Tech Break (Video)

Fr. Robert Ballecer, Brian Chee, and Curt Franklin discuss the Swedish controlled experiment that took place in Stockholm homes involving electricity metering. The expectation was that electricity use would drop once metered, as tenants would reduce their usage to avoid the feed...but the result was only partially fulfilling.

Full episode available at twit.tv/twiet/231

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Scott Wilkinson talks with Paul Hales, Founder of Pro Audio Technology, about sound directivity from speakers vs. instruments in a room.

For the full episode, visit twit.tv/htg/345

Host: Scott Wilkinson

Guest: Paul Hales

Bandwidth for TWiT Bits is provided by CacheFly.

Jason Howell and Megan Morrone talk to Bryan Clark from The Next Web about this year's South by Southwest Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas. We initially heard about all the skuttlebutt around the lack of maturity in Austin's ridesharing situation and the fact that Uber and Lyft are outlawed in the city, but Clark says he saw the future of ride-hailing...and it wasn't Uber. We discuss VR tunnel vision, products with no consumer demand, and a world with too many assistants.

Full episode available at twit.tv/tnt/1726

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AMD has announced that Ryzen 5 CPUs will be on shelf worldwide on April 11, with the $1600X costing $249 and the 1400 costing $169.

Full episode available at twit.tv/twich/406

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Starting 3D Printer
-- Tracy Delph
"Hey guys, I'm looking to buy my first 3d printer. My price point is sub $350. I've watched the KnowHow episode for the MonoPrice Maker Select and the New Matter Mod-t. I like both of these printers but I've seen some posts saying the Mod-t is more of a toy than a good 3D printer. Any recommendations, I'm new to this category but I catch on pretty quick. Thanks in advance..."

New Matter MOD-t ~$300

Features:
* Non-Heated Build Plate
* Browser-Based USB Interface
* WiFi Enabled
* Quiet & Low Maintenence
* Removable Print Bed
* Unique "Bed & Rod" system that does away with leveling
* Auto Centering & Homing
* Medium Build Area (6" x 4" x 5") vs. [Select:7.9" x 7.9" x 7.1"] vs. [Dremel: 5.9" x 5.5" x 9"]
* Selectable 100/200/300/400 Micron Resolution
* Uses STANDARD 1.75mm PLA Filament
* 100mm/s Printing Speed
* Maximum Extruder Temp of 500F(260C)
* Supports STL OBJ - GCODE

Talking Points:
1. PERFECT Novice Printer (Self-homing, no calibration)
2. Innovative bed system
3. Wireless is convenient
4. Quiet

Monoprice Maker Select V2 ~$317

Features:
* Heated Build Plate (No more bacon!)
* MicroSD Card Slot for print loading (standalone -- Don't need a connected PC)
* Large Build Area (7.9" x 7.9" x 7.1") [The Dremel is 5.9" x 5.5" x 9"]
* 100 Micron Resoution
* Uses STANDARD 1.75mm Filament: (ABS, PLA, XT, PET, TPU, TPC, FPE, FPA, HIPS, Jelly, Foam, Felty)
* 100mm/s Printing Speed
* Maximum Extruder Temp of 500F(260C)
* 1 Year Warranty

Talking Points:
1. Not a Novice Printer, but a GREAT Intermediate unit
2. Structural play (Tendency to move structural members)
3. Lots of 3d-printed after-market mods
4. CRAZY-Flexible
5. Redefines what you can expect from a $300 printer

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Bob expands his pine board project with a fuse, and Chip Stick 2.0!

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The Eye is a case for iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, 6s Plus, 7 and 7 Plus that includes a fully functional Android phone. Now you don't have to choose between Android and iPhone! It even includes a headphone jack. Check out their Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/boboseye/eye-take-your-phone-to-the-next-level

Hosts: Leo Laporte and Stacey Higginbotham

Guest: Danny Sullivan

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Megan Morrone, Jason Howell, and Nathan Olivarez-Giles discuss Google's new tool for parents called Family Link that allows for parental controls of Google accounts they create for their children.

Full episode at twit.tv/tnt/1725

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The Windows 10 Creators Update is due to launch by the end of March. Should you update? Not right away.

Full episode available at twit.tv/ww/509

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Jason Howell shows off Fingerprint Gestures, which offers several functions and actions to the fingerprint sensor on your phone through single taps, double taps, and swipes.

For the full episode, visit twit.tv/arena/141

Host: Jason Howell

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