“Tech” collection
Stay informed on the rapidly evolving world of consumer electronics, high-performance hardware, and digital innovation. This central tech hub provides a deep dive into the physical components and software ecosystems that power your modern life.
HTD Tech Briefs
View all →March 4, 2010
Are You Prepared for Disasters? The Cast of Dads Discuss This in Episode #11
With the recent tragic disasters striking around the globe recently, when the Cast of Dads got together to record Episode #11, we spent a majority of the show talking about the serious subject of family preparedness when a catastrophe strikes. It's a touchy subject to discuss, actually, because when you listen to others, you realize how far behind you might…
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March 3, 2010
Aaxa P2 Pico Projector Shoots a Big Bright Picture from a Tiny Box
A few months ago, I reviewed the WowWee Cinemin Swivel pico projector. It was the first pico projector that I had tried out and put down a pretty high standard. Since then and after reading through various articles and press releases coming from CES, it seems that my prediction that pico projectors would be hot this year may be coming…
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March 1, 2010
Conquer the Wind & Rain with the Uniquely Designed SENZ Stealth Umbrella
Bring on the sideways rain! I'm even ready for a mini-hurricane to come blowing down the street and try to take my umbrella, rip it up and destroy it! In fact, I'm ready to take on just about anything that Mother Nature can throw my way. The reason I think this way is because of a techy umbrella I have…
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February 23, 2010
How Can Such a Small Speaker Boom so HUGE? Reviewing the iLive IT319B 3.1 Speaker
When I first hooked up the iLive IT319B 3.1 Channel Home Music System, plugged in my iPod and turned up the volume a bit, I was literally floored at how LOUD it was! Event at 1/3 volume (does it go up to 11?) it was shaking the room with thunderous bass and crisp and clean highs. Turning it up a…
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February 22, 2010
Cell Phones, Tweens, Texting & Conversations – Child & Family Cellular Safety Thoughts
If you are a parent of a tween (a pre-teenager), you have probably hit the stage of your child wanting a cell phone. My wife and I broke down (or were gradually worn down) about a year ago with our oldest and she got hers when she was about 10. She wasn't (and still isn't) allowed to take it to…
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February 19, 2010
The Neat Company Gets Your Receipt Pile Under Control & Digitally Organized – MacWorld Expo Interview
I must admit, I am WAY behind on writing about The Neat Company, NeatCo, for short. I received some of their products last year to do an "extended" review of sorts. The idea was that I would integrate their NeatDesk (Mac & PC) and NeatReceipts (Mac & PC) products into my lifestyle. Unfortunately, I think I was a bit overly…
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February 18, 2010
HyperMac Dazzles with Vibrant Colored Battery Assortment to Charge iPods, iPhones, iPads & other Devices
A few months ago, I did a review of a HyperMac battery for charging and powering MacBooks, MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros. I found it to be an extremely useful device to give you an extra hour or so of "away from the plug" time. So, I figured that I would drop by the HyperMac booth at the MacWorld Expo…
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February 17, 2010
Charge Your Gadgets Even When the Power is Out with the Scosche solBAT II Solar Charger
I spent a few hours at the MacWorld Expo 2010 and I saw a lot of innovative and cool products. But many of those devices were really only the "nice to have" kind. However, one device in particular stood out in my mind as something that every household should have: the Scosche solBAT II which is a solar powered backup…
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February 12, 2010
Hands-on Video: Parrot’s AR.drone – iPhone Controlled Quadrocopter Compliments their Vision
MacWorld Expo 2010 kicked off yesterday but even before the Expo exhibit hall opened, I was having fun with a gadget that got a lot of hype at CES 2010 - the Parrot AR.drone, an iPhone-controlled, Augmented Reality "quadrocopter". While not actually a part of MacWorld, the Parrot team was just down the street from the Expo giving hands-on previews…
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February 10, 2010
Has Apple Peaked? Their Ego Sure Hasn’t!
As I prep for covering MacWorld Expo 2010, I decided to take a step back and truly think about Apple a bit more. It wasn't that many years ago that people were saying their doom was inevitable. Back then, their products were less than stellar and splintered and people figured that they were on their last legs. However, through that…
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February 5, 2010
How To Upgrade an iMac G5’s Hard Drive – iFixit.com to the Rescue!
A few weeks ago, my daughter's (hand-me-down) 20" iMac G5 started acting up. It was showing the infamous "spinning beachball", was locking up, the fan was running a lot and loud and the machine was having kernel panics. I did a quick S.M.A.R.T. scan on it which is usually a good indication of the health (or lack there of) of…
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January 30, 2010
20+ Ways to Harden and Secure Your WordPress Blog
Recently, some high-profile blogs that are running WordPress have been hacked or hijacked by malicious users (e.g., TechCrunch). The worst thing is having to try to recover from such an event, you not only have to repair your site, but also your reputation. So, spending a little bit of time trying to prevent or at least make it a bit…
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