The Next Gen of FLIR has Amazingly Superior Upgrades

March 4, 2017Cameras, CES 2017PLUGHITZ Live

FLIR Systems FLIR is known for their line of thermal imaging products, including a couple of really cool cameras. The cameras have many practical purposes and are used by contractors and electricians as well as the occasional ghost hunter. The FLIR ONE connects to your smartphone and turns it into a thermal imaging camera. This year at CES, they have announced the next generation of one of their most popular items.

The FLIR ONE Gen 3 has all of the features that you loved about its predecessor with the addition of the ONEFIT Adjustable Connector. This allows you to use the camera even with your rugged phone case. Previously, you would have needed to add a cable or extra connector, or remove the rugged case all together, which isn’t always easy to accomplish. But now you just turn the dial and you can adjust the connector to the exact size that will give you a custom fit for your case. This is extremely helpful on a job site where the rugged cases are required equipment.

The FLIR ONE PRO has four times the thermal resolution, as well as the best of FLIR Vivid IR. It’s perfect for the professional who wants the best possible thermal image quality they can get. Other features include multiple spot meters so the operator can call out the temp in multiple places and images can be uploaded to the FLIR Cloud where there are tools to assist in quickly generating custom reports.

Both of these units will be shipping in the middle of 2017 with prices starting at $199. Explore the options on their website.

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

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It’s Fascinating Tech When Thermal Takes Flight

March 3, 2017Cameras, CES 2017PLUGHITZ Live

FLIR Systems Drones have been captivating us for years. They now come in all shapes and sizes and we just can’t seem to get enough of them. We love flying the consumer models and learning about the large commercial and military grade versions. When video cameras were added they became not only more popular but much more useful, especially for business applications. For companies like realtors and insurance companies, and even for police departments, video equipped drones have made many jobs easier. The folks at FLIR realized that adding thermal imaging into the mix could increase effectiveness in many ways.

These highly cooled cameras that are super sensitive to any thermal radiation and can take regular video to a whole new level. Large scale equipment can be inspected easily to see if either heat or cold is escaping, and they can also be used at night for various search and rescue situations. The FLIR DUO is a compact, lightweight, dual-sensor thermal and visible light imager that is designed for drones. It has the same size and shape as the most popular action cameras for easy adaptation to existing drone accessories. Duo’s features include on-board recording and real-time remote control of camera functions over PWM – plus MSX multi-spectral imaging enhancement. There is also a second model called the FLIR DUO R which comes with a fully radiometric variant and delivers accurate, calibrated temperature measurements in every pixel.

Both models can be operated either separately or on a drone and power up through the USB port. And the mobile app and built in Bluetooth make setup a breeze. They are great units for drone manufacturers to add into their lineups and are also the perfect way for consumers to start playing with thermal imaging on their own drones.

Both versions are available now with prices starting at $999.99 from the FLIR
website. Also, don’t forget to check out some of their other great products on Amazon.

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

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The Battle for Wireless Charging is Over and the Winner is Qi

March 3, 2017CES 2017, Home, WirelessPLUGHITZ Live

Wireless Power Consortium Qi Standard It’s always a pleasure to speak with John at the Wireless Power Consortium booth and see the advancements that Qi wireless technology is making year over year. We’ve been fond of this technology from the very beginning and it’s been great watching it take off right in front of our eyes.

The consortium is proud to say that Qi has now been adopted into the mainstream of technology. It’s available in hotel rooms and lobbies worldwide, as well as fast food restaurants and stadiums. Consumer adoption has been quite impressive with over 60 million new users per year and over 200 million phones in the last 12 months that include wireless charging. There are many new players coming into the market with over 900 registered products for numerous different applications.

One of the most impressive areas of growth has been in the auto industry. The number of cars with wireless technology went from 15 last year to over 60 currently. Most major car companies have included Qi wireless charging as either standard equipment or as an option. This technology in vehicles has almost limitless possibilities. We look forward to the day that we adjust our personal settings in the Qi app and when we enter our vehicle and insert our phone into the charging station, everything gets automatically set to our preferences, such as seat position, lighting, music and so much more. We can also be automatically connected to the most important features on our phones without removing them from the charger through either the car’s steering wheel or via voice command. It’s so exciting to know that this type of synergy exists between our phones and our electronics with bigger and better applications on the horizon.

Check out some of our favorite Qi Wireless products at Amazon.

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

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A Safe, Simple and Inexpensive Smart Home System

March 3, 2017CES 2017, HomePLUGHITZ Live

Merkury Innovations Geeni Smart home systems have taken the country by storm, and every year there are more and more companies entering the arena. It gets to the point that you start to feel that if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. But Geeni by Merkury Innovations made us do a double take for sure.

Their smart home components are much simpler to use and compared to most other systems out there as they do not require hubs and they don’t break the bank. They are the perfect way to enter into this type of technology. You can get started with one or a few of pieces or you can build an entire system for your home. Either way, you access the components via one easy to use app and control everything from your smartphone or even with the Amazon Echo.

The product line starts with single wall plugs that fit into your standard wall outlets that allow you to turn your existing appliances on/off remotely. There are also surge protectors that allow each plug to be controlled independently. All you have to do is plug these in and they will quickly and automatically connect to your home’s Wi-Fi and be available on the app. Next up are the line of smart lights that have all of the energy saving features of current LED bulbs with the added bonus of smart connectivity through the app. The bulbs range in size to easily replace all of the bulbs that you currently use and come in white or fun changeable colors.

Another amazing addition is the line of home security cameras. Color choices are white and grey and come in both 720P or 1080P High Definition models that all record to SD cards. Monitoring is a breeze with the sharp and clear images. You’ll also get alerts to your phone whenever any motion is captured on the cameras. You can access the Geeni app and live stream whatever is happening in the home at any time of the day or night. And you can set the sensitivity to fit the specific needs of your household. The app offers snapshots on a timeline so you can easily choose the scenes that you want to watch without having to sort through hours of footage. Set up is easy as well. You can place cameras anywhere in a room: flat surfaces, the wall, or even the ceiling. Multiple cameras can be added and they will all work together on the same Geeni app.

We’re really excited to see where this company goes from here. The products will begin rolling out at the end of the 1st quarter with some coming in the 2nd. Prices for the light bulbs range from $25 to $35, the plugs range from $25 to $20 and the cameras start at $69.99. To get more information and to purchase, visit their website.

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

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The Future of Electric Vehicles is Advanced and Luxurious

March 3, 2017Auto, CES 2017PLUGHITZ Live

Coming into CES 2017, one of the most anticipated companies on the floor was Faraday Future, the electric car company that had, until the show, not displayed their production model, the FF 91. There was a lot of talk about how important the show was going to be for the company, who had seen executive shake-ups and pauses in production.

All of the questions were put to rest when the company showed off the production model at a press conference before the event. The car’s design is unique and fascinating, but it set itself apart immediately when it raced live at the conference, beating a number of performance-focused cars. Clearly, the car is being compared with its most obvious competitor, Tesla, but the FF 91 seems to sit in a class by itself. While the Tesla models might be comparable to a Toyota, the FF 91 is more like the Lexus, a luxury-focused vehicle.

One of the first things we noticed when we approached the vehicle was the lack of handles, locks and other seemingly traditional car features. All of those physical points of failure have been replaced with more tech-focused security features, such as proximity verification and iris sensors. That seemingly simple attribute is actually a sign of the incredible things to expect from Faraday Future in its own future.

There is currently no firm release date for the vehicle, but with the great collection of features and technology, you might just want to reserve yours now anyway.

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

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Make Your Home More Awesome with Griffin

March 3, 2017CES 2017, HomePLUGHITZ Live

Griffin Technologies Griffin is widely known for their lines of cases, cables, adapters and mounts for Apple and Samsung smart devices. We love their style and the many conveniences that they offer. We also rely upon their quality and look forward to new additions to the product lines. Their latest tech, however, is not so much about them just supporting our smart devices. It’s more about them diving right into the tech itself and in a really interesting way.

Introducing Griffin Home, a new line of smart, app powered appliances that are designed to help simplify and enhance our everyday routines. We can all use a little extra help to make our mornings run a more smoothly, especially those of us with very active families. And we all have our own preferences that so many times do not match the preference of anyone in the house. That’s where Griffin is coming onto the scene. Their new app is designed to not only remember everyone’s specific preferences but also assist in the follow through.

The most impressive piece in the lineup is their Connected Mirror. This item will make a great addition to anybody’s morning. It has a digital display built in and will offer information that can help us get our day started, such as the time and weather. It can easily be customized with the Griffin Home App and also connects to your Wi-Fi network to allow the notifications from your phone to appear in the digital display. You’ll be able to stay connected to the things that you find most important without disrupting your morning routine.

And that’s not all: they have also developed Connected appliances, including a toaster and coffee machine. Using the same phone app, everyone in the home can create a profile to customize their personal toast and coffee preferences. This way, you always get your items cooked exactly the way you like them, without having to worry about who may have changed the settings on the appliances to their favorites. You will also get notifications on your cell phone when your toast and coffee are ready. And in case you were wondering, yes these notifications will also appear on the Connected Mirror. Other additions to the Griffin Home line are the PowerBlock Beacon and the PowerJolt Beacon which remind users to plug in and charge before they run out of power.

The Blocks and Appliances will be available in Q2 with prices ranging from $29.99 to $99.99. The Connected Mirror will run $999.99 and be available in late 2017. Find out more and sign up for launch updates on their website.

You can also check out their line of accessories on Amazon.

Interview by Marissa Schiereck of The New Product Launchpad for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Love the All New Intelligent and Electric Smart Car

March 3, 2017Auto, CES 2017PLUGHITZ Live

Mercedes-Benz Smart Car Mercedes-Benz has been selling the smart car here in the U.S. for some time now, yet our jaws still tend to drop when we encounter one of the little guys out on the road. Their fun and European design has captivated an entire group of energy conscious drivers who love the extremely low gas mileage.

As their popularity grows, so now will their energy efficiency, as later this year a couple of new models will be added to the line. These new intelligent cars have everything you need, and nothing you don’t, in a cute little package. You’ll love the addition of the sensors and software upgrades which offer amenities like radar based recuperation and lane keep assist. And the new connected car services will also be available through their new app. These services include trunk delivery and car sharing with friends, coworkers or neighbors. Charge time is also improved to 7-8 hours via a regular wall outlet or 90 minutes with the optional 3 phase wall box.

The new Coupe and the ForFour will be available this summer with the jazzy convertible coming later in the year. You can get more information at your local Mercedes dealership or by visit the smart website.

Interview by Marissa Schiereck of The New Product Launchpad for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Blocks Make a Huge Breakthrough for Vehicle Production

March 3, 2017Auto, CES 2017PLUGHITZ Live

Divergent 3D Cars have basically been manufactured the same way for more than 100 years. The process is extremely expensive, especially considering that there are multi million dollar facilities that basically manufacturer one type of vehicle. Not to mention the process of how so many different parts are also expensively manufactured and then purchased and shipped from vendors all over the world. Everything in the process is costly and not environmentally friendly. In this day and age, we have so much technology, it doesn’t make sense to still be building cars that same old way. It’s time to bring the car manufacturing process into the 21st century.

A group of technologists, auto engineers and environmentalists got together and not only came to the same conclusion, but figured out an incredible, high tech way to do it. Divergent 3D is the result, and it’s amazing. They developed a process to 3D print great looking and fully functional vehicles.

To begin, the looks and features are designed with software and then fined tuned to verify all industry and safety specs are in compliance. Then the printing process begins, not an entire car from the ground up in a single print, but by printing the building blocks that will later be assembled to form vehicles such as electric cars and motorcycles. The final products are as amazing as the process itself. They presented the Blade Supercar as well as a really hot sports motorcycle at their booth and they are both breath taking.

It is also very impressive how this technique is just downright better for the environment. The cars are greener due to the reduced manufacturing process, lighter and safer due to the materials used, and best of all they can be made locally with smaller and more cost effective teams.

We found these vehicles to be extraordinary and can’t wait to watch their progress as this concept takes off. You can learn more by visiting the company’s website.

Interview by Marissa Schiereck of The New Product Launchpad for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Bringing Back the Community Feel in a Big Way

March 3, 2017Auto, CES 2017PLUGHITZ Live

Not everyone loves the hustle and bustle kind of lifestyle that urban sprawl has created. More and more modern communities are starting to follow suit with places like Brooklyn, Palo Alto and the many gated communities in Florida. The folks at Eli Electric Vehicles are excited about this change in urbanization and have developed a small electric vehicle that they feel aids in bringing people together in a community-like fashion.

The Eli Zero is a wonderful little vehicle that is a combination of a car and a golf cart. This new concept of urban and neighborhood vehicle drives with the comfort and convenience of a car but also the fun of a golf cart. It is street legal under the rules of LSEV (low speed electric vehicle) with a top speed per regulation of 25 miles per hour. It’s perfect for driving short distances. The interior of this two-seater is simple and has been reimagined to remove the items on the dashboard that are not really necessary for this type of driving. There is a steering wheel, a radio and even heating and air conditioning. There is also a trunk that can fit a couple pieces small luggage or one large suitcase. It has two driving modes: Easy Mode will drive just like a golf cart with just one pedal the you press to go and release pressure to stop, and Traditional Mode which drives like a car with the pedal and brake.

Available later in 2017, there will be a model with a range of 40 miles and one with a range of 75 miles. Both have a sleek and modern design that have the look, experience and feel of a modern community that everybody can enjoy. Prices will start at about $10,000. Keep an eye on their production progress on their website.

Interview by Marissa Schiereck of The New Product Launchpad for the Tech Podcast Network.

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Expand Your Sound with The Power of the 70’s

March 3, 2017Auto, CES 2017, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

Cerwin Vega Mobile, the oldest running car audio company in the world right now, has brought back a blast from the past. Their latest creation is a new version of an old woofer that was designed in the early 70’s. It’s sole original purpose was specifically for movie theaters and pro audio. Known as a Stroker, it was exclusively used for the movie Earthquake for a sound process called Sound Surround. It even won an Academy Award.

This sound was as big as you could get and some people had the crazy idea of integrating them into their car stereo systems. This sparked a cult like environment of people who would have SPL (Sound Pressure Level) contests to see how loud they could play. The company stopped production about 20 years ago. Gone but not forgotten, they decided to bring it back and into the 21st century, totally redesigned but based upon that original 1972 version.

Weighing in at 97 pounds, the range is over 170 decibels in a car. It’s made in 15″ and 18″ sizes with prices start at $1,499.99. Get yours at Amazon.

Interview by Marissa Schiereck of The New Product Launchpad for the Tech Podcast Network.

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