Category Archives: Mobile

Captivated by the Invasion with the Head Monster

February 11, 2018CES 2018, Entertainment, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

Monster SuperStar speakers This year’s Monster Takeover was nothing short of a Sound Invasion and we were so excited to be front and center for all of the fun at CES 2018! It kicked off with the press conference that showcased the new and exciting products for this year. Then, during the show itself, getting to see everything in action at the Monster Booth in Central Hall, including the Pure Monster Sound that has been integrated into the Volkswagen R. Also at the booth, we were lucky enough to chat with Peter Miller and then see Iggy Azalea when she stopped by to say Hi to the press and take a brief tour of the booth.

But the definite highlight of the show for us was getting to speak with the Head Monster himself, Noel Lee, before the Monster Concert featuring Joe Perry and Friends. After Noel took a few minutes to address the crowd at the pre-show cocktail party and give a first-hand look at the whole lineup, including the Expanded Blaster Family, he took a few minutes to sit down with us to discuss the new Monster SuperStar Series. With the S200 speaker in hand, Noel discussed the features that makes this line of speakers outstanding. For example, V Sound, which plays from both sides of the speaker to provide an all encompassing sound at any angle, and Monster Talk which allows you to request any song (or genre) from any of the streaming services, or from your own playlist, instantaneously. And we love the aesthetics of the line. They fit in with the Blaster Series just like family, which is exactly how Noel and the entire crew at Monster make us feel.

If you’d like to be a part of the family as well, pick out which SuperStar(s) would best fit into your lifestyle, starting at just $59. Take it from us, you will love the way they sound!!

SuperStar S100
SuperStar S200
SuperStar S300

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.
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Declare war on crappy earbuds and treat yourself to a better headphone experience with new Monster headphones.

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The Bliss of Full Musical Freedom in Working Out with Vinci

February 11, 2018CES 2018, Entertainment, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

Vinci 2.0 headphones Having interviewed Max Wu with Vinci a couple of times already for their 1st generation headphones, we knew it was a must to stop-in and say hello when we saw him in Eureka Park this year at CES 2018. We loved their headphones that debuted last year, which were the first in the world to incorporate standalone voice command. They allow users to take them on the go and pull up their favorite music without having to reach for a cell phone. So we were really excited to see what’s new.

They did not disappoint. This year they are even more geared towards sports and working out with Vinci 2.0 Earbuds. They have added all of the functionality of the headphones into a much smaller form. These earbuds only weigh 80 grams, fit comfortably on the neck and in-ear and offer all of your music without the need to even have your phone on you. So you will be able to go out jogging and be able to listen to your tunes as well as take phone calls without having to lug around that bulky phone, which is great since lots of workout gear don’t have pockets.

Setup is simple and also the only time that you need to use your phone along with them. The app will take you through adding (or changing) your favorite music streaming services and libraries. From there, these 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth earbuds will automatically synch with your phone when they are together, to keep all of your information up-to-date. And don’t worry, it doesn’t only synch up your music, but it also gathers your health stats and adds them to the health centers in you Apple and Android phones.

Classic to Vinci, there is still a screen, but it is much smaller and designed to blend in to the aesthetic. It is definitely a more passive system for power preservation, but you can still customize it to your preferences. The screen makes it easy to check the on/off status, battery life and signal strength. The battery will last for up to 14 hours of continuous play and it comes with a USB docking station that will give a full charge in about 2.5 hours.

The Kickstarter for Vinci 2.0 recently ended and they should start shipping in Feb 2018. Pricing starts at $89 for 8GB and goes up to $249 for the 32GB. Check out all four colors and choose a pair of your own on their website. You can also pick up a pair of the full size headphones on Amazon.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.
Sponsored by:
Support our coverage by shopping Amazon here.
Declare war on crappy earbuds and treat yourself to a better headphone experience with new Monster headphones.

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The Gift of the Universe Right on Your Smartphone

February 10, 2018CES 2018, Gadgets, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

Vaonis Stellina Telescope Vaonis introduces Stellina – a completely new kind of telescope. It is easy to use, portable and delivers the images directly to your smartphone. Their goal is to make astronomy more accessible for everybody. The thought of having to set up a standard telescope properly, looking through a small hole and still not really being able to see what you are looking for is not very appealing. But Stellina changes all of that. Via the connected app, it knows your GPS location when you set it up and it searches out the stars for you. You can also request specific sightings and Stellina will find them for you. For example, a certain nebula or galaxy, or even the International Space Station when it is in your area. Imagine having this kind of telescope during an eclipse. It will find and track the best viewing vantage and you can watch the whole thing right on your phone.

Stellina is compact and lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack and boasts 5 – 10 hours of battery life, depending upon usage. The app is easy to use and, once installed, is easily accessed via the push of a button on the telescope. It not only provides you with amazing images that are easy to save and share on social media, but it will also provide information about what it is that you are viewing.

Whether you are wanting an easy and fun way to keep up with your astronomy hobby, or you are looking to become more active in the astronomical community, Stellina is for you. It will be available in Q3 2018 for $2,999 but you can preorder yours now with a CES special for $2,499 from their website.

Interview by Marissa Schiereck of The New Product Launchpad.
Sponsored by:
Support our coverage by shopping Amazon here.
Declare war on crappy earbuds and treat yourself to a better headphone experience with new Monster headphones.

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Capture The Most Breathtaking Video On Your Next Fishing Adventure

February 9, 2018CES 2018, Gadgets, Mobile, SportPLUGHITZ Live

GoFish Cam Underwater Fishing Camera Take your fishing activities to the next level with the GoFish Cam! This is no ordinary underwater camera, it’s a versatile 1080p HD camera that goes where your fishing goes unlike any other fishing camera. The GoFish Cam simply attaches to any fishing line and captures the underwater experience that you need to see. The camera is made with a strong metal leader line that helps you catch large game fish.

But wait, there’s more. The GoFish Cam has a built-in hotspot that can connect to your phone through the GoFish Cam app. This application has so many possibilities for the sport of fishing that start with a creation of a profile and the activation of your new GoFish Cam. From the app, you can adjust the camera settings and the video quality, view the battery life, and refer back to previous fishing trips that were recorded. From there, you have the ability to edit and share out your footage to your friends!

Pick up your GoFish Cam today for $239.99 by going to the GoFish Cam website.

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Powerful and Stylish Headphones for Outstanding Performance

February 9, 2018CES 2018, Entertainment, Home, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

Klipsch Heritage Headphones Klipsch has been in the audio business for 71 years and their name is well known amongst audiophiles for full bodied sound in their high end sound systems. New this year are the Heritage HP3 Headphones and the Heritage Headphone Amplifier.

The Heritage HP3 Headphones have a sophisticated design, made from the most functional and premium materials available. They feature die-cast steel, milled wood, premium leathers, and machined aluminum components. Boasting a 52mm KG-520 biodynamic driver housed in a back-vented design, the HP3 headphones deliver unsurpassed acoustic performance. Like their other products, these headphones are made to last with single piece, interchangeable parts. So whether you need to replace a piece or you want to switch up the look with additional ear pads or cables, it can be done at any time. You can order a pair from their website for $1,199.

The Heritage Headphone Amp is the perfect accompaniment to the HP3’s. They deliver a premium, audiophile-grade performance to maximize your headphone capabilities for true-to-life acoustic reproduction. Also exquisitely designed, from being encased in formed aluminum to the genuine walnut veneer, the Heritage Headphone Amplifier exudes quality even before being plugging in your headphones. They feature a high quality digital to analog converter, dual amplifiers for balanced output, and more. And the feel is unsurpassed. It brings you back in time with a retro design, but with all of the current tech that makes this a powerhouse of an amplifier. Get yours here for $499.

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You’ll Love the Sound Personalization of These Headphones

February 9, 2018CES 2018, Entertainment, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

BeyerDynamic Headphones New this year for beyerdynamic are the Aventho Wireless Headphones, which can be personalized to each individual via the MIY App. Thanks to Tesla technology, these mobile Bluetooth headphones offer optimum sound by acoustically adapting to the user’s hearing. This is accomplished with integrated sound personalization that delivers perfect sound from any music source. Individual sound profiles are created in the app, where you can easily adjust the sensitivity. Battery life is 30+ hours and there is intuitive handling using the touchpad that is integrated in the right ear cup. There is also a high-quality hands-free microphone built in for phone calls. The app is available for both Android and Apple and the price of the headphones is $449. Get yours here.

Also revealed at CES 2018 is their Tesla, in-ear headset called XELENTO REMOTE. They use highly efficient miniaturized Tesla technology drivers and high-resolution sound for an audiophile lifestyle on the go. With its Universal 3-button remote and mic for most Apple and Android devices, it is also has Ergonomically shaped casings that are coupled with perfectly molded ear tips which are available in 10 sizes. Exclusive materials are used in the design, like silver-plated detachable cable and high-gloss housing. They sit in the ear for maximum comfort to allow for longer play times. Pricing starts at $999 and they can be ordered on Amazon.

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Take Your Notes With You to The Future

February 2, 2018Accessories, CES 2018, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

RocketBook erasable smart notebook Hey students… Let’s face it, buying normal notebooks over and over again for classes can take a toll on your wallet, as well as the environment after the life of the notebook has ended. Good thing Rocketbook has a solution to just that with their newest notebook on the market, the Everlast. The Everlast Notebook has so much to offer with a very small price and endless reusability so you never have to buy another notebook again.

All you need is the Everlast Notebook, any pen from the Pilot Friction line, and the Rocketbook App for iOS and Android. You can then take notes on any page, use the app to scan the notes digitally and now they can go anywhere you want them through email, iMessage, or even store them on a cloud service. When you’re done with a day’s notes and you have synced them to the app, you can then take a moist towel and start all over with countless notes taken on the same notebook.

This book has another special feature. The front of the notebook has seven symbols that you can pair with specific locations in any cloud storage. This mean you can write out a page of Calculus notes, physically check the specified symbol on the note page, i.e. Google, and when you scan the page in the app, the file will automatically be saved to your Google drive in the “Math” folder. What? That’s right. It’s the perfect solution for taking and storing any kind of notes, artwork, doodles or even your little black book… the possibilities are endless. And you don’t have to worry about dropping your notebook in a puddle on the walk home, or the dog eating your notes.

We simply can’t say enough about this ingenious product. Spend less, carry less, save all of your information and stay environmentally friendly to boot! Get your Everlast Notebook today on Amazon for $34.00.

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Vibes Audio is Going Modular in a Really Great Way

February 2, 2018Accessories, CES 2018, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

Vibes Modular smartphone cases Vibes Audio presents ROXON… an all new smartphone case system with modular accessories. This innovative system starts with a BASEROX smartphone case ($24.99), which is the shell of the phone case. It comes in either black or white and currently supports Apple iPhone models 6, 6s, 6 Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy models S7 Edge, S8, and S8 Plus, with Apple iPhone X coming soon.

To elevate your sound, add the VIBROX Sound Engine ($114.99). This lightweight and powerful little Bluetooth speaker, with a built-in microphone, also lets you set up 2-way calling with ease. Other features include a waterproof IPX7 rating, 10-12 hours of playtime, pause/play and song tracking features.

To back up that power, get the VOLTROX Power Bank (49.99) to provide up to 150% more battery life. Snap it on when you need a quick charge, then snap it off to add a different accessory when you’re done. Specs include a stylish thin form factor, 3000 mAH detachable battery pack, spring loaded button for easy removal, battery ON/OFF switch, removable power cord to plug into phone, LED battery level indicator lights and Micro USB charging port.

There’s also a Sticky Mount Adapter for adventures on the go. Mount your Vibes Modular products practically anywhere. Slap it on the side of your cooler, or in the garage, shower, on your tool box, your tacklebox, kayak, paddleboard, surfboard (it’s waterproof). Anywhere you go, it can go with you.

What we love about ROXON is not just the great accessories, but the fact that they, unlike other brands, will remain with you even if you change phones. If you get a different sized phone, all you have to do is update your BASEROX. The speaker, charger, and future snap on accessories, will still fit perfectly. Making this a green solution that grows with you. Finally, sustainable, swappable accessories for smartphones so you can Vibe Anywhere.

And keep your eye out for future add-ons like Qi Wireless charging and Recharging accessories.

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Need to Be More Stable in Your Recording? Use the Steadycam VOLT.

January 30, 2018Cameras, CES 2018, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

Steadicam VOLT Phone Stabilizer Have you ever recorded a video and it came out shaky, either because of wind or just holding the phone too long? Now there is a handheld device that enables you to record on your phone without worrying about being steady and balanced. It’s called the Steadicam VOLT. It can be used on any smartphone including smaller phones like the Moto E or larger phones like iPhone 8 Plus or the Note S8.

The VOLT comes with an engine for stabilizing even the shakiest hand. The counterweights allow for non-powered balance during your recording. You can move about and never worry about your picture being distorted or off-balance. It uses a lithium-ion battery with an 8-hour life and the battery charges fairly quickly.

They are available now at Best Buy, Amazon and wherever Tiffen products are sold. The suggested retail price is $79.95. For more information go to steadicam.com.

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Wander the World with the Fonebud W

January 30, 2018CES 2018, MobileTodd Cochrane

Mobile data charges abroad can be prohibitively expensive and tethering for wifi burns through the phone’s battery. The new Fonebud W wireless hotspot solves this problem for over 80 countries worldwide. Don chats with Dixon about the features of this new device.

Using your home SIM while in a foreign land typically ends with a large bill when you get back, though seasoned travelers will have a pocketful of SIMs for local telcos. Mind you, it’s still a pain making sure that your smartphone is unlocked and forwarding your calls to your new number (unless you have a dual SIM phone). A much better solution would be the upcoming Fonebud W personal WiFi hotspot which works in over 80 countries, particularly in Asia and China. The 10,000 mAh battery will run the Fonebud W for well over a day and can be used to wirelessly charge a smartphone. Yes, it has a wireless charger built-in, though you can still charge with a cable. The small LED screen shows details of connectivity and battery life.

The Fonebud W will be available in Q2 2018 and will cost US$129-$169 including 24 GB data which is valid for a year.

Don Baine is the Gadget Professor and gives lectures at TheGadgetProfessor.com.

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