From Concept to Consumer by Phil Baker

Griffin PowerDuo Reserve: AC and car charger plus rechargeable backup battery

I travel with oddles of chargers and cords to keep all of my devices charged. There's the iPhone, the inCase battery case, a Blackberry and my Bluetooth headphone. Thank goodness I can use the same type of charger for most devices, the ones with a USB connector built-in. Now Griffin offers Their PowerDuo Reserve. It consists of two USB chargers, one for 110 AC and one for the car. But there's one difference. Each device has a pocket for simultaneously charging an auxiliary battery for the iPhone. Thus you can charge the battery along with the iPhone or other device. Costs $60. Griffin.

Pluses

Everything you need to charge most any device in the car or at home (except the cables)

A tagalong backup battery for your iPhone

Attractive design

Minuses

Battery is less than half the capacity of the iPhone battery

Pricey

Picture this: A simple photo quiz provides insight into selecting the right camera and accessory

An innovative new tool called  VisualDNAShops allows Websites to install a widget, as shown below, that's used to provide advice on purchases, and then allow them to buy. A commission goes to the Website.

The company has provided me with the code “concepttoconsumervisualdnashop” for the first 50 readers to get their own VisualDNA Shop during the private beta phase. It will be officially launched next week.  All you need to do is enter this code when you go to the site, and you’ll get a free Pro shop.

Another misuse of technology

Check out this report from The Consumerist about ProFlowers.com adding a recurring charge of $14.95 to those that don't opt out of a special offer after ordering their flowers. Special, all right! 

Misusing technology (San Diego Transcript)

Too often new technology is misused and we end up with something far worse than what it was intended to improve. Let me give you a few examples.

A computerized calling system programmed with thousands of phone numbers to make automated calls was touted as a godsend to government entities that might need to evacuate an area in advance of a hurricane, as well as to large organizations in need of reaching their membership with important announcements.

Instead they're being used to spam us with advertising calls, some illegal and in violation of the Do Not Call Registry Law. Many of us have been on the receiving end of these incessant, automated calls from companies trying to clean our carpets, fix our credit ratings or sell us auto warranties (even to those without cars). Recently the problem was elevated when Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) became outraged, after receiving an auto warranty call on his cell phone while in the Senate chambers.

Of course, he encountered what most of us have experienced for a very long time. And he may not know that it's not only rogue organizations using this technology, it's his colleagues, as well. I've been getting robocalls from my representative, Brian Bilbray (R-CA) that tie up my phone line until the message is through playing, and fill up my answering machine when I'm not home. It's hard to imagine how he thinks this improves his image.

CVS Pharmacy recently began making automated calls to remind us to refill our prescriptions. Like Bilbray's calls, it was not an opt-in program, meaning you were not asked if you wanted to receive these calls first. It's a terrible idea because you get a call for each prescription, usually during dinner. (It's not against the do-not-call law because you have a prior relation with the company.)

The Top 10 Mistakes Inventors Make

(First appeared on Yanko Design)

In working with numerous inventors and designers over the years, I’m surprised to see how many make the same errors. So from that perspective I’ve created a list of those mistakes and how to avoid them. 

• Do everything yourself 

Leverage. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Do what you do best and rely on others to do what they do best. These days you can get access to resources around the world as easily as around the corner. 

• Focus on patents 

Don’t overly rely on patents. Patents only give you the right to sue, and rarely prevent others from selling a product that’s just like yours. Remember that patents can take a few years to issue, while 

A hands-on look at the Pentax K-7 DSLR: Small in size, big on features

Pentax may not be as large a company as Canon or Nikon, but you wouldn't know it from their digital SLRs.  They've had a recent history of producing some of the best models that have appealed to advanced amateurs and professionals alike. These models are complemented by a wonderful array of lenses, ranging from inexpensive entry level zooms to some incredibly sharp, water-resistant units. They also make a series of high performing single-focal length pancake lenses that add little bulk to the body. 

Today Pentax has announced their latest model, the K-7, that's been eagerly anticipated. I've been trying a pre-production model for several days, and it may just be their finest camera yet that will appeal to pro and hobbyist alike. The body has a suggested retail price of $1299.95.

I've used its predecessor, the K20D, used ever since it was introduced over a year ago. I travelled around the world to Australia, China, and Europe, shooting thousands of images, and it has worked flawlessly, taking some of the best pictures I've ever captured. It's rugged, easy to learn, and being sealed against moisture, sand and dust, has made it worry-free around the beaches, lakes and streams. (While not a professional photographer, I used to design and test cameras at Polaroid, and have always had an eye for high quality images and great mechanical design.)

While a full review awaits a production unit, the new K-7 has the makings of an even better camera than the K20D. It's a significant upgrade, not just a tweak.

Pick it up and the first thing you notice is it's smaller size, about 7% smaller than the K20D, and its solid feel. Yet it's just as easier to hold, because of the new sculptured handgrip. It feels more dense and more solid than any other DSLR, likely a result of the all-metal chassis and a more effective packaging of the components into the new body. (It reminds me of the Olympus OM series that raised the level of compact film cameras 30 years ago.) 

I put on one its pancake lenses and it's one of the smallest true DSLRs than anything I've seen. It easily fit into one of my slim computer bags. Like it's predecessor it's finished in matte black with not a chrome highlight anywhere.  Based on my K20D that's been used for a year with no case, the finish shows no wear and looks like new.

Seagate's answer to Apple's Time Capsule

A number of readers wanted to know if there's a PC equivalent to Apple’s Time Capsule, the backup drive I recently wrote about, that works to preserve a Mac’s computer contents and easily restore it in the case of a crash. 

Seagate offers the closest solution to this, their sleek-looking Replica back up drive system. While it works through a USB connection and not WiFi as on the Apple product, installation is a snap - just plug in the drive and single click to begin. Because it backs up your entire computer, you can use it to fully restore your PC, just like the Time Capsule. In addition it works silently in the background and replaces older backups as newer ones fill up the available space.

The 250GB version for a single PC costs $130 and the 500GB version for two costs $200. (www.seagate.com/replica)

Mophie Juice Pack Air for the iPhone

UPDATE:  After a few days use, I found that the iPhone is very difficult to remove from the Juice Pack Air. In fact, in removing it, the JP cracked. This is a problem if you chose to charge your iPhone using it's connector. 

The All-New Mophie ‘juice pack air’ is the latest and perhaps the slickest integrated iPhone case and auxiliary battery.  It's a little smaller than the competiton with slightly less capacity, but it glossy finish and tapered shape integrates well with the phone, making it look like an oversize iPhone. It offers the protection of a hard-shell case while providing nearly twice the battery life of the iPhone alone; all in a thin, light-weight, low-profile design. Note that it still leaves the front face exposed like its competition. It is charged using a micro USB connector, has a 4 LED charge indicator and an off-on switch. Comes in white, black and purple. $80 at Apple stores only.

The inCase Power Slider, covered earlier, is slightly larger, has 10% more battery capacity, a non-slip matte black finish, and costs $100. It offers slightly more protection with the case covering the frame around the screen.

The success of both of these prducts points to the need for more battery life in the iPhone.

San Diego's high-tech mushroom "factory"

I'll be doing an upcoming piece on one of the most interesting "factories" I've ever visited.  Located in the hills of San Marcos near sprawling greenhouses, is a huge, clean, modern facility that automates the growing of mushrooms. The Hokto Kinoko Cpmpany of Japan grows four varieties of organic mushrooms under pristine, near-clean room conditions. The facility is capable of turning out 6 million pounds per year. While this is their first facility the US, the company has nine in Japan and one in Taiwan.

Updates: New Jawbone headset, ProClip auto mounts, LifeLock (San Diego Transcript)

Just after publishing my column comparing three new headsets, Aliph announced its latest Jawbone model called Prime. Since the Jawbone has been one of the most successful of all headsets, I obtained a Prime from the company to compare it to those just reviewed.

The Prime replaces the Jawbone 2. While it looks nearly identical, it works even better. Sound quality on my end was fuller and less trebly. The latest generation of its "noise assassin" noise reduction technology is much more effective, and it works better under breezy conditions.

With my car's air conditioner blowing on my face at full force and the radio blasting, I was easily understood, even though I could barely hear myself. Those I spoke with heard very little background noise and thought the performance was the best of the group. I was heard clearly, even standing next to a running coffee grinder.