The Computer Guys And Gal

A summer storm leaves thousands of gadget-addicted techies scrambling to find a power for their devices. Mac users discover they're being charged higher rates on a popular travel site. The Computer Guys and Gal are back with the latest in tech news.

Tech Tuesday Video

In this Tech Tuesday segment, the Computer Guys and Gal share tips for staying connected during power outages. Kojo asked what equipment everyone should have on hand when the electricity goes out. University of Maryland professor Allison Druin suggested several solar and battery powered options. Bill Harlow, hardware and software technician at Mid-Atlantic Consulting, said he kept in touch by using the data plans on his personal devices, such as his iPad.

Computer Guys And Gal Picks

Tech tips for staying connected during power outages in an age of gadget dependency. Plus, travel solutions, beach-proof gear and the virtual economy of games.

Allison Druin

Travel smarts

1. GPS for the blind

2. Make room for technology when traveling

3. Forgetful traveller: Maybe it's time for Google Now

Summer fun

1. Skydiving with Google Glass

2. Artist apps for Spotify

3. Go camping and take that tech backpack

Keeping cool

1. The Nexus Q, Google's new media streamer and first self-built consumer hardware

2. Don't lose your mobile device -- put in on your "feinger," a ring you can attach to your mobile and wear on your finger

3. Cool down that laptop

Power solutions

1. Portable solar power

2. AA battery power (or USB)

Is that laptop scorching your lap? A few tricks to cool off that device:
1: Adjust your power settings from "high performance" to a more balanced or power saver plan.
2: Use dust remover spray to clean the laptop's vents.
3: Keep your working environment or computer room as comfortably cool as possible.
4: Shut down your computer when it's not in use, and especially when you're not at home.

Bill Harlow

Weather impacts and time shifts

1. Amazon's data center outage in NoVa brings down Netflix, Instagram, Pinterest

2. Sure, the wrath of Mother Nature can bring down the internet, but so can a single leap second

3. More on the leap second

The digital economy

1. Valve, the creators of Half Life, Portal and Steam, hired Greek-Australian economics theory professor, Yanis Varoufakis

2. Speaking of Diablo 3, the South Korean government is planning to ban the sale of virtual items for real money and goods

3. Diablo 3 "Real Money Auction House" fraud gains the FBI's attention

New tablets

1. Microsoft Surface announced and sort of demonstrated

2. Google's new flagship 7" tablet, the Nexus 7

Beach-proof gear

1. TakTik iPhone "protection system" on Kickstarter

2. Olympus' new TG-1 iHS waterproof camera

Power outage preparation

1. USB output external battery backup

2. Weather radios

John Gilroy

1. Our annual story on what to do with all those empty beer cans at Kojo’s house (they are piling up!)

2. White hat, black hat ... federal hat? Great perspective from security maven Mikko Hypponen

3. Apple: Laptops, Mac operating system, iOS. Have they forgotten about the desktop?

4. Twitter usage is way up

5. Apple’s none-too-subtle removal of security comparison

6. Crystal ball predictions

7. More crystal ball predictions

8. A rambunctious 5-year-old: the Apple iPhone

9. Mac users have the big bucks

10. Girl Scouts going high tech? When they talk about s'mores, they must mean some-more-bandwidth