All posts by Todd Cochrane

OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock at CES

Accessories, CES 2015, Computers, Gadgets, Home

OWC logo (OWC) always turns up at CES with new toys and this year Todd looks on with desire as founder Larry O’Connor shows off the latest accessories from the Mac shop.

First up is a 240 GB SSD with USB3 crammed into a memory stick form factor. Made to match most Apple products with a brushed aluminium finish, it’ll set you back a cool $199. A 480 GB version will be coming soon!

Next is OWC’s which brings five USB 3.0, two Thunderbolt 2, FireWire 800, HDMI, gigabit ethernet and audio in/out ports into a single unit. On order for delivery in February, this will set you back $249 as a CES limited-time special ($299 normally). Very handy if you have legacy FireWire gear that you want to use with newer Apple computers.

Other products mentioned but not shown include SSDs for Mac Pro upgrades, and portable backup drives.

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

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Smart Hearing Aids from Siemens at CES

CES 2015, Health, Mobile, Wireless

Siemens Hearing Test IconAs people get older, one of the more common complaints is of hearing loss. Many of those getting older now have grown up with technology and expect more than brown lumps of plastic which simply won’t do in an Apple-designed world. Today’s hearing aids are small, discreet and smart. Todd hears about the latest products from Thomas Powers of Siemens Hearing Instruments.

Siemens’ latest assistive hearing device is the Binex, which uses signal processing to help people in traditionally difficult listening environments, especially those where there’s a high level of background noise, such as restaurants or trade shows. The aid intelligently reacts to the noise, filtering out the unwanted sound while keeping nearby voices clear.

Worn around the neck, the easyTek streams audio from a Bluetooth-connected device directly into the hearing aid so it’s great for listening to music from a smartphone or tablet. The easyTek can be controlled by the easyTek app for Android and iOS smartphones to discreetly adjust programmes and volume, listen at a preferred level without disturbing others or direct the microphone towards the next person at a restaurant.

Available now, the smart hearing aids cost around $1500-$2000 which includes assessment and fitting.

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

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TPN Picks Awards

Accessories, Auto, Cameras, CES 2015, Computers, Gadgets, Health, Home, Mobile, Toys & Gaming, TVs, Video, Wireless

Each year the TPN team picks 10 companies that our team feels are deserving of a TPN pick. The awards are for what we feel is cool at CES and excites us the most. This years 10 picks are exceptional.

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CES 2015 BeZilch

Accessories, Cameras, CES 2015, Gadgets, Mobile, Wireless

CEA Member and CEO of BeZilch.com sat down with the TPN team at CES 2015 to talk about the new marketplace to buy and sell new or used electronic devices. The genesis of the site is incredibly simple.

beZilch truly, by definition, is the only true secondary marketplace to buy and sell your consumer electronics. Best of all, you choose what matters most; time, convenience or money.

When selling your device on beZilch you have two primary options; Post a classified or browse existing offers on devices like yours. It is up to you. If you want to get top dollar and have time to wait, sell by posting a classified. If you want to sell your device immediately, view offers on your device and sell immediately. Best of all, if you find an offer you want to sell your device to you will get paid immediately!

When buying a device on beZilch you have two primary options here too; View classifieds ads to purchase or post an offer. If you want to buy immediately, choose a classified and purchase. If you have time to wait and want to pay less than fair value, post an offer. Millions of sellers sell their devices to online sites or trade them in at or around 50% fair value. Why? Because of convenience. By posting an offer on beZilch, any buyer now has the power to take advantage of getting devices for less than fair value because they are providing the seller with the convenience of an immediate sell.

beZilch didn’t stop there! You have both buying and selling options available either nationally or locally. Don’t want to transact online and want to meet up with the locals to buy or sell? Go ahead, post your ads locally or search local ads. Don’t worry about the solicitations and unwanted services you get from other “local” sites. beZilch restricts ads to only the consumer electronics you want.

This truly is the most efficient and comprehensive marketplace for buying or selling your smartphones or consumer electronics.

Transactions are secured by PayPal so buyers and sellers are covered. Seller fees are also very low compared to other sites, 4% flat!

The market is new but once the word gets out, everyone using the site will be better off!!!

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CES 2015 FoneBud

Accessories, CES 2015, Gadgets, Mobile, Wireless

The FoneBud team stopped by and it was a pretty amazing device it had four functions. It was a bluetooth remote phone, it had selfie trigger button, proximity sensing to alert you when you got to far from your phone and a flashlight. It will launch in Q1. This looks like a useful product in various applications.

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CES 2015 Brilens LS1280 LED Projector

CES 2015, Entertainment, Gadgets, Home, TVs, Video

The Worlds First Portable Laser Projector.  It features an Osram Laser Lamp with over 50,000 hours life and Texas Instrument DLP display technology, as well as a rich multimedia interface, mobile wireless screen mirroring and passive shutter 3D. It comes with a an external battery pack that can power the projector for two hours as well as run on regular power. The Projector is capable of 3800 lumens and was stunning in the studio. The color clarity was simply incredible. The unit retails for $999 and comes with multiple language support.

The projector has almost no heat due to the LED projection and was tested extensively running for up to a week continuously. It comes with a 2 year warranty.  It has nearly every possible media connection while the projector is capable of 720p the image quality was incredible.

In the coming weeks we will be taking a much deeper look at this projector with a separate review by Geek News Central.

 

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Hearnotes Wirefree Earbuds

Accessories, CES 2015, Gadgets, Mobile, Wireless

HearNotes the first premium WireFree™ earbuds for superior mobile audio Patrick Donohue Founder and CEO sits down with Todd Cochrane and Todd Aune to discuss the upcoming launch of the first ever WireFree earbud. Hearnotes will be delivered with inductive charging to allow their users to completely eliminate the need for recharging cables.

Designed for anyone who listens to music on the go and is frustrated with tangled wires or the limitations of wireless alternatives, HearNotes is a breakthrough solution that vastly surpasses Bluetooth® counterparts. Based on Kleer® wireless technology (and compatible with Bluetooth devices),

“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.”

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