Laptop or desktop computers and any components within.
Hardware
Does Wyze make an outdoor camera?
Episode 1718
Bill fromBill gets emails from Wyze about the new Wyze Cube that has an outdoor camera and a base station for $50. Is that a good deal? Leo says that he's a huge fan of Wyze because they sell their cameras for a very affordable price, with more features for each price point. And they don't require a prescription to store, either (though you can pay $15 a year for unlimited storage). The cameras record to a local SD card slot and ping you when there's movement. The outdoor cameras are a little more expensive because they are weatherproof. ($50) But that's still a bargain vs.
Sam Abuelsamid and the AutoWasher
Episode 1718
Sam joins Leo to talk about over-relying on autonomous features that aren't really autonomous but are hyped that way. Called "Autowashing," it's a concept where a company hypes the autonomous nature of a feature that isn't' really autonomous. Self-driving features are hyped this way. In reality, it's more like "driver assist," and over-marketing it as anything more than that can be inherently dangerous as people think they don't have to pay attention to the road.
Google Announces Pixel 4a, Discontinues Pixel 4. Samsung the Note 20 and Fold 2
Episode 1718
Google has announced the new Pixel 4a and discontinued the Pixel 4. Leo says that at $350, it signals that users are done paying over $1,000 for a mobile phone every two years.
The Giz Wiz gets Clamped
Episode 1717
This week's cool gadget from the Giz Wiz is the BOHON Clamp Lamp Reading Light. It has 3 Lighting Modes & 10 Brightness Levels. You can select from 3 color temperatures: warm white light (3000K), natural light (4500K), and cool white light (6500K). Each lighting mode has 10 brightness dimming levels, for a total of 30 illumination modes. Clip-on bedside, headboard, shelf, desk, etc.
How Can I Get My Chromebook to Accept My Password?
Episode 1717
Mike fromMike is having issues logging into his Chromebook. Leo says the first thing to try is to log in to his Google account on another computer. This will verify that Mike is using the right password. Then go back to the Chromebook and log in, careful to be sure that the caps lock isn't on. If that doesn't work, then he can always PowerWash to get back access.
Should I use CCleaner to keep my computer healthy?
Episode 1716
Bart fromBart uses Piriform CCleaner. Leo says that there's a new warning out to avoid CCleaner. Leo says that Microsoft Defender is flagging CCleaner has unwanted software because it includes other apps as part of the download. None of which Leo recommends. It's always best to avoid software that comes with a separate installer that ads other apps you don't want. CCleaner has addressed that issue to make sure it's no longer flagged.
How can I cut the cable and get over the air TV?
Episode 1716
Jay fromJay was thinking of dropping his cable connection and getting a SilconDust HDHomeRun Premium. Leo is waiting for it, but it's been delayed. And cable is ridiculously expensive. How can he get channels with an antenna without a receiver? Leo says that the Home Run Duo or Quatro have multiple tuners to watch one show and record another. Midnight Commander is another good one. The Amazon FireTV ReCast is a new one. Tableau (they want a fee though). You can even use PLEX on your network.
Why is my Chromebook dropping out during a Zoom call?
Episode 1716
Pente fromPente's Chromebook has an issue of stalling during a Zoom meeting. Leo says that the Chromebook could be underpowered for video conferencing and as such, have problems keeping up. But it could also be an issue with the Chromebook's radio or network card. You get what you pay for and if the Chromebook is a budget model, it may not be able to handle the bandwidth. You can help by making sure there's no other tab or extension running.
A higher-priced Chromebook will have a faster processor, more memory, and better quality parts.
Is there a security camera that doens't charge for storage?
Episode 1716
Kenny fromKenny wants to know if there's a security camera that supports iCloud or DropBox for storage of their security video. Leo says that probably the best bet is the Wyze Cam. It's under $30 and doesn't include any cost for storage. The trick is, it doesn't always record, just when it detects motion or noise. But that's kinda what you want. And you can't beat the price. And now, they have an outdoor version.
How can I build my own router?
Episode 1716
Roger fromRoger has decided to build his own router as a project using an older computer. What would be the best operating system for it and how should he configure the LAN? Leo says that's a project that Leo has wanted to do for a while now. Steve Gibson has also talked about the DIY router project and uses PF Sense and the NetGate SG1100 with an ARM chip to run it. He likes it a lot and it's open source. It's the way to go. You could also use a Raspberry Pi.
