Bradley's Favorite Geek Toys

I'm Back with a New Toy - LCD Monitors

2006-01-19T23:44:00.000-06:00

4.39 out of 5 Geek Points
I Want It!

I'm back. It's been several weeks since my last post, and I do apologize to the geek toy faithful. I have been trying to develop my website, Bradley's Picks (www.bradleyspicks.com). It's a shopping portal with a database of several thousand products from all sorts of online retailers. You can make it your one stop shop for anything you want to buy online. If it's not there now, it may be very soon. I am working to compile a database of over a million different products from hundreds of online merchants. Bradley's Picks is packed with cool geek toys, jewelry, clothes, camping gear...(Well, pretty much everything you can buy online). Going there is like going to the mall without having to worry about where to park. Ok, enough with the shameless plug of www.bradleyspicks.com. (Sorry, had to get one more mention of the URL in there). Now that my site is up and running (though it is under constant development and improvement), I can get back to blogging.

Some of you will think I am being lazy with this post and that I want nothing more than to promote my website. While that may be partially true, the cool geek toy that I am submitting to you today has really captured my heart as of late. It is the LCD monitor. I just finished helping my wife pick out a new desktop computer to use at work. She is the secretary at our church and is soon to take over the financial responsibilities of the church. As a result, she needs a reliable computer. I found her a nice system from Dell at a sweet price. The thing that really punched my attention about the whole deal was the FREE LCD monitor. Yes, FREE! I have tried and tried to figure out how Dell can afford to give away those things for FREE! (Did I mention the 17" LCD Monitor came free with the system?) I unpacked the slim sliver of beast the other night and I was in love. Now, I know LCD monitors are not a new phenomenon, but after spending too many years (OK, at least three) as a network/computer tech I can really appreciate the lightweight counterpart to the bulky CRT monitor. Not to mention, this sleek black 17-inch beauty changed the whole demeanor of her cluttered desk. I proudly carted away the 19-inch CRT boat anchor to the next poor unsuspecting soul (which happened to be the Pastor of the church and my father-in-law). He has since inherited the behemoth and is enjoying the larger display.

So, I submit to you today as the geek toy of lore (for this week anyway), not a specific name brand or model number, but an entire genre of life-altering display devices -- hats off to the LCD monitor, sparing the emaciated arms of computer geeks everywhere! Thank you LCD inventor guy...whoever you are.

Website Improvements

2006-01-04T14:04:00.000-06:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. I am currently working on updating and upgrading my website www.bradleyspicks.com. I will be back on the blog bonanza soon.

Goodbye Wires - Wireless Video Sender

2005-12-31T11:53:00.000-06:00

4.179 out of 5 Geek Points
I Want It!

Wow! You geeks are insatiable. Just when I think I can relax, a massive throng of geeks gathers on my front lawn chanting "Give us more cool geek toys!" Ok, so that didn't happen, at least not yet, but it is time to reveal to you another great toy that you can beg your wives (or parents) for.

Here's the scenario. The Sci-Fi channel is hosting an all-day Star Trek The Next Generation marathon. You wife complains that you have seen every episode at least three times, and she thinks it is time you finally cleaned out the garage. You try to stand your ground but to no avail. You could drag an old TV out to the garage, but you don't have a cable hookup out there. Darn, guess you'll just have to stay on the couch. Then, miraculously, your wife thrusts this small brown package in your direction (ouch!). You open the package and inside lies this wireless video sender (pictured above). All your troubles are over...for today.

This little toy is handy. It operates on the same 2.4 GHz wave of wonder that I mentioned in my first post about wireless cameras. The cool part is you can attach it to anything that has RCA a/v out jacks. Just hook it up to your video source of choice, and then hook up the receiver to any television within 100 feet of the sender. Ceilings, floors, walls and pets are no match for this little gadget. It sends its faithful signal through just about anything. So, you can relax knowing that while you're cleaning out the garage Captain Picard, Counsellor Troi, Data and the gang will be there with phasers in hand to console you (or maybe "cajole you" if your wife has anything to say about it) as you "boldy go where no man has gone before".

Your oasis in the midst of the great garage desert will cost you just under $50, a small price to pay for wireless freedom.

My Apologies, but here is - ScanGauge 3-in-1

2005-12-30T23:51:00.000-06:00

2.75 out of 5 Geek Points
I Want It!

I know I promised I would post something here by mid-morning, but I had a semi-emergency situation that required my attention. A close friend of mine, an older gentleman from our church, is in the hospital. His wife called our pastor this afternoon to let him know that Chuck (the older gentleman) was not doing well and could take a turn for the worse at any moment. Since our pastor was out of town, I went to the hospital to visit Chuck and his wife Kay. Chuck, you are continuously in my prayers.

As for the next geek toy to tease you with, I have chosen the ScanGauge 3-in-1 Auto Computer. I don't know how many other geeks are like me when it comes to automobiles, but me trying to fix a car is like asking my grandmother to fix my laptop -- it's not going to happen. Then I saw this auto computer. The concept seems simple enough. You hook this computer up to your car and like magic it is able to read all sorts of geeky data from your car's onboard computer such as coolant temperature, speeds, fuel efficiency and more. The best part about ScanGauge 3-in-1 is that you can use it to clear that pesky "Check Engine" light that frivously lights up at the most inconvenient times. The computer will tell you why the car's computer activated the light and give you the option to turn it off. Finally, I can be a geek AND know a little something about the car I'm driving (other than what color it is). It's not really that expensive at $129. You can read more of the automotive technical details here.

Up Too Late?

2005-12-30T01:08:00.000-06:00

Ugh! Another evening of staying up way too late. I know I have to work tomorrow, but I feel like the New Year's holiday is already upon us. I guess I'm just getting prepared for a New Year's Eve all-nighter. I have been scouring the 'net looking for more really cool geek toys to blog about. There are so many out there. There are some really nice desktop and laptop systems I could choose, but that wouldn't be all that exciting, would it?

I want you to be more than just impressed. I want you to be forced to buy a new keyboard because you drenched the old one in puddles of ecstatic drool. I have a few decent ideas. I'm going to think them over as I sleep. I'll post again around mid-morning.

Control Lights and Appliances from Your PC

2005-12-29T10:02:00.000-06:00

4.99 out of 5 Geek Points
I Want It!

Good morning geeks. I know, it's already 10AM here in Alabama, and some of you would not consider that morning. However, in my defense, I did stay up until 1AM playing my new PS2 which I received as a Christmas present this year from my mother. (Yes, I do realize I am a year behind in the gaming console market.) My wife and I are trying our best to master the art of the dance mat so we can impress our friends when we play American Idol at our New Year's Eve party.

[Please wait..switching on favorite Todd Agnew CD to initiate wake-up sequence]

Nevertheless, for those of you who, like me, need a little waking up this morning, I have a great geek toy to get your blood pumping. It's offical name is ActiveHome Pro. Technically, ActiveHome itself is both a product and a line of products. The ActiveHome module (shown above) has a built in computer, but it attaches to your PC via a USB cable. You then use their intuitive software to control your the lights and appliances in your house. Of course, any lights or appliances you wish to control have to be connected to some type of ActiveHome controllable module. There are several different types of modules you can purchase. There is a wall switch module which replaces the current light switch in your wall. There are also lamp and appliance modules which simply plug into an outlet and have a receptacle located on top. Anything plugged into the receptacle is now controllable from your computer. If it is not already obvious, lamp modules are only for controlling lamps or lights while appliance modules are a little more hearty and can control toasters, coffee pots or whatever you geeks can come up with to plug into it. There are also the little things called Socket Rockets which screw into a light socket. The light bulb then screws into the Socket Rocket and viola -- instant control. No wiring. No mess.

The coolness does not stop there. Once under the control of an ActiveHome module, ordinary lights become dimmable. Now you can set the ambient light in your living room at the touch of a button. Perfect for that hot date this weekend. (Who am I kidding? More like its perfect for the next LAN party when you're too lazy to get up and turn down the lights manually.)

Oh, don't let me forget. I mentioned earlier that the ActiveHome module has a built-in computer. Well, this computer can be programmed from your PC through the USB cable. You can program macros. (I know, it makes me drool too.) So, at the touch of a button you can start your morning coffee, turn of the lights in the kitchen and commence the heating of your chocolate Pop-Tart. Of course, you don't have to really press a button on the included remote control if you don't want. You could buy an Eagle Eye motion sensor and have it activate the designated macro the moment you step out of bed, whether it's 6AM or 1PM. One last thing to mention. ActiveHome has a learning mode. It will watch your activity for 24 hours. Then, the next day, it will repeat the previous days actions down to the minute. If you change your routine the second day, it learns that as well. By week's end, your home knows you better than you know you. Very cool.
So, how much does it cost to live like George Jetson? Not that much. You can get the ActiveHome starter kit for under $50. For just under $100 you can get a combo deal that includes a keychain remote, a handheld remote, a socket rocket, a lamp module, an appliance module, a motion sensor, all the necessary software and the ActiveHome module. It's a small price to pay to be the coolest envy of everyone at the next LAN party.

Until next post, just remember, it's OK to be a geek. We have cooler toys.

My Favorite iPod Accessory - Wireless Audio

2005-12-28T16:50:00.000-06:00

3 out of 5 Geek Points
I Want It!

Hello again fellow geeks. Today is the first day of my first blog. So far, I have made three posts and I'm still getting the hang of it. I am going to do my best to add at least one post a day for those of you who just can't get enough cool geek toys.

Now, if you're like me then you have some Christmas cash from Grandma burning a hole in your pocket. You know there's a ton of things you want, but you just can't decide what to spend it on. Well, if you have an iPod, here's my favorite accessory. It's called iParty, and it's sort of like an FM transmitter only better. It sends out the audio signal from your iPod straight to your favorite stereo system up to fifty feet away. Pretty cool, eh? Best of all, it doesn't use an AM or FM band to transmit. It uses a 900 mHz wireless signal, the same as Bose and other expensive wireless headphones. Forget about scanning FM stations to find the one with the least static. Forget about having to turn the volume all the way up just to hear the song. This little iParty packs some power.

Of course, that being said, I am kind of jealous. I have yet to own an iPod personally, so I cannot partake of this most excellent accessory. But, it's now on my personal wish list. For $49.99 maybe someone out there will buy it for me as a Thank-You gift for this handy blog.

Swiss Army USB Knife?

2005-12-28T14:37:00.000-06:00

4.25 out of 5 Geek Points
I Want It!

The phrases "USB Flash Drive" and "Swiss Army Knife" hardly seem to fit together, but the Swissbit 256MB Red Victorinox Drive makes it happen. I have never been one to carry around a pocket knife, especially since the increase in post 9-11 security. But this Victorinox combo, equipped with a USB flash drive, scissors, knife, ink pen, screw driver, and file, has changed my mind.

I'm hardly ever so excited over such a small item, but this thing is cool. I got one for Christmas. Its tiny blade could prove to be very useful in a pinch, not to mention, the tiny screwdriver and ink pen. I can recall countless times at work rummaging through drawers, toolboxes and cabinets trying to find any one of these items individually. Now, I can have them all in one tiny device that hangs unassumingly on my keychain tethered together with a 256MB detachable USB flash drive. This is a new item for me, but for just under $50, it has to make my list of cool geek toys.

By the way, if you are worried about airport security, the USB does detach for use in government buildings, airports and anywhere else personal pocket knives are not allowed.

Small, Wireless Color Camera!

2005-12-28T11:51:00.000-06:00

4 out of 5 Geek Points
I Want It!

I can't quite decide what it is about a wireless video camera that makes my heart pound a bit faster. Is it the exhiliration of knowing that video images are being whisked through air on a 2.4 gHz wave of wonder? Or, is it simply knowing that I can be 100 feet away from anywhere, and still be there? Whatever the reason, I think wireless cameras are the neatest thing since... well... They're just neat.

As a kid, I used to play with my parents video camera. I would gather all my TMNT action figures, and then I would build ramps for their cars. Finally, I would zoom the camera in on the ramp and just start jumping and flying and crashing into everything. When the filming was complete, I would play it back on our 27" television in slow motion. It was awesome.

The old camcorder is long gone, along with the 27" inch television and my illustrious career as a director of action movies. But, just when I thought those days were in the past here comes this pop-up ad for a tiny wireless video camera. The possibilities seemed endless.

(Allow me to interject an important point here. Amidst the vast sea of opportunities that might enter your mind as you read this, forget voyeurism. That's illegal, immoral and an invasion of other people's privacy. [Stepping down from soapbox now])

You could strap this camera on a RC car and zoom through the neighborhood from a new perspective. Or, you could get really creative and strap it on a RC airplane and see your house from a bird's eye view. This really has to be one of my all-time favorite geek toys. Its simple to use, not very expensive (Less than $80), and has a high rate of return in coolness.