When things were just getting set up at CES last week, I snapped a couple of photos. I like how this one turned out.
We’ll be writing about our favorite highlights from the Consumer Electronics Show over the next few days. Stay tuned for the newest in electronic gadgets!
I purchased the Kodak Easy Share Wireless Picture Frame with a specific purpose in mind: I wanted to immediately transfer motion sensor triggered photos from my Panasonic network camera at my front door onto a screen up stairs so we could see who was at the door before going downstairs to answer it. Advertised as “being able to receive emails with photo attachments and immediately display themâ€, it seemed that the Kodak picture frame might be just the ticket, since the camera can immediately send email photos when it senses motion.
I purchased the frame at Best Buy for $219–$50 lower than it’s MSRP of $269. Although its frame is made of plastic. The screen is okay but not great—it’s about middle of the road as LCD displays go. It has a wide angle viewability side to side, but is polarized vertically and so changes colors quickly when you angle it from top to bottom. That’s probably the right choice to make, and for the money I’m not going to dwell on the screen quality—it’s more than adequate. Unfortunately, the electronics protrude about ½†behind the frame, making it unsuitable for directly hanging on the wall. I’m not sure why digital photo frame makers think that it’s okay for the frame to protrude 1†away from the wall—you’d have to cut a large square hole in your wall in order for this frame to sit flush. It’s most appropriately used on a desk.
The frame was pretty easy to setup: Upon power-up, you use the touch-sensitive frame area below and to the right side of the display to move a cursor around and set the WiFi password. After restarting, it was up on my network and displaying default photographs.
Using the frame is trivially simple: Just pop in a photo card from your camera, and the photographs will instantly start showing using default settings. You control the frame using the touch sensors, using a swipe motion to scroll through photos and a touch motion to call up the menu. The menus are very easy to use, allowing you to select photo shows from the card, from online sources, and to set some of the frame’s defaults.
The frame is compatible with three different online services: Flickr, FrameChannel, and Kodak Easy Share online. FrameChannel and the Kodak site are so similar that it’s surprising that they both exist, much less are both supported. FrameChannel does provide an interesting additional service: Ambient information channels such as weather predictions, stock info, and news that appear automatically on the frame. You can’t change the settings for the online services on the frame directly, but you can point your computer’s web browser at the frame’s IP address to call up a website that will allow you to configure it completely.
In the frame’s configuration website, you can establish RSS Photo feed settings for the three directly supported services or for any generic RSS Photo feed site. The setup does require you to have accounts on these services, and it is a little bit of work to figure out exactly how everything should be setup, but I figured it out easily and without cracking the manual.
Of the three services, the Flickr integration is best: You can simply select Flickr on the menu and pretty much instantly your Flickr Photostream will appear as a slide show. You can setup tags to filter photos by as separate slide shows and choose between them, and you can even setup menu items to match tag channels on the main display.
The ability of the frame to map to an arbitrary Photo RSS feed means that you can use it as an ambient information display. For example, if you want to keep track of specific stocks, airline flight information, or network status information you could create a software application that generates those graphs and uses Photo RSS to feed them to the display.
A little hacking on my part showed that the frame complies with the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) standard for a media browser and a media renderer. This means that future home theater devices will be able to run slideshows directly on the frame, and that other frames can connect to it to display its content. The Kodak software uses UPnP features to control the frame, but UPnP itself is immature and there’s very little third party support for these features at this time.
Unfortunately, the love ended pretty early for this frame. Without fail, the wireless frame detached from my wifi-network after about two hours and stopped displaying anything, refusing to reconnect to the network until it was disconnected from power and restarted. It always reconnected immediately, which indicates that the problem is with the frame, not with the network (none of my other wireless devices have this problem). This problem makes it impossible for me to recommend this wireless frame until a firmware update that correctly addresses reconnecting to the network automatically is available.
The Kodak Easy Share software is utter garbage, doing little more than pointing you back to the frame’s own website in a window. The only reason to install it is to copy photos to the frame directly from your computer, but that’s more easily handled by copying them to a memory card in my opinion. There’s little to no point in installing it at all—the saving grace is that you don’t need it at all. I’m not sure why manufacturers go through all the effort of including poorly written software that is just going to annoy people when it isn’t even remotely necessary.
As for my use case—receiving photos from my network camera automatically and displaying them immediately—the frame is unfortunately not suitable. The first problem is that you can’t actually email photos into the frame. It does not check an email account for photos. Rather, you can configure FrameChannel or Flickr to receive email, and the frame will pull those photos down eventually. The best time I could get was about five minutes from the photos being sent until they arrived on the frame. Also, even if I could get photos onto the frame immediately, there’s no way to get the frame to instantly change to the latest newly arrived photo—rather, it gets to it eventually as it cycles through the slide show.
To make me happy, this frame would need to be configurable to check at email account using an email protocol for new photo mail when I touch the touch-sensor—not just RSS Photo feeds (none of which can be controlled closely enough to show what I want on the frame). It would also be nice if the frame supported common file transfer standards such as FTP, which would allow network cameras to transfer photos to it with no intervening servers and no need for the photos to go out on the Internet. It would also be nice if the frame could be configured to automatically display the most recently downloaded photos.
All of these would be forgivable if the wireless connectivity was reliable, but it isn’t. And given that, you’re better off just using its non-networked sibling, the Kodak M1020, which is half the price. A quick look on-line indicates that I’m not the only one having this problem, so I’ll be returning mine to Best Buy.
I don’t know why it has taken so long for someone to invent Loud N Clear, but I’m glad it’s finally here. For those people who are embarrassed by their hearing loss and don’t want to admit to the world that they need hearing aids, this little gadget looks like a bluetooth headset, but instead of making your phone easier to hear, it helps you hear everything better.
I personally haven’t tried this gadget, but I heartily approve of it. A couple of years ago, Mike and I were talking about bluetooth headsets and how common they are. I mentioned that it would be totally cool if they would make hearing aids that looked like bluetooth headsets so that people could hear clearly, but look like a normal headset-wearing person.
Of course, this commercial makes it look silly…
I wish that an established hearing aid company would make something like this, but for now, Loud N Clear will have to do.
I have never considered myself a pen snob. I have happily written page after page in my personal journal with a lowly Bic Pen. In fact, for years, my favorite pen was the Bic 4-Color Pen. That was until I was introduced to the Coleto Pilot Hi-Tec-C Pens.
They come in 3-Color and 2-Color sizes, so you can have three colors in one pen, which is very nice if you like to write in a variety of colors. More importantly, the pens come EMPTY and you can CHOOSE the color of ink that you put in them.
When you use up all the ink in one color, changing it is easy. You just lift the lid, remove the empty ink cartridge and replace it with a new one.
In fact, since I’ve started using these pens, I’ve refused to use any others while writing in my journal. I love the color selection. The gel ink NEVER skips and the pens are easy to hold. The only problem with these pens is that they aren’t readily available in Utah. I can’t just run over to Office Depot to get refills.
I have been ordering them through Jet Pens:
Aside from the difficulty in obtaining the pens and ink, I LOVE them. I wonder why the Pilot company hasn’t released them in the U.S. because I absolutely adore them.
Since I’ve been walking the dogs with NakedJen recently, we have had to go quite early in the morning before she heads off to her glamorous work for Sundance. That means that we are trying to play fetch with the dogs in the dark and it’s hard for them to find the normal tennis balls in the unlit areas of the park. On those dark mornings, Jen brings her Meteorlight Light-Up Dog Ball. It works with the Chuck It, so she can throw it for yards and yards, but the dogs can still see it because it lights up.
Here is the best video I could find of a dog playing with one of these balls:
It’s so fun watching Buddha and Stella chase after the light up ball and watch them run back with it flashing in their mouths. If you have to exercise your dogs in the dark mornings and evenings of winter, this light up ball is a must-have.
Continuing with dog gadgets that NakedJen has introduced me to, there is the Chuck It Ball Launcher. If you have a big dog that needs a lot of exercise, this is an easy way to play fetch without getting slimy hands.
Here is a video showing how it works:
Not only can you pick up the ball with Chuck It, you can throw it further than most normal humans could. It takes a bit of getting used to, but once you learn how to throw the ball with Chuck It, you’ll be able to exercise your dog with little effort on your part. Here’s a video of a black lab running the length of a football field over and over:
Buddha and Stella have enjoyed many mornings of chasing after tennis balls and lacrosse balls with the Chuck It, all without us having to endure slimy balls. If there is a dog in your life that loves to play fetch, try using the Chuck It.
Since I started joining NakedJen and her dogs, Stella and Buddha, for their daily walk, I’ve been happier. The icy winter sidewalks however are a constant threat. Stella and Buddha are huge black labs and when Buddha sees a cat, he could pull my arm right out of its socket trying to get it. Earlier this month, Jen started using the Halti Head Collars on both of the dogs and suddenly, it is SO much easier to take them on a walk.
The Halti doesn’t choke them, like a choke collar would. It pulls their heads toward you if they try to run off. It’s pain-free for BOTH of us. More importantly, since they can’t pull, walking on the icy roads is merely a matter of keeping myself upright instead of trying to battle an energetic dog AND keep myself upright.
If you have stopped walking your dog because training didn’t work or maybe because it’s just too icy outside, try a Halti and see if it transforms your dog the way it did for Stella and Buddha!
I know it’s winter and my grass is currently hiding under a layer of snow, but that doesn’t stop me from worrying about what to do with it when spring comes. I HATE to mow the lawn. I HATE to maintain a lawnmower. I’ve never found a competent landscaper. Right now, the idea of ForeverLawn sounds wonderful.
I first saw ForeverLawn in Las Vegas, Nevada at an outdoor shopping mall. Ironically, they feature that mall in their advertising:
When I first saw it, I thought that maybe this kind of lawn wouldn’t work in Utah because of our snow, but there is a dealer in Utah AND they even have synthetic lawns that are specifically meant to withstand dogs. It sounds like a dream come true to me.
If I had to choose whether to put in automatic sprinklers or just replace my lawn with astroturf, I’d choose the ForeverLawn in a heartbeat. It’s not as good for the environment as growing your own garden, but honestly, I’m never going to do that. This way, I save water and still have a gorgeous green grass.
Now, I just need to convince Mike that it’s a good idea…
I know this bag is meant to hold cameras when you’re out on a safari or something, but I’m pretty stoked about this National Geographic Sling Bag. It is the perfect shape to wear over your shoulder or around your body.
There were pockets for things like cameras, keys, money, etc.
There is a pocket on the strap that is large enough to hold an iPhone with room to spare. It’s easy to take it in and out.
Most importantly, it doesn’t look girly. Try as they might, a lot of camera bags look like glorified purses to me. I don’t even like my purses to look very girly, so this bag is PERFECT.
Plus, I like the National Geographic logo. It makes me think that I might be going on a safari at any time. For a lightweight bag to use on a daily basis, the National Geographic Sling Bag is perfect.
A piano is a bulky, wooden beast that will go out of tune if you look at it funny. Fortunately, those of us who are interested in playing piano today have a number of electronic alternatives that can sound convincingly like a piano while being portable, inexpensive, and staying in perfect tune.
Digital pianos range from cheap consumer models (about $300) to studio-quality equipment (thousands). The Yamaha P-85, at about $600, is a good compromise: the keyboard feels like a real piano, the sounds are good, and it supports pedals and other features professionals will find useful.
The Yamaha P-85 comes in a box that seems quite heavy, unless you compare it to a real piano. Inside you’ll find the P-85 and its AC adapter. Yamaha was also thoughtful enough to include two accessories they could have charged extra for: a plastic music stand that mounts to the top of the keyboard and a plug-in sustain pedal.
The keyboard itself isn’t as heavy as the box would suggest—it’s about 26 pounds and can easily be moved by one person. It has the standard piano allotment of 88 keys. The P-85 has a black case, while the otherwise identical P-85S has a silver case. A subtle red highlight between the keyboard and the case adds a bit of style.
Unlike a real upright piano, you’ll need a stand to support the P-85. Yamaha offers an optional wooden stand, or you can use a convenient desk or table. Keyboard stands are also available at your local music store, but be aware that the bottom of the P-85 is not entirely flat—I had to use a bit of padding to make it sit securely on my keyboard stand.
Unlike many computerized gadgets that require booting, configuring, or such nonsense, the P-85 gets right down to business. Turn it on using the button conveniently located on the front panel and, after about a 1-second delay, it’s ready to make noise. Speakers are built in, and the volume control is also conveniently up front.
The nice thing about a digital piano is that it doesn’t have to sound like a piano. The P-85 offers a choice of 10 sounds, all with their own buttons on the panel:
While I bought this for the great piano sounds, it’s nice to have a few alternatives. I’m especially pleased with the E. Piano 2 and C. Organ 2 sounds. However, if I could have had more piano sounds (like a good upright piano or a honky-tonk piano) I would have gladly given up some of the novelty sounds like Strings and Vibraphone.
Along with the basics, the P-85 has a few other features you might find useful. I especially like the built-in metronome, which plays through the built-in speakers. It has its own start/stop button and buttons to change the tempo.
Record and Play buttons allow you to record yourself playing and play it back. You’re limited to one recording at a time, but this would be very handy for piano students wanting to evaluate themselves. I also found it fun to record the left-hand part to a song and then play along with my right hand.
The Dual Voice feature allows you to play two of the P-85’s sounds at the same time. Hold down one of the sound buttons and press another to access this feature. I found that the combination of the two piano sounds makes a good third piano sound, and I especially like the combination of the two electric pianos. Combining piano with strings gives you a subtle ambience when you hold down chords.
Be sure to keep the user’s manual that comes with the P-85. There are some more advanced features, such as setting the amount of reverb on the sounds, setting the metronome to a precise tempo, or fine-tuning the unit, that are accessed through bizarre combinations of keyboard keys and front panel keys, and you’ll never figure them out without the instructions.
The P-85 has a weighted keyboard, meaning it takes some effort to press down the keys, just like a real piano. It even is slightly harder to press the keys at the bottom of the keyboard than those at the top, which I never knew was a feature of real pianos.
The P-85 feels just like a piano to me, although I’m no expert. It’s very easy to press the keys lightly to get quiet sounds or pound on them to get louder ones, and the sounds respond the way they should—quiet sounds are clear and subtle while really pressing on the keys gives a slightly distorted sound.
The built-in speakers are great for practicing piano, but they’re not perfect. If you’re an audiophile you’ll probably want to hook them to a sound system. Unfortunately, there is no 1/4″ output as is standard with studio equipment, so you’ll have to use an adapter to plug a headphone output into your system.
Yamaha offers an optional wooden stand that makes the P-85 more like a real piano. There is also a 3-pedal unit that attaches to the stand and gives you the same three pedals as a real grand piano. I haven’t tried either of these accessories, although I might end up ordering the stand.
Yamaha offers several other models of digital piano. If you want something cheaper and lightweight, the new NP-30 might be a good choice. I liked the way its keyboard feels, the sounds are good, and it weighs about a third as much as the P-85. However, it doesn’t have a full 88-key keyboard.
Other manufacturers offer pianos ranging from $300 to several thousand. I recommend you visit a local music store to try them because the feel and sound of these units is highly subjective.
I’ve owned several music keyboards, most claiming to make piano noises, and the P-85 sounds much more like a piano than any of them. It has a keyboard that feels just like the real thing, and the front-panel buttons and built-in speakers make it very easy to use. I’m very happy with my P-85 and would recommend it to just about anyone.
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