Wireless WiFi Repeater

We’re using our home wireless network to connect to more and more devices, but we found a weak signal in some areas and even “dead zones” around our home.

We found a solution by using a wireless repeater (also called a range extender), which you place somewhere between your current wireless modem/router and the poor signal areas. The repeater retransmits our home WiFi signal to cover the weak signal areas. The re-transmitted signal quality is commonly slower, but quite usable for most needs.

 
We’re using the High Power Wireless - 150N Smart Repeater from amped|wireless (www.ampedwireless.com). We needed to “teach” it about our home network (configuration, passwords and the like), but a setup wizard stepped us through the rather tedious process of scanning, entering info and such. The repeater sets up as a separate WiFi hotspot that must be logged in to so, as we move around between coverage areas, we need to keep switching between our regular network and the repeater network.

The High Power Wireless - 150N Smart Repeater comes with the option to customize security features such as limiting signal strength, protected setup, and passwords. Included also are five wired ethernet ports that can be used for connecting PCs, Internet TVs and other A/V devices. We think it’s a great addition to our home wireless network.

Pico Cricket Fun

 

The PicoCricket Kit (www.picocricket.com, $299), gives children (and adults too) a way to express artistic creativeness, learn simple computer programing and have a barrel of fun doing it. The kit looks like an arts and crafts set, but electric wires and gizmos give a clue that it’s different.
 
 
A colorful assortment of fuzzy balls, felt pieces, bells, glittery pipe cleaners and more are just waiting to be glued, twisted and strung together along with an assortment of Lego blocks, wheels and pulleys--all used with those electronic parts for interactive creative playthings.
 
The emphasis is play, but you also use the included computer, the PicoCricket, for a fun way to learn programming (really!).


Use Pico Blocks (a graphical representation of programing) on a PC screen and fit them together to form a program stack. The blocks show program flow and allow changes by dragging the blocks around. Voila! You’ve created a computer program to run your creation: turn on lights to a hand-clap, blow out a candle (LED light), make a cake sing Happy Birthday and much more.

The tiny Pico computer has four ports for sensor inputs and action outputs, all directed by your programing. The input sensors are for light, sound, touch and resistance. The output devices include multi-colored lights, a sound box, numeric display and a Lego motor.

PicoCricket Kit is based on years of research at the MIT Media Lab and their Lifelong Kindergarten Lab. We found the Kit sparking lots of trial-and-error learning, a bit of programming and a whole lot of fun.

GPS (Global Positioning System) Navigation

“I wouldn’t go anywhere without my GPS” said a friend of ours. GPS (Global Positioning System) units are popular devices that accurately display your location on a map and also provide precise directions to other locations. GPS devices are loaded with road maps and are invaluable tools for travelers, commercial and military purposes and even gaming fun.

Car navigation is the most common use, but GPS capabilities are found in hand-held units for hiking and biking, and in newer smart phones and in some digital cameras for geo-tagging the location of a photo (although this feature can be disabled if security is a concern).

GPS units commonly provide voice prompts and a map to track your position as you travel. Additional functions on some units are a display of locations of nearby hospitals, police stations and gas stations, updates on area weather, traffic reports, entertainment news, restaurant, shopping and hotel information. Some units will play MP3 music through the GPS speakers or your car radio/audio system, provide Bluetooth hands-free cell phone calling or password anti-theft protection.

Choosing the GPS that’s right for you can be bewildering, so we recommend looking at one of the Internet product comparison sites, such as www.buzillions.com, to see what users like or dislike about any specific unit. Once you find a GPS that suits your needs, you’ll likely become a believer and not leave home without one.

Video Editing

Those video clips you have can make a terrific movie that includes music, narrations, titles, special effects and more. The process can be easy if you use a video editor (such as VideoStudio Pro X4, Corel, www.corel.com, $99.99), which will create a complete movie for you or lets you fully control how your movie looks, also supports HD.

First you need to capture your video clips into your computer (the program helps with this). To have the program guide you in creating your movie, use the three-step Movie Wizard: select your desired clips, choose a design template, and create your movie.

For more editing options and control, use the VideoStudio Editor. Trim individual clips for time or content, select transitions, add sound (including narration), choose from a wealth of special effects, and add a title and end credits (a Timeline lets you trim audio to match scene length and adjust music and narration volume separately). That’s it!

Either way, you’re then ready to burn your project as a DVD movie complete with menus, chapters and such, or upload to Facebook, YouTube and other online sharing sites or transfer to your iPod, smart phone or other video devices.

Tool tips and online tutorials are there to help. Spend time learning the features, and you’ll have some great movies.

Fun and Easy Music for Slide Shows or Videos

We think making videos or slide shows is a great idea, and we’ve found a fun and easy way to add music: Sonicfire Pro 5 (www.Smartsound.com), an amazing music editor.

The program includes a sample of original musical pieces, created as music blocks that you can arrange to make the music you want. It’s called SmartSound, and you can have the program add the music automatically or have the entire selection or any block stretched or squeezed time-wise to fit your video or slide show. You can also watch the video as you match the music to the action.

And–-it’s quick and easy to find and preview optional additional SmartSound music by genre, mood, tempo, intensity and more.

 Add narration or add music from your own audio CD, and the program fades the music volume up or down to fit. Save your completed soundtrack with the video, or export the music soundtrack separately.

We used Sonicfire Pro 5 to build a soundtrack for a youngster’s “How to Make a Muffin,” video, and it was a charge. We customized the music for the on-screen action and had fun doing it. Loved the results.

SmartSound’s Web site has detailed online tutorials if you need help, so no reason not to enjoy this program.

New Webcam

If you haven’t used a webcam, now is the time to do it--so you can enjoy the fun of seeing and talking to family, friends or business associates over the Internet (think video conference). You’ll need a webcam, software such as Skype (www.skype.com free), a computer with Internet connection, and someone at the other end who has similar stuff.

We’ve just tried the new award-winning Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 (www.logitech.com $80). Easy to install, includes built-in stereo microphones, and lets you zoom, tilt and pan the auto-focus webcam using on-screen controls while talking. Works in any place you can bring your computer, webcam and have Internet access.

Two of the cool features we used during our “Skype” sessions and with still photos were terrific: facial recognition to automatically keep your face centered within the frame, and auto-focus Carl Zeiss ultra-wide glass lens for a sharp, clear pictures.

 

Video for calls is 720p, with 1080p resolution for video recording, and snapshots are at 10 megapixels. And Logitech Webcam Software (included) has fun effects: turn yourself into an on-screen alien, cat or bat, add a crown or arrow-in-head to your image, add distortion, and more.

We use this webcam to talk to people in this country and abroad–-people we couldn’t easily connect to any other way. Try it!

Wireless Music System - Fun & Flexible

We love the wireless Sonos S5 Digital Music System (www.sonos.com) that we’ve just installed at home. Now we can play music from our computer, any audio source, Pandora or Internet radio anywhere in our home, wirelessly.

The system has integrated wireless units called S5 Zone Players incorporating amplifiers and speakers, and comes with PC or Mac software, including an on-screen controller. Installation was super easy: install the software, power up the Zone Player and plug in the network cable.

Sonos uses its own wireless network that’s secure, matrixed and able to interact with all Zone Players. The Controller provides flexibility and wireless coverage anywhere in your home. Plug a unit into a wall outlet, push the button, and the ZonePlayer automatically connects to the Network.
 

 

Control your music system from your computer, iPhone, Android or iPad, or buy the wireless hand-held Controller. We love the flexibility: Play single songs saved in our computer or play iPod or Sonos playlists. Control zones individually. Play the same selection in a single zone, linked zones or in all zones. Play one selection in one zone(s) and a different selection for another zone(s) or mix and match music from Pandora, Internet radio stations or an auxiliary input.

Independently control volume and equalizations; if you mute a zone, unmuting ramps the volume up rather than suddenly blaring on. One of many nice touches we like. The hand-held Controller(s) and the PC control program display information (including album art) about the selection being played.

We’re enjoying the sound quality, convenience and the compact package that makes up the Sonos S5 Digital Music System.