Push Your Interactive Abilities to the Limit with Hello

February 6, 2017Cameras, CES 2017, VideoPLUGHITZ Live

Solaborate Hello As technology grows, we are expecting bigger, better, and greater ways to communicate. Solaborate will meet all of your expectations and more with their new high end device, Hello. You can easily transform any television set into a video conference center, wireless sharing device, live broadcast hub, and home security surveillance.

Solaborate made a convenient cross platform application that allows you to push voice calls, video calls, text messages, live broadcasts, or any other compatible streaming content to your TV by just a swipe on your phone or tablet. If you would prefer to start Hello hands-free you’re in luck because it is installed with Alexa integration and is working with the community to provide options of your platform preference.

Purchase your Hello today for a limited offer of $189 from Indiegogo and get lifetime support. When Solaborate goes live, Hello will retail for $249.

Interview by Daniele Mendez 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.
Meet the Microsoft Surface family, the most productive devices on the planet.
Follow TPN on Twitter: Techpodcasts; Facebook: TPNTV; Google+: TPNTV

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Kids Get Strong Tech and Coding Start with Plezmo

February 6, 2017CES 2017, Gadgets, Toys & GamingPLUGHITZ Live

Plezmo Kids love finding new interactive toys, especially when they are combined with an app. When these new toys allow them to take their creativity to the next level and even jumpstart them into the world of STEM without them even realizing it, you know you have found something very special. Plezmo is a platform of building blocks that are full of electronics and logic, designed for kids ages 9 and up. The kids are able to design their own creations and even build onto existing toys while including technology and coding in the mix.

These building blocks provide so many amazing project opportunities in areas such as art, music, science, robotics, and more. Kids can create an alarm system for a dollhouse, invent their own games, build wearable tech, and so much more. They are compatible with existing toys and building sets, or can be used with standalone accessories. Plezmo elements work with LEGO Mindstorms, LEGO Wedo, Sphero and more all in one program!

Each element is wirelessly programmable, using an app on your tablet, with a very easy to use drag and drop Visual Programming interface which allows both simple and more complex logic to be programmed. The app even has a built in simulator that allows the programmer to test the various programs right on the screen for completeness and accuracy prior to using the elements themselves.

There are currently 11 different sensors and actuators available, along with 6 separate accessories with more currently in development. They are currently on Kickstarter with a few different kits available starting at $109. Check out their Kickstarter campaign for more details.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Brushies is the Perfect Device for Your Kid’s Dental Health

February 6, 2017CES 2017, Gadgets, HealthPLUGHITZ Live

No matter how hard we try, it’s next to impossible to get your kids to brush their teeth for the proper amount of time, if at all. The folks at Brushies found a totally cool solution to this little dilemma.

Brushies is a little adapter that is attached to any toothbrush so that your kids can still use their favorite brand and characters. It has bluetooth, an accelerometer and a gyroscope built inside that interacts with an app on your tablet or phone with built in games aimed at not only teaching your kids the proper way to brush their teeth, but also have fun in process. You can start off with very simple activities with your kids to get them use to brushing and become more advanced as they grow into playing games such as races, blowing up balloons and more. They get rewarded in the app with things like gems with the goal of increasing the numbers and ultimately their streak of days in a row of proper brushing. There are even games that can be played along with friends to add a level of fun and competition to the mix. There is a separate app for the parents that provide progress reports and even notifications to let you know when they have have brushed their teeth. These results can be then shared with your dentist who can see their progress and set up a rewards program there in the office for added pride and incentive.

The company is continually updating the apps with improved and new content to assist parents and keep the kids engaged. And as the company continues to grow, they are hoping to partner with the American Dental Association to provide real-world data to them for research purposes and future guidelines.

The starting price point is $30 from their online store and that includes the app and the games that are currently available. More games and rewards will also be available soon.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad for the Tech Podcast Network.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

A New Soundbar with Beautiful, Crisp Sound

February 6, 2017CES 2017, Entertainment, HomePLUGHITZ Live

ZVOX Audio It seems every time you turn around nowadays, there are new TV’s and new sound bars being unveiled. Each boasting of the newest features and cutting edge technology. So when we tell you that we ran across another new sound bar at CES this year you’ll probably think, “No big deal, right?” Well, in this case you’d be wrong. ZVOX Audio came up with a solution for millions of viewers who have a hard time differentiating the dialog from the rest of the soundtrack in their shows.

In speaking with CEO Tom Hannah, we discovered that there is an epidemic in this country of people who can’t understand what is being said on tv. This is due to a few factors. First, sound mixing technology has changed with the emphasis being on drama, not voice quality. Second, television sets keep slimming down leaving no room for good speakers. Third, there are 95 million baby boomers in this country who listened to their fair share of loud music at concerts and through headphones.

The ZVOX AccuVoice speaker has hearing aid technology built in, making it much easier to understand what’s being said. Even at low volumes, the technology brings the voices forward without affecting the rest of the soundtrack. Customer reviews include high ratings and kudos for meeting expectations in sound quality.

The AccuVoice speaker is currently available for $249 from ZVOX and Best Buy.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

The Captivation of Creativity, Now on the Go

February 5, 2017CES 2017, Computers, Entertainment, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

Wacom Looking for a versatile and powerful tablet that is dedicated to your artwork and all that entails? Look no further. Wacom has topped themselves again with the new MobileStudio Pro.

This new tablets launched in October 2016 and allow an artist to take their studio with them everywhere they go. Limitations you ask? There are none. It allows you to host all of your creative software applications on it. It comes with the new Pro Pen 2, which is four times more sensitive than the previous pen. This makes all of your pen strokes super sensitive and super accurate. With this new tablet, you are able to do everything that you can do with pen and paper and so much more, making this an artist’s dream. If you are an artist who has been thinking about making the switch to digital, do yourself a favor and check out this amazing tablet.

The MobileStudio Pro comes in a variety of configurations in both a 13 and 16 inch model so you can customize it to fit your exact needs. Speed is not an issue as you can choose between an i5 and an i7 processor. And you’ll love the new etched glass and optical bonding process that reduces the lag significantly.

Various configurations are available from Wacom direct or Amazon, with pricing starting at $1,499.95.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Handwritten to Digital Note Taking is The Bomb

February 5, 2017CES 2017, Computers, GadgetsPLUGHITZ Live

Wacom Wacom is well known in the industry for their creative line of computer and tablet products that are designed to facilitate the imagination and creativity of artists all over the world. From drawing, design, editing, idea capturing and art education, Wacom perfectly combines technology with performance while maintaining an artist and user friendly platform for ideas to come to life.

Having a few artists on our team, we really enjoyed meeting up with them at CES 2017 to take a look at their new products for this year. Among the items being revealed are the Bamboo Smartpads. This line is designed for a different type of user than they typically target as the purpose is for note taking. Whether it be a college student or the professional in an office who regularly takes notes, the Bamboo line allows for handwritten notes to automatically be converted to text on a computer, tablet or phone.

There are a few different sizes/styles from the Spark to the Slate to the Folio, depending upon your exact need. Notes are taken on it traditionally with a pen and paper. You can use any type of paper, although they will initially ship with a Wacom Notebook to start. The units store up to 100 pages of data onboard to later be automatically converted to digital text which can then be edited, saved, emailed and printed. The handwriting converter is amazingly precise and also work with several languages.

Even though this line was intended for the knowledge notetaker in mind, the artist in us all can still come out and we can have our doodles and sketches converted to digital as well.

The Spark and Slate are available now and the Folio is coming soon, with prices ranging from $129 to $199.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Make Remarkable Music and Own Your Sound with Synthstrom

February 5, 2017CES 2017, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

It’s fun to make your own electronic music but having to be tied to a computer all day and night for work and play gets exhausting and frustrating. Here’s a great alternative: Synthstrom Deluge, the entirely portable workstation that is everything you need to make incredible music anywhere the mood strikes you.

We had the best time hanging out with Ian with this year at CES 2017. Ian is part of Synthstrom Audible, which is a boutique electronics manufacturer in New Zealand. They began their journey 3 years ago to create the ultimate portable music making machine that encompasses a synthesizer, sequencer and sampler. Their first production included about 15 initial units that they sold to friends and local musicians so that they could get feedback and an understanding of how it was working for them, what they liked and didn’t.

This lead the way to the current model, the Deluge, which will be rolling out in March of 2017. This unit boasts of versatility, and rightly so. It is extremely lightweight and goes from fully wireless to plugging in your way with multiple outputs on the back. But don’t let its ease of use fool you, it is a sturdy unit and quite tactile with a labyrinth of buttons and knobs. And let’s not forget the ability to customize almost everything about it, from the color scheme to changing up the presets in any manner you’d like.

The possibilities are endless. You can lay down multiple rows and combine them into your tracts. You will find yourself just getting lost in the waves for hours upon end. Allante said it best when showing off Ian’s abilities. This man’s got the beats right here!

The company provides details and tutorials that better explain the intricacies of the product line. Their pre-orders have concluded, however you can sign up for their newsletter and waiting list for the next availability.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Fire Up an Amazing Light Show with Tittle Light

February 5, 2017CES 2017, HomePLUGHITZ Live

Sometimes you walk by a product on a shelf and immediately say to yourself, “I totally want that!” That is exactly what happened when we stumbled across the amazing little light box that is the Tittle Light.

This stylish little gadget is actually quite versatile with multiple modes and functions that make it entertaining and interactive. You can Start off with a simple lamp, changing the colors to match your room or mood. Or maybe utilize the built in clock and calendar settings. There are preset animations, like a dancing fire or rain storm and even emoji’s. You can even create your own personal animations with simple programming. The settings are controlled through a simple to use phone app and the animations can even be sent to friend’s lights. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

Each cube is made of tempered glass and has 512 RGB LEDs, each independently programmable. The bases are made of aluminum and come in three color options: black, silver and copper.

The lights are currently in production and should be available in the spring/summer of 2017 at their online store, with prices starting at $369. The company is currently working on enabling the lights to sync together for larger and moving animations and may look into other sizes in the future, as well.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Full and Vibrant Theater Sound from Your Tablet

February 5, 2017Accessories, CES 2017, Entertainment, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

OIO Amp The most amazing sound can come from this seemingly simple little accessory for your tablet. That’s right, with Amp by OIO, you will get a full theater experience while watching movies on your mobile device. This case offers a sense of surround sound by separating the left and right channels just like in the theaters.

Even though it appears to be a simple case with speakers, it’s the tech involved that makes it so extraordinary. The front is made of a honeycomb fiberboard so the whole surface creates the sound. And the circular disks on the back are electromagnets that pushes the whole front panel. This combined with the holes in the honeycomb allows the movement of air that creates a deep and encompassing sound that can fill an entire room. This listening experience is the result of over two years of research and development by experimenting with everything from drums, guitars and even cardboard boxes until they got it just right.

The case itself has 10 hinges like a laptop that allows it to be folded in different configurations and even with the speakers to the back of the stand to use in situations where headphones are a must, like on an airplane. The current design is made to fit the iPad Air 1 & 2 as well as the iPad Pro 9.7, however it connects via Bluetooth, so you can actually use any tablet or even a cell phone and still get the full theater sound. Also, upcoming models will include holders for other devices.

The units will be available in a couple of months starting at $249. Check out their Indiegogo InDemand for preorders and a 20% discount. This is something that you truly need to experience to believe. Our team was blown away by the sound when we fired it up at the booth and we can’t wait to get our hands on it.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

HumaX Delivers a Friend for Your Children

February 5, 2017CES 2017, Gadgets, Toys & GamingPLUGHITZ Live

HumaX HumaX Technology has produced a new friend for kids 5-10 years old: Arimoto. He is an alien friend robot who takes friends in the real life and makes them online friends. You touch the two robots together and they exchange information.

He is able to speak to you in different languages and can store an unlimited number of friends. You can play games on it and watch cartoons. You are able to take videos and find someone on a map.

It will be available in the US in June and can be purchased on Amazon. The price point is uncertain but thought to be around $200.

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