Category Archives: Gadgets

Fauna Audio is putting amazing audio into your glasses @ CES 2021

February 10, 2021Accessories, CES 2021, Entertainment, Gadgetsaudio, ces2021, connected device, eyewear, gadgets, musicPLUGHITZ Live

Fauna Audio Glasses Listening to our favorite songs and movies, and even taking conference calls are all very important aspects of our daily lives. And it seems that we usually need to make sure that we aren’t disturbing coworkers and others around us. Now, we all love a good set of headphones. But, honestly, they can be quite bulky and even impractical in a lot of settings. Earbuds are great. But even they don’t always fit the best and, like headphones, aren’t always perfect in the office, while driving or even taking a walk, because many times you can’t hear what’s going on around you. Luckily Fauna Audio has been working on this very thing. Their new line of smart glasses is an excellent solution, not to mention quite fashionable.

It was a pleasure to have a discussion with Isabel from Fauna Audio this year during our coverage of CES 2021 and learn more about them. And even though the virtual nature of the show this year has made exhibiting some of the products a little more difficult, it was actually a great way for us to get a good look at the smart glasses in action, as she was using them for the interview. This sleek and stylish eyewear features MEMS loud-speakers that are produced by USound. With these speakers located in both temples, they boast technology that concentrates the sound around the ears to reduce audio leakage and are designed to only be heard by the listener. These easy to use glasses pair with your devices via Bluetooth, have a built-in mic and also a digital voice assistant, making them perfect for hands-free calls.

They didn’t stop their design process with only great style and sound, either. They also wanted the best for your eyes. They have included Zeiss DuraVision BlueProtect lenses in their regular line, as well as Carl Zeiss Vision for their line of sunglasses. These lightweight, high quality, and durable lenses are BPA free with more than 99% protection from UVA/UVB rays and offer distortion-free, clear vision. The frames are also designed to allow for the lenses to be easily swapped out with most prescriptions lenses.

Currently being sold in Europe, they are hoping to launch in the U.S. soon. To learn more about their convenient and stylish audio eyewear, make sure to watch the full interview and check out all the specs and designs on their website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Pleco water monitor provides real-time data for real impact @ CES 2021

February 8, 2021CES 2021, Gadgets, Homeces2021, connected device, connected home, gadgets, waterPLUGHITZ Live

Marcelo DeCarmagc, the co-founder of Nudge Systems and the Pleco water monitor, hails from a background of instrumentation and measurement. His partner and co-founder works in the water utility industry. In 2014 they experienced one of the severe droughts common in California. In the process of discussing how difficult it is to get compliance when governments and utilities ask people to conserve water, Nudge Systems was born. The company’s goal is to save and conserve as much water as possible while giving people the tools and information they need to make good conservation decisions.

Nudge Systems believes the gap in the residential market related to water conservation, exists because residents don’t have an intimate relationship with water, and therefore don’t understand exactly what they need to do to make an impact. Their solution, Pleco – named after the common aquarium suckerfish that keeps tanks clean – is based on the premise that people would be more willing to conserve water if they were given more actionable information. Nudge Systems nudges people to take the steps to do what they wanted to do but didn’t previously have the information to inspire them to do it.

Most water conservation systems for homeowners are complex, says DeCarmagc, and require professional installation. The Pleco system consists of three main elements and an app, all of which can be installed and deployed easily, without tools. The sensor is a “water watch” that’s wrapped around the existing water meter and measures water flow into the home. The sensor data transmits the water usage data to the homeowner via a customized radio system. The data appears on the Pleco touch screen display in real-time. The display also acts as a hub connecting to the internet and a companion smartphone app. The entire system can be set up in minutes by the homeowner.

By measuring water flow in real-time, the homeowner can not only see the information, but via an algorithm that recognizes patterns of usage, can actually identify where the water is going – to showers, faucets, toilets, irrigation, or being lost through leaks. By seeing more clearly in real-time where their water goes, Nudge Systems believes that homeowners can and will change the way they relate with and use water in their home.

The device retails for $249. You can learn more about Nudge Systems by visiting their website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Signal Cortex simplifies task management for staff & managers @ CES 2021

February 8, 2021CES 2021, Gadgetsces2021, communications, gadgets, internet, mobilePLUGHITZ Live

Signal Cortex task management Matt Crowley CEO of the start-up, Signal Cortex, is the former CIO for Philadelphia and Cleveland airports. During his time with the airports, he became accustomed to working in complex situations with large traffic flows and heavy background work done by frontline employees – everything from mopping floors to moving chairs around to directing customers. Current systems for managing these tasks, he says, are very complicated. For example, for janitorial staff trying to clean up a spill, they need to carry multiple devices and complete a long questionnaire after completing their task, so management can make proper deployment decisions going forward. It is a messy system with inconsistent results.

Signal Cortex addresses the bulkiness of these challenges through a system they’ve developed that simplifies complex enterprise environments, getting tasks to staff members more easily and results back to management more efficiently, to help them make better logistical decisions. The company’s first product is a simple phone app that can use commodity Bluetooth devices and convert routine tasks that employees need to do into audio-based notifications.

The system automatically dispatches and manages work for individuals, groups, or teams, empowers staff by streamlining data collection, reduces training time and process complexity, and is easy for everyone from staff to management to use.

Originally developed for airports, Signal Cortex pivoted because of COVID-19 and redirected their enterprise solution as a building management tool for building service contractors. Building service contractors typically lose half of their customers each year due to bad data, says Crowley, with either employees not receiving information about their tasks, or failing to report the tasks completed, resulting in dissatisfied customers. Their solution eliminates both those problems.

Ultimately Signal Cortex views itself as both a business and a consumer product as well. The company officially launched publicly at the end of January.

To learn more about Signal Cortex, visit their website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Fluo Labs is shining a neon light on allergy treatment @ CES 2021

February 7, 2021CES 2021, Gadgets, Healthces2021, gadgets, HealthPLUGHITZ Live

Fluo Labs allergy treatment If you suffer from allergies, you know that they can be debilitating. Common items around you can cause you to suddenly struggle to breathe. Some people can’t have pets because of dander, even if they love them. Some people can’t have flowers around because of pollen. There are a variety of treatments, from pills to shots, that help alleviate the symptoms, but generally have side effects that can also affect your daily life. Fortunately, there is a new treatment from Fluo Labs.

The Fluo (which is French for fluorescent or neon) solution does not use pills and shots. Instead, the company uses a form of light therapy to address the common reaction to allergens. It comes in the form of a small electronic device that looks very similar to an electronic thermometer. Rather than going in your ear, however, this goes in your nose. You put it inside of each nostril for a few seconds. The device’s light causes the cells inside of your nose to block the production of histamine, which is the chemical that causes you all of your discomforts.

Traditional medical treatments can cause you to be drowsy or dizzy. These side effects can affect a number of areas of your life, including job and hobby options. This is commonly referred to by allergy suffers as brain fog. Using light therapy, you can alleviate your allergy symptoms without the brain fog. It can also be used by those who cannot use pharmaceutical intervention, like those who are pregnant, medical conditions, or specific careers.

The Fluo handheld device has been fully developed and is now in the final stages of FDA clearance. The company hopes to bring the product to market before the end of 2021. To learn more about the product or sign up for production notifications, head to company’s website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Acconeer’s small radar sensors can create new experiences @ CES 2021

February 6, 2021Accessories, Auto, CES 2021, Gadgets, Homeces2021, gadgets, radar, sensorsPLUGHITZ Live

Acconeer radar sensor Radar-based technology has been around for decades but has seen massive changes. In particular, the size of the sensor arrays has shrunk in ways that are nearly impossible to imagine. Originally, radar sensors required huge dishes mounted on towers or domes around military installations. Today, thanks to Acconeer, these sensors are so small you can barely see one in the video.

This accomplishment by Acconeer is significant for a number of reasons. Of course, the accomplishment of making it small is, in itself, impressive. However, the really cool aspect is what is possible because of the size of the sensors. With large arrays, we were able to detect planes during World War 2. With the small arrays, we can accomplish equally impressive tasks for everyday life.

On the company’s website, they have a number of impressive demos for the technology. One of these demos is passenger detection in vehicles, which is a problem we’ve seen a lot in the past few years. Being able to detect if someone is in a vehicle, particularly children with no adult, could potentially save lives. The presence detection capability could be applied outside of a car, howe3ver, and make home security sensors more accurate, smaller, and more power-efficient.

Another interesting demo scenario surrounds liquids. These small sensors could be used to detect tank levels, in your water heater or even your gas tank. In the latter instance, the idea of a contactless sensor could end the common scenario of not trusting the gas gauge because it varies based on the angle of the car. Not having to rely on floating sensors means that the readings could be more accurate.

There are more examples of where these tiny sensors could be used. If you have an idea and would like to learn more or engage with Acconeer, check out their website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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CL360 is a bright lighting idea for 360 photos and videos @ CES 2021

February 5, 2021Camera, Cameras, CES 2021, Gadgetscameras, ces2021, gadgets, lightPLUGHITZ Live

CL360 Camera Light One of the growing trends in digital photography and videography is 360. There are a lot of ways to take advantage of this medium, but it also produces a number of unique challenges. The biggest issue has been in lighting. You can’t set up a whole big room or yard full of lighting in order to light your photos correctly, so what do you do? The CL360 Camera Light is the solution to this problem.

If you have used a 360 camera, you know that they generally sit on a tripod or monopod. They then produce their 360 photos or videos, editing out the very bottom of the frame, thus eliminating the majority of the mounting hardware. That is exactly where the CL360 Camera Light finds itself – under the camera. It takes its place between the camera and the mounting solution and produces a very bright wash light in all directions. It can be used as an always-on solution for video, or as a flash for still photos.

The idea here, of course, is to make the quality of your projects better. There is nothing worse than a photo or video that is too dark to be seen. It is even worse when the media is being used in a professional or production setting. For example, anyone who has looked to purchase a house has seen a 360 photo of the rooms in the home that are absolutely dreadful. Besides being placed in the wrong positions, which can only be fixed by training, they are also dark. It makes sense since the houses usually have no power, but adding proper lighting can make the experience better. The same holds true when looking at videos in VR that are produced in a darker environment, such as outside at night.

The CL360 Camera Light is currently in final testing and is hoped to be on the market by mid 2021. For more information and to get updates on production, check out the company website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Smart Home Need helps you identify needs and solutions @ CES 2021

February 5, 2021CES 2021, Gadgets, Homeces2021, connected device, connected home, gadgets, smarthomePLUGHITZ Live

Smart Home Need The concept of the smart home is getting pretty popular. A recent study shows that 13% of homes have a smart bulb and 9% of homes have a smart outlet. With acceptance like that, it is no surprise that some concern over the way these devices work together is beginning to creep into the public consciousness. Unless you buy into a multi-brand system, the chances of two brands working together are pretty small. Even Todd Cochrane says that few of the items in his own home are compatible. This is one of the ways in which Smart Home Need is helping consumers on their smart home journeys.

The Smart Home Need system is designed to help you identify your needs by asking questions. Once your needs are identified, it helps you understand what those needs are why any they are important. Not all of these needs are easily solvable via technology, so an assessment is made as to which make sense to apply tech to solve. Then, you have the ability to act with meaningful habits and smart home technology to help address those needs.

Clearly, the intention is to improve your overall well-being without adding additional stress to your life. By designing and implementing a technology solution that can address your needs without adding a large collection of unrelated devices into your life, they can help with that goal. Even with all of these benefits, the service is offered to customers to try without charge. This is because of relationships with manufacturers and donations.

Smart Home Need is available now to the public. To learn more about the service, to learn what products are currently in the system, or to give it a try for free, you can head to the company’s website. Try tier is offered for free. Learn and Flourish tiers are charged yearly.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Biohacking ORB is a new age professional wellness multitool @ CES 2021

February 4, 2021CES 2021, Gadgets, Healthces2021, gadgets, HealthPLUGHITZ Live

Biohacking ORB wellness bed One of the latest trends in medicine is called biohacking. The idea is to use science and technology in order to make the body function better and more efficiently. The ultimate goal is to enable people to control their own journeys in order to achieve their personal wellness outcomes. Because these tools and processes enable people to achieve their goals with fewer time requirements, it has the promise of being more accessible. Biohacking ORB is building these techniques tech technologies into a single, multifunctional device.

The Biohacking ORB is a combination of a number of different processes and technologies into a device that looks a little like Tom’s “chair with a roof” on Parks and Rec, or a tanning bed from the future. But it is way more interesting than either of these items. It combines aromatherapy inhalation therapy, neuroacoustic sound therapy, mandala chakra chromotherapy, and mandala chakra vibroacoustic therapy. Additional techniques that can be added are oxygen therapy, mandala chakra near-infrared, air compression massage, halotherapy (salt therapy), and a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) mattress.

The Biohacking ORB itself is not an inexpensive purchase. But, it is also not intended for home use. Instead, it is intended to be introduced into existing areas, such as in spas or your work wellness center. It can also be used to set up a unique wellness center, dedicated to these devices. The company is currently in talks to create a few of these centers, while also looking to help implement them into corporate campuses.

If you are a spa or wellness center looking to include a touchless option in your facility or looking to reduce operational costs, or are a corporate campus looking to add a unique benefit for your employees, or if you have a new concept, you can learn more and get in contact at the company’s website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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fash\on turns your closet on with a digital closet system @ CES 2021

February 1, 2021CES 2021, Gadgets, Homeces2021, fashion, gadgets, internet, shoppingPLUGHITZ Live

$fash\on digital closet system$ Jong-Hyun Ko is the founder of fash\on, a Korean company that has developed a Digital Closet tool to make fashion clothing shopping fast and efficient. It’s a brand new company debuting its product at CES for the first time.

The fash\on Digital Closet is designed for the customer who wants fast fashion products and regularly updates their wardrobe with the latest styles. fash\on aims to remove the obstacles that currently make both online and off-line clothing shopping slow and tedious, by separating how customers get product information from their purchasing behavior. In the case of clothing shopping, fash\on believes there’s too much information for shoppers, who can spend nearly an hour trying to find just what they’re looking for as they sort through product descriptions. Their smart Digital Closet solution aims to take the guesswork and the extra time out of the clothing shopping experience.

Company surveys show that people wear 10-20 sets of clothing per season, so what they really want, Jong-Hyun believes, is to buy clothes in their style to mix and match what they already have in their closet. Therefore, the best way to get good fashion recommendations and purchase options are to show clothing stores what’s actually in your closet.

fash\on is a digital tool that does just that, making your closet “smart” and channeling your personal styling into a subscription service. With the tag line, “Turn your Closet On”, the device and companion app help you get personalized and fast styling service, allowing you to shop online or off at your favorite retailers. You register your size with your favorite shops, then take photos of your current clothing collection, and add them to the app to find complementary clothing by color or style at your favorite clothing stores quickly and easily.

To learn more, visit the company’s website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Autoslide makes any sliding glass door autonomous @ CES 2021

January 31, 2021CES 2021, Gadgets, Homeces2021, connected home, gadgets, home automation, home improvement, roboticsPLUGHITZ Live

Autoslide autonomous sliding glass door If you have a pet dog and a sliding door, you likely have to stop what you’re doing and go open that door a dozen times a day to let the dog in and out. If you have a multi-level home, it can be even more of an inconvenience, especially now that many of us are working from home. This, and a number of other issues, is what Autoslide is designed to solve.

This system is a retrofit device that makes any sliding door into an autonomous sliding door. Using motion sensors, the door can be set to open when someone comes near it. This could be good for opening when you’re carrying supplies out to the grill or just when you’re entertaining. It could even be used at restaurants and bars to keep air conditioning inside while maintaining the feel of an outside experience. By using NFC tags, it could be great for letting the dog out.

Another great use case for the Autoslide is for people in wheelchairs or walkers. Obviously, the weight and length of a sliding glass door can make it difficult to open or close in this situation. Being able to automate the door, either by motion-sensing or by button, could be a life-changer in one of these homes.

Truly, the aspect that makes this system unique is that it does not require you to replace your door. Instead, it fits onto the existing door and track. This retrofit capability reduces the cost significantly, as you don’t have to have a contractor knock out the existing door and install a new one. It also means that you might be able to install it yourself.

The Autoslide system, in various configurations for motion, NFC, manual button, etc., are all available from the company. To learn more or make a purchase, head over to what the website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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