A Home Security Cam For Windows

Because of the significant increase of home break-ins in my neighborhood in particular, and around the Island in general, I was prompted to seek out a security web camera that’s user-friendly to my readers. In a column about a year and a half ago, I wrote about Linksys’ WVC54G Wireless G Internet Video Camera. Today I have Linksys’ next generation WVC54GC to play with.

This camera has been out on the market for a while, but I wanted to test it because it seemed to be fairly decent and easy-to-use. You wouldn’t want something too complicated to monitor your home with.

I’ll tell you up front that as long as you are using it with Windows XP, you will have virtually no problems setting it up. With any other operating system, you’ll be kicking yourself silly.

I will eventually put this camera in a place that will monitor an entry point, but for testing purposes it’s currently pointed at my parrot. My next placement will be outside looking at our sidewalk — one of my pet peeves is finding dog poop on my grass that people don’t bother to pickup. I can easily use this camera to catch ’em in the act.

But before anything can be done, you need to install the software utility on your computer to setup and configure the camera. Once you have the software installed and the camera configured and physically positioned to your likings, you’re ready to go.

Capturing the precious moments without sitting in front of your screen all day is simple after you configure the WVC54GC to e-mail you when it detects motion. You’ll receive a short video clip of what it recorded (maximum five seconds), so it’s perfect if you’re at work most of the day to see what’s going on. However on the downside, it does not record audio, and if there is heavy movement in the camera’s field of view, you’ll receive an email too. In my case, since I have the camera pointed at my bird, I receive an email every time he moves.

Other features include MPEG-4 support (320x240 video stream), its own web server (so it can connect directly to a network), time stamp and text overlay, WEP encryption and WPApre-shared key, and Linksys SoloLink DDNS service (dynamic IP IP connection - free for the first 90 days). Additionally, it supports up to four simultaneous remote users and is viewable up to Wireless G speeds (sorry, no Wireless N yet).

Again if you set your camera up on Windows XP, you’ll be fine, but if you’re using Windows Vista or Mac OS X, you’ll run into big problems. For you Mac folks, you can use Boot Camp or Parallels with XP to get around the problem. Otherwise, check out this website and follow the instructions: http://www. jasonkohles.com/writings/wvc54 gc-osx-linux. Officially, the WVC54GC will work with Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP along with Active-X 8.0, Windows Media Player 7 and Internet 5.5.

The going rate for the Linksys WVC54GC is about $100, and you can find it at your nearest CompUSA(www.compusa.com) or Best Buy (www.bestbuy.com). For more information on the camera itself check out www.linksys.com. For a more business-oriented solution, try Linksys’Wireless PTZ Internet Camera with Audio (WVC200).

The New, Discreet Mini Bluetooth Ear Piece

There are so many Bluetooth headsets out there, and these days they seem to be a dime a dozen out on the market. Motorola’s H9 Miniblue caught my eye because it’s so small and discreet (barely larger than my camera’s memory card). It weighs less than an ounce and I can pop it into my ear and walk around “talking to myself” like a crazy lady and no one would ever see the H9 in my ear with the hair covering it.

The H9 sits deeply in your ear, which can be good and bad. It’s good because this design feature creates a seal around your ear to help reduce the ambient noise in your surrounding environment. It is bad if you feel uncomfortable having things deep in your ear. Despite the fact that it does not include a piece to go over your ear, the H9 will stay in place securely. The only way it came out of my ear was when my mischievous parrot pried it out while sitting on my shoulder.

As long as you have a Bluetooth 1.1- or 1.2-enabled cell phone that supports headset and hands-free profiles, it will work with anything.

It has a large call button that performs multiple functions: voice dialing,answering calls, hanging up, call-waiting and three-way calling. With the way it’s built, you can use the H9 on either ear and it comes with an array of interchangeable ear tips to ensure your personal fit and comfort.

The portable charger base included with your H9 is quite handy since it slips right into your pocket or purse.You can receive 7.5 hours of talk time using this portable charger (or 1.5 hours with the headset only), and 100 hours of standby time.While in the charger base the headset will stay charged up to 20 days. The blue indicator lights keep you updated with your headset status information. As with all Bluetooth devices, you can use it up to 33 feet away from your phone.

Overall it’s a decent headset, but a bit pricey with its ~$150 price tag. I do enjoy the portable charger, the small size and the stylish black and silver color scheme. The fact that it sits deep in the ear does not bother me at all,but I would imagine it’s uncomfortable for others.

Find the Motorola H9 Miniblue at www.store.motorola.com or your nearest CompUSA (www.compusa.com) or Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com).

Training Mac Users One To One

My Click Chick Mac aura must be rubbing off on people or something. It seems more and more people around me are switching from being an anti-Mac, sole PC person to Mac user. I even assisted a few friends recently by giving them the basic familiarization with Apple’s operating system OS X, and it’s amazing the culture shock people experience over the switch. While I don’t mind helping out, there’s simply not enough time to help everyone!

If you made the transition recently, or are thinking about making it soon, I need to tell you about the Apple Store’s One to One personal training that will help make your move smoother. You let your Apple trainers know what you need to learn and they will create a program that is customized to your level of experience.You can choose individual sessions that cover everything from learning the basics of OS X to software to mastering your new iPhone. These sessions are designed to move at your pace and provide the support and guidance you require.

To mention a few highlights: PC to Mac Sessions: The Getting Started With Your Mac session will be customized by setting your preferences, and you’ll be familiarized with the Mac environment, and they will connect you to the Internet. With Mac 101, your contacts and calendar will be set up and your trainer will show you how to e-mail, video chat and instant message on a Mac. They’ll also help you get to know the Mac and the built-in iLife software.

Beginner To Pro: Even if you’re experienced with your Mac and just want to know more, this program will immerse you even more in photography, making movies, publishing, podcasting, website building (blogs) and presentations on a Mac.

iPhone 101: I would imagine this is fairly popular these days with the very recent release of the iPhone. Here you can learn everything from the ground up - getting started on your iPhone, sending/receiving e-mail and surfing the web.

There’s much more to be offered, and One to One can be purchased at your nearest Apple Store (Ala Moana Center or Kahala Mall) for $99 per year (reservations need to be made 14 days in advance). Go to www.apple.com/retail/onetoone for more information.

# # #

Next-Gen Console Update The price of Sony’s 60 GB PlayStation 3 (PS3) has dropped from $599 to $499, saving you $100! A new 80 GB model will take the $599 price tag slot sometime in August.

Unwiring The World: Wireless Internet For All

Some people are always looking around for open Internet connections for their computer (and other electronic devices).If you leave your Wi-Fi router un-password-protected on purpose, there is another alternative.You can join in the Meraki network using your Internet connection and easily give back to the community. With a special Meraki access point/repeater you can be a part of this movement, connect your community to the Internet and even be an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to your neighbors (if you so choose).

Formally launched a few months ago, Meraki Networks (partially funded by Google) is the pioneer of the first consumer wireless mesh Internet network designed to “unwire the world."The mission is to bring affordable Internet access to the next billion people.The thinking behind this approach is that wireless networking empowers individuals and groups to bring access to local communities anywhere in the world.

The name Meraki very much represents what the service is all about. It’s a Greek word that means doing something with soul, creativity or love. As its namesake states, it allows easy spreading of affordable broadband access in your community.

This is very easy to set up - all you need to do is plug one of the affordable $49 Meraki repeaters (Meraki Mini router) into your existing broadband (cable modem or DSL connection). The typical range for a repeater is 100-150 feet for indoor and 300-750 feet for outdoors.

Once you have that in place, you can manage your network over the web with Dashboard, the simple control panel for the Meraki system.

With it you can keep track of dozens or hundreds of network users, set bandwidth limits, brand your network,or optionally charge your users for access. You can also keep an eye on your network at your leisure - make changes or view detailed data about usage in real time and diagnose network problems right away. Or, if you choose, you can just let your network be and it will optimize itself.

On top of that, Meraki just introduced the Meraki Outdoor repeater and Meraki Solar accessory. Together these can blanket entire neighborhoods with Wi-Fi access. The Meraki Outdoor goes for $99 and can send a signal up to 700 feet (6-18 miles with antenna). Paired with your existing Mini, this outdoor repeater can power dozens of households sharing one high-speed Internet connection. It also includes two 100 Mbit Ethernet ports, dual SSID (supports public and private networks on the same connection) and it’s made with weatherproof plastic that is easy to mount.

“To change the economics of WiFi access across the globe,there’s got to be a simple, efficient and inexpensive method for sending the signal long distances outdoors,"says Sanjit Biswas, CEO and co-founder of Meraki. “The Meraki Solar and Meraki Outdoor will play an important role in our efforts to bring the next billion people online in the coming years.”

Adding on the Meraki Solar accessory kit allows your repeater to broadcast a signal without being connected to an electrical source. This makes it ideal for everywhere,especially places where electricity is not available. This is the first solar repeater for the consumer market and it regulates its own energy usage (provides up to 3x energy efficiency). The pricing has not been set yet, but will be set by the end of the summer and will be the most affordable option on the market.

The whole Meraki idea was conceived as a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Ph.D.research project that provided wireless Internet access to graduate students. Today there are 1,000-plus Meraki networks up and running in more than 35 countries with 40,000 users.

Both the Meraki Outdoor and Meraki Solar are expected to ship late this summer. In the meantime, check out www.meraki.net to see some case studies and more information. Before you proceed with a purchase,you might want to check with your Internet service provider to make sure a Meraki device is acceptable to utilize with your plan.

HotSpot @ Home

With so much competition among phone service providers (both land line and mobile), here’s another option for you to ponder: T-Mobile’s recently announced HotSpot @ Home service. This allows you to make and receive calls using both T-Mobile’s GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) cellular airwaves and pre-configured Wi-Fi (wireless Internet) networks.

So to put it simply, it’s a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone that you can also use on T-Mobile’s GSM network. This HotSpot @Home is very innovative since it combines the power of Wi-Fi and T-Mobile’s voice/data network. While you’re at home you can talk freely on your cell phone without the burden of using up your minutes (domestic calling). This goes the same if you’re connected to a T-Mobile HotSpot (i.e., at a Starbucks or most airports). If you leave home or walk away from a HotSpot while on the phone, your device will transfer automatically to the cell network.

“More people than ever are looking to drop their home landline phone and pocket the savings,” said Robert Dotson, president and CEO of T-Mobile USA. “However, they don’t want to use all their wireless minutes talking from home. Our new service solves this dilemma once and for all. T-Mobile HotSpot @Home is a first of its kind service that helps people simplify their lives, save money and enjoy great call quality on one device - their mobile phone - at home.”



The T-Mobile HotSpot @Home will only work with two special HotSpot phones - the Samsung t409 and the Nokia 6086. Each is $49.99 with a two-year contract on a qualifying rate plan (price ranges from $39.99 to $139.99 per month). These phones are no iPhone, but they both do the basics you need. The t409 will give you five hours of talk time (or eight hours of standby), Bluetooth, instant messaging and has a 1.3 megapixel camera. Although the 6086 gives you the same five hours of talk time and less standby time (at four hours), it might be a little better since its camera has a 4x zoom with video capability, and FM radio. As with the i409, it has the same Bluetooth and instant messaging features.

You can use your existing Wi-Fi router, but if you don’t have one, T-Mobile offers two different HotSpot @Home Wireless routers. These are made by Linksys and D-Link, and are designed for simple setup and ensuring voice calls are carried with the utmost quality. Each router is $49.99, but you’ll receive a rebate from T-Mobile that will make it free once you redeem it.

For you existing T-Mobile customers, all you need is one of the HotSpot phones and a Wi-Fi router. In addition, you’ll need to add the service onto your plan. From now until September it’s $9.99/month more for an individual or $19.99/month for the family plan (up to five phones). After September, the rates will go up to $19.99/month for the individual plan and $29.99/month for the family plan. As long as you add on the HotSpot @Home feature before September, you’ll be grandfathered into the lower rates.

Although this service is a great innovation that gives you the best of both worlds, its biggest drawback is that you can only use those two phones on it, and it will not work with just any Wi-Fi enabled device.

Keeping in mind emergency 911 services and power outages, your phone will not work on a Wi-Fi network, but a good thing is that it will switch you to the GSM network (as long as the cell towers are operational).

To order or obtain more information about HotSpot @Home, check out: www.theonlyphoneyouneed.com or call TMobile’s customer service at 1-877-387-4324.

The iPhone Experience: Christmas In June

So I stood in line for nearly three hours (after waiting for six months) to purchase my long-awaited Apple iPhone. I thought I might beat some of the bigger crowds of Ala Moana and wait at the Kahala Mall Apple Store. It was actually not as bad as I thought it could be, since I was No. 90-something after arriving at about 3:45 p.m. (doors opened at 6 p.m.). I thought the line would have been way longer, but I was fortunate.

I give a big round of applause to Apple for the way it handled the crowd and all the questions. Apple employees wandered around and handed out bottled water and Starbucks coffee as they answered everybody’s inquiries patiently. After chatting with the dudes I was waiting with for those few hours (pictured here), we finally arrived at the door. They let five of us in at a time and the whole process was very efficient - I was in and out in less than five minutes. Plus, I was able to buy two 8GB models (one for me, one for my husband) before the store ran out.


As I mentioned, I was impressed with Apple and the way it handled the whole thing, especially after hearing other reports from various AT&T stores. My husband waited at one of them and had a totally opposite experience. To make a long story short, the AT&T staff seemed unmotivated and the people waiting were not kept informed, so the line eventually became an angry mob of impatient people. They were also not informed that the 4GB model was sold out until my husband found out and shouted it out to everyone else as he was leaving the store with no iPhone in hand.

All that aside, after a seemingly endless drive back home, we opened up the first iPhone box together and it felt like Christmas in June. It flawlessly and quickly activated to AT&T’s service through iTunes 7.3, despite other slow experiences I heard about.

My phone number was almost instantaneously activated on the iPhone with no SIM card and deactivated on my old phone (even with my SIM card still in).

I must say the iPhone is pretty awesome and matches the hype over the past few months. Someday in the future all cell phones will/should be like this. My favorite aspect is the touchscreen and the fact that the screen rotates left-right or up-down, depending on your movements.

I also discovered that the phone needs to be upright and Honolulu City & County’s website with the traffic cams, and of course Google maps.

The interface is very OS X-like, and a few of the improvements that were announced since I first saw it at the Macworld conference include a longer talk time, a glass top surface and support of third-party Web 2.0 applications. It gives you up to eight hours of talk time, six hours of Internet use, seven hours of video playback, 24 hours of audio playback, or 250 hours (10 days +) of standby time.

To me the biggest drawback of the iPhone is the lack of 3G capability. It uses AT&T’s EDGE network, but it’s slow. Basically the only time you’ll have fast Internet is when you’re in an area with WiFi. I’m also disappointed at the fact that it doesn’t recognize java, and furthermore, its 2.0 megapixel camera has no zoom or flash. The touch keyboard is easy to use, but you need stick fingers to use it efficiently. You’ll always end up typing in extra letters you don’t want. Additionally, there is no ability to add in any extra storage space (such as a Memory Stick), and the battery is permanently inside. When it finally dies you’ll need to send the iPhone back to Apple for battery replacement. Other than this short list of drawbacks, I would still highly recommend buying one of these.

If you didn’t already buy an iPhone and don’t want to fight the crowd, you can find it online at www.apple.com (free shipping). Otherwise, both Apple Stores (Ala Moana Center and Kahala Mall) are receiving shipments continuously to meet the demand.

Prices are $499 for the 4GB and $599 for the 8GB. It will only work on the AT&T network and the monthly plan rates range from $59.99 to $219.99, depending on how heavily you intend to use it. All these plans include unlimited data for e-mail and web access.

iPhones And Colorful Inspirons

iPhone. iPhone. iPhone. That’s all we’ve been hearing about lately in the news. You may remember me writing about Apple’s infamous much-anticipated iPhone back in January right after I attended this year’s Macworld. I’ve been looking forward to it ever since I saw it there, and it’s finally here! Though at the time I’m writing this it has not yet hit the shelves, so I haven’t seen those long lines, and unfortunately I have not been able to acquire one ahead of time to review it for you folks.

In the meantime, I can only sit here, pout and wish for one to fall out of the sky within the next couple of days. With that in mind I hope you fanatics out there were able to find one after standing in a long line. You’ll be hearing more about the iPhone once I finally have one!

# # #

Celebrating Fourth of July With Colorful Laptops

So this Fourth of July as we remember our country with the freedom colors of red, white and blue, we also see the colors of Dell with its new line of Inspiron notebooks. These just may be hot sellers of the season based on the eye-catching colors alone. I say that because I have a nice blue Speck case around my MacBook Pro and people always compliment it and want to steal it away from me.

The Inspiron notebook family comes in eight colors - flamingo pink, sunshine yellow, ruby red, midnight blue, jet black, alpine white, espresso brown and spring green. That’s many choices for you to express yourself. If you’re picky, you can add on the optional Microsatin finish for a sleeker look, and it helps hide your fingerprints and dirt. Sizes vary from the 14.1-inch Inspiron 1420, 15-inch 1520/1521 Inspiron and the 17-inch Inspiron 1720.

Apparently Dell has jumped on the Blu-ray bandwagon since these Inspirons have a built-in Blu-ray player. This is again another winning point to Blu-ray in the war against HD-DVD.

Other features include a high-definition monitor, built-in webcam (upgradeable to 2.0 megapixel), advanced antenna design (with three antennas) and one-button easy media access to movies/music/photos. Additionally, keep in mind that even with the cheapest of the Inspirons you’ll have a more than decent little computer with at least a 80 GB hard drive, 1 GB memory, Windows Vista Home Basic and the ability to burn DVDs and CDs.

The Inspiron notebooks are nice eye candy computers with prices starting at $769, and you can find them at www.dell.com. Additional products Dell announced are the Inspiron 530 and 531 desktops, XPS M1330 13.3-inch notebook and 19- and 24-inch widescreen monitors.

On top of that, Dell launched the Dell Lounge (www.delllounge.com), a new website that features entertainment content. It’s meant to be a one-stop shop for everything hot, from the biggest events, to the latest music to the latest recycling programs. I noticed that most of the items listed on the site do not pertain to us here in Hawaii since they take place on the Mainland or in other countries. But I guess it’s still good to know if in case you’re traveling, etc. Regardless, it’s a nice site and you can register your e-mail address there for updates.