Pogoplug goes from pink to black and adds a lot of new features.

Daily Giz Wiz, Wednesday, November 17th, 2010, Netcast 1223

I’ve been following the Pogoplug since it entered the marketplace back in 2007. The last reincarnation was the much talked about pink Pogoplug. When I asked why pink, they said: “We’ll get noticed!” And they did. Now comes a new version, the Pogoplug Pro. New features, new color, black. What is Pogoplug? Pogoplug connects your external hard drives to the Internet so you have full access to your home content anywhere you can get online. Set up takes about a minute! Make your videos, photos, presentation files, or even your entire music library accessible online, without uploading. Pogoplug gives you the power to broadcast and share your digital life with ease from wherever life takes you. (Assuming there’s WiFi there!) This new version, exclusively available at all U.S. Best Buy locations and online adds some new features. There’s now built-in Wifi which allows your Pogoplug to connect to the wireless network in your home or offce. It enables your Pogoplug to be setup anywhere without the need for network cables. Share unlimited files and folders securely with friends, family, coworkers, and clients. Share large files like photos and videos with just a simple click: no uploading required. But wait, there’s more! Pogoplug offers free mobile applications on the iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry and other mobile devices. Upload and share files and folders or stream music and movies on your mobile device while on the road. Or use the free desktop application. The price hasn’t changed. It’s still $99.99. Pogoplug Biz for Business Users is another new product. It adds a lot of features such as usage statistics and auditing, plus custom file sharing. It's designed as a business tool and is priced like one: $299.99 with lifetime Pogoplug service. See all lthe unique features of both new units at the company website: 

www.pogoplug.com  

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1223

Logitech Revue with Google TV – Leo Reviews the Revue.

Daily Giz Wiz, Tuesday, November 16th, 2010, Netcast 1222 

For this week’s Turn The Table Tuesday Leo shelled out $300 to buy one of the first available Logitech Revue units. Actually the whole name of this new device is Logitech Revue with Google TV. Leo said connecting the Revue unit to a home entertainment system and Internet was easy. It comes with an HDMI cable which connects the Logitech Revue to an HDMI port on your HDTV. Then you connect another HDMI cable between the Revue and your cable provider’s box via HDMI out. Then power up the Revue and follow the directions on the TV screen. Now with the Revue box in between your video box and your HDTV, the content available on your TV expands to include all the features of Google TV and Logitech applications. It’s also where some of the drawbacks start to appear. Leo said many channels are blocked and that even though Netflix is available, it uses an older, less convenient interface. On the plus side, with the included Logitech Keyboard Controller you can type in anything you want to find. A big plus is that the famous Harmony Link technology is embedded in Logitech Revue – (the same technology that powers Logitech’s family of Harmony universal remotes) there’s no manual switching of inputs required when you switch between DVD, TV, etc. Even though Leo feels this device is not quite ready for prime time, it can be in the not-too-distant future. Because it's an open platform companies are most likely developing new applications right now. Be sure to visit the Logitech website to see all the other features of this system because it can do a lot. But for now Leo’s verdict is wait and see what the next version or two offers before you buy one. The Logitech Revue with Google TV suggested retail price is $299.99. 

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/smartTV/revue 

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1222

Just in time for Thanksgiving. The Deni Gravy Warmer!

Perfect gadget, especially with the holidays coming up. The Deni Gravy/Syrup Warmer is a clever two-piece system. There’s a ceramic gravy boat and and an electric ceramic warmer to keep gravy, Hollandaise or sauces hot and flavorful at the table. Prepare sauces ahead of time and keep toppings at the perfect serving temperature. The cord at the back of the unit detaches for tabletop serving. This device is a warmer, so you can’t heat cold gravy in it, but it will keep heated gravy warm. Even unplugged it keeps gravy at a nice serving temperature for up to 30 minutes. So second servings aren't a problem at the table. It eliminates those microwave warm-ups. This duo is also ideal for serving hot syrup at the breakfast table and hot fudge, caramel or butterscotch dessert toppings. It has its own on/off illuminated switch and holds 18 oz. There’s a version with a white pitcher and white warmer base and there’s a black & stainless steel model. Under $25 in white, and under $30 for the stainless steel model. I did a quick web search and this item sells for anywhere from about $15 to $30, so be sure to price shop if you’re interested in buying one. 

More info from the company: http://tinyurl.com/33nnbyl

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1221

It’s Fat For a Pen, But Skinny For a Recorder.

Back to Dick’s Gadget Warehouse, Friday, November 12^th, 2010 Netcast 1220 

It was at a press conference early in 2000 that Samsung presented each reporter with a handy-dandy gift. It was the Samsung Digital Voice Recorder, (Model SVR-P700). This looked like a rather fat pen that was actually a voice recorder. If you’re familiar with the Montblanc Diplomat fountain pen, the Voice Pen won’t appear to be that big. It fits easily into a shirt or jacket pocket and like a standard fountain pen. And it has a pocket clip, so it won’t look like a recorder to someone standing in front of you. When you hear all the features packed into this device you begin to think it’s really quite an amazing, especially for its size. There’s a small LCD screen that showed battery condition and message number, up to 99. There’s an internal speaker, built in microphone, and a jack for either an earphone or it could be used as line-out. There’s no mic in, so you can only use the built in mic. And there’s no external memory, not surprising 10 years ago, but you could record up to 70 minutes with the 8 MB of onboard memory. Three buttons on the pen control all the functions: recording, playback, and erase. It was quite an impressive gift, which had a list price of $190. Street price was closer to $150. It had an elegant packaging and I ended up leaving the pen into box until this day. So it’s never been used! Hmmm I wonder how much it might be worth on Ebay. Maybe enough to cover the 10 years of shelf rent!I found a photo of the pen at the website below. It might still be available there, but you have to email them for prices or info: 

http://www.okokchina.com/p/Digital-Voice-Recorder/Voice-Pen--Voice-Recorder--427488.html 

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1220 

Three new ways to prop up your iPhone, iPod, Droid, etc.

Thursday, November 11^th, 2010, Netcast 1219

Leo’s done “case round-ups” so I’m doing a mini-iPhone/Video player round-up. The first device, the CelJel is a soft and "grippy" holder. It’s designed to be a bit on the heavy side so it’s great for surfaces like a snack tray on an airplane because it won’t slide around. You can easily set your iPhone, Droid, BlackBerry, Android phone, iPod, Zune or just about any smart device on it. It holds your device at any angle you choose so you can adjust it for room lighting, glare, etc. And you just set it down, there’s nothing to clamp or lock. It's perfect for watching YouTube, Slingbox, movies, etc. on your gizmo or gadget. The inventor of the device, Tony Lillard, told me CelJel is made in the USA which helps his small company control the quality. And he said it also does a small part to help employ American workers. It’s made of "Tech-Jel420" rubber formula, which utilizes the purest grade of high-gravity silicone rubber. CelJel costs $15.99 and it comes with a cleaning cloth to keep your screen clean. Available in Kiwi Green or Black Licorice, neither one of which is edible.

www.celjel.com

Just when you thought the iPhone had every accessory known to man and to Steve Jobs comes the iPlunge. It’s a whimsical low-tech plunger to prop up your high-tech video device. No plumbing needed; just squish it against the back of -- actually -- any device with a smooth hard surface. Yep, it does work like a real plunger. It’s great for use on planes, trains and even your desk. Made of wood and rubber just like the real thing. Comes packaged in a clear display box. Measures 1 3/4 inches L x 1 ¼ in diameter. And who knows, if the toilet in Barbie’s doll house gets stopped up, it might work there!  Price: $6.95 

 http://tinyurl.com/38x5cdc

There are categories of angels to watch over everything; now even for your mobile device with this On Angels’ Wings iPhone Holder. These wings function as a heavenly easel allowing you to watch videos without having to hold your phone in your hand. They suction to the back of the phone and easily adjust for landscape or portrait viewing. For home, office or on the go. Wings measure: 2 1/8 inches x 1 3/4 inches x 1 1/8 inches deep. Works with most smart phones and mp3 players. I found that these wings offered less adjustment than the others. Price: $10.00. 

http://tinyurl.com/2wwhaow

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1219