All posts by geek news

Zolt Brings the Power to CES

Accessories, CES 2015, Video, , ,

Zolt logoHave you ever unpacked your bags only to find that you brought the wrong laptop charger? Are you someone who gets confused about which charger goes with the different devices used by you and your family? Zolt offers a very simple solution to these frustrating problems.

Nick had a chat with Steve Gibson from Zolt about their versatile charger. It has been described as the world’s smallest, lightest, smartest laptop charger and was a CES 2015 Innovation Award Honoree. The Zolt laptop charger can charge up to three devices at the same time.

The charger ships with a proprietary 6 foot cable that matches the color of the charger. It has interchangeable PC tips that match about 90% of the PC’s on the market. In addition to PC laptops, the charger can work with Apple devices, Samsung devices, and all popular Android products. It can also be used to charge a GoPro or Boss portable speaker.

Best of all, the charger has the intelligence to figure out the appropriate amount of watts and volts to go into whatever device it is charging. The charger is small enough to fit in your pocket, weighs 3 ounces, and has retractible prongs.

You can preorder the Zolt laptop charger now for $79.99 (which is a preorder special price). It will ship in early spring of 2015 for a price of $99.99.

Interview by Nick of F5 Live for the TechPodcast Network.

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Vievu Has Portable Wearable Cameras at CES

Cameras, CES 2015, Video, , , , , ,

Vievu logoCameras are everywhere these days, including (in some cases) on the human body. As the demand for accurate reporting and accountability increases, so does the need for light and wearable cameras. That’s where Vievu comes in. The company makes cameras specifically designed to be worn by people or mounted onto cars/equipment.

Scott met with Steve Lovell from Vievu. Steve demonstrated one of his company’s flagship products; a portable, lightweight video cam that can be mounted nearly anywhere. Vievu cameras can be connected to either smartphones (via the Vievu app), laptops or IP networks. These special cameras have been on the market since June of last yearand their price range begins at $349.00. Vievu cameras can capture both audio and video in resolutions ranging from 360 to 1080p. Cameras come with 16gb of internal storage and they can record for about 2.5 hours or stream for about 90 minutes before needing a recharge.

Interview by Scott of F5 Live for the TechPodcast Network.

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Datavideo Delivers for Video Producers

CES 2015

Datavideo

The Datavideo Corporation produces a wide range of gear for the audiovisual professional including all the equipment needed for live production, from cameras to switchers and encoders. The Gadget Professor takes a keen interest and interviews Craig Moffat from Datavideo on its own brand products.

Although Todd at GNC broadcasts out of a real studio, some of the independent producers use virtual sets to make the presenter appear in newsroom or similar. It’s a step beyond the well known “green screen” as the whole environment is reproduced, not just the patch behind the presenter. Datavideo’s TVS-1000 Virtual Studio provides a virtual set for one camera at $5,995 and is aimed at the school and education markets.

For those out-and-about, the portable HS-2200 Studio in a Box might be of more interest. With 2 HDMI and 6 HD-SDI inputs it can handle multiple cameras and additional extras, such DVR storage, can increase the functionality of the unit. Cost is around $7,000. There’s plenty more in the video.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor. There’s some comedy gold in the background from 7’40” onwards…I think it might be Todd’s mother…

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New Matter MOD-t 3D Printer

CES 2015

New Matter logoPersonally I’m not convinced by the vision of a 3D printer in every home though I’m constantly reminded of IBM’s Thomas Watson and his alleged statement regarding the need for only five computers in the world. New Matter don’t have my doubts and are working hard to produce an affordable 3D printer for the home. Steve Schell brings in some printed objects for Don to admire.

New Matter are building an ecosystem around their new 3D printer, the MOD-t, to make life as easier as possible for owners. No experience of 3D modelling is required, with pre-made models in their online store. Some are free of charge, others cost a fee; it’s up to the designer. All the major 3D model formats are supported so keen owners can create their own designs if desired. It’s a single head printer so only one colour of plastic polymer can be used at a time, though the material can be changed during a print run. If I’m wrong and you want one in your home, the New Matter’s MOD-t 3D printer will be available in the summer for less than $400.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor.

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HearNotes are Wireless Earbuds at CES

CES 2015, Gadgets, Wireless, , , , ,

HearNotes“Audiophile,” “wireless” and “earbuds” you often see together. There are a couple of reasons for this but the main one is that Bluetooth isn’t really very good for music streaming, even with modern codecs like AptX. HearNotes believes they have solved this problem. Patrick Donohue explains what HearNotes can offer to audiophiles.

HearNotes wirefree earbuds are special for three reasons. First the earbuds are genuinely wireless with no wires even between the earbuds. Second the earbuds charge wirelessly in a matching case – there’s no plugging in to charge up – giving about 4 hours of listening between charges. Finally the wireless transmission uses a high quality wireless audio technology called Kleer. And of course, HearNotes uses top notch audio components in its design.

A small transmitter plugs into the 3.5mm audio port to support the Kleer technology so the HearNotes can be used in most situations, with most devices. This is undoubtedly a benefit but the audio output from most DACs in portable equipment leaves a great deal to be desired.

The HearNotes will be available in Q1 for a fairly pricey $349 from retailers nationwide.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Todd Aune of The Elder Divide for the TechPodcast Network.
Disclosure – HearNotes is currently an advertiser at Geek News Central.

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More Flic Coverage at CES

CES 2015, Video, , , ,

Flic logoConfiguration, customization and wireless connectivity were big topics at CES 2015. One product that combines all of these features is Flic, a programmable Bluetooth button.

Chris talked to Pranav Kasari fromFlic. Pranav explained that Flic is a configurable button that can be set up thru the Flic smartphone app. For example, a user could press a Flic button once to advance a Spotify playlist. Flic buttons can be programmed for up to three button presses, so each button can perform up to three tasks.

Flic is only available via the company’s ongoing Indiegogo campaign. Pricing starts at $30 for one Flic button.

Interview by Chris Davis from Tech PodCast Network.

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Plastc Is One Card to Rule Them All at CES

CES 2015, Gadgets, Video, , ,

Plastc CardWe’re all burdened by many of these plastic rectangles otherwise known as credit, debit, bank, membership and loyalty cards are high up the agenda. Many of these cards are infrequently used but you don’t want to leave them behind “just in case”. Plastc looks to replace all those cards with just one. Todd finds out more about his new flexible friend from Ryan.

The Plastc card incorporates a programmable magnetic strip, EMV chip and an eInk touch-screen display. The stripe and the chip make the Plastc very flexible and future-proofed for “Chip’n’PIN” which is widespread in Europe and soon to come to the U.S. The eInk touch-screen selects and displays the card currently being cloned. The screen can also show barcodes for laser-scanned loyalty cards.

The Plastc card works with an app for iOS and Android to upload the details of the card via bluetooth and there are several security systems in place to ensure that the Plastc card is unusable if lost. The Plastc card is currently on pre-order for $155 with delivery expected in summer 2015.

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

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Boingo Builds SMART Wireless Networks at CES

CES 2015, Mobile, Video, Wireless, , ,

boingo logoMany of us will be familiar with Boingo from their public wifi hotspots in airports and coffee houses, though the company provides many more radio-based services to an array of clients and venues. Marlo learns more about Boingo Wireless and their plans from Dr. Derek Peterson, the company’s CTO.

When building large-scale wireless networks, it’s not simply a case of putting up more and more antennas. Boingo considers each implementation as a “SMART” network, their acronym for Secure, Multiple devices and models, Analytics, Responsiveness and Tiered services. With these aspects in mind, the appropriate design, technologies and policies can be put into action.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch. Note that Marlo’s audio is missing for the first few questions.

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Kodak Makes the 360-Degree Selfie happen at CES

Cameras, CES 2015, Video, , ,

Kodak logoWe humans have been capturing the events of our lives thru the camera lens for nearly two centuries. But there’s always been one problem: How can we record the action around us and still be photographed as part of that action? The folks at JK Imaging may have a solution. Marlo met with Paul Meyhoefer, Vice President of JK Imaging, as Paul demoed the new Kodak PixPro SP360 camera.

The SP360 gives away its big selling point in the name, as the camera records a 360-degree view around itself. No more will it be necessary for a camera operator to look thru a viewfinder and thus, be left out of the action.

The PixPro SP360 works with both Android and iOS, and the photos/videos captured by SP360 can also be exported to a computer for more complex editing. There’s also a range of mounting kits for the SP360 so the camera can be used in rugged outdoor environments or even underwater.

Interview by Marlo Anderson from The Tech Ranch.

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Ford Sync Version 3 comes to CES

Auto, CES 2015, , , , ,

Ford LogoIn times past, cars had heaters and radios. if you were lucky, maybe a cassette player. Getting directions involved winding down the window and asking a passerby. Today’s vehicles have zoned environmental controls, multi-source AV, GPS with maps and drive train telemetry to three decimal places. All this is fantastic but while you’re figuring out the way to San Jose, you may lose sight of the road.

Ford wants its drivers and passengers to have a great journey but to get to their destination safely, and in an unprecedented move, Ford invited customers to their advanced car simulator in Dearborn to help design the next version of their infotainment system. With over 20,000 pieces of feedback, Ford developed SYNC 3 with safety and ease of use front and center. Big touchpoints keep hands on the steering wheel longer and voice commands now produce what the driver wants rather than purely what is said.

Todd chats with Gary from Ford about the company’s approach to the latest iteration of Ford SYNC, which will be available on 2016 model cars.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network

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