Monthly Archives: January 2011

zBoost Signal Amplifier for Cell Phones

CES 2011, Mobile,

zBoost, made by Wi-Ex, looks very similar to a WiFi router, but instead of broadcasting or repeating WiFi, it boosts a cell signal. At CES they showed off a new model, called the Metro, which was made for urban dwellers. It can boost the signal in an apartment, but no so much that it allows all of your neighbors to jump on it as well.

There is also a multi-band model which covers all wireless providers. Setting one up in your home is as easy as following the simple instructions. zBoost products are available at most big-box electronics stores as well as online from such retailers as Amazon. The Metro retails for $299 and other models prices vary.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central

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Pure Contour Internet WiFi Connected Radio Includes FM, iPhone Dock

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Internet Radio has grown up with this internet connected radio with iPhone and iPad dock from Pure. When you are using the internet radio features to listen to one of the  just over 17,000 internet radio stations available, you can slide in the docking drawer for a smooth appearance. To play from your iPhone or iPod, touch to slide the drawer out.  Pure is just moving into the US market, out of a very successful base in the UK and other regions of the world. In fact, Pure is the biggest digital radio manufacturer (WiFi and LAN) in the world. They also include FM broadcast for local stations.

At CES2011, Pure also launched Flow Songs, which allows you to purchase music direct from your radio- using Shazaam technology.

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Algebra or Mortgage ? A Graphing Calculator Makes Things Clear

CES 2011, Gadgets, , , , ,

It may be  for home work or working up the finance package for a home. And now it’s in full color !

Either way, the Casio Graphing calculator line that has been upgraded and introduced at CES 2011 is a sure winner. Mike Reiners notes that Casio was the innovator of the graphing calculator over 25 years ago. Mike is a full time teacher in Minnesota, and comes up with some novel ideas to challenge his students, using the capabilities of the graphing calculator. The secret to the long battery power of the unit gives you over 140 hours of capacity on 4 AAA batteries.

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Targus Introduces A New Line Of Bags

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Targus, the premier computer bag maker, was at CES 2011 showing off their new line of products. To nobody’s surprise they are going heavy on the tablet cases this year – as PC makers scramble to go heavy on the tablets. They have been producing iPad cases for several months, but they give us a look here at the Samsung Galaxy Tab cases as well. But, beyond cases they also have a stylus, which can be used with any touch device, including those running iOS (we know Steve Jobs LOVES the stylus). They are also now producing a bluetooth keyboard as well.

Availability on these products is immediate and price points are mentioned during the interview.

Interview by Todd Cochran of Geek News Central and Esby Larsen of MrNetCast.com

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Ipad Cover with Keyboard by Zagg

Accessories, CES 2011, ,

The iPad virtual keyboard works great if you are just typing some short notes or an email. However if you are typing a long document, you may prefer a regular keyboard. Unfortunately once you start carrying a regular keyboard you might as well be carrying a computer.

Zagg has a solution, a cover with the keyboard in it. On the back edge of the cover there is a support which you pull up and lean your iPad against it. The support can go into 10 different angles. Allowing you to place the iPad as you like it. The keyboard is right there in front of you in the case.

When you done with your work, remove the iPad, put down the support, lay the ipad on top of the cover face down and close. You are ready to go in less than a minute. The case is made of high-grade tough aluminium, which matches the color of the iPad. The Zaggmate only adds 1/8 of an inch of thickness to the iPad. The ZaggMate with keyboard is $99.00, without the keyboard it is $69.00. So if you are looking for a well made cover with keyboard included you might want to take a look at the Zaggmate

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Toshiba SSD and Standard HDD head to head!

CES 2011, Computers, , ,

There has been vast improvement of SSD drives over the past year, write and read speeds are up considerably. The folks at Toshiba had a demo running that really breaks it down on speed and life time reliability of drives that are being used in a variety of applications that are often not healthy for standard hard drives.

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Siloink Ink Cartridge Refill System

CES 2011, Gadgets, ,

I often discount do it yourself cartridge refill systems, one they are messy and two the ink quality is generally not the great. I was introduced to the Siloink refill system at CES 2011 and was very impressed by the ink quality / print quality and low cost to refill cartridges.

With Cartridge refills at about $5.00 a cartridge it is definitively cheaper than even refilling at your local office supply store. This is a great way to save the number of ink cartridges going into the landfill as well. Please pay attention and make sure when you order on their website that you purchase the refillable cartridges as that makes the most sense for consumers. The only thing that is weird is their implementation for high volume printing as their installation requirements will not work for a home owner.

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Independa Smart Reminders for Forgetful Relatives

CES 2011, Health, ,

Todd talks to Kian Saneii, CEO of Independa, a reminder service aimed at care-givers for elderly people, helping them remember to take their medication and to keep appointments, thus keeping them in their own home that little bit longer. Under the overall brand of Smart Reminders, Independa is launching three products, Smart Calendar, Medication Reminder and Life Stories.

The way it works is that the care-givers use Independa’s portal to setup the reminders for the relative, who is then reminded at the right time. Now the smart bit is that the older person doesn’t need to know anything about computers – the reminder is delivered to them by telephone. And to backup the reminder, the person has to confirm that they’ve taken their medication or else a further call is made to them a little later. Depending on the study, around 24% of medications are simply forgotten to be taken.

Life Stories is a little bit different but great idea. The care-giver places a call through the Independa system to their relative and asks him or her a question, like “How did you meet Mom / Dad?” or “What did you do in World War II?”. The ensuing conversation is recorded and can be passed onto the rest of the family. Brilliant.

Available from now, with a six week trial period. Smart Reminders is $19.95 per month for an annual plan and Life Stories is $19.95 for 20 minutes of recording.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Esby Larsen of MrNetcast.com

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Qmadix iPad Case / Keyboard and Accessory Line

Accessories, CES 2011, , ,

Just before Christmas, Qmadix launched this very neat portfolio case for the Apple iPad that includes a slim bluetooth keyboard. The case doubles as a stand and the keyboard can be removed from the portfolio if it’s not going to be used. Comes in a range of colours, too. Available now from Fry’s for a penny under $130.

Also on the video are Qmadix’s Qi-Wear by iHarmonix, stereo bluetooth sunglasses. Not cheap at $279, but look cool.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central

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Sharp 3D Smartphone

CES 2011, Mobile, , ,

Todd gets his hands on Sharp‘s prototype smartphone with built-in 3D camera. It’s a working device which takes still pictures (video wasn’t confirmed) and no news on a potential release date, but 3D is getting everywhere.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central

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