Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , ,

Digitize Your Cassettes with the ION Boombox Deluxe!

For the Segment this morning we have a fun nostalgic product to look at, A Boombox. Not the new type of Deep sounding Bluetooth Speaker which serves only as a speaker, this is an actual honest to goodness boombox, but it does so much more!

With the resurgence of Vinyl and Record Players from a variety of manufacturers this jumps to the next technology, Cassette! This Boombox from ION is called the Boombox Deluxe and offers not only AM/FM Radio but also a Cassette Deck which can be used for Recording your favorite songs (When the DJ shuts his yap) and of course plays them back. The ION Boombox deluxe feature good sounding speakers along with A Bass Boast with full controls over the Bass of the songs. The AM/FM Radio and Cassettes give it a nostalgic touch however great options include A rechargeable Battery (and the Ability to Include 6 D Cells – Ohhhh the memories) A Headphone Jack and line-in is a part of this for connecting other devices like a turntable are included AND it features Bluetooth.

This will enable connecting your smart phone or tablet and stream podcast, special programs, or radio stations on the Web. The ION Boombox takes it to another level with a USB and MicroSD slot so you could play your content off a Flash Drive or Memory Card but Also enable you to Record your favorite content to those devices. For those that have lots of cassettes, they can now easily digitize those cassettes to a memory card and store them away to listen on the computer. It looks and feels like an Old Boombox (But Shiny New) and gives more options especially with the ability to digitize your cassettes. The ION Boombox Deluxe sells for around 139.00.

Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , , , ,

KMSB Fox 11 Segment – The Acodot USB 3.0 Docking Station

For this Segment we featured a couple of peripherals that can help for those using laptops between the office and then maybe on reduced schedules working from home. This can also work for Students that could use a larger setup for the laptops they may be using at home without having to get on Mom and Dad’s Computer.

The Acodot USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station works with systems that feature USB 3.0.  This can include some Chromebook, PC and Mac systems. The Acodot USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station allows you to add dual monitors, and connect your peripherals, all through a single cable back to your laptop. By connecting one cable to your laptop, you gain 11 extra ports of connectivity 6 USB 3.0 ports provides up to 5Gbps data transfer speeds, One HDMI port and one DVI port and we include both a DVI to VGA adapter and a DVI to HDMI adapter

Another use can be for a Meeting room to connect the laptop to a big screen. If the sound of the laptop just isn’t enough, this can be a bridge to your personal speakers as well. The Acodot sells for around 89 bucks.

Andy TaylorTechtalkRadio, , ,

KMSB Fox 11 Segment – A External Storage Housing from UGreen

For this Segment, We cover an inexpensive way to repurpose your Hard Drive and use it as an External Drive. In the Past We have recommended to upgrade laptops, to install an SSD (Solid State Device) Hard Drive. These are more efficient and faster. Some laptops today or in the not to recent past will include the SATA drives with moving parts so what do you do when you do a change out with that old drive? We take a look at a way to use that drive as a backup for Data and its super easy to DIY. One of the Products is the UGREEN 2.5 Inch Enclosure. You Open it Up, slide the drive in and connect it with the included cable. It is that easy!  The Enclosure sells for about 18 bucks. Find out more at https://www.ugreen.com

Andy TaylorHardware, Keyboards, Laptops, Logitech, Razer, TechtalkRadio, , , , ,

KMSB Fox 11 Segment with Andy Taylor – A Viewer Request for Mechanical Keyboards

Our segment today actually came as the idea from a Viewer of the Segments on Fox 11. He had mentioned how the keyboards for computers were all smaller and not as easy to use, this focusing on the Older User – Also that they weren’t looking at a Wireless Solution.  So we have gathered a couple of alternatives that are easy to use, corded and a very nice touch when typing.

One of the Products to look at is from Logitech G, the Gaming Division of the company.  Just like Gaming Chairs can be used for Comfort and not always for Gaming, Logitech G has some great products from Headphones to Mice to Keyboards for Gamers AND the Casual User. We look at the Logitech G Pro Keyboard. QA Compact Ten Keyless Keyboard which has a great feel for the user when typing. You know you hit the correct keys and honestly, I found my typing even faster with this keyboard. It is Smaller yet with a Big Key Feel. Many of us don’t need the Extra Real Estate from 10 keys so they are eliminated. It features the GX Clicky Mechanical Switches Full Height and gives a better experience when typing. It is Colorful too, you can program the light pattern with the Free HG Hub Software to suit your taste and the keys can be altered for Linear or Tactile use, I prefer the mechanical feel.   Another great feature, the 5 ft Cable is detachable and can be easily carried in a gaming or laptop bag to use instead of that Laptop Keyboard. The F Keys are Programmable as well great for Gaming or even repetitive typing task. It retails for about 129.00

A little less expensive from another company that carries product for the casual user and the gamer is Razer. They produce the Ornata Chroma Keyboard. This also features a Mechanical Touch Key Switches Mid Height, Backlit keys and can be programmed easily with the  Razor Cortex Software. It is a little larger then the Logitech G Pro but does feature the 10 Key and the Cord is not detachable. The Light scheme can be customized as well and the keyboard can be set up for gamers to get the best use of the keyboard with the layout for that game. The Razer Ornata Chroma sells for about 70.00 You Can check out the line of products at Razer.Com

Andy TaylorConsumer Electronics, Hardware, Microsoft Windows 10, Online Safety, Online Tools, Safety, Security, Technology Companies, Technology News, TechtalkRadio, , , ,

KMSB Fox 11 Segment Password Managers and Kensington USB VeriMark Fingerprint Key

For today’s Segment, it is all about Security on your personal computer. This past week LastPass issued a notice that the popular password manager with a Free Version would no longer support the

Free option entirely.  While this move could have users transition to the premium service at about 3 bucks a month or Family plan for multiple users. There are some options.  A Password Manager is a way for users to set good secure passwords and have them easily entered by the App to provide access to banking, paying bills, member websites etc. In the Old days many would use a password on many different services, this is dangerous in case a company you do business with has been compromised and your password which is used by all of your accounts is everywhere.  Some Browsers such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge have password managers built in, for typing in your mobile devices and other systems, this is where products like LastPass have come in handy. Some options are also paid options and they include Dashlane, 1password. For Free Options, Bitwarden allows many of the features you found useful with the Free version of Lastpass. If you don’t mind Ads pushed to you, LOGMENCE is another option. A Password Manager can be great peace of mind and you can export your LastPass info to use on other services but don’t let it get seen.

Want to Add greater Password functionality to your Windows PC? Kensington has been around for years providing all types of great accessories for your Mac and PC systems. They continue to have monitor shields, system locks and even fingerprint keys. Users can find the Kensignton VeriMark (Which we have to show) USB Fingerprint Key, with this Scanner, your biometric after it is set up can be used to log in to your computer. It does not store passwords, it remembers your digital signature via a fingerprint and can log you on to your computer using Windows Hello which can be set up In your Sign in Options, and even connect your to Google, Gmail, Facebook, Lastpass, Dashlane, or Roboform after set up for the Authentication on those sites. You Don’t store something like this in your laptop bag it is easily carried on your keychain. If you want to give others access it can memorize up to 10 different user logins for windows. The FIDO (Fast Identity Online ) U2F device sells for around 39 bucks which again is peace of mind and Security!

https://www.kensington.com

https://www.lastpass.com

https://www.bitwarden.com