The problem with using an iPad so much is that everything becomes a touch screen. Boy oh boy am I having trouble with this lately. I keep swiping my finger across the television and poking at my MacBook screen. When nothing happens, I am momentarily confused. Then, of course, sadness sets in as I realize those particular devices don’t react to my touch the way my beloved iPad and iPhone do. Le sigh…

I believe my devices are beginning to spoil me a little too much, and I’m willing to bet you suffer from this as well. We have come to expect certain things from our gadgets. When we use one which doesn’t adhere to our new standards, we become frustrated. Often, we even decide in a geek rage that whatever it is we’re trying to use should now be considered obsolete. We then rush out to buy whatever the hottest new product offering is, even if we truly don’t need it. Is any of this sounding familiar to you?

The fact of the matter is that those slightly-older gizmos aren’t obsolete. They don’t even work THAT much differently (most of the time) than the newest “replacements” you’ll find on store shelves. Sadly, we have become so snobbish thanks to the few truly revolutionary devices that we expect nothing less of each and every piece of technology we buy. This isn’t to say that’s a completely BAD thing… we want companies to build on existing “hot” items to make things which are even better. But for us to simply expect and demand true genius to come out of each and every new item – well, that’s a bit spoiled in my mind.

Look. Your devices are fine just as they are. Your television doesn’t need touch capabilities. Your radio doesn’t have to have antennas which will tune in Tokyo. Not everything in our world has to be new and different.

If it ain’t broke…

Do Our Devices Spoil Us?

Gordon asked on Geeks recently: “What do you consider to be this most ignored item of technology?” He talks about how we often take for granted the items we have around us… our gaming consoles, our computers and even our navigation systems. He’s right, you know. Most of us use these items without really thinking about them or appreciating them.

We want the newest technologies. We want things that are better, faster and newer than what we have. But do we stop and think about what we have? Do you appreciate the fact that science has evolved enough to even allow the design and implementation of that smartphone you cannot live without? Do you ever think about those people whose brains are so much more advanced than mine (and perhaps yours) that they can come up with things like this to make our lives easier and more fun?

What piece of technology do you think is the most ignored? What one item do you believe we all tend to overlook – despite the fact that we likely use it every day?

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Don’t overlook the hot new software and app deals we have for you on our download site.

Do You Appreciate Your Technology?

Is your reliance on technology hurting your children? A new study shows that perhaps parents are too plugged in. The story cites a young mother who was ignoring her toddler in a busy shopping mall while she had her head buried in her cell phone’s screen. It goes on to discuss the negative impact that constant device usage can have on a child’s psyche and upbringing.

The study talks about the negative effects that a parent’s desire to always stay connected can have on children, yes. But it doesn’t touch on the dangers that could happen. It only takes a split second for someone to grab a child in a public place. Toddlers and babies are kidnapped in an instant while their parent or guardian looks away at an item on a store shelf. It isn’t inconceivable that the same thing could happen while mom is busy checking her Twitter stream or dad is reading the latest email from work. Children can be hit by a car, drown in a pool or run off without supervision in the blink of an eye. If a parent is engrossed in their phone for a few moments, bad things could potentially happen.

I’m not saying that you can never use your devices around your children. I’m saying that you need to stop tuning everything else out while you check up on things. I’m just as guilty as the next person of this infraction. I am quite good at tuning out the world around me whenever I feel I need to. Parents build up this ability as their children get older. It’s almost a survival instinct. You have to be able to filter out noise and distractions to get things done, right? But what if something tragic happens while you’re tuned out?

Photo credit to The Chef Alliance.

Is Your Cell Phone Hurting Your Children?

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Eye-Fi. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’ve written about Eye-Fi a few times before – dating back to when the brand first launched. Eye-Fi cards are like regular ol’ SD cards with a ton of bonus features mixed in. Essentially, once configured, the media you record on an Eye-Fi SD card will be wirelessly transported to your computer(s) and favorite social media destinations whenever you bring that camera home, set it on your desk, and turn it on. No cables required.

Now, let’s just think about that for a second. Despite having a wide array of gadgets that can keep us creating content ’til the cows come home, the transfer process is often cumbersome – or forgotten altogether. I remember when a “fast” turnaround for photos was about an hour. It might take us a few minutes to do that with a USB cable, but… where did I put that cable, again? Ah, there’s always the trusty media reader… unless you get distracted with other tasks?

It should come to no surprise that the company is still developing new options to keep everyone happy. You might upgrade your camera every so often, but what about your removable media? If you’re having to buy an SD card, why not get something that will automatically do the work of uploading photos and videos for you?

Okay, it’s a trivial task for someone like me (or possibly you, if you’re a geek) – but what about other members of your family? How often have your elder relatives snapped images and never transferred them anywhere because it was “too hard” to do? Yeah, point ‘em in the direction of an Eye-Fi ASAP.

Mac OS X and Windows compatible software helps ensure that you’re not stuck on one platform or another, too; hardware should enhance your lifestyle, not restrict it. Your focus should be on creating and sharing fresh content – not on the actual publishing routine!

You want one? Cool. I’m hosting an Eye-Fi Giveaway (and be sure to read the official contest rules). To participate, simply leave a comment about Eye-Fi on this particular blog post. I’d appreciate it if you’d tell me what kind of digital camera you typically use, too. Your email address won’t be made public, but we’ll need you to use it if you’d like us to contact you should you be randomly picked. ;)

Or, post about Eye-Fi with your own Twitter account. The tweet must contain the hashtag #eye-fi (as well as a live link back to http://go.tagjag.com/myeyefi).

I bet I know what you’re thinking right now: “But Chris, I’d understand Eye-Fi better if a cute girl explained it to me in a YouTube video.” As you wish:

The Ultimate Digital Camera Accessory for Anyone

My iPad loves collecting fingerprints on its own. This collection was amassed five minutes after wiping ‘er down with a cloth. I need fewer apps and more matte screen protectors.

iPad Fingerprints

Do we really even care which is a bigger seller? I noticed a discussion about this online earlier, and couldn’t help but shake my head. Seriously, people. They are two completely different products. Why does it matter which type sells more? The point is that there is a market out there for the iPhone, just as there is one for the iPad. Some people seem to be so obsessed with “numbers” and what’s “hot” on the market that they fail to look beyond that to the actual products themselves.

Too often, people rush to get in line to buy something new that all the World seems to want, only to never use the device because it doesn’t work for them. I honestly hate seeing that. As a gadget lover, I cannot stomach it when I see someone buying all of these cool toys, never to touch them again. They simply do it to keep one step ahead of everyone else. Gadgets are meant to be USED, folks!

Which is more important to you? Are you a fan of buying the hottest ticket in town, or do you research carefully before you buy something to make sure it will fit your needs?

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Don’t forget to check out what’s new today in our software center.

Could the iPad Outsell the iPhone?

Sure, the hardware listed here won’t match the iPad’s specs feature-for-feature, but I believe you’ll get the idea. Think of the following items more as services rather than just physical objects:

1. Internet-Enabled Digital Picture Frame: $100
2. Cordless Skype Phone: $80
3. Basic GPS Hardware: $60
4. The Kindle: $250
5. FLO TV: $250
6. Portable DVD Player with a screen suitable for sharing between two people: $50
7. PSP Go: $210
8. Digital Audio Recorder: $40
9. Multi-Year Pocket Calendar & Address Book: Free

Total? $830. 64GB Wi-Fi/3G iPad? $829.

Being able to experience these functions on a single device and control them with either motion and/or a swipe of your fingers? Priceless.

For 90% of use cases, the first generation iPad (and its array of apps) may supplant a series of consumer electronic devices. Heck, I’ve been waiting for an amazing digital picture frame to come along for years – and may have finally found that in Apple’s new gadget. If you already have a Slingbox (and its app), the iPad’s screen should be a dream with it.

And these are just ten features that the iPad’s platform enables. I can’t imagine what the iPad will be like for parents, being able to replace a series of books and discs and other bits of consumable media in exchange for something that’ll keep even a grown kid happy ad infinitum (er, to infinity and beyond)!

Notice, please, that I did NOT mention “laptop” (or “netbook”) as a potential device to be replaced. This does not imply that iPad software is inferior to software that might run on Windows, OS X, or Linux. It’s just suggesting that… well, you have to stop comparing the iPad to notebook computers, yo.

Perfect? No. You don’t want one? Cool. Don’t buy one, then.

For the rest of us, there’s iPad.

Know of other devices / services the iPad will replace? Leave a comment and I’ll update the post with additional math:

• Chumby: $99
• Internet Radio Device: $75
• iPod Touch: $199

10 Consumer Electronic Devices the iPad Replaces

According to a newly-released study, that mobile device in your hand is likely stressing you out, and making you LESS productive! Most of us who are power users tend to think that our iPhones and Blackberry’s help us be more efficient, and get more done. Sadly, that isn’t always the case for some people.

Look at it this way: if you are one of those power people who have to constantly check your phone, how much time are you taking away from your actual work? Instead of a simple task taking twenty minutes to finish, it can take more than an hour. The gadget on your desk is pulling you – you’re constantly checking it to make sure you aren’t missing anything. Instead of actually focusing on your work and helping you get things done, the phone is instead causing your tasks to take even longer. This can stress you out, because you know you aren’t finishing things on time.

For those of you who may recognize yourself in this, you should take a step back. Turn your device off when you start that next spreadsheet or Google doc. Don’t turn it on (or even look at it!) again until you complete your task. Try setting aside specific times during the day to check for new messages, tweets and updates. Once that allotted time is up, turn the gadget back off again.

Don’t let your need to stay in the loop get in the way of getting your job done. I really don’t want to read one day that someone has gotten themselves fired for spending too much time staying connected… and not enough time actually being productive. Sadly, I have a feeling this is already happening around the world. Our jobs demand that we are always accessible… yet they get angry if they feel we spend too much time reading the latest news or emails from coworkers. How are we supposed to find balance?

Is Your Mobile Device Making You Less Productive?

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Lamarr is a good friend, and community member around Geeks and our live chat. He has done a few videos for me in the past, and I couldn’t pass this one up. Lamarr is giving us a first-hand look of the new Twitter Peek. What an amazing device this is. You can view tweets with it! You can send tweets with it! You can uhm… use Twitter with it!

For only $7.95 per month for the service, you can use Twitter anywhere. Never mind that you have a cell phone that can help you tweet. Forget about that laptop or netbook! You can buy the Twitter Peek for $99.99, and then pay for the service to be able to tweet!

Oh, wait… you can pay $199.99 for the device and get the service included for the life of the gadget. How cool is that?

Give me a break. Why the hell would I buy a device that only does one thing in this day and age? I have an iPhone that will get me to Twitter. It also does a bajillion other things. What’s the point of a device that only allows me to do ONE thing? How is that a deal or bargain of any kind? Who the heck would buy or use this thing?

Epic fail, in my opinion… and in Lamarr’s. Thanks, Lamarr, for warning us about this device. Keep bringing us your fantastic viewpoints every week! I enjoy learning new ways of looking at things from you.

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What is the Twitter Peek?

If you’ve always wanted to take macro shots with your iPhone 3G, you want the Griffin Clarifi. Here’s the original upload for best comparison purposes.

Griffin Clarifi Macro Lens for iPhone Camera

BugLabs was a presenter at Gnomedex last week. They have decided to run a contest that is open to all of the attendees of the conference.

The 4 best gadget ideas win their own BUGbundle (value $629). The BUG is a modular consumer electronic platform (ie. the lego of gadgets). It falls within the open source hardware category. It currently ships with 4 modules (GPS, LCD, Camera, Motion Detector), but you can submit ideas that require modules that aren’t available today (laser range finder, weather module, thermal sensor, A/V modules, teleporter, etc).

To enter, people had to submit their new gadget ideas, including gadget name and description. The entry deadline was tonight, and the people at BugLabs and Gnomedex will be reviewing the entries to choose a winner! Let’s take a look at some of the entries:

• Wifi-enabled Bathroom Scale submitted by Dave Nielsen – This is a bug that lets me step on a scale, and automatically saves my weight to a Website. I’d use this every day. I never have time to track my weight. If I could track my weight easily, I’d be more likely to pay attention to what I eat.
• Wifi Enabled Weather Bug submitted by John – This would be a bug that alerts you of severe weather conditions, to help save lives.
• LifeLogger submitted by Josh Bancroft – Using camera and GPS, this is a device that I can attach to my car, my bag, or anything I choose. It would log my GPS track, take pictures periodically, and either stores or uploads them to a place where I can selectively decide to share them. This would allow me to log my life – where I was at what time, and what I was seeing when I was there. I use Twitter for this, and show my “lifelog” on the side of my blog. Some people love to log what they’re doing, for posterity, for their friends, or for whatever reason. Witness the popularity of Twitter, FriendFeed, geotagged photos on Flickr, lifestreaming apps, etc. This would automate/take it to another level.
• GPS enabled school bus submitted by Jane Roberts – GPS on a school bus alerts parents and students of impending arrival. It will keep kids off the streets, and out of the weather while waiting for the bus. It would document the routes for those districts who don’t already do it.
• Portable Vocal Joystick submitted by Aryeh Goretskey – My bug would be a standalone device with an LCD screen and microphone that can be trained to recognize a voice (c.f. Jon Malkin’s Vocal Joystick presentation at Gnomedex), plugged into a PC (Linux, Mac, Windows) and be recognized as a standard HID class mouse device. This will allow people who need to (or wish to) use such a device for an interface to work with multiple computers without having to install software and train it on different computers.
• Light Sensor submitted by John – My gadget would be one that would detect amounts of light. This could detect a fire, or tell between day and night. You could even make it detect if someone tries to use your computer. This could be used for so many things. It would also be very fun, just because of having so many things you could do with it. Anything that gives off light or reflects light could be used with this.
• Accident / Bad Driver Video Recorder submitted by Sean Canton – This is a constantly-recording device that saves 15-30 seconds of video when triggered by button or accelerometer. This could hopefully make the world a better place, especially the road.
• Kid/Baby Monitor submitted by Steve Lacey – This would use motion detectors and cameras to detect restless kids and alert via sms; send video to mac mini that is connected to my TV and embed it using picture in picture; send audio to phone, etc… Current products are all closed, and don’t do what I want them to do. Endless possibilities for parental hacks!
• WiFi Headset submitted by Scott Campbell – You can download software to your Wi-Fi enabled phone and use the Wi-Fi headset anywhere on the same Wi-Fi network. If you were in a Wi-Fi enabled city, you could leave your phone at home while being able to walk about the city. This would minimize the risk of phone theft.
• Location-aware information filter submitted by unknown – This would be a location and motion sensor for setting the context of RSS / SMS / etc. filters. Social media, RSS, SMS are generating a torrent of information – we’re all familiar with information overload. And of course, context is everything. When I’m walking around in my office, I want to know what’s happening, and I can consume it. When I’m in my car, don’t bother me with the irrelevant! Knowing where you are allows you to tune what kinds and how much information will be sent to you.
• WiFi School Bus Monitor submitted by Alex Murdock – I’d make a GPS with a camera that when the bus gets to a bus stop, it takes pictures of the kids that get on at that stop and sends the pictures to the parents of the kids that get on at that stop. This would stop kids from skipping school or not taking the bus when they are supposed to go to school. I know most parents want to know where their kids are at all times. This would just notify them if their kids are on the bus.
• Running Man submitted by Daryn Nakhuda – Use accelerometer and GPS modules to track the path and steps/rate of a run or walk, which could then be uploaded via wi-fi and mashed with Google Maps. This would be like a cross between Nike and iPods on steroids.
• i-Doorbell submitted by Mike Koss – The i-Doorbell consists of a wall-mounted BugLabs base with the LCD, Camera, Motion Detector, Microphone and Speaker (TBD) modules. When a visitor arrives at the front door, the i-Doorbell welcomes them, and takes a photo. They are invited to announce themselves, and leave a brief audio message. If someone is home, the interior doorbell is activated. If not, an SMS message is sent to the owner, as well as an email with an embeded image of the visitor. For homes with an electric strike lock, the i-Doorbell can be used to scan a 2-D barcode (e.g. a QR Code) from the camera. When a valid
  code is presented, the door can be unlocked (codes can be activated to limited periods to allow visitors or vendors to have limited entry). One device can be used to replace conventional door camera, intercom, AND card reader. Yet allows much more flexible guest access and security to a home or business.
• Taser Mate submitted by Kurt Padilla – This will sense electric fields from deployed Taser or stun gun device. It will send time-stamped location data to authorities. It may also connect to a heart monitor. This will get help to people using Tasers for self-defense faster, or gets help to Taser victims faster. This data, as well as data from the heart monitor may be useful in court, not to mention that an imminent heart attack as a result of Tasering can be preempted.
• TimeLapsr submitted by Jess Martin – This is a device for creating time-lapse videos composed of still images from either the built-in camera or your own DSLR. You can set up the TimeLapsr anywhere, and generate a timelapse video on the fly. The device can be set to be activated by motion detector, so you only catch the good stuff. You can use the built-in 2MP camera, or utilize the USB interface to take pics directly from a high-end DSLR. Once the images are taken, the BUGbase’s MPEG4 encoder can create the video immediately. This gives you a one-touch solution for creating time-lapse videos, but is also highly customizable using a high-end camera if desired. And why not tag the video with GPS info for fun? It can playback recorded timelapses using MPEG4 decoder. This would have more uses than you can list – home/shop security camera, artsy timelapse video creator, observe consumer behavior in public settings, timelapse a sunset/sunrise, in-vehicle road trip timelapses, etc.
• Universal Off Switch submitted by Daniel Bartholomew – The Universal Off Switch utilizes the BugBase, and the Touchscreen, and Electromagnetic Pulse modules. Whenever you’ve had enough of the technology around you, just press the “Pulse” button and *poof* all electronics within a 10 foot radius of you instantly and permanently turn off. Have you ever been in a crowded bar where the music is too loud? Or that oh-so-trendy store in the mall where there are like 1000 TVs blaring? Or at a restaurant where some idiot is on their cellphone right behind you and won’t shut up? Well, now you can do something about it.
• Personal Security System submitted by Jeff Thomas – This is a Motion Sensor combined with camera (with screen for later playback/review). Anytime any movement occurs, record. Place this in the car, or anywhere you want to be protected (your personal tree house for the local kid’s club ;-). Any detection of movement is recorded with maybe a 10-30 minute loop of most recent data stored. If a car is broken into, or hit, the incident is recorded. When you return to the car, you have captured the incident. A car is the most obvious, but it can be used elsewhere (like treehouse!)
• Web-A-Sizer submitted by Beth Goza – This would be a companion unit for Webpotatoes who have a hard time leaving the couch or desk for fear of missing something. This unit can be set to either display or “read” tweets, IMs, e-mail, RSS feeds and any other bit of web info that the potato would normally need to be glued to his/her screen to keep up with. There would be several choices for voices or display fonts, and the unit could sit cozily alongside various exercise equipment. Installing Televisions in gyms in the 90′s has proven hugely successful for getting couch potatoes off their arses and into the gym. Now we need to get the army of Webpotatoes moving, and bring sexy back (or at all) to Technophiles everywhere.
• EyeTrackU submitted by Jeff Norris – This will take photos and report GPS location, send to Web and map out where you spend most of your time. Send updates to tweets, read other EyeTrackU users to network in person. Build a real social network with humans. Meeting people in person and sharing ideas in the same area of the country is quite difficult, but on a common system like EyeTrackU , people can meet and work together and track where their best areas to share are.
• BikeBuddy submitted by Cassie Wallender – Today’s urban biker is more often then not, eventually going to end up in some sort of accident with a car. Anyone who’s bicycled around Seattle can tell you. Unfortunately, when it comes to proving who’s at fault, it’s often one person’s word against another. The more unbiased data you can have in situations like these, the better. BikeBuddy will automatically turn itself on when in motion, and the built in camera and GPS will track where your bike is, how fast it’s going, and the conditions around you. As long as it’s in motion, it will take a photo every 4 seconds pairing it with GPS coordinates. It can do this by emptying it’s earlier taken photos constantly as well. If you get into an accident, you would tell it to stop, and have all the most recent photos and location information at your disposal. To protect yourself while you’re trying to protect the environment. Imagine having a picture to prove that the light you went through was green, while the car that hit you was going through a red. Case closed. BikeBuddy FTW.

Wow! This is going to be a tough choice. There are some great gadget ideas here! What do you all think? Which is your favorite, and why? More importantly, what device would you design?

Gnomedex 08 BugLabs Contest

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I don’t know why I didn’t show off this little gadget to you all before. I’ve had it for about ten years. I saw it one day at a fair, and had to have it. If you notice, you just swing it around, and the LED lights blink in succession. It’s an optical illusion. It says “Let’s Party!” in the lights. You can push a button and change what it says.

The Skyliner comes with eleven preset messages you can twirl through the air:

• Awesome
• Cool
• Love You
• Happy New Year
• Happy Birthday
• Help
• Cheer!
• Nice!
• It’s Magic!
• Sensational
• Let’s Party

There’s space on there for you to program up to three of your own messages, as well. It’s pretty easy to do, since there’s nothing external to it. It’s fun to bring to a party or event… even a ball game. Everyone’s going to think you’re cool, and want one of their own.

FirstRSS ERROR: "http://shop.tagjag.com/products/party" NOT FOUND!

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What’s Your Favorite Party Favor?

I began uploading product reviews for ExpoTV last month. This is your chance to help recreate an interactive TechTV experience! ExpoTV is the content provider for on-demand channels on cable boxes across the US. Uploading your content is simple, and fast. The process takes only about five minutes for each video.

ExpoTV is a place for people to connect, share and celebrate the products they are passionate about in video to help each other shop smarter!

You can earn up to $10 for product reviews that meet the community’s quality standards. Share your personal opinion and demonstrate how you use the product! Real, honest consumer opinions are what ExpoTV is all about.

This month, I uploaded reviews for five products that I have taken a look at in recent weeks. The original videos are all posted here in my blog for each of them.

1.3 Megapixel USB Digital Microscope Review

This 1.3 Megapixel Digital Microscope allows you to capture some higher resolution images and video and display them on your PC using a simple USB connection. View specimens collected around the house, backyard, your desk, or the fridge. Look at the micro-printing on a dollar bill or examine the traces on your motherboard. This microscope provides you an easy way to zoom in on a wide variety of objects to satisfy your curiosity of the world around you. Ever wondered what lint looks like or the mold growing on your week-old bagels? Now you can find out.

Simple plug and play operation with included software that allows you to magnify objects and view them on your PC up to 200X and take snapshots and time-lapse movies. You can also manipulate images with drawing and painting tools. The microscope is detachable from the stand to allow you to get closer to large objects.

USB Humping Dog

It doesn’t serve any purpose, but it’s what they do. They are insatiable. And that’s all we really have to say. Harley is brown and Duke is black, and you can take your pick. Oh, and don’t worry – if the kids ask what the doggie is doing to your computer, just say, “He’s trying to jump over the computer, but he got a little stuck,” or “The computer is giving him a piggyback ride.” Either will suffice.

Tengu!

Here we have a cute little white plastic brick with a face made of LEDs. The tiny microphone in the base picks up sounds in the room, whether it’s music, or your loudmouth boss, and makes his mouth move in time. It’s like he’s lip synching to the song! Kinda like Britney, only much much smaller, and probably smells better.

He’s USB powered, so plug him in to any powered USB port, set him near your favorite sound-source, and your little buddy will perform for you all day long!

Multi-Color LED Lightbulb with Remote

The Multi-Color LED Lightbulb is a super bright LED bulb that can transition through dozens of color and brightness combinations and is compatible with a standard lightbulb socket. The included IR remote can select an individual color or brightness level or choose one of four different transition effects. Great for mood lighting, decorating, parties or special lighting environments. It has multiple brightness level settings and four transition effects (long pause on each color, short pause, slow fade between colors, faster fade). The light is generated from a 5 Watt LED.

Apple 2.0 Operating System

With the free iPhone 2.0 Software Update, your iPhone does even more. Extend its capabilities with innovative applications you download directly from the new App Store. Get push email, calendar, and contacts from your Microsoft Exchange server at work. And use great new features in Mail, Contacts, and other applications. To get the free update, just sync your iPhone with your Mac or PC.

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If you were stranded on a desert island, what would be the ONE device you would want to have with you? The answers will be interesting to see. Maybe you’ll want to have this nifty little gadget with you as your choice. I’m talking about the Time Projecting Red Laser Pointer from ThinkGeek.

We think it was the great philosopher Beck who once observed, “time is a piece of wax fallin’ on a termite …that’s choking on the splinters.” Okay, so we’re not quite sure what he might have ingested before making this observation but it could be a reasonable explanation of time in some other universe that exists, somewhere. Or maybe not. But in a tribute to Beck we might say about our Time Projecting Laser that, “time is a beam of red laser emitting from a diode …that’s projecting on the ceiling.” Hmmm, not sure if that evokes the same kind of imagery, but then no one ever said we were writers (of strange music lyrics). Guess we’ll just stick to doing what we do best – finding interesting products for the smart masses.

This is going to really come in handy when I’m speaking somewhere, and need to keep track of the time. I can subtly push the button and check my time, with no one being the wiser. How ingenious is that?

So, what gadget would you want with you on a desert island? Remember, you can only choose one.

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What Time is it When Your Pen Lasers Time?

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Do you know how much energy each of my 30″ monitors takes up? Do you know how much they cost me on a monthly basis? More importantly… how much does YOUR computer cost you a month? Do you even know, or know how to find out? I just received my Electricity bill for the months of November and December. Let’s just say, I need to do some troubleshooting, and figure out how to lower my costs.

Last year on my holiday wish list, I had an item from ThinkGeek listed. The Watts Up Pro will give you a readout of information from whatever you plug into it. Simply plug any device into Watt’s Up and the meter instantaneously displays the wattage being used, as well as 18 other values, including average monthly cost. The device records this data into non-volatile memory (stored even if power is lost). One thousand seven hundred data points are stored, starting with a sampling rate resolution of one second. It records any power interruptions, which is extremely handy when performing an audit of several devices. Watt’s Up is also capable of real-time logging. It even includes a payback calculator software utility, which automatically calculates the time required for a new energy efficient appliance to pay for itself!

Here is some of the information you can receive with this:

• Cost, in dollars and cents
• Frequency
• Volt-Amps
• Average monthly cost
• Power factor
• True power
• Average monthly kwh
• Cumulative power (kwh)
• Power cycle

If you know of other Tech gadgets that we could use around our house that are user-friendly… be sure to leave me a follow-up comment, or send an email to me at chris@pirillo.com.

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How to Check Electricity and Energy Use