2015 - Consumer Electronics Show (CES) - Events

Consumer Electronics Show (CES)

Consumer Electronics Show (CES)

2015

CES is the world's gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 years - the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), it attracts the world's business leaders and pioneering thinkers.


Show Episodes

F5 Live: Refreshing Technology

Episode 381

2014-12-21

This week, Sony's gone mad and we're off to Vegas soon!

F5 Live: Refreshing Technology

Episode 382 - CES 2015 Pre-Show

2015-01-04

This week, we're back in Vegas and ready to talk tech! Eric Palonen from Denon Professional and Marantz Professional premieres two products: a business body camera and a multi-platform screen streaming platform.

F5 Live: Refreshing Technology

Episode 383

2015-01-11

This week, a new year, a new studio and a CES recap.

Piltch Point

CES 2015 Recap - Episode 73

2015-01-11

This week, Avram Piltch discusses some of his favorite experiences from CES 2015. Whether it be a watch that can help you secure your computer and property to a mini computer from Intel, Avram saw it all.

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

HearNotes Dives into Wireless Earbud Details [Live]

2015-01-05

While wireless earbuds are not a new concept, they traditionally have a cable that runs between left and right, making them not truly wireless. Fortunately, HearNotes is here to fix that problem, without sacrificing sound quality.

Jamie Davis, The Podmedic, spoke with founder and CEO Patrick Donohue about what inspired the product and what sets these earbuds apart from others on the market. When they release this spring, HearNotes will bring a serious challenge to the wireless headphone market.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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HearNotes Shows Off Truly Wireless Earbuds

2015-01-05

In addition to their experience with us on the show floor, wireless earbud brand HearNotes visited the live show to go into detail about their product with Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Todd Aune of The Elder Divide.

Using KleerĀ® wireless technology, HearNotes is capable of producing sound quality above that of standard Bluetooth headphones while removing the connecting wire between ears.

"We're cutting all the wires - not just from your earbuds to your device, but also from ear to ear," said Patrick Donohue, Founder and CEO, HearNotes. "The revolutionary technology and design enhances your music, your way: the songs you love, wirefree, streaming in crystal clear high fidelity with a new standard of mobility and freedom so you can finally cut loose."

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Todd Aune of The Elder Divide for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Brilens Portable Laser Projector [Live]

2015-01-05

Over the past few years, portable projectors have become more popular, but most of them run on small LEDs, not capable of producing enough light to make them useful. Brilens changes that, with the first Laser-powered portable projector.

Don Baine, The Gadget Professor talks with the team about this projector, which offers 50,000 hours of life on a Texas Instrument DLP display with up to 3800 lumens of power. While the output is 720p, the image quality seemed to take full advantage of every pixel. You can feed video into the projector with almost any consumer connector, making it easy to use with most devices. You can pick up one of these projectors right now for $999.

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FoneBud Smart Power Bank [Live]

2015-01-05

Don Baine, The Gadget Professor speaks to FoneBud about their multipurpose power bank. To call it that, however, is an understatement, as the device can do so much more. In addition to providing power to your devices, it is a Bluetooth handset, allowing you to talk on the phone while it is charging without getting all caught up in cables. It is a selfie button, which can trigger your phone's camera feature via Bluetooth. It can alert you when you have gotten too far away from your phone. It even has a self-contained flashlight.

While it is not available today, the FoneBud should be available during the first quarter, meaning you won't have to wait long to find out just how useful this little device could be.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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beZilch - A New Way to Buy and Sell Online [Live]

2015-01-05

If you're trying to sell an electronic item you own, there are a lot of ways to do it. However, if you have ever tried, you know that it is incredibly easy to get lost in the mass of listings, and you have to do it the way the marketplace wants you to.

Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Todd Aune of The Elder Divide talk with beZilch, where you can decide how you want to sell. If you are more interested in getting a good price, you can post a listing, but if speed is more important, you can browse listings of people looking to buy your item.

On the buying side, obviously you have the same capabilities: if you care about price, you can list that you are interested in buying, including your price. If you are interested in speed, you can browse listings for people who are currently trying to sell one.

Even better, you have the ability, as both a seller and buyer, to limit your activity to your local area or national. So, why trade your device in for, at best, 50% of its value when you could sell on beZilch for a price of your choosing?

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aiFi Stackable Bluetooth Induction-Based Speakers

2015-01-06

There are a lot of Bluetooth speakers on the market, which is why it was refreshing to see the unique things aiFi is doing with theirs. Not only can you use a single one like a traditional speaker, but you can combine them to add functionality.

Whether you are looking for portability, music or television, there is a configuration for you. Odd numbers of speakers act like a soundbar, adding virtualized surround, while even numbers add depth through enhanced bass. Stack them speakers into both configurations to get both capabilities. The added range is endless.

Using induction and an internal computer system, the speakers can determine their position and configuration, and even pass the sound from the main speaker to its partners; no need to any wires or special connectors.

The speakers are not available retail yet, but you can pick them up on Indiegogo right now, or wait for them to hit store shelves this may.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Child-Angel - A GPS Tracking Bracelet Your Kid Will Want to Wear

2015-01-06

Many products come from a personal problem, and Child-Angel is no exception. When the creator's child was lost for a short while in a shopping center, it got his mind going. He gathered a tech team and a design team to put together his idea to protect other families from the same panic he experienced.

Running on traditional GPS, Wi-Fi location and GSM, Child-Angel keeps track of your kid at all times. You can also setup geofences to alert you when they have gone somewhere they aren't supposed to go. More importantly, the kid can trigger an alert if they are uncomfortable, simply by opening up the back part of the band.

The problem with many trackers is that they are not something that kids want to wear. Child-Angel solves this problem by making it more like a bracelet, with customizable covers that can be snapped on at will without exposing the electronics. Now, when they wake up, they can choose to wear a princess, racecar driver, or anything in between.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Connected Cycle Keep Track of Your Bike, Whether You Are on It or Not

2015-01-06

Connected Cycle is a bike pedal that connects to an existing bicycle that helps you keep track of the location of your bike. If you are riding it, it will keep track of your path and let you know things like distance traveled and calories burned. If you are not with the bike, it will alert you that the bike is in motion and allow you to keep track of where it has gone.

With a built-in internet connection, you never have to worry that it will be too far out of range to alert you of position. You can even bike without your phone and still log your route. It is especially important for keeping track of theft.

One of the really great things about the pedal is that it never needs to be externally charged. Using the motion produced by biking, the pedal is able to charge itself whenever it is in motion. The product is not yet available, but they will be launching a crowd funding campaign in the coming months.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Gaming Gets Bigger With the Immersis Projector

2015-01-06

One of the problems with gaming is how easy it is to lose your sense of immersion. When your television is across the room, no matter the size, it is easy to get distracted by other things in the room. That is the problem Catopsys is trying to solve with Immersis.

This 180 degree projector can scan your room and turn half of it into a fully immersive video experience. Any game can be easily adapted to passively support the wrap-around projection, but that is just the beginning. If the product catches on, developers can begin to take advantage of the extended real estate for extending the gameplay, not just the environment.

The product is not yet available, though they are running a Kickstarter campaign where you can get quite a discount on the MSRP. If you are a game developer or a really hardcore gamer, this might be the next gaming accessory you need.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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iSet - The Connected Counter for Tennis

2015-01-06

Keeping score and tracking stats is one of the least fun parts of playing a sport. If you're not careful, arguments can break out (we've all been there, right?). Luckily, if you play tennis, iSet is the watch to solve that problem.

The watch can pair with another watch, allowing each competitor to track their score and sync up with the other player's watch. If only one player has the watch, no problem, you can still control the counter yourself for both sides.

In addition to pairing with one another, you can also pair with a phone, allowing you to share your score live with the accompanying app. If you are not at the field, you can follow along remotely with the app on your own phone. Players can use the data to keep track of their stats, comparing scores against the same competitor, on certain dates, etc. Coming later this year, this is the watch for serious tennis enthusiasts.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Juiceboxx is Here to Save Your Expensive Macbook Power Supply

2015-01-06

Apple fans and haters alike can agree on one thing: the MacBook power block is a disaster. Almost everyone who owns a MacBook, or knows someone with out, has witnessed the untimely death of one of these powerblocks because of fraying or breaking. Luckily, Juiceboxx is here to rescue you!

The product is a cover of sorts for your MacBook power supply, which uses a trumpet design to keep the power cable from bending over sideways in your bag; the most common cause of the problem. In addition, the case gives you the ability to customize your block to match your computer bag, your outfit or your personality.

Estimated to ship in early February, you can preorder your Juiceboxx right now for only $19.99 in one of 6 colors, available for 3 different models. If you have a MacBook, this is a must have for you.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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OIO Brings the Amp to Protect Your Ears and Tablet

2015-01-06

If you are concerned about the safety of your tablet and the quality of your audio, then OIO might just have a case for you: the Amp. One part tablet case, two parts Bluetooth speaker, the Amp can turn any room into a party while maintaining stereo audio separation.

The internal battery gives up to 7 hours of playtime, allowing you to work through the day or watch several movies or television episodes. In addition to the speakers, the case includes a stand designed for 2 different angles: a high angle for watching video and a low angle for onscreen typing.

While the case is not available yet, you can pre-order now.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Phonotonic - A Strangely Shaped Digital Musical Instrument

2015-01-06

At CES, there are a few categories that products fall into, like productivity or wearables. One of my personal favorites, however, is the truly odd and wonderful, which describes Phonotonic. This product is a honeycomb-shaped object that, when paired with a phone, allows you to create music.

With a single item, you are able to create lead. By adding a second item, you can add rhythm. It is all accomplished through motion sensors, like accelerometers, paired with an app that is able to translate those motions into sounds. Softer motions produce softer sounds; harder motions create more intense sounds.

After seeing the product from a distance, I was skeptical. Nicolas Rasamimanana, founder and CEO demonstrated their usage, however, and completely changed my mind. The product is currently available only in France for 80 euros, but will be coming to the rest of the world soon.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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SmartSafe Brings Security to Your Wrist

2015-01-06

Digital and physical security has become quite a major topic, especially with issues like the Sony Pictures and iCloud hacks. So, how do you ensure security in a time when the rest of the world wants in?

SmartSafe believes they can help with their combination physical and biometric security watch. The watch is activated via biometric scan and can then be used to unlock computers, doors or any other system capable of accepting the watch's commands.

One of the big problems with physical password keys, such as USB managers, is that once they leave the possession of the owner, the security is breached. With SmartSafe, however, once the watchband is broken, the authorization is broken as well and has to be reauthenticated via biometrics. The watch also ensures that the watch is being worn and the wearer is alive, meaning that you can't steal the watch through other means.

The watch will hopefully hit the market this year, with a varying pricepoint based on number purchased, as it is not intended directly to consumer.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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TREWGrip Shows QWERTY Can be Portable

2015-01-06

One of the major problems with small, portable keyboards is that creators keep trying to reinvent the keyboard layout. We've seen this type of keyboard at Gulf Coast MakerCon, but it will be difficult to convince people to learn a new keyboard paradigm.

TREWGrip has figured out a way to provide small portability, without the need to retrain your brain. A portable Bluetooth, QWERTY keyboard that holds your phone, phablet or mini tablet, this device has split and rotated the keys on a traditional keyboard to allow touch typists to transition quickly, while giving the ability for visual typists to see what they are doing.

Finally, a mobile keyboard for a mobile workforce that works for anyone. Launching this Spring, you can pre-order yours today at Prelaunch.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Vievu's Prosumer Wearable Camera, Squared

2015-01-06

Vievu may be known for their wearable first responder cameras, but recently the company discovered that other markets are interested in the same general capabilities, without the need for the security features. That is where their new camera, Viewvu Squared comes in.

Perfect for bus drivers, construction workers, etc., this camera can record video up to 1080p, stream live via Wi-Fi and even transfer the videos directly to a phone, which allows you to share them without needing to plug it into a full computer.

The camera is available now for around $349, or if you need to order in quantity, you can do that directly from Vievu.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Voiceboard Brings Gesture and Intuitive Speech Controls to Presentations

2015-01-06

Being involved with TEDxTampaRiverwalk, one things I can say for sure - controlling a presentation is difficult. Whether it be an inability or unwillingness to know the presentation, fumbling with the buttons on a controller, or needing to move around more than just a slide at a time, presentation software and hardware are not friendly.

Enter Voiceboard, a new way to think about presentations. With Kinect-style voice controls and a ring-powered gesture system, a presenter can focus less on the slides and more on their presentation. You can skip through slides with the wave of a hand or even go to particular slides using your voice. No more hoping the button advanced to the right slide, or peering back over your shoulder to see if you're in the right place.

If you are a regular presenter, either in a conference room or on a stage, Voiceboard is certainly something to consider adding to your presentation kit. It is available now for $599 and comes with the software, gesture ring and headset for voice control.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Zofie Aims to Personalize Your Workout Equipment Quickly and Easily

2015-01-06

Keeping to a fitness routine that works can be hard; the only thing harder is starting a new routine. I never know what I should be doing, and know almost nothing about how a particular machine works, or how best to take advantage of it. That is where the Zofie system comes in.

Using fuzzy logic and Kinect sensors, the machines can recognize you and provide a workout based on you. It even takes into account your activities at any given moment, and tailors the experience accordingly. The given example, on a treadmill, the track came move faster or slower, as well as change the incline, based on your heart rate. It can even suggest alterations to your posture if you move too far out of a safe zone.

The technology is currently being implemented in fitness equipment, so expect to see it showing up in a fitness center near you.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Altec Lansing Creates a Range of Almost Indestructible Bluetooth Speakers

2015-01-07

Altec Lansing has long been known for their mid- to high-end audio products, but recently the company has been expanding their product lineup, bringing their brand and quality to consumer products. This year, the company is expanding their lineup of Bluetooth speakers.

The products, mostly known for their "Jacket" branding, are waterproof, shockproof, and in some cases bulletproof, fireproof and bombproof. The product line ranges from $39 to $149 and many are available today.

In addition to physical quality, these speakers also offer Altec Lansing's well-known sound quality. Even the small speaker, at only $39, sounds great and can still withstand quite a beating.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Businessfriend - A Business-Oriented Social Network with a Purpose

2015-01-07

When it comes to the world of social networks, purpose is not necessarily a requirement. LinkedIn is good for finding a job, I guess. Facebook is good for... I'm really not sure what. But, in recent months, that trend is changing. Ello was created to rebel against advertising, but that isn't exactly a purpose, at least not for the user.

Businessfriend is a social network with a true purpose, though. Created to help people collaborate with their colleagues and favorite brands, Businessfriend offers a number of personal and business-related features missing from any single platform.

For example, their Instant feature is a chat platform that allows you to keep your content private. No message boxes popping up when a new message comes in, making your private business public. There's also the DigiDex, an organized contact list filled with your direct contacts and the companies you are connected to.

In addition to the unique takes on common features, Businessfriend also offers cloud features. You can share files through the system in a way that is controllable. You can revoke access to files and folders at will, and know that the content has been secured. You can also organize your content into Notebooks, making it easier to find.

It is definitely a platform worth trying out, currently available on web, iOS and Android, with Windows Phone currently in development.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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A 3D Projection that Can Scale to Huge Heights

2015-01-07

We often find products at CES that are newsworthy, but it is not often that we find a display technology that is worth talking about. The technology behind the display at the Altec Lansing booth, presented by PM Screen was certainly an exception to that rule. In fact, it was their display that caused us to stop and interview Altec Lansing in the first place.

The display featured 3 of the company's new Bluetooth speakers being emphasized by fire and water, showing off the speaker's fireproof and waterproof capabilities. What was interesting about the display, however, is that it was all created with 3D projections.

In addition to the small screen presented at CES, the company's technology is capable of scaling to large surfaces, too. In fact, they were responsible for a 12 projector setup on the ice hockey rink at the ice hockey world championship opening ceremony, whose video is available on their website. This is a truly interesting technology with wonderful potential. I look forward to seeing the places they find to implement it in the US and abroad.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Polaroid Brand to Release a Set of Android Handsets

2015-01-07

Polaroid is obviously a company known for their camera technology. As standalone cameras have become a smaller market, it was time for Polaroid to find new outlets for their cameras. As most people tend to use their phone as their primary camera, this was a natural place to explore.

The new Polaroid Android phones, shown off at CES 2015, might not revolutionize the industry, but they could certainly carve out a nice niche for themselves. Both handsets offer a 5.5" screen and claim stock Android. Included on the handsets is a Polaroid photo app that simulates the experience of using a Polaroid Instant camera of days gone by.

The Selfie, which has an octa-core processor and a 13MP camera, has the ability to flip the camera around, allowing you to take a selfie or use Skype with the full power of the camera. The Flip, the lower-priced handset of the pair, is a quad-core phone with an 8MP camera that does not, as the name would suggest, offer the flip camera.

Both handsets will be available this Spring unlocked for $199 and $179 respectively from various retailers.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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The Race to Challenge the Surface is On

2015-01-07

In terms of Windows tablets, Microsoft's Surface series is definitely the one to challenge if you are a manufacturer. Manufacturers seem to agree, as this CES showed us a collection of tablets trying to enter that space.

One of the brands throwing their hat into that ring is Southern Telecom, a company that usually builds products under licensed brands, but has their own tablet for the market. Running an Intel Atom processor and 32GB of internal storage, this guy isn't headed for the Pro 3's territory, but it could certainly do some damage in the abandoned Surface RT space.

With the ability to run full applications, which the RT models were not, it makes this computer far more usable. With a price point of $249, with the keyboard included, it even undercuts the RT models by more than half. Unfortunately, what the Surface has going for it is the easily removable and attachable keyboard, while this keyboard is not nearly as easy to attach or remove. For some users, however, this won't be a killer. Take a look and decide for yourself.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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AspectSolar Brings the Power, in Several Different Form Factors

2015-01-06

When it comes to solar power, there are a lot of options for you to choose from. However, if you're looking for a company that makes a broad range of products to fit your varying needs, then you may want to give AspectSolar a bit more attention.

AspectSolar had several interesting things to show off at the International CES. First, the company's turnkey solution and entry to solar is the DuoFlex 2. It's a 13-watt panel that is flexible and made with monocrystalline silicone. What that means is that if one panel breaks, the unit will keep working, only at less power. The unique design of the DuoFlex 2 is what makes it special. Several zippers and loops allow you to configure the device however you want. And for $179, you can pick up a DuoFlex 2 and a 10,000 MaH battery today.

The other product that has me excited is the Power Rack. Its batteries are not the standard lithium-polymer and instead use LiPO4, making the unit weigh almost 40% lighter than its competitors, under 60 pounds. The batteries, of which there are five, are all 300 watt-hours, pushing a total output of 1000 watts in order to replicate the most natural A/C output possible. You can also pair it with two slave units to be up to 4,500 watt-hours total. The Power Rack will launch later this year at $2,500.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Celestron Makes Stargazing Easier and Educational

2015-01-07

As astronauts get to see farther into the universe through their equipment, those of us bound to Earth have the same desire. Celestron's telescopes make that easier for everyone. Their newest addition to the lineup provides for ease of use away from the city, where you can get the best views without all of the city lights.

The telescope is self-powered, allowing you to use it without the need for a high amperage 12-volt inverter. You can use it away from your car, or without having to lug around a huge battery and power technology. It even offers the ability to plug in other devices, though it will, of course, limit the runtime of the telescope.

In addition to the portable power capabilities, it also integrates Wi-Fi right into the telescope. Using the Wi-Fi, you can use your smart device to control the telescope. View the night sky through your screen, point at an area and the telescope will position itself so you can see the sky through the lens.

The app can also help you learn the positions of objects in the sky by allowing you to tap on an area and get information about what you are seeing. If you're looking at a galaxy far off in the distance, the app can explain distances, etc.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Eton Improves Its Line of Emergency Radios

2015-01-08

Eton is well-known for their emergency products, which they are always wanting to improve. This year the company has improved their famous emergency radios. Their larger radio has changed the solar panel to allow for more charging capability and has the largest battery, and added an ambient light. It also includes SAME weather alerts, to let you know of weather issues coming your way.

All of the radios also come with flashlight capability, solar charging, USB charging for other devices and the well-known hand crank. The two larger models are available now with the smaller radio coming this Spring, ranging from $49.99 to $129.99.

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Goal Zero's Line of Travel and Emergency Power Products Expands

2015-01-08

At CES, portable power is essential; in the real world, it can be just important. Goal Zero knows this, which is why they are constantly trying to improve and enhance their line of emergency and travel products.

This year they added the new Venture 30: a 7800mAh charger for phones and tablets. That equates to 3 charges on a phone, with the ability to charge up to 2.4amps on each of the 2 USB ports. The charger comes complete with built-in flexible cables for charging the device and a product. To ensure it is protected, it is rated at IPX6.

In addition to the charger, is a solar flashlight. While that might seem insane, the Torch 250 is extremely useful. While camping, or even at home, you can charge the flashlight during the day and use it at night. You can also charge it via USB, or even with a crank, or use the battery to charge your other devices, making it double as a solar charger. You can get one right now for $79.99.

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GoldKey Makes Us All Feel Like a Secret Agent

2015-01-08

At one point or another, everyone has fantasized about being James Bond, Dick Tracy or Maxwell Smart. GoldKey, a company known for security products, has added a new product to make you feel like one of your favorite secret agents.

The GoldKey Communicator is a smartwatch that is an independent phone. While there are other products that match that description, where the Communicator stands apart is in its security features. Offering secure email, text, data, voice and payment, the Communicator allows for completely safe communication with other GoldKey users.

To ensure you feel like Bond, you are assigned a 007 area code phone number that allows you to communicate with other 007 GoldKey voice customers for the secure communications. That ensures that everyone knows when you are or are not speaking over encrypted VoIP service.

In addition to the huge collection of security features comes the capabilities of full Android 4.4 KitKat. Rather than Android Wear, you get the full Android Marketplace. You also get a camera for 5MP stills or HD video. The GoldKey Communicator is available now for $299.95.

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MEElectronics Brings Some Unique Capabilities to Bluetooth

2015-01-08

MEElectronics may not be a brand you've heard of, but if you are a fan of Bluetooth, you might want to add them to your list of brands to watch. At CES this year, they showed off a collection of new devices, all with price points that make them incredibly attractive.

First is an over-the-head headphone, called the Air-Fi Touch. Other than the single power/command button, this Bluetooth headset is controlled entirely with touch gestures on one of the ears. It can run over a day on a single charge while still being incredibly light weight. They are available now for $99.99.

Next is the Bluetooth upgrade to the company's Sport M6 earbuds, dubbed the X7. The headphones are sweatproof and also fit snugly in the ear, allowing for continuous sports use. They also have controls for volume and command on the cord, so you can keep your phone safe while working out. They will be available soon for $99.99.

In addition to headphones, the company also showed off a Bluetooth transmitter, which allows you to add Bluetooth capability to systems that do not have it. The thing that is really nice is that it can pair up to 2 separate headphones at once. It also has line in or fiber optic in, allows you to keep a digital signal from end-to-end. The device is expected to release end of second quarter.

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Plantronics Shows Off a Line of Gaming Headsets

2015-01-08

In addition to their well-known phone products and their music headphones, Plantronics also offers a line of gaming headphones and accessories.

Plantronics RIG is a gaming headset which also offers a desktop mixer. You can bring in 2 audio sources so you can listen to the game and also bring in external sound. If you want to add your own music, you can; if you want to chat on Skype while you play a game on Origin you can. Plantronics has even heard of people using the external audio to bring in audio from a baby monitor - the options are pretty limitless.

Using the mixer, which supports line-in or fiber optic in, the headphones can be used with nearly any platform, including Xbox, PC and PlayStation. With dual microphones, the headset can also allow you to game chat and use the phone at the same time. They are available now for $129.99.

To focus on the PC, an altered version of the headset is also available specifically for PC gamers. Offering a shorter cord for desktop use, plus 7.1 surround sound, PC gamers get a bit of an advantage over their competitors. The mixer does not include fiber optic support or Xbox headset, like its multi-platform partner does. It is available now for $99.99.

Finally comes the simpler RIG Flex. It plugs in directly with a standard 3.5mm plug, meaning you can plug it in directly to a computer, Wii or mobile device. It has lost the mixer, making it ideal for mobile. What it doesn't lose is the sound quality, build quality and, of course, comfort. It is available now for $79.99.

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Nexia Shows Off a Lot of New Connected Devices

2015-01-08

We first met Nexia Home Intelligence at CES 2012, and were immediately impressed with their system. Allowing you to control and automate your home, either local or away, through a single connected dashboard.

Since our first meeting, the company has added new partners and new products, and this year the company is showing a whole collection of new products compatible with the system. Ranging from home security to home automation, there is a little bit of everything available in the system.

Some of the products shown off include:
- First Alert smoke detector ($49.99)
- Linear Siren & Strobe ($69.99)
- Linear LED Bulb ($54.99)

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Plantronics Brings Their Bluetooth Know-How to Music Headphones

2015-01-08

When you think of Plantronics, you might think of headphones, but you probably go right to phone products. What you might not know is that, in addition to their phone/voice products, Plantronics offers a line of music centric devices as well.

The BackBeat GO 2 is a set of fairly standard-looking Bluetooth earbuds, but with a couple of traditional Plantronics features. Included with the earbuds is a charging case, which can add 2 full charges, so when you are away from power for long periods of time, you can keep them charged without a wall. They are available now for $99.99.

The BackBeat Fit is a set of Bluetooth earbuds that is unique enough to have earned them a CES Innovation Award because of its design. The material is designed to be completely flexible, while still preventing them from being tangled or kinked. Along with the headset is a matching case, which turns into an armband. To ensure outdoor safety, the surface of both are reflective, and the earbuds do not block outside sound. They are available now for $129.99.

Straying from earbuds, the company also offers the BackBeat Pro, an over-the-head set of Bluetooth headphones designed more for sound quality than for sports activity. It offers active noise cancelation and 24 hours of playtime. What sets this apart is the sensors - it allows the headphones to automatically pause your music when you take the headphones off, similar to how many Plantronics voice headphones work.

They also offer external mics, so you can turn on or off outside sound. If you're on an airplane and the flight attendant comes up, you can hit a button and hear what they are saying instead of having to move them off of your ears and shift them back. You can also use the headphones without Bluetooth if the battery dies or you're in a place where Bluetooth won't get the job done. They are available now for $249.99.

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Qi Extends Its Capabilities, Powers Kitchen Equipment

2015-01-08

Fulton Innovation introduced us to the Wireless Power Consortium in 2012, and since then, our team has become big supporters of the Qi wireless power standard. Since its beginnings as an inductive charger for mobile phones, the technology has continued to improve.

Today, the standard supports higher amounts of power transmitted over longer distances than ever before. The Wireless Power Consortium is not complete, though. They showed us a prototype of an enhanced coil that supports 1 kilowatt and can be transferred through a kitchen counter. The same coil will be able to support over 2 kilowatts in the near future.

That type of power is obviously not designed for charging phones and tablets, but instead for powering real-life devices. In their prototype, they use a food processor being entirely powered through the countertop. They even show off controlled amperage levels, which increase and decrease as different modes are chosen, or as the distance from the coil is increased.

The prototype gained the Wireless Power Consortium F5 Live: Refreshing Technology's TPN Pick Award.

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Sketchers Adds a Matching Game to Kids Shoes

2015-01-08

One of the fun things about CES is getting to see companies who seem like they don't fit, and seeing what idea they bring to the table. This year, one of the companies that surprised us by showing off a truly interesting product was Sketchers, the shoe company.

This year, the company is releasing a line of shoes with a lighted matching game built directly into the side. Playing similar to the game Simon, kids get 8 rounds of increasing pattern to match. If they match all 8 rounds, they are treated to a light show from their feet.

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TazTag Creates a Physically Secure Android Device and Service

2015-01-08

Security was a big topic at this year's CES. From watches to USB keys, there were all sorts of products trying to solve the problem of security, in physical and virtual world.

TazTag has a new smartphone designed to ensure secure communications between devices. The devices have a combination of hardware and software security, helping to guarantee the person you are trying to communicate with is the person on the other end.

Using biometric sensors, the phone requires a physical unlock before any of the secured applications can be accessed. Currently, the system supports secure chat, email, SMS and others. Also available is an encrypted voice service, available between compatible devices. The company also provides a secure, private application marketplace.

The hardware of the phone is also secured, preventing a thief from simply flashing the firmware and getting around its security. Without the right configuration, the hardware will be come useless.

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Yezz Announces a New Windows Phone and Firefox Device

2015-01-08

While CES might see a lot of talk about Android, Yezz took the opportunity to speak about 2 other platforms: Windows Phone and Firefox OS.

The company currently offers a pair of Windows Phone devices: the Billy 4 and Billy 4.7. This year, they announced a new member of the family: the Billy 5S. This is their first LTE device in the Billy line, as well as the first to sport a 13MP rear camera, and a 5" IPS screen. It also sports dual SIM capability and a 1.2GHz quad-core processor.

In addition to the Billy 5S, Yezz also announced a new line of handsets: the Foxy, a line of Firefox OS handsets. As with most Firefox OS handsets, the specs are not traditionally spectacular, but are enough for the target demographic. A 1GHz single-core processor, 4GB of internal memory and 2MP rear facing camera are the common capabilities of the 2 new handsets. The Foxy 3.5 offers a 3.5" HVGA LCD screen, while the Foxy 4 offers a 4" HVGA TFT LCD screen.

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BLU Products Talks About Their Windows Phones Devices

2015-01-09

Yezz wasn't the only company showing off Windows Phones; Miami, Florida-based BLU Products also had a pair of Windows Phone handsets on display. These devices have been available through the Microsoft Store for a little while now, but we wanted to get a better idea of why BLU decided to join the Microsoft family, how they have been doing and what the future holds.

The two current handsets are the BLU Win Jr ($89) and the BLU Win HD ($179). In BLU tradition, the handsets are all done in wonderfully crazy colors, and available unlocked for better than reasonable prices. More importantly, the specs manage to keep pace with the better-known brands.

Apparently, this combination is enough to keep the phones on the move. The company says that the Microsoft Store has big demand for the handsets. In fact, while discussing the current handsets, we had the opportunity to discuss the company's future in the Microsoft ecosystem. Luckily, we will see new handsets added to the lineup, likely to coincide with the release of Windows 10 for Phones.

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Gibson Talks About Their 2015 Guitars and Features

2015-01-09

Whether you play guitar or not, you almost certainly know Gibson. The company is best known for carrying on the tradition of Les Paul, who was the creator of one of the first, and certainly best-known, solid-body electric guitars. The Les Paul line of guitars carries on in the visual tradition, making them incredibly distinctive.

This year, which would have been his 100th birthday, the company is celebrating by enhancing his legacy through enhanced and additional products. For example, his signature, as well as the number "100" in his handwriting, has been added to each guitar. There is also a hologram of what is believed to be the final photo of Les Paul on the back.

In the technology of the guitar, the company has made their robot guitar smaller, and will include it with every Gibson USA guitar this year. For those who do not know, this feature allows you to choose a tuning, and the guitar tunes itself. It requires no wood be removed form the guitar; instead, it sits at the top behind the tuning knobs.

As Daniele is a big fan of Gibson, and is really into their guitars, she was curious which Gibson guitar a beginner should own. Check out all of the cool new features of the Gibson guitars.

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Canon Continues Camera Excellence with New Line of HFR Camcorders

2015-01-07

As avid Canon fans and users of the company's cameras for our coverage and shows, we always make the Canon booth a yearly visit at the International CES. This year did not disappoint as Canon has continued to improve upon their "bridge" grade of video camera, the level between beginner and advanced amateur.

This year, Canon showed off a trio of Vixia HFR series cameras: the 62, the 60 and the 600. The only differences in these are internal memory storage. 32GB comes with the HFR62, along with WiFi and NFC. The HFR60 comes with 8GB and the same features, while the HFR600 comes in either black or white and contains no internal storage at all. All the cameras come with a 3" touch panel, 57x advanced zoom and image stabilization, in a small and compact body.

The WiFi and NFC features are the key components to the new line of cameras, which compliment Canon's other new product, the Connect Station CS100. Just by touching the R60 or R62 to the station, you can wirelessly share and send your videos. You can also use the SD card slot to transfer the videos as well.

The HFR62 will be $449, the HFR60 will be priced at $399 and the HFR600 will run $299, all launching in March.

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Gibson Adds Headphones to Their Iconic Line

2015-01-09

Gibson may be best known for their guitars, but that is not all the company has up their sleeves. This year, the brand is introducing a line of headphones, filling all of the same levels their guitars do.

At the top of the line is the Les Paul headphones. Styled to match the look of the classic Les Paul guitars, these headphones are made with the same wood as the rest of the Les Paul line. To ensure that the headphones are properly protected, they come in a specially designed hard-body case.

As you would expect from a Gibson product, the sound quality is amazing. The cones are tuned to produce sound exactly as it is being played. This, along with its other features, makes the headphones a perfect on-stage or in-studio companion for any serious musician.

Along with the Les Pauls, there are other models being released, both smaller and less expensive. The headphones come with a variety of features, including standard 1/8", Bluetooth and Thunderbolt. You can get a version with a microphone, to be used with your phone, and some models can even be fully customized, like Gibson Guitars.

If you are a Gibson fan, and want a high-end sound, these headphones are for you.

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Gibson Enhances the Studio with Les Paul Monitors

2015-01-09

For his 100th birthday, Gibson is celebrating with new products in the Les Paul product line. Adding to the existing guitars and new headphones comes a set of studio monitor speakers. Like the headphones, using the same wood as the guitars, these speakers are styled to match both the guitars and headphones perfectly.

At the base of the speaker is a lighted Gibson logo. That logo, a seemingly simple detail, serves as the power indicator. When on, the logo is lighted; when off, it pulses. These are the types of details that make Gibson a great, professional design brand.

The monitors come in 3 sizes: 4", 6" and 8". This sizing describes the cones of the woofers, which are custom designed to create a perfect audio reference for a studio. You can get the speakers in cherry, cherry burst and tobacco burst. You can pick up your own set for %599, $799 or $999 righyt now.

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Gibson Brands + Blue Microphones = Some Neat Products

2015-01-09

People the world over know the brand Blue Microphones. From recording studios to radio, podcasters and even videogame streamers use their line of cost effective products every day. When their founder, Skipper Wise, left the company to retire, Gibson approached him to create a new for them.

Enter Neat Microphones, designed by Skipper Wise and his microphone dream team, they aim to create a line of microphones to make recordings sound better. Currently offering the King Bee and Worker Bee, the line will be 6 strong by year's end.

All of the products in the line, as well as their accessories, are named after and colored to resemble bees. The distinctive yellow and black markings, as well as the accompanying bee figurines, make this line visually distinctive. Even the knobs fit into the branding, designed after a bee's stringer, and known as "stinger knobs."

The line, in addition to the microphones and headphone amp, has a small collection of accessories. Included in the accessories is a pop shield, shock mount and XLR cables. All are priced to be more than competitive, and could feel right at home in any studio.

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A Near Field for Your Car Lock

2015-01-09

NXP Semiconductors might not be a brand you're familiar with, but in a day of connectivity, they are a company you've likely interacted with. Formerly part of Philips, the company makes a lot of the connectivity technology that makes your gadgets work.

In a demo, the company showed us a Near Field Communication prototype that allows you to open your car with your phone. The phone communicates with the car via NFC, and can have various activities at various distances. In the demo, we saw the dome lights turn on as the phone approached the car, and the doors unlock closer.

The technology is not limited to vehicles, either. It could be used on a home door, or as part of a unified system, like Nexia Home Intelligence. You could even use it within the home to turn on lights as you enter a room. The technology is in the world today, and could make it into vehicles in the near future.

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NFC Helps Automate Your Cooking Routine

2015-01-09

When you think of NFC technology, you might not immediately think of usages for an oven. That is why NXP Semiconductors employs some smart people to think about new usages for their technology. In an oven, it turns out there are some great usages, both for consumers and repair.

As a consumer, the idea of being able to use a recipe app on your phone, like MSN Food & Drink, you could not only plan your meal, but program your oven. In fact, you could program various levels, and automate temperature variances all with the tap of a phone.

As for maintaining your appliance, think of the possibilities of an oven that could tell you what was wrong. With NFC, the chip receives power from the receiver, not from the device that programs it. That means, even if the oven's power supply has failed, the NFC chip could still pass along its final readings. That could prevent a lot of guess work for technicians, and end up costing you a lot less.

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Wireless Charging From the Inside Out

2015-01-09

As you probably already know, we are big fans of the Qi wireless power standard. One of the biggest Qi partners is NXP Semiconductors, a company that makes devices connectable.

The company demoed a set of custom Qi-powered devices, and talked about their involvement in the industry. The demo included custom chargers, built directly into a table. They pulsed when nothing was on them and went solid to indicate they were charging a device.

While the demoed charging plates are not for sale, they do show that a plate can be a lot more interesting than what Nokia and others have built. They can compliment, or even enhance, furnishings instead of being generic black plates that sit on top of a desk or table.

In addition, we got to see some retrofitted phones; devices that were not shipped with Qi support, but had it added aftermarket. Some can be done simply, with small adhesive plates that stick to the back, or under a battery cover or case, and plug into the USB port. Others had been opened up, and the insides altered to add native support to the device. This is a hobbyist's dream come true.

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Crosley Mixes Old School and Today with New Line of Turntables

2015-01-07

The retro-style record players are coming back with a bit of flare, all thanks to Crosley, a name that has been around since the 1920s. During the '20s through '40s, it was pretty much the household brand when it came to spinning some vinyl. The brand was then sold and brought back as a retro radio company, and now has started to join in on the resurgence of vinyl in the new millennium.

At CES 2015, Crosley launched a couple of new products aimed at getting people back into records again. First, the Cruiser turntable will make it easy for someone who wants a plug-and-play way to enjoy their favorite records. No longer do you have to buy components and piece them all together. The Cruiser comes in dozens of colors and styles, and some even feature your favorite cartoon characters or TV shows. The turntable will generally run you about $69 and is available at all major retailers, including specialty stores.

For those who want more added functionality or features, Crosley has launched a myriad of different turntables to fit different needs and styles. Things like Bluetooth, CD players, nicer speakers, wood housing and more can all be found in several different product lines from the company. Prices range depending on the flavor, but typically run between $150 and $400. All of the products can be found at Crosley's website.

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Denon Professional Unveils a Dozen New Products at CES 2015

2015-01-07

A trip to CES is never complete without visiting our good friend Eric Palonen. Now spear-heading Denon Professional, a high-end audio product company, Eric is responsible for showing more people some of the company's great products. At CES 2015, Denon Professional debuted 12 new and exciting products, all launching in the spring.

Denon Professional showed off the Solution Series, designed for the A/V integrator or consultant. They're little boxes made for very specific tasks. For instance, the DN-2000BR is a Bluetooth receiver with balanced audio outputs. For someone who's upgrading a building, you no longer need to buy all new equipment to outfit the space with the latest tech. Other products in the Solution Series handle things like AirPlay, DLNA, audio routing without drilling holes, and Android mini-computers.

Denon Professional also demonstrated the Envoi. It's a portable and powerful PA system perfect for places where a user might not have access to a large bank of power but need sound reinforcement. With the Envoi, you get a 360-watt speaker with a myriad of functionality and inputs. You can stream music from your smartphone, off an SD card, Bluetooth or even plug in your audio mixer. You can then unplug it and operate it for up to 12 hours on a single charge. Even better, there's a built-in wireless microphone. Envoi will retail for $599.

We also got to take a look at the DN-300Z. It's a poly-media player, so it'll play almost anything you can think of. Slot-loaded CDs, USB, SD card reader, Bluetooth and AM/FM radio all come in a concise 1U device and perfect for clubs, places or worships or other larger venues. $399 gets you a DN-300Z.

Lastly, Eric showed us another Solution Series device, taking a page out of the on-the-desk KUDO device, with a covert presentation manager. Typically mounted under a table or in a rack, it supports Bluetooth, DLNA, MiraCast, Airplay and is 4K-ready.

All these devices, and more, can be found at Denon Professional's website and it's definitely a place you'll want to check out to see the entire line-up.

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Ericsson Changes the Way We Think About Cloud Security

2015-01-07

With the cloud becoming an ever-expanding, highly-vulnerable space, there comes a time where businesses need to start caring about their customers' data. That time is now, and many companies are working towards building better infrastructure to put customers' minds at ease. One of those companies is Ericsson, one of the world's largest mobile infrastructure groups.

Ericsson is taking the charge to make the cloud more safe and secure. By 2020, Ericsson estimates there will be 50 billion connected devices, and a majority of those devices will live in an industrialized cloud system. The problem is that the cloud isn't secure nor efficient enough to sustain those devices.

Because of this, Ericsson is working on a platform that is highly programmable, highly accessible, highly governable, and controllable, but above all else is secure. The hope is that this work will change the way businesses think about security and the cloud, and the easiest way to explain the concept is to say that we need to build a bigger wall around our data.

Ericsson is just starting with its mission to roll out a better way to authenticate, validate and confirm your data and its transmissions. The ability to forensically prove your data during a breach and after a breach becomes crucial to understanding the severity of the breach, and Ericsson has made a series of acquisitions and partnerships to start to make this possible. If the infrastructure contains governed policies and profiles, the end users can feel safer knowing their data is authentic.

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Monster Teams Up with Adidas to Launch New Line of Athletic Headphones

2015-01-05

You can always count on the International CES to be a monsterous event. This is especially true when Monster announces big news, along with big celebrities.

The pairing of Adidas and Monster seems to be a natural fit, and together they've launched a new line of headphones and earbuds tailored to the active and athletic lifestyle. What stands out is the wireless Bluetooth in-ear buds that pack a Pure Monster Sound in a compact footprint.

Johan from Adidas and Kevin from Monster both spoke on the finer points of each of the new products coming from Monster, all the way up to the full over-the-ear headphones. Moreover, the headphones connect to the Micoach smartwatch that Adidas has launched.

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Monster DNA Headphones Get Customized with Chris Nunez from Ink Master

2015-01-06

Something we like about the Monster DNA headphones, aside from the Pure Monster Sound of course, is the fact that they really do come in all different sizes and styles. The DNA On-Ear headphones have over 50 different color combinations, and sometimes, a style will be completely done by an artist.

In this case, it's tattoo artist Chris Nunez, from the hit show Ink Master that created a unique design so popular, that it crashed the Monster website when it released. Chris attended CES this year to take in the show floor, meet his fans, and talk about Monster DNA headphones.

His passion for music is as equal as his passion for tattooing and the two have combined under the Monster brand. Whether you need something for the studio or on-the-go, the Monster DNAs are an excellent choice and are made for long periods of listening.

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Shortcut Labs Announces the Flic, a Programmable Button to Simplify Your Life

2015-01-06

Lots of talk surrounded the Shortcut Labs booth at Eureka Park this year at CES. The company had taken to Indiegogo to launch a new product, Flic, that is set to make life easier with the literal touch of a button.

This Bluetooth-enabled, programmable button has three different ways to press it, and each of those can be programmed for a specific task using the Flic app. Whether you want to select a certain playlist on Spotify, navigate to a destination on your GPS app or create your own command, all of that can be done with Flic.

A 6-pack was going for $99 on Indiegogo during CES, and Shortcut Labs managed to blow past their goal reaching over $700,000 in funding, 801% of their goal. That's a truly impressive feat for something so unique, and it's simplicity is what wins over consumers.

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A Glasses-Free 3DTV and Gaming Experience with Ultra-D

2015-01-06

One of the things that were considered a "sleeper pick" in this year's CES trends was 3DTV and gaming combining on the big screen in your living room. Up until now, the implementation hasn't really been great and the technology used has caused eye strain for many who have used it. Luckily StreamTV Networks' Ultra-D product looks to alleviate all of that with their latest announcement.

Introducing a glasses-free 3DTV experience for gamers and TV-watchers alike. For the TV, standing in a certain spot isn't required. The 4K TV's cones overlap, giving 140-degrees of viewing angle, and comes in different sizes all the way up to 89". You can also set the depth of the 3D, so for sports, you can tune down the 3D effect but can turn it up when you want to. This is one of the few on the show floor where my eyes different hurt when I was viewing the TV.

For gamers, the company has partnered up with a bunch of different game developers in order to create a gaming experience unlike any other. On that list of dev studios is Epic Games, who you may know as the creators of the Unreal Engine. The company also wants to target any developer who wants to use the Unreal or Unity engine and also wants to add in a 3D experience via the SDK. All five companies that have partnered with Ultra-D so far had the 3D up and running in 25 hours or less.

The key here is the zero-latency method that is used in order to not frustrate gamers, especially those who play first-person shooters or other "twitchy" game titles. Game developers, like you, also hate lag. So to make 3D work, it's all done through algorithms that create a real-time depth map of the camera that is already in place, leaving essentially no extra work for the developer. This conversion process causes 4 milliseconds of lag, however, the SDK eliminates the lag entirely. It just needs a little bit of information from the video game and puts little stress on the GPU in order to make that happen.

If you're a developer and want to get a hold of this, you can visit www.movebeyond3d.com. They are also working on launching some hardware in a style similar to the Oculus Rift, just to get it out there and get people to use it.

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Zolt Proves That Great Things Come in Small Packages

2015-01-06

It's no secret: Everyone, at least once in their life has forgotten a charger or brought the wrong one on a business trip or vacation. What if there was one charger that you could bring that could handle 2 devices and a laptop? And what if the charger automatically knew what voltage and wattage to deliver to the devices? Meet Zolt.

The world's smallest laptop charger was a 2015 International CES Innovation Award Honoree. Zolt's ability to charger a laptop and two other devices at the same time is what makes it so unique and truly a product that stands out from the pack.

Zolt comes with a 6-foot proprietary cable that's the same color as the charger, which comes in an assortment of flavors. It also features the a bunch of different laptop tips that charge almost every device on the market today. Your Lenovo laptop, Apple iPad and any micro-USB device are all on the list of the hundreds of devices in total that can work with Zolt.

Weighing in at only 3 ounces, and available for a special pre-order price of $79, or $99 when launched, Zolt looks to makes its debut sometime in Spring 2015.

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Meccano Introduces Your Favorite Robotic Pal, the Meccanoid

2015-01-06

Robots are something we all know and love, regardless of age or experience with technology. They're just one of those things that you want to play with and learn more about. Luckily, Meccano is looking to make all of that possible by introducing a robotic friend that can be fully programmed to do a variety of things through a multitude of input methods.

For those familiar with the Erector Sets of the past, you may have already been familiar with Meccano, just under a different name. But now, Meccano will be bringing its name, along with its flagship product the Meccanoid, to stores across the world, beginning in August of 2015.

The Meccanoid stands four feet tall and comes in a simple-to-build kit. Once built, you can use different ways to tell the companion what to do. The easiest is the "mirror" method, where you press the record button on the robot and move its limbs around. Upon pressing the play button, the robot will do what you made it do, along with playing back any audio it recorded along the way. You can also program it via a smartphone that you connect to the Meccanoid via Bluetooth, or with a computer connected with USB. There's even the possibility of hooking up a Kinect or similar device, and having the robot follow your every move using tracking, which is really cool.

The Meccanoid can be built into a bunch of different forms, from a normal robot friend to an automated trash retriever, to anything else you can think of. With the ability to fully code the bot, the combinations of forms and functions are practically endless.

Meccano also won the Last Gadget Standing event at CES 2015 with its Meccanoid product.

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Kiband Helps Keep Your Child Close to You

2015-01-06

A trip through Eureka Park at any CES is always bound to lead to new and exciting products and individuals who are passionate about those products. That's the exact case with Kiband, a company that formed around a direct necessity and problem that impacted its CEO.

Kiband started with its CEO that lost his child at a 4th of July event for about 15-20 minutes. After trying leash solutions and other methods that really didn't work out for him, he created his own company to try a change up the market.

The key with Kiband is prevention and less of informing you of when your child actually gets lost. Using the parent's phone, the Kiband sets up a local geofence around the smartphone, and as the child approaches the perimeter set by the parent, the Kiband will first vibrate. If they then venture outside of the proximity, the device will then use an audible tone to alert the parent.

The distance is totally customizable by the parent and allows them to give the child as much leeway as they deem safe. The Kiband is also easy to set up, as it instantly connects to the phone and the app is made for those who are less tech savvy.

Still in research and development, the kids who have tested the device have really taken a liking to it and didn't want to remove it because it looked cool and was minimally invasive. Pricing will be around $100 to $120, with pre-orders available through an Indiegogo campaign, and delivery estimated to be in the summer.

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CES 2015 TPN Picks - Day 1 [Live]

2015-01-10

Today we award our first 3 TPN Daily Picks. Here are our first picks.

Picks by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central, Don Baine, The Gadget Professor and Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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CES 2015 TPN Picks - Day 2 [Live]

2015-01-10

Today we award our day 2 TPN Daily Picks. Here are our picks.

Picks by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic, Chris Davis of Health Tech Weekly and Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

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CES 2015 TPN Picks - Day 3 [Live]

2015-01-10

Today we award our day 3 TPN Daily Picks. Here are our picks.

Picks by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic, Todd Aune of The Elder Divide and Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Humanscale Integrates Health Tracking Software Into Office Furniture

2015-01-10

When you think of office furniture, health and wellness tracking might not be a feature you consider. The team at Humanscale is hoping to change that with a line of smart furniture that can track your activities and help you stay active and healthy. The furniture can track you while working, both sitting and standing, and let you know when you should switch positions or just get up and move around.

The trend of integrating health and wellness programs into the workplace has been growing in recent years. In fact, the practice has even been featured on sitcoms like The Office, where the branches competed to lose weight. With office furniture like this in offices, it could greatly increase the effectiveness of these programs. More importantly, it could greatly improve the health of employees.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Temp Traq Makes Having a Sick Child Easier

2015-01-10

One of the hardest parts of being a parent is having a sick child. It can be nearly impossible to focus on anything while worrying how they are doing and whether they are suffering a fever. A new product, Temp Traq, takes a lot of the worrying out of the situation.

The product is a temperature sensor that attaches to the child like a bandage. It allows the child to sleep comfortably while alerting the parent to fever spikes. The sensor send its data to any iOS or Android device to track temperatures, current and past.

Obviously, there is nothing about the technology that makes it child-parent specific. In fact, Jamie Davie, who is the TPN health correspondent, forsees a future where doctors could monitor patients in a health center like a hospital with the technology.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Polar Electro Makes a Fitness Tracker that Doesn't Stand Out

2015-01-10

Current wearable technology seems to have a focus on health and fitness tracking, and the Polar Electro A-300 is no exception. While some sensors track just one or two areas, the A-300 records almost everything. Keeping track of steps, sleep, heart rate, etc., this wearable manages to cover a number of areas that some other sensors have trouble doing effectively.

Another place this device shines is in its design. While other fitness trackers look like a cheap bracelet, this one looks like an ordinary watch. If you're looking for a fitness tracker that doesn't make you stand out as someone wearing a tracker, the A-300 is one to check out.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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CES 2015 TPN Picks - Awards Ceremony [Live]

2015-01-10

Our teams wander the show floor and see a variety of products from hundreds of vendors. Each team is looking for something different and brings a unique perspective to the show coverage. Because of this, we award our TPN Picks based on team, allowing a diverse selection of products to be shown and honored. This year we offer 10 awards to TPN's favorite brands.

- Techslinger (Jamie Davis, The Podmedic)
- ThermoFlash (Jamie Davis, The Podmedic)
- Kelvin Duo (Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central)
- Link (Chris Davis of Health Tech Weekly)
- Qi Power, Cordless Kitchen (Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology)
- Schneider Optics Case (Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central)
- Boosted Boards (Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch)
- OnKol (Todd Aune of The Elder Divide)
- Intelligent Energy, Hydrogen Fuel Cell (Jamie Davis, The Podmedic)
- LiFi, Internet Through Light (Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch)

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Consumers are Open to Sharing Sensor Data with Doctors

2015-01-10

Many people in and around the tech world have had conversations about the viability, safety and interest in sharing consumer health information. The Federal Trade Commission seems concerned about the practice, while the Food and Drug Administration doesn't. The group that is always left out of these discussions, however, is the consumers themselves.

AND Medical, a manufacturer of consumer health and wellness monitors, such as blood pressure monitors and scales, recently surveyed average consumers to find out their take on sharing health information collected with consumer monitoring devices. They discovered that people were surprisingly open to the possibility, especially if the data is shared with healthcare professionals in a secure environment.

This is a diversion from the generally accepted belief in the health community that consumers are privacy focused. The massive success of both Facebook and Twitter could have also clued the industry in to the fact that people will share everything with anyone.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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A Thermometer That Helps Prevent the Spread of Disease

2015-01-10

Digital thermometers are nothing new - they have been around for years now. Even connected thermometers aren't a new concept, connecting your thermometer to your phone or tablet. These devices all have something in common, though: they all have to touch the person to get a reading.

By touching a sick person, the thermometer potentially becomes part of the infection process. If the thermometer is not cleaned completely, it could become a petri dish, spreading illness to the next user. Enter the ThermoFlash from BeWell. This connected thermometer can take an FDA-approved temperature reading without needing to touch the person.

The consumer device will be available in the near future for $100, and will come with the same FDA-approved sensor quality. It will also have the ability to connect to a smartphone for logging of data.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Access a Personal Trainer Directly from Your Phone

2015-01-10

Having someone work with you during a workout can be really important, especially if you are like me and know little to nothing about the exercises and equipment. Unfortunately, not everyone has direct access to live personal trainers, and don't have access to a product like Xbox Fitness, or would prefer working with a human.

Fitnet has found the righty way to add connectivity to the workout experience, helping those who can't work with a trainer in person. Connecting you with real personal trainers, you can get the benefits of a personal trainer like encouragement, exercise suggestions and posture and style adjustments. The feature is available now in the company's app.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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GrandCare Attempts to Help Older People Stay in Touch

2015-01-10

As our world becomes increasingly connected through technology, the unintended side effect is an increasingly isolated elderly population. A population that has had little to no access to or need for connected devices is finding it harder to keep in touch with loved ones or even their doctors.

An increasing number of devices are being created to try and solve this problem, but most of them struggle to make the system easy enough to use with no on-screen clutter. A new entry into this market is GrandCare, which runs on an all-in-one PC. The product is intended to make connecting to personal and medical caregivers easier.

One of the benefits of the system is its ability to connect a collection of medical devices for monitoring of things like weight and blood pressure. The biggest thing the company will have to overcome is the incredibly cluttered screen. The various colors and gradient icons will make it significantly harder for older people with visual problems to see. The inclusion of unrelated information, such as date, time and temperature, can overwhelm those who are already not inclined to use the computer.

While the concept is a good one, it might be better to wait for an update that makes the system more usable or another company to get the UI right.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Keeping You Hydrated with Technology

2015-01-10

H2O-Pal is an interesting little gadget designed to help keep you hydrated throughout the day. The device, invented by Penn State University student Matej Marjanovic, keeps track of how much water you drink throughout the day. If you don't drink enough, it will remind you when it is time.

The nicest thing about this device is that it is not an entire water bottle. Many of us have bottles that we like, and don't want to have to switch just to get the features of a gadget. H2O-Pal actually connects to your existing bottle and tracks your usage.

Using an app on your phone, the platform can even learn your habits and show you how close to a perfect day you've had. There is even a gamification aspect, designed to make drinking water fun, because we all know drinking water can be uninteresting on its own.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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iSwimband Helps Keep Kids Safe Around Water

2015-01-10

One of the leading causes of death in young children is drowning. Because of this, iSwimband has arrived to help parents and guardians know when kids might be in danger. The device clips to a child's goggles or swimsuit and sends alerts when something is wrong.

The alerts can be customized depending on the age of the child and their swimming capabilities. For a younger child, you can have the device alert as soon as it comes into contact with any water at all. For older children, or kids that are good swimmers, you can have it wait up to 60 seconds before alerting.

The product is available now for $79.99.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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A Portable Way to Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder Effects

2015-01-10

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), frequent traveling and depression have a common thread: a lack of natural sunlight. This lack of light produces melatonin in the brain, which is the hormone that makes people tired. Luckily there is a treatment known as photo-therapy.

This treatment can now be tried at your convenience with a product called Luminette. Already widely used in Europe, this device is headed to the US soon, and can help reset your day cycle and reduce melatonin production. Worn like sunglasses, this device allows you to keep working, unlike many other devices in the product category.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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A Device Hub for Connecting Health Devices Without a Smartphone

2015-01-10

Many connected devices could provide a lot of important information about older people, but there is a problem with this idea: the smartphone. Most of these devices require a connection, at least occasional, to a smartphone or tablet to provide any usefulness. That usefulness is certainly cut out when the person interacting with the device has no smart device.

Because of this issue, iHealth has announced Discover, a connected hub which allows people without a smart device to connect their devices to the hub instead. From the hub, your data is synced to their system, allowing access from any web browser - no smartphone required. From there, data can be shared with family members or doctors. The Discover should be available before the end of 2015.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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A Health Tracker That Lasts Long Enough to Use Daily

2015-01-10

Wearable technology is obviously designed to be worn. Many of these devices offer features like sleep tracking, which we have seen in devices for several years now. The problem with this is, if you are to wear the device to get the benefits, what do you do about the battery? Normally we charge our devices while sleeping, but that kills the sleep tracking capabilities.

Luckily LifeTrak, the company that builds the heart rate monitor that is used in many brands of gym equipment, decided to tackle this problem for us. Their line of wearable devices offer all of the normal features, like sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, etc., but the batteries are capable of running for up to a year.

Designed to be worn all day, every day, the devices are waterproof up to 30 meters. They are available now for $60 to $120, depending on the device and its capabilities.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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How an Olympian Uses Technology to Train

2015-01-10

No one knows about physical training like an Olympic medalist. U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist Dotsie Bausch uses a number of connected devices in her workout to help her get the most out of every moment. The devices she uses are Masimo.

Well known and renowned in the medical world, Masimo makes some of the best blood gas and oxygen monitoring tools in the industry. Recently they have branched out into the consumer world, bringing their quality to the home fitness user. Dotsie talks about how she uses their products, which are available now.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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MakerBot's Influences and Participation in the Medical World

2015-01-10

When we encountered 3D printed arms this year at Roboticon, we knew it was just a matter of time before the concept caught on big. The idea is that, with a 3D printer, someone can print all of the parts to produce a functioning prosthetic arm. The group we spoke to, Enabling The Future, paired up people with printers with people who needed the limbs.

This year at CES, MakerBot Director of Public Relations Jenifer Howard talked about her experience with the Robohand project, who similarly built a prosthetic hand for someone with 3D printed parts. She also talked about MakerBot's other implementations in the medical industry, where physicians are using printers every day to create unique parts and pieces for patients all over the world.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Monitor Your Infant's Sleep with Monbaby

2015-01-10

The Monbaby infant monitoring device takes an interesting approach to the idea of a wearable: infants. This device is designed to ensure an infant's safety during sleep by tracking their position relative to the crib.

Connected to a smartphone or tablet, the device can alert parents and guardians if the baby rolls on its stomach, allowing you to go in and roll them onto their back. This is a great way to prevent Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is often associated with sleeping on the stomach. It will also alert you if the baby becomes restless, indicating that they have woken up.

The device is available for pre-order on the company's website, and will retail for $169 when it launches.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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myCharge Shows Off a Range of Power Products

2015-01-10

If you regularly check our reviews section, you are probably familiar with myCharge. They produce a product called EnergyShot, a small portable power supply for phones. While that product may not have had a lot to recommend it, the company does have a large collection of products, many of which are popular among tech enthusiasts.

In fact, Jamie Davis, The Podmedic is a big fan of their products and shows off some of what they have this year. With products of all sizes, with all kinds of features, myCharge likely has a product to fit your needs. Included in that lineup are batteries that have folding plugs built right in, meaning you can charge the device without needing a USB cable, but instead plug into a wall outlet.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Pain Relief Without the Medication

2015-01-10

Dealing with chronic musculoskeletal pain is something that millions of Americans have to do daily. Treating that pain can be just as difficult as the pain itself, as usually it involves major pharmaceuticals, most of which are highly addictive.

Neurometrix is releasing a new product, Quell, to help solve just that problem. A band that is worn on the calf, this FDA-approved device sends electrical pulses to the leg to distract the brain from the pain it is experiencing elsewhere. If you suffer from this problem, the Quell will be available this Spring for around $250.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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A Unique and Convenient Way to Carry Electronics

2015-01-10

The Tech Podcast team doesn't often cover products in the cases and carriers category, so when we do, it is certainly something special. Techslinger is definitely special, giving people an easy way to carry electronic gadgets that are larger than you could put into a pocket or purse.

Worn as suspenders, the Techslinger functions on a similar concept to a harness gun holster, allowing you to conceal your tablet or small laptop under your jacket or coat. It frees up your hands to do other things, and allows you to not have to carry an external laptop bag or backpack. The Techslinger is available now.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Diabetes Tracking Tools to Improve Life

2015-01-10

Diabetes is a chronic disease that 350 million people live with, but for most of its run, the disease is treatable. The use of insulin pumps and pens can greatly increase the normalcy of life for people living with the illness.

Vigilant has a line of products to make the process of managing your treatment easier. Bee Insulin is their award-winning dose tracking device, which connects to most pens and tracks insulin doses through its accompanying smartphone application. The Bee is available now and more products are coming soon.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Siemens Enhances Its Line of Bluetooth Hearing Aids

2015-01-10

Last year, we got a look at the MiniTek hearing aids from Siemens, a Bluetooth-enabled hearing aid. This year, Siemens is back with a new hearing aid product: Binex. The Binex uses signal processing, similar to what audio editors use, to determine background noises and filter them out, especially in difficult environments.

An accompanying device, the easyTek is the device that allows the hearing aids to connect to Bluetooth. This gives the ability to listen to music from a phone or tablet, or to answer calls - all with the same signal processing in the hearing aids. You can also use your phone to control settings on the device, like equalizer settings, volume levels as well as microphone directions.

The Binex and easyTek are available now from a hearing professional for around $1,500 - $2,000.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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OWC Shows Some New Mac Products [Live]

2015-01-10

One of the companies that always seems to find their way to our coverage is Other World Computing. The company is known for their Apple products and accessories, and this year they certainly did not disappoint.

Among their offering this year is a 240GB SSD, with a twist: it is designed to work like a USB 3.0 flash drive. The concept is not a new one, with hard drives in small USB form factors, but OWC has built the product to match their customer base. It has a brushed aluminum body and retails for $199. A 480GB companion will be available soon.

In addition to the drive, OWC showed off a laptop docking station. Unlike most docks, this device runs on Thunderbolt 2 instead of USB. It offers two Thunderbolt 2 ports, five USB 3.0 ports, as well as FireWire 800, HDMI, gigabit Ethernet and audio in/out. Other than Thunderbolt support, there is nothing particularly unique about this device, except for the $299 price point.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Todd Aune of The Elder Divide for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Improve Your Baking with Perfect Bake [Live]

2015-01-10

With the Internet of Things, it turns out that cooking has never been easier. You can program your oven with NFC straight from a digital recipe, and with the help of Perfect Bake, now you can even weigh your ingredients with the guide of a digital recipe.

Using a mic-jack connected scale and an accompanying app, Perfect Bake is intended to help bakers regulate and perfect the amount of each ingredient they use. Included in the app are hundreds of existing recipes, with instructional videos and step-by-step instructions. You can even add an oven thermometer to ensure everything is going smoothly.

The app is available from both Google Play and the App Store, and the scale is available for $69.99.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Todd Aune of The Elder Divide for the Tech Podcast Network.

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An Atomic Clock-Powered Digital/Analog Converter [Live]

2015-01-10

When Justin Timberlake, Rhianna and Stevie Wonder are your customers, you know you've got a good audio product. Antelope audio, in addition to being well-loved by these celebrities, is also well known in the industry. Their new Zodiac Platinum Digital/Audio Converter can live at the center of any audiophile's home system.

The DAC is designed to keep audio as close to what was recorded as possible. It features support for DSD128, also known as Double-DSD and full 24-bit audio at 384 kHz. It even has the ability to upsample to DSD256, far above what CDs can create.

The DAC is available now from audiophile retailers.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

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OmniMount's New Products and Take on CES [Live]

2015-01-10

Our good friends at OmniMount, stopped by the show to talk about what they have been doing differently and to discuss their newest products. The company took a new approach to their booth this year, laying it out like an Ikea, with products displayed in categories of use.

The first of the company's new products is the WorkSpace Wall Organiser - a collapsible desk, the works similar to a Murphy bed. It gives the ability for a room to be converted into an office when needed, and space cleared back out when not. It retails for $399.95.

Next up is a built-in television wall mount. This mount is capable of holding a television almost flush to a wall, and supports screens up to 80". When mounted, it makes the television look more like a mounted picture frame than a television. It is available now for $349.95.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Preventing Head Injuries, One Player at a Time

2015-01-10

Reported sports injuries are on the rise. Most notably is the increase in the reports and repercussions of concussions. Trying to help with this problem is BlackBox Biometrics with their Linx IAS.

The device is about the size of a USB flash drive and is worn under a helmet, headband or skullcap. The device detects hard forces that can cause these concussions. It then sends that data via Bluetooth to a tablet or smartphone, which can show information to field medics or coaches to determine if injury has occurred. If out of range, the device will store the information until reconnected with its smart device. The Linx will be available in the first quarter for $199.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Griffin Powers and Stores Your Devices in a convenient Place

2015-01-10

One of the great things about the Hub It is the ability to power and connect multiple devices to a single computer. One of its failings, however, is the lack of accommodation for those devices themselves. What if your intention is to charge 5 devices from the hub - where will you put those devices so they are not sprawled all over your desk?

Griffin thought of exactly that with their new PowerDock Pro. This upgrade to their PowerDock Dual and PowerDock 5, this device is capable of charging up to 5 devices, while providing a convenient way to store those charging devices. It also provides cable management in its base, giving a convenient way to charge and store devices without wires hanging all over the place, and without retractable cords to get tangled up. The device will be available in Q3 for $130.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Liquid Image Enhances Their Ego with XLTE

2015-01-10

At one time, the action camera market had only a single player: GoPro. When that happens, innovation stagnates, and products get boring and predictable. Luckily, the market has new players almost every day, and those companies bring new ideas.

Todd talked to Liquid Image, a company well-known for their line of cameras. Last year, they added Verizon LTE to their products. This year, enhancing the Ego series, the company has announced the Ego LS, which improves the LTE to XLTE. The body has been reconsidered - now shaped more like a traditional camera in a significantly smaller form factor. This change will make mounting the camera more convenient. The good news is, everything we already love about the Ego series is still there: LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Low Frequency RF. The camera will be available in quarter 1 for $399.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Qualcomm Flies Into Robotics with New Snapdragon Processor

2015-01-08

Qualcomm has been involved with robotics quite a lot over the past few years. A key reason the company set up their own mini-booth in the South Hall at CES was to show off how the Snapdragon processor is the perfect SoC for the robotics space. On display and demonstration was the Snapdragon Cargo - a robot that could fly, drive, pick up objects and see the world in 3D.

The processor is small enough yet still packs a huge punch, all while being extremely lightweight, which is important for robots, especially flying ones. We saw some interesting technologies specifically demonstrated by Qualcomm. One of them was depth-from-stereo, taking stereo cameras and creating a depth map, allowing the robot to see its world. It also knows where it is in 3D space. Based on these maps it draws, it can fly autonomously without crashing into objects. This is perfect for the drones that have been popular as of late. The range can essentially be as long as you wish, all based off of how far apart you space the cameras.

Another demonstration included a robot that could pick up toys and sort them into appropriate bins, all by looking at the color, shape and density of the toy. The bins could be placed anywhere in the room and the robot was able to find them without problem.

More information can be found at Qualcomm's Robotics website.

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Vysk Makes Your Smartphone a Secure Phone

2015-01-08

As expected, one of the tech trends this year revolves around the topic of security. Be it computers, the Internet and of course, our personal cell phones. In line with that, Vysk, a smartphone security company, is on a mission to make sure that everyone can have access to privacy. A smartphone case paired with an app makes this all possible.

Vysk introduced three different levels at CES. The entry-level option gives users private text messaging, private photos and a shutter for their camera, all within the case. The next level gives consumers all of those features, along with 120 percent extra battery life, to give you that extra juice you need. The final selection, the QS1, stands to be the world's most secure form of voice communication. Sliding a switch sends you into privacy mode so that someone cannot listen in on conversations, like in a private business meeting.

What's really unique about Vysk's encrypted photo gallery is its combination of three codes. The first code opens up one gallery, the second another, and then the third initiates a self-destruct process, destroying the contents of your photo gallery. A last resort indeed, but definitely a good option to keep in your back pocket.

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A Unique Smartphone Makes Snail Games a Group to Keep an Eye on

2015-01-08

Snail Games first started in 2000 in China as a software developer that made several popular games. With the popularity of mobile, it made sense for the company to also get into the mobile space, becoming a telecom in China as well. Snail then bought a hardware manufacturer to round out the trifecta of logical endeavors to make a platform in which to have their games play on their own phones, all on their own network. Snail's focus at International CES was to spread its reach into Europe and naturally, the United States.

Snail's mobile device, the W3D, has four shoulder buttons, four face buttons, dual analog sticks - everything a normal gamer would expect to have on a controller. This takes mobile gaming to a new level, by building the controls into the phone and not requiring add-ons to play while on-the-go.

Moving into the home console, Snail Games also is launching an Android-powered gaming system. The company already has interest from a large number of developers and publishers to set the console up for success. With the console launching in China this year, Snail looks to bring its device to the US as soon as they can.

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Gaming Gets Real, and Physical, with the Omni

2015-01-08

There's been a push in the gaming industry lately for a more immersive experience while you play. Sure, the Kinect does a great job and the 3DS makes looking at games a little more enticing, but what if you could get your whole body into it? Well, get ready to "enter a new world" with Omni.

Omni is an omni-directional treadmill-like device that allows a player to run, jump and walk in 360-degree virtual environments. With active sensors attached to the bottom of a pair of specially-designed shoes, the software and hardware detect what the player is doing, and based on how fast they move, it reflects that in the game. The player is also secured to an Omni Harness, which allows the user to stay within the confines of the walking surface.

The experience is further enhanced by a virtual reality headset, like the Oculus Rift. The Omni, however, is not tied down to one VR device, and instead can work with many of the devices currently in the market.

Out of the box, two games that were both developed in-house comes with the Omni. One of them is a training simulator, not only prepping you to take on the real baddies in Omni's Shadow Ops game, but also teaching you how to actually use the hardware. Popular games also work with the device, as the Omni is just a game controller. It only takes ten minutes to put the handful of pieces together and you can be off and running, literally, in no time.

The Omni is currently available for pre-order at $699 and comes with everything you need to get started. All you have to do is enter shoe and harness size and the Omni, upon release, will be delivered to your doorstep.

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Xi3 Stands Tall Even with its Small Form Factors

2015-01-08

Xi3 has grown exponentially in the past few years. Shaking up International CES 2011 when the company debuted with an incredibly tiny computer, Xi3 won the Innovation Award that year for the Xi3 Modular Computer that only took 20 watts to operate. Three years later and the company has expanded to more form factors and styles to fit the needs of a broader market. And outside of the micro-computer, the Xi3 is launching a gaming console and a server this year as well.

For the computers, Xi3 showed off some new hardware as CES. The latest box features an AMD quad-core processor, 8GB RAM, up to 1TB of storage and can come pre-loaded with Windows or Linux. On the Intel side of things, Xi3 is working with the NUC line of hardware, allowing i3 and i5 Broadwell chips to live inside a unique and fully-powered case.

The X7A runs you $839 at the base model, up to $1,900 for all the features and power you need. For the NUC series, the Leon starts at $569, the Lear costs $599 and the Elli costs $469, all for the base unit of the computer.

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Razer Looks Sharp in the Living Room with New Gaming Devices

2015-01-08

Razer, the hardcore gamer's favorite peripheral company, has leapt from just the standard mouse and keyboard and is moving into the living room for your entertainment. Whether casual or enthusiast, Razer has something lined up for both of those gamers with their latest products.

Razer's mission was to bring PC gaming into the living room without needing an expensive and high-end computer. Razer's newest product, the Forge TV, an Android TV-powered microconsole that allows games, music, movies and PC gaming all from the device. For the skeptics out there, what's different about the Forge TV's Android box is the buy-in from developers. Razer is working with top-level game studios to have popular and well-known titles show up on the Forge in order to entice gamers to try out the platform.

Further enhancing the living room experience for gamers is Razer's PC game-streaming technology, called Cortex Stream. Coming later this year, you'll be able to stream desktop PC games to the Forge TV at only $99.

Lastly, Razer introduced their newest peripheral, made for the living room, called the Turret. The wireless mouse and keyboard combo will run you $129, and really makes living room gaming comfortable. The lapboard features a magnetic mousepad to keep the mouse from falling to the floor, and the keyboard has anti-ghosting technology to keep your keystrokes sharp and intentional.

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Stern Pinball Reinvents the Internals of the Pinball Machine

2015-01-08

Pinball is as American as apple pie and baseball cards. Sure, it might have originated in England, but there's nothing like visiting an old school arcade and seeing a classic Stern Pinball machine sitting in the corner, waiting for you to put a quarter in. Since 1986, Stern Pinball has been constantly coming out with new and exciting tables and at CES this year, the goal was to show off the latest innovations in pinball games.

In the past, pinball machines could be a diaster to fix. If something went wrong, and you weren't an expert, that machine was never going to get fixed. The old systems had a motherboard, and a bunch of wiring that ran through the entire game. The units were extremely heavy and plus, there was always this old, dusty LCD display that never really "popped" into today's world.

Now, with Stern's new technology, the machines feature a bus system, eliminating the giant wiring harnesses. There's also all LED lights, a much lighter power supply and it's now easier to maintain. Moreover, you can have a multi-colored LED display to really brighten a room, making the machine more noticeable. New machines even come equipped with WiFi, allowing multiple machines to sync up and communicate with one another for a more multiplayer experience. As you can see, with Stern's new innovations to an old classic, pinball is back with a new facelift and is ready to win over the minds and heart of the next generation of gamers.

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Beam Adds a Real Human Touch to an Otherwise Robotic Interaction

2015-01-08

If you want a unique and totally different interview, you have one right here. Nick stands with a Beam, a product by Suitable Tech that brings real human interaction to a robot. Beams are controlled by pilots, which are simply people who control the Beam. Standing at about five feet tall, a full, crystal-clear display sits on top of the Beam, along with 360-degree cameras (even one at the bottom of the Beam) and two microphones, allowing the pilot to see and hear everything going on at the Beam's location.

Beam is easy to use. Simply grab a laptop and connect to your Beam via WiFi, then all you have to do is control the device with your arrow keys. The Beam also has many uses. If you simply want to not be tired while roaming the show floor at CES, the Beam is perfect for you. Or, if you're needing to always monitor activity at your grandmother's house, the Beam can move around with her as she goes about her daily routine. While some may be okay with having Facetime or Skype on their phones, the mobility and personality of a Beam is what makes it so special.

Battery life on a Beam is about eight to ten hours, and comes with a docking station that it moves into to charge. While charging, the Beam is fully functional and communications can still take place. A hefty price tag of $19,995 will get you a Beam+ and allow you to teleport wherever you decide to ship it to.

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Can I WeMo That? Yes, I Can

2015-01-08

Home automation is a growing and popular category of tech, but the problem still persists that most of the products out right now are fragmented, in that they don't speak to each other or to one universal system. There are only a handful of solutions doing that, and we can now add WeMo to that list.

WeMo is a home automation system under the Belkin umbrella. With over 25 products under its belt already, ranging from switches to lighting to sensors and coffee makers, you can absolutely WeMo anything. The difference with WeMo is that you don't need an overly-expensive kit to get started. You can simply begin with the devices that you want and grow from there.

Beyond the simple light switch turning on and off, WeMo is scalable so that if you want your electricity, temperature and even water being monitored and controlled by WeMo, it can all be achieved, giving you a fully smart home.

All of the products live in the same WeMo app. By partnering with top manufacturers in several categories, WeMo can make the smart features for the product, while companies like Osram Sylvania can continue to make the best lights, which is what they're good at. It doesn't stop there, as appliances like coffee makers, crock pots, heaters and air purifiers can now all be smart with the help of WeMo.

Unlike most systems, WeMo uses if this then that (IFTTT) technology, which it will be rolling out to almost all of its devices throughout the year. Using IFTTT, WeMo's Insight Switch allows you to monitor energy usage, which can be activated based on different events, like it being too hot outside.

Lastly, WeMo Water is a device that installs easily under your kitchen sink without any professionals required. It monitors your water usage from one single point in your home, including all your sinks, toilets and even sprinklers. WeMo Water can also detect leaks, which is especially useful while a user might be away from their house and not have the ability to get home right away. Home automation is not only convenient, but it keeps you safe.

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JamStik Makes Learning the Guitar Easy and Portable [Live]

2015-01-10

Playing a great guitar is always the goal, but how do you get there? You can take lessons from a professional, but not everyone can afford that, or not everyone has access to training.

Luckily, JamStik is here to help, with a 16" lightweight guitar neck. It's able to connect wirelessly to an Apple device and give you guitar lessons through their JamTutor app. Once you have learned to play, you can continue using the device as a MIDI controller.

The device works by using infrared to detect your hands' position in real time. It scans the fretboard to detect where your fingers are long before you ever get close to a string. The JamStik is available now for $299.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Todd Aune of The Elder Divide for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Intel Shrinks Down the PC with New NUC Line

2015-01-06

In a screening at Intel's suite, the company showed off their latest Next Unit of Computing devices, or NUCs. These super tiny PCs feature the latest Core i3, i5 and i7 Broadwell processors, with some of them even running Braswell chips, all within a 4-by-4 design.

This latest series of NUC has ditches the mSATA storage interface and moved into M.2, allowing for lightning fast read and write speeds to the disk. USB 2.0 ports are also a thing of the past, and the NUCs all feature USB 3.0 ports only. Some of the higher-end models also feature a mini-DisplayPort v1.2 output, giving the ability to connect three monitors to this mini PC. All of this power packed into such a small frame means that it can not only replace your home theater PC, but could easily replace most users' desktop PCs.

There are three distinct enclosures for the NUC, depending on which processor you select. The two that will be commonly sold are 115mm x 111mm wide and are either 29.8mm or 48.5mm tall. Your differentiator there is going to be whether or not you want to fit a 2.5" SSD inside the NUC.

What I found most intriguing was the customizable lids that can be interchanged on the NUC. One of the prototypes on display was a Hauppauge TV tuner that was attached to the top of one of the NUCs, allowing full TV capture and playback, built right into the top of the PC. There was also a NUC that wore a lid that had NFC capability built into it, and Intel said there would be another dozen or so lids to choose from in the near future, with hopes that more partners will join in to create other lid styles.

One surprise was saved for the end, and that was the Intel Compute Stick. Donning Windows 8.1 with Bing, 32GB of storage, 2GB RAM and a Baytrail processor all within a device that can fit in your pocket, the Compute Stick can plug into any TV or monitor. Intel looks to sell this extremely compact computer for only $149.

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Ion Audio Shows Some Fun New Speaker Products With a Twist [Live]

2015-01-10

One of the most interesting companies that visits our studio every year is Ion Audio. The company always has unique audio and DJ equipment. This year is no exception, as the company brought some unique products to show.

First we have a 50 watt PA speaker, named Block Party Live, is the upgraded version of the Party Rocker Live. Both units have a light on the top that can project a light show, making it a truly unique product. The Block Party also offers a battery for true wireless DJing.

Next is a product less for DJs and more for the adventurous music lover. The Sound Shine is a hybrid wireless speaker and light bulb. It screws into a standard lamp socket and streams music through Bluetooth. It can be used as a solo, mono speaker, or can be paired with another unit for stereo sound. They will be available soon for $69 each, or $129 for a pair.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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DXRacer Showcases Six Unique Chair Designs, Tailored to You

2015-01-08

The most comfortable interview of the International CES found us at the DXRacer booth, talking about their recent line of gaming and productivity chairs. Before making DXRacer chairs, the company's roots were in manufacturing high-level racing seats, which is where the attention to quality, comfort and detail came from for these chairs. The company also owns its own factory and has some of the oldest patents for a style of chair that they create.

There are six different series of chairs, starting with the Formula series, then the Drifting series, the Racing series, the Max series, the Universal series and lastly the King series. With so many choices, DXRacer goes above and beyond to understand their customers and tries to tailor the purchase to the body type of the customer and the use of the chair. Because a premium chair like this is an investment, it's important to make sure you get the right one that fits your needs.

DXRacer has also partnered with Major League Gaming and debuted the design for the MLG chair at CES. The company is diversifying its reach by getting involved in a new line of desks, to create a whole home office solution. After this interview, it was hard to get to the next one because after five minutes in the chair, Nick did not want to get up.

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Add Gesture Control to Many Devices in Your House with singlecue [Live]

2015-01-10

Gesture-based interfaces are becoming more and more popular, thanks in large part to the work done by Microsoft with the two versions of the Kinect. Over the past couple of years, we have seen other companies try to launch hardware in this category, but they tend to lack purpose.

A company known as eyeSight is trying to fix that with their new singlecue. Building on the gesture concept found in the Xbox, singlecue allows you to assign gestures to actions on devices in your home. For example, making a hushing gesture could mute your television.

The signals are sent out using infrared, meaning nearly all devices with a remote can be controlled from the hub. For those that do not support IR, the singlecue also supports Wi-Fi, allowing you to control devices such as Google's Nest thermostats or Philips' Hue light bulbs.

The device is available for pre-order now at $129, and will retail for $199 this Spring when it launches to the public.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Todd Aune of The Elder Divide for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Amtel Shows How Their Microcontrollers Work in the Wild [Live]

2015-01-10

Atmel is a company that you may not be familiar with. The company makes microcontroller technology, meaning that their boards are likely in products that you own. They were at CES this year to show off their products, along with some of the cool things that they are powering.

Their "Powered by Atmel" zone was all about their core competency: microcontrollers. From here they were showing products from their partners and customers, all being run with Atmel technology. Their maker zone went the other way, showing the hardware out of context, inspiring makers to come up with their own ideas.

In their automatic zone, they were showing off their car-specific products. The jewel in the crown is AvantCar: a curved touchscreen infotainment system. Their IoT zone showed the different ways in which connected devices can use their technology.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Analyze Your Basketball Shots with ShotTracker [Live]

2015-01-10

When it comes to connected sports gear, some sports are well-represented, like football, running and cycling. Other sports are just beginning to see inroads, like tennis. One sport that has not seen a lot attention in the connected device market is basketball, but ShotTracker is here to change that.

The system exists in 3 parts: a wrist sensor, a net sensor and the ShotTracker app. The two sensors work together to determine attempt and success rate, keeping track of when the ball is thrown with the wrist sensor and when it makes it with the net sensor. They then communicate back to the app via Bluetooth to track the activity.

Once the app has the data, it is capable of displaying statistics on attempts, successes and failures. It also gives workout suggestions based on on-court weaknesses. Using a coaching version of the app, multiple devices can aggregate their data together and give full team statistics as well.

The starter kit is available now for $149.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Power Your Devices with Hydrogen [Live]

2015-01-10

Portable batteries are all over CES ever year, but they have one major drawback: what do you do if the battery is dead? You have to find an outlet or some other way to charge the battery back up. But what if you could have the power you need without the need to charge the device?

Intelligent Energy has a product especially for that - Upp. The product is a hydrogen fuel cell, using a micro generator to produce power using reusable fuel cartridges. A single cartridge can charge a phone up to five times, and has a shelf life of nine years. Because of the shelf life, this is a perfect product for getting ready for emergencies.

The Upp is available in the UK for Ā£149, which includes a single cartridge. Additional cartridges are Ā£49 and recharges are Ā£5.95. The Upp will launch in the US later in the year.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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The Size and Price of Lidar Technology are Both Getting Smaller [Live]

2015-01-10

Lidar is a version of radar that uses lasers instead of radio waves to determine distance. The technology has been around for 50 years, but has become popular in recent years because of its use in early driverless car prototypes. The technology is used to create a 3D map of the area surrounding the car to determine where it is safe to drive.

Velodyne LiDAR is a leader in the technology, and has been working on making the technology smaller. Just a few years ago, the technology was so large that it required the entire top of a car for its mount; today the technology is small enough that it can fit in your hand. In addition to size, they have worked on pricing. As the sensors got smaller, so did the cost - originally costing $80,000, you can now get one of the smaller units for $8,000.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Manage Your Passwords on All Your Devices with StickyPassword

2015-01-10

As security breaches become more common every day, the need to maintain a catalog of impossibly complex passwords is more important. The team at StickyPassword, a group of former AVG employees, have created a cross-platform product to allow you to do just that.

Available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Amazon platforms, StickyPassword Premium allows you to maintain a single list of passwords across all of your devices. Of course, a syncing password manager would require high security, and with AES256 encryption, you can rest easily. You can even use the biometric sensor on the iPhone to secure your data.

The premium version is available for $19.99 per year, and the free version is available without syncing.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Keep Your Eyes on the Road with a Heads Up Display

2015-01-10

As our phones are used more in the car, finding a way to make the process safer is essential. One of the best ways of doing this is to allow you to keep your eyes on the road and still have the benefits of the phone. While technologies like Cortana have made large portions of the phone easier, what about visually important applications?

RoadEyesCams shows off their M6 HUD, a small extra screen and mirror set that allows you to project the screen of your phone onto your windshield. The screen connects to your phone via Wi-Fi and allows you to see navigation information, etc. without taking your eyes off the road.

The M6 HUD will be available soon for $299.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Shortcut Labs Magic Button, Flic

2015-01-10

Sometimes a product is so catchy that more than one team checks it out. While Nicholas DiMeo checked out Shortcut Labs Flic button, so did Chris Davis.

The Flic is a wearable magic button. It allows you to control aspects of your phone without ever having to take it out of your pocket. You can use it to control Spotify, get directions to your house or even a custom macro. A single button cell battery can last up to 60,000 clicks, which could be over 15 years at 10 clicks per day.

The Flic is available for preorder now for $99 for 5 buttons.

Interview by Chris Davis of Health Tech Weekly for the Tech Podcast Network.

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MobileHealth Keeps Seniors Connected to Health and Safety Services

2015-01-10

The concept of connected pendants for seniors is not a new one - we've all heard the "I've fallen and I can't get up" commercial. The capabilities have continued to increase over the years, with the addition of features like cellular connectivity for usage anywhere.

In the past, MobileHelp has even added sensors to their pendant to detect falls on its own, so it can call for help even if the wearer is unable to press the button. This year, the company has added a new feature to its base station: Bluetooth low energy. This gives the system the ability to monitor other connected devices, like blood pressure monitors, blood sugar glucometers, scales, etc.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic of the Tech Podcast Network.

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A Wearable Hard Drive That Lasts All Day

2015-01-10

Solid state storage has created an interesting new collection of products. In addition to speeding up computers, and requiring less power, we have seen manufacturers come up with unique usages.

The Link Band is one of those truly unique products that couldn't have been possible before solid state. The device is a bracelet that doubles as a wireless hard drive. You can access the drive via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or even NFC. It will even switch to the best communication style based on speed. It can even connect to 20 devices and stream to 7 at a time.

Obviously the product requires power, but that is a well-considered issue. The drive is capable of streaming HD video for 12 hours straight, making it more than capable of surviving a full day of use. The drive is available in 128GB ($199), 256GB ($279), 512GB ($449) and even 1TB ($799) models during pre-order.

Interview by Chris Davis of Health Tech Weekly by the Tech Podcast Network.

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Wine Tastes Better When Properly Chilled

2015-01-10

The Kelvin Duo, a wireless wine thermometer, might be a must have for serious wine drinkers. According to experts various wines are to be served at different temperatures for the best taste. But how does a conscientious host ensure she is serving tonight's selection at a perfect 53 degrees? The answer is the Kelvin Duo.

The Duo consists of a temperature sensing band that wraps around the bottle. A magnified Bluetooth enabled screen attaches to the outside of the fridge. Simply wrap the band around the bottle, select the type of wine and wait until the screen glows green indicating the wine is ready to serve.

The Kelvin Duo is available in the UK for 39.99 and is coming to the US soon in the $70-80 range.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central of the Tech Podcast Network.

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Keep Track of Your Baby's Health and Whereabouts with Pacif-i

2015-01-10

The Pacif-i Smart Pacifier by BlueMaestro makes keeping track of your baby easier. Its main purpose is to monitor your baby's temperature, passing the data via Bluetooth Low Energy to your smartphone. It allows you to get an alert if the temperature raises beyond safe levels.

Because it uses BLE to connect to your phone, the device is also capable of alerting you if the pacifier leaves range. That means that if the baby is crawling around the house and gets away from you, or you walk too far away without realizing it, your phone will also go off.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Girl Scout Cookies Go Online for Easier Sales

2015-01-10

The Girls Scouts are probably best known for their cookies, sold either door-to-door or in front of local stores. Of course, while this does help promote the organization, it is not necessarily the best way to sell your product and raise funds. In a day where more and more shopping is done online rather than in person, a lack of online sales could certainly be limiting availability.

I, for one, have never had a Girl Scout come by to sell cookies, nor would it be likely to encounter them selling at 9PM on Tuesday at the local grocery store. Therefore, having access to the cookies online would make it far more likely for me to purchase. The good news is that now you can purchase Girl Scout cookies online, and your local troupe will still get the proceeds.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Protect Your Mac from Malicious Code with MacKeeper [Live]

2015-01-10

In the past there was a belief that Macs were safer than PCs because "they don't get viruses." That belief came from the fact that malicious software is only built for platforms that people use - particularly gullible people. When Apple was only able to give their computers away to schools, there was no money to be had in writing malicious code for Macs.

Today, an increasingly gullible population is switching from PC to Mac, partially because of a misconception that the platform is easier to use and partially because of the security belief. Because of this, more and more malicious code is being written to take advantage of those unprotected computers.

If you have made the switch to Mac without knowing the actual threats to the platform, then you definitely need MacKeeper. It helps keep those Macs safe from the onslaught of software designed to compromise those machines.

In addition, the software adds capabilities for security and optimization. The drive can be wiped, the computer can be located, etc. It also allows you to control the computer's boot and run time, by allowing you to turn off startup applications. Get it now for as low as $9.99 per month.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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4k 360 Degree Camera Redefines Immersion

2015-01-10

Imagine a conference room with a single camera in the center that can see everyone at once, or a single ultra-HD security camera that can surveil a whole room with no seems or blind spots. The applications for the IC Real Tech Allie Camera are limited only by the imagination.

IC Realtech offers the Allie in three models; pro, home and play for $399, $599 and $1100 respectively. All three models will be available by the end of the first quarter.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central of the Tech Podcast Network.

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Perfect Your Tennis Swing

2015-01-10

Practice makes perfect, or so they say. But what if you practice the wrong thing, the wrong movements or the wrong grip? Consider the German version of the saying, "PERFECT practice makes perfect." If you're trying to perfect your tennis swing, the Babolat Play might be the perfect practice racket for you.

The Babolat Play racket has sensors integrated into the frame that inform the player of volumes of information such as power lever, ball impact position and type and number of swings. The player can access the information via an app on his Apple or Android device.

The racket will go on sale in March for $349.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central of the Tech Podcast Network.

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Audio-Technica Shows New Headphones for Sports and Quality [Live]

2015-01-10

Audio-Technica is a brand known for its high-end audio products, but it also offers a line of more consumer friendly products as well. The SonicSport line of headphones is one such brand, used by athletes and Olympians worldwide. This year, the company is adding to the line-up with a collection of different ways of keeping the earbuds in your ears. Everyone's ears are different, and the way they exercise varies, making for a very unique attachment problem. The SonicSport earbuds start at $35.

In addition to their sports headphones, the company showed off their newest audiophile headphones. Available soon for $249, these headphones are designed to provide lossless music replication in a comfortable, over-ear format.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Creative Aerial Video Unleashed

2015-01-10

When I was a kid you could buy an RC helicopter. With a great deal of patience and a lot of money to replace shattered rotor blades, you could probably acquire the skill to fly it. Flying one was dangerous because of the fast spinny things on top and the leaded gasoline required by the little engine. Obviously such a "toy" required attentive adult supervision.

Oh brother have times have changed! Today low altitude flight is dominated by small drones that, in some cases, literally fly themselves. The AirDog is just such a device. The AirDog is tethered to it's "pilot" by a controller wristband the company calls AirLeash. The aerial vehicle positions itself relative to the wristband based on parameters entered into the controller, such as height and distance. Max speed is about 45MPH and max distance is about 1000 feet.

Last but not least, the AirDog is designed to accept either a GoPro or Sony Action Cam. Now you can be the pilot, cameraman and star of your own action movie!

AirDog is taking pre-orders at about $1,300, but the product will be generally available for around $1,500 later in 2015.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central of the Tech Podcast Network.

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Duplicate Your Hard Drives Care of Aleratec [Live]

2015-01-10

Everyone knows of the concept of a CD or DVD duplicator, but most people may never have considered a hard drive duplicator. That could be because it is far more difficult to determine the purpose of such a device. As an IT manager, though, you can see the benefit of duplicating a drive to flash new computers, etc.

For those who can use the benefits of a hard drive duplicator, Aleratec has you covered. Their 1-to-5 HDD Copy Dock Advanced gives you the ability to take one source drive and duplicate it onto up to 5 drives at once. The device can support 3.5" and 2.5" drives, meaning that you can use standard desktop, laptop or even SSD drives.

Impressively, the source and destination drives do not have to be the same size. If the source drive is larger than the destination, the only requirement for it to work is that there be enough drive space for the content on the destination. The company also offers larger duplicators for larger organizations, supporting 24 drives at once. You can also perform a secure drive wipe, actually destroying the content of the drive as opposed to just hiding it.

The 5-1 duplicator will be available soon for $899.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Smart Case for Smart Phone

2015-01-10

As everyone knows, cell phone speakers are pretty good for talking on the phone and not much else. Even the at their best they're not great for jamming to your favorite tunes or watching a movie. Have you ever cupped the back of the phone to hear better? I know I have.

PERI has an App for that. Well, more than just an App. The App connects to their PERI Duo Speaker Case for the iPhone. This Wi-Fi enabled speaker case also includes a 2500 mAh battery that can fully recharge an iPhone with juice to spare, or it can blast soothing sound waves for up to 4 hours.

One of the coolest features is that you can create a massively-parallel speaker system with your friends. Imagine everyone at a party has the Duo Speaker Case. One party goer can be setup as the DJ and everyone else, up to 64 other cases, can be part of the sound system. Fun for hours.

The PERI Duo will be available for iPhone 5, 5s, 6 and iPod Touch for around $139, but you can pre-order now for $99 at Indiegogo.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central by the Tech Podcast Network.

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Ford Shows the Changes in Its BlackBerry-Powered SYNC 3

2015-01-10

Shortly before CES this year, Ford announced that they would be abandoning Microsoft's technology in favor of BlackBerry's QNX technology in their next generation of Ford SYNC. At CES, Todd got to see the QNX-powered Ford SYNC 3 in action.

This generation, the company is focusing on safety with its infotainment system. As part of the redesign process, Ford invited customers to their offices to experience the operating system and give feedback. Large hit boxes makes interacting with the system easier, keeping your eyes on the road while driving, while voice commands allow you to not have to physically interact at all.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central of the Tech Podcast Network.

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Crowdfunding Pioneer Slava Rubin, Co-Founder and CEO of Indiegogo

2015-01-10

There's a new wave of entrepreneurial spirit being fueled by crowdfunding, the latest in creative capitalism. This is evident while walking the halls of the Sands during CES and engaging with the many young companies that are using crowdfunding to raise capital and more. More? In this interview Slava points out that these companies get much more from crowd funding than money. Among the many benefits are market validation, the creation of customer relationships and the generation of a feeling of being part of something for the early adopters/investors. Even TPN has even used Indiegogo to raise money for CES coverage. Prepare to be inspired.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Jamie Davis, The Podmedic by the Tech Podcast Network.

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Body-Worn Camera Mounts for the GoPro and More [Live]

2015-01-10

The thing that GoPro did best was designing their cameras to be mounted on a variety of body mounts. By doing this, they created a news type of videos on the Internet, and a new market for mounts.

ProGearX is a company that specializes in body mounts for GoPro and other body cameras. CEO and Founder, Noah Rasheta, wore one of the company's products to the studio - a shoulder/torso harness for mounting up to 2 cameras. He also showed off a selfie-stick type arm: a product category that was in abundance this year.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Tuning Your Guitar with Your Smartphone [Live]

2015-01-10

An out of tune guitar is never acceptable, but not everyone has a Gibson Guitar that can tune itself. For the rest of the guitar-playing world, there is Roadie Tuner, a Bluetooth-driven guitar tuner.

All you have to do is place the tuner over top of your guitar pegs and the tuner takes it from there, with the help of its connected app. It analyzes the sound from the guitar and automatically turns the pegs accordingly. The Roadie Tuner is available now for $99.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Octa Gives You the Ability to Mount Your Tablet Anywhere [Live]

2015-01-10

Though sales might be slipping, tablets appear to be everywhere. While they are generally light weight and convenient on their own, that is not always enough. For some circumstances, an accessory might be required, like a unique mount or holder.

Octa makes a collection of unique mounts and holders for just this purpose. With options like c-clamps, suction cups and even flexible poles, chances are if you need to mount a tablet somewhere, chances are Octa has a product that will work for you. Mounts are available now and range from $39.99 to $99.99.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
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Hold Your GoPro Like a Pro [Live]

2015-01-10

While a lot of the usage of GoPro is wearable, sometimes you just need to hold the camera. Unfortunately, the thing is so small, it can be difficult to hold on its own. Luckily, Gripix has a product to make this easier.

The new Wi-Fi Trigger Handle allows you to turn the GoPro into a more normal video camera. Adding to the ability to actually hold the tiny camera conveniently, the Handle also gives you the ability to activate the camera from the handle.

In addition, the system is expandable. The company offers a full, two-hand stabilizing system, complete with lighting and microphone. You can also mount the camera to a selfie-stick style pole, more likely for seeing over the top of a group. The mounting products retail from between $99.95 and $149.95.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Lock and Unlock Your Door with Your Phone [Live]

2015-01-10

Smart locks have been on the precipice for years, but they have finally arrived, thanks in part to UniKey. The company has developed technology to enable doors to be locked or unlocked without a metal key. Instead, you can use your smartphone to authenticate yourself to the physical lock.

Of course, the first place you might think about is your personal front door. Wouldn't it be nice to walk up to your front door and have it unlock for you, so you don't have to put down groceries to fumble for keys? However, there are commercial uses as well.

Think about being able to authorize and deauthorize your phone to unlock a hotel room, instead of having to carry a plastic card that will, inevitably get lost or confused. In our CES experience, the keys to our block of rooms were easily confused with one another, especially when carrying equipment late at night.

A Kwikset lock using UniKey's technology is available now for $219.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Holster Your Headset Instead of Wearing It All Day [Live]

2015-01-10

It might have been cool to wear a Bluetooth headset everywhere, all the time in 2005, but today we need a safe place to keep that headset when we're not using it. You can put it in your pocket, but that doesn't make it easy to get to when the phone rings.

BluBen has a solution to his problem, creating a Bluetooth holster. It fits on your hip and gives you a safe and convenient place to store your headset when inactive. Then, when the phone rings, you can easily access it again and pop the headset back in your ear.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Program a Button to Control Your Phone [Live]

2015-01-10

Sometimes a product we find on the floor is so impressive, we feel we need to share it with our live audience. The programmable mobile button Flic is one of those products. After being interviewed on the floor by Nicholas DiMeo and Chris Davis, Pranav Kosuri came to the studio.

The device can be paired to a smartphone and programmed to perform just about any task. Including launching applications, playing music and transferring GPS coordinates, the Flic is a versatile device for many uses.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Never Drive Drunk with Floome [Live]

2015-01-10

Driving drunk is never a good idea, as alcohol significantly slows down your reaction times. If you do need to drive after drinking a small amount, it is best to know exactly how affected you are. That is where the Floome breathalyzer comes in.

Floome is a small device, capable of fitting in the palm of your hand. As you breathe into the device, it transfers analysis date to a smartphone to display blood alcohol concentration information. Rather than using Bluetooth to connect to a smartphone, it connects through the headphone jack, giving it the capability to transmit data at a significantly faster rate.

If you are above the legal limit, the app can help you deal with your impairment, including giving information about local taxi services, or it can even create custom "come get me" messages over top of photos.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Corning Shows Gorilla Glass 4 and Fiber Optic Cables [Live]

2015-01-10

Corning is a brand known for their glass-related products. In the past, the face of the company was kitchen equipment, but today things have changed. Today the best-known product out of the company is probably the Gorilla Glass brand. Gorilla Glass is used on most smartphones today, as it is incredibly strong and resilient.

The newest version, Gorilla Glass 4, is even more resilient than previous versions. Smartphone developers can alternately choose to use a 0.4mm thickness while still retaining the protection of Gorilla Glass 3 at 0.55mm thickness.

Another usage of glass in the modern technological world is fiber optic cables, which the company also produces. Creating fiber optic versions of USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt cables, Corning is able to make significantly longer cables than is normally possible without some sort of inline amplifier, ranging up to 50 meters. Those cables are available now starting at $109.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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A Smartphone Case that Supports Camera Lenses [Live]

2015-01-10

For the last few years, we have seen a growing collection of external lenses for smartphones, like the iPhone and Galaxy S lines. The biggest problem with these lenses comes from the issue that they cannot be used at the same time as a case.

Schneider Optics have created a case that solves exactly this problem. The iPro Case is capable of both protecting the phone and attaching external lenses. The best part of this is that Schneider is known for top-quality lenses, meaning that you will get better pictures than with an unnamed lens.

The iPro Lens is available now for the iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5S and Galaxy S4. The iPhone 6 and 6S will be available soon.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Ultrasound Brings a New Way to Interact with Your Phone [Live]

2015-01-10

Touchscreen technology has been around for over 50 years, but it came to the public's attention with products like 3M's Palm Pilot, and the products it spawned. It has become synonymous with mobile technology over the past decade, though it is not always the best way to interact with a device.

The current trend in alternative interfaces is voice, with technologies like Cortana changing the way we interact with phones and soon computers. Elliptic Labs is adding ultrasound gestures to the mix, though. Creating a field around device, the sensor can detect the position and motion of a hand around the device, which can be converted into gestures.

The technology is currently in prototype phase, being pitched to manufacturers. Elliptic Labs hopes to see the technology in products in the next year or two.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Upgrade Your Car to Keep Up with Your Phone [Live]

2015-01-10

Consumers often upgrade their phones biennially, or even more often with modern wireless plans. Cars, however, do not get upgraded as often, meaning that the built-in technology can get out of date. This leads to features of modern phones not being able to be used while connected to older cars.

AAMP of America provides a wide variety of aftermarket automotive technologies. Available at over 4,000 dealers nationwide, their offerings include rearview cameras, parking assistance, Bluetooth remotes and infotainment systems.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Celestron Allows You to Control Your Telescope from Your Phone [Live]

2015-01-10

There is a lot of really interesting stuff going on in the sky. More people are getting interested in seeing farther into space, and Celestron is constantly making that easier. While mobile technology continues improving, Celestron keeps pace with those enhancement.

Scott spoke with Celestron on the floor about the newest features of their telescopes, and the live team also got a chance to see it up close and personal. Including a built-in battery to allow you to use it on the go and the ability to explore a digital representation of the sky and automatically see it in reality, this telescope has a huge collection of cool features.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Slingbox Enhances Its Line with Two New Models [Live]

2015-01-10

While Sling TV may have gotten a lot of press at the show this year, the company most sysonymous with the term "sling" is SlingMedia, makers of the Slingbox. The original technology for physically-shifted television watching. Unlike Aereo, it does require you to maintain your own hardware, but it has kept the company above-board.

The company introduced 2 models to the lineup this year. Starting with the Slingbox M1, this $149 entry-level model allows you to connect directly to Wi-Fi to stream your content. The second model is more advanced; dubbed the Slingbox 500 / SlingTV, this unfortunately confusingly named product adds the ability to browse content information within the Slingbox interface. Both devices are available now.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Secure Your Passwords With Biometrics [Live]

2015-01-10

Maintaining passwords can be a real chore. Some of us have hundreds of accounts to deal with, and some of them change passwords on a regular basis. You could have a piece of software on your computer that maintains your usernames and passwords, but what happens when you're not at that computer? You could sync them to your phone, but that means you have to trust the publisher.

A great alternative is IDKEY, a portable device designed for storing passwords. The company's M-Series offers a small screen, biometric sensor and 16GB of encrypted storage. To unlock the device, simply touch the sensor and the device can pass the info to compatible software. If the device gets lost and is opened up, the device will self destruct, protecting your data.

The IDKEY is availble now for pre-order for $279.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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A Diverse Battery Line in a Crowded Market [Live]

2015-01-10

How does a manufacturer of USB batteries separate themselves in an incredibly crowded market? Powerocks has taken a two-way approach. First, the company has made the batteries stylish with a leather body. This is a nice divergence from the normal shiny black plastic.

In addition, the company offers a line of batteries with unique features. For instance, their Jump Starter unit has emergency features such as an LED signal light, a flashlight, an alarm, a glass-breaker and vehicle jump starter all with a 10 mAh battery.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Kodak Launches a Phone for Baby Boomers

2015-01-10

Polaroid wasn't the only iconic camera brand to show off a smartphone at CES. Kodak also showed off its new IM5 smartphone.

The phone has a bit of a different focus: baby boomers. It is an affordable Android phone that is easy to use and designed to make browsing and sharing photos quick and easy. It features a 13 MP rear camera and 5 MP front camera, and offers between 8 and 32GB of internal storage. It also supports dual SIM cards for international traveling.

Interview by Todd Aune of The Elder Divide for the Tech Podcast Network.

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A 3D Printer Designed for Every Home [Live]

2015-01-10

The possibility of a 3D printer in every home is a reality that might not make sense to all, but it does make sense to the team at New Matter. They have worked hard to produce a 3D printer, the MOD-t, that is affordable enough to be a home accessory. To show off the abilities of their printer, they brought in some printed items to show.

For a 3D printer in the home to be possible, it is important to be able to produce models without any experience. To help with this process, the company offers an online store with pre-made models that can be printed as-is - some for free and others for a fee. All major formats are supported, meaning you can use any designer to make your own models.

The only setback is that it is a single head printer, meaning that only a single color can be printed at a time. Of course, you can change the color mid-run, so there are ways around it. It just means that complex designs either cannot be accomplished, or must be single-color. The MOD-t will be available this summer for $400.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Ventev Shows Off Accessories for Your Mobile Life [Live]

2015-01-10

Ventev manufactures a variety of products to make your mobile experience easier. From battery packs to cables, they brought them all to the studio to show off. Some products, like the USB battery packs and audio cables, are universal, some of their products are targeted at Apple products with Lightning connectors. Battery packs range from $39.99 to $99.99.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Stream UHD Movies and Television with MGO [Live]

2015-01-10

After the 3D craze ended, the UHD trend got under way. Just like 3D, however, its biggest challenge for acceptance is available content. Unlike 3D, however, the ability to film and stream content in 4K is far less expensive and more practical. That means that content for UHD televisions is already starting to show up.

Once such content provider is MGO. From this service, you can rent and stream movies and television shows in UHD. The service is available on a wide variety of platforms, including all major web browsers and many smart TVs and set-top boxes.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Zolt, the World's Smallest Laptop Charger

2015-01-10

Love the idea of being able to charge your laptop on the go, but don't want to be stuck lugging around a big, bulky charger? Zolt is the perfect solution. Roughly the size of a roll of quarters, Zolt is the world's smallest laptop charger. But don't let its size fool you. Zolt packs a punch. Using Smart Charge technology, it can supply you with all the power you need to charge your laptop while simultaneously charging two additional mobile devices via USB. This gadget caught the attention of more than one team. Chris Davis got the inside scoop on this mighty little charger as did Nicholas DiMeo. Zolt will be available in early summer for $99.99, but can be pre-ordered now for $79.99 at www.gozolt.com.

Interview by Chris Davis of Health Tech Weekly for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Building a Large Scale SMART Wireless Network with Boingo [Live]

2015-01-10

Building a large-scale Wi-Fi network isn't the same as making sure your house has good coverage. By that I mean you can't just add repeaters throughout the building to ensure network coverage - you have to have a network capable of handling the capacity that the users will be drawing.

One of the best-known players in this market is Boingo. You will most likely recognize their name from airports and coffee shops, where they have set up lots of high profile networks. Their "SMART" network philosophy incorporates Secure, Multiple devices and models, Analytics, Responsiveness and Tiered services to accomplish this goal.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Merge Your Cards into One with Plastc

2015-01-10

While mobile payments are just getting started in the US, the idea of eliminating all of your cards is definitely an appealing one. Luckily, until the concept of mobile payments becomes more convenient than carrying a physical card, Plastc is here to lighten the burden.

Combining all of your cards into a single, programmable device, Plastc means you can carry only this card and nothing else. On the front is an eInk touchscreen and EMV chip, while on the back is a programmable mag stripe. Once the Plastc knows about your debit, credit or even rewards card, it is capable of replicating the stripe or chip to match, while the display shows the details of the card being cloned.

Plastc is available for preorder at $155, with expected delivery in Summer.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Valeo is Bringing the Driverless Car Closer to Reality [Live]

2015-01-10

We keep hearing that driverless cars are 5-10 years away, but how is the technology that powers these vehicles being developed and, more importantly, by whom? Companies like Valeo are at the forefront of this wave with their innovative man-machine technology.

The company has 3 parts to their tech philosophy: he autonomous car, saving drivers time to do other tasks, and the man-machine interface. While the initial concept might be a little Sci-Fi for most people, Valeo believes that once the technology is in the market, people will enjoy the ability to do other things while transportation happens for them.

As for safety, Valeo VP Guillaume Devauchelle says that automated vehicles are safer than human drivers because they do not become distracted by their immediate or extended surroundings. This leaves the computer free to focus on driving.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Create a Virtual Set with Datavideo [Live]

2015-01-10

If you are a video producer and have tried to build and maintain a physical set like ours, you know that it is neither an easy nor inexpensive feat. Because of that, many producers, both recorded and live, are switching to virtual studios. One of the bigger companies to produce technology to make this easier is Datavideo.

For a single camera input, the company offers the TVS-1000 Virtual Studio, which retails for $5,995 and is aimed at the educational market. For larger scale projects, the HS-2200 Studio in a Box offers 2 HDMI and 6 HD-SDI inputs for $7,000.

If neither of these fit your needs, the company offers a wide variety of alternatives and add-ons for these units as well.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Burg Enhances Their Standalone Smartwatches [Live]

2015-01-10

The Galaxy Gear, LG G Watch and the like might be nice, but they all have one flaw in common: they require a phone to work. But, before the trend of smartwatches even got going, Burg was making smartwatches that required no additional phone to work.

Perfect for events where a phone would get in the way, get broken or stolen, these watches have cellular radios built-in, and require nothing more than an active SIM card to get going. With Burg, you don't even have to sacrifice any capabilities to go completely wireless: music, email, texts and more are all available directly on your wrist.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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XOEye Talks Augmented Reality in the Real World [Live]

2015-01-10

While Google may have recently ended its Google Glass Explorer program, the concept of augmented reality is not gone. On the contrary - with products like Microsoft's HoloLens coming to market soon, it is proof that the industry is just getting started. A big name in the AR wearable world is XOEye, a brand that Avrma Piltch has spoken on The Piltch Point about.

XOEye sees a future for them in the industrial and manufacturing spaces, as opposed to selling directly to consumers. They imagine a world where a floor foreman can view a layout of their warehouse, or a repair technician can see live instructions on fixing an issue, all through AR.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Snail Games Readies New Hardware for Gaming at Home and Mobiole [Live]

2015-01-10

Snail Games is a game company you may not have heard of yet, but that is okay. They were the first 3D online game developer in Chila and have been pioneers in the industry for the past decade. With a team of over 3,000 and recognized as one of the world's top game developers, Snail Games is ready to move outside of China.

With a line of products poised to hit the market, the company prides itself in its global approach. They partner with international companies and continue to win awards. Their free-to-play games, on mobile and their new home console, are and will be hits with markets worldwide.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Dr. Who Takes Over Your Desk with Bluetooth Speakers [Live]

2015-01-10

Portable speakers are everywhere, and many of them look alike: black, white or grey boxes with a grill or mesh on the front. But what if you want your desk to represent you better than that? That's where Massive Audio's unique speakers come in.

Designed to look like the TARDIS or Dalek from the long-running British Sci-Fi show Dr. Who, these speakers will certainly set you apart from the other people at the office. These speakers even include built-in sounds from the show. If you're not really a speaker person, you can also get the designs in headphones.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Marantz Professional Personal Recorder [Live]

2015-01-10

First announced on F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Eric Palonen stopped by the studio again to show off what Marantz has to offer. Sticking with their wheelhouse of journalistic and court recording, they have brought the Marantz PMD-901V personal recorder.

While there are a number of new personal recorders on the market this year, this one stands out in its dedication to its cause. The camera records GPS positions to track the activity, and prevents the wearer from accessing data or removing the memory. This ensures the integrity of the video, which is important for industries like law enforcement or other first responders.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Protect Your Car Tires with FOBO Tire Sensors [Live]

2015-01-10

If you are anything like me, you have trouble making sure your tires are the right pressure. It seems like every time I see my father he is telling me that one of my tires is low. Unfortunately my car does not have tire pressure sensors built-in, so what am I to do?

FOBO Tire is my solution. Simply place the sensors on your tire valves and you can get individual readings from each tire over Bluetooth. It also includes an in-vehicle monitoring system so even if the paired phone is not in the car, you can still get information about your tires.

The unit is available now for $179.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Living In Digital Times Talks Health Products [Live]

2015-01-10

One of the staples of TPN's live coverage is Living In Digital Times, an organization that produces a showcase of technology solving real problems. This year, LIDT is focused on the increased pace of innovation in the health and wellness spaces.

The Digital Health marketplace at CES has grown faster than almost any other, with the exception of maybe the iLounge, but is also the most focused on solving problems that real people have in the real world. As health technology gets better, so does the overall quality of life for all of us.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

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A Connected Hub for Presentations Without the Wires [Live]

2015-01-10

First announced on F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Eric Palonen stopped by the studio again to show off what Denon Professional has to offer. Entering an interesting and useful space, Denon is showing the KUDO, a multi-platform video streaming hub.

You can connect almost any device to this hub, whether it be Miracast, DLNA or AirPlay. This means Windows, Android and even Apple devices can all connect to the hub without any wires or adapters, and mirror their screens to a television or projector. Never again will you fumble for adapters or cables to do your presentation.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic and Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Monoprice Brings New Electronics to Their Catalog [Live]

2015-01-10

Monoprice has been a leader in online retail for years now, offering a selection of house-branded electronics, cables and accessories for prices that seem impossibly low. This year the company is showing off all new products in their lineup that continue the trend of budget friendly.

First up is a multitouch, pressure-sensitive, 22" HD screen, designed to make working in the design industry easier. Competing in the same space as Wacom, this screen is compatible with both Windows and Mac, making it the perfect design accessory.

In addition, the company showed off an HD actin camera with 24-bit color and 30 frames per second record time. It is obviously designed for outdoor and sport usage, but with a mounting twist: it can be mounted back to 270-degrees, giving it a truly unique view.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Element Case Teams-Up with Scheider Optics for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

2015-01-10

They say you take the most pictures with the camera you carry with you. These days you rarely see people lugging around a full size SLR. Why should you? Camera phones are super convenient for the average snap-o-holic and the quality is easily as good as a mid-range dedicated digital camera was a few years ago. Maybe the only drawback is the lack of interchangeable lenses.

Element Case aims to solve that problem by partnering with Schneider Optics to produce iPhone cases especially for the uncontrollable photophile.

The cases will be released for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus later this year. Price point is still undetermined.

To learn more check out our interview with Schneider Optics.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Oomi Makes the Smart Home a Reality [Live]

2015-01-10

The future of a connected home is one where the house is able to manage itself, from lighting to air conditioning. One of the problems with some of the technology out there is that they are designed for technology people, which doesn't necessarily make them easy to use. But not everyone wants to trouble themselves with setup - they just want it to work.

Oomi creates a smarthome product that not only automates the house, but makes setting it up a lot easier. In fact, the process is so easy that it is demonstrated in the video. If you are looking for a way to make your home life easier, then Oomi might be the first step.

Interview by Jamie Davis, The Podmedic for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Ditch the Cord with the 911 Boost Portable Battery

2015-01-10

Why is it that your phone hits 2% about 15 minutes before you know you're going to have access to power? It's almost as if the phone knows that you will be out of touch for a while. You can carry a large battery with you all the time, but that is inconvenient, especially if you don't have a laptop bag with you.

911 Boost offers a solution to this problem: a small backup battery that can clip directly onto your keys. About the size of a keyfob, this battery can recharge your phone without the need for cables or wall outlets, while not weighing you down. It is available now for $24.99.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Wi-Fi Aware Looks to Challenge Beacons in 2015 [Live]

2015-01-10

While Wi-Fi technology is only about 15 years old, this year will mark the 10 BILLIONTH Wi-Fi certified device shipping to market. In our collection in the office we have PCMCIA cards dating back that far which added the wireless capability to laptops that did not yet have it built-in. Who could have predicted that the technology would come so far so quickly?

This year, the standard welcomes a new member: Wi-Fi Aware, which gathers local information and displays it. This is similar to Bluetooth Beacons, which allow you to receive information based on proximity to transmitters. Wi-Fi Aware will have a more global appeal, however, as seemingly all devices support Wi-Fi.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Thermal Imaging for the Masses from Flir One

2015-01-10

You don't have to enlist in the military or fly a police helicopter to make use of infrared thermal imaging. FLIR Systems produces an add-on for iOS and Android devices that will make you see red. Infrared that is.

Thermal imaging has been used by military, law enforcement and the private industrial sector for years, but just 20 years ago a thermal vision camera was as big as toaster and cost more than 10 times as much as they do today.

FLIR Systems is debuting their next gen sensor which will be released later this year. They haven't decided on a price point yet, but the previous generation sold for $249.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Improve Your Time on the Court with the Babolat Play Racket [Live]

2015-01-10

After a brief product demo on the show floor, we invited Babolat Play to bring their connected tennis racket to the studio and give the viewers a more in-depth demonstration. Ranging from $299 to $349, these rackets allow you to track your swing and get help to improve your game.

Connected to a smartphone or tablet, the application is capable of analyzing your swing for power, impact position, type and number of strokes, spin type and a lot more. It even has a 6 hour battery, allowing you to play all day. The best part is that it can be treated like a normal racket, with restringing, etc.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Connecting the Home with Bluetooth [Live]

2015-01-10

Ah, the Internet of Things: the promise of a connected world. But, how many of these connected devices work together? What if you buy a light bulb that is not part of your home system? It's completely useless, except on its own.

What if everything communicated via Bluetooth? Then you could choose what system you wanted to use and wouldn't have to worry about compatibility. That is the future that Oort sees. To get you started, they offer a starter kit for $350, which includes the Bluetooth connected hub, light bulbs, sockets and even a tracker beacon.

Through the smartphone app you can keep track of the status of devices, like whether a light is turned on or whether the garage door is open, and you can change them if needed.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Record Professional Audio on the iPhone Care of Marshall Electronics [Live]

2015-01-10

The quality of video recording might be getting better on smartphones, but the quality of the audio is not. It is unfortunate for small content producers who would like to use a Lumia 1020 and its amazing camera to film an interview, but can't trust that the audio will be usable.

Marshall Electronics, long known for pro audio and video products, is trying to fill in that gap. Announcing a line of iPhone accessories to allow professional gear to plug into the phone, you can now use the above average camera with truly professional sound.

Highlighted is the 4 channel, battery-powered pocket mixer which can connect via USB to a computer or into Apple's camera connector to record audio directly and digitally right onto the phone. The mixer will be available later this year for around $249.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

A Selfie Stick from an Expert in Mounts [Live]

2015-01-10

While the selfie sticks might have seen a lot of time on the show floor this year, they didn't receive the same coverage in the studio. For us, a product has to stand out for it to be featured live, which is why it took a lot of searching to find the iStabilizer selfie stick.

Now, this is not your normal product. Known for their stabilization products, the company thought about usability and comfort while holding the device, as well as ease of access to the controls. Featuring a Bluetooth button at one end, positioned directly under the thumb, this stick is the easiest way to take an Ellen-style selfie.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Time Lapse and Live Stream from the New Brinno [Live]

2015-01-10

Over the years, TPN has used time lapse cameras in the studio to give viewers a different vantage point on the show. No single person could sit and watch a normal speed camera for the 6 days that the studio is setup, but you can watch the insanity unfold in a 15 minute super speed.

One of the best cameras on the market for time lapse videography is Brinno, a company who specializes in this type of camera. This year they debuted a brand new product on the show, the TLC120, and updated and smaller version of their TLC200 Pro model, which is available now. Adding Wi-Fi to the camera allows you to live stream the video directly onto a smartphone, making setup and angling easy. You can even turn the camera directly from the app, so if the angle isn't what you want, it is easy to fix.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Bluetooth Headphones from Sennheiser [Live]

2015-01-10

Sennheiser is one of the most loved names in professional and prosumer audio products. Their headphones are used in studios and on the road, by professionals and consumers alike. This year they show off the Momentum Wireless, a Bluetooth upgrade to their existing Momentum On-Ear headphones.

The headphones offer active noise cancelation, to keep environmental noise at a minimum; a must for a product designed to be on the go. It also has an integrated microphone for use with a phone, as well as improved earcups to make long-term listening more enjoyable.

The headphones are available now for $499.95 in white and black.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Jack Ellis Talks of Test Flights and More [Live]

2015-01-10

One of my all-time favorite people in the world, Jack Ellis serves as the TPN studio director at CES every year. While you may never see him on camera, you can always see his work - he is responsible for everything that you see on the live stream.

This year, we convinced him to leave the controls and sit down with Don and talk. He is a retired pilot and test pilot, having flown all sort of interesting planes over the years. He talks about his experiences with planes that are now on display, but didn't tell us anything about what might not have worked correctly.

Video by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor and Jack Ellis for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Individual Fitness Bluetooth Earbuds from FreeWavz [Live]

2015-01-10

Bluetooth headsets are everywhere at CES, and many of them are nearly identical. FreeWavz sets itself apart in this industry by making the two individual earpieces exactly that: individual. There is no cable or band running between the headsets, which means nothing the get caught or tangled on anything.

These earbuds are designed for the fitness enthusiast, taking a very Jabra approach to holding them in place. In addition to the sound aspect, these earbuds also double as fitness bands, as they can measure heart rate from the ear.

The FreeWavz will be available in summer and can be pre-ordered now for $219 with an MSRP of $249.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Monitor Your Home Security Yourself with iSmartAlarm [Live]

2015-01-10

One of the common problems with technology in a crowded market like home automation is not trying to solve a real problem. iSmartAlarm identified a problem and has attempted to solve it: home security.

With a monitored security system, the monthly fee can be exorbitant. In addition, most alerts that are triggered are false alarms, creating more hassle than benefit. The iSmartAlarm takes a different approach, making an expandable system around the CubeOne, the system's central hub. You can add cameras, motion detectors, magnetic switches and power switches, plus everything is wireless.

Alerts are sent via email, text or push to a smartphone. From there, you can view cameras remotely and call 911 if necessary. The Preferred Package is available now for $199.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

A Bluetooth Headset and Smart Battery Built-In to a Case [Live]

2015-01-10

iPhone battery cases are not an uncommon product category, but when you add in a Bluetooth headset and smart battery management you end up with a truly unique product. The On3 PowerCliq is just such a product. Featuring a 2,700 mAh battery built-in to a protective case for the iPhone, this case is a great start, but there's more.

Adding a Bluetooth 4.0 headset that holsters directly into the case makes this double trouble. Protecting a Bluetooth headset, or even just carrying it, can be a real pain, so having somewhere attached to the phone makes it convenient. When you combine it with the connected app, the case can actually determine when is the best time to charge the battery to protect its longevity.

The PowerCliq was available on Kickstarter for $88 and will be available soon.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Audio and Video Products on a Budget [Live]

2015-01-10

Bringing a variety of products to market, Kinivo has audio products including headsets and speakers, some of which support Bluetooth. All competitively priced, like the Kinivo ZX100 Mini Portable Speaker, which retails for $18.99. Their Bluetooth sports headphones, Kinivo BTH360S retails for $59.99.

In addition to their audio products, they also offer some video support. Included in the lineup is an HDMI switcher which offers 4 inputs and 2 outputs for under $65.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

D-Link's Sci-Fi, Incredibly Advanced Wi-Fi Router [Live]

2015-01-10

As we approach 10 billion Wi-Fi devices, it is more important than ever for our wireless networks to be well-designed and well-built. D-Link announced a new wireless router, the AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi Router.

This product is no amateur device - it means serious business. It is a tri-band router with a huge array of antennas running in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz spectrums. It is capable of taking advantage of all 3 arrays to provide the best possible speed and quality, up to 3.2 Gb/s.

It also uses a technology to focus the antennas in the physical direction in which it is most needed. Therefore, if a group of people is in one room, it can focus the strength of the array to accommodate.

The AC3200 Ultra Wi-Fi Router is available now for around $300.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Kodak: Kickin' Up the Selfie 360 Degrees

2015-01-10

Kodak's new PixPro SP360 brings the world around us right into our pictures and videos. Whether capturing sporting events, extreme adventures, vacations or your nephew's first birthday party, this 360 Degree camera will capture your fun like no other. Weighing about pound, this go anywhere camera offers features such as Full HD 1080p video, 10 MP Pictures, Boost Shooting, Time Lapse Mode and Wi-Fi/NFC Connectivity, among others.

Control the camera wirelessly and view/edit with iOS and Android devices.

There are various mounting kits available for every kind of adventure and prices run from $349 to $399.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
From laptops and Lumia to Surface and Xbox, get it at the Microsoft Store.
Welcome to the Eureka! Factory, where great programs, projects, events and creative spaces and places happen!
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV


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