Computer Hardware and Networking

Archive for November, 2008

The ZipConnect Wireless Outdoor Speakers are great for using outside, especially with your iPod, but it works with any MP3 player, CD player, and even satellite radio, it just needs a headphone jack.

The set comes with two speakers, which are weatherproof, which does not mean they are waterproof. Don’t expect audiophile quality sound, but it should be enough, and there’s bass boost, but that’s about as advanced as the options get.

Your iPod is housed in a little box, also weatherproof, that has the ZipConnect Module, which will connect and charge your iPod, but will also connect any other MP3 player.The included wireless remote allows you to control volume, and auto-scan frequency tuning. The remote is powered by 2 AA batteries, the speakers, however, require much more power; you’ll need 6 C batteries/speaker or use the included AC adapter if you’ve got a plug handy.

The wireless part operates at a 900 MHz frequency, and the device has a range of up to 150 feet, but for the best quality, the closer is the better.

One of our present-day problems that will only get worse in the future is parking. There are only so many places to put cars in the big city. I’m not looking forward to the days when parking garages will be as high as the Empire State Building.

Maybe we can use the parking method seen in I, Robot. Remember the scene where Will Smith parks his car, and then a giant robot arm takes his car and parks his car in a futuristic rack full of cars?

There is similar option for parking in the future called the LIFT. As you can see, this three-wheeled car has a back wheel behind it that can connect to an overhead track. Now the car can be put in an out-of-the-way place.

Sure to make your local fire marshall run away in shame (or Homer Simpson proud) the continuous plus is an innovative concept that lets you multiply electrical outlets easily and without undue mass.

This is somewhat one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” type of ideas The continuous plug is a multi-part AC electrical plug that lets you power many devices from the same AC outlet without the aid of outlet-strips or other clumsy power distribution devices.