Category Archives: CES 2015

Nexia Shows Off a Lot of New Connected Devices

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Gadgets, HomePLUGHITZ Live

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)

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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MEElectronics Brings Some Unique Capabilities to Bluetooth

February 20, 2015Accessories, CES 2015, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

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.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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GoldKey Makes Us All Feel Like a Secret Agent

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Mobile, WirelessPLUGHITZ Live

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.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Gadgets, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

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.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Eton Improves Its Line of Emergency Radios

February 20, 2015CES 2015, GadgetsPLUGHITZ Live

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.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Celestron Makes Stargazing Easier and Educational

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Gadgets, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

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.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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The Race to Challenge the Surface is On

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Computers, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

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.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Polaroid Brand to Release a Set of Android Handsets

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Mobile, PhotographyPLUGHITZ Live

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.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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A 3D Projection that Can Scale to Huge Heights

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Entertainment, VideoPLUGHITZ Live

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.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Businessfriend – A Business-Oriented Social Network with a Purpose

February 20, 2015CES 2015, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

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.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.