33 posts tagged “skype”
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
Plantronics Calisto Pro
DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone/Skype Phone with Bluetooth Headset
Link: Plantronics
The Calisto Pro from Plantronics takes care of all your phone needs. It is a DECT 6.0 cordless phone which you can connect to the land line, with speakerphone function. It has a USB connection for linking up to your computer as a VoIP or Skype phone, and can download your contacts from Outlook on Windows or Apple Address Book on a Mac. It has a bluetooth headset which you can pair up with both the cordless phone or your cellphone, although you cannot switch between the two in the middle of a conversation.
Match Game Memories
Dick had a great time doing Match Game Memories on 29 March, and was very impressed by how quick Leo was calling up old footages of the Match Game. Leo might add it as an additional audio show this week into the DGW feed.
Dick had a great time doing Match Game Memories on 29 March, and was very impressed by how quick Leo was calling up old footages of the Match Game. Leo might add it as an additional audio show this week into the DGW feed.
Alternatively, you can download the video from odtv.me, thanks to kiwinerd.
Leo's sister Eva is helping out Leo with his emails. Leo is thinking of doing a mailbag show with Eva going through some of the more interesting mails for Leo.
Studio 54
The Disco Letters Jingle gives Dick and Leo some disco flashbacks and reminds them of Studio 54, a popular venue during the disco era. When Leo was last in Manhattan, he went there to see Cabaret.
Finally, Some Savings
Long-time listener and correspondent Steve Miller writes again. This time, he's not buying any more gadgets. He thanks Dick and Leo for covering the iCap (Episode 749), the Cell-Mate (Episode 744), and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II (Episode 742), two gadgets he doesn't want to own and one he can't afford. Steve is a Nikon guy and was lusting after the Nikon D3X.
Circuit City Sale
Dick went to have a look at the Circuit City close-out sale but the prices had been raised and it was no bargain.
Pinnacle TV for Mac HD Mini Stick
HDTV Tuner and Video Recorder
Link: Pinnacle Systems
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
This is the latest offering by Pinnacle Systems of a USB HDTV Tuner, for the Mac platform, from Andy Marken, an old friend of the Daily Giz Wiz . Dick reviewed the PCTV HD Ultimate Stick for Windows back in Episode 419. A listener wrote in about a Mac version in Episode 457, which was an old Mac version that did not support ClearQAM and could only record in MPEG-2 (and hence the recorded videos were not compatible with iPods). Leo was told then that a new Mac version was being developed, and here it is, the Pinnacle TV for Mac HD mini Stick.
It supports ATSC (over the air digital TV signal) HDTV and ClearQAM (unencrypted cable TV signal) up to 1080i. It comes with a remote control and a telescopic antenna (with a magnetic base). The bundled software is Elgato's EyeTV Lite for viewing and recording TV, which also supports the Electronic Programme Guide for scheduled recording. However, EyeTV Lite records in MPEG-2, and contains no options for exporting to other formats. You can upgrade from the Lite version to the full EyeTV 3 version for $50 to get more functions including exporting to your iPod, iPhone, Apple TV or to other formats. See the comparison of the features of the two versions.
Mac users might want to check out the Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus (covered on a previous TTTT in Episode 582) which has a hardware encoder (especially if you use it as a video converter), or the 2009 version of the EyeTV Hybrid (without the hardware encoding). Both are bundled with the full version of EyeTV 3 software.
It supports ATSC (over the air digital TV signal) HDTV and ClearQAM (unencrypted cable TV signal) up to 1080i. It comes with a remote control and a telescopic antenna (with a magnetic base). The bundled software is Elgato's EyeTV Lite for viewing and recording TV, which also supports the Electronic Programme Guide for scheduled recording. However, EyeTV Lite records in MPEG-2, and contains no options for exporting to other formats. You can upgrade from the Lite version to the full EyeTV 3 version for $50 to get more functions including exporting to your iPod, iPhone, Apple TV or to other formats. See the comparison of the features of the two versions.
Mac users might want to check out the Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus (covered on a previous TTTT in Episode 582) which has a hardware encoder (especially if you use it as a video converter), or the 2009 version of the EyeTV Hybrid (without the hardware encoding). Both are bundled with the full version of EyeTV 3 software.
The Pinnacle TV for Mac HD mini Stick can also be used on Windows, using the bundled PC software Pinnacle TVCenter Pro and Pinnacle VideoSpin.
Skype Issue Resolved
Dick and Leo were having problems with the quality of the Skype connection while recording yesterday's episode. Dick resolved it by switching to his HP computer from the old Atari and stopping his internet-connected blender which was madly downloading movies using bit torrent. Rebooting his router also helped.
Feeling At Home
When Dick travels, he uses his Slingbox (Episode 11) to watch his local channel, including his Channel 7. It makes him feel at home.
A Love Letter
Tom Stidham asks Leo not to sing the jingles, which is painful. On the subject of jingles, Tom thinks that the Wednesday Jingle can be replaced at any time. It is actually pulling down the quality of the show, as if that were possible. Other than that, excellent.
The Authorised Dick and Leo Not Singing Album
Dick and Leo think they should release an album of them not singing. Get the authorised version. Don't accept substitutes.
Coming Soon: The Amazon Kindle 2
Leo was hoping he could review the Amazon Kindle 2 for today. It is arriving soon, and he should be able to cover it next week.
Listen to Episode 777
Go to TWiT
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Polaroid Instant Slide Autoprocessor
DIY Slide Developing Machine
Link: Jim's Web on archives.org
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
Polaroid made its name in instant photographs, but also ventured into instant slides. Dick unearthed this gadget from the Gadget Warehouse recently (see Episode 683). Here's how the Instant Slide Autoprocessor worked, according to Jim's Web:
"The developing process was simple. Place the film and developing pack into the AutoProcessor, crank the film through to develop, rewind it, and you're done. The developing pack was broken open by the autoprocessor, and the 'strip sheet' was wound out, coated with developer, and sandwiched together with the film. The sandwich was wound around a spool, where it would sit for the recommended developing time (from one to four minutes). After the developing time was done, the process was reversed. The film and strip sheet were wound back into their respective containers. During the rewinding process, the strip sheet would separate the negative from the positive on the film and rewind the negative and strip sheet into the developing pack for disposal. The film canister was then removed from the AutoProcessor with the developed slides in it and inserted into the special slide mounter to be mounted in the Polaroid-designed slide mounts. The slide mounter was basically automatic after the film leader was cut off and the first slide was mounted. Each time I did it, the speed and simplicity of the process amazed me."
Early Adapters
Polaroid also developed a Polacolor Instant Movie Film, but not even Dick, himself an early "adapter", would buy it. He did buy the Polaroid Instant Slide Autoprocessor.
Weekly Giz Wiz
Bob Forbes, from Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada, thinks that the Daily Giz Wiz is the most entertaining netcast on the internet. He usually downloads all 5 shows of the week in one go, but most of the time his Samsung MP3 player plays the episodes in the wrong order. He wonders if Leo could create a single file for the whole week for him to download. Leo doesn't think there's enough demand for it. Dick chips in to say there isn't any demand at all for the show, and says the other listener doesn't want it.
Book Rights
When Dick's Good Days And Mad first came out, a Hollywood producer rang him up and asked Dick if he had sold the film rights to the book yet, and added, "What's your book about?"
Listen to Episode 730
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Polaroid also developed a Polacolor Instant Movie Film, but not even Dick, himself an early "adapter", would buy it. He did buy the Polaroid Instant Slide Autoprocessor.
Weekly Giz Wiz
Bob Forbes, from Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada, thinks that the Daily Giz Wiz is the most entertaining netcast on the internet. He usually downloads all 5 shows of the week in one go, but most of the time his Samsung MP3 player plays the episodes in the wrong order. He wonders if Leo could create a single file for the whole week for him to download. Leo doesn't think there's enough demand for it. Dick chips in to say there isn't any demand at all for the show, and says the other listener doesn't want it.
Book Rights
When Dick's Good Days And Mad first came out, a Hollywood producer rang him up and asked Dick if he had sold the film rights to the book yet, and added, "What's your book about?"
Listen to Episode 730
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Mini Motel
Travel Accessory
Link: Mini Motel
Back in Episode 616, when Dick and Leo talked about how airports did everything to prevent you from lying down, Dick referred to an article in the New York Times which reported the invention by someone of an "airport tent". That someone is Frank Giotto, and the airport tent is called the Mini Motel. The package includes all you need to construct a tent, an inflatable mattress, an inflatable pillow and bed sheet, plus an alarm clock, a reading light, ear plugs, and eye shades.
When folded up, the package is only 17" x 12" x 3", but it might be a little difficult to get the tent and all its accessories back into that shape.
Match Game Moments
The Live Stream of Match Game Moments took place on Saturday 29 November 2008, which Dick greatly enjoyed. Unfortunately no one seems to have captured the video stream. Dick hopes that Andy of Stickam has a copy, but if not, he might do it again.
Farewell to Disco Dick
Dick has finally given away his houseboat, complete with a disco, as he told us in Episode 703. He's given it to a charity called Boat Angel. Here's Dick's farewell video:
A Hot Couple
Ralph Evinrude of Evinrude Motors and his singer wife Frances Evinrude had a 100-foot boat. Dick has a story to tell about Evinrude's generosity about replacing Evinrude engines.
When folded up, the package is only 17" x 12" x 3", but it might be a little difficult to get the tent and all its accessories back into that shape.
Match Game Moments
The Live Stream of Match Game Moments took place on Saturday 29 November 2008, which Dick greatly enjoyed. Unfortunately no one seems to have captured the video stream. Dick hopes that Andy of Stickam has a copy, but if not, he might do it again.
Farewell to Disco Dick
Dick has finally given away his houseboat, complete with a disco, as he told us in Episode 703. He's given it to a charity called Boat Angel. Here's Dick's farewell video:
A Hot Couple
Ralph Evinrude of Evinrude Motors and his singer wife Frances Evinrude had a 100-foot boat. Dick has a story to tell about Evinrude's generosity about replacing Evinrude engines.
A Junkie for Flashlights, Pens, Pocket Knives and Everything Collectible
Most frequently read DGW correspondent Steve Miller from Westerville, Ohio confesses to being a pen, pocket knife and flashlight junkie. He bought a Stanley Tripod Flashlight (Episodes 548), and since the Travelon Sheets (Episode 689), has managed to stop buying DGW gadgets for about a month so far, and hopes that Dick will not be covering pocket knives for a while, or he will be broke. For Steve's earlier collection, read the list in Episode 279.
For those interested in flashlights, Steve recommends SureFire, which has the E2D LED Defender, a tactical self-defence flashlight with a crenellated strike bezel.
Listen to Episode 719
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SpongeBob Eyeball Speakers
Wacky Speakers
Link: Nickelodeon
Another wacky gadget from Dick. The SpongeBob Eyeball Speakers have, as the name suggests, two SpongeBob eyeballs which rock to the rhythm of the music. According to Dick, you might hear some motor noise while playing soft music. Although it calls itself a "dock", there is no connector dock as such for the iPod or other MP3 players, but just a space on which to rest your MP3 player.
These speakers on their own are bizarre enough, but imagine placing them next to the 500XL iPod Earbuds Speakers (Episode 528) and the Eyeclops Bionic Eye (Episode 361). That would be surreal.
Downsizing
The Giz Wiz has decided to downsize his life and get rid of his houseboat. He's just had to repair the damage caused to his boat by a Staten Island Ferry, and is going to donate the houseboat to a marine charity. But he still has his work boat.
For a glimpse of Dick's boat, try Pride and Glory, which is supposed to feature Dick's boat in the background and has finally been released. Watch out for a fibre optic Christmas tree. Revisit Episodes 460 and 461 for the story.
Dick on Humanety
The auction on Humanety for a video chat with Dick has finished. Dick thinks he's raised about $180 for Animal Haven, in addition to the $1,000 at the Animal Haven Charity Dinner (Episode 693).
Another Vote of Thanks for the Match Game Cards
John Hatton from ColdZone.com bought a set of Match Game Cards from Dick last Christmas as a present for his wife. One of the cards was a Dumb Dora question. A piece of history.
There are still some Match Game Cards left from the recently unearthed box. Go to MatchGameQuestions.com to get the details, where you can also see Dick's cheques for the residuals he received for Match Game and from Family Feud. For the full story of these residuals, listen to Episode 117.
Match Game Moments, Live
Dick has confirmed that he will be appearing on TWiTLive to do a show with his memories of Match Game and Gene Rayburn on Saturday 29 November (the day Gene passed away, and Leo's birthday), first mentioned by Dick in Episode 688.
Listen to Episode 703
Go to TWiT
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Konica KANPA!
Sound-Activated Film Camera
Link: Digicam History
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
The Konica Konpai or KANPA! came out in November 1989 and was the world's first voice-operated film camera. Designed as a party camera, it came with its own automated motorised tripod, complete with shoes. When you turned the microphone on, the fixed 34/35mm lens, autofocus camera would first sense the current level of noises. It would then turn (within an arc of 45˚) towards a burst of noise above the prevailing level and take a "candid" picture. "Products to Watch", said Fortune Magazine in March 1991. The list price was $216 in 1991.
The name of the camera is KANPAI, not Kanpa, with the letter "I" looking like an exclamation mark " ! ". "Kanpai!" is a Japanese phrase (there is a similar phrase in Chinese) which literally means something like "empty the glass", and is the equivalent of the English interjections "Toast!" or "Bottoms Up!" - in line with the camera's selling feature as a party camera.
When originally released in 1989, the camera was red in colour. Later models came in black.
The name of the camera is KANPAI, not Kanpa, with the letter "I" looking like an exclamation mark " ! ". "Kanpai!" is a Japanese phrase (there is a similar phrase in Chinese) which literally means something like "empty the glass", and is the equivalent of the English interjections "Toast!" or "Bottoms Up!" - in line with the camera's selling feature as a party camera.
When originally released in 1989, the camera was red in colour. Later models came in black.
Coverage of this camera on English language websites is scarce. Digicam History is one (thanks to G Arch in the Chatroom), the archived Fortune Magazine article (above), and CNet UK includes it in an article on Crazy Cameras: 7 Strange Snappers. The camera smacks of a Japanese sense of humour, and as might be expected, you can find the camera quite easily on Japanese websites.
The top photo (black) is taken from http://arrow-camera.weblogs.jp/garakutayatsuhan/2008/09/kanpai-b930.html. The second photo (red) is taken from http://canon-a.fantastic-camera.com/dasoku/kanpai/kanpai.htm. The last photo (haha) is taken from CNET UK.
Konica, Minolta, Sony
Konica and Minolta, both long-time Japanese camera manufacturers, struggled in the digital age, and merged in 2003 to become Konica Minolta. 3 years later, Konica Minolta sold its camera manufacturing business to Sony, and all that remains is its office supplies (such as photocopiers) business.
Ego Searches
Dick and Leo compare Google search results on their names/handles.
From Dick's Store
Dick reminds us that he's unearthed more Match Game Cards, and paperback versions of his book Good Days And Mad.
Weekend Shows
Don't forget to catch up on the weekend shows, the Saturday Theme and Sunday Theme.
Barbara's Pick
Barbara our live studio audience has been sitting through this week's recordings, and she has a pick of the week. It's an iPhone app called iRetroPhone. It gives you the picture of an old rotary dial phone, and you use your finger on the touch screen to turn the dial to input the numbers, complete with visual animation and sound effect. Cool!
No Letters Today
Dick gave us 2 letters yesterday, but today Dick and Leo forget to read a letter.
Listen to Episode 685
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Konica, Minolta, Sony
Konica and Minolta, both long-time Japanese camera manufacturers, struggled in the digital age, and merged in 2003 to become Konica Minolta. 3 years later, Konica Minolta sold its camera manufacturing business to Sony, and all that remains is its office supplies (such as photocopiers) business.
Ego Searches
Dick and Leo compare Google search results on their names/handles.
From Dick's Store
Dick reminds us that he's unearthed more Match Game Cards, and paperback versions of his book Good Days And Mad.
Weekend Shows
Don't forget to catch up on the weekend shows, the Saturday Theme and Sunday Theme.
Barbara's Pick
Barbara our live studio audience has been sitting through this week's recordings, and she has a pick of the week. It's an iPhone app called iRetroPhone. It gives you the picture of an old rotary dial phone, and you use your finger on the touch screen to turn the dial to input the numbers, complete with visual animation and sound effect. Cool!
No Letters Today
Dick gave us 2 letters yesterday, but today Dick and Leo forget to read a letter.
Listen to Episode 685
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
cucku
Social Backup
Link: cucku.com
Cucku, an online or remote backup application with a difference, enables you to back up your data files both locally and remotely. The main feature is that you store your remote backup not with the service provider (who may go out of business), but on the hard drive of a friend of yours (your backup partner). Cucku calls it "Social Backup".
Install the software on your and your partner's computers (with support for Windows XP and Vista, 32-bit and 64-bit version), set up your respective accounts with Cucku to create your usernames and passwords, and the software will automatically select important data files to back up for you (although naturally you can configure what to back up). The software will back up your files in the background, while the computer is idle or has extra capacity, both locally on your own computer, and remotely on your partner's computer.
Your remote backup is encrypted with 256-bit AES both during transmission on the internet and at the endpoint where it resides on your partner's computer, so that no one, including Cucku itself and your backup partner, can read any of the data, not even file names. The backup can only be decrypted with your Cucku username and password.
Any files can be backed up (including open files), but operating system and application files are by default excluded. You can choose where your local backup should be stored (which includes external and network drives), and data on external and network drives can also be backed up. The only limitation is that the files cannot be larger than 4GB. Once an initial file has been backed up, subsequent backups, if a file has been changed, are done incrementally. Restoring a backup is by selecting individual files (with a file index to choose from), and where different versions exist, you can choose which version to restore.
Both you and your partner can set the maximum capacity of the remote backup storage. The remote backup is done via Skype, so that both you and your partner must have Skype installed and running to enable remote backup. Cucku uses Skype's peer-to-peer technology to do the file transfer (the developers of Skype were also the developers of the peer-to-peer file sharing application Kazaa). Cucku at the moment works only on the Skype network, but Cucku may in future extend the service to other networks. The service is entirely free and although Cucku will introduce a Pro paid version later in the year, it promises to keep the free version always available.
Install the software on your and your partner's computers (with support for Windows XP and Vista, 32-bit and 64-bit version), set up your respective accounts with Cucku to create your usernames and passwords, and the software will automatically select important data files to back up for you (although naturally you can configure what to back up). The software will back up your files in the background, while the computer is idle or has extra capacity, both locally on your own computer, and remotely on your partner's computer.
Your remote backup is encrypted with 256-bit AES both during transmission on the internet and at the endpoint where it resides on your partner's computer, so that no one, including Cucku itself and your backup partner, can read any of the data, not even file names. The backup can only be decrypted with your Cucku username and password.
Any files can be backed up (including open files), but operating system and application files are by default excluded. You can choose where your local backup should be stored (which includes external and network drives), and data on external and network drives can also be backed up. The only limitation is that the files cannot be larger than 4GB. Once an initial file has been backed up, subsequent backups, if a file has been changed, are done incrementally. Restoring a backup is by selecting individual files (with a file index to choose from), and where different versions exist, you can choose which version to restore.
Both you and your partner can set the maximum capacity of the remote backup storage. The remote backup is done via Skype, so that both you and your partner must have Skype installed and running to enable remote backup. Cucku uses Skype's peer-to-peer technology to do the file transfer (the developers of Skype were also the developers of the peer-to-peer file sharing application Kazaa). Cucku at the moment works only on the Skype network, but Cucku may in future extend the service to other networks. The service is entirely free and although Cucku will introduce a Pro paid version later in the year, it promises to keep the free version always available.
Little Golden-Hood
The children's audible book that Leo recorded is now available for download for free at Audible, as long as you have an account. You can sign up at audible.com/gizwiz. Leo says listeners will be sorely disappointed with the download. Traffic Mike from the Chatroom says not al all - he doesn't expect much from Leo.
A Question for Leo
Ben Cravey and Dick have a question for Leo. Are chargers for mini-USB connectors interchangeable? The answer is no, according to Leo. Even though mini-USB ought to be a universal standard, the manufacturers have through their shenanigans made changes to the connections so that the devices can only be charged via proprietary chargers.
Listen to Episode 668
Go to TWiT
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Plantronics GameCom Pro 1
USB Headset
Link: Plantronics
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
Abby is gone to France for 9 months on the programme School Year Abroad, and Leo plans to keep in touch with her on Skype. Before she left, Leo gave her a new USB headset from Plantronics - the GameCom Pro 1. Noise cancellation microphone, maximum bass. Good for gaming, music, and of course Skype and other VOIP applications. This is also the headset Leo sent Steve Wozniak for the iPhone coverage.
Hope Springs Eternal
So Abby is all hooked up with her MacBook, Plantronics USB Headset, and even a Flip Mino camcorder. Now all it takes to complete Leo's plan is for Abby to call home ... Yeah, right. Not to worry, Leo need only wait until Christmas to speak to Abby, when he will be visiting France, or as Dick says, Gay Paris (which sounds on the podcast dangerously close to Gay Party).
Do not confuse it with the GameCom 1 - which is not USB, and connects to the computer via 3.5mm jacks via the sound card.
Completely Mad
Matt Pokky from Akron, Ohio, was at his mum's house, and spotted a book called Completely Mad, by Maria Reidelbach, published in 1991. It's more on the general history on Mad, while Dick's Good Days And Mad has a lot on Bill Gaines, and of course Dick's experiences with Mad.
Digital TV
Matt also suggests people going to dtv.gov to get their coupons (22.5 million available) for digital converter boxes.
Hope Springs Eternal
So Abby is all hooked up with her MacBook, Plantronics USB Headset, and even a Flip Mino camcorder. Now all it takes to complete Leo's plan is for Abby to call home ... Yeah, right. Not to worry, Leo need only wait until Christmas to speak to Abby, when he will be visiting France, or as Dick says, Gay Paris (which sounds on the podcast dangerously close to Gay Party).
Do not confuse it with the GameCom 1 - which is not USB, and connects to the computer via 3.5mm jacks via the sound card.
Matt Pokky from Akron, Ohio, was at his mum's house, and spotted a book called Completely Mad, by Maria Reidelbach, published in 1991. It's more on the general history on Mad, while Dick's Good Days And Mad has a lot on Bill Gaines, and of course Dick's experiences with Mad.
Digital TV
Matt also suggests people going to dtv.gov to get their coupons (22.5 million available) for digital converter boxes.
A New Car For Jennifer?
Jennifer's birthday is coming up, and to cheer her up, Leo is thinking buying her a new car, a Prius. Like the Canon EOS-5D that Leo gave Jennifer, guess who will end up using it?
Listen to Episode 652
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Chatterbug
VoIP Device
Link: Chatterbug New York Times Article
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
A fairly recent gadget from the Gadget Warehouse, the Chatterbug hails from 2006. It was a VoIP device which you connect between your home telephone and the land line, and when you dialed a long distance number, it would route the call via Chatterbug's computer network. You didn't need a computer to do it, but paid $9.95 a month for US and Canada calls.
Another Birthday
Steve Weiner has been listening to DGW since Episode 1. He watched GizWizLive on 20 June 2008, and noted that Dick and Leo should have realised that the day had a further significance. It was the 66th birthday of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.
Roz Rows
Dick thinks Roz Savage is very brave to row across the Pacific, when sailing from Miami to the Bahamas was dangerous enough for him.
Listen to Episode 615
Go to TWiT
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Another Birthday
Steve Weiner has been listening to DGW since Episode 1. He watched GizWizLive on 20 June 2008, and noted that Dick and Leo should have realised that the day had a further significance. It was the 66th birthday of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.
Roz Rows
Dick thinks Roz Savage is very brave to row across the Pacific, when sailing from Miami to the Bahamas was dangerous enough for him.
Listen to Episode 615
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