2017 – Page 47

New Minecraft hour of code tutorial + 4 ways Microsoft is changing the way our kids learn

Remember when the most sophisticated item in the classroom was a calculator and maybe a computer with a CD-ROM? Those days are long gone. But it’s not just about bringing devices and Windows 10 into the classroom anymore, Microsoft has been rethinking how we use technology to encourage our kids to learn. Here are 4 ways that Microsoft is using technology to change the way our kids learn.

1. Minecraft Education Edition

It’s no secret that kids absolutely LOVE Minecraft, so it’s no surprise that Microsoft’s Minecraft Education edition has been a smashing success. To that effect, since its launch a little over a year ago, Minecraft Education Edition now has over 2 million licensed users and over 250 lesson plans available that educators have contributed. Today, Microsoft is releasing a new Minecraft Hour of Code tutorial called Minecraft: Hero’s Journey. The tutorial includes introduces computer science concepts and such as debugging and functions. After kids are done coding their own Minecraft level, they can share it, play it, and even bring the level into Minecraft: Education Edition on a Windows 10 PC.

2. Making 3D Accessible

The Windows 10 Fall Creator’s Update heavily focused on making 3D object creation super simple. Thanks to an update to the Paint app, it has never been this easy for kids (and adults) to create advanced 3D objects. The 3D objects can easily be brought into Office apps like Powerpoint. You can even bring your 3D objects into reality using the Mixed Reality Viewer.

3. Mixed Reality

Think Mixed Reality is just for video games? Think again. Brands like Samsung, Acer, Dell and Lenovo are all releasing relatively affordable mixed reality headsets this holiday season, and all it takes is bringing one into the classroom to change everything for students. I experienced an educational demo where I was transported to Machu Picchu. I learned about the fascinating geography and history behind this world wonder, and was even transported back in time to get a picture of what Machu Picchu looked like over 500 years ago. This type of experience is a game changer in the classroom since it essentially brings the field trip to the classroom – especially when it comes to places and experiences that would otherwise be too expensive or impractical to travel to.

4. Hacking STEM

Despite all this talk of using digital media to educate kids, Microsoft is also aware of how important it is for kids to get “physical” with their learning. Hacking STEM offers free lessons which include hands-on activities. All of the activities can be easily put together using inexpensive everyday materials that Hacking STEM lists on their site. The lesson plans include everything from building a machine that emulates humans, to measuring speed using Hot Wheels tracks and cars.

Filed in categories: Articles

Tagged: Educational, Microsoft, minecraft, Programming

New Minecraft hour of code tutorial + 4 ways Microsoft is changing the way our kids learn originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 14, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Gift Guide: iPhone cases and accessories

The iPhone X, the iPhone 8, and older iPhone models are the perfect gift giving category to consider this holiday season for friends and family who might have one of these popular smartphones. We’ve arranged our gift guide into sections and price for your shopping convenience. Click through to see our iPhone cases and accessories gift guide.

iPhone cases

Price range $100+

Sena Isa Crossbody Leather Hand Bag

The Universal Isa Crossbody Leather Hand Bag lists several iPhone versions that it works with, but it is a universal case that works with most phones with screens up to 5.5″. The Sena bag is made of quilted leather and has gold-finished hardware. There’s a dedicated pocket for the phone, plus other pockets for keys, cards, wallets, and the rest of your kit. It’s available in black or red for $129.95 from Sena.

Price: $129.95
Where you can buy one: Sena

Vaja Premium iPhone X cases

We’ve been writing about and reviewing Vaja cases for over 17 years. My very first (I think) Vaja case review was for the Palm V. If a company has been around for 17 years, you can assume that they know what they are doing and Vaja definitely does. They make high-quality luxury leather cases and offer the customer a myriad of customization options from color selection to leather type.

Price: $119 – $289
Where you can buy one: Vaja

Price range $50 – $100

Apple’s iPhone X Leather Folio

If you want to fully protect your new iPhone X, consider the sharp looking iPhone X Leather Folio which wraps the iPhone on all sides and also provides a cover to protect the display. The cover can even wake and sleep the phone when you open and close it.

Price: $99.00
Where you can buy one: Apple

Price range $10 – $50

Totallee iPhone X case

Totallee cases (and I use the word case lightly) are the thinnest phone cases I’ve ever seen and used. They add just the right amount of grip to your iPhone to help you avoid dropping it. These cases won’t help soften impact if you do happen to drop your phone, but for everyday wear and tear avoidance, they have your iPhone covered.

Price: $29.00
Read our review:totallee $29 thin leather iPhone X case review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Platinum Genuine American Leather Folio Case for iPhone X

The Platinum Genuine American Leather Folio Case protects your iPhone X, front and back. The phone is held in a hard PC shell for extra protection. The interior is lined with microfiber, and the front flap has three card slots and a money pocket, so you can keep all your essentials with your iPhone X. It’s slim and compact, for easy carrying.

Price: $49.99
Where you can buy one: Best Buy

Mujjo leather cases

I think of Mujjo cases as a Vaja (see above) alternative for people on a budget. They don’t offer a lot of color selections, but their cases are made very well, look great, and provide good protection for drops and everyday abuse.

Price: $43 – $48
Read our review: Mujjo Leather iPhone case review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

iPhone X and iPhone 8 wireless chargers

Price range $50 – $100

Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad

Wireless charging for iPhones has been a long time coming, but now that it’s finally here, you need a wireless charger like this one from Belkin. Once you have experienced wireless charging, you’ll wonder how you lived without it all these years.

Price: $64.99
Where you can buy one: Newegg

TYLT ORB Wireless Charger

We haven’t had the opportunity to review this charger from TYLT, but we’ve reviewed some of their other wireless chargers in the past and I don’t have any problems recommending them for their design and functionality. This one is compatible with the new iPhone X and iPhone 8 devices and can fast charger newer Samsung Galaxy phones too.

Price: $49.99
Where you can buy one: TYLT

Price range $10 – $50

iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless Qi Charging Station for the car

The iOttie Wireless Qi Charging Station for the car works with the new iPhone X, iPhone 8/8 Plus, and any other Qi-wireless enabled device between 2.3″-3.3″. The One Touch lock-and-release mounting system lets you mount your device with a one-finger push. It comes with a USB cable to provide power to the charger, plus a dashboard pad for mounting to most dashboards (probably not leather nor vinyl, though). The telescopic arm allows you to adjust the angle to best see your screen.

Price: $39.96
Where you can buy one: Amazon

iPhone screen protectors

Price range $10 – $50

Belkin InvisiGlass Ultra Screen Protection for iPhone X

Belkin InvisiGlass Ultra, made with Accessory Glass 2 by Corning, increases the scratch-resistance up to 3-5 times to protect your very expensive iPhone X. A chemical Ion-Exchange process strengthens the ultra-thin (0.21mm) Aluminosilicate glass, so you’ll experience up to 25% increase in drop performance to prevent screen cracking or breakage. And by the way, the Aluminosilicate glass is the same glass used in the windows of the space shuttles.

Price: $39.95
Where you can buy one: Apple

ZAGG InvisibleShield HD Glass+ Screen Protector

Another option to protect your iPhone’s display is the popular tempered glass protector from ZAGG which has IonMatrix technology for impact-resistant shatter protection.

Price: $39.99
Where you can buy one: Best Buy

Skinomi Tempered Tech Glass Screen Protector for Apple iPhone X

If you don’t want to spend $40 on a screen protector, you can be frugal and order a 3-pk of Skinomi protectors that have a 5-star rating on Amazon.

Price: $7.95
Where you can buy one: Amazon

iPhone miscellaneous accessories

Price range $100+

WaterField iPhone Camera Bag

Earlier this year, Julie announced WaterField’s new iPhone Camera bag. This compact little pouch has room for an iPhone X, iPhone 8/8 Plus, and many other similarly-sized phones. There’s also room for some add-on lenses, cables, and even straps on the bottom to hold a small tripod or monopod. Check out Julie’s post or the WaterField site for more info and photos.

Price: $99 for ballistic nylon; $129 for leather
Read our post: WaterField’s new iPhone camera bag holds all your phonographs gear
Where you can buy one: WaterField

DJI OSMO Mobile Gimbal for iPhone

Vloggers who use their iPhone as their primary camera will flip over this combination selfie stick/gimbal that provides buttons on the handle that let you easily control cinematic video capture smoothly and effortlessly.

Price: $299.95
Where you can buy one: Amazon and Apple

Price range $50 – $100

Mujjo Leather Touchscreen Gloves

When the weather turns cold and you start wearing gloves, you need a pair of special touchscreen compatible gloves if you want to be able to interact with your phone while wearing them. Mujjo offers a variety of touchscreen gloves including these leather gloves shown above which keep your hands warm and also allow you to use your phone.

Price: $97 and up
Read our review: Mujjo Leather Touchscreen Gloves review
Where you can buy one: Mujjo and Amazon

Price range $10 – $50

Kenu Stance tripod

The Kenu Stance is a small folding tripod you can carry on your keychain when it’s no being used and when needed, it attaches to the Lightning connector on your iPhone to provide a stable stand for posed selfies and video. It even has a built-in bottle opener.

Price: $19.95
Read our review: Kenu Stance smartphone tripod review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Loopy Case

Loopy cases guarantee that you’ll never drop your phone again because they provide a handy loop for your finger. Just slide over your finger and you’ll have a secure grip on your phone no matter what you’re doing.

Price: $35.00
Read our post:Get a Loopy Case and StoptheDrop
Where you can buy one: Loopycases.com

Filed in categories: Articles

Tagged: gift ideas, iPhone accessory, iPhone X

Gift Guide: iPhone cases and accessories originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 14, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Anki Cozmo robot review

Let me state up front that the Anki Cozmo robot is a difficult review to write. It’s not because I don’t like it (frankly, negative reviews are easy to write); it’s because I really like this robot and it does so many things—most of them silly—that I’m having a hard time deciding what to leave in and what to delete. So, let me start off the review by saying, “If you want the coolest holiday gift for 2017, this is it.”

Well, that was easy. Now for the hard part …

When I first saw Cozmo online in a series of hilarious Anki videos, I was reminded of Pixar’s Wall-E. Cozmo loosely resembles Wall-E with his various noises and pseudo-language as he expresses joy—or quite the opposite. I don’t know whether Cozmo is a he, she or it, so I will use “he” since Cozmo is a boy’s name and calling him an it robs him of his personality.

Cozmo is a small, intelligent robot that will win you over with his ability to learn and his desire to beat you in every game he plays with you. He learns and gets more competitive as you interact with him. He is self-centered, petulant, moody and lovable—much like a cat.

Cozmo knows some games and will perform some tricks right out of the box, but as you spend time with him, other games and tricks are opened up. When you play with Cozmo each day, you’re awarded play tokens. Acquire three and you can unlock what Anki calls Bonus Boxes where you can redeem rewards—sparks, games, and tricks. Sparks are like points that are used to start a game or trick with Cozmo. Different games require different amounts of Sparks. Cozmo can also earn Sparks by winning games. Sometimes Cozmo chooses a game to play and sometimes it’s up to you. Either way, he’s constantly reminding you he wants to play.

Note: I made some videos, but they don’t do justice to everything Cozmo can do. There are countless Cosmo videos on YouTube that do a better job. Plus the quality is lacking—I had to use my iPad to shoot video because the Anki app will not work in the background on a smartphone, so multitasking is not possible.

Cozmo gets bored easily and can cause mischief. He always wants to pounce on your finger, play a song or go exploring. He’s even recognized our pet dogs! Speaking of recognition, when you first unbox Cozmo, you go through this facial recognition by typing your name and letting Cozmo scan your face. A built-in camera performs the scan and then Cozmo clearly pronounces your name. Anki assures us that no personal info ever goes out and that everything is stored in Cozmo himself and not shared with anyone. Note: Should you decide, Cozmo can be easily and completely erased.

Sometimes you can play tricks on Cozmo. Either putting him upside down or rearing him up on his back wheels will upset him. He will do everything he can to right himself up. Many times, his head, lift (arms) and tread (wheels) need recalibration. This is easily done in the free iOS or Android app that must be downloaded for Cozmo to work. This app controls everything Cozmo. It tells you what he’s thinking, how to set up a game or trick, and even keeps count of the sparks left in your “bank.”

The app also lets you know then Cozmo’s battery is getting low or when he needs to be fed. It also keeps track of the three cubes which are Cozmo’s toys. These blocks have specific icons for identification. The cubes have colors that turn on and off depending on how they’re used. A blue cube means that Cozmo sees it, but a green glowing cube means that Cozmo will interact with it. Which blocks become blue or green seems to be completely random. The cubes can display many different colors during game time.

Starting Cozmo up is a multi-step affair. First, you have to place him in his base regardless of whether he’s charged or not. Then he needs to be connected to a smartphone via his own WiFi network. Once that’s done, he wakes up and rolls off the base. Usually, Cozmo needs tuning up and feeding before any activities can take place. Feeding Cozmo involves shaking a blue glowing cube until it remains bright and then letting him find it and ‘drink’ from it. Sometimes, he even gets the hiccups. Of course, it’s all for show since it has nothing to do with a charged or empty battery. But hey, it’s a pet, ya’ know?

Tuning up requires scanning Cozmo and then following instructions given by the app to “fix” him by aligning his tread wheels, calibrating his lift and adjusting his head. I not sure how necessary this procedure is, but it’s fun to do as the app asks.

Once you have Cozmo set up, you’ll want him to recognize you. If you’ve already performed facial scanning, he will see you and say your name. Sometimes, you may have to re-introduce yourself after you power him up. I told Cozmo my name was “Billy Bob” because my name is actually William Robert and it sounds better than just “Bill”.

After you play a few games and spend time with Cozmo, you collect sparks that are used as tokens to play more games. As days go by, more sparks are added and conversely, with these sparks, more games are added. Be careful though, Cozmo does not like to be ignored and will throw a fit if you don’t pay enough attention to him. He also expresses displeasure when he wants to play a game and you say no or you say yes and then beat him. However, it’s fun to watch Cozmo randomly play games and performing tricks to amuse himself (and us in the process).

There are more advanced activities for Cozmo in the Discover section of the app.

My favorite Cozmo activity is Explore Mode. This utilizes the built-in camera (what Cozmo “sees”). You see what he sees on your smartphone screen. You can then control Cozmo by moving, turning and manipulating his arms and head. Plus he will recognize a cube, human or even a pet and will greet you (or your pet) by pressing the Greet button on the screen. Cozmo can be made too either lift or roll a cube. Plus, you can drive him around using his camera as an eye. It allows you to see your surroundings from Cozmo’s viewpoint. More than once in this mode, he recognized me and said my name. I also had fun terrorizing my 75 lb dog with Cozmo driving around on the floor and seeing it from Cozmo’s point of view. My poor dog didn’t know what to make of him, so he walked away. If he had attacked Cozmo, this review may have ended quickly! You can also type anything into the app and Cozmo will say it.

Another mode for the adventurous is what the app calls Code Lab. This allows you to instruct Cozmo in different tasks by piecing together code blocks to make a program. It’s rudimentary, but it works flawlessly. Even though I don’t have a coding bone in my body, I could program simple tasks for Cozmo. I can envision kids gaining an interest in coding with this simple and intuitive game just to make Cozmo do what they want. Note: There is also a Cozmo Software Development Kit (SDK) for hard-core coders.

When you turn off the app, Cozmo lets out a disappointed sigh (or two or three) and begins snoring quite loudly. After a bit, he shuts down completely and must be re-awakened using the app’s Connect button. He then looks around and will call out your name when he recognizes you.

Cozmo is one of those intelligent toys that rewards the kid in all of us. As we spend more time with him, he becomes even more entertaining and opens up more games. I have yet to discover everything Cozmo has to offer despite the time I’ve spent with him. And isn’t that one of the joys of any toy—discovering new things about it even after hours of playtime?

Cozmo is not an inexpensive toy, but considering all he does and the hours of fun he promises in addition to learning as you play, what more can you ask for?

The Anki Cozmo robot sells for $179.99 US and is available from Amazon. I received the graphite colored Collector’s Edition, which costs the same as the white regular edition.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Anki. Please visit their site for more information and Amazon to order one.

Product Information

Price:	$179.99 US
Manufacturer:	Anki
Retailer:	Amazon
Pros:	Endless, creative fun Cozmo learns and adapts and gets smarter Cozmo learns who you are Cooler looking Collector's Edition same price as regular Cozmo Allows coding
Cons:	Expensive

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Educational, Robots, Toys

Anki Cozmo robot review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 13, 2017 at 12:39 pm.

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TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds review

While “wireless headphones” have been around for a while, “true wireless headphones” are a relatively new concept in headphone technology. The ear pods sit independently in each ear. No wires. No nothin’! I’ve reviewed wireless headphones before, but the TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds are the first I have tried in the category. Let’s go see how they do!

Packaging, storage, and charging

When you crack open the box on the TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds, you’ll find yourself facing a black storage case that’s roughly the size of a hockey puck at 3” in diameter and 7/8” deep. Multiple sized silicone earbud tips (S/M/L), a pair of memory foam tips, and a USB to Micro-USB cable complete the package out of the box.

Rotate the top half of the puck clockwise, and you’ll expose a panel that includes the Micro USB port for charging the base, and a standard USB port for charging other devices. Four blue LEDs on the top of the panel indicate charge levels on the base. The base itself takes about 3 hours to charge to full capacity, at which point it will provide up to 60 hours of earbud operation without an additional charge.

Rotate the top half of the puck counterclockwise to expose the earbud dock. A pair of magnetic ports keeps your buds secured in place when not in use. Each earbud had a red LED light that lets you know when they are charging in the dock and will go out when they are fully charged. It takes about an hour to charge the earbuds when completely drained. The buds will charge while you are charging other devices on the USB port, or while the base unit is charging, or both.

The case itself is quite rugged, keeping your buds thoroughly protected while knocking around in your pocket or bag. When combined with the additional on-the-go charging features, it makes for a great base package for the system.

Setting up for use

The TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless earbuds are tiny and bullet-shaped with a single multifunction button on the tip of each earbud, and that’s all there is to it. As you can see from the photos below, they are tiny!

You turn the earbuds on or off by pressing and holding each button for three seconds. They will also turn off automatically if placed in the storage cradle, which is a nice feature for both convenience and conserving power. As you power the earbuds up, a series of spoken audio cues let you know the status (“Power on!” “Connected!” “Power off!”). They will also tell you which bud is which (“Left Channel!” “Right Channel!) so you know that you have them in the proper ears. Each earbud is also marked, but the extra audio cue is nice.

The earbuds are connected to each other by default, with the left earbud serving as the master unit. Bluetooth Pairing is easy. Go to your Bluetooth settings and connect to the “NOVA” device. The earbuds will tell you that you’re connected with the words “Pairing successful. Connected!” The buds will automatically connect to the last paired device, but you can switch between devices using the Bluetooth controls on each device.

Once you are connected, the multifunction button on each earbud has some very basic control features. Press either button once to pause or play a track queued up on your device. You can take calls while wearing the earbuds by pressing either button once when your phone rings. Double-pressing either button will redial the last number you called. Any other phone functions (opening your music or podcast app, selecting tracks, starting a playlist, dialing someone from your contact list, volume control, etc.) are all activated from your device.

I do like that TRNDlabs is keeping it simple with the NOVA True Wireless Earbuds. There’s only so much additional functionality you can pack into a tiny pair of earbuds without really making the usability too complex for normal operation. While the on-board functions are limited here, the controls and audio queues are intuitive and easy to learn.

Bring the noise!

Sound quality on the TRNDlabs is quite good. Audio is crisp and clear, and offers nice volume range. Since the buds sit deeper in your ear, you’ve also got quite a bit of ambient noise suppression. The bass levels are not particularly deep, which I would expect from tiny little buds like this. I’ve also noticed that the sound quality is directly impacted by how deep you have inserted them in your ear.

As I expected, phone call quality is a mixed bag as a result of the design. Incoming audio is crisp and clear, but the positioning of the microphone in the earbud makes for muffled audio going out. I’ve had several people comment that can be difficult to hear me, especially if I am speaking in a low voice in a crowded area. I’ve also noted that incoming call audio only plays in the master bud in my left ear. It’s a trade-off that’s unavoidable in this sort of design, but something you should consider if you’re used to making frequent calls.

Overall, connectivity is quite good. The TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds use Bluetooth 4.1 technology with a range of about 30 feet. I tend to keep my iPhone in my bag or pocket and have noticed no issues with connectivity.

Running about and working out

I’ll admit that the bullet-style earbuds take some getting used to, as there is nothing to anchor the bud in your ears other than the nibs. Once I found the right sized nibs, I found the TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds to be quite comfortable. They are really light and don’t irritate during periods of extended use. I have experienced some issues with the right-hand bud sliding around or popping out, especially under strenuous conditions like a workout. In checking out other reviews online, this seems to be a problem for some people. It could be my tiny ears. I’m still experimenting with different sized nibs to get the right fit.

I’ve also experienced the occasional audio drop while working out, almost as if the audio is buffering or reconnecting. This may be the result of the activity, however… I’ve been sitting here playing these for two hours while writing this review and experienced no such issues. Other online reviews seem to collaborate this, but it’s not a significant issue for most of the reviewers I have checked out.

Overall, performance and operation of the TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Headphones are really good. One of the drawbacks of many smaller earbuds is limited power capacity; with the portable charger/case TRNDlabs provides here, I never find myself with a dead pair of earphones. Simple controls make for easy and uncomplicated operation, which is a plus when you need to focus and just want to listen to music or podcasts while you’re up and about (or working out). Sound quality is very good, and connectivity has been consistently good during the several weeks I have had them.

Wireless… or true wireless?

Based on my research, there are some drawbacks to true wireless headphones in general. That extra cable gives you a place to hand an additional control pod for a microphone to improve call quality, as well as extra controls like volume adjustments. Wireless headphones also tend to have larger earbuds, which helps with secure fit and better speakers. You also don’t have problems with losing a tiny earbud if it pops out of your ear since it’s always connected to its partner by that cable or headset arrangement. Both wireless and true wireless headphones have the same issue with limited power supplies from what I have seen, so that’s not a big differentiator.

All that said, I find myself using TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds more than my wired/wireless headphones. I tend to do more listening than talking while using my headphones, however, so I am OK with the trade-offs. I don’t find the sound quality to be an issue, and the ability to constantly charge the device when not in use is a big plus for me. They’re also much more comfortable in my opinion, without any bulky stuff hanging off my ears. Your needs may be different, however, and you should think about how you use your headphones on a regular basis before making the jump.

Conclusion and Pricing

After doing some research into pricing, I can tell you that these earbuds look like a pretty good value relative to their competition. Apple’s Earpods start at $160, and other higher-end competitors (such as Jabra and Samsung) start at $200+. The TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds retail for just $79! Add in the simple controls, great sound, and the additional charging features and you have a great little package. Check them out at TRNDlabs web site or on Amazon for more information!

Source: The sample for this review was provided by TRNDlabs. For more info visit their site.

Product Information

Price:	$79.00
Manufacturer:	TRNDlabs
Retailer:	Amazon
Pros:	Great sound quality Portable charging features Simple, intuitive operation Great value compared to competitive products
Cons:	Bullet shape may not work for everyone (can slip out) Outgoing voice is not great for calls Limited functionality may not work for some

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth earbuds

TRNDlabs NOVA True Wireless Earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 13, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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Julie’s gadget diary – I received the nicest email this morning

I receive a LOT of emails every day that are usually from PR agencies pitching products that they want us to write about or review, people with new crowdfunding campaigns that they want us to write about, people asking for tech support for products that we’ve reviewed, people asking how to buy products that we’ve reviewed, and people complaining about articles we’ve posted or problems with the website. It’s not often that I receive an email where someone isn’t wanting something from me or not complaining about something unlike the thoughtful thank you email that I received this morning.

My name is Aaron Blair, and about 15 minutes ago I remembered the-gadgeteer.com and decided to see if it was still around…

I first bookmarked the gadgeteer somewhere around the year 2000… Which inadvertently resulted in causing my parents many nights of anguish, listening to my constant pleas at dinner for WinCE and palm devices….I vividly remember asking you to review a Casio be-300 at the time. It was all I could afford and I spent months modding the interface and patching for full wince compatibility…Which didn’t exactly succeed.lol

It is almost unbelievable how many things have changed since then. I miss the times of my childhood. It seemed that every day, I could read about a new device. That was unique and innovative.

I am 28 years old. I ended my career in electronics engineering before it even began. Stopping to take care of my sick mother…I am a caregiver now, employed by the state of Washington..doing my best to give my mom a more fulfilling, better life.

The sense of wonder, and interest in tech/electronics that I hold today was fostered and fed by your website years ago.

I want to say thank you, I didn’t end up where I wanted to specifically. But I wouldn’t know half of what I do now if I hadn’t stumbled on this site back around the year 2000.

Glad to see that it’s still going,
Aaron Blair.

Also, I still have my old Scott-e vest.. ;p

After more than 20 years of running The Gadgeteer, I still get a little misty-eyed when I read emails like this one because it makes me realize that even though this is just a gadget website and we’re not changing the world, what we do here can make a difference and help people. Thanks Aaron for energizing me to keep The Gadgeteer going hopefully for many more years to come.

Filed in categories: Articles

Tagged: gadget diary

Julie’s gadget diary – I received the nicest email this morning originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 13, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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