The Smorgasbord

If you get a wireless Skype phone chances are you’ll ditch your landline for VOIP (if you haven’t already). A lot of people have switched over to Vonage already, and it appears that the idiot proof gadget the “magic jack” has sold millions as well. Skype started years back and you had to hook up a headset with microphone to use it. It caught on in droves because you could “call” anyone anywhere in the world using the service for FREE (as long as they also had a “skype” account). The ability to call anyone anywhere in the world for free was quite the incentive to sign up. Then Vonage came along and made it easy to just plugin a tiny box to your router and use a regular phone to make calls over the web unlimited for just $24.95 a month.

Now it appears that Skype has kind of caught up, because you can now buy a wireless skype phone – so not only do you not need the headset, but the phone works automatically over the Internet just like your land line! They’re pretty reasonable too, I’ve seen them for as little as $30-50. Skype has been growing in popularity, but in the last year it’s probably exploded due to the constant promotion of “Oprah” – every time she interviews guests now outside of the studio they’re shown on video “Skyping” in.

Here’s some wireless skype phones in auctions ending soon:

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This heated vest is just right for winter outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and more! My wife and I have been using an electric blanket for the last few years in our bed – and I don’t know how we ever did without it! I’ve been snowmobiling plenty of times where I was just chilled to the damn bone! These heated vests run on lithium ion batteries no bigger than a pack of cigarettes and can keep you warm 4-12 hours! This is a great time of year to pick something like this up too – because you always get better deals at the end of the season! It might be a litle low-tech actually, but I love it!

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I’m always surfing eBay for weird gadgets and I came across these USB HD Receiver / Tuners that seem pretty cool. Most of them are under $50, and I knew that you could get TV tuners on a USB stick, but I hadn’t seen Hi Def ones before. I think to be able to watch, and in some cases record in HD quality from a USB key shows just how compact and small technology has become. They even come with little portable antennas (awww, how cute!). This would make a great gift for somebody that travels a lot for sure, it might make waiting in the airpot much more bearable!

Check out some of the ones I found:

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The new version of the Amazon Kindle 2 is out, so I thought I would give it a review. This time around they’re really taken the time to refine the device and create something very functional, elegant, lightweight, and cool. This first thing you’ll notice is how darn thin it is. It’s only as think as most magazines. Also it doesn’t weigh much more than a standard paperback (10 ounces). The screen is more legible and battery life has been extended by 25%. It has 2GB of internal memory, and uses Sprints 3G network for connectivity (no cost for this beyond the device). One of the really cool things about the Kindle 2 is that is has PDF document conversion – you can email documents to the device and they will be converted to PDF for you to read. You can even listen to music and podcasts on the eReader. Kindle 2 only weighs a little over a pound and a half.

Here’s a video review of the Kindle 2:

There are all kinds of deals for Kindle in auctions ending now – check some of these out:

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You can also check out the price of a New Kindle 2 on Amazon now:

Last year I blogged about the Eye-Fi Wireless SD cards that were oh so cool! Eye-FI SD cards have an onboard chipset that access your wireless network and automatically uploads your pics and videos to flickr and YouTube among other places! What could be better – right? I’ll tell you what, they have 2 new versions, the “Explore Video” and “Share Video”. They are both 4GB capacity (double the old versions), and the Explore version adds geotagging and hotspot wifi service on top of the old features.

With the new models out, you can find some great deals on the old 2GB versions – as well as deals on the new share and explore Eye-FI versions in auctions ending soon:

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After yesterdays post about power outlet wireless adapters, I got to thinking about extending wireless router range. You can buy a multitude of devices to help extend the range of your home of business wireless (and wired) network – but there are ways to do it on the cheap you know.

I mean, you could build a cantenna. It costs less than $5, what do you have to lose? You can make one out of an old soup can – and it’s probably better than one you could buy from the store anyway.

You could also get a second router and use it as a switch or access point. What?! You didn’t know that? Of course you can. You can setup a second router anywhere in your house, and the first one will be the gateway and the second just an access point. You might even have a second router lying around you can use already.

Did you know you could change your router’s channel? Sure you can, and you probably just left it on the same channel it was defaulted to (like all your neighbors). If you’re all on channel 5 don’t you think there will be some interference? Log into your router admin screen and change it to something different, all you can do is IMPROVE the performance!

You could even make your own antenna extender for about 5 cents. I came across this video that shows you how to do it in about 10 minutes (awesome!):

If none of that works, or your just not the homebrew type – you can just buy a long range wifi antenna….here’s a bunch for sale right now:

RTL8187L Long Range 16DBI Antenna Wifi USB Adapter Card
	USD 29.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 03:19:50
40dBm Outdoor Indoor Long Range WIFI Booster Antenna 1000mW FREE INTERNET 802.11
	USD 71.98 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 19:22:05
Quad Grabber II *USB & Wifi *Double Bi Quad *Long Range Wireless Antenna
	USD 55.95 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 18:46:24
ALFA ANTENNA AWUS036NEH USB 5dbi b g n WIFI network 1000mW Long range Internet
	USD 10.50 (8 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 03:00:43
USB 37dBm WIRELESS WIFI Long Range Extender Antenna
	USD 133.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-11 04:23:14
Marine RV 36dBm Omni 360 USB WIFI Wireless Outdoor Long Range Antenna 1000mW
	USD 116.10 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 00:08:37
Long Range Yagi Wireless WLAN WiFi Antenna 16dBi RP-SMA
	USD 18.04 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-10 15:59:34
Mars_A2414N Long Range 44dBm Outdoor USB adapter antenna for WIFI 802.11b/g/n
	USD 58.46 (6 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 21:17:22
15dBi 2.4GHz Super Long Range Outdoor Omni Antenna for WiFi 802.11b/g/n
	USD / 99.95 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 18:56:03
Long Range Omni Antenna +800mW WIFI Network USB Adapter For RV Trailer Sailer
	USD 98.10 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-09 04:14:00

An AC Powered Wireless Ethernet Adapter can help you get devices connected in your home that are either not wireless or too far or inconvenient to run wires too. For example – let’s say that you have a tivo or cable box that needs to be connected to the Internet. May an older computer that doesn’t have wireless capability? You could even connect an XBox 360, Playstation 3, or Wii with these devices. All you need is a power outlet – and problem solved! What a wireless power adapter does is plug into any standard power outlet and connects to your wireless router. It has a ethernet jack, and you just plugin your cable box or computer and voila – Internet connection! It couldn’t be any easier.

The Panasonic BL-PA100KTA is an HD-PLC device, or High Definition Power Line Communication. Basically you get an Internet connection through ordinary AC power outlets. This particular device comes with 2 adapters, and one connects to your router and a power outlet, and then other plugs in any outlet in the house making your electrical wiring a network to connect to the Internet through. Error correction and encryption is available, and the devices can be used up to 490 physical feet. Here’s are some great deals on Panasonic Internet power adapters right now:

2 Sets of Panasonic HD-PLC Powerline Network Starter Packs - 4 units BL-PA300KTA
	USD 60.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-04 23:03:01
Original 2pcs Panasonic 200Mbps Power Line Communication Adapter/U
	USD 99.98 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 07:49:11
4 Panasonic BL-PA100A HD-PLC Powerline Ethernet Network Adapters
	USD 49.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 18:36:37
Original 2pcs Panasonic 200Mbps Power Line Communication Adapter/U
	USD 99.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 07:09:21
Panasonic BL-PA100KTA HD-PLC HIgh Speed Powerline Network Adapter Starter 2 Pack
	USD / 49.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 20:19:58
Original 2pcs Panasonic 200Mbps Power Line Communication Adapter/K
	USD 157.98 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 08:29:25
Panasonic BL-PA100A HD-PLC Ethernet Power Line Network Adapter
	USD 19.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-10 14:23:28
Original 2pcs Panasonic 200Mbps Power Line Communication Adapter/K
	USD 157.97 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 08:32:43
Panasonic BL-PA100A HD-PLC Ethernet Power Line Network Adapter
	USD 19.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-10 14:24:21

You could also use the Netgear HDX101, which can be purchased as a single adapter to connect to the Internet (very popular for DVR boxes and XBox 360′s). You can use this device in up to a 5,000 sq foot home! Get speeds up to 200Mbps over a your power lines and transfer large files. This is a great little device at a very reasonable price. Find one now:

Netgear XET1001 85Mbps Power Line Powerline Ethernet Adapter TWO
	USD 42.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 02:24:08
Netgear Powerline Adapter Kit XAV101 With Ethernet Cables XAV 101
	USD 42.00 (2 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-04 20:06:31
Netgear HDX111 Powerline network adapter
	USD 23.50 (12 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-04 20:58:10
Lot of 12 NETGEAR XET1001 85mbps Powerline Adapter
	USD 240.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 21:57:30
Netgear 85Mbps Powerline Network Adapter XET1001-100NAR
	USD 23.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-04 23:34:46
2x Netgear XET1001-100NAR Powerline Network Adapter
	USD 39.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-11 03:29:37
Netgear XE104 PowerLine Kit 3 switches each with 4 ethernet ports 85 MBPS
	USD 79.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 05:30:37
NETGEAR XAVB2001 200Mbps POWERLINE AV 200 ULTRA NETWORK ADAPTER KIT - Fast ship
	USD 47.99 (1 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 06:10:36
NETGEAR XAV2001 Powerline AV200 Ethernet Bridge Adapter
	USD 29.95 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 05:08:18
Two NETGEAR XAV2001 POWERLINE AV 200 NETWORK ADAPTER 200Mbps
	USD 46.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 06:11:21

The Sling Link Home Plug has been one of the most popular and affordable power outlet ethernet solutions over the last 18 months or so:

DISH NETWORK SLINGLINK TURBO W1 HOME PLUG TO ETHERNET ADAPTER SLING LINK
	USD 9.99 (1 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 23:31:18
G100 9/32 COUPLING LINK TOW SHACKLE CLEVIS SLING CHAIN
	USD 21.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-10 16:39:13
Slinglink Turbo W1 Home Plug to Ethernet Adapter Sling Link to use with Slingbox
	USD 8.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 03:20:37
DISH NETWORK SLINGLINK HOME PLUG TO ETHERNET ADAPTER SLING LINK
	USD 9.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 04:01:31
GRM 1" Web Round Sling Connector Link WLL 47700 NEW
	USD 39.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 16:13:49
DISH NETWORK SLING LINK ETHERNET ADAPTER NEW
	USD 9.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-06 22:28:21
Sling Link Turbo SL 150-100 Network Interface for SlingBox
	USD / 49.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 23:14:35
Sling-Link Mast System, Ten 2' Links, 1" Wide--Tensile Strength: 7500lbs
	USD 135.49 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-05 21:22:59
DISH NETWORK SLINGLINK TURBO W1 HOME PLUG TO ETHERNET ADAPTER SLING LINK
	USD 26.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-09 00:54:11
NEW SLINGBOX Solo & Sling Link Turbo Bundle-CHEAP
	USD 105.00 (7 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-07 11:31:43

This “MSI Wind Netbook Review” shows that there actually are some differences between all the sub and ultra compact laptops flooding the market right now. The biggest complaints about these little netbooks are that they keyboard is too small, the screen is too small, or the processor is too slow. The MSI Wind doesn’t really seem to have any of those problems since it boasts a 10 inch screen, a pretty good sized keyboard, and a Ghz atom processor that’s overclockable. It’s 2.6 lbs and just a bit more in physical size than the eee PC. It’s got jacks for LAN, headphone, mic, VGA, a memory card reader, decent speakers, and about 4-5 hours of battery life. The MSI wind has a 6 cell battery (most of the netbooks have only 3), and the right shift key is actually normal sized. Oh – did I mention that it also had integrated wireless bluetooth built-in?

Here’s a video review of the MSI Wind:

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Since I’ve been looking at Netbooks, the HP Mini-Note should definitely not be overlooked since it was one of the first to be classified in this category as an ultra subcompact laptop gadget. I like the fact that it’s not Intel, and that you can configure the hard drive and memory to your liking, in addition to both Windows and Linux flavors. It can be a little more pricey than the others depending on how it’s configured, but it was one of the only ones to pack a 1280×768 resolution into the tiny 7.8″ screen! What more could you ask for though – you get Wi-fi, a webcam, and both express and SD card slots – in addition to the normal USB connects. All in a little 2.8lb case!

Here’s a video review:

You can find the HP Mini-Note for pretty reasonable new and used prices on ebay, here are some ending soon:

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I’ve recently discovered the wonder of the “netbook” that everybody seems to be clamoring about. Basically the sub-compact or “mini-notebook” is very popular and this category is now dubbed the “netbook”. Probably because it’s small, about the size of a book, and primarily used do do things on the ‘net.

I’ve reviewed one before, but at the time the phrase “netbook” wasn’t yet coined. I posted twice about the original Asus eee PC review (linux), and the Asus eee PC Windows XP review.

Although there seems to be quite a few “netbooks” out on the market now, the one that every seems to know other than the eee is the Asus Aspire One netbook. I can only imagine what kind of problems this is going to cause for the tech clueless since the names are so darn similar (Acer, Asus).

If you’re in a hurry and want the short version, here’s a video review you can watch of the Acer Aspire One:

The Acer Aspire one is a 2 lb wonder. Depending on model screen size varies from 7-10″, same for HDD size 120-160GB+ (unless you get one with a SSD, which would probably be 8GB or less). Most units seem to have 1GB Ram, and I’ve seen a few claiming to be able to run Vista Ultimate. They all seem to come with a webcam (although crappy .3 megapixel), and a headphone jack. You also get 3 USB jacks, a microphone jack, and even a monitor out if you need to hookup to a projector. You get of course a LAN jack and Wireless b/g, speakers, a card reader, and usually Windows XP loaded on the system. There is of course a Linux version too. Supposedly the new Windows 7 is designed to run on portable netbooks as well (without the hardware constraints of Vista).

You’re probably wondering – what do people that bought the Acer Aspire one really think of it? Well I can tell you that PCWorld gave it a damn near 5 star review. The same goes for nearly all the reviews on Amazon. Boot time is just over 20 seconds, and normal tasks like Facebook, Myspace, watching video on YouTube, using Firefox, and copying over your favorite album are all quick and easy.

If you’re up for one of these little wonders, I would definitely check out some of the latest auctions for both new and used ones on eBay right now:

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