Tag Archives: mobile

Guardian Trace for Your iOS Device

CES 2012, Mobile, ,

Guardian means security, but a new company called Baytan labs is taking that security into the mobile world with the Guardian Trace for iOS devices. It works with your device’s contacts list and can be set up to send easy alerts if you find yourself in a bad situation. A countdown is begun if you fail to deactivate with your PIN and when it reaches 0 an alert is sent to the contact(s) of your choice via both email and text stating that you have failed to check in from whatever event you enabled, such as a jog or date. The alert will also include your last known location.

The app can also be used on an iPod, which, if you are going for a run, is useful, since that is a common device to carry along. The app also has a simple “Send Panic Alert” button so if a situation unexpectedly arises you can quickly send a message for help. The app is currently free, although that will apparently change later when some premium services will become available. It is currently only available for iOS devices and you can find out more by visiting Baytan Labs.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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Breffo: Spidey’s Mobile Secret

CES 2012, Gadgets, , ,

The “AnyWhere” Mounting System

Breffo returns with a new improved version of the 2011 CES Innovation Award winning “SpiderPodium” mounting system for mobile devices that looks like a nightmare sized spider. In real life, it’s a practical and novel way to attached tablet or smartphone to almost any structure – vertical, horizontal or in between.

With a one year warranty, tested to 100 flex cycles or more, the Breffo offers the flexibility to attach your device to bike handlebars, treadmills, camera tripods, tree branches or anything the spider limbs can wind around.

Interview by Andy McCaskey and Courtney Wallin of SDRNews for the TechPodcast Network.

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Aviiq: Portable Laptop Stand and Accessories

CES 2012, Computers, , , , ,

Light and Compact

A closeup look at just the sort of accessories that a road warrior needs to keep his computing on track and his bag light. Aviiq On The Go presents a group of clever ideas to minimize bulk and weight, yet provide needed capabilities on the road. The folding laptop stand is warranted for three years, and in testing has exceeded 50,000 folding cycles.

The Portable Charging Station reduces the clutter of long cables in the bag, and enables you to maintain the full range of devices while mobile.

Interview by Andy McCaskey and Courtney Wallin of SDRNews for the TechPodcast Network.

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Cobra iRadar detector and smart phone app

CES 2012, Gadgets, ,


Todd talks with Chris from Cobra about their new iRadar App and Radar Detector. The iRadar detector connects to your smartphone (iPhone or Android) via bluetooth so that you get the alerts on your phone. The newest thing is they added the iRadar community to the app which allows you to see alerts from other users of the iRadar app so that you can be aware of those radar traps along your way. (Of course, nobody speeds… right?)

The detectors are available now for around $130 at most retailers or at cobra.com and cobrairadar.com

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Wi-Ex zBoost Signal Boosters for Cell Phones

CES 2012, Home,

zBoost by Wi-Ex logo

zBoost by Wi-Ex is a range of signal extenders that will improve cell and mobile phone coverage in weak areas. Todd and Don discuss zBoost’s latest products from Sharon Cuppett, VP of Wi-Ex (and they get a mention on Wi-Ex’s blog)

Wi-Ex launched two new products at CES, the first being the zBoost 4G-V, a signal booster for 4G frequencies on Verizon, the largest mobile carrier with over 100 million subscribers. A whole 4G product line is under development, including dual- and tri-band boosters. Available in Q2 2012 for around $220.

The second is an in-car booster, the zBoost zForce, which comprises a cradle for the phone and a magnetised antenna for the outside of the vehicle. Powered from the cigarette adaptor, the zForce can boost coverage by about 10x, eliminating dead spots and increasing range in rural areas. Retailing at only $99, it will be available shortly.

(You’ll have to watch the Blue Microphone interview to realise this, but in this video Sharon borrows Don’s phone to demonstrate the zForce and then walks off with the phone at the end of the interview!)

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Don Baine, the Gadget Professor, for the TechPodcast Network.

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Trikke A Fun (Electric) Ride

CES 2012, Home, ,

Trikke If you live in the city or suburbs and are looking for a vehicle that you could ride to work and have fun doing it, then you may want to take a look at the Trikke. As the word indicates the Trikke is a three-wheeled electric vehicle. Because it has three wheels it is very stable and easy to ride. You simply turn the throttle and go. You can lean into the curves and the wheels never leave the ground. It folds up so you can easily fit it in the back of a car or carry it into the office. A Trikke weights between 35 and 48 pounds (with battery) depending on the model, so you are probably not going to want to carry it far. You can plug it into any outlet to recharge it. A battery takes about three hours to fully recharge. On a fully charged battery a Trikke will go from 10 to 24 miles depending on model and weight of the rider. You can reach speeds up to 17 miles per hour.

Trikkes are available in different colors and models and the prices range from $1300 to $2200 depending on the model. If you are a skier a Trikke would be a great way to keep in shape for the skiing season. You use the same muscle and movements on a Trikke that you do for skiing and it is low impact. Easier to ride than a bike and a lot better on the bottom.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central

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Take Control of Your Car with Mavia

CES 2012, Mobile,

Mavia DeviceTodd chats to Madison of Mavizon about their new Mavia automotive product which keeps tabs on your vehicle in more ways than one.

Mavia is a small box (see picture left) that plugs into your vehicle’s ODB-II port – that’s the connector used by technician’s to check on the car when there’s a problem. The Mavia combines readouts from this port with its own internal GPS receiver to provide location and technical information that is sent back to an online hub at www.mymavia.com. Android and iPhone client apps can be downloaded too.

The MyMavia hub will show data on the vehicle such as gas mileage and distance to next service, plus any diagnostic error codes. MyMavia can interpret some of the diagnostic codes and it enables the owner to consult other resources, online or otherwise, to find out more on what’s wrong with the car. MyMavia incorporates location services too, showing where the vehicle is on Google Maps and there are connections to social sites like Foursquare.

The Mavia is in a beta testing phase so pricing is not confirmed but is expected to be around $200. The device will be available from retail outlets later in the year and requires no special fitting; it’s a self-install.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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Mercedes Benz Introduces Mbrace2

CES 2012, Mobile,

Mbrace We talked to Robert at the Mercedes-Benz booth at CES 2012 about Mercedes-Benz’s new Mbrace2 technology. Mbrace2 is Mercedes-Benz’s newest generation of connected car technology. It is fully loaded with Mercedes-Benz apps which are customized versions of popular apps including Google Local Search, Yelp, Morningstar Finance, news and others.

Safety of both the driver and those around them is very important to Mercedes-Benz, so each app is customized for the driving environment. For example on Yelp and Google Local Search data entry is disabled while driving. The driver can only access predetermine search terms such as banks, restaurants, hotel while driving. Moving up and down through choices is done through a knob that sits on the center console of the car. You can call or navigate to a location directly from Mbrace. If you are using the news application while driving it will only show you the headlines and maybe a picture. However there is a one button push to send the full article to an email address.

Everything is controlled through the center panel. All updates will be done through the cloud. As time goes on Mercedes-Benz hopes to integrate more of the GPS technology available in the car with off-board tools that are on phones. Mercedes-Benz hopes to have Mbrace available on all models starting in 2013. There will be a monthly subscription fee but the price has not been determined.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central

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Mercedes Benz Helping You Connect to Your World

CES 2012, Mobile,

Mercedes BenzRight now if you own a SL class from Mercedes-Benz you can access data, make calls and play music on your phone directly thru the mbrace system. However if you have a C class or an GLK series car that option is not available to you.

Mercedes-Benz is currently developing a concept that will allow customers with C class or GLK series owners to be able to integrate their smart phones or iPod Touches directly into their car. Once the device is plugged in the car will take over the info and become the infotainment system. You can then control the smart phone directly from the car, allowing for hands free-calling and access of supported applications on the smart phone through the car interface. All updates will be done through the smart phone so you will always be up to date.

The system they are now developing for the C class and GLK series will allow those customers to get connected at a more reasonable price. They hope to have the system available for C class and GLK series cars by the 3rd quarter of 2013.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central

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The Kit by Livio Radio

CES 2012, Mobile,

Livio Radio

I have a 1998 Nissan Sentra it has an Am-FM radio and a cassette deck, which is how I connect my iPhone to listen to music. It works for that purpose, however I can’t legally make or take calls while I am driving. The car runs great so I am not in the market for a new car, however I would love to be able to make hands free calls in my car. The The Kit by Livio Radio was made for someone like me. It was shown at CES 2012. The Kit will work with any car that has an FM radio and a 12 volt adaptor. The device plugs into the 12 volt adapter and then works with your iPhone or iPod Touch through Bluetooth. With the Kit by Livio Radio you to make hands free calls with the integrated microphone. You can voice dial anyone in your iPhone address book. It also allows you to stream music from your favorite music application including iTunes through the award-winning car Internet application. The Kit is around $119.99 and is available through the Livio website

If you have an older model car and are looking to get connected, the Kit by Livio Radio maybe your answer if you have an iPhone or iPod Touch. It runs around $119.99 and is available through the Livio Raido website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central

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