We've booked 12 solid hours with a tech support superstar named Karan Shah. In the discussion below, you can ask him anything about the laptops, tablets, cameras and phones that Santa brought you this year.
Showing posts with label gadgets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gadgets. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
We've Got Live Tech Support To Answer Questions on All Your New Gadgets
This story will display in ...Dec 25, 2012 8:00 AM
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Foxconn plans camera gadgets with GoPro investment
Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn Electronics said it could integrate more camera features into its devices after making a US$200 million investment in a U.S. company that makes cameras for action sports enthusiasts.
Foxconn's investment, announced last week, buys the company a 8.88 percent stake in GoPro, a company that sells wearable cameras to take video and pictures of outdoor activities such as skydiving, surfing, and skiing.
Foxconn's major clients include Apple, Microsoft, Sony, and other electronics vendors, and the company is a producer of smartphones, tablets, TVs, and video game systems. The company foresees the consumer tech industry moving toward more products capable of "content creation," and expects GoPro can help Foxconn better tap into this market, said Foxconn spokesman Simon Hsing.
The investment will also pave the way for GoPro to expand U.S. sales by leveraging Foxconn's manufacturing capacity, he added.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
How To Rescue Wet Gadgets
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As soon as you realize your gadget has been doused you need to get the electricity out of it, and fast. Damage isn't generally caused by water itself, but by the electrical shorts that it creates. If you gadget has a removable battery, pull it out fast. If it doesn't turn off the power immediately. If the power is off by the time you retrieve it, resist the urge to turn it on to check it. You're going to be without your gadget for a couple days. Accept that now.
Remove everything that can come off the gadget. Back covers, SD cards, SIM cards, headphone port coverings. Everything. The more you can strip it down the better. Don't break it, but you want to open up as many points for air to get in and water to get out as possible.
If you have a vacuum cleaner with a narrow nozzle attachment, that's ideal. You want to try to get as much of that moisture out as possible. Suck from each port for at least five minutes.
Not long ago, I dropped my phone in a bowl of soup. I'm not proud of it, but it happened. I didn't have a vacuum nearby. I had to suck the soup out of the earphone port, the ear piece, and microphone ports with my mouth (spitting it out into a second bowl). Am I proud of this? No. Did it save the phone? Yes.
You will see a lot of sites that tell you to put your gadget into a bowl of dry rice. That works okay, but I'm going to share with you my secret weapon that works better than anything I've ever tried: Rice Krispies. Yes, the breakfast cereal. They suck up liquid much faster and more aggressively than uncooked rice. Grab a fresh box, jam your device in there, and leave it for 48 hours. Rotate the device every now and then.
After 48 hours or so, remove your phone from the Rice Krispies. If you see any sign of moisture still in there (fog on the screen, for instance), put it back in for more time. If, however, it looks bone dry, put the battery back in, and (hopefully) turn it on. With a little luck, your gadget will be up and running again.
I cannot personally vouch for this method, but some recommend soaking the device in very pure rubbing alcohol. Using pure alcohol in the 90-percent range, the theory is, alcohol is non-corrosive and evaporates faster than water. This is true. However, a lot of phones and tablets have oleophobic coatings, which alcohol will quickly degrade. So, it might not be worth the risk.We've heard some people recommend putting the phone in the silica gel packets—you know, the do not eat pouch packed with your snacks and furniture. Thing is, the silica's powers of desiccation are all used up by the time you open a product—it's already reached is maximum absorption point. And who saves those things, anyway?There is, however, a newish product on the market called the Bheestie Bag. It's something you buy ahead of time if you're going canoeing or are especially accident prone. It claims it can dry your gadgets out seven times faster than home remedies. But we've yet to test it. And seriously, my Rice Krispies trick is awesome.Hair-dryers, ovens, toasters. No, stupid, don't do that. You will melt the components. If you want to use a hair-dryer on the "no heat" setting (so it's just a fan), fine. But you're better off with a vacuum.Microwaves. NOOOOOOOOOOO! What are you even thinking?Shaking it. Might seem like a good idea when it first happens, but the water may only be in the outside chambers of your gadget. Shaking it can drive the water deeper. Don't. Just use a towel to dry it off.That's what we do over here. If you have some ideas of your own, let us know!
Image credit: Shutterstock/silver-john
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Timbuk2 Power Commute carries your gadgets, keeps 'em charged for $199 (hands-on)
Timbuk2 Announces Partnership with Joey® Energy to Launch the First Series of Purpose-Built Bags with a Power Supply to Charge a Variety of Electronics while on the Move
The San Francisco-based pioneer of the laptop bag unveils Power Commute and Power Q for the most innovative technology portage yet
SAN FRANCISCO - Timbuk2, the San Francisco-based manufacturer, announces a partnership with Joey® Energy to offer the first series of purpose-built bags with a power supply to charge a variety of electronics while on the move. As a result of this collaboration, Timbuk2 will unveil two new bags – the Power Commute and Power Q on November 8, 2012.
"There are a few 'battery' and power bags on the market, however none are from existing or trusted manufacturers in a lightweight, simple and compact format that also charges different brands and types of technology while on the go," says Timbuk2 CEO Mike Wallenfels. "Timbuk2's core consumer has a nomadic lifestyle. It made sense for us to partner with Joey Energy to offer the most innovative charging capabilities designed to keep consumers moving in two of Timbuk2's top selling bag styles."
Not for individual sale, the Joey® T1 power supply is designed with rugged electronics and a tough, water resistant case. Offering a very slim design and wire with a satellite USB port, the Joey® T1 unit features include:
Energy on the Move – Consumers can charge the T1 before a business trip or vacation to provide up to weeks of charging while in the bag. No more searching for power outlets while on the go. One Source for Power Supply - Charges virtually any technology that charges via a USB cable, including smartphones and phones, iPads and Kindles, iPods and other MP3 players, GPS units, tablet computers, etc., eliminating the need for multiple cords.
Purpose-Built for Life Integrated in a Bag - It's USB ports and LEDs are built into a "satellite" unit in a dedicated compartment inside of the Timbuk2 bag with ports to thread the charger cable to the iPad/tablet compartment or smartphone pocket inside the bag.
Extremely Efficient Cooling Capabilities - Ensures longer life of electronics and Joey.
Button-Free – It's powerful computer simply does what is needed without input from the user and won't run the risk of accidentally turning the unit on or off.
Convenient Pass-Through Mode - Both Joey and the user's device can be charged from a single wall outlet cable.
Recyclable - Designed to be recycled at any of the many thousands of electronics recycling points throughout the U.S. and the world. Recycling information is available with bag purchase.
"We're passionate about developing innovative solutions for people's frenetic lifestyles," said Joey Energy Co-founder and Outdoor Industry Veteran, George Farkas. "Timbuk2 customers are highly mobile people who don't want to spend their days searching for wall outlets, nor do they want to carry multiple wall charge cables for the electronics in their bag. We're pleased to be partnering with Timbuk2 as they align with our mission to keep people moving and do so in a smart, stylish and functional way."
Available November 8, 2012 on www.timbuk2.com and REI stores across the country and in February 2013 at select additional retailers, Timbuk2's new Power Line includes the Power Commute and the Power Q:
Timbuk2 Power Commute - A TSA-compliant messenger bag with a Joey® T1 Power Supply.
Available in Black/Gunmetal/Algae Green
Size: Medium
Retail price: $199
Power Commute design features include:
· Joey® T1 charge unit fits in a dedicated pocket on the inside with weather proof ports to thread the charger cable to the iPad pocket or phone pocket
· TSA-compliant quilted/tricot lined laptop compartment fits most 15" laptops
· Removable shoulder strap so you can carry as a briefcase or messenger
· Separate dedicated pockets for your iPad, laptop power brick, etc.
· Napoleon side-entry pockets with faux fur lined phone/iGadget pockets
Timbuk2 Power Q – Timbuk2's best-selling pack with a Joey® T1 Power Supply.
Available in Black/Gunmetal/Algae Green
Size: Medium
Retail price: $199
Power Q design features include:
· Joey® T1 Power Supply fits in a dedicated pocket on the inside that charges virtually any device that charges via USB cable – while in the bag
· Swing Around tricot-lined side access compartment fits most 15" laptops (and 17" MacBook)
· Ventilated back panel to provide breathing room
· Custom-fit strap design for truer, more comfortable fit
· Dedicated pocket for laptop power brick and accessories
· Multiple grab handles and compartments
· Refined weave 840 ballistic nylon
For more information about Timbuk2, visit www.timbuk2.com.
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Timbuk2 is a San Francisco-based company that pioneered the messenger bag.
Born and bred in 1989 in a San Francisco garage by a bike messenger named
Rob Honeycutt with an old sewing machine, Timbuk2 has been building bags and
accessories for urban adventurers with a simple philosophy – create
good-looking, durable bags you can truly make your own. They're sold at
specialty retailers and online at www.Timbuk2.com.
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