From bluetooth meat thermometers to build your own robot kits and everything in between, David and Katie discuss their gift ideas for the geek in your life.
Links for this episode:
- WeMo
- Nest Learning Thermostat
- APC BE550G Back-UPS
- Belkin SurgeMaster 6 Outlet Wall-Mount Surge Protector
- iGrill
- CrashPlan
- Hummingbird Robotics Kit
- Jawbone JAMBOX Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- Jawbone BIG JAMBOX Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover
- Origami Workstation
- Apple Wireless Keyboard
- Retractable Lightning Cable
- Griffin Lightning Connector Cables
- Blue Lounge Design CableDrop Cable Management System
- Schumacher XP400 Instant Portable Power Source
- Apple TV
- Newer Technology Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet
- Think Geek
- iCADE – iPad Arcade Cabinet
- Outsource your photo scanning projects
- ScanDigital
- JetPens
- Zebra Sarasa Push Clip Gel Ink Pen – 0.7 mm
- Pilot Namiki Vanishing Point Fountain Pen – Fine Nib
- Uni Kuru Toga Roulette Model Auto Lead Rotation Mechanical Pencil
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:30:41 — 41.8MB)
Loved the first part of the show as I have been on a home automation kick. I’ve got the WeMo, Nest and Hue. The WeMo I use to turn on/off a food dehydrator that doesn’t have an on/off switch. I use the machine weekly and the hassle of unplugging the machine and plugging it in is gone.
The Nest – I got the generation 2 for my apartment in New Hampshire where we rely on heating quite a bit. I love being able to turn up the heat from my iPhone when I wake up and the auto away and auto schedule is really awesome. It’s great being able to leave the house knowing my thermostat will go to away and during the work week it’ll even turn it on a little bit before I arrive home so I enter a heated home. Easy install and a must for those that like awesome things.
The Hue – I got the 3 pack last week and am hooked. Being able to wake up to light alarms rather than sound alarms is addictive. Having them on a schedule is awesome for reminders to go to bed and so the lights go off even if I forget to turn them off before falling asleep for the night. The third party developers are already cranking out some great concept apps and in the next year I think the third party app scene for Hue bulbs will be something rather awesome. The price is high, but these bulbs should last a decade or so – so I figure I live with things like light bulbs and I might as well have the best.
My only complaint is brightness – they are 600 lumens and to have a really well lit room I’m going to need to buy quite a few more – not a huge issue, but a single bulb won’t light up an entire room – once I save up some money it’ll be truly awesome having a 9 bulb setup in my one room apartment.
The last bit of home automation I have my eye on is Lockitron – finally I’ll be able to not use my keys to enter my home but do that from my iPhone. That’s coming in May – so something to look forward to in 2013.
I would love a show with someone that does home automation and other tips and tricks around that topic.
Tim
You beat me to the punch, Tim.
Re: Phillips hue as another point of reference, 600 lumens is equivalent to a 50-watt bulb. That said, I LOVE hue for what it is. I have another lamp that I use to read and work by.
Enjoy!
Hi Katie,
I wanted to share some info on compact florescent light bulbs (CFL), Please see this break down in a youtube video http://youtu.be/3gjvOOlHmsU
His other video explains it another way is http://youtu.be/ta2ozf_uJJ8
Thank you for the show.
Enjoyed this show. Gave me some ideas for Christmas gifts.
I already use Crashplan (it’s ok) and have an Apple wireless keyboard which works fine and a UPS. But the other items you two mentioned I am checking into.
P.S. 1Password, please bring back WiFi Sync in 1Password 4 for IOS!
cknowledge that many people don’t want their passwords in the cloud.
One thing to keep in mind in scanning photos: Are there notes on the back of the photo? My mother left a ton of old family photos with notes on the back identifying the people (thank you Mom!). I’ve slowly been two-sided scanning those photos with my ScanSnap. Now we know who are in the photos, No guessing!
Frying a turkey is only dangerous when you DON’T follow the proper safety protocols, which are actually not that difficult. In brief:
* Buy a reasonably sized bird, NOT the most outrageous one.
* Make sure it is completely thawed and pat it dry (inside and out).
* Buy a good sturdy cooking stand/burner and
* Measure how much liquid the turkey displaces so that you know exactly how much oil to put in.
* DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WALK AWAY WHILE IT IS COOKING!
A gas/propane burner and large stock pot are the traditional turkey frying apparatus, but these days there are many electric turkey fryers that work quite well and are much easier to set up, clean up and maintain.
I love my iGrill and use it ALL. THE. TIME. Even when not grilling (ie I use it in the oven too). People think the iGrill is rather silly. There are in fact quite a few wireless meat thermometers out there, and I’ve tried ‘em all, and they all stink (mostly because their range is horrible). Whereas the range on the iGrill is, in a word, remarkable. They claim 200 ft and I believe them. Plus you forgot to mention that you can buy a 2nd probe for the iGrill, so you can measure the temperature of two different things at once. (Useful for when you’re cooking two different types of meat)
Have you guys given any thought to a “Cooking with your iDevice” show? Your favorite recipe/other apps, ways to mount your iPad while cooking (and protect it from oopses), etc.