budget. Accessories that come with the unit include a USB cable, XLR cable and a folding tripod stand. List price is $79.99, but do a search on Amazon and you can find it for as low as $52.50. Leo bought his on Amazon.

Company info: http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/b8dd84773f83092c/index.html

Here’s Leo’s 90-second audio test using the ATR 2100 and his iPad:

http://tinyurl.com/6rz7sbp

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Dick's Gadget Warehouse - The famous Commodore Computers.

I don’t have a Commodore Computer in Dick’s Gadget Warehouse, but we’re going to talk about them anyway. It’s just a little remembrance of Jack Tramiel, the founder of Commodore who who passed away recently at age 83. He was responsible for bringing many early computers to the market. The first was the Commodore PET, shown publicly at the 1977 Chicago Consumer Electronics Show. I met Jack at shows a couple of times. He was never without his cigar, and he never wore a well-tailed, like many corporate execs. But he knew how to build and market computers. The PET turned out to be quite successful — partly of Jack’s business decision to sell directly to large customers, instead of selling to them through a dealer network. When the Apple II and Atari 800 hit the market offering color graphics (which used your color TV you already owned as the display) Commodore brought the VIC-20, and then the Commodore 64 to market. The Commodore 64 became the best-selling home computer of all time. And there were other records. The Commodore VIC-20 was the first home PC to sell one million units. After some business disagreements, Jack Tramiel resigned from Commodore, and started Tramel Technology. Then he bought the consumer division of Atari from Warner Communications and alternated running it with his son, Sam. Surprisingly, you can still buy a Commodore VIC-20 computer today. It looks like the original model, but it’s quite different inside. Depending on the model, it can run Windows and even have a Blu-ray player. The new models retail from $345 to about $1300! 

http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64Select.aspx

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