Laptop or desktop computers and any components within.
Hardware
What's the best mic to record audio on your smartphone?
Episode 980
Jerry from
Jerry is making instructional videos and wants the audio to come through his bluetooth headset while recording it so he can do wirelessly. Leo says that the Bluetooth earpiece profile is only phone quality and that's not what you want to record audio. Leo advises recording to the iPhone via a lapel mic that's plugged into it. Or, you could try a Wireless system like Audio Technica. It would work great as long as you don't get a lot of RF interference.
Can you text with an iPod?
Episode 980
Pamela from
Pamela has a flip phone and her dad has an iPhone 4s. She tries to text and it doesn't work right. Text comes out in gibberish. Can she text with an iPod Touch? Leo says it's odd that the flipphone is messed up because SMS is good on all platforms. So that doesn't make any sense. And Pam can use the iPod Touch if she has a WiFi access to do it. But only through Apple's iMessage. Pam can get other apps like What'sApp or Google Chat, or Skype. All that would work.
What's the best webcam for security?
Episode 980
Richard wants to set up a webcam for both security and to show customers the manufacturing process at his Inflatables plant. People don't believe things are made anymore in the US and he wants to change all that. Leo says that's a great idea! He recommends DropCam. It's what he uses at The TWiT Brickhouse Studios. It also has DVR capability so you can go back in time to see what's happened.
Check out his site at Superior Inflatbles.
Can a Chromebook run Java?
Episode 980
Lynette watched all of the speeches at Google I/O this week. And she thought all the talk of the Google environment was interesting. She was thinking about getting a Chromebook but doesn't know if it'll run Java because she loves playing games online. Leo says you have to hack the Chromebook to get Java on it, and Leo doesn't advise that. Just get a real computer.
How can I fix a stuck control key on a keyboard?
Episode 979
Nicole's Asus laptop has a stuck control key, making it impossible to type on. It could be that Nicole has enabled Sticky keys, which can be turned on by tapping the shift key 5 times. Check in the settings to disable.
Dick DeBartolo, The Giz Wiz
Episode 979
Dickie D says that with summer coming, that means grilling season is right around the corner. And a clean bbq is a happy bbq. That's what his gadget is this week with the Grillbot. It's like a Roomba for your BBQ. Press a button to set the amount of time you want it clean and place it on a hot or cold grill. A built in alarm tells you if the grill is too hot for the device. A mini-LCD screen lets you to choose a light or deep clean. Three motors power three wire brushes.
How could I control and watch TV with someone remotely over the internet?
Episode 979
Matt from
Matt's father has recently suffered a stroke and he lives across the country. He's concerned about his father's mental stimulation since he was once an avid reader. Leo says that audio books are ideal for that kind of situation. Leo bought his mother a huge iPod classic and an account on Audible to load the books on.
Why are computers so poorly built these days? (Part 1)
Episode 979
Bob is a computer consultant and he's been dealing with the challenge of recommending computers with the low margins and cheap service. He's very frustrated. Leo says that the problem is that most computers are made overseas and even the support is marginal at best. The only real solution is to buy the additional support package. Also, there needs to be an outcry for the manufacturers to take issues seriously. This is why Leo buys from major retailers because they'll back it. He also thinks that this is why people are choosing tablets, rather then computers.
Bob Heil Live From Hamvention
Episode 979
Bob Heil, the host of Ham Nation joins Leo live via satellite from Hamvention. Bob says that dozens have approached him at Hamvention this week telling him they got his Ham license because of Leo. He also says that a lot of Hams have come to the hobby because of TWiT and the HamNation podcast. Check out the Hamvention live on the Internet at http://www.w5hub.com
How could I create my own Roku channel?
Episode 979
David would like to stream his own video or audio live to his TV via the Roku Box. Leo says that Houdini7 in the chatroom has written an app that can stream Leo's Show, and David would have to write his own. He suspects that the app is mostly javascript and shouldn't be all that difficult to modify. People have done it all over the world as there are thousands of custom Roku Channels available.
