A new AA battery with a new formula for more power.

Daily Giz Wiz, Monday, February 8^th, 2010, Netcast 1021

They’re called PowerGenix Nickel-Zinc High Discharge Batteries. And the abbreviation for their composition is NiZn, which I can’t even pronounce. So I’ll call them PowerGenix. This company has developed a high-energy density, high-cycle life and low-cost nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery, ideal for applications that require high discharge rate capabilities. That includes digital cameras, especially when using flash. Their performance advantages include a 30% weight reduction, coupled with higher power. Here’s a bit of tech info on the batteries from the company: Using a patented electrolyte and a patented electrode composition, PowerGenix has eliminated past issues of dendrite formation and shape change of the zinc electrode during cycling. Dendrite formation and shape change of the zinc electrode have been the primary hindrances to a commercially viable rechargeable NiZn high discharge battery. PowerGenix developed this breakthrough technology in a manner that did not compromise the inherently superior performance characteristics of a NiZn battery. Two of the more prominent features of the PowerGenix NiZn high discharge battery are its small size and low internal resistance, which enables the delivery of significantly more power during periods of peak demand than a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery of comparable size.  I put a voltmeter on a fully charged PowerGenix AA battery and a fully charged NiCad battery. (PowerGenix likes the abbreviation NiCd, I prefer NiCad. Google shows both.) The meter showed higher power (1.6 volts) from the NiZn formula vs. 1.2 from the NiCad rechargeable. They’re also eco-friendly because they’re 100% recyclable and non-toxic. 4 AA PowerGenix batteries with a quick NiZn charger have a suggested retail price of $29.99, but you can find them on Amazon for about $23.

www.powergenix.com

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1021

Now you may actually CLOSE the windows so you smell the aroma from your new paint job!

Friday, February 5^th, 2010, Netcast 1020 / Back to Dick’s Gadget Warehouse

It was at the National Hardware Show 2003 that I learned about a new way to overcome the sometimes sickening smell of fresh paint. It was devised by four guys from Thomasville, Ga. They came up with a paint additive they called Paint Pourri. It’s a liquid that comes in a plastic pouch that you stir into a gallon of paint before you use it. Once mixed in, you paint as you normally do. But the Paint Pourri now acts as an air freshener that can last as long a year. Now this is a surprise; 7 years later and the product is still around! The company that markets it is Scentco. And they call the experience of using Paint Pourri, "A-Room-a-Therapy." A-Room-a-Therapy – I love it! Scentco says this product can be effective in reducing and eliminating pet odors, smoke odors or use it just to refresh a room. And they say you can use it just about anywhere - bathrooms, closets, laundry rooms, basements, garages or any room in your home. What? Not a warehouse? Since the aroma can last up to a year I suggest you pick a scent you like a lot! There are several scents to choose from: Lavender Breeze, Ocean Breeze, Simply Clean, Simply Citrus, Soft Vanilla, Tropical Winds and Wildflower. They are $2.95 per package. You need one 1 ounce package per gallon, but the company says if you want a stronger odor, you can use two!

http://www.scentco.net/paint-pourri.html

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1020

Now you can carry Wikipedia in your pocket! Three million articles!

Thursday, February 4^th, 2010, Netcast 1019

The WikiReader is the portable version of Wikipedia. You don't need a computer, smart phone, WiFi, or anything electronic to use it. Pocket sized at about 4” x 4" the WikiReader has just 3 buttons, and an on/off switch. The interface is pretty basic and the instructions are even more basic. Turn it on, type what you’re searching for on the virtual keyboard and you’re on your way. After playing with the Random button for a few minutes information about a parental lock that isn't mentioned in the manual came up. Maybe that's supposed to be part of fun. Your searches are saved in “history”. If you press the "History" button twice you have the option to save or to erase your browsing history. That's not mentioned in the instructions either. The device has a removable 4 GB MicroSD card which I discovered when I checking if the WikiReader could be updated. The instructions do tell you that the "Search" button serves two functions. One push brings up the virtual keyboard and the second push hides the keyboard and returns you to the previous screen. The virtual keyboard is a bit tiny and I miss having the key you hit enlarge for a split second as confirmation that you hit the proper one. And from time to time touch detection gets stubborn and you have to hit a key or a link within an entry a few times before it goes to where you want it. Reading on the monochrome screen isn't bad and you get to pick different contrasts and type sizes when you first start typing. Also the WikiReader shows only text, no pictures or photos. It’s not backlit so you to be in a lighted place in order to read the screen. Two AAA batteries that are included power it. The company says you can expect about 90 hours of battery life, which is probably several months or more depending on how often you use the device. Automatic shutoff after several minutes of inactivity helps extend battery life. The WikiReader can be updated for free via the WikiReader site by taking out the MicroSD card from the battery slot and connecting it to your computer. I believe the site said that it can take many hours for the updated 3 million entries to be downloaded! Or you can pay $29 (+shipping) to have a new 8 GB MicroSD card with updated content sent to you twice a year. That’s an easier way and it’s not a bad price since it includes two 8 GB SD cards. Price is $99.

www.thewikireader.com

 Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1019

Combine up to three Bluetooth cell phones with your home telephone landline.

Wednesday, February 3^rd, 2010, Netcast 1018

The Gigaset One lets you pair up to 3 different Bluetooth cell phones. Then plug a telephone line from the Gigaset into your home phone jack. You can now make and get cell phone calls from any phone in your home – wired or cordless. You still get regular phone calls too provided you still have landline service. So you know whose cell phone is ringing, there are three different ring patterns. It also works if you don’t have landline phone service anymore. You can still use the phones in your home connected to the old landline wiring to answer and make your cell phone calls. With this system you can leave the cell phone in an area where the reception is best. But it should within ten feet of the Gigaset One unit, which requires AC power. All the details on how the system works are at the company’s website. The Gigaset has been rolling out across the country and is now available everywhere. If you do a web search you should be able to find a lower price than the $99!

www.gigasetone.com

 Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1018

Leo finds an ideal recorder for interviews & podcasting.

TTTT, Tuesday, February 2, 2010, Netcast 1017

Leo teaches a class in Podcasting and has supplied the school with some great Podcasting equipment. Among the things Leo bought for the school is the newest model recorder from Zoom, the Zoom H4n digital audio recorder.  The “n” in H4n stands for “next” as this is Zoom’s next and third portable recording system. Leo said it includes a lot of features for the money. It has a rubberized grip and easy to use buttons on the front of the unit. You navigate through menu choices by using a jog dial on the side and you see your choices on the built in LCD screen. Not only can you change the audio pickup pattern of the built-in microphones, you can use the jacks on the bottom of the unit to add two external mics. You can use both sets of mics for four-track recording. If you want to check on the recordings you’re making on location, there is a small built in monitor speaker. Power is provided by 2 AA alkaline batteries and that should give you about 11 hours of recording time. There’s also a tripod socket so you can place the recorder in one place on a tripod and not worry about noises picked up by handholding the unit. Recordings are stored on SD cards and the Zoom can take cards up 32GB. It ships with a 1GB card. This device can also be used for sound mixing on your computer via a USB cable. There are a ton of other exciting features, so you should check out the manufacturer’s specs page for all the details. Although the list price is close to $500, do a web search for price. I believe Leo found it on Amazon for $299.99.

http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h4n/

 Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1017