5 posts tagged “shopping”
SmartSwipe
Security for Online Shopping
Link: smartswipe.ca
Back in Episode 450, Dick talked about the Compaq Smart Credit Card Internet Keyboard, which came with a smart card reader for online shopping with smart cards. The new SmartSwipe, made by a Canadian company called NetSecure Technologies, is a USB credit card reader. When you do any online shopping, swipe your credit card across Smart Swipe, and it protects and then enters the credit card information into the relevant fields on the website.
According to NetSecure, although traditional SSL encrypts the data in transit from the web browser on your computer to the secure server of the e-commerce site, hackers may still be able to access the information while it's on your computer or its memory before the data is encrypted. SmartSwipe uses a technology called Dynamic SSL, which interacts with traditional SSL. It encrypts the data at the SmartSwipe hardware itself and initiates the SSL key negotiation from SmartSwipe (and not from the personal computer), so that the encryption is extended further back to the earlier point in time where the information is read from the credit card. SmartSwipe works with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and JBC, but only on Windows XP and Vista and on Internet Explorer. Those who are interested in the security side of the technology may want to read up on NetSecure's documentation on Dynamic SSL to see if their claims are made out. Dell is now selling SmartSwipe as an accessory.
Squirrel iPhone Credit Card Swiper
Rumour has it that Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey is going to make an iPhone hardware and software solution, codename Squirrel, for accepting credit card payment on a card swiper connected to the iPhone. Here's the TechCrunch article.
The March of Technology
Dick is much amused by a frankfurter stand in New York with a red Neon sign flashing "Open". Wouldn't people know, muses Dick.
Waterproof Housing for the Nokia
Alessandro Abate is taking his Canon EOS 50D and a 300mm lens on an Alaska cruise to celebrate with his wife their 25th wedding anniversary. He wonders if Leo can recommend a waterproof housing for his cherished camera while kayaking. If he doesn't need to take photo while kayaking, Leo suggests a waterproof cinch bag, but if he wants to shoot through the protective cover, it's going to cost him.
Warnings from Sandrino
If Leo is going to name his autobiography "Just One More Podcast" (see Episode 812), Sandrino's wife, who is an attorney, is ready to collect their share of the royalties. Also, his daughter has just been accepted into the San Francisco Institute of Art and they may pay a visit to the TWiT Cottage while in the neighbourhood. Leo will be ready with his TWiT Mat.
Listen to Episode 858
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
According to NetSecure, although traditional SSL encrypts the data in transit from the web browser on your computer to the secure server of the e-commerce site, hackers may still be able to access the information while it's on your computer or its memory before the data is encrypted. SmartSwipe uses a technology called Dynamic SSL, which interacts with traditional SSL. It encrypts the data at the SmartSwipe hardware itself and initiates the SSL key negotiation from SmartSwipe (and not from the personal computer), so that the encryption is extended further back to the earlier point in time where the information is read from the credit card. SmartSwipe works with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and JBC, but only on Windows XP and Vista and on Internet Explorer. Those who are interested in the security side of the technology may want to read up on NetSecure's documentation on Dynamic SSL to see if their claims are made out. Dell is now selling SmartSwipe as an accessory.
Squirrel iPhone Credit Card Swiper
Rumour has it that Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey is going to make an iPhone hardware and software solution, codename Squirrel, for accepting credit card payment on a card swiper connected to the iPhone. Here's the TechCrunch article.
The March of Technology
Dick is much amused by a frankfurter stand in New York with a red Neon sign flashing "Open". Wouldn't people know, muses Dick.
Waterproof Housing for the Nokia
Alessandro Abate is taking his Canon EOS 50D and a 300mm lens on an Alaska cruise to celebrate with his wife their 25th wedding anniversary. He wonders if Leo can recommend a waterproof housing for his cherished camera while kayaking. If he doesn't need to take photo while kayaking, Leo suggests a waterproof cinch bag, but if he wants to shoot through the protective cover, it's going to cost him.
Warnings from Sandrino
If Leo is going to name his autobiography "Just One More Podcast" (see Episode 812), Sandrino's wife, who is an attorney, is ready to collect their share of the royalties. Also, his daughter has just been accepted into the San Francisco Institute of Art and they may pay a visit to the TWiT Cottage while in the neighbourhood. Leo will be ready with his TWiT Mat.
Listen to Episode 858
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
CartStopper
Shopping Cart Safety
Link: CartStopper
A heads-up from a listener, Charles from Berkeley, California. No need to worry about your shopping cart with your child sitting in it rolling down the slope. At one end of the CartStopper is a giant suction cup, connected to a bungee cord with a hook at the other end which you attach to the shopping cart. The device is strong enough to hold in place a full shopping cart with a child in it.
Leo thinks the CartStopper might be another Purseguard (Episode 406). That's not going to please Shopping Mom Dyanne who designed the device!
CES 2009 Preview
Dick was at the CES 2009 Preview last week. CES has to hold a preview in order to announce the CES awards in January.
Busy Bee
Busy Bee Ludwik Trammer is at work again. He has some ideas for Dick's site, and is going to show Dick on Go To Meeting. By the way, Giz Wiz Search now has a new .com URL: www.gizwizsearch.com.
The Joy of Gadgets
The Kodak Disc Camera (Episode 690) brings back fond memories of a strong and vibrant company for Brent [Cascamenti] from Rochester, New York, who has been working for Kodak as an electrical engineer for 27 years. Brent has been a faithful listener since Episode 1, and thanks Dick and Leo for bringing him the joy of gadgets.
Skunk Works
Brent uses the word "Skunk Works" in his letter, which Leo explains to Dick, with a little help from Wikipedia, first used by Lockheed Martin in 1938. The name has its origin in Al Capp's comic strip L'il Abner.
Dick's Thanksgiving
No small talk for Dick's party at Thanksgiving, where his pineapple upside down cake is de rigueur (in addition to the gravy of course). For more on Dick's Thanksgiving celebrations, go back to Episode 199. Whenever Dick misses his Thanksgiving fare, he can go to "Good Enough To Eat", all year round. This is also the restaurant Dick took Leo for a huge breakfast when Leo was in New York (listen to the beginning of Episode 334).
Ready for TTTT
Leo had numerous ideas for last week's TTTT (see Episode 697), but only after the recording had ended. This time, he's ready.
Listen to Episode 701
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
CES 2009 Preview
Dick was at the CES 2009 Preview last week. CES has to hold a preview in order to announce the CES awards in January.
Busy Bee
Busy Bee Ludwik Trammer is at work again. He has some ideas for Dick's site, and is going to show Dick on Go To Meeting. By the way, Giz Wiz Search now has a new .com URL: www.gizwizsearch.com.
The Joy of Gadgets
The Kodak Disc Camera (Episode 690) brings back fond memories of a strong and vibrant company for Brent [Cascamenti] from Rochester, New York, who has been working for Kodak as an electrical engineer for 27 years. Brent has been a faithful listener since Episode 1, and thanks Dick and Leo for bringing him the joy of gadgets.
Skunk Works
Brent uses the word "Skunk Works" in his letter, which Leo explains to Dick, with a little help from Wikipedia, first used by Lockheed Martin in 1938. The name has its origin in Al Capp's comic strip L'il Abner.
Dick's Thanksgiving
No small talk for Dick's party at Thanksgiving, where his pineapple upside down cake is de rigueur (in addition to the gravy of course). For more on Dick's Thanksgiving celebrations, go back to Episode 199. Whenever Dick misses his Thanksgiving fare, he can go to "Good Enough To Eat", all year round. This is also the restaurant Dick took Leo for a huge breakfast when Leo was in New York (listen to the beginning of Episode 334).
Ready for TTTT
Leo had numerous ideas for last week's TTTT (see Episode 697), but only after the recording had ended. This time, he's ready.
Listen to Episode 701
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
SmartShopper
Grocery List Organizer and Printer with Voice Recognition
Link: Smart Shopper USA
The SmartShopper is a fridge magnet with voice recognition. Press the "Record" button, speak the names of the grocery or shopping items (from 6 to 8 inches away), press the "Print" button, and out comes a shopping list with the items organised into appropriate grocery sections, such as Breakfast Foods, Baby Needs, Snacks. It even has an "Errands" section for your To-Do List, that beats the iPhone hands down. It uses a thermal printer so it doesn't run out of ink. Replacement paper rolls are available.
Once you get a list, manual operations allow you to add the quantity you want for any specific item, or to specify that you have a coupon for that item. The quantity and a coupon icon will appear in the print-out.
The SmartShopper has a pre-loaded library of grocery items, but you can add custom items through Library Management, by keying in the items and saying the names aloud, such as Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers instead of Red Bell Peppers, or Brassiere instead of Corn Syrup. The same method can be used to improve the voice recognition of any existing items.
Lauren Bacall
Dick fills in the details of a proud story about Lauren Bacall on Match Game which he started in Episode 72.
The Simpsons and Mad
Andrew H from Genoa, Illinois tells Dick and Leo, in response to Episode 412, that he was learning all about The Simpsons in his high school Sociology Class the other day, and the multiple levels of maturity of the Simpsons jokes. Just like Mad, says Dick.
Listen to Episode 424
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Once you get a list, manual operations allow you to add the quantity you want for any specific item, or to specify that you have a coupon for that item. The quantity and a coupon icon will appear in the print-out.
The SmartShopper has a pre-loaded library of grocery items, but you can add custom items through Library Management, by keying in the items and saying the names aloud, such as Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers instead of Red Bell Peppers, or Brassiere instead of Corn Syrup. The same method can be used to improve the voice recognition of any existing items.
Lauren Bacall
Dick fills in the details of a proud story about Lauren Bacall on Match Game which he started in Episode 72.
The Simpsons and Mad
Andrew H from Genoa, Illinois tells Dick and Leo, in response to Episode 412, that he was learning all about The Simpsons in his high school Sociology Class the other day, and the multiple levels of maturity of the Simpsons jokes. Just like Mad, says Dick.
Listen to Episode 424
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
iKaraoke
Karaoke Device for iPods
Link: Griffin Technology
One end of the iKaraoke plugs into the iPod. The other end is a microphone, with an FM transmitter. It isolates and fades out the vocal track of your favourite songs. You sing into the microphone, and the FM transmitter sends the your singing voice with the music via FM to your radio.
Concierge
John K from Connecticut writes in to protest about Dick's dismissal of the Concierge Shopping Cart (Episode 230). The interactive touch-screen computer is available on its own at Stop and Shop and is a great help with his grocery shopping. It tells him about bargains like $1 for a pack of Inside Out Oreos.
Listen to Episode 239
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Concierge Shopping Cart
Interactive Touch-Screen Shopping Computer
Link: Springboard
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
Dick saw this at CES and thinks it might be one for the Gadget Warehouse one day. The Concierge Shopping Cart is a touch-screen computer attached to a shopping card to assist your shopping, including automatic checkout. Dick's experience with other automatic checkout, such as at Home Depot, is it doesn't work. Also there is a worry about annoying advertising. Leo has shown this on Call For Help.
Piggly Wiggly in the East
Dick and Leo mentioned Piggly Wiggly in Episode 224 and said it's found mainly in the West. Kevin from Glenville, California, writes in to correct them. Piggly Wiggly is mostly found in the East and Southeast of the US.
Listen to Episode 230
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
