CBS Information Technologist "Digital Dan" Dubno examines an enjoyable assortment of favored gift co...

1. Fathers' Day Gift Guide 2006
CBS Information Technologist "Digital Dan" Dubno examines an enjoyable assortment of favored gift
concepts for Papas' Day 2006:
Much to my shock, no significant Papas' Day Parades are intended this year. Instead, forecasters
securely anticipate regular last minute dashes to mark down stores. For Mothers' Day, the average
person spent $122.15 this year, a fine chunk of modification, and no surprise because little ones
need to such as Mommies a lot more.
But exactly what regarding dear aged Father? According to the National Retail Alliance, the average
gift for our beleaguered and under-appreciated daddies is anticipated to be less that $89 profits.
Prepare yourself, papas, once again for an additional insipid association, banal holiday card, or other
half-hearted present.
Given that our little ones and spouses do such a plainly sub-par task celebrating fathers, and our
divine day, I have actually invested considerably of my time considering the best ways to remedy this
awful problem. Bear in mind: "It is not the idea that counts, it's the presents."
Below, I have put together a partial list of things that would much more appropriately celebrate the
sacredness of all points fatherly:
dotPhoto Custom-Printed Presents
Put Father's picture (or someone else's if you need to) on a large variety of products: rollercoasters,
bags, puzzles, mouse pads, and much more. All you need is a digital image and go to the dotPhoto
web site, pick your product, and a couple of days later on, voila! The photo is immortalized in a
product you can bring anywhere. The "Everyday Bag" sets you back $99; the "Picture Puzzle," a
plain $19.95; and the set of "Picture Coasters", likewise $19.95. (The rollercoasters and puzzle take
approximately 2-4 days for production, however you should permit 10 days for manufacturing of the
"Everyday Bag".

2. iRobot Skins
Ultimately, I figured out a way you can obtain
Father to clean the floors and to like it! Purchase
an iRobot Roomba vacuum-cleaning robotic or
the Scooba, the floor-washing version, and
customize it with his image! We have discussed
the robot cleaners before, but these photo-
adhesive "skins" from iRobotskins include an
entire new look and can be found in many
ranges: fundamental enjoyable images (like the
"smiley-face" and spectacular designs, for
$14.98); or you preferred team logos (for
$19.98); and the customized picture you opt to
submit (for $24.98). The skins take a couple of
days to arrive, and undoubtedly, the robotic
cleaners must be purchased individually! It is
fun to see "me" (or at the very least my photo)
rubbing the floors robotically, while I laze.
Mentioning robots:
Robosapien V2
Now, some could believe that a robotic toy
(created for ages 8 and up) would certainly be a
lot better matched for the Son than for the Dad.
Well, I'm not permitting my boy anywhere near
this fabulous plaything. Skoot, Child! Get your very own darn playthings, rotten little ones.
Robosapien V2 is the second generation of the humanoid robot from Wow Wee toys, and it has
several magnificent improvements.
It's 24-inches high and is much more autonomous than the previous version. There are sight, audio,
and touch sensing units. It has a color acknowledgment and infrared sensing units so it could
compare colours and avoid barriers. The robot plaything has a remote control, for automated
procedure, but it additionally could move, respond, and do separately. Human-like physical body
movements include standing, bending, dance, swing, and a lot more. The hands hold and the legs
stroll with different gaits. Available now for around $200 from different online vendors.
Wow Wee Alive Chimp
Or, exactly how approximately making an ape from dear aged Daddy? Wow Wee Toys additionally
created an animatronic life-size head of a chimpanzee and, um, it is stunning (like "stun weapon",
spectacular.) With life-like hair and skin, this realistic head will certainly surprise any kind of
onlooker, specifically when it "comes alive."
Totally computer animated, with audios, facial activities, head movement, and expressions, this head
is remarkable, to put it slightly. The chimp reacts to stimuli and has touch sensing units in his chin,
ears, and head. Infrared vision device additionally tracks items. Plus a remote control to over-ride

3. autonomous methods. Regarding $139.
To proceed the unimportant however fun group:
Spy Gear's Spy Video clip Automobile
If you would like to acquire this for Dad's Day, merely mention to that old male of yours he'll need to
wait a month or more. However, this Spy Video clip Car, from the innovative folks at Spy Equipment,
is the utmost in remote controlled car play. This RC auto comes furnished with a video clip cam plus
infrared night vision so you could see and drive in the dark. The real-time video is transferred to the
eyepiece of your headset. With a 75-foot array, the Spy Video Vehicle can be utilized indoors and
outside. Suggested retail will be someplace between $99 - $149 dollars. But Daddies, kindly, allow
the children try it. Developed for ages 8 and up!
Below are more severe presents:
Apple iPod Stereo
Every person (and their sisters) are coming out with iPod devices. I grudgingly checked out Apple's
iPod Hi-Fi due to the fact that it looked huge and massive at very first blusher. Initially, the initial
idea was "That needs it?" and the 2nd idea was, "My better half's going to eliminate me another
equipment finishes up in the bed room." But hearing was thinking: the iPod HiFi remained in the bed
room and out went the remainder of the audio clutter that had actually accumulated over the years.
If you have have the majority of your songs on your iPod, the HiFi is a sensible area to play it. The
iPod glides into the Universal Dock (it comes with concerning a lots small adaptors) so any sort of
flavor iPod matches wonderful and snug. Then, making use of the small remote, regulate the
pumping MASSIVE sound from throughout the area. Other iPod speaker devices sound shy in
contrast. The technique right here is mammoth air chambers that provide strong bass. For $349, the
iPod HiFi was simply what I needed, despite the fact that I definitely really did not anticipate that
initially. Great look, excellent noise.
You can take it with you (in theory) after filling it up with D-cells. That's unhandy and not the best
idea. Naturally, I fully anticipate the following variation will have a remote with, say, a screen
display that will certainly let you view songs track info so you could browse the iPod smartly when
dropped anchor to the HiFi. But, for the moment, this iPod HiFi is all the sound tools I need.
MacBook
Giving Father a MacBook for Fathers' Day would certainly be practically the very best present he
could possibly get. The brand-new 13-inch, running the Intel Core Duo chip, is stylish, blindingly
quick, and pretty darn economical. (Simply over $1,000.) My initial idea was that Apple had actually
made a present for papas given that it was precisely just what I wished to give my children. First,
the polycarbonate exterior is difficult and stylin'. The 13.3-inch widescreen awaits the new HD world
of 16 X 9 screens we're turning into.
Today, it's impossible to live without the Flight terminal Extreme cordless (802.11 b/g), Bluetooth
2.0, plus Gigabit Ethernet connections. Why a few other laptop manufacturers don't offer you
FireWire and USB 2.0 ports is beyond me. The MacBook has two USB ports plus optical digital and

4. two-way analog sound connections. The least expensive variation possesses a 60-gig hard disk and a
combo drive (for DVD-ROM.) Honestly, I would certainly spend the added few hundred dollars to
obtain the 80-gig challenging drive, the Super Drive (so you could burn DVD RW disks), and the
somewhat faster processor.
For everyday use, it has the entire enchilada. The built-in camera and mike are unobtrusive and
beneficial, specifically for video conferencing and video email. The durable suite of Mac software,
including iLife, enables you do all the noticeable stuff right out of the box: prepare and share
images; edit video clips; create web content; arrange and show media. There's even a great remote
to manage the "home entertainment device" incorporated in the laptop computer. However my
delight is I'm currently modifying and creating hi-defintion video clip clips making use of the
remarkably basic iMovie HD and making personalized DVD disks with iDVD.
Among the things that has held me back from absolutely committing to the Mac platform is that,
despite having the very best Windows emulation software, some Windows-based memory-intensive
programs (specifically visualization software program) have actually carried out badly in the past.
However with Mac's beta software program "Boot Camp," Windows will run natively on the Core
Duo chip, so you can use either Mac or Windows atmospheres. (Having simply got the new
MacBook, I have not yet had the enjoyment of testing this beta software program on this platform, so
for me the jury is still out. But, theoretically, this dual-boot ability is precisely exactly what we've all
been awaiting.) The new MacBook is readily available in timeless white or black.
Here's one more fantastic laptop, and this one does Windows, with all the bells and whistles:
Lenovo X60s Thinkpad
Typically, with the unusual equipment I prefer to carry, my computer system bag evaluates upwards
of thirty-five pounds. You may assume that's insane and my sciatic nerve pain and aching back agree
with you. However can man endure in today's wilderness with a "puny" laptop? With nervousness,
I've been gently distancing myself from "Old Reliable," IBM's mother-of-all Thinkpads, the T40, for a
more youthful, slimmer, yet no less intelligent model.
Now, permit me
www.flashcashclub.com/article-video-robot-review-how-to-create-a-video-in-less-than-an-hour
present you to my new love, the X60s, the "Lenovo" Thinkpad (also though it still states IBM
throughout it.) Call the laptop computer what you will, this Intel Core Duo processor note pad has a
host of functions "Old Reliable" did not. Fail to remember passwords, the integrated fingertip visitor
recognizes me from an imposter. The X60s has 3 USB 2.0 ports and a mini-Firewire connection. The
12.1-inch TFT display is extremely fine and sweet-little comforts, like the night-light, PC, and SD
card slots are merely exactly what I require. Oops, I "buried the lead" in this romance: my new
sweetheart is merely 2.7 pounds.
Did I discuss that this is one communication-friendly equipment? Bluetooth, WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet,
modem, IR, and, acquire a tons of this, incorporated Wireless Wide-Area Network! (Basically, that
suggests the current high-speed cellular data support service is developed right in.) That WWAN
option does include a large monthly service fee from Verizon for about $80. But, in a lot of
metropolis, this WWAN network permits download rates surpassing 500 kbps and, in my experience,
considerably greater. So, take this Thinkpad to the estate, to the beach, on the train, you name it,
you are consistently linked at quite rapid speeds. (Well, usually, given that there are a couple of
areas of spotty high-speed celebration locations, yet really, quite couple of in my examinations.)

5. Rates for the X60s vary depending upon the choices you choose: someplace in between $1200 to
about $2100. You pay a premium for Thinkpad integrity and survivability, but I remain a devoted
fan. Now, my hurting joints and muscle mass could be glad that I'm bring half the weight of "Old
Reliable."
Back to "fun" presents for Daddy:
O ROKR Bluetooth Stereo Eyewear
Motorola and Oakley collaborated again to create a pair of glasses for me. Ok, you can attempt our
O ROKRs, yet you need to give them back promptly. Have a Bluetooth phone? Certain you do. Have
an iPod? I won't put-down you. Want to use them both-- at the very same time-- without having
cables hanging off your head? That's the genius and, risk I state it, the madness of O ROKR.
You could couple these headset glasses with any kind of Bluetooth phone. The controls are on both
sides of the glasses and the mic is hidden listed below the stem. If you have an MP3 player that is
Bluetooth compatible, you could couple that as well, but you'll need a tiny Bluetooth adapter if you
desire to make use of the glasses to listen to your iPod. Now, throw the phone and iPod in the
knapsack, placed on the glasses, and you'll be grooving to songs and addressing telephone call while
your skiing down the ski slopes or riding that mountain bicycle. (Or, if you favor to follow my
copyrighted sporting activities program, lounging on the seaside to prevent the perils of sports-
related injuries. Make sure available!)
A typical USB battery charger offers you four hrs of talk time and ONE HUNDRED hours of standby
power for this combination stereo eyewear. The cost for the glasses is concerning $240 (and that
does not count the phone, the iPod, and the Bluetooth adapter for the iPod.)
While I enjoy having them, I admit sensation prefer to outrageous considering that clearly these
shades were made in a sweeping broad design Ray Charles liked to use. With his talent, he could
possibly have used anything. You'll be so active listening closely to the songs and responding to the
phone you will not have time to stress what folks assume you look like.
Philips Portable DVD Player PET320/37
Philips revealed me this interesting DVD gamer. It reminded me of the charming and well-known
round mobile CD players Sony made indispensable in the 1980s. Yet this portable DVD player is not
only slim, round, and light in weight: it flaunts a 3.5" TFT screen mounted precisely the rounded
instance. In addition to DVD motion pictures, repeat MP3/WMA-CDs, or JPEG images on CD also.
With a rechargeable battery and car adapter, the Philips Portable DVD Player (design # PET320/37)
has to do with $129.
Pioneer Inno XM2Go Radio
This dandy device was a victor at the Consumer Electronics Show of the sought after "Last Device
Standing" honor. Pioneer integrated a mobile XM satellite radio receiver with an MP3 player. Now,
blend your very own playlists, upload your very own music, or pay attention to any one of the 160
XM channels live. If you have a favorite show, permit the Inno record it for future listening. If you
listen to a tune on XM satellite radio, you could identify it and purchase it for future repeated
listening utilizing the XM + Napster network. Streamlined, stylish, and easily developed, the Inno is
a perfect present for me. Are you listening, kids? Could I make this any much less subtle for you ??
Calls for a membership on XM radio for $12.95 a month. Offered for concerning $370.

6. Samsung's Blu-ray Gamer
Conserving the ideal for last, today Samsung presented the first Blu-ray player in the US market.
Finally, folks which got hd televisions, flat screens, or projection systems, can watch pre-recorded
DVDs in full 1080p high-resolution. Yahoo !! Samsung's player allows full in reverse compatibility:
the system plays CDs and will certainly up-convert typical DVDs to the high-def format. (Up-
converted video clip makes use of software application and "check line doublers" to boost common
video clip for presentation above interpretation screens ... but real high def video is effortlessly
appreciable.)
Contrasted to a conventional DVD, with a mere 4.7 Gig of material, double layer Blu-ray discs
accumulate to FIFTY Job. That implies DVDs with unbelievable color and sharpness, plus richer
audio options and tracks, and much more features and interactive content.
Being first to market suggests finding actual Blu-ray DVD titles will certainly be very an ordeal early
on. Sony, nonetheless, simply revealed it will be releasing about a loads Blu-ray titles in the next
couple of weeks, equally as these Samsung players attacked the store racks. Various other business
are poised to sign up with the marketplace with their hd gamers also, consisting of Philips, and Sony
(with a significant Blu-ray press having the long-awaited and much expected launch of PS3 game
platform that will have Blu-ray playback.)
Some very early films planned to be released in Blu-ray style will certainly include: Token; FIFTY
First Dates; The Fifth Element; Hitch; Residence of Traveling Daggers; XXX (with Vin Diesel);
Terminator; and Underworld Advancement. For about Thirty Minutes the other day, I stood
stationary enjoying Transporter completely 1080i: screen resolution that changed a remarkable
thriller into a breathtakingly lovely aesthetic dancing (of trouble, nevertheless!)
Why do I mention Samsung's Blu-ray Gamer (at $999) although it appears after Father's Day? Due to
the fact that as soon as you see hd DVDs, the father-in-question (and you) will be hooked. If Papa is
an "very early adopter," this is excellent for him. However I don't recommend hurrying out and
acquiring among these systems promptly for the majority of "normal folk". It pays to hang around up
until the assault of hd DVD players and movies, in significant volumes, turn out to electronics shops
and living areas near you. Costs will certainly go down sharply on players, material will be offered,
and the early "kinks" will be functioned out of the innovation chain.
It would certainly be helpful if the electronic devices industry would certainly pick a solitary
standard for high definition DVDs: yet now, two contending and incompatible requirements (HD
DVD and Blu-ray) continue to be like VHS and Betamax and neither side appears prepared to blink.
So, good news, hd DVDs and gamers are lastly below, and nearly in time for Papas' Day. Yet the
majority of daddies have discovered they do not consistently obtain what they
http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/09/michelle-obama-takes-incognito-target-trip/ want for
the vacations. They've found out ways to await what they really want, and generally, they simply
acquire it themselves!
Note: All items assessed for this article and for the on-camera section were lent to CBS News for
assessment by the companies that produced or marketed them.
Copyright 2006 CBS. All rights booked.