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December 11, 2004

Today we focused on tech gifts for the holiday season.

Guests on this week

David Gregg - Senior Editor of Best Magazine and BestStuff.com together with Sears, lends insight on some of the hottest tech and gadget gifts of the 2004 holiday season

Alison Dyette - Covers the latest in cutting edge style trends for the real world. She is enegetic and dynamic. She is the co-founder of Stylebakery.com

Dave Mathews -- Tech Gift Expert from Radio Shack. Radio Shack is no longer just a store for the ulitimate techie -- now they carry cool technology for men, women and kids.

The Official "Mr Gadget" - Steve Kruschen will join us to talk about all the latest and greatest gadets. He will let you in on his top picks and more. mrgadget.com

Review and Comment Articles

1. Media companies get US Supreme Court hearing on File Sharing - The motion picture and recording industries will get a U.S. Supreme Court hearing in their bid to block the "catastrophic, multibillion-dollar harm" they say is caused by file-sharing software used to pirate movies and songs.

2. Congress Votes to Ban States from taxing Internet - Congress passed a measure putting a three-year ban on State and Local governments' taxation of the monthly fees that Internet provides charge their customers.

3. Steal my Identity, Please

4. Newest Sober worm attacks - A new version of the sober worm appeared on the Internet last week and had quite a bit of success infecting users' machines through social engineering. It arrives in an e-mail message that appears to be a returned-mail error message.

5. Browser wars back on - The Mozilla foundations' release of firefox 1.0 this month reignited the browser wars on consumer desktops.

6. Nextel and Sprint to Merge - Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. have tentatively agreed to economic terms of a merger of equals that would create a third giant cellular carrier with nearly 39 million subscribers.

7. The right price for cyberspace: Consumers will not pay for what they can download free

8. Hi, I’m your car, Don’t let me distract you - Automakers, their suppliers and cellphone manufacturers are pitching handsfree technology as a safe way to rein in the expanding clutter of gadgetry that can leave drivers grabbing for everything but the steering wheel.

9. Atkins Gets Tech-Savvy to Reach more Dieters -U.S. dieters will soon be able to count their carbs on mobile phones, the company behind the Atkins Diet said. Early next year dieters will able to pay for software that will help them track the carbohydrate contents of foods, as well as their own daily carb intake on mobile phones and handheld computers.

10. Radioactive medical procedures can set off alarms in a post 9-11 world - A new study shows that patients who have certain medical procedures might themselves set off security sensors designed to find "dirty" bombs or other active weapons.

11. Phreaks love Bluetooth - Bluetooth is becoming the vector of choice for next generation phone phreakers to swipe files from other users, make calls or render mobile phones completely useless.

12. Lycos top 50 - The iPod made its first ever appearance on this weeks Lycos 50, the authoritative weekly list of the most popular people people, places and things.

13. 3-Point Shopping for a Computer - Computer selection should focus on hard drive space, memory capacity, and removeable storage. Let's begin with the hard drive: 60 GB is a realistic floor but if you want to edit video, you will need to double that figure.

Next on the list is memorcapacity - Extra memory capacity boosts the performance in fact more than added processor speed. With today's operating systems you need 512 megabytes and make sure that you leave an empty memory slot to add more if you need it later.

Now for removable storage - today's primary form of removable storage should be a CD burner; look for fast write and rewrite speeds. DVD playback makes a nice bonus; DVD recording is essential for video editing and a convenient form of backing up data.

Dave Mathews - Radioshack.com

Dave Mathews -- Tech Gift Expert from Radio Shack. Radio Shack is no longer just a store for the ulitimate techie -- now they carry cool technology for men, women and kids.
  • Cool Electronics - Radio Shack offers a broad assortment of cool electronics, including popular name brands and many Radio Shack exclusives that can't be found elsewhere. Any gadget lover would be thrilled to receive tech toys, such as:
    • Radio Shack DXG-301V Digital Camera/Camcorder
    • Point Source Surround Sound Speaker System
    • IVL Handheld Karaoke
    • Handheld TV
  • LifeWise Products - Radio Shack's exclusive line of products that appeal to people's desire for health, peace of mind and comfort. The following gifts are perfect for moms, sisters, and girlfriends:
    • Aromotherapy sleep machine
    • Rolling foot massager
    • Massaging bath pillow
  • RC Toys -- Over the years, Radio SHarck has come to be known as the "RC Headquarters" - and for good reason! Radioshack makes dreams come true for little kids and big kids alike with its newest radio-controlled cars, including:
    • Ford F-350 with Mattracks
    • XMODS Hot Rods
    • Catapult Stunt RC
  • Stocking Stuffers - People searching for last minute stocking stuffers should look no further than Radio Shack. Consider any of the following:
    • FlatFoto 2 megapixel Digital Camera
    • iGO Power solutions for mobile electronic devices
    • 8-1 Kameleon Remote Control
    • VGA Pen Camera

David Gregg - BestStuff.com

David Gregg - Senior Editor of Best Magazine and BestStuff.com together with Sears, lends insight on some of the hottest tech and gadget gifts of the 2004 holiday season

  • Digital Photo Printers - Nothing beats the instant gratification associated with digital photography. Unfortunately, the cost of digital photo printing can become expensive. Look for digital photo printers that offer the convenience of portability and, most importantly, ask for the average price per print. If it is more than $.29 a picture, take a pass on that unit. Plus, don't forget the digital camera. SUGGESTIONS: Canon 3.2 megapixel digital camera bundle $ 299.98 and Hewlett Packard Digital Photo Printer $99.00
  • Recording memories - or your favorite show -- on DVD - Now almost half the price of last season, DVD Recorders are an affordable and easy way to record your favorite TV shows without the bulk and complexity of VHS machines. Some models even include an internal hard drive (similar to TIVO) that allows you to record your favorite programs and then transfer them permanently to DVD! SUGGESTIONS: Lite on DVD recorder with onscreen TV Guide $ 199.00
  • Besides an Ipod.... - Contrary to popular belief, there are other MP3 music players available other than Apple's Ipod. Save money on the MP3 player you are buying by cutting down on the memory space (a unit that holds 4-8 hours of music should be plenty for most adults) and put your savings into a nice set of ear/headphones. SUGGESTIONS: Sony network MP3 Player stores 13,000 songs $349.00; Sony 256MB MP3 player $149.99
  • All-in-one Home Remodeling - Home remodeling shows have created renewed interest in buying gifts that allow the recipients to pursue their decorating dreams. Tool sets are available for homeowners, but also for those owning motorcycles or boats. These all-in-one tool sets (including the toolbox) are not a gift idea limited to just men -- many women have been bitten by the "Do It Yourself" bug, too. Manufacturers are making tools with better ergonomics, less weight and better designs that appeal to men and women alike. SUGGESTIONS: Craftsman 86-piece homeowner tool set $199.99; Black and Decker 18-volt cordless tool set with light and bag $39.99
  • Lasers Light up the Season - Market news reports, "Judging by the success of laser guided tools in the 2004 holiday seaon, this new technology has well and truly arrived bringing "Star Wars" excitement to the $212 billion American home improvement and do-it-yourself markets." From mechanics gloves that light up to levels, lasers have taken over the tool box. SUGGESTIONS: Craftsman Illum-A-Gloves $29.99; Companion Laser Level $14.99; Craftsman laser-guided measuring tool $34.99

Alison Deyette - Stylebakery.com



Alison Dyette - Covers the latest in cutting edge style trends for the real world. She is enegetic and dynamic. She is the co-founder of Stylebakery.com
  • Treo-650 - the newest and latest PDA that everyone is gushing over. It's $599 but if you go through sprint you get $150 rebate and you can go to palmOne.com to purchase it ahead of time. The Treo 650 smartphone from palmOne makes it easier than ever to stay connected. It simplifies your life by combining a compact mobile phone with email, an organizer, messaging, and web access. There's also Bluetooth technology so you can connect wirelessly to other Bluetooth devices. Not to mention an MP3 player,a digital camera that captures video, and a vibrant color screen that brings everything to life -- all in a device that's still small enough to fit in your pocket.
  • Archos Pocket Video Recorder - is the ultimate handheld digital video recorder that offers TV recording and a portable home entertainment center in one pocket-sized device. You can record TV shows and movies directly from a TV, VCR, or cable/satellite reciever with a convenient one time set up TV Cradle. But entertainment enjoyment goes far beyond the living room. When on the go, you can watch videos and view photos on the large LCD color screen, listen and record music, transfer photos from your digital camera and data files from your PC.
  • Kids and Adults alike will love the Portable DVD Player - Samsung 10 or 12 inch screen is perfect for those on the go. Purchase at JandRmusic.com. Price ranges from $300 - $700.
  • iPod Photo - The newest member of the iPod family. iPod photo comes in 2 sizes: a 40GB model available for $499, and the spacious 60GB model that sells for $599. Both feature a razor sharp LCD display that lets you see your photos in vivid color (63,536 colors to be exact). And with its built-in backlighting, you'll be able to admire those photos indoors and out.
  • Still need more ideas -- incorporate technology with function - How about creating a commuter kit for your favorite office worker - Fill a soft-side lunch tote with breakfast bars and other snack food for the road, a travel mug, coffee flavor sticks, and of course, a Starbucks gift card. Add a Fuel card along with an f.y.e. card for CD's and a Barnes and Noble card for audiobooks for the drive.
  • How about a way to ring in the new year - give a jingle to someone who's been nice all year with the Virgin Mobile K-9 Rave phone "top up" cards. For the low price of $39.00, the phone includes features such as a color screen, changeable faceplates, built-in flashlight, rescue ring, and downloadable superphonic ring tones, like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" or "Winter Wonderland".
  • How about a Hectic Traveler kit - Help the friend or companion who's always on a plane relax with a Heat Sensitive Eye Mask and Travel Sound Soother that has 20 different sounds from nature to ease the stress of constant jet lag. Available from Sharper Image. Slip in a Sharper Image gift card so they can buy the newest cushy pillow for a more comfortable plane ride.

The Official "Mr. Gadget" - Steve Kruschen

The Official "Mr Gadget" - Steve Kruschen will join us to talk about all the latest and greatest gadets. He will let you in on his top picks and more. mrgadget.com
  • Adobe Premiere Elements and Photoshop Elements Redifine Easy for Digital Camcorder Users and Digital Photographers.
  • Epson Stylus CX4600 Multifunction Printer, Copier, Scanner - A home or small office workhorse.
  • Humax DRT800 DVD Recorder with TiVo service.
  • Get the Strait-Line Rolling Tape for the home improvement specialist in your family this holiday season.
  • Just TOO cute for little girls this Holiday Season - Strawberry Shortcake Singin' Suprise is a real doll
  • Toshiba High Definition TheaterWide Projection TV and High Def Recorder
  • HP ep9010 Instant Cinema Projector with Built-in DVD Player
  • New Kyocera Koi Phone - Cool Design, feature rich Camera you can really use.
  • Magellan eXplorist Series - Compact, affordable, easy to use GPS for the outdoor enthusiast.
  • Motorola Talkabout T6500 Two way radios