Category Archives: Photography

Neewer illuminates content creation with lighting and sound @ CES 2024



Neewer lighting and audio equipmentCost-effective lighting and audio equipment are essential for content creation, be it for YouTube streaming, podcasting, or other types of media production. Brandon Wolfe, the director of public relations for Neewer, shares the company’s commitment to offering budget-friendly lighting solutions. These products empower creators to display their skills and creativity to a global audience.

Affordable lighting gear

Neewer offers a range of lighting products that are not only affordable but also powerful enough for content creation. One notable feature of their lights is their full RGB capability, which allows for a wide range of colors and lighting effects. Additionally, these lights have both hot and cold options, providing flexibility for different lighting needs. The lights also come with cold shoe mounts, allowing users to easily snap them together to create a larger lighting setup.

What sets Neewer apart is its innovative approach to lighting. They have designed their lights to be modular, similar to Lego blocks, enabling users to build and customize their lighting grids according to their specific requirements. This flexibility is especially useful in situations where the lighting conditions are challenging or when more powerful lighting is needed.

Furthermore, Neewer has also taken into consideration the convenience of its users. For instance, their small stick lights are not only mountable but also magnetic, allowing them to be easily attached to metal surfaces. This feature makes them ideal for on-the-go situations, as they can be separated and stored in pockets when not in use.

New audio equipment for creators

In addition to lighting gear, Neewer has also ventured into the audio department with their new Lavalier microphones. The dual microphone set offers two mics with standard and magnetic clips, allowing you to attach them to any clothing. They each offer the ability to connect a wired microphone to them, allowing for a more versatile experience.

The receiver can connect to nearly any device in a variety of ways. It can connect to a phone via USB-C or Lightning, or to a camera using the line-out connection. Being able to swap the receiver between devices with ease means being able to use it for different styles and scales of production. You can also monitor the receiver with headphones.

As with other mics in this category, Neewer is working on accessories to allow you to repurpose the mics. For example, other products in the category offer the ability to turn it into a handheld microphone. These products are not yet on the market, but are in development.

These microphones have received positive feedback from reviewers and influencers for their exceptional performance. Despite their high quality, Neewer has managed to keep the price point of these microphones at an affordable $129, which is significantly lower than competing brands in the market.

The affordability of Neewer’s lighting and audio gear is a significant differentiator for the company. While other brands may offer similar products, they often come with a much higher price tag. Neewer aims to eliminate the barrier of entry for creators by providing high-quality gear at an accessible price point. They believe that showcasing one’s talents should not be limited by the size of their wallet.

Conclusion: Neewer helps creators with affordable lighting and audio gear

In conclusion, affordable lighting and audio gear, such as those offered by Neewer, are essential tools for content creators. These products not only provide the necessary illumination and sound quality but also offer flexibility, convenience, and affordability. Neewer’s commitment to offering high-quality gear at accessible prices allows creators to focus on their craft without worrying about breaking the bank. With Neewer’s lighting and audio solutions, creators can confidently showcase their talents and creativity to the world.

The lighting products shown range from $26 to $200 and the CM28 microphone costs $129. To pick up your own Neewer products, head to their website or Amazon store.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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ADAM: The digital asset manager for your post-life planning @ CES 2024



ADAM digital asset managerIn today’s digital age, we have become increasingly reliant on our smartphones and computers to store and preserve our precious memories, important documents, and personal information. However, have you ever stopped to think about what would happen to all of these digital assets if something were to happen to you? This is where ADAM comes in.

ADAM – Securely pass on digital assets

ADAM, which stands for All-Life Digital Asset Manager, is a revolutionary app developed to address the question of what happens to your digital assets when you die. The CEO, Michael Okoye, explains that if something were to happen to you, all of your photos, videos, passwords, and files stored on your phone would be lost forever if you haven’t shared your password with anyone. This is a common dilemma faced by many individuals who prioritize their privacy and don’t want to grant access to their entire digital lives to others.

To solve this problem, ADAM offers a secure way to pass on your digital assets to the individuals you choose, ensuring that they have access to them when you want them to. The company has patented two key features that make this possible: the executor key and the release timer. When you create an ADAM account, you are given a unique 32-digit alphanumeric executor key. This key is then shared with the person you designate as your executor, granting them access to your account.

However, to prevent unauthorized access while you’re still alive, ADAM has implemented the release timer. If someone tries to enter the executor key into the executor portal while you’re still around, you will be notified. That notification acts as a confirmation of life, and if you respond, their access will be denied. Only after your passing and the predetermined release timer duration has elapsed will your executor gain access to everything in your account.

In terms of pricing, ADAM offers a free version with limitations on the amount of data that can be uploaded, as well as advertisements. For users who require more storage and want to remove ads, there are paid options available. The monthly subscription costs $5.95, while the yearly subscription is priced at $49.99. Additionally, the company offers a lifetime subscription for just $299, which seems like a very reasonable and affordable option for those who want to secure their digital assets for the long term.

Sharing only what you think is relevant after you’re gone

One of the key features of ADAM is that it allows you to manually upload specific photos, passwords, files, and other important digital assets that you want your executor to have access to. This ensures that they don’t have to sift through irrelevant or unimportant content, making their job easier when you’re gone. This feature is particularly useful when dealing with large amounts of data, as it allows you to curate and organize the most critical and personal items for your loved ones.

The significance of ADAM extends beyond personal memories and sentimental items. As Okoye points out, there are often important documents, such as insurance policies or legal papers, stored on our devices that would be crucial for our loved ones to access after our passing. ADAM provides a secure and organized platform for storing and sharing these critical documents, ensuring that they are readily available when needed.

Furthermore, ADAM offers the ability to bulk download all the content stored in the account. This means that once your executor gains access, they can easily download all the digital assets to their phone or computer, providing them with a comprehensive backup of your important files and memories.

Secure cloud storage service

One of the main concerns when it comes to storing data in the cloud is security. As users are likely to store their most important documents and memories on the platform, it is crucial to ensure that unauthorized individuals cannot access this sensitive information.

ADAM uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) for encryption and storage. The company and its employees cannot see anything that users upload onto their ADAM account, and they leave the encryption and security to AWS, a reputable and trusted company that deals with big companies. This ensures that the data is stored at rest encrypted, providing an additional layer of security.

Conclusion: Preserving your memory is easy with ADAM

In conclusion, ADAM is a groundbreaking app that addresses the issue of what happens to our digital assets when we die. By securely passing on our photos, videos, passwords, and files to designated individuals, ADAM ensures that our memories and important documents are preserved and accessible to our loved ones. With features like the executor key, release timer, and the ability to curate specific content, ADAM simplifies the process of transferring digital assets and provides peace of mind for the future.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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STM Goods makes traveling in style and security a snap @ CES 2023



STM Goods Simple Travel SuppliesFor the regular traveler, trying to find the right travel supplies can be a priority. Limiting the number of items, and finding the right travel bag is important. Luckily, STM Goods (short for Smarter Than Most) makes a line of bags and accessories for any traveler.

STM Goods’ bags and backpacks

STM makes a line of backpacks and bags for any traveler and outdoorsman. The bags allow you to carry your gear safely and securely while giving you easy access to your stuff. Whether you are backpacking in the great outdoors or fighting your way through the boardroom, STMbags have you covered.

STM Goods Dux bags

We got a close look at the Dux line of backpacks and bags. The backpack line comes in two sizes: 30 liters and 16 liters, so there is an option no matter how much you’re carrying, while the messenger bag comes in 16 liters. For the avid traveler, all three sizes are able to fit under the seat on a plane, or of course overhead, so it is a great travel companion.

Our favorite feature of the bags was the ability to access your gear from several angles. If you’ve got your bag on the ground, you can access all of the contents from the top or back, giving you access to everything in the bag. However, if you’ve got the bag on your back or over your shoulder, you can access the items through smaller zippered openings on the sides.

For example, this is a great feature for photographers and videographers. Imagine holding a digital SLR in one hand, with the strap around your neck. On your back, you’ve got your STM Goods Dux backpack. You want to transition from closeup photos to long-distance photos, so it’s time to swap lenses. Without having to put down the camera or the backpack, you can open the side pouch exposing only the lens you need access to. You can remove the lens, swap them on the camera, and put the first one back in the bag.

The 30-liter backpack is available for $250. The 16-liter backpack is available for $230. The 16-liter messenger bag is available for $250. All three bags are available in 4 color options.

STM Goods’ mobile accessories

In addition to a full lineup of bags, STM Goods also makes mobile accessories to enhance your travel experience. From phone rings and holders to stands and selfie sticks, the product line really has a lot of options.

ChargeTree Go

If you’re deep in the Apple mobile ecosystem, you’ve got a lot of devices to charge while traveling. This can mean bringing 3 chargers, plus probably a power strip to plug them all in. The ChargeTree Go, however, combines all of the normal charge points into a single device.

On the front is a Qi charger for your iPhone. On the side is a pop-out charging surface for an Apple Watch. On the back is a platform for AirPods. Using the one device, you can charge all three. The best part is that you can flatten the device so that it fits easily into your bag without getting damaged. The ChargeTree Go is available now for $120.

MagSafe

The MagSafe line offers a number of products that connect to an iPhone using the magnetic connector on the back of the phone. The MagLoop is a small ring that connects to the phone and gives you an easy way to hold the device, especially on long uses. It can also be flipped down to be used as a stand. It’s more flexible than other phone holders because it is removable without ruining the product. The MagLoop is available in 2 colors for $30.

The MagPod is a magnetic tripod stand that can hold your iPhone in nearly any position. This is because the ball joint on the head, which gives a nearly 180-degree range of motion. The legs on the stand can also be pulled in to turn it into a short selfie stick. The MagPod is available in two colors for $50.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Lalaland.ai: Using AI technology to revolutionize e-commerce @ CES 2022



Lalaland.ai Virtual ModelsOne of the more difficult things about running an online retailer is the images. One of the most difficult industries online is fashion. Every product has to have so many phones, and you can only go into so much detail with the number of models at your disposal. While some industries, such as the automotive industry, have gone nearly entirely computer-generated imagery, fashion has not been able to follow suit. Now, with the work done by Lalaland.ai, that is all changing.

What is Lalaland.ai?

Lalaland.ai is an award-winning fashion tech start-up that uses innovative AI technology to revolutionize e-commerce for retailers and consumers alike. The firm’s virtual fashion models allow brands and retailers to create personalized shopping experiences for their customers, saving time and money in the process. Lalaland.ai is changing the way businesses think about e-commerce, and is quickly becoming a leading authority in the space!

How does Lalaland.ai work?

Lalaland.ai has the ability to create entirely AI-created human models to show off a company’s clothing. The company’s virtual fashion models are powered by innovative AI technology that allows retailers to create personalized shopping experiences for their consumers.

The firm’s virtual models are able to replicate any outfit imaginable, giving businesses a new way to diversify their brands and appeal to a wider range of consumers. They are changing the face of e-commerce and is quickly becoming a top player in the industry.

Why should I use Lalaland.ai?

If you run an online fashion brand, there are a number of reasons why you might engage with the company’s technology. The first is that the time from the initial design of a product until it can be online is greatly reduced. This is because the product doesn’t have to be manufactured before the images can be worked on. The system is able to import the 3D models from the design process and put them right onto the virtual models.

In addition to not having to wait for production to complete, you also don’t have to go through the process of hiring a team. There are no photographers, assistants, or models involved. You also don’t have to secure a photo studio in which to take all of the photos. This makes it both quicker and less expensive to get the images for the website. You also don’t have to worry about licensing the photos, especially if you’re planning to go market internationally.

The real benefit, however, is that you can show a wide range of examples without a large additional cost. You can show off a virtual model of every shape and size wearing the various sizes of clothing. You can even adjust your models to the nation in which they are being displayed. In Japan, you can show a model with a Japanese look, while showing a model with a Russian look in Russia. This can make it more natural for the local population to see how someone like them looks in the clothing.

Summary

The company has been implementing its technology with s number of clients and is looking to expand its reach. To learn more about Lalaland.ai and how it can help your business, head over to their website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Wonder Painter – Tech Podcasts Network Best of CES 2020 Award



Wonder PainterThe Tech Podcasts Network team awards its TPN Best of CES 2020 Award to Wonder Painter.

As a kid, almost everyone imagined themselves as the protagonist in their favorite stories. Heck, most adults do it when they read. However, those picture books never actually feature your face, right? Wonder Painter has created a technology that can directly bring any drawing or photo to life. The technology can allow publishers to use the reader’s drawing or photo as an integral part of their storytelling experience.

Imagine a story about two kids going on an adventure – it’s a fairly standard kids book concept. However, using Wonder Painter’s technology, that story can feature you and your best friend as the kids going on said adventure. During the story, the two of you need a horse to get across a large field. Simply draw your own horse and the drawing comes to life as your transportation. This is nearly every kid’s dream scenario and it is now a possibility.

The company has published a few demo apps to the Apple App Store to show off the basics of what their technology can do. While these demos are a ton of fun, the really important part is the technology. It is available in a platform-agnostic way, making it possible to build for the web, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, macOS, and more. The company licenses this technology to content creators to allow them to make their own products and services more interactive. They are currently working with LG, Baidu, Alibaba, and more to make interactive applications a reality.

If you want to see the technology in action, check out the Wonder Painter apps in the App Store or the company’s website. You can also learn about the SDK, Cloud service, and ask for a private demo of the development tech.

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Specialized AI gives Boson Innovations a clear edge in medical imaging



Boson InnovationsOne of the things that attract us to Collision Conference is the wide range of products and technologies that are exhibited every year. There are so many great new devices and apps that are geared towards entertainment, security, and health. And we love getting a chance to see them all.

For our first interview this year, we were thrilled to learn about some new medical advancements that will help us as patients by first helping our doctors. Traveling to Collision Conference from Mexico, Roberto Montoya, CEO of Boson Innovations, stopped by to show off what his startup, is currently working on. They are seeking to solve problems in the medical industry by adding artificial intelligence to the analysis of medical imaging with their system called SMAIR VISION. This allows doctors to give a more accurate diagnosis, in less time. From the sounds of it, the process could not be easier to integrate into their existing workflow. The doctors will add their normal images, i.e. MRI/X-Ray, to this newly developed platform and with the click of a button, the software will analyze the images by using integrated whole algorithms. The image is then quickly processed and the doctor is given immediate feedback to assist in formulating the diagnosis.

Their platform is still in the early stages, but they have a working prototype that is performing as expected at this time. They are in the process of increasing accuracy and are then planning to add enhancements as testing continues. The product will first be launched in Mexico, where the tests are currently being conducted. They hope to bring it next to the US and Canada, with prospects of eventually being worldwide.

Their mission is to provide doctors with safe and effective medical diagnostic assistance services that encompass multiple types of medical images. A system of this nature will be able to assist in more than 10 different medical specialties, giving doctors and patients, alike, the peace of mind of knowing that they have the proper diagnosis.

Find out more by watching the full interview. For more information and to follow their journey, check out their website.

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SELFLY allows you to take the perfect selfie without a stick



SELFLY camera droneThe biggest trend in technology in the past decade might just be selfies. Encouraged by services like Instagram and Snapchat, and glamorized by celebrities, almost everyone has at least one. The problem is often that the angle of a camera held by the photographer prevents great framing. It’s even worse when there is a group. In fact, even on our team we only have a couple of people who can get a good group selfie. For the rest of us, we now have the SELFLY drone.

This tiny multicopter is actually designed to be part of a phone case, meaning that it is always with you. That means that the drone is always with you when you’re ready to take the perfect selfie or record the perfect video. How does the drone help with that, you might ask. Well, the answer is actually quite simple. Using your phone, you can control the drone like a standard multicopter, allowing you to aim the camera and frame your photo or video exactly as you want.

None of that makes the device a drone, however. The drone capabilities come when you use the copter’s ability to lock onto a target. Once the SELFLY is in the air, it has the ability to choose a person and follow them as they move around. This is a perfect feature for filming a video without a camera person. You can lock the camera onto yourself and move around, having the camera act as your camera person.

One of the best features, and certainly one of the things that set it apart from other drones, is the ability to use gestures. Rather than having to carry your phone to take a photo, you can actually trigger the shutter with a hand movement. That will keep your photos clear of the clutter of your phone.

The SELFLY drone is available now for $99.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Polaroid Mint brings instant photos to the smartphone generation



Polaroid Mint camera and printerPolaroid instant print photos were once so culturally significant that they were referenced in pop music, art, and more. With digital cameras, the instant gratification of seeing a photo immediately was satisfied by the screen on the camera, leaving Polaroid in a difficult position. However, the last few years has returned the desire to hold a physical photograph, and the company that made that easy has focused on bringing that ability to the smartphone generation with a couple of different options in the Mint line.

First is the new Polaroid Mint Instant Digital Camera & Printer, an all-in-one 16-megapixel camera and printer that allows you to instantly print any photo you take. And, unlike most portable photo printers, this device requires no ink or toner. This is accomplished by following in the long Polaroid tradition of including everything into the paper. The special Zink zero ink paper gets inserted into the camera and contains everything needed to produce a printed photo. If you’re a fan of the classic Polaroid look, you can even include the classic white border around the photo, making the print look exactly like a Polaroid photo of old. The Mint camera can print 40 photos per charge.

If using a special camera is not your thing, then you can grab the Polaroid Mint Instant Digital Pocket Printer instead. Just like the Mint camera, the printer uses the specialty Zink paper, meaning you don’t have to maintain ink or toner in the printer. With this device, however, you can use the camera on your Android or iOS device and, using the Polaroid app and Bluetooth, print directly from your phone or tablet. Like the camera, you can include the classic border, making the photos look like a traditional Polaroid photo.

The camera is available for $99 and the printer is available for $129 now.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Canon introduces the EOS R, their first full-frame mirrorless camera



Canon EOS RSince consumers discovered smartphones, the photography industry has changed significantly. The photos that can be taken with a phone camera today are far better than the photos that could be taken with a standalone consumer digital camera 5 years ago. However, there are some things that just can’t be accomplished with a consumer camera, which is where a DSLR camera comes in. And when it comes to DSLRs, no one knows those cameras quite like Canon. The company has been making professional grade photography equipment for decades and has made quite a name for themselves in the market.

While advancements come to professional level cameras every year, they don’t often come at a level so great that it requires a reconsideration of the hardware itself. That is exactly what has happened this year, however, as Canon introduces the EOS R, the company’s first ever full-frame mirrorless camera. Traditionally, DSLR cameras use mirrors to reflect light to project the image onto the sensor, which works well but is not a perfect solution to retain full image quality. By eliminating the mirrors, Canon has taken their already top-of-the-line cameras and made them better.

Because of the major change in technology and setup, Canon has also reconsidered their lens mount. The new setup allows for significantly higher quality lenses to be produced for the cameras, as well as adding capabilities that would not have been possible previously. For example, on display in the booth and featured in the interview, the company showed off one of their news lens arrays, where you could see just how many individual lenses are packed into the array. The good news is, the company also took into consideration that many photographers already have a large collection of Canon lenses for previous EOS cameras and has designed a lens adapter to allow you to continue to use those existing pieces of equipment.

The Canon EOS R is available now in various packages.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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OBSBOT Tail is a small and powerful AI director in your camera bag



OBSBOT TailWhen filming activity, one of the most difficult things to do is keep the people involved people in the frame. As people move around, keeping the camera trained on them is difficult enough, but moving it in a smooth manner is even more difficult. Luckily, OBSBOT is here to help with their Tail smart camera. The Tail is a surprisingly small camera, that has the ability to track people and keep them in the frame, while still packing full 4K video at 60 frames per second. This means that you can mount the camera in an appropriate position and, as the subjects move, so will the camera. Think of Tail as your own personal cinematographer.

This is accomplished with a motorized 3-axis gimbal, meaning that the camera isn’t trying to crop a wider angle based on the position of the subject, which lessens the quality of the video and often creates a jittery pan. Instead, the physical movement of the lens means that you can keep the video quality and still maintain the subjects you’re wanting to feature. That doesn’t mean that there is no zoom capability. In fact, you can tell the Tail to follow a particular aspect of the frame, such as the subject’s feet during a dance demonstration, and the Tail will only focus on the feet.

Interacting with the camera is also really easy. Rather than having to touch the camera itself, possibly shaking the video, you can take full control of it from a distance using your phone. From there you can decide your subjects and your framing, as well as taking over from the AI, holding a steady shot, rather than having the camera in motion.

The OBSBOT Tail is available now on Kickstarter through March 15, 2019, starting at about $489 USD.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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