Week of February 5th, 2013 Giz Wiz Show 1402!

Confused about whether you should get a tablet, a smartphone or a PDA? How about a Chromebook? It’s not a netbook, or a notebook computer, but an easy, affordable, good-looking way to work with all your Android apps. The Acer C7 Chromebook starts in seconds. And it will always feel new because Chromebook's cloud-based Chrome OS and built-in virus protection refresh every time on reboot. No updates to track, no discs to insert, and backups are automatic, too. Unlike other computers, Chromebooks get better with age because of the continued updating. At about an inch thick and 3 pounds, this Acer C7 Chromebook goes wherever you go and keeps your files safe and secure in the cloud. Remember, it runs Chrome OS and not any form of Windows. And you’ll need WiFi for applications that store your photos, files, etc. in the cloud. There's no DVD player, but I had no problem watching Netflix on the Acer C7. Here are some tech specs from Acer: Intel Celeron 1.1GHz 2MB L3 Cache Processor 847, 2048MB DDR3 Dual-Channel Memory, 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, 11.6" HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit LCD, Google Chrome Operating System. Most amazing of all – under $200!

http://www.google.com/intl/us/chrome/devices/acer-c7-chromebook.html

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/giz1402

Like magic - the Targus Touch Pen For Windows 8 Can Make Your Non-touch Screen, Touchable.

Did you buy, or are you thinking of buying Windows 8. Maybe you can’t make up your mind because you don’t have a touch screen laptop? Well the not-yet-released Targus Touch Pen for Windows 8 could be a help for you. It converts a regular laptop screen into a touch screen device. I got to play with the new device a bit at the Digital Experience at CES. (By the way, if you are thinking of upgrading to Windows 8, the introductory pricing ends on January 31, 2012.) It’s been widely written that Windows 8 really works best with a touch screen, so the Targus Touch Pen could let you use your current non-touch-screen laptop until you decide to move up to a new touch screen model. The Targus spokesperson showed me the easy set-up. The kit contains two devices. A small receiver that attaches magnetically to the side of any laptop display up to 17”, and the Touch Pen. The pen looks like a fountain pen, but the tip is very much like a paintbrush. It has soft bristles designed to be safely used on computer screens. Once the receiver is on the screen, it only has to be calibrated once, which is done by tapping the Touch Pen on all four corners of the screen. There are no drivers required, it’s plug and play. The receiver gets its power via a USB connection to your laptop. When I tried the touch pen I found that most of the time it moved things around the screen correctly. Once is a while I had to repeat a stoke before the screen responded. Since the Targus Touch Pen won’t be out for a few months, these are pre-production models, so minor missteps can happen. It's expected to ship in the spring and will retail for about $100, well $99.99. (I assume once it’s in wide distribution, discounts will be available.) There’s more info at the company website:

http://targus.com/US/productdetail.aspx?regionId=7&sku=AMD002US

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/giz1402

This week's 'Viewer Video of the Week'! (See how you can submit yours too!)

It always starts out with an email to:  gizwiz@twit.tv

Subject: The Pebble Watch! My favorite gadget of all time Video!

Here's my video for the pebble watch (yes, I actually have one)! Sorry if I sound nervous in the video. I follow Dick's one take theater style of video recording!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i1h73XK1Wc

Thanks, Ktdata

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/giz1402

We love showing videos from our fans! We'd love to show one of yours too, but you need to send it to us first! Here's how:.

Want to be a part of The Giz Wiz Show? Then submit your own video! 

Here's what we're looking for:

Your home made Videos -- two to three minutes long - in the any of the following categories:

I bought a piece of crap! Did you buy something you ended up hating? We won't get you a refund, but we might be able to give a platform to vent your disappointment. Remember, "family friendly" language applies.

I Invented This! Do you invent something? (Or did a friend or relative invent something.) We can't market it for you, but we can help get the word out. Show us what it is, and how it works. Even if it's a prototype, you can get our (and the audience) reactions.

My Gadget Warehouse! Okay, so you don't have a warehouse. It doesn't matter. Just tell us about your favorite old gadget(s). When and where you bought it, and why you're still hanging on to it. 

My favorite gadget of all time! Show us what it is, tell us what it does and why you love, or loved it!

Post them on YouTube and send our producer, Jason, the link! We'll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that's unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long, 4 MAX! Low production value is fine. Even welcomed! That way our stuff doesn't look too bad by comparison. We've set the bar low. Don't trip over it.

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv

Leo's "Crap From The Sky Mall Catalog!" Pick Of The Week!

What is going on with Sky Mall?

It's another week where nothing has arrived. If you order from Sky Mall make sure you do it long before you need what you order. Or pay the extra money to get expedited shipping! But all is not lost, you still get to vote on another piece of crap Leo's should order from Sky Mall!

NOTE: STRAW POLL HAS BEEN HAVING SOME SERVER ISSUES. SO IF THE POLL IS NOT HERE, IT WILL BE BACK SHORTLY.

 

Back to Dick's Gadget Warehouse!

The Peek Classic came into the market place in 2008. It was even voted “Gadget of the year by Time Magazine” back then. And now, it’s gone. I have no idea what happened to folks who paid $299.99 for lifetime service. I guess that was for the lifetime of the gadget, not the customer! Here’s the original review when the Peek was at it’s peek! Now, it's just warehouse junk.     

Thursday, October 16th, 2008 Netcast 679

Peek -- A Way To Get & Send Emails & Nothing Else!

If you have a PDA, a Smart Phone or other device to get your emails, you won't be interested in the Peek. The Peek is new device that receives and sends email. It can open attachments and it can let you see photos that someone emails you, but it can do nothing else. But the pictures have to be JPEGS. This is not for the geek, but more for the geeks parents who might want to get & send emails, period! You can emails via popular services like Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail and AOL. Each device can have up to three accounts, although the three email accounts are combined into the same inbox. It's easy to set up and pretty easy to use. A scroll wheel on the side highlights your menu choices, and then you push in on the wheel to select it.  For some odd reason when you highlight an email, you then have also go to read email. I don’t why you need that extra step. The keyboard letters are backlit, which is very nice and the device is the size of a very, very thin pack of cards. The Peek notifies you that have emails by vibrating, making a chime sound and setting off a blinking blue light. The display is a 2.5” (240 pixels by 320 pixels) color and it looks pretty decent. I’d like to see a bigger type face but the PR folks told that is coming in November. The Peek has 8 megabytes of memory. That’s equal to about 5,000 emails. So Leo could use it for two days before he has to clear the memory to make room for more emails. Peek says if you start with a fully charged battery it should last about five days assuming you get and send 10 to 15 emails a day.  Power users who send and receive 200 to 300 emails a day will get about two days of use from a full charge. I have the red Peek, but it also come in charcoal gray, aqua blue, and black cherry. Hmm, I guess I don’t have red. I have black cherry!  It’s $100 at Target or at the company’s website. Service is $20 a month and there’s no contract! Soon they’ll offer an annual deal. If you pay for 12 months, you’ll get one month free. But I would go with the month to month until you’re sure the PEEK serves your need.

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/giz1402

Hear this five-year-old Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw679

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Letter of the week about the Kickstarter project: "When were were MAD! A Documentay of Ecch-ic Proportions". Here's the link for that, but it ends February 8th, 2013. 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1438570989/when-we-went-mad-a-documentary-of-ecch-ic-proporti/comments