17 posts tagged “france”
iPhone 3GS
Smartphone
Link: Apple
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
Leo was tempted to buy the Palm Pre (Episode 862), but after Apple announced the features on the latest iteration of the iPhone, Leo got the iPhone 3GS instead. It has a faster processor and hence the "S" suffix for speed. In addition to the GPS which already existed in the iPhone 3G, the 3GS has a compass (as on the Android G1 in Episode 686) which in due course will enable more applications based on the magnetometer, e.g. like the Layar browser on Android. The Find Me feature on the Mobile Me service will help you locate your phone based on its network connectivity. The Kill Switch can remotely erase all your personal data on the phone via the internet in case you have lost the phone.
The auto-focus camera is now 3 megapixel, with the ability to change the focus after you tap a particular point on the LCD display, which also adjusts the white balance and exposure. It's now capable of capturing video (640 x 480), with software to do simple editing or trimming on the phone itself.
Some of the other more commonly requested features, such as "copy and paste", MMS and tethering, have finally found their way into the iPhone 3GS. Multitasking, however, is still restricted.
Video Trimming on the iPhone 3GS
Leo has tried the video trimming function oh his new iPhone 3GS, and it works for him. Here's Apple's demo video:
Scott-E-Vest Wardrobe in a Tom Bihn Bag
For his China Tour and MacMania 9 Geek Cruise, Leo has packed an almost exclusively Scottevest wardrobe, in his new Tom Bihn Tri-Star (see Episode 865) which, it is hoped, Leo will cover on a TTTT. Right now, Leo has finished the trip in China and should be in Japan on the Costa Classica. Follow his AudioBoos, and view Leo's gallery on Smugmug.
Ed McMahon Dies
Ed McMahon, whose appearance in the Johnny Carson Show is often the subject of reminiscence on the Daily Giz Wiz, passed away on 23 June 2009, aged 86.
Another Cheesy Infomercial
Jayzee, better known as Toyota Boy, notes that cheesy infomercials have often been the subject of conversation on the show, and has recently seen a really cheesy one. It's the Comfort Wipe, a toilet paper extension arm and holder. The original infomercial can be seen on YouTube, but perhaps a more interesting version is a spoof of it shown on Jimmy Kimmel Live, featuring President Obama, also available on YouTube.
Bidets Rule Supreme
Alex Lindsay is much enamoured with the bidets in Japan which wash your behind (and some even blow-dry you), and offer choices of water-jet speeds and temperatures, and temperature-controlled seats. They are available in the US and Alex has bought one for his family. An extreme example is the Bio Bidet Supreme BB-1000 with Remote that leaves nothing to the imagination, but there are more reasonably-priced toilet add-ons on Amazon for your more basic comforts.
Listen to Episode 872
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
The auto-focus camera is now 3 megapixel, with the ability to change the focus after you tap a particular point on the LCD display, which also adjusts the white balance and exposure. It's now capable of capturing video (640 x 480), with software to do simple editing or trimming on the phone itself.
Some of the other more commonly requested features, such as "copy and paste", MMS and tethering, have finally found their way into the iPhone 3GS. Multitasking, however, is still restricted.
Video Trimming on the iPhone 3GS
Leo has tried the video trimming function oh his new iPhone 3GS, and it works for him. Here's Apple's demo video:
Scott-E-Vest Wardrobe in a Tom Bihn Bag
For his China Tour and MacMania 9 Geek Cruise, Leo has packed an almost exclusively Scottevest wardrobe, in his new Tom Bihn Tri-Star (see Episode 865) which, it is hoped, Leo will cover on a TTTT. Right now, Leo has finished the trip in China and should be in Japan on the Costa Classica. Follow his AudioBoos, and view Leo's gallery on Smugmug.
Ed McMahon Dies
Ed McMahon, whose appearance in the Johnny Carson Show is often the subject of reminiscence on the Daily Giz Wiz, passed away on 23 June 2009, aged 86.
Another Cheesy Infomercial
Jayzee, better known as Toyota Boy, notes that cheesy infomercials have often been the subject of conversation on the show, and has recently seen a really cheesy one. It's the Comfort Wipe, a toilet paper extension arm and holder. The original infomercial can be seen on YouTube, but perhaps a more interesting version is a spoof of it shown on Jimmy Kimmel Live, featuring President Obama, also available on YouTube.
Bidets Rule Supreme
Alex Lindsay is much enamoured with the bidets in Japan which wash your behind (and some even blow-dry you), and offer choices of water-jet speeds and temperatures, and temperature-controlled seats. They are available in the US and Alex has bought one for his family. An extreme example is the Bio Bidet Supreme BB-1000 with Remote that leaves nothing to the imagination, but there are more reasonably-priced toilet add-ons on Amazon for your more basic comforts.
Listen to Episode 872
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
Bounceback Ultimate
Backup Software
Link: CMS Products
A piece of software from CMS Products, the Bounceback Ultimate. It backs up everything (data, operating system, settings) on your hard drive to any external USB hard drive, which is a bootable backup. You can also back up to multiple drives, create versioned backups, enable encrypted backups, recover any lost data from the backup, restore your computer to a previous state, and if your hard drive has failed, even boot up from the USB hard drive (as long as your computer BIOS supports booting from a USB device). You can buy from CMS a hard drive with the software installed, or you can buy the software as a stand-alone product.
Leo's China Tour
Leo is nearing his China Tour. He'll be staying at the Raffles Hotel in Beijing first, visit the Great Wall of China from there, the terracotta warriors in Xian, the Li River in Guilin, turn back to Beijing before going on the Geek Cruise, which will visit places in Korea and Japan. He will be leaving the TWiT Cottage on 2 July and come back on 18 July.
Missing 499
Curt Estridge, whose letter was referred to in Episode 841, listens to the Daily Giz Wiz at work with one earbud, leaving half an ear for his boss. Curt does listen to a stereo podcast which it is OK to listen to with one ear, and that's "Says You", also available on Audible. Curt loves the Daily Giz Wiz, and all the MAD Magazines he's won from the WTHII game. He hasn't missed a MAD issue, except Issue 499 which he couldn't find anywhere. Dick invites Curt to send him an email to sort that out.
Leo doesn't beg
Leo is looking for cycling accessories, including the cyclocomputer-GPS Garmin Edge 705. Leo will not beg for it from Garmin, but Dick might. Dick's got Plantronics to send Leo a Voyager Pro (Episode 829) for him to review.
Pre-View Unit Controversy
Just don't talk to Leo right now about review units, as yesterday, Leo, ever the nice guy, threw an uncharacteristic fit on TWiTLive during the Gillmor Gang show, over his being one of a select group of tech journalists who had been given a review unit of the Palm Pre. Read a summary of it on John C Dvorak's blog, which also has a clip of the video that contains strong language from Leo in reaction to comments from Mike Arrington.
Anyone who has listened to Leo for any length of time knows how meticulous Leo tries to be in returning review units, and how many gadgets he's had to buy for himself, to avoid even the appearance of a possibility of conflict of interest, even though it is fairly common for journalists to keep some review units - in which case the reviewer needs to prove his credibility in the long term, and many journalists have succeeded in doing so. But it is against this background that Leo's reaction and use of language must be understood. It must have been extremely galling for Leo, who has spent so many years building up a reputation of integrity and a relationship of trust with his audience, to find himself at the wrong end of a suggestion of a possible lack of independence by another tech journalist as experienced and knowledgeable as Arrington, just because Leo got a review unit.
Arrington has put his side of the story on TechCrunch. In the midst of the explanations and justifications in that blog post, Arrington has made an apology. Leo in response has also made an apology in the comments section. Read it all for yourself.
Listen to Episode 846
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Leo's China Tour
Leo is nearing his China Tour. He'll be staying at the Raffles Hotel in Beijing first, visit the Great Wall of China from there, the terracotta warriors in Xian, the Li River in Guilin, turn back to Beijing before going on the Geek Cruise, which will visit places in Korea and Japan. He will be leaving the TWiT Cottage on 2 July and come back on 18 July.
Missing 499
Curt Estridge, whose letter was referred to in Episode 841, listens to the Daily Giz Wiz at work with one earbud, leaving half an ear for his boss. Curt does listen to a stereo podcast which it is OK to listen to with one ear, and that's "Says You", also available on Audible. Curt loves the Daily Giz Wiz, and all the MAD Magazines he's won from the WTHII game. He hasn't missed a MAD issue, except Issue 499 which he couldn't find anywhere. Dick invites Curt to send him an email to sort that out.
Leo doesn't beg
Leo is looking for cycling accessories, including the cyclocomputer-GPS Garmin Edge 705. Leo will not beg for it from Garmin, but Dick might. Dick's got Plantronics to send Leo a Voyager Pro (Episode 829) for him to review.
Pre-View Unit Controversy
Just don't talk to Leo right now about review units, as yesterday, Leo, ever the nice guy, threw an uncharacteristic fit on TWiTLive during the Gillmor Gang show, over his being one of a select group of tech journalists who had been given a review unit of the Palm Pre. Read a summary of it on John C Dvorak's blog, which also has a clip of the video that contains strong language from Leo in reaction to comments from Mike Arrington.
Anyone who has listened to Leo for any length of time knows how meticulous Leo tries to be in returning review units, and how many gadgets he's had to buy for himself, to avoid even the appearance of a possibility of conflict of interest, even though it is fairly common for journalists to keep some review units - in which case the reviewer needs to prove his credibility in the long term, and many journalists have succeeded in doing so. But it is against this background that Leo's reaction and use of language must be understood. It must have been extremely galling for Leo, who has spent so many years building up a reputation of integrity and a relationship of trust with his audience, to find himself at the wrong end of a suggestion of a possible lack of independence by another tech journalist as experienced and knowledgeable as Arrington, just because Leo got a review unit.
Arrington has put his side of the story on TechCrunch. In the midst of the explanations and justifications in that blog post, Arrington has made an apology. Leo in response has also made an apology in the comments section. Read it all for yourself.
Listen to Episode 846
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Polaroid Pop Shots Camera
One-Time Use Polaroid Camera
Link: Camerapedia
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
Picture this. A one-time use Polaroid instant camera. The Pop Shots camera from the late 1990's gave you 10 instant shots (using Captiva film). Although it was disposable, you were encouraged to send the camera body back to Polaroid using the mail envelope that came with the purchase of the camera. Dick has not just one, but two of them, one in its unopened packaging, which might still fetch $200, or less.
Wait For Dick
Another gadget delivery for Dick during the recording. Leo is ready with the jingle, twice over. It's from SuperAlert, which Dick will talk about on Monday.
Schlage LiNK at TWiT
Dick has sent a Schlage LiNK (Episode 768) Leo's way, which Leo will install at the TWiT Cottage. Leo has taken over the last remaining part of the TWiT Cottage and there will be a guest room available for Dick next time he visits.
The Power Behind
Leo might start selling the TWiT Set. There's nothing in it except for the power behind it.
A Neverlate Round the World Trip
When Frederick Baronet heard about the Neverlate Executive Alarm Clock (Episode 761), he knew it was for him. With its coverage coming from New York and California, Frederick ordering it from the UK, to be shipped to his holiday home in France, where he would pick it up and take it with him to Beijing where he works, the country where the clock was probably made in the first place, the Neverlate has done a truly international circuit.
More Match Game Memories
Dick will do his Match Game Memories (or Moments) again, and Leo will channel Dick through TWiTLive. It's likely to be on a Sunday evening after the recording of TWiT itself, 29 March 2009.
Listen to Episode 785
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Seal Shield Silver Seal Keyboard
Dishwasher-Safe Keyboard
Link: Silver Shield
Keyboards and mice collect all sorts of dirt, grime and bacteria over time, but are difficult to clean. Leo is known to have put his keyboards into the dishwasher for cleaning, and listeners have tried that too, some less successfully than others (see Episode 560).
Now finally there is a consumer keyboard designed to solve that problem. At CES this year, Seal Shield exhibited their line of Silver Seal Keyboards which are waterproof, spill-proof, dishwasher-safe and antimicrobial. The surface of the keyboards is coated with "Silver Seal" which uses silver ions embedded in high grade plastic to create an antimicrobial solution that inhibits or slows down microbial and bacterial growth. When the keyboards get dirty, they are can be fully submerged in a sink of sudsy water, or put into the dishwasher, for a thorough cleaning. They come with a "Seal Cap" which protects the USB connector during cleaning. Dick was given a sample which survived his modest dishwasher.
Dick and Leo think this is a great product, even though the name "Seal Shield Silver Seal" is a bit of a tongue-twister. Also available are dishwasher-safe mice and universal remotes. Leo is going to get a numer of these keyboards for the TWiT Cottage, and perhaps a dishwasher too.
Another Glowing Keyboard for Dick
Dick warns Leo that before he orders his keyboards, he should know that a new glowing backlit model is coming from Seal Shield. It's the Silver Flex, also dishwasher-safe and anti-microbial.
In Defence of the Cell-Mate
Kevin Selle boldly goes where no one wants to tread. He is standing up for the Cell-Mate (Episode 744), and encouraging the company to forge ahead. Why stop with the cellphone? Who could argue against the benefit of a giant velcro patch on your head and attaching stuff on to your head so you won't lose it again? Keys-Mate, Spork-Mate, Flashlight-Mate, Passport-Mate (hello, Jennifer), Purse-Mate (goodbye to the Purseguard, Episode 406) come to mind. Just don't try it with the UroClub (Episode 598).
Now finally there is a consumer keyboard designed to solve that problem. At CES this year, Seal Shield exhibited their line of Silver Seal Keyboards which are waterproof, spill-proof, dishwasher-safe and antimicrobial. The surface of the keyboards is coated with "Silver Seal" which uses silver ions embedded in high grade plastic to create an antimicrobial solution that inhibits or slows down microbial and bacterial growth. When the keyboards get dirty, they are can be fully submerged in a sink of sudsy water, or put into the dishwasher, for a thorough cleaning. They come with a "Seal Cap" which protects the USB connector during cleaning. Dick was given a sample which survived his modest dishwasher.
Dick and Leo think this is a great product, even though the name "Seal Shield Silver Seal" is a bit of a tongue-twister. Also available are dishwasher-safe mice and universal remotes. Leo is going to get a numer of these keyboards for the TWiT Cottage, and perhaps a dishwasher too.
Another Glowing Keyboard for Dick
Dick warns Leo that before he orders his keyboards, he should know that a new glowing backlit model is coming from Seal Shield. It's the Silver Flex, also dishwasher-safe and anti-microbial.
In Defence of the Cell-Mate
Kevin Selle boldly goes where no one wants to tread. He is standing up for the Cell-Mate (Episode 744), and encouraging the company to forge ahead. Why stop with the cellphone? Who could argue against the benefit of a giant velcro patch on your head and attaching stuff on to your head so you won't lose it again? Keys-Mate, Spork-Mate, Flashlight-Mate, Passport-Mate (hello, Jennifer), Purse-Mate (goodbye to the Purseguard, Episode 406) come to mind. Just don't try it with the UroClub (Episode 598).
NJOY NPRO Starter Kit
Electronic Cigarette Substitute
Link: NJOY
At CES, Dick saw someone apparently smoking a cigarette and wondered why. It turned out it was not a cigarette, but some kind of cigarette substitute or alternative. You screw a fully charged battery to an atomiser, then at the other end, insert an NJOY cartridge. You can start enjoying the cartridge.
Each cartridge consists of water, propylene glycol, a scent, and nicotine. It gives the flavour of smoking to the smoker but without the smell of tobacco, as the "smoke" that comes out is an odourless mist. One NPRO cartridge is the approximate equivalent of half a pack of cigarettes.
As the cartridge contains nicotine, it is not a smoking-cessation device, but just a cigarette alternative.
A New "Voice" for Dick
Dick has started using the new microphone (Heil PR-40 Studio Microphone) that Leo sent him. "We can't improve the quality, so we improve the sound," says Dick.
Each cartridge consists of water, propylene glycol, a scent, and nicotine. It gives the flavour of smoking to the smoker but without the smell of tobacco, as the "smoke" that comes out is an odourless mist. One NPRO cartridge is the approximate equivalent of half a pack of cigarettes.
As the cartridge contains nicotine, it is not a smoking-cessation device, but just a cigarette alternative.
A New "Voice" for Dick
Dick has started using the new microphone (Heil PR-40 Studio Microphone) that Leo sent him. "We can't improve the quality, so we improve the sound," says Dick.
Changes at Mad
Sadly, Mad has decided to publish the magazine quarterly, instead of monthly. Circulation and ad revenue are down, and Time Warner has had to let 800 employees go. You can read about the news on Dick's website. When people heard the news, the most frequent inquiry was "What's going to happen to the What The Heck Is It game?" Dick's income is going to drop a bit, but he may start doing the Daily Giz Wiz twice a day, or have lunch with Madoff.
A Leo Jingle
Geoff Smith has done a Leo Jingle (La, la, la, Leo, Laporte), and a "Insert Name Here" Jingle for MacBreak Weekly, which Leo plays on this show.
The Hi Phone
There are scams around selling people the Hi Phone, probably made by Tangerine.
Presidential Ties
President Obama is the first president to have his portrait taken by a digital camera. The EXIF data of the photo shows that it was taken on a Canon EOS 5D-Mark II, on 13th January, the day Leo did his TTTT gadget of the day - the Canon EOS 5D-Mark II (Episode 742). "Does Leo have ties to the President?" asks Nick from Columbus, Ohio. Leo has heard rumours that the new administration may be appointing Dick as the new Gadget Tsar. Dick says they haven't got round to it yet. They've been too busy putting off the Digital TV transition.
Listen to Episode 754
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
iHearSafe Earbuds
Earphones with Volume Limit
Link: iHearSafe
Parents who are worried about their children's earphones getting too loud can get these iHearSafe Earbuds with an upper limit of 85dB. No more tinnitus. Also available are iHearSafe Headphones and Earclips.
The Secret to Comedy
Foot, thigh and chicken stock lead Leo to ask Dick what the secret to comedy is. A common ingredient is the surprise element, the unexpected.
Leo and Henry in Mad
Both Leo and Henry Laporte have been featured in Mad's game show parodies. Check back at Episode 61 for Leo's appearance in Mad, and Episode 427 for Henry's.
Filming Game Shows
Jonathan Wander from Monroeville, PA, loves Dick's inside stories, like the one about Jack Benny, (e.g. in Episode 709). Dick has mentioned before that the Match Game was recorded several shows a day. Jonathan was 11 when he was in New York in the 70's and got permission from his parents to go and watch the filming of the Sale of the Century hosted by Joe Garagiola, with strict instructions to be back at the hotel in an hour. What they thought was an hour's filming turned out to be an all-day affair, which left his parents panicking about where he had gone.
Lost in France
Henry was allowed to go off on his own in France and he got himself lost both in Rennes and in Paris. Listen to how he got back to the hotels.
Listen to Episode 741
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
New Year Resolutions
New Year's Day Special
Dick asked listeners on the TWiT Army to write in about their New Year Resolutions. Here are some: that everyone gets a SpearHat (Episode 537); to quit smoking; to be debt-free; to watch a lot more TWiTLive: to keep the stress down to avoid the migraines; to spend more time with real people and less time on the computer; to help with a public service organisation; to stop buying any more yarn for 6 months; to eat less candy-coated chocolate and more broccoli; to learn Russian; to get a job that allows him to get the DGW gadgets plus a pair of Converse sneakers every month; to get a Titanium Spork (Episode 182) and a Toothpick Bird (Episode 282); to buy Good Days and Mad and get an audio book version of it; and never to have a New Year Resolution.
Twitter Offer
Leo offered a trip to France to anyone who decided to follow him. Dick thinks Leo should have added, "Transportation not included."
Withdrawal Symptoms
When Leo was away, Dick missed doing the show, and had to go on Stickam.
Listen to Episode 734
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Homepage
Twitter Offer
Leo offered a trip to France to anyone who decided to follow him. Dick thinks Leo should have added, "Transportation not included."
Withdrawal Symptoms
When Leo was away, Dick missed doing the show, and had to go on Stickam.
Listen to Episode 734
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Homepage
Flaming Fruitcake
Combustible Christmas Log
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
Made by Grandma Keenan Specialty Products, the Flaming Fruitcake looked like a Christmas log but was intended for the fireplace as a combustible log. Made of sawdust, wax, colour wood and colouring agents, it was not a food product. "Have fun burning these calories." "Finally a fruitcake you will enjoy." Dick got it in 1991 from a PR agent, and the only reference to it on the web one can find is on Living On Earth, 24 December 1993.
Gadget Ideas
Steve Greenberg writes in his book Gadget Nation that it's not enough to have a good idea for a gadget. It's all about marketing and distribution.
Mad Over Time
The Mad cover with Obama morphing into Alfred E Neuman (Yes We Can't) has been named by Time Magazine as one of the Top 10 Magazine Covers of 2008. Obama has also been named 2008 Person of the Year.
Gadget Ideas
Steve Greenberg writes in his book Gadget Nation that it's not enough to have a good idea for a gadget. It's all about marketing and distribution.
Mad Over Time
The Mad cover with Obama morphing into Alfred E Neuman (Yes We Can't) has been named by Time Magazine as one of the Top 10 Magazine Covers of 2008. Obama has also been named 2008 Person of the Year.
When Mad first turned itself into a comic magazine, Time's review predicted that it would be a "short-lived satirical pulp". Not only did Mad continue to thrive, but Warner Bros/Time Warner in due course acquired it and brought it under the same division as Time Magazine. In the acquisition deal, Bill Gaines slipped a clause into the final draft of the contract reserving to himself the right to be unreasonable. He also felt confident that the affairs of Mad would be totally unaffected because for the first few years, the new owners wouldn't even realise that they had acquired the new property.
For a fuller account of Mad's management after the acquisition, check back at Episode 68. For the "unreasonable" contract clause, see Episode 106.
Book Royalty
Dick has written 11 or 12 Mad original paperback books. For one of them, Dick got $12,000 as an advance payment from the publishers. Dick was puzzled by the sheer size of the advance, and Bill Gaines explained that the big corporations never read the contract and he inserted a clause that the publishers had to print a million copies.
Powerline Technology
Mike Knox who has been listening to DGW since Episode 1 writes to clarify something about powerline carrier technology (PLC). In Episode 713, Leo thought that the Belkin Powerline AV Plus Starter Kit would not work in Dick's situation as powerline technology would not work over 2 fuse boxes or power meters. Mike points out that while there are different implementations of PLC, they will pass through fuse boxes and utilities meters and are completely transparent to the conduction of electricity and any signals multiplexed on to the power. The signals will stop at utility transformers and will degrade over distance, but can go over to other homes. Dick's own test has proved Mike right.
TWiG
Dick has a T-Shirt with a TWiG logo - This Week in Gadgets.
Listen to Episode 725
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
For a fuller account of Mad's management after the acquisition, check back at Episode 68. For the "unreasonable" contract clause, see Episode 106.
Book Royalty
Dick has written 11 or 12 Mad original paperback books. For one of them, Dick got $12,000 as an advance payment from the publishers. Dick was puzzled by the sheer size of the advance, and Bill Gaines explained that the big corporations never read the contract and he inserted a clause that the publishers had to print a million copies.
Powerline Technology
Mike Knox who has been listening to DGW since Episode 1 writes to clarify something about powerline carrier technology (PLC). In Episode 713, Leo thought that the Belkin Powerline AV Plus Starter Kit would not work in Dick's situation as powerline technology would not work over 2 fuse boxes or power meters. Mike points out that while there are different implementations of PLC, they will pass through fuse boxes and utilities meters and are completely transparent to the conduction of electricity and any signals multiplexed on to the power. The signals will stop at utility transformers and will degrade over distance, but can go over to other homes. Dick's own test has proved Mike right.
TWiG
Dick has a T-Shirt with a TWiG logo - This Week in Gadgets.
Listen to Episode 725
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Compact Digital Camera
Link: Panasonic
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
Leo finally gave something to Jennifer which she loved, but sadly she has lost it, but Leo may well buy her another one. It's the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3, a compact camera. It's at the high end of compact/point-and-shoot cameras. Instead of simply upping the pixel count meaninglessly on a tiny CCD sensor common in compacts, Panasonic has decided to stay at a decent 10 MP, but on a larger CCD sensor, which means less noise, especially for high ISO images. Available in silver and black.
The Leica lens range is 24mm to 60mm (35mm equivalent), which is very wide, with a small sacrifice of the zoom range. It offers 3 aspect ratios - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2, but all shot with the same angle of view. Image stabilisation is by way of lens shift technology. The lens is a very fast lens for a compact, with aperture values from F2.0-F8.0 at the wide end, and F2.8-F8.0 at the telephoto end. On the back is a 3" LCD screen, but no view finder (although an expensive view-finder accessory is available). Supports RAW and JPG. ISO values from ISO 80 to ISO 3200, with an additional high sensitivity mode (1600-6400). Has an off-axis pop-up flash, with AF Assist Lamp. Takes movies at resolutions up to 720p at 24 fps. It also has a hot shoe for add-ons, such as a flash or viewfinder.
The combination of a fast lens and image stabilisation means you need resort to high ISO values less often, but if required, high ISO performance is better than most cameras in this category due to the larger CCD size and the resulting lower noise, outperforming the Canon G10 and Nikon Coolpix P6000 at ISO 400.
A real advance from the first sub-$1,000 consumer digital camera, the Casio QV10 (Episode 15).
For a detailed review of the camera, see Digital Photography Review. For Scott Bourne's mini review, go to TWiPPhoto.
Off to France
Leo is off to France today to visit Abby. The pre-recorded shows should cover most of the holiday season.
Guest Appearance
Jennifer has always been shy of the camera, but today she makes a special appearance with Ozzy.
Letters Jingle Special Mixes
Dan Lueders is still at it, giving us more versions of the Letters Jingle (the original and festive versions written and performed by George Wood aka the Jingle Singers, from Scotland). Leo plays some of the new versions: Disco, Elvis, Beatles, Santana, and Punk renditions.
The Leica lens range is 24mm to 60mm (35mm equivalent), which is very wide, with a small sacrifice of the zoom range. It offers 3 aspect ratios - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2, but all shot with the same angle of view. Image stabilisation is by way of lens shift technology. The lens is a very fast lens for a compact, with aperture values from F2.0-F8.0 at the wide end, and F2.8-F8.0 at the telephoto end. On the back is a 3" LCD screen, but no view finder (although an expensive view-finder accessory is available). Supports RAW and JPG. ISO values from ISO 80 to ISO 3200, with an additional high sensitivity mode (1600-6400). Has an off-axis pop-up flash, with AF Assist Lamp. Takes movies at resolutions up to 720p at 24 fps. It also has a hot shoe for add-ons, such as a flash or viewfinder.
The combination of a fast lens and image stabilisation means you need resort to high ISO values less often, but if required, high ISO performance is better than most cameras in this category due to the larger CCD size and the resulting lower noise, outperforming the Canon G10 and Nikon Coolpix P6000 at ISO 400.
A real advance from the first sub-$1,000 consumer digital camera, the Casio QV10 (Episode 15).
For a detailed review of the camera, see Digital Photography Review. For Scott Bourne's mini review, go to TWiPPhoto.
Off to France
Leo is off to France today to visit Abby. The pre-recorded shows should cover most of the holiday season.
Guest Appearance
Jennifer has always been shy of the camera, but today she makes a special appearance with Ozzy.
Letters Jingle Special Mixes
Dan Lueders is still at it, giving us more versions of the Letters Jingle (the original and festive versions written and performed by George Wood aka the Jingle Singers, from Scotland). Leo plays some of the new versions: Disco, Elvis, Beatles, Santana, and Punk renditions.
Coming Soon: The 12 Days of GizWiz
Paul Minshall has also done a Christmas special for his favourite podcast the Daily Giz Wiz, for his GizWiz friends. It's a video called "The 12 Days of Giz Wiz", which will be played soon. If you can't wait, go to Paul's blog.
The 12 gadgets featured on the video are: (1) Nokia N93 from Episode 172, (2) Toothpick Bird from Episode 282, (3) Road Mice from Episode 698, (4) Power Squid from Episode 24, (5) Titanium Spork from Episode 182, (6) Scott-E-Vest from Episode 34, (7) Sony Walkman from Episode 55, (8) Palm Pilot from Episode 590, (9) CubiCaller from Episode 381, (10) Toilet Tunes from Episode 604, (11) Uroclub from Episode 598, and (12) Drobo Backup from Episode 332.
Listen to Episode 722
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Alligetter
Wacky Retriever Tool
Link: Alligetter
The Alligetter is a hand tool for retrieving trinkets which have been dropped down the sink. It comes with an LED light and a "flap spreader", adjustable in its circumference for holding down the flanges of the waste disposal unit, for you to see better down the sink. The jaws or snappers of the Alligetter, controlled by the trigger, can then pick up the trinket.
Christmas Decorations
None at the Mad Office. They are there all year round, except over Christmas. That was Bill Gaines's idea.
Christmas Spectacular
It's the 75th anniversary of the Radio City Music Hall. There's a giant 60' x 100' LCD display on to which scenery is projected. A full size bus on stage. Live fireworks. A real knock-out Christmas Spectacular.
Christmas Party
Now that the TWiT Cottage has a staff of 5 (including Leo), Leo thinks that a Christmas Party is in order. That took place at Tres Hombres in Petaluma last Monday. Free-flowing Margueritas and perhaps even lots of TTTT gadgets as Christmas surprises.
Christmas Present
An early Christmas present from Ludwik. Many listeners who cannot watch the live video recording of DGW have wondered how they can view the video. It's finally available. He gets the original hi-res captured video from kiwinerd and divides it up for each episode. You can now watch the video on his website, GizWizSearch.com. But please remember to download the audio podcasts first. Dick and Leo need the numbers.
Ludwik is considering going to the US to work for 6 months, and Leo might figure out something for him - as long as Ludwik learns a few more English phrases other than: "I'll be here."
Listen to Episode 716
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Christmas Decorations
None at the Mad Office. They are there all year round, except over Christmas. That was Bill Gaines's idea.
Christmas Spectacular
It's the 75th anniversary of the Radio City Music Hall. There's a giant 60' x 100' LCD display on to which scenery is projected. A full size bus on stage. Live fireworks. A real knock-out Christmas Spectacular.
Christmas Party
Now that the TWiT Cottage has a staff of 5 (including Leo), Leo thinks that a Christmas Party is in order. That took place at Tres Hombres in Petaluma last Monday. Free-flowing Margueritas and perhaps even lots of TTTT gadgets as Christmas surprises.
Christmas Present
An early Christmas present from Ludwik. Many listeners who cannot watch the live video recording of DGW have wondered how they can view the video. It's finally available. He gets the original hi-res captured video from kiwinerd and divides it up for each episode. You can now watch the video on his website, GizWizSearch.com. But please remember to download the audio podcasts first. Dick and Leo need the numbers.
Ludwik is considering going to the US to work for 6 months, and Leo might figure out something for him - as long as Ludwik learns a few more English phrases other than: "I'll be here."
Listen to Episode 716
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
