Tech Tuesday
So each Tuesday I feature a product and/or company that has caught my eye. Some of the stuff I have bought myself, or others I have run into while shopping, or in this case while at CES (The Consumer Electronic Show). My first trip there, a paradise for generation gadget, became a bit overwhelming.
So much stuff and so little time to tinker with it all. So this year I went with a direction in mind. Besides looking for and finding gadgets that we can use out of our bureau, I did want to check on a few companies trying to become big in the U.S. market. One of those is Coby Electronics.
Robert Gee and his marketing team had a nice and larger set-up than my first trip to New York and you can see the products and company evolve. I stopped in and got a glimpse of two products of many that they now feature. Digital picture frames and also universal chargers.
I haven’t owned either of these Coby products, but I was impressed in the time I got to see them and try them out while on display. See what you think and it gives you a good idea where the industry is going as I talk with research and development guy Kenji Higa.
Also … in this column, besides watching the video, you can ask me stuff about cameras TVs, etc., and I’ll do my best to give you the best information … and as easy to understand as possible.
What sort of prices were the frames going for?
Max-
Like most digital frame manufacturers, the prices range from the $70 range all the way up into the $250 area.
Adam
the digital picture frames are cool– so did I get this right, you can hook it up to your computer and then store your pictures in there? Or do I have to watch this again? I think I have to watch this again-
OK–
question– if you put your memory card in the photo frame, do you get to save your pictures or you are just using the photo frame to just go through the pictures?
In other words, is the picture frame another place where one can save pictures or just another way of viewing your pictures?
Susan-
Photo frames read the card. Some have very small storage abilities, but I recommend a card.
Adam
I have one of Coby’s frames!
Susan…in my frame, the pics are stored on the memory card. (until you remove them, or add more) They rotate through, like our slide shows. Different frames have different settings, pretty much like doing the slide choices on line.
When i want to change them, i take the card to the computer, and swap pics around.
SD Cards are pretty cheap right now. I have two I do switch outs for pictures. Max I have seen these for about 79.00 but during Christmas they were cheaper. I am thinking this would be a wonderful Graduation gift, that way you don’t have the clutter of a hundred pictures.
I love the multi charger! How much is that Adam? When we travel it is a pain, everyone has a different charger!
Kathy-
I didn’t check the price. I had already purchased a multicharger from a different company. This one looked goo too.
Adam
Kathy …take it from one who’s sent 3 adult kids off on their own and one to heaven, there is nothing greater than sifting through hundreds of printed pictures on days when your heart just can’t find peace.
I wouldn’t trade my chaos of printed pics for anything.
This would be a good gadget for someone who wants pictures on their desk at work, without the clutter of multiple frames or sticking tacks in them and hanging them on the wall; which I use to do when I worked in a cubicle.
Yes ! I still like going through my boxes of pictures - they are precious and priceless to me. I need to Print more of my digital pictures - or soon it will be a lost art! All this digital has taken me away from keeping up on photo book album scrapbooking.
Patty–
and how much does one of those cost? the frame? I like this idea! for the reasons Jen just stated-
and where do you get one? Coby Electronics– does Best Buy carry these? I would probably buy my brother one before I bought me one– (If he doesn’t have one)
oops– I just read Kathy’s– $79.00? Now this is a good price– for me, anyway- where did you see it?
susan, walmart and about every store.. carries them.
susan… this should really confuse ya! *L*
http://www.mysimon.com/5/digital-frame.html
I got a kodak for our daughter in law for christmas. It was under 90.00
How are you MAX? Is London still cold???
Tamera
MAAAAAAAAAXXXXXXXX-
Where are you??
Adam
Patty–
it did confuse me! and thank you!
My brother’s birthday is in August– (lots of August birthdays– Adam, my brother, me, and whoever else on the blog is born in August) and I am going to see if he has one of these. This would be a cool gift–I think I will go in the middle of the road price– so I am assuming Best Buy would carry these too– He can drink wine and look at pictures! LOL
Circuit City too– I just checked your link out again–
Hi Darvette!
I LOVED the pictures of Tia’s wedding–
When do we get to see you and Adam doing the same thing?
xxxx
Tamera: No, it’s pretty warm at the moment. 74F was the high today.
I’m doing ok, how about you? Have you decided to come back to the blog more permanently?
Where is John?
John– was that you over at Greta’s? Jet Blue story? The guy suing for $2 million because he had to sit in the bathroom on the flight? I would have sat in there for less!
xxx
Hi Max–
I hope you are having a good day– Just wanted to say hi here before I leave–
xxx
my 2 cents on coby—-freakin awesome.
That is the only DVD player I buy, they are cheap, they work good, and bast of all, they play anything.
Sgt-
I didn’t get the chance to see their DVD players, but they’ve got a ton of stuff.
Adam
Susan: it’s ok, where you going?
Have any of you heard of Skinit? You can personalize your Gadgets — cell phone, lap top etc with their pictures or your own.
I did did this for my husband this past Christmas; I had our company logo put on the front of his cellphone, and on the back, a picture of him with one of his bragging hunting pictures. It’s really easy to do.
It has held up really well; he uses his phone a lot and carries it in his pocket.
Just an FYI. http://www.skinit.com/
speaking of gadgets…check this out.
since most storm spotters carry some sort of gps, the link will show you where they are.
If there are many in your area, you can count that storms are highly possible.
http://www.spotternetwork.org/google.php
All- hello from a smokey FL. Our area of the county is okay but wow, very sad for other parts! Over 160 homes have been destroyed or are uninhabitable! They say the worst fire which has caused so much damage was set by an arson! There’s a reward out for info leading to his/her arrest.
The governor flew over our home today in a military chopper on his return from viewing the fires and the damage.
It is so dry - I can’t remember when we had rain and to top it off the humidity is low (that makes it beautiful if you are wanting to enjoy the outdoors but it helps fuel the fires).
check out the latest: http://www.wftv.com/index.html
stay safe FL! Glad you checked in, had been wondering.
Susan aka “blog mom” - thanks for checking on me! I have just been very busy with projects and I have a deadline. My brother is running for County Commissioner and we are hosting a meet and greet.
Anyway, last week I busted my tail doing some heavy yard work!!! This week I’ve moved indoors to paint. Yikes!
Adam - I received one of those digital picture frames at Christmas from my husband. Great gift!!!!!!
FL-
Glad you enjoy it…. I am praying for rain in the ‘Sunshine State’.
Adam
Comment by Adam Housley
May 13th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Susan-
Photo frames read the card. Some have very small storage abilities, but I recommend a card.
Adam
———————————————————————————————————————
SAY WHAT?
Patty- someone– what does he mean he recommends a card– Do I by the photo frame and a card?
I guess the smart thing to do is go check it out at a store! There I can ask a thousand questions! LOl
Sunshine– I am glad to know you are safe– We are on day 100 without having rain– I am doing rain dances now!
Max- I had some errands to run– and then I mowed my backyard– it was overcast for half a day and then the sun had to come back out again! grr!
Adam–
Do you know about Camino Del Muerte– Death Road in Bolivia? (La Paz to Coroico) I just watched a whole hour of it as my father did this road — If Fox were to tell you you had to do a story of this road now being used as a pipeline for cocaine transportation, would you drive on this road?
http://www.pbase.com/marko_p/coroico
Susan-
That is a very good question. Fox would never put us in any jeopardy and has never skimped on security. I should know, I have been to 18 countries in 6 years for Fox and some weren’t the most welcoming locales.
Adam
Jen–
Skinit– that was a nice present for your husband– I have to see it when you are here–
I always forget my cell- I had to use a pay phone the other day because I realized I had left my cell at home- It cost .50 cents to use a pay phone for those who have not used one in years– they are still around! LOL
Patty–
I am trying to figure out your link! the green et al
Susan - “the card” referred to with the photo frame means that it has a “card slot” where you simply take the memory card out of your camera and insert it into the frame which then loads the pictures.
“It’s very easy, very simple” (Max - what was the chef’s name who used to always say that with an accent).
Susan–
Get your rain dance going and over with before I get there!! lol
I picked my sons car up tonight- Audi A4 - (2005) He had to work, so, Yep, I was ‘cool’ for about an hour..
and yes, he saw that *kid* that was there for the interview the other day, he got hired too — no drug testing. I am surprised!
Susan…you know the little memory card in a digital camera? thats where the pics come from for the digital frame. Slide card out of camera…slide into frame.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Digital_card
I dont know that a frame comes with the card, got me on that one, mine didn’t.
I had a extra one laying around here, so i keep it just for the frame.
It might depend on the frame as to which memory card…you’ll have to ask at store.
Or you can give the frame….and let whoever get their own card.
my printer has a card slot on it, so that is where i change the pictures that are on it. i take them off camera, put the pics on computer, then transfer them to the memory card.
sounds easy doesnt it? *LOL*
btw…tamera was in the pepperdine thread
Hey Sunshine–good to see you back!
Patty - ditto with the printer/card. It is easy!!! You stick the card in the printer and walla - up come the pictures on the computer ready for editing.
LOVE IT! Thanks HP!
Jen - thanks but I’m beat! Painting a kitchen is a pain in the butt!!! I’m so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open. Night Night!
MCE intros 1TB hard drive kit for 17-inch MacBook Pros
by Donald Melanson, PCWORLD.COM
No stranger to taking Macs beyond their standard issue capabilities, MCE has now pulled yet another entirely unofficial trick out of its hat, with this one giving 17-inch MacBook Pro owners a significant storage boost. As with some of its other mods, this one replaces the MacBook Pro’s optical drive with a 2.5-inch hard drive (500GB in this case) and, to hit the magical 1TB mark, it also replaces the laptop’s standard hard drive with another matching 5,400 rpm 500GB drive. To ensure none of that original hardware goes to waste, the kit also includes external USB 2.0 enclosures for both the original hard drive and the optical drive, although we wouldn’t expect any less given that the kit costs a hefty $800 (or more if you want MCE to install it for you).
SOCAL-
WOW!!!!! I will give it a few months and wait for the price to come down. But memory is getting huge in all forms and more affordable.
Adam
Adam: My internet is still all screwy.
So to be on-topic: Adam, any ideas as to why my internet keeps going on and off? The ISP said maybe our microfilter and given into old age, so we replaced it, but there was no improvement. It’s not bad all the time, it just has brief periods when it won’t work. It’s not just at peak useage times so it’s unlikely to be the ISP getting too busy.
Susan: It was sunny all day here.
Susnshine: I’ve no idea, was it a british chef?
Max-
Are you wireless or hardline?
Adam
Well Lordy be– all these directions - I am more like a hands on type– I went to Frys’s tonight (Kroger) and I was going to buy one of those aroma’s gizmos- but you have to do something to it to get it to release the aroma, so at the checkout I asked the girl on how to use it– and she said, well here are the directions– I said- Never mind. I will burn a candle!
And what socal just posted- wowie– this is way up above me!
Jen— You won’t have any rain while you are here- trust me!
Sunshine– Julia Child use to do her cooking shows with an accent– but she was born in Pasedana, California- Sounds like something she would say!
The digital frames are cool. I don’t think the batteries will last that long in them and you have a cord hanging off them so your not hanging them on your wall without that cord. I’d dig a 30″ version.
PHOTO WALLET??? LOL…..I’m getting one. NEVER. What happens if it gets wet. Will it last on the slopes while snowboarding or skiing? This is for those over 60 yrs old.
Have you heard about the paper thin LCD screens? I don’t think its liquid crystal but same idea. They aren’t perfect yet either but way cool. Coming soon!!!
LDG—
Did you vanish?
Jen–
the kid who worried about the drug test, maybe had too much time on his hands, and now that he has a job and needs it, will maybe become more responsible. He could be a kid with maybe some issues?
This could be his break! Hence, why he got the job!
I like happy endings!
All this what is happening in China and I thought Myanmar had it bad! I sit here looking at my dying dog and then I see pictures of people being buried under rubble in China– wow!
What is the impact on the Olympics now? It is going to take more than two months to fix this!
Seriously-These blogs are jacked. Tested Greta’s blog. Badda Boom Badda Bing…Posted.
Here…..hmmm. Been over an hour and a half.
WasszzzzzUPPPP???????
HWA-
I have a hold on your account. I have MANY people looking at your posts.
Seriously, not sure why, I have made sure your e-mail address is in as NOT being spam. So, they should go through now without hesitation.
Adam
Susan the best aroma I know about is an essence oil diffuser, you use a tealight. And few drops of essence oil. They are wonderful and the house smells fab!
SD cards are on sale all the time at Frys! I wish we had a closer Frys!
Patty I guess I will rummage through my pictures when I get misty eyed!
Jen I think those skins look so cool!
Tamera love it when you stop by!
Okay off to take mom to her doctor!
Susan: all the damage is far from Bejing where all the games are taking place. Similar to the distance from you to New Orleans.
Infact the people effected are probably pretty lucky that the olympics are coming up, since the chinese government wants to look good so is probably pulling out all the stops to get help to those people.
‘morning all.
Jen…the skins are awesome! Thanks for the link. Will come in handy for sure.
Max…
#1 if you have a mac, i cant help, know nothing about them.
i dont know what kind of internet you have, but do you have a power box that plugs into electricity? if so…unplug it and restart computer without it, then shut computer off and plug it back in, and restart computer again. Maybe it just needs a “jump start”.
also, when its lagging terribly, if you ctrl + alt + del under the processes tab, you can see what resources are being used that might interfere.
patty: It’s not my PC, we have several computers (my Dad is into tech) all of them have the same problem. And on the router we can see the internet goes on and off. We have ADSL.
Susan: I got you something today, so i’ll be sending everything out tomorrow.
@Susan-AZ
***
Comment by Susan–AZ
May 14th, 2008 at 4:23 am
LDG—
Did you vanish?
***
Temporarily, but I seem to have re-appeared. ((grin))
patty: It’s not my PC, we have several computers (my Dad is into tech) all of them have the same problem. And on the router we can see the internet goes on and off. We have ADSL.
Susan: I got you something today, so i’ll be sending everything out tomorrow.
LDG: So did you just start talking to the kidnappers about something they found so boring they let you go?
Not that you’re boring
@Max
((laugh))
Would that it have been so simple.
Max - ha ha ha ha! funny! (sorry LDG - as I laugh at your expense)
Susan - want to smell up the house? bake something! bread! cookies! cake! then let us know when it’s ready. hee hee
Max..you have the hickups!
Computers, can’t live with them, can’t live with out them, hummm just like men! just kidding!
breaking news on the front page, more bombs in isreal, where’s avi????
@FL Sunshine
“- as I laugh at your expense”
heh, probably deservedly.
@Patty
((summons up the Avi-stunt double))
Here’s the latest, from Haaretz:
18:08 Katyusha rocket slams into shopping center in Ashkelon, several hurt (Haaretz)
18:07 Olmert warns Hamas Israel will use force hitherto unseen to stop rockets (Reuters)
18:03 Rocket slams into Ashkelon, may be Katyusha (Haaretz)
ldg…
stunt double…thats cute!
how far is that from where avi is, weren’t they taking a trip to Galilei (sp?)
@Patty
“how far is that from where avi is” — not quite opposite ends, but far.
Avi said he is travelling up north… near Lebanon ((wince))
Ashkelon is Southwest Central, just a bit north of the Gaza.
LDG-
I await to hear from Avi. Right now we have Tobin in Lebanon and he is doing a great job. Also, I went back and caught up on comments in this thread. Another one coming later today. Thread that is.
Adam
CORRECTION: technically Ashkelon is in the South District. If it matters, here is a reference:
(link disabled for wordpress)
h ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_District_%28Israel%29
LDG: i already said you’re not actually boring
Sunshine: Not laughing at him, with him
Patty: It seemed that the internet went off when i was posting that comment, so the computer sent it again when the internet came back on.
I just remembered we had similar problems a year ago. Maybe the ISP is doing a yearly something.
@Adam Housley
Both items excellent news, re: Avi and M. Tobin. thank you! Looking forward to the new thread, as lots of possibilities.
Adam: hardline
Max-
HMM….Let me ask our tech guys. If it was wireless I would have some ideas, but maybe your modem is beginning to short out. Will the company give you a new one?
Adam
thanks ldg
Kathy Texas–
I like your suggestion! gracias!
Sunshine– you will have to come over to eat the cookies and cake– Ken is a diabetic and I can’t have the stuff around or he will eat it- I have so many hiding places for my chocolates that I have no clue where half of these are! I just read your fires were caused by an arsonist!!!
Max– thanks for the geography lesson- (China) I have to bypass the pictures now when I log on– those poor people! I can’t stand to know anyone is suffering– It is my weakness!
LDG– You had me worrried!
Jen- Greta has a project for you– Kentucky/Oregon thread-
Patty– did you get the tooth fixed?
Avi– what is going on?
And I am off to the races here– We are taking Ken’s mom out to lunch!
xxxxx
Susan -
and enjoy your lunch! did I mention I’m supposed to be painting? lol Might be getting a little high on the paint fumes. lol
Susan-
That is a very good question. Fox would never put us in any jeopardy and has never skimped on security. I should know, I have been to 18 countries in 6 years for Fox and some weren’t the most welcoming locales.
Adam
————————————————————————————————————-
tell me about it– you had us all chewing our nails when Eva was out to get you– I was freaking out– the Venezuelans were posting left and right screaming about you having to leave Venezuela– which didn’t help out either! Crazy people do crazy things– and no one has control for that split second of the event for someone else’s security!
I was watching a few days after the Myanmar event, a reporter from CNN was talking about how he had to sneak out of Myanmar because the govt’ was out to get him and his crew– They were looking for him– (they did not want him there reporting the horror)
You correspondants, from whichever network you work for, all have guts!!!!! Round of applause here!
Susan: Do you like sequins?
Susan - wow, sounds like you’re getting something “shiny”. cool!
I saw that Flagstaff got 5 inches of snow!!!!!!!!! WOW! head for the mountains and make a snowman. lol
ALL - anyone making a trip to the Sunshine State this summer? Meet ya at the beach!
Adam - NASCAR is returning to Daytona in July for the annual 400. Can’t you come up with some excuse to cover it?
Sunshine-
Would love to cover it! Could you get on the red phone to my bosses?
Seriously, it’ll likely go to one of our east coast based correspondents.
Adam
Looks like they have someone there are questioning in the fires in Palm Bay. Hope they have the right guy before he can light any more.
i thought it was the daytona 500?
shows ya what i know about racing
hey everybody
bought the wife her digital SLR for mothers day, she was happy. Ended up with the digital rebel xti only because that is what her friend has.
Coby DVD player still going strong, I love the tech tuesday thread.
Glad you are OK sunshine, hopefully Avi is safe, sorry not much chatter lately, been swamped at work…ugh
Great Sgt, I sent out the grad invitations. We have had mucho calls about the picture. I am very pleased with the Nikon D40! Adam you done good, it was well worth the money I paid for it. I still need to get a zoom lens though.
Look online for the D40 lenses. You can likely get a Tamron for a cheaper price than a Nikon lens. Something like a 20-200 works great.
Adam
Adam, Jen, FL…and who else watched idol?
Is it gonna be David C or David A???? what you all think?
I say David C all the way.
Did ya watch tonight? and see David C in his KC Royals Jersey pitching Adam??? pretty much a grounder! *L* Hope he doesnt quit his day job for it! ha ha
*sees if it will post my comments now*
Alright!
Adam: We think it’s a problem with the ISP.
Patty: The 400 is the ‘Coke Zero 400′. Different Race to the Dayton 500.
Max–
Sequins? Not really- 30 years ago yes– I wish I were 30 years younger– LOL– I am real simple now– LOL— but Max, sequins are way cool— I just have to adjust! I wore sequins when I lived in Puerto Vallarta and I just to hang out with Mic Jagger’s photographer– We were always dressed in sequins! (true story– you question brought up a memory) — wild days!
Sunshine– Flagstaff is going to melt real quick now– We had a bit of a burst of cold– I live real West so the cold is never really here– (White Tank Mountains)– BTW- I stumble in the snow– much less ski! I usually hit Greer– fishing– and hiking! Last snow I saw was at the Grand Canyon with Ken- November of 2000- We went there for the week-end- I got into trouble for feeding the deer! (vegis too)– Strict rule there! LOL
xxxxx
Susan - I’ve been on Adam’s new post.