Qi Extends Its Capabilities, Powers Kitchen Equipment

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Gadgets, HomePLUGHITZ Live

Fulton Innovation introduced us to the Wireless Power Consortium in 2012, and since then, our team has become big supporters of the Qi wireless power standard. Since its beginnings as an inductive charger for mobile phones, the technology has continued to improve.

Today, the standard supports higher amounts of power transmitted over longer distances than ever before. The Wireless Power Consortium is not complete, though. They showed us a prototype of an enhanced coil that supports 1 kilowatt and can be transferred through a kitchen counter. The same coil will be able to support over 2 kilowatts in the near future.

That type of power is obviously not designed for charging phones and tablets, but instead for powering real-life devices. In their prototype, they use a food processor being entirely powered through the countertop. They even show off controlled amperage levels, which increase and decrease as different modes are chosen, or as the distance from the coil is increased.

The prototype gained the Wireless Power Consortium F5 Live: Refreshing Technology’s TPN Pick Award.

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

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Plantronics Shows Off a Line of Gaming Headsets

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Computers, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

In addition to their well-known phone products and their music headphones, Plantronics also offers a line of gaming headphones and accessories.

Plantronics RIG is a gaming headset which also offers a desktop mixer. You can bring in 2 audio sources so you can listen to the game and also bring in external sound. If you want to add your own music, you can; if you want to chat on Skype while you play a game on Origin you can. Plantronics has even heard of people using the external audio to bring in audio from a baby monitor – the options are pretty limitless.

Using the mixer, which supports line-in or fiber optic in, the headphones can be used with nearly any platform, including Xbox, PC and PlayStation. With dual microphones, the headset can also allow you to game chat and use the phone at the same time. They are available now for $129.99.

To focus on the PC, an altered version of the headset is also available specifically for PC gamers. Offering a shorter cord for desktop use, plus 7.1 surround sound, PC gamers get a bit of an advantage over their competitors. The mixer does not include fiber optic support or Xbox headset, like its multi-platform partner does. It is available now for $99.99.

Finally comes the simpler RIG Flex. It plugs in directly with a standard 3.5mm plug, meaning you can plug it in directly to a computer, Wii or mobile device. It has lost the mixer, making it ideal for mobile. What it doesn’t lose is the sound quality, build quality and, of course, comfort. It is available now for $79.99.

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

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Plantronics Brings Their Bluetooth Know-How to Music Headphones

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Entertainment, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

When you think of Plantronics, you might think of headphones, but you probably go right to phone products. What you might not know is that, in addition to their phone/voice products, Plantronics offers a line of music centric devices as well.

The BackBeat GO 2 is a set of fairly standard-looking Bluetooth earbuds, but with a couple of traditional Plantronics features. Included with the earbuds is a charging case, which can add 2 full charges, so when you are away from power for long periods of time, you can keep them charged without a wall. They are available now for $99.99.

The BackBeat Fit is a set of Bluetooth earbuds that is unique enough to have earned them a CES Innovation Award because of its design. The material is designed to be completely flexible, while still preventing them from being tangled or kinked. Along with the headset is a matching case, which turns into an armband. To ensure outdoor safety, the surface of both are reflective, and the earbuds do not block outside sound. They are available now for $129.99.

Straying from earbuds, the company also offers the BackBeat Pro, an over-the-head set of Bluetooth headphones designed more for sound quality than for sports activity. It offers active noise cancelation and 24 hours of playtime. What sets this apart is the sensors – it allows the headphones to automatically pause your music when you take the headphones off, similar to how many Plantronics voice headphones work.

They also offer external mics, so you can turn on or off outside sound. If you’re on an airplane and the flight attendant comes up, you can hit a button and hear what they are saying instead of having to move them off of your ears and shift them back. You can also use the headphones without Bluetooth if the battery dies or you’re in a place where Bluetooth won’t get the job done. They are available now for $249.99.

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

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Nexia Shows Off a Lot of New Connected Devices

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Gadgets, HomePLUGHITZ Live

We first met Nexia Home Intelligence at CES 2012, and were immediately impressed with their system. Allowing you to control and automate your home, either local or away, through a single connected dashboard.

Since our first meeting, the company has added new partners and new products, and this year the company is showing a whole collection of new products compatible with the system. Ranging from home security to home automation, there is a little bit of everything available in the system.

Some of the products shown off include:
– First Alert smoke detector ($49.99)
– Linear Siren & Strobe ($69.99)
– Linear LED Bulb ($54.99)

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

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MEElectronics Brings Some Unique Capabilities to Bluetooth

February 20, 2015Accessories, CES 2015, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

MEElectronics may not be a brand you’ve heard of, but if you are a fan of Bluetooth, you might want to add them to your list of brands to watch. At CES this year, they showed off a collection of new devices, all with price points that make them incredibly attractive.

First is an over-the-head headphone, called the Air-Fi Touch. Other than the single power/command button, this Bluetooth headset is controlled entirely with touch gestures on one of the ears. It can run over a day on a single charge while still being incredibly light weight. They are available now for $99.99.

Next is the Bluetooth upgrade to the company’s Sport M6 earbuds, dubbed the X7. The headphones are sweatproof and also fit snugly in the ear, allowing for continuous sports use. They also have controls for volume and command on the cord, so you can keep your phone safe while working out. They will be available soon for $99.99.

In addition to headphones, the company also showed off a Bluetooth transmitter, which allows you to add Bluetooth capability to systems that do not have it. The thing that is really nice is that it can pair up to 2 separate headphones at once. It also has line in or fiber optic in, allows you to keep a digital signal from end-to-end. The device is expected to release end of second quarter.

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

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GoldKey Makes Us All Feel Like a Secret Agent

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Mobile, WirelessPLUGHITZ Live

At one point or another, everyone has fantasized about being James Bond, Dick Tracy or Maxwell Smart. GoldKey, a company known for security products, has added a new product to make you feel like one of your favorite secret agents.

The GoldKey Communicator is a smartwatch that is an independent phone. While there are other products that match that description, where the Communicator stands apart is in its security features. Offering secure email, text, data, voice and payment, the Communicator allows for completely safe communication with other GoldKey users.

To ensure you feel like Bond, you are assigned a 007 area code phone number that allows you to communicate with other 007 GoldKey voice customers for the secure communications. That ensures that everyone knows when you are or are not speaking over encrypted VoIP service.

In addition to the huge collection of security features comes the capabilities of full Android 4.4 KitKat. Rather than Android Wear, you get the full Android Marketplace. You also get a camera for 5MP stills or HD video. The GoldKey Communicator is available now for $299.95.

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

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Goal Zero’s Line of Travel and Emergency Power Products Expands

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Gadgets, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

At CES, portable power is essential; in the real world, it can be just important. Goal Zero knows this, which is why they are constantly trying to improve and enhance their line of emergency and travel products.

This year they added the new Venture 30: a 7800mAh charger for phones and tablets. That equates to 3 charges on a phone, with the ability to charge up to 2.4amps on each of the 2 USB ports. The charger comes complete with built-in flexible cables for charging the device and a product. To ensure it is protected, it is rated at IPX6.

In addition to the charger, is a solar flashlight. While that might seem insane, the Torch 250 is extremely useful. While camping, or even at home, you can charge the flashlight during the day and use it at night. You can also charge it via USB, or even with a crank, or use the battery to charge your other devices, making it double as a solar charger. You can get one right now for $79.99.

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

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Eton Improves Its Line of Emergency Radios

February 20, 2015CES 2015, GadgetsPLUGHITZ Live

Eton is well-known for their emergency products, which they are always wanting to improve. This year the company has improved their famous emergency radios. Their larger radio has changed the solar panel to allow for more charging capability and has the largest battery, and added an ambient light. It also includes SAME weather alerts, to let you know of weather issues coming your way.

All of the radios also come with flashlight capability, solar charging, USB charging for other devices and the well-known hand crank. The two larger models are available now with the smaller radio coming this Spring, ranging from $49.99 to $129.99.

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

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Celestron Makes Stargazing Easier and Educational

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Gadgets, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

As astronauts get to see farther into the universe through their equipment, those of us bound to Earth have the same desire. Celestron’s telescopes make that easier for everyone. Their newest addition to the lineup provides for ease of use away from the city, where you can get the best views without all of the city lights.

The telescope is self-powered, allowing you to use it without the need for a high amperage 12-volt inverter. You can use it away from your car, or without having to lug around a huge battery and power technology. It even offers the ability to plug in other devices, though it will, of course, limit the runtime of the telescope.

In addition to the portable power capabilities, it also integrates Wi-Fi right into the telescope. Using the Wi-Fi, you can use your smart device to control the telescope. View the night sky through your screen, point at an area and the telescope will position itself so you can see the sky through the lens.

The app can also help you learn the positions of objects in the sky by allowing you to tap on an area and get information about what you are seeing. If you’re looking at a galaxy far off in the distance, the app can explain distances, etc.

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

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The Race to Challenge the Surface is On

February 20, 2015CES 2015, Computers, MobilePLUGHITZ Live

In terms of Windows tablets, Microsoft’s Surface series is definitely the one to challenge if you are a manufacturer. Manufacturers seem to agree, as this CES showed us a collection of tablets trying to enter that space.

One of the brands throwing their hat into that ring is Southern Telecom, a company that usually builds products under licensed brands, but has their own tablet for the market. Running an Intel Atom processor and 32GB of internal storage, this guy isn’t headed for the Pro 3’s territory, but it could certainly do some damage in the abandoned Surface RT space.

With the ability to run full applications, which the RT models were not, it makes this computer far more usable. With a price point of $249, with the keyboard included, it even undercuts the RT models by more than half. Unfortunately, what the Surface has going for it is the easily removable and attachable keyboard, while this keyboard is not nearly as easy to attach or remove. For some users, however, this won’t be a killer. Take a look and decide for yourself.

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

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