Category Archives: CES 2013

Increase Signal Reliability with Indoor Cellphone Repeater

CES 2013, Gadgets, , ,

WiEx LogoThe introduction of LTE technology and high speed data can’t eliminate dead spots within homes or buildings. Both 3G and 4G technology is still reliant upon basic radio transmission, and so there are still situations where the signal from the local cell tower will not be sufficient. The unit can handle a number of phones in a small business warehouse or in homes Wi-Ex has a variety of amplifier systems that can be used in commercial applications in challenging interior layouts, connecting units with coaxial cable.
TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Don Baine, The Gadget Professor.
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Optimized Phones for Assisted Living Seniors

CES 2013, Health, ,

VTECH logoPhones are an essential part of keeping connected with family and friends. As people age and are struggling to stay in their homes or assisted living, this new phone from VTech can help maintain this psychological lifeline.

The phones are hearing aid compliant, and it is possible to boost the volume of a single call for clarity and level. The unit that we examined featured a clear black and white high contrast display, and enabled adult children to attach photos to speed dial numbers. The company also provides a pendant system that directs phone calls to a number that you have assigned. Using DECT technology, it has a range of 600 ft and provides a speakerphone system and speed dial. Incoming calls can also be answered by the device, and features audio caller ID, allowing screening of calls.
TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Don Baine, The Gadget Professor.
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Pinball for Home Rec Room

CES 2013, Home,

Stern logoYou’d think that a professional pinball machine would be out of the budget for home entertainment. The founder of Stern Pinball, who claims sixty five years of experience in the industry, says that is no longer true – their new unit is within reach of many consumer’s budgets. Plus there are themes such as AC/DC, X-Men, Avengers, and Avatar that have approached instant classic status.The same actuators, flippers and electronics used in their commercial business- but the coin collection system has been left out. The machine disassembles easily so it can be carried into a home basement rec room and set up.

Stern is the only manufacturer of arcade quality pinball machines in the world, located near Chicago.

TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Don Baine, The Gadget Professor.
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Solid Mount for iDevices

CES 2013, Mobile, ,

Rockform logoSturdy mounting systems for smartphones and tablets are sometimes hard to come by. If you have a Hummer or similar rugged off-road vehicle, this might be the smartphone mount for you. Integrated anti-slip backing keeps it on track when not installed and locked in to it’s mount.

Their original product was a CNC-machined base for iPhone charging. Since their manufacturing background includes high performance muffler and exhaust systems for motorcycle racing, it was a natural extension of the capabilities of their shop. The newer systems build on this same rugged approach to design, with the Roc-Form continuing the tradition, being milled from a single block of metal.

TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Don Baine, The Gadget Professor.

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New Generation of OLPC: One Laptop Per Child

CES 2013, Computers,

OLPC logo

The One Laptop Per Child Foundation has been pursuing dreams on behalf of millions of children around the world, while keeping pace with the changes in technology and wireless connectivity. This new UI is built around the idea that children’s dreams and hero’s are a good way to group applications and opportunity. The UI is built with full parental controls, with up to three profiles available for age appropriate access to internet assets.

The built in camera is designed for experimentation and applications encourage the child to get out and explore their world with the camera and creativity.

This is the fifth generation of  technology that OLPC has implemented. It is an Android based system, with many apps programmed in Python. The first US based retailer to get the unit will be Walmart, but the price point has not yet been set.  More info at XOLearning.org and Laptop.org

TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Don Baine, The Gadget Professor.
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Wireless Charging for Multiple Smartphones

CES 2013, Mobile,

CES-2013-LIVE-AM-KIRKHJ

Kirk H&J offers an entire range of Inpofi devices and models that enable wireless charging using a proprietary transfer system called “Electric Transfer” to charge devices by placing them on the charging surface.

For the Samsung S3 – you remove the back to install the system.  For the iPhone there are a variety of cases , currently for the iPhone 4 – with the iPhone 5 due in the first quarter of 2013.  Charging times are similar to wired systems, and offer over 90% efficiency. You can mix and match iPhone and Galaxy devices.

The units are available presently at OhmTopia.com , and should soon be found in regular big box stores.

Estimated price points are $50-$70.

TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Don Baine, The Gadget Professor.

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Wearable Body Monitors get Smaller

CES 2013, Health,

bodyMediaLogoBody Media is a lifestyle management company tracking activities and calories – having been in the business since 1999.

Their new multi-sensor technology is patented, and stores data for up to ten days. The unit has accelerometer, galvanic response skin conductivity monitor, skin temperature and heat flow.  It provides Bluetooth download of information through smartphone to log and report your activity online. The report helps you set goals on weightloss, activity, or health goals.

In conjunction with IBM, Body Media is initiating recommendations based on the data to help subscribers become more active. There are commercially oriented applications as well.

TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Don Baine, The Gadget Professor.

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Befrugal.com Coupons with Cash Back

CES 2013, Home,
BeFrugal
BeFrugal

Scott Ertz and I are joined by Jon Lal from Befrugal for the Live TPN CES stream. Befrugal is a company that gives you coupon codes from the website. They debuted a browser add-on that helps you find coupons for a purchase. You also can be part of a cash back program of around 7%.

Available for Chrome, Firefox and an iOS app coming soon. Befrugal is 100% free. (www.befrugal.com)

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Video by Sctott Ertz of F5 Live and Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine

 

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Worth Avenue Group

CES 2013, Mobile,
Worth Avenue Group
Worth Avenue Group

Nick and Jeffrey are joined with Quang Ha about what Worth Avenue Group is all about. They cover theft, vandalism, fire and more. Worth Avenue Group is about unlimited incidents which makes it cheaper than Apple care plus.

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Video by Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live and Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine

Watch me smack an iPhone with Worth Avenue Group

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Nikon D5200 and Accesories

Cameras, CES 2013

wireless adapter Nikon has introduced new adapters the WU–1a and the WU–1b. These adapters allow the camera to connect wirelessly to a smart phone. It’s a small adapter that can be use with the new DSLR and Nikon 1 models. It cannot be used with older cameras because they do not have the correct circuitry. Not only does this adapter allow you to send the pictures from your camera to the phone wirelessly, it also allows you to trigger the camera directly from the phone. For example let’s say you want to take a picture of a group and you want to be in the picture; you can set your camera up, then place yourself in the group, then arrange the group the way you want using what you see in the phone as a guide, knowing that what you see in the phone is what the camera seeing, you can then trigger your shot using the phone.

Nikon’s newest camera is a D5200. It has a 24.1 megapixel sensor. You can take high-speed continuous shots up to five frames per second it has a high ISO sensitivity range of 100 to 6400. This allows you to get good pictures even in a low light situation. The D5200 Includes a stereo microphone and the ability to film in full HD. The LCD screen on the back flips out making the camera easier to use. The D5200 is $895 with full kit and $795 for just the body. The base price for the Nikon 1 S1 is $499 and for the J3 it is $599. You can find more about these cameras in the adapter at the Nikon website.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor.

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