Star Wars First Order Stormtrooper Smartwatch

How does V-tech do it?  I am constantly and pleasantly surprised about how V-tech can produce such high-tech and sophisticated toys and electronics.

The ‘Star Wars First Order Stormtrooper Smartwatch’ is one such example.

Smartwatches are all the rage nowadays. It seems like everyone has one or wants one.

It’s no secret-they are expensive.  That’s why I’m so surprised about V-tech’s Star Wars First Order Stormtrooper Smartwatch’.

Granted it is made for kids but its electronic and computer technology is nothing to sneeze at.  And…the price is a fraction what you would pay for an ‘adult’ smartwatch.

That’s not to say that he watch skimps on apps and goodies.  Far from it!

It rocks!

First up is the watch face itself.  You can choose a huge selection of Star Wars themed backgrounds (30 in fact) and you can display it as digital or traditional face.  Even better the backgrounds are animated!  Is that cool or what!?

There are full volume controls (yes, it makes cool sounds), a math function, calendar and setting controls.

There is a camera with still and movie capabilities, you can dress up your photos with cool pictures and effects, sound effects, a voice recorder, games and mini-activities and you can download your photos and movies with the handy mini-USB cable straight to your computer!

 

Did I mention it has a stopwatch, timer, alarm, calculator you can even change your voice using the voice-changing effects.

The Smartwatch comes in a special Star Wars display box that can used to store your watch while not in use.  Complete instructions make setting up the watch easy and fast.  

 

The Smartwatch is splash proof, boasts a durable design, has a rechargeable battery, uses touch screen and is tough enough for everyday play.

Who says this watch is just for kids?  I plan on wearing mine proudly wherever I go.

EW277HDR Monitor

For 25 years I made my living as a graphic designer.  A portion of that was old school using paste-up and a drawing table.  I transitioned to digital, which I preferred. 

 

For an additional 11 years I taught graphic design at a local high school.

Computers and software come and go.  They’re pretty much the same just more complicated and sophisticated and with more bells and whistles as the years pass.

To me the most important component of a computer set-up is the monitor.

A monitor can make or break any design work.  It is vitally important that color saturation, proper contrast, lighting, detail in images and especially black intensity are spot on.

BenQ’shttp://www.benq.us/ new ‘EW277HDR Monitor’ does it all.  More on that later.

First things first.  The monitor comes expertly packaged in a large heavy cardboard box inserted with two Styrofoam content cradles.  The screen and components come in two separate panels.  Parts and screen are snuggly and securely fit into the panels with additional foam sheathing protecting individual parts.  It’s one tough shipping unit.

Besides the screen the box contains a two-part power cord, an HDMI cable and a fully adjustable two-part stand.

Set was snap using the illustrated instruction sheet.  A driver and digital user’s manual disc is also included.

Within a few minutes I had the monitor hooked up to my Windows 7 computer. One push of the power button and I was in business.

Several ports are available on the monitor for VGA and HDMI.  Built-in, high intensity, integrated 2WX2 speakers allow for crystal clear audio when watching videos, online content and even when listening to online music.

On the majority of monitors color, contrast and lighting controls are rudimentary at best.  With the EW277HDR Monitor each is taken to the highest level of control.

Picture modes include Standard, HDR, Low Blue Light, Game, Photo, SRGB, Rec. 709, ECO, M-book and User.  All are vitally important settings if you do design work like myself, watch videos or game.

By having pre-set lighting conditions it makes it far easier to adjust and compensate for natural light.  I find this especially helpful when designing artwork.  Proper presentation and color sharpness and intensity often determine if a project looks correct once printed or displayed online and through social media channels.

The monitor’s large screen  provides an ideal work area for design projects, offers gamers a wide scenario for gaming environments and video or movies or TV shows (both on DVD and streaming) virtually pop with color, white and black intensity and clarity.

Luminance is bumped up an impressive 33% and the Brightness Enhancement Mode simulates high resolution by boosting pixel intensity.

In layman’s terms it simply means the color, details and experience overall is improved significantly. 

Other monitor features include Low Blue Light selection for Web, Office, etc, input selection, full picture manual lighting adjustments, Picture Advance settings for maximum control, display capabilities for screen adjustments, Audio controls and System controls for input keys, screen settings and other adjustments.

The EW277HDR Monitor gives you complete control of every aspect of viewing from lighting, to screen position, audio, contrast and more.  Each control allows designers, gamers, DVD enthusiasts, online video audiences and anyone, regardless how they use their computer, complete control of what they see.

BenQ’s Eye-Care and Brightness Intelligence Plus Technology ensures hours spent in front of the 27-inch EW277HDR Monitor are healthy, easy on the eyes and productive.

While I was designing and teaching I would have loved to have had a EW277HDR Monitor.  The ease of use, easy to understand function menus, quick and accurate pre-set adjustments, color and detail provided, height and angle adjustments and large screen make for a very enjoyable experience.

I highly recommend the EW277HDR Monitor to anyone in the graphic design profession, into gaming, video viewing and day-to-day office or home use to purchase it.

Hogan’s Heroes

Back in the 1960s crooner Bing Crosby headed a film and TV show development company.  One of his TV series pitches involved Prisoners Of War in a Nazi POW camp.

Sounds reasonable-right?  After all the end of World War II ended barely 20 years previously and citizens and veterans who were alive during the war years still remembered the Nazi’s atrocities.

What better way to depict the horrors of war than with a TV series about the war? War TV series were popular at the time with series such as Combat and Twelve O-Clock High.

The only problem is, the TV series was a comedy set in a POW camp!

The immediate out roar over the series was deafening and even before the show aired it almost got canceled.

Fortunately the show never played down the war; it simply shied away from the atrocities since the story was in a POW camp-not a concentration camp.

Hogan’s Heroes went on to become a popular TV series.  Most WWII veterans liked it.

CBS/Paramount’s ‘The Complete Hogan’s Heroes Kommandant's Kollection’ contains all six seasons of the comedy series starring Bob Crane as Colonel Robert Hogan, the commander of an undercover, covert team of Allied spies stationed at a POW camp who thwarted the Nazis on every turn.

Commandeered by the incompetent Colonel Klink who was assisted by the bumbling Sergeant Schultz, unwittingly housed the spies in his camp that he boasted as never having been escaped from.

Hogan’s Heroes was one of my favorite comedy TV series.  I especially liked Sergeant Schultz whose catchphrases ‘I know nothing.’ and ‘Colonel Hogan!” never failed to bring a smile to my face.

The 27-disc collection contains all the TV series episodes and some very special extras including the original pilot, interviews, behind-the-scenes shenanigans, a MAD parody, several featurettes, home movies, bloopers, commercials, commentaries and so much more.


It’s the comedy that went to war…and won!

Horror, Fantasy and NYUKS

Say what you will but the gore-fest, blood and guts, gross-out horror films of today pale in comparison to the classic horror films of yesteryear. 

Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and horror actors and actresses that appeared on movie screen in years past were the best.

Sure there was some blood and gore-but it was at a minimum and was usually seen briefly.
What made classic horror films so good is what they didn’t show.  They left it up to the viewers’ imaginations-now that’s scary!

Mill Creek Entertainment presents its ‘Horror Hall Of Fame’ comprised of five disc collections containing 26 classic horror films.

The ‘Classic Horror Collection’ contains four frightening tales sure to chill your blood. From a nuclear holocaust to maniacs and mad doctors this collection covers the entire horror genre.

The ‘Hammer Film Collection Volume One and Two’ contains the best of the best of the British horror film catalog starring such notables as Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. 

Discover why Hammer Films became the preeminent horror film-making studio in the world for the better part of three decades.

Both Boris Karloff and Vincent Price have their own film collections.  Both actors live up to their reputations as masters of horror. 

It’s a bone-chilling joy to watch these masters of murder, mayhem and deeds most foul perform their cinematic classics.

Fantasy films have always been popular-more so even today. 

Five first-rate fantasy films are presented in Mill Creek Entertainment’s ‘Epic Fantasy Collection’.

The Wizard of Oz gets set on its literary ear with ‘Tin Man’ a modern retelling of the classic tale.
Fantasy, imagination and worlds of adventure await in ‘The Tenth Kingdom’ where nothing is impossible.

‘The Odyssey’ is a classic Greek tale of one man’s quest to save his kingdom, his family and himself.  Join Odysseus as he journeys home to his kingdom while he search for treasures and riches far more precious than gold.


Where would King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table be without ‘Merlin’? 
Sam Neill plays the crafty and clever wizard in a tale of Old Magic versus New Magic.  Which will he choose?

‘Gulliver’s Travel’s was one of my all-time favorite books growing up.  I loved the original film and animated feature.  And the new version starring Ted Danson is a worthy heir to the story.

Travel with Gulliver as he encounters some of the most wondrous and dangerous friends and foes imaginable.

When I was younger I used to rush home from school to catch the after school showing of the classic Three Stooges film shorts.  Curley was my favorite but I soon came to love ALL of the Three Stooges and their wacky, clap-in-the-face adventures.

The Three Stooges' roster changed over the years but their humor was timeless.

In ‘The Three Stooges Big Box OF NYUKS’ Three Stooges fans are in for a big treat.

Included in the10-Disc Set are classic shorts, cartoons, all of the Stooges’ films, a special featurette by Moe’s son, a slideshow, TV appearances and much more. 


It’s the ultimate Stooge-fest.  Will you like it?  ‘Certainly!”

4-in-1 Stroll & Grow TEKtrike

 I’m about to become a very popular grandpa.  Better yet, I’m about to become very popular for a long time-try for at least six years!

“How so?” you may ask.

I owe my newfound popularity to V-tech--specifically to V-tech’s ‘4-in-1 Stroll & Grow TEKtrike’.

Finally a toy that grows as your child does.  Starting out a nine months of age the TEKtrike, grows and changes as your child does-all the way to six years old-or maybe older!

Here’s what you get.

At Stage 1 Stroll most little tikes have yet to walk and depend on mom and dad to push them around in a stroller.  How boring!

Liven things up a bit by using the TEKtrike’s Stage I Stroll configuration.  Kids 9 to 18 months sit in a high-back seat that also includes a 3-point safety harness.  It’s even adjustable to four positions and comes with removable wraparound safety bar with cup holder.

Mom or dad provides the horsepower using the height-adjustable push-handle. 

Youngster hold tight to the handlebars, prop their feet on the removable footrest and enjoy the ride of their life!

An adjustable canopy protects children from the sun and rain.

A small console situated on the handlebars features an interactive panel with an LED screen and sounds and voices appropriate for each stage of a child’s development. Batteries are included.

Children can push the horn, turn the ignition switch, shift the gear knob and hear funny sound effects.  It’s a great interactive center that develops children’s motor skills and eye/hand coordination.

Remove the extended seat back, safety bar and footrest and the TEKtrike transforms into the Train Stage 2 configuration for ages 18 to 24 months.

Youngsters learn how to use the TEKtrike’s pedals, move the handlebars on their own, while still being guided when necessary by mom or dad.  Both the canopy and push-handle are still attached.

In the Ride Stage 3 level for ages 2 to 4 years, children go into full tricycle mode with no canopy, safety bar or seatbelts.  At this stage children should wear helmets (not included).

Children are in full control and quickly learn how to steer, pedal (and listen to the pedal music) and direction sensors tell them when they turn right or left.

As with all levels the TEKtrike is easy to maneuver with its swiveling rear wheels, includes a storage area and is easy to keep stationary using its pedal lock so children can get on and off the TEKtrike without falling.

Stage 4 for to six years of age is called the Drift stage and with it children can do all sorts of wild and crazy maneuvers including gliding, spinning and turning a full 360 degrees!

The TEKtrike is made of heavy duty plastic and metal and is a snap to assemble using the easy-to-follow instructions-even and adult can do it!

It’s a great toy that will last kids for years, even through their rough and tumble stage. 

Like all of V-tech’s toys the TEKtrike is safe, made with the highest quality materials, tested for toughness and is guaranteed to bring a smile to any kid's face.

I can’t wait for my grandson to try it out!

Gettysburg and It Came From The Video Isle!

Bruce E. Mowday, G. Craig Caba and Schiffer Books present ‘J. Howard Wert’s Gettysburg A Collection Of The Relics From The Civil War’ book.
 

During the Civil War J. Howard Wert assisted the Union force during the Battle of Gettysburg.

As the battle raged and during its aftermath he collected and cataloged relics from the battle including weapons, furniture, uniforms, documents and other items to preserve for posterity.

For years after the conflict he continued to collect and catalog items eventually assembling the most impressive collection of memorabilia from that bloody battle.

The new book showcases the various items via color photographs and includes text about Wert, the battle and the Civil War.

It’s an engrossing and fascinating trek back in time that provides readers with a first-hand look at the battle that shaped the outcome of the Civil War.

Certainly not as old or historical as Gettysburg but important nonetheless is another book about history.

Long before the DVD or Blu-ray disc, the internet, Netflix or social media one small movie production company brought movie directly to the viewer n their home, bypassing the movie theaters.

Full Moon Features in the 1990s was the king of B-movies of sci-fi, fantasy and horror.

Dave Jay, William S Wilson and Torsten Dewi take you ‘Inside Charles Band’s Full Moon Entertainment Studio’ in 'It Came From The Video Isle!’.

The book tracks the history of the company from its early 1980s drive-in theater days, its cast and crew and also includes exclusive interviews.

Full movie synopses, behind-the-scenes tidbits and full color photos highlight the book that delves into the intriguing world of the B-movie as only Full Moon could do.

Cult movie enthusiasts will love the in-depth look at an industry giant in its heyday.

The New Frontier and Batman Vs. Two-Face

One of my all-time DC Comics’ graphic novel mini-series was written and drawn by the late Darwyn Cooke.
  
Warner Bros. presents the ‘Justice League The New Frontier Commemorative Edition’ just in time for the new Justice league movie.

The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Combo Pack includes the previously released animated adaptation and a whole lot of new extras.

The story involves the introduction of the Justice League and its members in their first adventure straight out of the Silver Age of comic books.

Darwyn Cooke had the uncanny ability to embody the story with a nostalgic 1950s/1960s’ feel complemented by a contemporary story structure.  I encourage you to seek out the mini-series and give it a read and then watch the animated version.  

Both are wonderful examples of their respective genres.

Included with the Combo Pack are special commemorative extras such as a look at the career and life of Darwyn Cooke, a Justice League history featurette, an examination at the villains who fought the Justice League, an homage to The New Frontier, a commentary and a special sneak peek at an upcoming DC animated film.

“Holy nostalgia, Batman!”

Veteran Batman TV series actors lend their voices to the new ‘Batman Vs. Two-Face’ Blur-ray/DVD/Digital Combo Pack.

The late Adam West, Burt Ward, Julie Newmar and William Shatner, as the voice of Two-Face, deliver the “Biff! Bang! And Pows!” of the original Batman TV series in animated form.

It’s superhero kitsch magnified as the Batman and Robin witness the birth of Two-Face and in turn face-off with The Joker, The Penguin and The Riddler with the assist of Catwoman.
What is the notorious Two-Face up to and how do the arch nemesis of Batman figure into the game?

The Dynamic Duo faces one of their most baffling and dangerous cases to date.
 Tune in for the action, adventure, danger, fisticuffs and cornball crime-fighting in Warner Bros.’ latest DC Comics animated release.
 
‘Hole extras, Batman!  Look all the cool stuff you get with the movie!”

Several Burt Ward featurettes, a Julie Newmar lesson on inspiration and an Adam West tribute are also included.