The Future of Electric Vehicles is Advanced and Luxurious



Faraday FutureComing 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



Griffin TechnologiesGriffin 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



Mercedes-Benz Smart CarMercedes-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



Divergent 3DCars 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



Eli Electric VehiclesNot 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.

Sponsored by:
Declare war on crappy earbuds and treat yourself to a better headphone experience with new Monster headphones.
Blast to the future with the Monster Blaster: the boombox reimagined.
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Expand Your Sound with The Power of the 70’s



Cerwin Vega Mobile 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.

Sponsored by:
Declare war on crappy earbuds and treat yourself to a better headphone experience with new Monster headphones.
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Boost up the Stereo and Enjoy the Original Functionality



KenwoodCars and trucks don’t just get us from point a to point b anymore. Modern vehicles also have really great tech packages included, as well. Car interiors have come a long way too. The look and function of the dashboards and touch screens are a selling feature all of their own. And even though the radios are much improved over models from the past, there are still those who simply love creating their own sound systems to customize their vehicles. That, however, has become more difficult because once you remove the factory amplifier, you loose the functionality that was built into the display, and nobody wants that.

Kenwood now has a solution to this problem. Their new ADS Maestro line allows you to keep the functionality of your great looking dash and upgrade the stereo system both. With Maestro AR, you are able to take that factory signal that is built into the amp and convert it so that you can use their new amp as well as the all of the pre-existing functions in the vehicle’s touch screen.

Don’t let the process scare you. Although this type of installation use to include a lot of very complex wiring, Maestro has simplified it with their T Harness for an easy connection. There is also a phone app that makes setup a breeze. And in typical Kenwood fashion, the specs are tight with 75 watts by 6 rms, 6 channels of amplification and 4 channels of pre-outs that allow you to add additional amps.

They offer all of this at a price that is far below the competition for a system of this level. The amp is $800, the Maestro AR is $129 and the T Harnesses are $40. For more information, check them out on their website.

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

Sponsored by:
Declare war on crappy earbuds and treat yourself to a better headphone experience with new Monster headphones.
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Improving Smart Device Cases with the Best Accessories



OtterBoxPeople absolutely swear by their OtterBox cases, and with good reason. They are the number one selling protective case brand for cell phones because of their durability. They have expanded their line over the years to offer slimmer models and have added colors and fun designs. So what have they come up with this year?

We were delighted to see their newest series, the uniVERSE Case System. This is their take on the modular phone case system and it’s wonderful. On the back of the case, there is a removable accent plate that reveals a cool docking system that allows the addition of various modules. At any given time, you can remove the plate to add cool accessories such as a wallet, battery pack, microphone, additional storage, camera lens and even a card reader. When you have finished with the accessory, you simply remove it and replace the accent plate. It couldn’t be more simple.

This line is currently available for iPhone and will be expanding into other platforms in the future. You can order yours now from Amazon, and check out the accessories.

Interview by Allante Sparks of PLuGHiTz Live Special Events for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
Declare war on crappy earbuds and treat yourself to a better headphone experience with new Monster headphones.
Blast to the future with the Monster Blaster: the boombox reimagined.
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Demand Your Life Stay Rugged on the Go with LifeProof



LifeProofWouldn’t it be great if everything in life was shockproof and waterproof? Well, at least our smartphones can be, with LifeProof.

LifeProof is a name that stands out that over the years we have come to know and respect. Life moves quickly and we all enjoy getting out and experiencing all that is has to offer. We also love to bring our phones along as they have become an extension of us. Especially nowadays, phones have so many great features that help us enjoy our day to day living as well as our extracurricular activities. Worrying about scratching or completely busting our phones while we’re out enjoying our adventures is not fun. Luckily, LifeProof made it their mission to take that stress off of us by putting more emphasis on having their cases match our increasingly rugged lifestyles.

New to their lineup this year for iPhone 7 is the Nude Series. It was created for those people who do not want anything to cover their screen at all. Similar to the windshield of a car in how you have a plate of glass with a nice tight seal across the frame. They offer a clear view of the face of your phone with no obstructions at all. Like their other cases, it is thin and lightweight and comes in two pieces that quickly and easily snap together for a tight fit. The back is also clear so you can show off the phone’s color and the logo.

They still have their flagship line, called the Free Series. This line has models available for multiple phones, including iPhone and Android. It also comes in two pieces that snap together and give all of the piece of mind that we love for our phones. They showed this model off to us on the Google Pixel and noted that they are the only waterproof case available on the market today for this model.

Pricing starts at $79 and you can get some great discounts right now on some of the models in the line by going to Amazon.

Interview by Allante Sparks of PLuGHiTz Live Special Events for the Tech Podcast Network.

Sponsored by:
Declare war on crappy earbuds and treat yourself to a better headphone experience with new Monster headphones.
Blast to the future with the Monster Blaster: the boombox reimagined.
Meet the Microsoft Surface family, the most productive devices on the planet.
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Take Your Car to the Fantastic Future with OverDryve



Rand McNally OverDryveWith many cars today without touch screen dash boards, or review cameras, Rand McNally has created OverDryve, an attachable touch screen that takes your old car to the future. OverDryve is a 7-inch touch screen that carries similar functions to many modern cars. One of the benefits of OverDryve is that it can easily be attached to any car and can be upgraded with many different useful functions. A majority of the operations do not need a Wi-Fi or 4G internet because it can connect with your phone via Bluetooth.

The Bluetooth connection with your phone also allows you to use voice to text to connect quickly and easily send and receive safe text messages. OverDryve can also use the phone to play music, including through Pandora and Spotify, both of which are accessible by the screen. The device can sync your audio and play from your car’s speakers or the OverDryve’s speaker.

The OverDryve screen is not the only product available. In addition, they have optional attachments, like a back-up camera and a tire pressure gauge. The wireless back-up camera attaches to the back of your car and records the drive while it gives a live feed of what is behind you. Rand McNally also has tire pressure gauges that screw onto the tire and can inform the driver if air pressure falls below optimal levels. With Rand McNally OverDryve drivers are able to take advantage of the technology available now and use it to make driving safe for everyone.

The OverDryve Car Tablet is available for $399.99, the Wireless Backup Camera runs $129.99 and Tire Pressure Monitoring System is available for $149.99.

Interview by Allante Sparks of PLuGHiTz Live Special Events for the Tech Podcast Network

Sponsored by:
Declare war on crappy earbuds and treat yourself to a better headphone experience with new Monster headphones.
Blast to the future with the Monster Blaster: the boombox reimagined.
Meet the Microsoft Surface family, the most productive devices on the planet.
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV