Since last time, I have had a chance to try out a couple more neat things I got to see at ShowStoppers during my week at the Consumer Electronics Show.
First, as you all know, one of the most important things we, as responsible PC users should do, is backup, backup, backup! So, without further ado, let me introduce you to a system that will take care of the backup for you, with one click…yes, I said, ONE click!
Named after the sound a frog makes, which also is their logo, this system takes all the guess-work out of backing up. Rebit Automatically Backs up Everything on Your Computer. When your hard drive crashes, you lose a lot more than data. Rebit protects everything with complete computer backup. In one instant, your important documents and information, including entertainment files, photos, video, mp3s and financial programs can be lost. But you also lose your operating system, applications, software, settings, bookmarks, drivers and configuration settings. The Rebit hard drive backup system automatically works to save your entire computer environment when you plug it in. Transparently, and continuously. The Rebit back up hard drive is always working so your backup files are always up-to-date. Any recent changes you've made, programs you've installed, or documents you've saved are reflected in the current back up hard drive. You never need think about what type of data you want to protect, Rebit is always the perfect defense. Ranging from 80 GB to 500 GB, you can be sure Rebit will backup all of your data, and Rebit PC backup makes room for the most recent documents so the drive is always current and never fills up. Rebit PC backup is an external hard drive that can be used to backup a desktop or a laptop PC. It simply sits next to your computer, plugged into a USB port and automatically backing up your data and your entire PC continually, and without any effort. If you already have an external hard drive, Rebit has a software CD that you can use in much the same way, except it will backup more than one PC.
Either way, this system will restore your entire computer including your operating system, so no need to frantically look for all those CDs to restore everything you had installed. I’ve been using one of Rebits 500GB systems with my laptop for awhile now and it is really great. You can also access any backed up files using windows explorer and work with them just as you would any other files on your computer. I give this one a double thumbs up (for my Hawaii readers…a double Shaka!)
Now that the backup is taken care of, how about something to keep your PC running like a Swiss watch? I installed the latest version of System Mechanic on my laptop and PC and have gradually gone to totally auto on most functions…it’s working really well and I haven’t had any problems with it interfering with any operations I have going on. It really does most everything in the background and when the computer is not in use as it says on the SM homepage:
ActiveCare 2.0 automatic PC tune-up is 100% configurable, putting you in control. This patent-pending system uses virtually zero system resources, never competes with or interrupts other programs, and fixes and cleans your PC only when you're away, like a housekeeper or professional mechanic you never see.
A 3-step Registry Optimizer:
Repairs your registry; Graphically displays and removes the RAM-eating bloat that remains; Defragments and compacts your registry for maximum performance
DriveSense hard drive reporting tool shows you special real-time information from up to 46 hard drive sensors, including temperature.
The dashboard gives you a quick look at the overall status.
The other blue options allow you to control everything SM does and shows reports on all of its functions. You can download a free, 30 day trial at CNETs http://www.download.com/ site.
Music, Music, Music…For these, I had to get help from my grandkids since they have all the audio gear, e.g. MP3s, smart phones, iPods, etc. The i2i folks provided me with the stream, a set of folding portable speakers and a pair of audiowear lanyard style earphones to try out, so, I enlisted my 3 grandkids to give all this neat gear a test run, which, of course, they were all too happy to do.
First, here is what i2i says about the Stream:
Wireless Audio 2 Everything. Introducing the new i2i Stream. Now you can stream CD-quality audio wirelessly. Create wireless headphones and listen to your favorite movie wirelessly. Make your computer a wireless jukebox by streaming to your home stereo. Your iPod/MP3 player becomes your wireless music remote control when broadcasting to your home entertainment system. However you enjoy your movies or music, the i2i Stream has your combination. The possibilities are endless.
CD-quality audio:
Amazing quality that puts Bluetooth to shame.
Universally compatible:
Works with any device with an audio source.
Ultra-compact:
Sleek, compact size; designed to go wherever you go.
Wireless:
No messy wires. Wireless range is 30+ feet.
7 Channels:
Broadcast from 7 colored channels.
The way this works is simple, you plug one stream into the source and the other into the media you want to stream to. Take a look at http://www.i2igear.com/i2i_Stream_s/68.htm for 12 different combinations and you’ll see why my “test team” was very impressed! (2 examples, stream wirelessly from your home stereo to a pair of headphones, like the Audioware ones, or how about from your computer to a pair of folding, portable speakers?) These are just 2 of the 12…check out the rest for yourself and you probably will come up with a list of your own.
Based on their evaluations, I, using a scale of 1 to 10, would have given the package a 10…my teams rating…”COOOOL” Need I say more {:-)
This next one brings back lots of memories. As a kid in CT, I had to wait awhile until I saved up enough allowance, to get my first big kids bike. And, yes, it was a Schwinn. So When I saw the Schwinn Tailwind, I had to chuckle at their slogan “Not your Father’s Electric Bike”. I was really impressed; here’s what they say about it:
We’ve done it again. At Schwinn we don’t take our 114 year history lightly. Through the years we have developed some of the most legendary and cutting edge bicycles ever. You may be familiar with bicycles with names such as Sting Ray, Paramount and Homegrown, each of them a legend in their own right. With our electric bikes we have continued the tradition of excellence while creating something that is good for you, as well as the environment. Good for you. With a Schwinn electric bike you are in complete control. The hybrid-electric technology at the heart of a Schwinn electric bike is the secret to its versatility. With the system turned off, the bike functions exactly like a traditional bike. Flip the switch to on and it is an entirely different experience. The powerful front hub motor provides just the amount of extra help you desire, while the long-life lithium ion battery gives you the power to go where you need. Good for the environment. You can check-out all the details at http://www.schwinnbike.com/.
How would you like a small gadget that plugs into any outlet, as well as your router and connects to any external usb media and allows you to access anything on the external media from anywhere you have an internet connection…enter Pogoplug…
The Pogoplug is a small device that plugs into your wall, and connects to your home router and to any external hard drive or memory stick. Next, from your computer, go to my.pogoplug.com and type in your unique Pogoplug registration code That's it! Your drive is now online and ready to use. After this very simple setup, you can share and access media and files from anywhere in or out of the home. All you need is an Internet connection! The Pogoplug is the perfect accessory to your connected life. Imagine accessing all your files and media from any laptop or desktop computer, anywhere in the world. There's even an iPhone application so you can always "phone home" to get your files! This has got to be one of the top new gadgets to make your computing that much easier. If this idea excites you, go to http://www.pogoplug.com/ and get on their list for one that starts shipping this month.
If you do much traveling, you will appreciate this one that Trendnet unveiled at ShowStoppers. They are calling the TEW-654TR "the world's smallest wireless N travel router".
Measuring 2.5 inches wide by 3.25 inches long by 0.75 inches high (slightly smaller than the AirPort Express), Trendnet's router claims to pack speeds up to 300Mbps (a significant upgrade from the current crop at 54Mbps). The carrying case comes with a thin 3-foot Ethernet cable, an electrical adapter and an alternate USB cable—allowing you the convenience of powering up via your computer. If you travel a lot, and it works as advertised, this little router would be well worth the $90 price tag when it is released this month! www.trendnet.com/products
I couldn’t let you go without at least one goodie for the kids, grandkids and the plain ole young-at-heart!
Robotic toys at Wowwee have humor in mind. They are the makers of RoboSapien, shown to the right, which has been a very popular robot toy. They have expanded to have more characters in this line to also include a female robot called Femisapien. Mr. Personality looks like it would be a lot of fun, too. The face has a LCD screen with an animated face, so it makes your feel like he is communicating with you…really {:-) Have a look at lots of robotic goodies…not just toys, at: http://www.wowwee.com/
That’s it for now, be sure to have fun exploring all the goodies, but also remember to be careful.
Until next time, Aloha, Lou
