GREGBAKER
On the First Cyber-Day of Christmas, My True Geek Gave to Me…
AUGUSTATEK
Gregory A. Baker, Ph.D., is vice president and chief rocket scientist for CMA, which provides information technology services to CSRA businesses and nonprofits. V. 22 | NO. 66
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Yes, Augusta Tek readers, it is the time of the year where we all start getting giddy over the tech gadgets arriving for the holidays. Tablets are probably the most popular tech gift this year, with the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook shaking up the market with strong products at low price points. Other technology products can’t be dismissed, however. A large number of tech gifts are out there, including several under $50. The Roku LT is an extremely small Wi-Fi streaming-media box. The Roku LT provides dozens of streaming video and audio services, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, HBO Go, Pandora, MOG, Radio and MLB.TV. Older TVs are also supported using an included breakout cable. The SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip is an under $50 MP3 player that supports most audio formats, works with audiobook and subscription music services, can be used as a voice recorder, and tunes in to FM radio. The practical clip-on design is perfect for the gym. Unfortunately, the Clip Zip does not play well with iTunes. If you’re tied into the Apple ecosystem, the iPod Shuffle will be your best choice if you are trying to stay under $50. The X-Mini MAX II is a portable speaker system that defies the conventional notion that size matters. The X-Mini Max II is designed to be ultraportable, with two speakers that pop together in a magnetic pod. Its Bass Xpansion System (BXS) successfully mimics the resonance of a sub-woofer, and a modular Buddy-Jack design allows you to daisy-chain several of the $30 X-Minis together to pump up the sound. If headphones are more your thing, the Koss PortaPros might be your best bet. These $35 headphones sport a retro, over-the-head design. The true worth comes through in the sound quality delivered by the PortaPros. With a collapsible design and carrying case, they are an ideal companion for the mobile audiophile. While retro videogames to me include such classics as Galaga and Missile Command, Microsoft has released a refreshed classic from a more recent era. Halo was originally released in 2001 and set the standard for console first-person shooters. The game has been given a graphical makeover and now supports online multiplayer via Xbox Live. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary retails for under $40. Finally, for something a little different, let’s talk about all the crumbs and other junk that gets trapped in your keyboard and other parts of your computer. We all try to ignore it, but just stop now and take a look and your keyboard. (Yes, that’s dog hair that got stuck in the gook from yesterday’s Pop Tart.) Cyber Clean is a high-tech cleaning compound designed to get into the cracks and crevices of your high-tech device. Essentially, it’s a ball of fluorescent green goo that you mash into a keyboard or similar surface, and the tacky surface picks up dirt and grime. Only a few bucks for a pouch… did I hear someone say, “stocking stuffer?” Until next time, I’ll see you on the internet. Tweet me @gregory_a_baker. L8R.
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