14 posts tagged “travel”
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
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Eagle Creek Multi-Function Travel Clock
Travel Accessory
Link: Eagle Creek
Made by Eagle Creek and available at Magellan's, the Multi-Function Travel Clock tells the times of 16 cities around the world, is an alarm clock (with snooze function), calculator, currency converter, and even tells the temperature.
Brand New Monday Jingle
It's a brand new week and a brand new day and a brand new Monday Jingle, from Dan Lueders again, which has incorporated Leo's Monday ditty, their occasional slogan "The worse your life is, the better we sound" and even the Gravy Slogan.
Rock My Teeth
Patrick Warn from Georgia, Vermont writes about Rock My Teeth - a musical tooth-whitening system. Attach the whitening kit to your iPod and the music, Professor Bocelli claims, helps line up the peroxide molecules to make it easier for them to penetrate through the enamel into the dentin to whiten the teeth. Watch the video here. Dick thinks the HydraBrush (Episodes 226, 480) - though Dick thinks it's called Turbo Brush - makes a lot more sense.
Cotati Accordion Festival
Dick is joing Leo at TWiTLive on Friday 20 June 2008, and Dick has had difficulty getting a room at the local hotels, because that weekend is the Cotati Accordion Festival. Dick manages to book himself a 2-night package at the Metro Cafe and Hotel, one of Leo's favourites. Kim from Wild Planet is going to demonstrate their Christmas toys and she'll come dressed as an elf.
Listen to Episode 566
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Brand New Monday Jingle
It's a brand new week and a brand new day and a brand new Monday Jingle, from Dan Lueders again, which has incorporated Leo's Monday ditty, their occasional slogan "The worse your life is, the better we sound" and even the Gravy Slogan.
Rock My Teeth
Patrick Warn from Georgia, Vermont writes about Rock My Teeth - a musical tooth-whitening system. Attach the whitening kit to your iPod and the music, Professor Bocelli claims, helps line up the peroxide molecules to make it easier for them to penetrate through the enamel into the dentin to whiten the teeth. Watch the video here. Dick thinks the HydraBrush (Episodes 226, 480) - though Dick thinks it's called Turbo Brush - makes a lot more sense.
Cotati Accordion Festival
Dick is joing Leo at TWiTLive on Friday 20 June 2008, and Dick has had difficulty getting a room at the local hotels, because that weekend is the Cotati Accordion Festival. Dick manages to book himself a 2-night package at the Metro Cafe and Hotel, one of Leo's favourites. Kim from Wild Planet is going to demonstrate their Christmas toys and she'll come dressed as an elf.
Listen to Episode 566
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
TT Pack
Restroom Kit
Link: TT Packs
The gadget with the lowest tech and lowest price, according to Dick. The TT Pack is a restroom kit which contains a toilet seat wipe, toilet seat cover, hand wipe, tissue, paper towel and disposable gloves. Brought to you by Eye 2 Eye Ideas.
Are We Related?
Trevor from Sebastopol, Australia was glad to hear that both Dick and Leo are watch junkies. So is he. He's got loads of watches, most of which have flat batteries.
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair has done a special on Mad. See the article, with early Mad covers, online.
Spork Commercial
At Dick's request, Leo plays the Spork TV commercial.
Listen to Episode 558
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Are We Related?
Trevor from Sebastopol, Australia was glad to hear that both Dick and Leo are watch junkies. So is he. He's got loads of watches, most of which have flat batteries.
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair has done a special on Mad. See the article, with early Mad covers, online.
Spork Commercial
At Dick's request, Leo plays the Spork TV commercial.
Listen to Episode 558
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
MyTags
Luggage Tags
Link: Tags For Bags
Now that Dick has got himself a Tom Bihn bag, the Western Flyer, for ABC's Travel section, he turns his attention to luggage tags. MyTags from TagForBags are 7" heavy-duty woven polyester tags, with a choice of your own words embroidered on them. Inside each tag are 2 clear pockets, one for your name and address, the other for your itinerary. Leo advises Dick not to embroider his tags with "The Giz Wiz", as it would be an open invitation to thieves. Dick agrees, and thinks "Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday" is the safest bet.
'Tude Tags, tags with an attitide, cost the same, and are the same tags, only with standard embroidered phrases, including DON'T EVEN, BACK OFF, NOT YOURS, WRONG ONE, HANZZOFF, DREAM ON and BADABING.
Dick DeBarkolo
Long-time listener Opher Banarie from Laguna Niguel suggests another name for Dick's dog Fairway: Dick DeBarkolo.
All About Australia
Claudio Quaresma from Brazil notes that Leo has been touting his photo safari trip to Tasmania. He has heard about the Australian Government's Internet Filter Experiment, and wonders if the two events are related. Your fans demand to know, says Claudio. Leo explains that it was the Australian Government's attempt to offer free content filter for all of Australia, but within 30 minutes, the filter was hacked by a 16-year-old. Probably Ludwik, who to Dick, has finally graduated to all of 16 years, since he was 15 last year. The filter was an unmitigated waste of 85 million Roos.
Save the Tasmanian Devil
The Tasmanian devil, an animal unique to Tasmania, is a scavenger which causes no harm to humans and other animals. They have been plagued by a contagious cancer and if nothing is done for them, they may die out soon. Leo and the photographers on the Lightroom Adventure 2 trip raised $7,000 for the Save the Tasmanian Devil movement by selling some of their photographic prints.
The Wombat
Leo was much taken by the wombat, an Australian marsupial. For a shot of Leo falling for a wombat (and one of the slang phrases he picked up in Tassie), go to his blog at Leoville. For photos taken by Leo on his recent trip, go to his Smugmug page, or his Flickr page.
Listen to Episode 554
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
'Tude Tags, tags with an attitide, cost the same, and are the same tags, only with standard embroidered phrases, including DON'T EVEN, BACK OFF, NOT YOURS, WRONG ONE, HANZZOFF, DREAM ON and BADABING.
Dick DeBarkolo
Long-time listener Opher Banarie from Laguna Niguel suggests another name for Dick's dog Fairway: Dick DeBarkolo.
All About Australia
Claudio Quaresma from Brazil notes that Leo has been touting his photo safari trip to Tasmania. He has heard about the Australian Government's Internet Filter Experiment, and wonders if the two events are related. Your fans demand to know, says Claudio. Leo explains that it was the Australian Government's attempt to offer free content filter for all of Australia, but within 30 minutes, the filter was hacked by a 16-year-old. Probably Ludwik, who to Dick, has finally graduated to all of 16 years, since he was 15 last year. The filter was an unmitigated waste of 85 million Roos.
Save the Tasmanian Devil
The Tasmanian devil, an animal unique to Tasmania, is a scavenger which causes no harm to humans and other animals. They have been plagued by a contagious cancer and if nothing is done for them, they may die out soon. Leo and the photographers on the Lightroom Adventure 2 trip raised $7,000 for the Save the Tasmanian Devil movement by selling some of their photographic prints.
The Wombat
Leo was much taken by the wombat, an Australian marsupial. For a shot of Leo falling for a wombat (and one of the slang phrases he picked up in Tassie), go to his blog at Leoville. For photos taken by Leo on his recent trip, go to his Smugmug page, or his Flickr page.
Listen to Episode 554
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Seiko Global Atomic Travel Alarm Clock
Global Alarm Clock/Travel Accessory
Link: Magellan's
Dick hasn't done a Magellan's gadget for a while, and this time, the travel accessories specialist is offering the Seiko Global Atomic Travel Alarm Clock. It distinguishes itself from previous atomic clocks (which are usually tied to a local transmitter) by synchronising itself with radio signals from time transmitters in various continents where they are available, and automatically adjusts the time to the correct time zone, which makes setting your alarm much less cumbersome while travelling. Where atomic time transmitters are not available, it works just like any other quartz clock.
You can also choose to de-activate the reception of radio signals, or set the time zone manually.
At the base are a set of blue LED lights, which light up automatically when you pick up the clock, acting as an LED flashlight. A control switch allows you to keep the flashlight at always on, always off, or auto. The clock also displays the date, day of the week, and even temperature. 5-minute snooze function. Operates on 4 AAA batteries.
Back from Australia
This is the first episode of DGW recorded after Leo's return from Tasmania, where he took 3,600 photos (but still well behind photographer Peter Krogh who took 12,000), picked up some fair dinkum Ozzie slang, and spent a few roos (better known as the Australian Dollar). He along with some photographers on the trip found the Lowepro Slingshots (Episode 547) very handy.
Surprise Visit
Optometrist Dr. Mark Sukoenig, one of a handful of DGW listeners, was in town for an ophthalmologists' conference and paid a surprise visit to Dick's office. He tried again to correct Dick and Leo's pronunication of his name, after his previous attempt in Episode 354. Dick thinks it sounds something like Mark Forrester. For Dr. Mark's previous contributions, see Episodes 280, 342, 354.
The Internet Weather Toaster
Kevin Selle from Dallas, Texas tells Leo that his idea in Episode 546 for the ultimate toaster was great, only 7 years late. Back in 2001, Robin Southgate, a student from Brunel University, invented the Internet Toaster which dialed up every morning for the weather forecast and printed out the weather icon on the toast. It made its appearance at the JavaOne Conference in San Francisco. Read the article on The Register.
Listen to Episode 551
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
At the base are a set of blue LED lights, which light up automatically when you pick up the clock, acting as an LED flashlight. A control switch allows you to keep the flashlight at always on, always off, or auto. The clock also displays the date, day of the week, and even temperature. 5-minute snooze function. Operates on 4 AAA batteries.
Back from Australia
This is the first episode of DGW recorded after Leo's return from Tasmania, where he took 3,600 photos (but still well behind photographer Peter Krogh who took 12,000), picked up some fair dinkum Ozzie slang, and spent a few roos (better known as the Australian Dollar). He along with some photographers on the trip found the Lowepro Slingshots (Episode 547) very handy.
Surprise Visit
Optometrist Dr. Mark Sukoenig, one of a handful of DGW listeners, was in town for an ophthalmologists' conference and paid a surprise visit to Dick's office. He tried again to correct Dick and Leo's pronunication of his name, after his previous attempt in Episode 354. Dick thinks it sounds something like Mark Forrester. For Dr. Mark's previous contributions, see Episodes 280, 342, 354.
The Internet Weather Toaster
Kevin Selle from Dallas, Texas tells Leo that his idea in Episode 546 for the ultimate toaster was great, only 7 years late. Back in 2001, Robin Southgate, a student from Brunel University, invented the Internet Toaster which dialed up every morning for the weather forecast and printed out the weather icon on the toast. It made its appearance at the JavaOne Conference in San Francisco. Read the article on The Register.
Listen to Episode 551
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Lowepro Slingshot 200AW
Camera Backpack
Link: Lowepro
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
In the first episode of TTTT after Leo's Tasmanian trip, Leo talks about a gadget he took to Tasmania and used a lot (or will take and use). It's the Lowepro Slingshot 200AW. Lowepro specialises in camera bags and other photography-related accessories.
The Slingshot series gives you backpacks with a single shoulder strap, called the sling strap, ergonomically designed to evenly distribute the load over your body. It has a nice camera compartment large enough to fit your DSLR and its mounted lens, with a built-in micro-fibre cloth to protect the camera's LCD screen; storage spaces for additonal lenses and flashes; a memory card pouch; an all-weather cover which you can slip out from within the bag to protect the bag from rain, dust and other inclement conditions, and other compartments and attachment loops for further storage.
It's called the Slingshot because you can swing, or sling, the bag from your back to the front easily, giving you convenient access to the contents of the bag without having to unload the bag from your shoulder. The largest model is the Slingshot 300AW, with an extra padded waist belt to distribute the weight on to your hips. The 200AW and 100AW are smaller sizes, which have a "stability strap" for added stability.
You can watch a demo by Lowepro at this link, or better yet, watch Leo's own demonstration from the Freycinet Peninsula in Tasmania, before he set off for the Freycinet Forest.
You can watch a demo by Lowepro at this link, or better yet, watch Leo's own demonstration from the Freycinet Peninsula in Tasmania, before he set off for the Freycinet Forest.
A New Cop Show
Chicago-based Dan Lueders, who made a gravy jingle submission and the theme-free Wednesday Theme, has done a TV commerical for the TV Event of the Year, a new cop show called "The Spork". For more details on Dan, see the blog entry for Episode 528.
Listen to Episode 547
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Chicago-based Dan Lueders, who made a gravy jingle submission and the theme-free Wednesday Theme, has done a TV commerical for the TV Event of the Year, a new cop show called "The Spork". For more details on Dan, see the blog entry for Episode 528.
Listen to Episode 547
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Neuros OSD Media Centre
Video Recorder/Converter
Link: Neuros
It makes use of the analogue hole to transfer the input video into digital form, on to your choice of external storage (such as a USB hdd, flash drive, memory cards or NAS). Hook up the Neuros OSD between your video source and the TV (using RCA jacks), connect your storage to the Neuros OSD, and start recording into MPEG4. You have a choice of 2 resolutions: 320x240 at 30fps for playback on portable devices, and 640x480 at 30fps for playback on TV and PC.
It is also a very capable playback device for audio, video and still photo, supporting many media formats, including mpeg4, mov, wmv, flv, avi (including Dvix and Xvid), mp3, ogg vorbis, wma, flac, jpg, bmp and gif. You can choose your playback source from an USB-connected storage, or any memory card in the built-in card reader (supporting most major memory cards), or from any networked source via the ethernet port (such as your NAS or even the internet).
Its firmware is upgradable, and the software includes built-in automatic software update capability. Because the device is based on open source software, Neuros also encourages open development of additional features for the OSD. Comes with a remote control, an IR Blaster, and RCA cables (European models include SCART adapters).
Automatic Podcast Generator
Dick and Leo lament the missed opportunity of getting a push-button automatic podcast generator, while Leo was away in Tasmania, from Ludwik Trammer, DGW's official statistician, database compiler, RSS feeder, general factotum and all-round nice guy.
Missing Feature
Girl Geek Myra Joyce (who wrote in in Episode 495) referred to the letter read in Episode 526 about the Canon Pixma iP4300. To her disappointment, the CD-label printing capability is enabled only in models shipped outside of the US (which could be enabled for US models but only with some dismantling and reassembly of the printer).
The Ultimate Toaster
Leo has come up with an idea for the ultimate toaster. It can print any image you want on your toast. A toast before it's even made and one destined for the Gadget Warehouse.
Listen to Episode 546
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Cradlepoint PHS300 Personal Hotspot
Networking/Travel Router for Mobile Broadband
Link: Cradlepoint
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
A tip from Ron Rosberg who appears on The Tech Guy, Leo's radio show. The PHS300 works like your router at home, except that instead of connecting your DSL or cable modem to the WLAN port, you connect a USB 3G modem or your 3G-enabled cellphone to the USB Host Port. Other devices can then use the 3G mobile broadband (HSDPA or EVDO from A T & T, Sprint and Verizon) via the PHS300 using wifi (wirelss b/g compatible). Cradlepoint calls it their WiPipe technology. Otherwise it works just like any other router, with WEP and WPA support, and device management via web browser. 4.7" x 2.8" x 0.8" in dimensions, 4 ounces in weight, with a Li-ion battery which can also charge your 3G-phone or power the USB modem. An ultraportable mobile personal hotspot.
For a list of compatible devices, check here. The firmware can be upgraded.
Other models with different feature sets are also available. The CTR350 is a similar to the PHS300, except that it has no built-in Li-ion battery, but has an extra ethernet port for standard internet connection. Like the CTR350, the MBR1000 has an ethernet port for internet connection via a DSL or cable modem, an Express Card Slot for express card 3G-modems, and supports wirelss-N in addition to wirelss b/g, with 3 external antennae to broaden the range of reception. The only thing it doesn't have is a built-in battery.
And Fun For All ...
... and things that make life easier, or not. Shane Shellenbarger (of Wandering Attention) writes in about a fun site: andfunforall.blogspot.com. From the Smart Cup (with built-in cookies holder), the Penguin Tea Timer, to the Banana Guard and the Lock-Cup, you get the wackiest of gadgets on this page of andfunforall.
Alternatively, you can find the same gadgets on Cool Inventions at fwdemails.com, or Things That Make Life Easier Or Not by LiYu, or Cool Inventions/Things That Make Life Easier by AlvinPoh, or XPigs Part 1 and Part 2, with no attribution to the source. Fun for all indeed.
The Banana Guard is available here. The Penguin Timer has been covered before, in Episode 501 (and suggested by George from Ajax, Ontario, Canada). The Lock-Cup is still awaiting a manufacturer.
Listen to Episode 542
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
For a list of compatible devices, check here. The firmware can be upgraded.
Other models with different feature sets are also available. The CTR350 is a similar to the PHS300, except that it has no built-in Li-ion battery, but has an extra ethernet port for standard internet connection. Like the CTR350, the MBR1000 has an ethernet port for internet connection via a DSL or cable modem, an Express Card Slot for express card 3G-modems, and supports wirelss-N in addition to wirelss b/g, with 3 external antennae to broaden the range of reception. The only thing it doesn't have is a built-in battery.
And Fun For All ...
... and things that make life easier, or not. Shane Shellenbarger (of Wandering Attention) writes in about a fun site: andfunforall.blogspot.com. From the Smart Cup (with built-in cookies holder), the Penguin Tea Timer, to the Banana Guard and the Lock-Cup, you get the wackiest of gadgets on this page of andfunforall.
Listen to Episode 542
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Belkin Mini Surge Protector
Portable Power Strip with USB Charger
Link: Belkin
A mini power strip with surge protection from Belkin. The Mini Surge Protector gives you 3 AC outlets and USB charging ports. 360-degrees rotating plug with 4 lock-in positions. Ideal for travelling. Includes a mini-USB cable for charging mobile devices.
Leap Year Contest
There are 18 winners for the contest (3 Maxtor drives, 10 copies of YouCam, 5 copes of CrazyTalk5). Check out if you're one of them.
Leap Day Warehouse Friday
Jim Driscoll has found out that the next leap day that falls on a Friday will be in the year 2036, and we will be having DGW Episode 7795.
Listen to Episode 534
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Leap Year Contest
There are 18 winners for the contest (3 Maxtor drives, 10 copies of YouCam, 5 copes of CrazyTalk5). Check out if you're one of them.
Leap Day Warehouse Friday
Jim Driscoll has found out that the next leap day that falls on a Friday will be in the year 2036, and we will be having DGW Episode 7795.
Listen to Episode 534
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
FlashMic DRM85-C
Digital Recording Microphone
Link: HHB
At the base of the mic there is a USB port for connection to the computer to interact with the software and for the transfer of recordings. There is also a headphones jack for sound output which you can also use for recording directly on to your computer. Optional accessories include a table stand and a wind shield.
Leo has the DRM85-C, which is unidirectional (a cardioid type), to block off ambient sounds, but there is also an omnidirectional model, the DRM85.
Chief Blogging Officer
Leo will be the Chief Blogging Officer on his upcoming photography trip to Tasmania.
Tom Bihn Bags
Leo's coverage of Tom Bihn bags (Episode 522) last week has generated so much response that Tom Bihn's website has now included the Daily Giz Wiz as one of the sources from which customers learned about Tom Bihn. They're going to send a few samples to Dick for his upcoming segment on travel gadgets on ABC.
5 Days of Insanity
Ludwik Trammer from Poland, of GizWizSearch, writes in to tell Dick and Leo that they have passed the 5 days mark in terms of total recording length, although the good stuff can be condensed into a quick 61 seconds (excluding the jingles). He also warns that the simulator model on his computer confirms that if you listen to the 5 full days of DGW in one go, you will become totally insane in the process. Some might say anyone listening to DGW is already certifiably insane.
Dick and Leo keep thinking that Ludwik is 15 years old, which Ludwik tries to correct (there is another listener called Collins who was 15 when he made the DGW Looker-Upper-Listener). For Ludwik's age, see the blog entry here for Episode 407. For more on Ludwik, click here.
Ludwik's says on his site that it is not in any way affiliated with, endorsed or licensed by Dick DeBartolo, Leo Laporte or the TWIT Netcast Network. Dick and Leo say, it is!
