Bet my auto-timer can outdo your auto-timer!!

I love my new Timex Electronic 7-Day Timer. It sure does a lot, but it could use a better model name. Right now it’s just known as Model TX12626X. With a 3 prong plug the timer can control heavy-duty loads up to 15 amps. And this is something I’ve never seen before in a timer. You can set up to 20 programs right on the built in mini LCD screen even if the timer’s not plugged in! Sit in a comfy chair and set up all your programs. When you first unpack the timer you have to plug it in for about 20 minutes to charge the internal battery. Then you can start to program it away from power. This neat little timer can store up to 140 on/off programs over 7 days. You can set up each day with a different schedule. There’s also a random feature which is great when you're going on vacation. It will turn on lamps in a random pattern to make the house seem occupied. And suppose you need light quickly? No problem, just use the manual override. It lets you turn the load on and off without affecting your programming. And your programs are protected against a power failure by that pre-installed back-up battery. Additional features: the LCD shows the time and day. The timer is rated at 125VAC, 15A, 1875 Resistive Watts and comes with a 3 wire grounded plug. It's small at 2 7/8 inches by 2 inches. Amazing you can find it for under $10. It under $7 here: 

http://www.opentip.com/Electronics-Computers/Timex-Electronic-Day-Timer-p-1240439.html 

Hear or SEE a Daily Giz Wiz Netcast on this timer: www.twit.tv/dgw1151

Only backpack I know of that has a built-in security alarm.

Gadget From Saturday, August 14th, 2010

They're called the iSafe Laptop Backpacks. The company recommends their bags be used for children 8 years old and up. The model I showed, the iSafe Ultimate Backpack, is the top of the line and is designed for ages 14 & up.) The company says that children should be old enough to understand that the iSafe bag is an alarm system, not a toy. It should be used as a tool to help them escape dangerous or harmful situations. The alarm system is concealed in the lower section of a pouch that is in a pocket on the one of the front straps within easy reach. To activate the alarm system the child pulls the activation cord. That will disengage the safety pin instantaneously activating the alarm. To deactivate, reinsert the pin. It emits two siren signals in opposite directions, away from the user's ears, which should attract attention all around. The iSafe Bag is water resistant and shock resistant. The alarm can run up to 2 continuous hours, assuming the batteries are new. Because of the way the straps are located it should be extremely difficult and time consuming for an attacker to remove the iSafe backpack. (It is important that the company’s instructions are followed when wearing the backpack.) The Ulltimate Backpack fits laptops with up to 15.4 screens. There are ten pockets to store everything a college and high school student needs on the go. An audio device portal can accommodate mobile gear and more in secured compartments. There’s a feed-through for headphone cables. iSafe Backpacks prices range from about $60 to $100. The Collegiate is $99.99. It weighs 3.1lbs w/batteries. 

www.isafebags.com 

Hear or SEE a Daily Giz Wiz Tom Merritt & I did on this gizmo: www.twit.tv/dgw1153

Did I take that pill? And if I did, when did I take it?

I bet you’ve asked yourself those question anytime you needed to take pills at certain intervals. An simple way to remember to take your medicine is to use The Pill Timer. It’s an easy to use medication management system designed to help people, patients, and care­givers get the full benefits from their prescription medications. You program it for prescribed regimen interval – by pushing a button on the cap to tell it you need to take a pill say - every 2, 4, 6, 8 hours, etc. Once programmed, an alarm sounds for 20 seconds when it’s time to take a pill. Along with the alarm, a red light flashes for one minute when dosage is due. When you take off the cap to take your pill, the timer automatically resets to 0:00. That way you can easily see how long it’s been since you took your last pill. There’s an hourly reminder alarm and the LCD continues to blink if the dosage is missed. Pill Timer can help you prevent accidental under and over dosing. The battery is not replaceable, but the company says it’s guaranteed to last for at least 3 months. My guess is that the battery will last a lot longer, but the company wants to make sure you don’t use the cap battery too long, which could make the timer not operate properly. Luckily the The Pill Timer is under $5 and comes with USP approved prescription vial. $4.95 

http://www.medtimetechnology.com/product.html 

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1139

A scanner that's small enough to carry in your pocket.

The VuPoint Solution Magic Wand Portable Scanner lets you scan documents, photos, receipts, etc. anywhere and save them on a Micro SD card. You choose between 300 x 300 dpi standard resolution and 600 x 600 dpi high resolution. You copy in color or black and white (monochrome). Setting up the Magic Wand is very easy. Insert the batteries, which are included, scan the white sheet of paper (also included) until the green light goes out to indicate the device is calibrated. Then starting scanning. Outside of being a little lopsided, because I didn’t scan in a straight line, my first scan was really good. This is a perfect, inexpensive device that will let you turn stacks of documents into organized digital files. Scan just the portion of a book you need. Or a recipe from a cookbook. It features a Contact Image Sensor, scanning status LCD display and Optical Character Recognition software. Scan speed is about 13 seconds for high resolution with color and 3 for standard with color. Your speed may vary. The Magic Wand supports Micro SD cards up to 32GB (card not included). Works with Windows / Mac OS 10.4 or above. The kit includes USB cable, software, carrying pouch and 2 AA batteries. Although there are a few other mini portable scanners on the market, this one does an excellent jou and  retails for less than $100. Available on the web, or at Bed, Bath & Beyond. $99.99. On the right is the first scan I made with the Magic Wand. Outside of not scanning in a straight line and stopping a bit too early (cuting off the bottom of the magazine) this is a really decent scan. And it's available just in time for back-to-school.  Company website:

http://vupointsolutions.com/DEMO_MW.asp

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1133

An under $15 device that might save your life in a car accident.

The slide-out blade protector glows in the dark, an added feature.Swiss+Tech makes an entire line of “micro-tools,” each small enough to be worn on a key chain. (In a few cases, a rather large Key Chain.) The BodyGard 5-in-1 Emergency Tool is one they designed for the car. In one pretty small gizmo you get five devices: automatic glass breaker, safety-blade seat belt cutter, sonic alarm, flashing red distress light, and bright-white LED flashlight. It’s designed to help drivers escape from their vehicles when the windows or doors fail to operate due to vehicle damage, fire or submersion. The automatic glass breaker is spring-loaded to automatically deploy when pressed firmly against a vehicle’s side or rear window. (Be sure to view the usage guidelines.) The safety-blade seat belt cutter quickly frees both the driver and passengers from their seats if their seat belts do not unlatch after a vehicular accident. When not in use, the blade is housed securely within the casing to prevent either accidental or intentional cutting. Both the glass breaker pin and safety blade are made of high-carbon steel. The company says that not only can BodyGard be used in vehicle emergencies; it can also be used to signal for help or to ward off attackers when walking, biking and hiking. With the push of a button, its sonic alarm signals trouble with a high-decibel output. (I’m not so sure this will work 100% of time because in the woods, the sound won’t carry that far.) More likely attract attention if you’re lost in the woods is the bright, flashing red distress light. It’s push-button activated to signal for, and direct help to your location. And finally there’s a high-intensity flashlight can be used for night sight and safety. BodyGard is also impact-resilient and water-resistant, with a tough ABS construction and a limited lifetime warranty. It comes complete with a replaceable A23/12V battery and instructions for care and use. At less than 3” x 1-3/4” x 5/8” in size, and weighing only one ounce it attaches securely to a key ring and releases with a quick tug for fast emergency use. Price is under $15.00. 

http://swisstechtools.com/productdetail.aspx?PID=BrmD4QlW5MUA

You can also check out the 7-in-1 BodyGard at the link above.

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1096