5 Fantastic Gift Ideas for the Gadget Lover on Your List

by: Scott Nesbit – November 29, 2009

It's that time of year again. The Christmas shopping season is upon us and many of us are making lists and checking them twice. And we're sure that more than a few people have at least one gadget lover on their Christmas lists. But with all the choices available, what do you get your gadget-loving geek? Here are a few suggestions. The gadgets highlighted in this TechTip are a bit higher end and a little pricey, but they're definitely worth it.

TonidoPlug

Everyone seems to be talking about cloud computing. For many, the biggest drawback is that you're putting data in the hands of others. When you can't get to that data – either because a site is down or the company goes out of business – then you're in trouble. But what if you could create your own computing cloud?

That's what TonidoPlug promises. It's a small, low-power home server that you plug into your home wired router or wireless router. Just connect some USB flash storage to the device, do some simple configuration, and you're ready to go. TonidoPlug is more than just a place to dump your files. It's a real server that comes with several applications like a file share, a blog, a personal information manager, a jukebox, and a personal torrent server. And it's all accessible using a Web browser over a secure connection.

A TonidoPlug costs $99. But many people pay that much to use several Web-based services. And since it's your server, you're taking back control of your data.

Note: An upcoming TechTip will cover the TonidoPlug in more detail.

WikiReader

A recent TechTip looked at the WikiReader, which is a portable touchscreen device that lets you carry the entire contents of Wikipedia in your pocket.

The WikiReader is a great gift for the gadget lover who is looking for something a little different. It's not only a useful tool for research and reference, it's an addictive little device. When you're bored or just need to kill a few minutes, you'll find yourself flipping through the entries on the WikiReader and actually learning something.

Some will balk at the WikiReader's $99 price tag, but that hasn't stopped its maker from selling quite a few units.

RedFly Mobile Companion

Back in the day when PDAs were a hot commodity, people were using them as more than personal information managers. The devices actually became portable workstations. Of course, typing a memo or working in a spreadsheet was tough to do with a stylus. So, a few enterprising companies marketed portable keyboards just for that purpose.

Since the advent of the smartphone, though, the PDA has gone out of vogue. But guess what? People are using smartphones in the same way that they used PDAs. While you can get Bluetooth keyboards, the screen for the average smartphone is quite small. If you use a Blackberry or Windows Mobile device, the Redfly Mobile Companion not only gives you a keyboard but also a larger screen for your smartphone.

The RedFly Mobile Companion looks like a discount netbook. You get a small but comfortable keyboard and a seven or eight inch screen (depending on the model). But, as the product's Web site points out, it's not a computer. It's more or less a generic viagra overnight title=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_terminal”>dumb terminal that you hook a smartphone into – either with a USB cable or via Bluetooth. The RedFly Mobile Companion is more of a convenience and productivity tool than anything else – it gives you easier access to the applications on your smartphone.

Of course, that convenience comes at a price. The seven inch model costs $199, and the eight-inch model will set you back $249.

Flip Cam

We discussed flip cams in detail a few TechTips ago. A digital camcorder that records very good quality video and that fits in your pocket makes a great gift for your gadget-loving geek.

The good thing about these devices is that you're not just limited to the original anymore, although there's nothing wrong with it. More and more companies are putting out these devices, including Memorex, Creative, Kodak, and others.

Most of the newer flip cams have the same specs, more or less, and most of them can record high-definition video. What you'll be paying for is the name or for some frills.

The great thing about flip cams is that you're getting useful and flexible device for under $200. If you do a little hunting, you can find a good one for under $100.

Myka Ion

Something that's become popular, thanks to sites like Hulu and YouTube, is video and actual TV shows streamed from the Internet to a PC. But who wants to watch their favorite shows on their desktop computer or laptop computer? We sure don't. Why not watch the shows from those sites on your full-sized television instead?

It used to be that you needed a bunch of cables, the right kind of video card, and a bit of luck to connect your computer to your television. The Myka ION does away with all that. It's a little box that streams video from the Internet on to your TV. Not just the fuzzy, sometimes jerky video you see on YouTube, either.

The Myka ION is a small computer. A wireless connection downloads video to the Ion's hard drive, and the on-board software plays it back. Not only does the Ion have support for Hulu, it also can get videos from Netflix and a service called EzTakes. If you own a flip cam, you can hook it into the Ion and play back your videos too.

The Ion is pricey, though: about $379. If you want to add more features, like a bigger hard drive or more memory, expect to pay a little more.

HP DreamScreen 100

Anyone remember Internet appliances? Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, these devices were supposed to revolutionize the way in which we used the Web. That didn't happen. But some of the ideas that were incorporated into Internet appliances have been taken a few steps further with a nifty device called the HP DreamScreen 100.

The $249 DreamScreen is something of a cross between an Internet tablet, a digital picture frame, an Internet radio receiver, and a video player. All in a package that measures 10 inches across and can be put practically anywhere.

The device can stream music, photos, and video from a PC or off a flash drive or a memory card. You can also get streaming music from the popular site Pandora. On top of that, the DreamScreen also enables you to access your FaceBook account. The interface is controlled either with a simple remote control or the device's touchscreen. Everything is easy to use and is quite user friendly. You can also get weather forecasts and can use the DreamScreen as a world clock or an alarm clock that lets you choose the music you want to wake up to.

Is There a Flip Cam in Your Future?

by: Scott Nesbitt – November 01, 2009

When it comes to electronics, some people just want something that's smaller and simpler. From barebones MP3/MP4 players to netbooks to basic point-and-shoot digital cameras, more and more people seem to be demanding less from their gadgets.

One area in which this drive towards simplicity and compactness has really taken off is digital video. Gone are the days of bulky digital camcorders. You can now carry a powerful digital video camera in your pocket.

Welcome to the world of the flip cam, a gadget that's changing the way millions of people look at recording video.

Where did these things come from?

Strangely enough, the journey to the flip cam started with digital cameras of the still variety. A few years ago, a pair of entrepreneurs noticed that disposable film cameras (the kind you'd buy at your local drug store) were outselling the then-new digital cameras by a wide margin. Seeing an opportunity, they formed a company called Pure Digital Technologies to make and sell single-use digital cameras.

The idea was that people could take 20 shots with the cameras, then take them to a photo lab to get both prints and a CD. The cameras would be returned to Pure Digital, who'd refurbish the cameras and put them back on the street. The cameras used very inexpensive electronic components and lenses, and took adequate (though not great) photos. Guess what? Over 3 million were sold, but for a variety of reasons that business model collapsed.

Pure Digital learned from its mistakes, and decided to venture into the realm of small point-and-shoot digital camcorders. Applying the same principles that they used with their still cameras – lower-cost components, small form factor, decent video quality – Pure Digital released The Flip in 2007 and it was and continues to be a hit. Obviously, the term flip cam comes from the name of Pure Digital's flagship product. And flip cams are a hit. By July, 2008 Pure Digital alone had sold one million of their products.

Who uses flip cams?

They're being used by ordinary folks, journalists, PR people, bloggers and video podcasters, and activists. Flip cams have the right combination of price, features, and ease of use (more on these in a moment) to make them attractive to a wide audience. And Pure Digital isn't the only player on the board. Companies like Kodak, Creative, RCA, Insignia and a host of smaller electronics makers who you may or may not have heard of have jumped on the flip cam bandwagon.

What you're getting

A lot, packed into a small space. The average flip cam is about the size of a wallet, and only weighs a few ounces. It can literally fit in your pocket and doesn't take up much space in a bag.

Flip cams are also inexpensive. You can get one for anywhere from under $100 to about $199.

On top of that, a flip cam is easy to use. It doesn't have much in the way of controls – usually, just a power button, a button to start recording, and two or three other buttons that let you navigate through the videos stored on the camera and to delete those videos. I've seen people get up and running with a flip cam within two or three minutes; less if they've read the documentation.

Every flip cam has a built-in USB connector to hook it into your desktop computer or laptop computer. Some also include cables that let you connect the camera to a television. Many come with software that enables you to upload the videos that you shoot directly to sites like YouTube or MySpace.

The video quality is good, though not spectacular. With an ordinary flip cam, you can expect an image about 640 pixels by 480 pixels in size. High definition (HD) flip cams have started to hit the market. The HD recorders offer video resolution up to 1280 pixels by 720 pixels.

In natural light, the quality of the video can be quite good. Indoors, the quality of the video that you shoot will depend on how much light is available. A video shot indoors can range from dark to grainy to adequate.

The videos themselves are in the common AVI or MPEG formats. The format used by them depends on the camera. No matter what, you can watch the videos on any computer regardless of the operating system.

generic viagra from canada 10px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 80%; word-spacing: 2px”>Flip cams can store between an hour to eight hours worth of video. The amount of memory on board one varies from 256 MB to 8 GB. You can expand the capacity of some cameras using a secure digital memory card.

What you're not getting

A lot of frills. When I say that flip cams are barebones, that's not an understatement. They don't have many of the features that you'd find in a low-end digital camcorder.

Many flip cams don't have a zoom function. While that might seem like it should be a standard feature, remember that most flip cams have a limited range of view. You'll generally be using them close up.

Flip cams also lack features like the ability to adjust the color of what you're recording, and to automatically steady the camera. The latter is a common complaint – you'll see many videos shot with a flip cam that are a bit shaky.

Finally, the small view screen on most flip cams – measuring anywhere from 1.4 inches to two inches across – isn't really useful for watching video playback.

To buy or not to buy?

A flip cam is a great choice if you don't need the frills of a more expensive camcorder, don't care about pristine quality video, or are on a tight budget. It's also a good buy if you're one of the growing number of people who post to YouTube or other video sharing sites. Or, if just want to wet your feet in world of digital video before deciding on a more expensive camcorder then give a flip cam a look.

On the other hand, if frills and features are important to you, and you need a bit more flexibility when it comes to your digital video then you'll be disappointed with a flip cam.

To be honest, I find my flip cam quite liberating. It's incredibly portable and it allows me to quickly shoot video no matter where I am.

What have your experiences with flip cams been like? Why not share those experiences by leaving a comment.

Pimp Your PC with Peripherals – Speakers and Webcams!

You know that there is nothing quite so pleasurable as Pimping out your PC – and what better way to do it than with upgrading your peripherals. In this week's Tech Tip, we’ll look at some cool peripherals that will get your desktop PC styling in no time! Specifically, we’ll be looking at computer speakers and webcams.

Most computers already come with a set of speakers and while they are just fine for playing around on the desktop computer, sometimes you just yearn for a little more. So when it comes to wanting your computer to sound its best – whether for gaming, movies, music or online web experiences – then you find that "Pimping your PC" with an upgraded set of speakers makes you computer “come alive.”

Some things to consider when getting a new speaker set for your PC:

1. If at all possible, try to listen to the speakers in person. If not possible, then try to hunt down some reviews (like on Amazon or review.cnet.com)
2. Most computers use 3.5mm audio jacks (like the kind you see on portable music players)
3. Some computers will also include a digital audio jack (SPDIF); for this type you need a digital speaker set (be sure to set your PC to SPDIF audio out too).
4. Adding a subwoofer is usually the cheapest, quickest way to give your computer better sound.
5. Speaking of subwoofers – these are usually bundled with a speaker set. Speaker sets that include subwoofers are usually referred to as “x.1” sets where x is the number of other speakers. (for example, a set with 4 speakers and one subwoofer will be called a 4.1 set or surround sound speaker set.
6. If using a multiple speaker set, check your audio card connectors to be sure that you can actually connect all the speakers (newer computers will usually have them – older ones will be 2 speaker set-up only).
7. You can always (of course) connect your computer to your home stereo with the proper cable connection.
8. Speaker wattage ratings can either be listed as PMPO (Peak Maximum Power Output – usually given for the entire set combined) or RMS (Root Mean Squared – listed for either each individual speaker or for the entire set combined). The RMS rating is more of a true indicator of the speakers “power” (in fact, take those PMPO ratings with a grain of salt).

Webcams

Honestly, if you already have a webcam, then you know all the cool things that you can do. From video conferencing, to VoIP (think Skype) to just goofing around and uploading a video to YouTube – a webcam enhances your PC experience.

These days you can easily pick up a basic webcam for next to nothing (some are even well under $10) and for many first time webcam users, this may suffice. But with the market being the way it is, you will also find that for just a few extra dollars you can get higher end webcams that will make the experience that much better (even if you have an integrated webcam – don’t worry, you can have both on the PC – however, most programs will only let you choose one at a time).

For a more extensive look at picking out just the right webcam, be sure to see the Tech Tip “Choosing Your Webcam”

Some things to consider when getting a new webcam:

1. The most basic webcams will usually be either a 100k or 300k (as in kilopixels – think either 0.1 or 0.3 megapixels) resolution (100k is 320×240 and 300k is 640×480 resolution – these are both good for basic “webcamming”).
2. Higher end webcams will usually bump the resolution to either 1.3MP (megapixels) or even 2.0MP.
3. Most webcams use a manual focus.
4. Webcams are usually the stand alone type that sits on your desktop or computer monitor though some models can also clip onto a laptop monitor or desktop LCD monitor.
5. Most have a USB interface and come with very basic software (or sometimes none at all). A camera can comes with a composite video connector (but will need a capture card), an Ethernet connection or even be wireless (WiFi) – but these are not usually called or sold as “webcams” per se (they are usually more for surveillance purposes).
6. Some webcams may include infrared LEDs for a low-light night mode.
7. Other accessories a webcam may have are headsets (earphone with mic) or a microphone built right into the webcam.
8. Even higher up, but usually for the bigger bucks are the webcams that have pan, tilt, zoom capabilities (commonly abbreviated as PTZ) and webcams with tracking (generally when you start getting into these features, they start being sold more as surveillance cameras than webcams).

Final Thoughts

One of the cool aspects of owning a PC is being able to upgrade it and as we have seen, by far one of the easier ways to Pimp out your PC is by looking at what peripherals can be added to it or easily upgraded. We hope that this week's Tech Tip looking at speakers and webcams got your creative juices flowing and your mind working for these (and other ways) you can Pimp your PC!

Pimping Your PC with Peripherals Keyboards and Mice!

By Bryan Lambert – September 27, 2009

You get your shiny new PC delivered via FedEx.  As you start to unpack and assemble that puppy, you realize that the peripherals (if they even have any) are usually of the most basic kind. Its then that you realize that you need to Pimp Your PC with peripherals.  In this Tech Tip we'll look at two of the most basic of computer parts that will help you Geek out on your PC experience yes, the lowly keyboard and mouse.

Computer Keyboards

Nothing quite makes or breaks the PC experience like a quality keyboard.  Sure, that keyboard packed with your PC, (or built in – as in the case of laptops), may be adequate for the basic computer experience so unless you got one of those Macs with that snazzy aluminum keyboards. You may want to think about getting something better…  cooler  stronger faster  Well, step right up theres a cacophony of keyboards to choose from: wireless; wired; multimedia; with iPod docks, ergonomic, integrated USB, integrated mics, integrated speakers, even gold plated ones and others made out of wood – you name it, someone somewhere has probably built and sold it.   

Lets get down to business. With a keyboard, you need something that is not only well made and durable but something that works for what you want to get out of it.  When it comes to keyboards, you have Logitech Microsoft, Kensington  and then everyone else, but you really dont need to stick to a name brand to get a quality keyboard you just need to know what to look for. Does it flex and bow (youd be surprised)? how do the keys feel when typing? Does it just look good?  All important questions to ask and it may be worth it (if possible) to try out the keyboard in person to make sure that it suits you but even sight unseen you may be able to dig up a review or two to get a good idea about how it'll work.

Some things to consider when getting a new keyboard:

1. Make sure that you get one that works with your computers ports (usually USB or generic brands viagra online target=”_blank” title=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS/2_connector”>PS/2)
2. If going for wireless, Bluetooth is a little more expensive than RF (radio frequency) but if you need more than a six foot range, then go with Bluetooth.  
3. Extra goodies and features on a keyboard make it that much more functional.  Maybe consider a keyboard with built in touch pad or scroll wheel.  Youll be surprised how much youll end up using it.
4. Flexible membrane keyboards as well as mini keyboards, while cool, are a pain to type on.
5. Dont be afraid of a refurbished keyboard most were returned more because someone didnt like that particular keyboard for whatever reason (same with mice).  
6. If you are a Mac user, modern Apples will work fine with standard Windows PC USB keyboards though you get that pesky Windows friendly layout.  Conversely, most keyboards designed for modern Macs will work fine for PCs (but, as always, there are some exceptions).
7. If you are a gamer, Id highly recommend looking at some of the gamer specific keyboards, keypads and mice (usually made by niche companies like Wolfking but even mainstream companies like Logitech have their fair share of gaming keyboards (like their G13 Gameboard). Not really practical for the rest of us, but if youre a gamer these will help you get your game on.  

Mice / Mouse

Getting just the right mouse for your computer can make all the difference in the world.  While a good keyboard can make or break the computer experience, mice run a close second.  Standard mice basically come in three flavors: ball mice (these are the ones that are usually pre-packaged with a PC and that may come in some of the more inexpensive keyboard/mouse combo kits), optical mouse (so named because it uses an LED light to track movement rather than a physical ball rolling around), and laser mouse —  (basically like the optical but using a laser rather than an LED they work better on certain surfaces than optical).  There are alternatives to the standard mouse, such as a trackball mouse and digital tablets and some people do swear by them, but they take getting use to.

While many of the same caveats that applied to keyboards also apply to mice there are a few extra things to consider with mice:

1. When shopping for a laptop mouse, there are mini type mice available.  They fit great in a case, but not necessarily in your hand.
2. Check the specs on your laptop, it may already have Bluetooth built in.  If it does, then getting a wireless Bluetooth mouse just makes sense.  If it doesnt and you want to go wireless, then look for a mouse with a mini adapter that plugs into the laptop (like the Logitech VX Nano mouse or you can just buy a mini USB Bluetooth adapter yourself.).
3. Even though optical mice work with a variety of surfaces, you may still find that you need a mouse pad (some companies such as Fellowes make mouse pads specifically for optical mice).
4. Some desktop wireless mice include a recharging cradle a nice way to save costs on battery replacements.
5. Consider buying a keyboard and mouse combo theres no better way to assure color and style coordination.

Final Thoughts

Though we all know keyboards and mice, it's easy to become overwhelmed when buying upgrades with the bewildering number of choices that are available.  It is our hope that with this week's Tech Tip, youll find that task a little less daunting and a little more fun!  So go! Get your Geek on! Pimp your PC with a new keyboard and mouse!

Choosing Webcams

By Scott Nesbitt – September 20, 2009

I can remember my first encounter with a Web camera (or webcam, for short). It was in the early 1990s, and the item in question was perched atop the computer monitor of a friend's desktop pc. It looked like a large, white, and evil eyeball. The video that the webcam picked up was choppy and in grayscale. But I can still remember how neat I thought that whole thing was.

Times change, and technology gets better. And so has the quality and variety of uses of webcams. Sure, you can still use a webcam to watch the cat or a pot of coffee, or to record silly hijinks. But you can do much more with one. Like record high-quality videos and and do audio/video conferencing over the Web.

Like choosing any other peripheral, picking the right webcam can be tough.  This TechTip looks at some of the factors you should consider when you decide that a webcam is for you.

Why buy a webcam anyway?

A webcam is definitely not for everyone. Let's be honest, unless you have a compelling reason to buy one chances are that a webcam will be way off your radar.

That said, there are a number of reasons to want to buy a webcam. As mentioned a few paragraphs ago, you might want to record first-person video tutorials. Or, you might be working remotely and need to video conference with colleagues and clients. Don't discount the lure of the Web cam for staying in touch with family and friends grandparents love them. On top of that, many people are now using them for face-to-face language exchange with learners and teachers in other countries. There are other reasons for getting a webcam, but this site is family-friendly so I won't mention them here

If you need one and have a desktop computer, then it's pretty much a given they you're going to get an external camera. But what about the folks who like to take their computing mobile? A number of laptop computers and just about every gel viagra target=”_blank” title=”http://www.geeks.com/products_sc.asp?cat=1208&cm_mmc=geekmail-_-techtips-_-20sep09_techtips-_-storylink”>netbook out there comes with a built-in webcam. While the quality and resolution are good, they're not great. If need better resolution, or if you have an older laptop, then you really need an external webcam.

Resolution, resolution

That's usually the first thing that people look for when buying a webcam. A previous TechTip covering digital cameras talked about megapixels and how they weren't the most important factor when choosing a camera. With webcams, on the other hand, the situation is somewhat different.

While you won't get the resolution that you would with a digital camera, a good webcam can offer you up to two megapixels of resolution. About 1.3 megapixels is often enough for most purposes.

Also, consider the screen resolution of the video on your computer's monitor. The average webcam offers 320 pixels by 240 pixels. Which is OK, especially when you're working with a small screen on something like a netbook. With a laptop or desktop PC, you can do better. Double that, in fact 640 pixels by 480 pixels.

Framing the seconds

Related to resolution is the number of frames per second that the camera can process and send to your computer. Obviously, the larger the number of frames that the camera spits out per second means the better the video quality.  Most webcams can handle between 10 and 30 frames per seconds. Fifteen frames per second is about average. With a webcam like that, the video will be a bit choppy, especially if you suddenly move.  Some higher-end webcams can handle up to 120 frames per second. You probably won't need anything like that. Thirty to 50 frames per seconds is probably more than enough for most uses.

Lenses and sensors

The real world has to get into the webcam somehow. And that's through the lens and the sensor.  Less expensive webcams use plastic lenses that are fixed. You can't change the focus. Better webcams have glass lenses which you can focus by twisting the collar around the lens. Most people can get by with a fixed lens. But if you can afford it (more on this later), try to get a webcam with a glass lens. A glass lens does a better job of moving light to the sensor.  The sensor is, however, the key piece of the camera. It's the electronics that converts light into a digital image. There are two types of sensors: CMOS and CCD. CMOS sensors are still used in lower-cost webcams (and a few more expensive ones). CCD sensors (which are older technology) are regularly used in still digital cameras. While I've seen little evidence of the superiority of one sensor over another, some webcam users prefer models with CCD sensors.  But as with a digital camera, you might want to find a webcam with a sensor that has strong light sensitivity and dynamic range. That way you get better video.

The price that's right

Luckily, webcams aren't as expensive as they used to be. You don't need to shell out hundreds of dollars anymore. If you check out Geeks.com, for instance, you can find webcams for under $10 (US).

Depending on your needs and your budget, you can get a very good webcam for between $50 and $80 dollars. If that's too rich for your blood, or if your needs are modest, then go with a model that costs between $20 and $30. You won't get the same resolution or video quality with the lower cost model, though.

Optional extras

As with any other gadget, there are a couple nice-to-have features that you can look for in a webcam if you so desire. The first of these is built-in audio.  That could mean either a built-in microphone or a combination of a microphone and a speaker. With the latter, you don't need to worry about getting a chat headset or even a separate set of headphones. The drawback is that sometimes you're going to get feedback. Ouch! Most people I know get a webcam with a built-in microphone and use their headset or the earbuds from their MP3/MP4 players or iPods.  You need to attach the webcam to your computer. So, you may also want find a webcam with a solid stand or clip. A clip is a must if you want to use the webcam with your laptop computer.

The need for speed

Something that's often overlooked is the need for a fast video card. The video card is doing a lot of the work processing the information that's coming from a webcam into a computer. If your webcam offers higher resolution and a high number of frames per second, then your video card will be doing a lot of work.  If you're serious about using a webcam, you might want to consider upgrading your video card. Look for one with a fast graphics processor and a lot of memory. If you don't, you run into a lot of choppy video which is no fun.

Note: An upcoming TechTip will look at video cards.

Wrapping up

A webcam can not only be useful, it can be a lot of fun. And buying one doesn't need to be a painful chore filled with obscure jargon and tech talk. When you decide to go shopping, remember to take into account what you want to do with the webcam and keep the factors that this TechTip discusses in mind. That way, you'll be able to get the webcam that's right for you.