Grandparents and gadgets don’t really go together, but this week on TVNZ Breakfast I took a look at few gadgets that might just fit the bill. Helpful or historical, these devices will come in handy for the age-challenged individuals in your life.

Click below to watch the video.

Item:	St John Lifelink Medical Alarm
Price:	$39 per fortnight
Rating:	5 / 5
Info:	I expected a medical alarm to be as difficult to install and set up as a regular house alarm, but not so! The Liflelink system just plugs into the power and phone socket and it’s ready to go. It has a standard “pendant” activation button that can be worn around the house and garden, and pressed to raise a call for help. Additionally, the Lifelink has a built-in motion sensor (no extra sensors required), which can be programmed to ask for help if no movement is detected, and no response is given, after a certain time.The Lifelink is simple to use, easy to set up, and provides fantastic peace of mind. Depending on circumstances, the cost may be covered by Work and Income under a disability allowance.

Item:	Vintage Calculator
Price:	Depends on age and condition
Rating:	2 / 5
Info:	If your grandparents reminisce for the “good old days”, perhaps they’d like some good old technology? We forget how far we’ve come, but a nice vintage calculator is a great reminder. The Casio I demonstrated today even has 6 digits!

Item:	LogMeIn Ignition
Price:	Free for web use, $39 for iPhone application
Rating:	5 / 5
Info:	I’ve use a few different “remote desktop” applications, but none has been as simple to set up and easy to use as LogMeIn. Install a basic application on your grandparent’s computer (PC or Mac), then you can access their computer from any web browser, or even your iPhone using the Ignition application. The system even works perfectly over 3G. Security is good, and you get an email if someone attempts to log in without your permission. You can also configure multiple PCs under one account – one for each set of grandparents perhaps!

Video: Gadgets for Grandparents

Hybrid TV have announced the launch date and details for Tivo in New Zealand. Coming on the 6th of November 2009 the device adds “CASPA™ On-Demand” content along with Freeview recording. The catch is you can only get CASPA content if you are a Telecom broadband user.

I’ll watch from the sidelines to see how this plays out. If we start getting access to more recent episodes of international shows via CASPA, I might actually hop on the bandwagon. It’s difficult to see how TVNZ would go there, but perhaps it’s a legitimate transition from their flagging FTA advertising?

Full media release follows:

Auckland, NEW ZEALAND, 29 October 2009 – Hybrid Television Services (ANZ) Pty Limited, the exclusive licensee of TiVo® in New Zealand and Australia, today announced that the highly anticipated TiVo brand will reveal its new product and on-demand service for New Zealanders before any other country.

TiVo is the world’s most popular media device, giving viewers recording control and playback choice in one famously user-friendly interface. In addition to the TiVo device providing control of free-to-air digital terrestrial television (Freeview|HD compatible), the all-new broadband portal, CASPA™ On-Demand, will have its international debut in New Zealand.

CASPA On-Demand is a world of broadband entertainment including new release movies, hit TV shows for the whole family as well as music videos and concerts. As TiVo is not a subscription service customers can “pay-as-they-use” for CASPA instead of paying monthly fees for shows they do not watch. The broadband content on CASPA is provided as pay-per-view, advertiser funded or free of charge.

The New Zealand launch bundle, sold exclusively through Telecom from November 6, comprises a TiVo 320 Media Device and the Home Networking Package, which enables the customer to transfer TV recordings from their TiVo to their PC or portable device (i.e. PSP or iTouch), as well as view home movies, pictures and listen to their music on the TV.

“TiVo will provide the very best of broadband entertainment and allow Kiwis the freedom to enjoy top-rated movies on the television without impacting their monthly broadband data allowance,” said Ralph Brayham, Telecom director of home services.

“We are absolutely thrilled to premiere this new offering to New Zealanders. With the proliferation of digital free-to-air channels, New Zealanders should have more choice than ever before in how they view, pay for and enjoy their TV,” said Robbee Minicola, CEO of Hybrid TV.

“A key factor in our decision to obtain the licence rights for TiVo in these two countries was to enable broadband features on the television versus the computer. We knew that TiVo was the leader in controlling live television with its award winning features like Season Pass™ recordings and WishList™ searches but we sought to exploit broadband to take the product to the next level. We have achieved that with the CASPA On-Demand service.

“The relationship with Telecom ensures its broadband customers who use the CASPA service will not experience any impact on their monthly broadband data allowance. This is a significant benefit to consumers and explains why only Telecom broadband customers have access to CASPA On-Demand. New Zealanders who are not with Telecom for their broadband can still enjoy the TiVo product but will not have access to CASPA,” said Ms Minicola.

NZ TiVo Coming with CASPA November 6th

This week I take a look at a few different gadgets to get your music pumping. If you want to mix up a storm like a pro DJ, or just work out to your music without losing your headphones, there’s a gadget here for you. Click below for video:

Item:	Vestax Spin DJ USB Controller
Price:	$499
Rating:	4 / 5
Info:	Fancy yourself as a bit of a DJ, but don’t want to spend thousands on turntables and mixers? The Vestax Spin controller from the guys at Mix Foundation might be your best starting point. Mixing is as easy as dragging a song onto one of the on-screen turntables, then controlling the music with the physical turntables and mixers – you can even scratch and back-spin! The Spin comes with a microphone so you can mix in your vocal stylings with the music.

Item:	Logitech Squeezebox Boom
Price:	$699 RRP
Rating:	5 / 5
Info:	If your situation is anything like mine, you have a computer full of music in one room, and a stereo in another. This is where the Squeezebox fits in: connect it to your network (wired or wireless), and play your music where you want it. But not just your music: you can also access the world of internet radio, with local and international stations spanning the gamut of classical through to heavy metal. The Boom comes with integrated speakers and an alarm function.

Item:	Halo Headphones
Price:	$AU60
Rating:	3 / 5
Info:	I’m not much of a gym bunny, but I’m presuming these Halo Headphones fill a gap. Do your headphones keep falling off, or perhaps they get all sweaty and horrible? The Halo headband has pockets to hold the fitted headphones so you can keep listening to your music while you work out. They are very comfortable, but lets be honest, they make me look like a bit of a plonker. I think they’d look a lot better if I were female and had long hair!

Video: Music Gadgets

Make a stand against boring PCs! On Breakfast this morning we talked about ways to make your PC faster and more interesting. Click below for video:

Item:	Intel Core i7 Processor
Price:	From $460
Rating:	5 / 5
Info:	Intel’s range of processors are the current market leader in power and efficiency. Having recently applied a sensible naming scheme, Intel now sell processors in the i3, i5 and i7 range. Just think of it like the BMW vehicle range: the 7 series is bigger and more powerful than the 3 series. You can buy and upgrade your own processor, but you might find it easier to get a pre-built system from specialists like Playtech.

Item:	Viewsonic VX2268 3D Monitor
Price:	$568
Rating:	3 / 5
Info:	Viewsonic’s 22″ monitor is a great display, but comes with the added bonus of being 3D capable. The only downside is that to get the full 3D effect, you’ll need a particular video card, a pair of dorky looking glasses, and the right game or video. If you can get past those limitations, then the 3D effect is quite stunning.

Item:	Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Keyboard
Price:	$131
Rating:	4 / 5
Info:	If you thought just any old keyboard will do, then the Microsoft Sidewinder X6 might change your mind. With media controls, an adjustable backlight, and recordable macro keys, this keyboard will suit the toughest gamers or most prolific bloggers. The macro facility is great: just hit record and your keystrokes will be logged. Play them back by hitting another button. If you find yourself regularly repeating keyboard tasks, you’ll find this very useful.

Video: Bling your PC

“Travel” gadgets from TVNZ Breakfast this morning. Click below for video.

Item:	Canon 550d DSLR Camera
Price:	From $1699 depending on kit lens
Rating:	5 / 5
Info:	The Canon 550d is just above the entry-level price for a digital SLR, but it performs well above its station. Wonderfully clear photos with clean results up to ISO1600, and usable at ISO6400. This means you can take low-light shots with confidence that they will turn out looking great. Add to that the ability to take full high-definition video (or 720p video at 50 frames per second), and you have a wonderful versatile camera for travel.

Item:	Vodafone MiFi Mobile Broadband Hotspot
Price:	$499, or $299 with a data plan
Rating:	4 / 5
Info:	This tiny device is amazingly powerful. Just turn it on anywhere you can get 3G reception, and you’ll have internet access to any device with WiFi. This means on a family holiday you can share the internet with the whole family. Mum and Dad’s laptops, and the kids gaming devices and iPods will never be without internet coverage. This would get 5 stars, but I have to knock one point off for the continuing high cost of mobile internet.

Item:	Motorola SX709R PRS Handhelds
Price:	$299
Rating:	4 / 5
Info:	I’ve never been on a cruise, but I’m told that a pair of handheld radios are essential kit. Without cellphone coverage, rounding up the family on these massive ships can be impossible. These particular Motorola radios also come with a hands-free option, so you could use them as a long-range baby monitor. They have a stated range of “up to 10km”, but this would be cut down a lot by all the metal in a cruise ship. Also: when you get home, you can use them as pretend spy radios with your kids!

Video: Travel Gadgets

I spent an enjoyable 10 minutes with Russell Brown nattering about CES, the 2010 gadget landscape, Apple’s impending flat computer, and what it all means for media. Apparently it was recorded for an episode of Media7, but I’d have been happy to have the chat regardless.

Click the image to watch the episode, and keep watching after my bit for an interesting panel discussion on social media.

Video: Talking 2010 Gadgets and Media

Video from TVNZ this morning. Telescopes and binoculars.

Video: Telescopes and Binoculars

Popularity: unranked [?]

Here’s a run-down of the camping gadgets we covered on TVNZ Breakfast this morning. Feel free to ask any questions or post comments, and check back later today for the video.

Video: Camping/Tramping Gadgets

Popularity: unranked [?]

Here’s the items covered on TVNZ Breakfast this morning. Feel free to ask any questions or post comments below. Click below to watch the video:

Item:	The i-Sobot Humanoid Robot
Price:	$490
Rating:	3 / 5
Info:	The 16cm tall i-Sobot holds the Guiness world record as the smallest production robot. It’s a great fun little toy – a marvel of electronic engineering, and certainly the most agile robot I’ve played with, but at $490 is rather expensive. You’d have to be a dedicated robot collector to have an i-Sobot as a toy.

Item:	Tamiya TT-01 Drift-Spec
Price:	$449
Rating:	4 / 5
Info:	Radio control cars have come a long way since I built my first Tamiya kitset. Now they come completely ready to run out of the box, and in all sorts of flavours: rock crawlers, off roaders, and now drift cars. With special tyres, these drift-spec Tamiyas will be fishtailing and skidding like the professional drifers you see on TV. Personally, I can’t understand the appeal, but I’m told drifting is all the rage.

Item:	E-Flight Blade MCX
Price:	$179 (not including transmitter)
Rating:	5 / 5
Info:	The Blade MCX is a tiny marvel. Small enough to land in the palm of your hand, yet completely maneourvable. The MCX is the most stable helicopter I’ve flown. It’s not going to set speed records, but you could have hours of fun landing on upturned cups, and running make-believe rescue missions between the coffee table and sideboard.

Video: Radio Control Roundup

Here are the items I reviewed on TVNZ this morning. Click the image for the video.

Item: “Klutz” Science Books
Price:Various (generally $30-$40)
Rating: 4 / 5
Info: If you have a [...]

Video: Robots and Tinkering