The Giz Wiz for the week of August 21st, 2012, Netcast 1378

An Alarming Kind Of Laptop Messenger Bag!

iSafe produces backpacks, fanny packs and now messenger bags that are alarming. That’s because the company adds a loud alarm and flashing LED feature. Their products are recommended for children 8 years old and up because kids should be old enough to understand that an iSafe bag is an alarm system, not a toy. One of the newest products in the iSafe line is their messenger bag. It’s designed for ages 17 and up. This business laptop bag fits laptops up to 15.6 screens It can be carried on your shoulder or by the handle. With plenty of room and a large organizer compartment, the iSafe Laptop Bag can accommodate all your mobile gear. It has seven compartments designed for professionals and students who want to protect their laptop, important documents, iPod and other valuables. Mobile Personal Security - Great for social workers, nurses, field reps, students, healthcare, real estate agents, appraiser, etc. The dual alarm system is concealed in the lower section of the messenger bag. To activate the alarm system, lift the tab with the iSafe logo and pull the activation cord. Disengaging the safety pin instantaneously activates the alarm, which is loud! Louder than some car alarm, so this is for actual emergencies. (It’s 120 decibels!) The two sirens send signals in opposite directions, while the four flashing red LED’s flash up and down. This should attract attention. The alarm can run up to 2 continuous hours, assuming the two 9-volt batteries are new. (Batteries not included.) You can check out the company’s other iSafe products at their website:  

www.isafebags.com 

MSRP Price is $89.99, but it’s $12 cheaper here: (I haven’t shopped at this e-tailor) 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004H36J3I/?tag=twnene-20

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1378  

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 - A Tablet To Take Note Of - And Notes On.

The just released (on August 14, 2012) Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet has some great features! It features a WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution TFT display with S Pen technology for easy sketching, annotation and note taking. The S Pen is so seamlessly integrated into the tablet I thought mine didn’t have one, but of course, it did - nicely hidden out of the way. If you feel the 16GB (or 32GB) of onboard storage isn’t enough for your music, movies, etc., there’s a microSD card slot so you can add up to another 32GB. It ships with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system and is powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core processor. This model is WiFi only and has built-in 802.11a/b/g/n wireless LAN. But there’s an exciting first for the Galaxy Note 10.1. It’s the only tablet (as of right now) that can run two different applications on a split screen. Not every application can do that, but on World News Now I used half the screen to playback a video I had recorded, while on the other half of the screen I was writing notes on the screen with my finger. Of course you’ll get much more control with the S Pen which lets you draw, annotate and create handwritten notes. There are two cameras. A 1.9MP front-facing camera along with a 5.0MP camera with auto focus and power LED flash allows you to capture very decent images. When looking at photos you shot, you can put a finger on each corner and zoom in and out by just tilting the Note back and forth. You can impress your friends quickly with this. Bluetooth 4.0 too for connecting other devices. It weighs only 1.3 lbs. and measures just 0.4" thin. This is one heck a tablet! I’ll update this as I get more user time with the Galaxy Note 10.1 Price: $499 (16GB) to $549 (32GB). Available now at most big box stores and at Amazon - link below. I have not shopped at this etailer.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007M506WS/?tag=twnene-20

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1378  

Viewer's Video The Week - The 'Open Door' Refrigerator Warning Device.

Kim Marlia, a fan of the show invents Safe-Fridge. It’s a device that sounds an alarm should someone leave the refrigerator door open. But I’ll let Kim tell the story in his own words:

I invented and patented a product that will revolutionize the refrigerator industry. I seek a company or individual to partner with and/or to license the patent. SafeFridge, patent #6060987, alarms if a refrigerator or freezer door is open (ajar) too long. This uses the heat of the 40w appliance light bulb as the timing device, thus eliminating the need for a timer and the need for a voltage drop (saving production cost). SafeFridge fits into the light socket in the refrigerator much like the “on at dusk off at dawn” devices that screw into a fixture and have the light bulb screw into them. The device is intended to offset the light bulb by no more than an inch and a half, thus making it fit almost any home refrigerator. The reason that the device will be a success is threefold: (1) it is easily installed by a layperson, (2) the small cost of the item (less than $10.00?) versus the cost of the food it protects, and, (3) the two distinct markets, one the housewife (or househusband) and the concern with the family’s health versus food poisoning (CDC estimates that 76 million Americans get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 Americans die each year from food borne illness) and the other is environmentally aware people who fear the release of fluorocarbons into the atmosphere or who just don't want to waste energy. The sales pitch could track as follows” “Here is a device that helps protect your family against the hazards of food spoilage” or “The average American has $500.00 (this is a guess on my part) worth of food in their refrigerator and this $10.00 device helps protect against spoilage” or even a more thought provoking “In America more than 300,000 people were hospitalized from food poisoning last year. A leading cause of this is storing foods at too high of a temperature. This device protects your family by alerting you when your refrigerator door is left ajar or the internal temperature of your refrigerator is reaching an unsafe level. Protect your family and friends for only $10.00.” Or “You and your children deserve to live in an environment protected from the unintentional insult of fluorocarbon pollution. Be part of the solution by buying this inexpensive device to alert you if and when your refrigerator starts to warm up because of leaking freon." Kim does have a website, but he says he hasn’t done much with it:

www.safefridge.com 

His YouTube Video is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-mLv04f2JA&feature=youtu.be

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1378 

The Premiere of Leo's Piece of Crap From The Sky Mall Catalog!

The day has finally come! Leo got his first gadget from the SkyMall catalog. That’s the new Giz Wiz feature where people vote on three gadgets they like to see Leo buy and try. We all waited for this demo, Orbitwheels! What a weird concept. These are skates you step into and then hang on for dear life. Why? Because instead of the wheels facing forward like normal skates, the Orbitwheels rotate to the right and left!! Perfect for doing a split, but I don’t know how anyone would learn how to go forward on them. Here’s the description from the SkyMall website:

A cross between a skateboard and inline skates, but with more freedom and simplicity than either, the Orbitwheels are a brand new concept for wheeled sports. The design is simple: two feet, two wheels... and you're ready to go. Countless tricks and maneuvers can be as creative as your imagination! With the Orbitwheels minimalist design, fun and transportation have never been so portable and convenient. Enjoy on a variety of different surfaces. No need to fuss with buckles and flaps - just step into the hoops and take off. Wearing a helmet is always recommended.

Leo bravely tried them, but with proper protection, a full sumo suit, as you can see in the photo. He didn’t get far before he fell down. In fact he fell down a few times. People in the chatroom said this was the funniest TWiT show ever. You have to watch the video version just to see Leo bravely trying his Orbitwheels while wearing his Sumo suit! $99.99.

http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=204021757&c=

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1378 

VOTE RIGHT NOW FOR ANOTHER GADGET YOU WANT LEO TO TRY!

From Dick's Gadget Warehouse - Belkin's Notebook Surge Protector.

About ten years ago the Belkin (F5C791-C8) Notebook Surge Protector was a great gadget for people who travel. The device was designed for use in countries with 100VAC-240VAC electrical utilities, which is pretty much the majority of the world. The Belkin Notebook Surge Protector is a breeze to use. It just plugs in between the AC cord between the wall and the inline laptop transformer. The 3 RJ-11 ports are from phone in and out cables. It even shipped with a retractable RJ-11 phone cable. A green pilot light tells you your equipment is protected and that's the line is powered. It was designed to protect notebook computers and modems from harmful surges and spikes, in any country throughout the world. You can see the ultra compact design made it easy to pack for business or personal travel. When it first came out, it was $29.99, but I did a web search on 8/20/12 and found it’s still available. Prices range as high as $37, (Yep, agove the MSRP) but you can’t beat the deal at Tiger Direct: $4.99. And that includes the retractable RJ-11 cable. Be aware that there were two versions, one that fits two prong AC computer cords and one that fits 3 prong AC computer cords. The one at Tiger Direct, according to the photos, only fits 2 prong AC cords.  

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1571156&CatId=5307

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1378