GadgetGreg.com & GadgetGuy.ca

FixMeStick virus detection software runs from USB stick

December 20, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

EDMONTON, Alta. Dec. 20, 2016/ Troy Media/ – It’s imperative that you use software to protect your computer against viruses, spyware, malware, trojans and other threats. Unlike the human body, where vaccines or treatments can take effect while you’re asleep or awake, some computer nasties can’t be detected or eradicated if an infection is active, or while the computer is running. It could be compared to trying to diagnose an issue with your car, and then attempting to fix it while driving.

Equipped with its own operating system, a gadget like FixMeStick can be a lifesaver. It’s a self-propelled, self-contained, hardware-based  virus removal system that runs directly from a USB stick. Plus, it’s a Canadian company of the same name that is based in Montreal. Read full story at Troy Media or Active-Life.Ca.

Filed Under: accessories, GadgetGreg, Gift Ideas, Troy Media · Tagged With: anti-virus, security

Tech gifts for the whole family to enjoy

December 20, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Stocking stuffers are great for individual family members, but sometimes it can be a challenge finding just the right gift to put under the tree that everyone in the entire household can enjoy. So here are three ideas that everyone in the family can take pleasure in either inside or outside of the home.

Bluetooth Mirror-Mirror on the Wall

Bluetooth speakers are plentiful, but you’ve likely never seen one built into a stylish high-tech mirror. Designed to fit on your wall, the Viio series feature built-in side speakers, LED lighting and hands free-calling.

With Viio, anyone in the family can sing in the shower while listening to tunes and even take calls, if it just can’t wait. And when you’re all done, the anti-fog button will dissipate the steamy surface. Of course Viio can certainly go beyond the bathroom. It’s also suitable for the living room, bedroom or anywhere else you can hang a mirror. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: accessories, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Gaming, Gift Ideas, Internet, New Product · Tagged With: drones, Gaming, gift ideas, home

Wireless heated insoles keep toes toasty warm

December 15, 2016 by Greg Gazin · 1 Comment

As the mercury dips below -20°C, we think more and more about keeping warm. We wear toques, scarves, mitts, warm clothes and boots but sometimes it’s still a little hard to keep our feet and little tootsies warm in deep snow, on ice, or on cold pavement. There’s a cool gift idea for that, pardon the pun, the new wireless ThermaCELL ProFLEX Heavy-Duty Heated Insoles. They’re a flexible cushioned pair of insoles that feature a removable rechargeable lithium-ion battery in each insole.

The heat is controlled by your smartphone via Bluetooth through an Android or iOS app. So by simply pairing your smartphone with the insoles, you can control the level of heat going to each foot.

It does sound kind of funny, but it works. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: accessories, Apps Alive, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Gift Ideas, Hands On, New Product, Product review · Tagged With: accessories, gift idea, New product, product review, sports, winter

Review: LockSmart mini keyless and wireless padlock

December 11, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

It’s so easy to lose your keys or forget the combination of your lock, but chances are that you will have your smartphone with you. That’s what Australian accessory maker Dog & Bone is betting on with their new LockSmart mini, which allows you or your friends to wirelessly lock and unlock your padlock without physical keys or complicated codes.

LockSmart mini looks like a standard lock, but don’t let the candy colour rubberized silicone casing fool you. It’s pretty rugged. The shackle is made from hardened steel complemented with a die-cast zinc alloy body.

Although it’s called mini – likely because there is another model slightly larger it’s not tiny like a luggage lock. In fact, it measures 2” X 0.94” X 4.0”tall and weighs about 160g. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: accessories, Apps Alive, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Gift Ideas, Hands On, New Product, Product review · Tagged With: bluetooth, New product, product review, security

Netflix adds video previews to TV interface

December 6, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Scrolling through Netflix selections and reading the descriptions can sometimes be extremely time-consuming and often not very helpful, so Netflix has decided to enhance the user’s search experience. Today, they announced a new TV interface, which adds video previews alongside the title’s description.

Not a Teaser or Trailer

The video previews included in the new interface will however, not exactly be a teaser or the traditional trailers we’ve become so accustomed to. Read Full Post at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, News · Tagged With: Netflix, streaming video

Toastcaster 76 Being a Toastmasters District Social Media Manager – Glenda Sheard

December 4, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

[27:41] In this episode we speak with Glenda Sheard, DTM, Social Media Manager for District 99. While not an official Toastmasters position, her role is a critical component in attracting new members and engaging existing ones as this medium has gained widespread use. Glenda, a newly minted DTM enthusiastically shares how Social Media impacts districts and clubs and all Toastmasters, enlightening us on the importance of her role and how it works; how Districts can benefit from having a Social Media Manager and using Social Media along with some tips, tricks and examples how D99 uses these resources and how others can use them too.

Glenda Sheard DTM is a speaker, facilitator, presenter and fundraiser and lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta.

You can find more Toastcaster Podcasts at Toastcaster.com or iTunes.

Filed Under: GadgetGreg, podcast, Speaking, speaking, Toastmasters · Tagged With: podcast, Social Media, Toastmasters

Epson FastFoto FF-640 scans photos in only a second

December 4, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

If you’re a family that has shoe boxes tucked away in the attic, full of hundreds or even thousands of photos collected over the years that no one has ever seen or likely never ever will, then Epson FastFoto FF-640 High-Speed Photo Scanner might just be something for the holiday wish list.

Epson claims the FastFoto FF-640 is the fastest scanner in its class, capable of scanning pictures on average as fast as one per second. This is based on stacking thirty 4″ x 6″ prints in landscape mode in an auto-feeder tray set at 300 dpi (dots per inch). Maximum optical resolution of the scanner is 600 dpi.

The scanner uses Epson’s Single-step technology that scans the image as well as handwritten notes that may have been written on the photo’s backside. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Gift Ideas, New Product · Tagged With: gift, New product, photos, scanner

MODO BASS cool new electric bass virtual instrument for Mac/PC

November 30, 2016 by Announcements · Leave a Comment

MODO BASS is the first physical modeling virtual electric bass instrument that gives players and producers limitless bass sound possibilities and a new world of unmatched realism and playability for their bass tracks

After giving us a little teaser, IK Multimedia, has finally released MODO BASS, the new breakthrough physical modeling technology that brings a completely new level of realism and playability to the world of virtual bass instruments. MODO BASS is a customizable physically modeled virtual bass instrument that recreates the sound of the electric bass and how it’s played in real time – from all of the physical instrument components, the human technique of how the instrument is played, to the entire sound signal chain with effects and amplifiers.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Announcements · Tagged With: Guitar, New product, virtual instruments

Black Friday and Cyber Week tech deal sightings

November 24, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Looking for some gift ideas or simply a great deal on the latest tech? It seems that there is some serious savings to be had not only on Black Friday and Cyber Monday but also, as I recently discovered, days leading up to them and then even up to a week after. To that end, here are a few deals, from a few of your favourite outlets, I came across that you might just want to check out.

iPhone 6s powers down but won’t blow up

November 23, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Faulty battery leads to iPhone 6s recall

EDMONTON, Alta. Nov. 23, 2016/ Troy Media/ – Apple has announced a recall of some of its iPhone 6s due to a faulty battery.

There is no need to worry, however, as, unlike the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, which are now banned on all airlines, the iPhone 6 batteries won’t explode or catch fire.

In fact, Apple says there is no safety concern; the defect may simply cause your phone to shut down unexpectedly.

The recall doesn’t cover all iPhone 6s phones, only some of those that were manufactured in September and October 2015 and certain handsets that fall within a certain serial number range. Read full post at Troy Media.