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Geek News Central Special Media Feed

Geek News Central Special Media Feed

250 episodes — Page 5 of 5

Beats for Baby from Babypod at WTS

The article and interview concerns an intimate feminine product for use during pregnancy. If this is likely to offend, please stop reading now. Most children enjoy music, rhythm and dance so it doesn’t take much of stretch of the imagination to think that even unborn babies would respond to music while in the womb. Unfortunately there’s a great deal of sound-deadening material between the baby and the outside world. Remember those times when you could feel the music inside? How loud was the music then? Going by my experience, it was ear-ringingly loud, and consequently the problem is getting the music through to the baby without deafening mum. Fortunately, Babypod have the answer to this problem; Andrew finds out what it is from Alex. As you’ll see from the pictures, the Babypod is a small silicone rubber ovoid with a built-in speaker. To use, the Babypod is inserted into the vagina, bringing the music much closer to the unborn child in the amniotic sac. The attached stereo cable is plugged into a smartphone or mp3 player to play music, and there’s a secondary audio jack to share the music with mum. When in use, scans have shown babies to respond to the music by sticking their tongues out or shaking their heads, with 87% of babies responding to music. The Babypod website has much more to say on the benefits and the safety of the Babypod itself but it does appear to have been trialled scientifically and safely. The Babypod is available now for just under GB£100. The post Beats for Baby from Babypod at WTS appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 26, 20167 min

Chipolo Tracker at Wearable Tech Show

The Bluetooth tracker tag market is busy at the moment with several players making a name for themselves. Into the fray steps Chipolo, another ex-Kickstarter project, with their colourful tags. Andrew asks Nika and Katja what makes Chipolo different? Much like other tracker tags, the Chipolo tag is paired with a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth LE. The Chipolo item finder app keeps track of where and when the phone was last in touch with the tag. If you can’t find the tag, but it’s in range, the tag can ring to help you find it. The reverse is true too. Shake the tag and your phone will ring. The Chipolo works as a remote camera shutter button too, so it’s easier to take group shots with everyone in the picture. Set the smartphone app, shake the Chipolo and snap the shot. The Chipolo app is available for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, and it’s good to see Windows being supported. On sale now, a single Chipolo tags costs 24.99 € (GB£19.99) though four tags is 89.99 €. The post Chipolo Tracker at Wearable Tech Show appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 25, 20163 min

Cupris Smartphone Scopes at Wearable Tech Show

The smartphones in our pockets have cameras that could only have been dreamed of a few years ago, yet most only take a couple of selfies. So why not use these miracles of engineering to do more? Cupris‘ phone case converts the smartphone into a digital medical instrument. Helene tells Andrew more about their upcoming products. The Cupris smartphone case mounts specialist medical lenses in front of the smartphone camera to take images and videos. The first device is an otoscope (right) for examining the eardrum and the second is an ophthalmoscope (left) for retinal imaging. The big benefit of digital imaging over the traditional scopes is that the pictures can be added to the patient record for review at a later date. The otoscope will be available soon for less than GB£100. The post Cupris Smartphone Scopes at Wearable Tech Show appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 24, 20163 min

MainTool Smart Strap at Wearable Tech Show

Undoubtedly smart watches have their place but few watch aficionados are going to replace their Swiss timepiece with a mass-produced device of limited lifespan. MainTool have a potential answer for those who want both the horology and the smarts. Andrew finds out more from Asier. The MainTool’s concept is simple. Instead of building the sensors into the watch, put the electronics into the leather strap. Brilliant! Like many activity trackers, the MainTool smart strap measures steps, heart rate, sleep and temperature. For smartphone owners, the strap provides alarms and call notifications passed from the phone via Bluetooth. Calls can be rejected from the MainTool strap too. As expected, there’s a complementary smartphone app. On the practical side, the MainTool smart strap is waterproof and has around 2-3 weeks of battery life. The picture shows the naked electronics before it’s put inside the leather strap. Aimed at the B2B market, expect to see this coming to market within the next few months. The post MainTool Smart Strap at Wearable Tech Show appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 24, 20162 min

The Gator Watch Phone Tracker at Wearable Tech Show

The Gator watch phone and tracker is for kids who need a little independence but are too young for a smartphone. Andrew interviews Colleen from Techsixtyfour to find out the benefits of this Tracy-esque watch. The Gator watch looks like a stylish smart watch with both analogue and digital displays, but it’s also a wearable mobile phone that lets the child call two pre-defined numbers, e.g. mum and dad, whenever needed. The watch can only receive calls from registered numbers so while family and friends can call the child, there’s no danger of strangers or bullies calling. For further peace of mind, parents can track the location of the child on a map. The SIM card inside works with multiple carriers to minimise the risk of being in a dead spot and the Gator can roam through most of the EU. Battery life is around 4 days. The Gator will be shipping next month and can be pre-ordered for GB£89. The RRP will be £99 when on-sale. A mobile contract is needed too, costing £9 per month. The post The Gator Watch Phone Tracker at Wearable Tech Show appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 24, 20162 min

ClearSky Helps Parkinson’s Sufferers at Wearable Tech Show

Parkinson’s is a terrible condition and while some drugs can ameliorate its effects, it can be tricky get the dosage regime right. Too much and the side effects include involuntary movements called dyskinesia. Andrew interviews Dr Stephen Smith from ClearSky and University of York about their wearable technology and software algorithms that can identify when a patient is receiving too high a dose. The ClearSky LID-Monitor uses six trackers that are attached to the sufferer for a day, measuring and recording the wearer’s limb movements over the period. At the end of the day, the data from the six trackers is uploaded to a PC and analysed, showing the clinician the parts of the day when the patient suffers from dyskinesia. On the screen below, these periods are shown in green, giving the clinician guidance on suitable changes to medication. The development of the LID-Monitor was part funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The post ClearSky Helps Parkinson’s Sufferers at Wearable Tech Show appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 23, 20163 min

Acticheck Personal Alert at Wearable Tech Show

Many people in the UK will have seen advertisements in the past for emergency call necklaces and bracelets aimed at older people who live alone, providing them with reassurance that they can call for help in the event of a fall or other emergency. Typically these products are an older technology, relatively expensive and aesthetically uninspiring. Acticheck aims to bring the idea up-to-date with an inexpensive wearable solution using consumer technology. Andrew interviews Bill to find out more. Acticheck Assure combines a ruggedised waterproof bracelet with a monitoring hub which connects back to a cloud portal using an broadband Internet connection. In the event of a fall or other emergency, the wrist alert communicates with the hub to send messages to relatives and friends asking for help. The portal can be accessed through desktop computer, tablet or smartphone to manage settings and view personal information. Acticheck is available now for GB£239 which includes the hub, wrist band and a year of service. The wrist band does need replaced every year or so when the internal battery runs out at a cost of £89.   The post Acticheck Personal Alert at Wearable Tech Show appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 23, 20164 min

nCube Home at Wearable Tech Show

Originally a Kickstarter project, nCube Home is a smart home hub and app to control a wide range of smart devices from a single place. Andrew interviews Myriam from nCube and finds out why nCube is a little bit different from the rest. Like most of the competitors, the nCube Home is a small network connected box with a complementary app that communicates with sensors and other devices using Z-Wave. Unlike the competitors, it’s blue. More seriously, the nCube retains all the logic and actions within the nCube box rather than receiving instructions from an external portal, so even if the network connection goes down, activity goes on as normal. The nCube Home integrates with over 70 different IoT devices so the chances are that if it’s a Z-Wave capable device, the hub will work with it. The nCube Home is shipping shortly (if it isn’t already). The normal price from nCube is GB£149 but there’s a £99 Wearable Show offer on until the end of the week (25th March). By way of awards, the nCube Home won the IoT Wearable Award at the Wearable Technology Show this year. Well done. The post nCube Home at Wearable Tech Show appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 23, 20162 min

Emfit QS Sleep Monitor at Wearable Tech Show

In the first of our interviews from the 2016 Wearable Technology Show, Andrew interviews Timo from Emfit to hear about the Emfit QS, which monitors sleep and gives detailed information on sleep quality and stress levels. The Emfit QS is a thin strip which is placed under the sleeper’s mattress and then communicates with a web portal via wifi (app coming soon). Aimed at athletes and fitness enthusiasts, the Emfit QS Collects data throughout the night, including heart rate, respiration and activity. The portal provides a dashboard for reviewing and analysing the data, looking for sleep-affecting patterns. Improvements in health and fitness can be tracked over the long term. Available now, the Emfit QS costs €299. The post Emfit QS Sleep Monitor at Wearable Tech Show appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 23, 20162 min

Milo and Lego Education Brings STEM to School

Lego have a history stretching back to the 1930s and for the last few decades, Lego has run an education program to bring Lego to the classroom in relevant way for all levels of schooling. Nick learns from Leisha Hoot about Lego Education and how it gets students interested in science. At CES, Lego announced Lego Education WeDo 2.0, an elementary level STEM program that uses robotics to work with children in science. Through Milo, a small robotic rover, it gives them experience of programming, sensors and motors. It’s all very easy to use partly because children are already familiar with Lego bricks, but Lego has taken great care in designing the software too. In addition, WeDo 2.0 is going to be part of the First Lego League. The WeDo core set starts at around US$160 and is available now. Nick DiMeo is a video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Milo and Lego Education Brings STEM to School appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 13, 20166 min

Vert Brings Athletic Tracking to a New Level

In the world of professional athletics, stats are everything. Not just the typical stats that fans might see like hits or points scored. But in-depth numbers about things like pitch counts and jump heights. Traditionally, this kind of information was difficult to obtain. But technology company Vert is working to change that. Nick met with Martin Matak, the founder and president of Vert. Martin’s company has designed a small, wearable chip that tracks all kind of athletic data. The Vert platform can record pitch counts, play intensity, and more. Vert also tracks “effort,” taking into account how much a player has done in a specific amount of time. The Vert clip can be worn with an integrated belt designed specifically for Vert or the clip can be incorporated into a player’s existing uniform/clothing. Vert clips are currently on the market for $125 and they work with a mobile app that can be downloaded for free. Nick DiMeo is an audio engineer and show host at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Support our coverage sponsors The post Vert Brings Athletic Tracking to a New Level appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 12, 20167 min

NexPaq Modules Bring Versatility to IoT

The recent boom in smart, connected technology has given consumers more opportunities than ever before to command and control different devices. But if you want to bring the so-called “Internet of Things” into your home, you’re faced with potentially having to buy a small army’s worth of new devices to replace your old ones. What if there was a platform that allowed you to create your own IoT system using modules that could be configured to do almost anything? That’s what NexPaq is doing with its modular products. Aylee met with Steve Safarowic, Chief Marking Officer of NexPaq. Steve showed off his company’s innovative system that uses modules to do specific things. First, he demonstrated a special smartphone case that interacts with the phone. Users can add modules to extend battery life or create programmable hotkeys to do certain tasks like turning on lights or making a phone call. NexPaq also has a standalone device that uses its modular system without a smartphone. NexPaq also has a developer kit that can be used to create new modules. Developers can even submit their modules to the NexPaq store where they could become available to sell to other NexPaq users. NexPaq smartphone cases and modules are available for purchase thru the NexPaq shop. Aylee Nielsen is a video host who specializes in covering live events for Plughitz Live. Support our coverage sponsors The post NexPaq Modules Bring Versatility to IoT appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 12, 20165 min

Intel Brought a Segway Robot to CES 2016

Those of us who have dreamed about having our very own robot probably didn’t imagine that it would roll along like a Segway. Intel has teamed up with Segway to reimagine the Segway in the robotic world. Nakia spoke with Platform Architect for Intel, Han Heng Jeun, at the Intel Real Sense Technology Section at CES 2016. They talked about the unique personal robot assistant that was on display. The robot has two main functions. One is that it can transform into an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) that you can ride. The robot has a Segway as its base. People can step onto it and ride around. When a person no longer needs the robot to be an SPV, it can be transformed back into robot mode. The robot uses the Intel RealSense RGB-D camera to enable depth sensing. This helps it to do real time 3D mapping that it will use to navigate a room. It also has a microphone array that allows you to send voice command to the Segway robot from anywhere in the room. It can be programed to understand a command like “follow me”. The robot has an open SDK on Android platform that developers can use create cool new things that the personal assistant Segway robot can do. They will launch the platform and SDK to makers and developers in the second quarter of 2016. Nakia Mann is a video host who specializes in covering live events for Plughitz Live. Support our coverage sponsors The post Intel Brought a Segway Robot to CES 2016 appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 12, 20163 min

QNX Provides the Platform for ADAS

QNX might be a name that is unfamiliar to you, but their technology could be inside your vehicle. QNX has worked with more than 40 different automakers across the world, and has an over 50% market share in infotainment dashboards. Nick spoke with Global Director of Business Development at QNX, Andrew Poliak, at CES 2016. They discussed the many ways that the QNX software platform is being used in vehicles. They are in OnStar and in Ford Sync 3. QNX provides the whole software platform that car radios and entertainment systems are built on. What makes the QNX platform unique is that it is highly reliable, it gives an immersive experience, and has a great customizable interface. Their platform can use the same operating system to run safety critical components in a vehicle as well as the vehicle’s entertainment components. At CES 2016, QNX had a number of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) demonstrations that showed the pedigree that they already have in vehicles, and that blends that information with an entertainment experience. QNX Software Developer Nabil Ould-Brahim gave Nick a demonstration from inside a vehicle. Nick DiMeo is an audio engineer and show host at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Support our CES Sponsor: 30% off all New GoDaddy Product Orders cjcgeek30 $.99 .com New or Transfer cjcgeek99 @ GoDaddy.com $1.00 / mo Economy Hosting with a free domain! Promo Code: cjcgeek1h $1.00 / mo Managed WordPress Hosting with FREE Domain! Promo Code: cjcgeek1w GoDaddy Promo Codes always save you money, check out our Promo Codes Today The post QNX Provides the Platform for ADAS appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 12, 201610 min

Panasonic’s Rugged Tough Tablets go Everywhere

Tablet computers have become mainstays in our lives in recent years. The compact, yet powerful, nature of these devices makes it easier than ever to perform computing tasks in almost any environment. But most consumer-grade tablets aren’t designed for things like labs, construction sites, or other specialized areas. That’s where Panasonic’s line of Tough Tablets come in. Aylee stopped by the Panasonic booth to speak with product manager Steven Sikorski. Steven showed off Panasonic’s new line of rugged tablets that are designed to be used in any possible environment. These tablets can run on up to two batteries for 16-20 hours before needing to be recharged. These rugged tablets start with a smaller 7-inch highly portable model and run all the way up to the 20″ ToughPad 4K. All of Panasonic’s Tough brand tablets are currently available for purchase and pricing varies, depending on the model. Aylee Nielsen is a video host who specializes in covering live events for Plughitz Live. Support our coverage sponsors The post Panasonic’s Rugged Tough Tablets go Everywhere appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 12, 20166 min

NVIDIA is Accelerating the Race to Driverless Cars

For more than two decades, NVIDIA has pioneered visual computing, the art and science of computer graphics. Their work is at the center of the most consequential mega-trends in technology – virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and self-driving cars. Aylee spoke with Senior Manager of Automotive Integration at NVIDIA, Dave Anderson, at CES 2016. They talked about the brand new NVIDIA DRIVE PX 2 platform. It is essentially a supercomputer for your car. DRIVE PX2 becomes the brain that will effectively allow our cars to become self driving. The platform has the power of 150 MacBook Pros onboard in a single computing platform. NVIDIA has partnered with Volvo who will be doing an autonomous vehicle trial in 2017. Aylee Nielsen is a video host who specializes in covering live events for Plughitz Live. Support our coverage sponsors The post NVIDIA is Accelerating the Race to Driverless Cars appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 12, 20165 min

Denso Explores “Smarter Mobility, Smarter Living”

Denso is a global automotive supplier. They supply to all automakers in the world. Denso thinks that everything is going to be connected in the future. Aylee spoke with Manager of Corporate Communications at Denso International America, Bridgette LaRose, at CES 2016. Denso’s concept at CES 2016 was “Smarter Mobility, Smarter Living”. Their booth showed what a more connected world would be like, and also gave examples of how Denso’s technologies could be used to create a smarter, safer, more convenient world. Denso wants their technology to lead to better quality of life for people around the world. At CES 2016, Denso had a Smarter City display and a virtual reality display that showed what a more connected world would look like. Denso also had a display that showed how connectivity plays an important role in the ability to achieve automated driving. Aylee Nielsen is a video host who specializes in covering live events for Plughitz Live. Support our coverage sponsors The post Denso Explores “Smarter Mobility, Smarter Living” appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 12, 20163 min

Toyota’s FCV Plus Will Use Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Toyota believes that hydrogen is the future of the automotive industry. They have created a concept vehicle called the FCV Plus, which demonstrates Toyota’s vision of a connected, sustainable hydrogen society. Nakia spoke with Product Specialist for Toyota, Maggie Clark, at CES 2016. They talked about Toyota’s FCV Plus. It is a concept vehicle that uses hydrogen fuel cell technology that Toyota has been working on since 1992. The FCV Plus is capable of generating electricity directly from hydrogen stored outside the vehicle and thus operating as a stable source of electric power for use at home or on the go. The FCV Plus will be able to generate so much electricity that it will be able to wirelessly charge an electric vehicle that is pulled up next to it. The FCV Plus could also be plugged into the grid and be able to charge up to ten homes on a block. The fuel cells themselves are very advanced. When it is time to replace your vehicle with a new one, you could remove the fuel cell stack and continue using it as a stationary fuel cell stack that can provide electricity to your home or business. Toyota is expecting that their FCV Plus concept vehicle will be on the market around 2030. Nakia Mann is a video host who specializes in covering live events for Plughitz Live. Support our coverage sponsors The post Toyota’s FCV Plus Will Use Hydrogen Fuel Cells appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 12, 20164 min

The It Bed Gives You the Best Sleep Possible

Sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. It can be really hard to get up for work in the morning after having a bad night’s sleep. Sleep Number has been around for 35 years and they strongly believe that it is important to get the best sleep possible. One way to do that is with their new It bed. Nakia spoke with Senior Product Manager at Sleep Number, Kelley Parker, at CES 2016. They talked about the It bed, which is something new from Sleep Number. The It bed is the only bed designed to make you smarter, healthier, and happier. The It bed is targeted for the first time mattress buyer. You can order the It bed online, and it will come right to your door. You can set the bed up in fifteen minutes or less. The bed tracks and monitors your sleep with Sleep IQ technology. You will get recommendations on how to get a better night’s sleep based on your own personal habits and activities. This information helps you to get the best sleep possible. Another great thing about the It bed is that it has active comfort technology. This enables a person who likes a firm mattress, and who has a sleep partner who likes a soft mattress, to both find their Sleep Number setting in the It bed. The It bed will become available in the Summer of 2016. The price starts at around $1,000. Nakia Mann is a video host who specializeS in covering live events for Plughitz Live. Support our coverage sponsors The post The It Bed Gives You the Best Sleep Possible appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 12, 20165 min

Keep In Touch with GoTenna at CES

There are still parts of the country where there is no mobile (cell) phone coverage. There are those who would say this is a good thing, especially when it comes to wildness areas and places of outstanding beauty. However, there are times when it’s good to be able to get in touch with others when out hiking or skiing, especially if people get separated. Aylee talks about the great outdoors with Jorge Perdoma, co-founder of goTenna, about their solution to this problem. goTenna is a small radio transceiver that pairs with smartphones to provide point-to-point communication when there’s no cell tower in range. It’s a bit like converting your phone into a walkie-talkie but with modern features like text and GPS. The goTenna app on the smartphone works with the goTenna itself to handle all the communication and the transceiver doesn’t need to be in the hand at all – it can be stashed in the outer pocket of a backpack. Range is anywhere from a mile to a couple of miles depending on the environment. The goTenna has been shipping for a few months and it’s US$200 for a pair of units from goTenna. Aylee Nielsen is a video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Keep In Touch with GoTenna at CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 11, 20164 min

CogniToys’ Dino Grows With The Child

Developed on the back of a successful Kickstarter campaign, CogniToys are Internet-connected smart toys with speech recognition that interactively engage and grow with a child. The first CogniToy is a (roughly) six inch friendly green dinosaur – what’s not to like? Aylee talks with Donald Coolidge, co-founder of CogniToys to find out more. As if being a friendly colourful dinosoaur isn’t enough, the CogniToys Dino is personalised to grow with the child, slowly adjusting its content and interactions based on how the child is playing with Dino, what the toy is asked, the words used and so on. The child can talk to the toy and Dino talks back. The toy is wi-fi connected and the heavy processing is done in the cloud using technology developed from IBM’s Watson. This drives the experience and the engagement to the child, allowing natural responses to questions. If the kid asks why the sky is blue, it’s Watson that provides the answer. Dino can be pre-ordered for US$119 with shipping expected in June 2016. Aylee Nielsen is a video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post CogniToys’ Dino Grows With The Child appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 11, 20164 min

3D Sounds Labs Keeps Audio in Place at CES

Stereo headphones have been around since the middle of the last century and 3D audio in headphones from the 1990s. Impressive as the spatial effect from 3D can be, the sound is still always relative to the listener as the headphones are on the wearer, whereas speakers position the sound relative to the room or other space. Until now, that is. 3D Sound Labs new headphones keep sounds in their place, even as the wearer moves their head. Scott finds out more from Maxime Sabahec of 3D Sound Labs on how their headphones keep sounds still. The 3D Sound One headphones use motion sensors to understand the position of the wearer relative to the sound stage. The embedded gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer send information back to the PC via Bluetooth which then adjusts the positions of the sound in real-time as the person moves. This realism increases the immersive experience and while it’s good for movies, it’s great for VR. The 3D Sound One headphones are available now for US$299 from Amazon and the 3D Sound Labs website. Scott Ertz is a software developer and video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post 3D Sounds Labs Keeps Audio in Place at CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 11, 20165 min

Style and Function with New Philips Headphones at CES

Philips has a range of new headphones, each addressing different consumer needs, from the runner to the fashionista. Daniele listens in with Steve Punter of Philips to find out more about the latest ‘phones. First up are the new Wireless Freedom sports earphones, which are Bluetooth wireless headphones so there’s no cables to get tangled in gym equipment or yank out earbuds. Perfect for runners, they’re light with a four and half hour battery life. US$69 Next is the new Everlite range, lightweight “gravity-defying” on-ear headphones, that look great and fold-up neatly for toting around. With a built-in mic, these work well with smartphones, and have colours to match the latest iPhone models. US$49 Finally, the new noise-cancelling headphones have Active Shield Pro which can cancel up to 99% of the outside noise. Along with Bluetooth and a 15 hour battery life, the headphones have a touch sensitive pad on the back of an earcup which controls the playback and volume of the music. US$169 All these headphones will be on sale over the coming months. Daniele Mendez is a video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Style and Function with New Philips Headphones at CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 11, 20166 min

Ztylus has a Truly Multifunctional Smartphone Case

If you have a smartphone, then you need a smartphone case. There are some cases that have more than one function. The problem is that when it is time to buy a new smartphone, your old case will probably not fit it. You have to start all over, and that can be expensive. Ztylus Innovation has solved this problem with its truly multifunctional smartphone case. Nakia spoke with Tim Hsu, who is an Inventor / Product Developer at Ztylus Innovation, at CES 2016. The company has created a new category in the smartphone case industry with their multifunctional smartphone case. It was a CES 2016 Innovation Award Honoree. The Ztylus Innovation Multifunctional Smartphone Case is a platform. The back of the case was designed to enable a person to add attachments. Take out the removable disk, and you can add an attachment to the multifunctional case. When it is time for you to buy a new smartphone, you will need to buy a new Multifunctional Smartphone Case. All of the attachments can be used with your new case (and you will not have to buy them all over again). One attachment has an arm that folds out and that can help prevent you from dropping your smartphone. The arm can also prop up your smartphone in either landscape or portrait mode. Take out that attachment and you can replace it with a different one. Tim Hsu demonstrated the versatility of their camera lens attachment, which has multiple lenses inside it. Flip out the lens you want to use when you are ready to take a photo. Each of the flip out lenses improves the lens that already exists on your smartphone. The Ztylus Innovation Multifunctional Smartphone Cases are available on their website now. Prices range from $29.95 to $44.95. Visit the website to check out their available attachments. Nakia Mann is a video host who specializes in covering live events for Plughitz Live. Support our coverage sponsors The post Ztylus has a Truly Multifunctional Smartphone Case appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 11, 20166 min

ZED Stereo Camera Captures the World in 3D

Stereolabs is the leading provider of 3D depth sensing technology for autonomous robotic and augmented reality. Their ZED 2K Stereo Camera is the first high definition stereo sensor for depth perception. It helps you to capture the world in 3D. Nick spoke with Stereolabs Product Manager, Marc Beudet, at CES 2016. They talked about the Stereolabs ZED 2k Stereo Camera. Marc explained what is unique about it, how it works, and some of the ways it can be used. The ZED 2K Stereo Camera relies on two RGB sensors. It is basically two smartphone cameras put together. There’s no infrared projectors or other fancy stuff. The camera captures the world. Next, that information is sent to a computer that uses processing power to generate a 3D image of the environment. The ZED 2K Stereo Camera can work in outdoor environments as well as indoor environments. It is basically plug-and-play. Download the SDK from the Stereolabs website. The product is meant for developers. They will need an external host computer. The camera can be placed on a drone. The only limitation on the things that can be done with the ZED 2K Stereo camera is the developers imagination. The ZED 2K Stereo Camera is priced at $449 and is available through the Stereolabs website. Nick DiMeo is an audio engineer and show host at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Support our coverage sponsors The post ZED Stereo Camera Captures the World in 3D appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 11, 20164 min

Neat Microphones Look as Awesome as they Sound

Microphones do not have to be a boring grey color. They can have style! Neat Microphones, a member of the Gibson family, have two lines of aesthetically pleasing microphones that look like pieces of art. They look as awesome as they sound! Scott spoke with Product Manager of Neat Microphones, Clayton Harrison, at CES 2016. They talked about both the Bee Line and the Widgets line of microphones. Each style shows that microphones don’t have to look dull – they can be fun! Four of the microphones in the Bee Line are available now. All of them are high end USB mics. The Beecaster and the Bumblebee give you high quality, professional, results without the need for all kinds of extra equipment. The Bumblebee is intended for speech (and would be great for podcasting, Skype, and video blogging). The Beecaster has stereo capability and is good for music. Each comes with microphone pre-amps. They have headphone output and headphone amplifiers – which let you do direct monitoring without the latency associated with USB. The King Bee and Worker Bee mics are for professionals and aspiring professionals who already have a rig. They are also great for podcasting and provide top notch sound. The Widgets line have a super fun aesthetic and would be great for YouTube or Twitch where a person can be recording and seen at the same time. The microphones in the Widgets line are $99 each. You can find more information about the Bee Line microphones, and the Widgets line of microphones at NeatMic.com. Scott Ertz is a software developer and video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Support our coverage sponsors The post Neat Microphones Look as Awesome as they Sound appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 11, 20166 min

Philips Fidelio E6 Provides Surround On Demand

Watching movies at home is nicer when you have surround sound. However, it is not easy to put together a surround sound system. You have to plan ahead, mount speakers, and figure out how to hide all those unsightly wires. Philips Fidelio E6 provides an extremely simple way to get surround sound on demand. Scott spoke with Senior Manager of Philips Electronics, Ken Chan, at the Gibson Brands Booth at CES 2016. They talked about the Philips Fidelio E6 Surround on Demand speakers. What might look like one speaker is actually two detachable speakers. The speakers sit next to your TV. When you are ready to watch a movie, remove the top speakers and place them in the back of your living room. After the movie is over, you can easily put the detachable speaker back where it was. Philips gives you a very clean and tidy solution for true surround sound without any wires. The Philips Fidelio E6 Surround On Demand speakers have internal Wi-Fi. The detachable speakers have a battery inside them that charges when the speaker is attached. It can be fully charged in two hours. You can watch ten hours of movies, with surround sound, on a fully charged speaker. The Philips Fidelio E6 is not yet available in the United States, but may launch in Spring or Summer. The retail price $799. Scott Ertz is a software developer and video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Support our coverage sponsors The post Philips Fidelio E6 Provides Surround On Demand appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 11, 20166 min

Jamstik Uses BLE MIDI

There are many people who dream about learning how to play the guitar. Jamstik can help you make that dream a reality. It is a portable mini controller that was designed around the idea of making music more accessible to everyone. Nick spoke with Senior Producer Matt Cannon from Jamstik. It is a mini controller that has a sensor that knows where your fingers are at. It shows you on screen in real time either on your iPad, iPhone or Mac. (Android compatibility is coming). First timers can use the Jam Tutor app to go from knowing nothing at all about playing guitar to being able to pluck strings, fret their first chords, and more. What makes Jamstik unique is that it is one of the first devices to connect through Bluetooth and use BLE MIDI. It is lightning fast and has no latency. Another unique feature of Jamstik is that it feels natural and has real strings and frets. Musicians who travel, and cannot take their guitar with them, can bring Jamstik along instead. It comes with a travel case and fits in carry on. The ideas they get while traveling can be played and recorded in Jamstik. Jamstik is available via the Jamstik website, at Amazon, and at Apple stores. It is priced at $299. Nick DiMeo is an audio engineer and show host at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Support our coverage sponsors The post Jamstik Uses BLE MIDI appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 11, 20164 min

Lynktec has a Non-Contact Smart Thermometer

Parents who are caring for a sick baby who might have a fever can find it difficult to check their baby’s temperature without waking him or her from a sound sleep. Lynktec provides a simple solution to that problem with Thermo, a non-contact smart thermometer. Daniele spoke with Marketing Specialist for Lynktec, Christa Knight, at CES 2016. Christa demonstrated how to use Thermo, their non-contact smart thermometer. She also explained the many things that the app can do. A small device that has a sensor can be connected to your smartphone. That device can be gently placed against a baby’s forehead to check his or her temperature. The baby can continue taking a nap. The device sends data to the app on your smartphone. You can immediately see if the baby is running a fever. In addition, the app keeps track of the baby’s temperature on a chart. That information can easily be sent to doctor. The app will also show you local hospitals and pharmacies and use Google Maps to tell you the route that will get you there the quickest. Thermo can also be used to take object and ambient temperatures. It gives parents an easy way to check how hot the baby’s formula is, and to make sure that bath water is at the perfect temperature. It can also be used to find out the temperature of a room. Thermo is in production and will be available in quarter 2 on the Lynktec.com website. It will be priced at $59.00. Daniele Mendez is a video host who specializes in covering live events for Plughitz Live. Support our coverage sponsors The post Lynktec has a Non-Contact Smart Thermometer appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 11, 20163 min

Gibson Guitars and G Force Self Tuner at CES

Gibson produced their first electric guitar back in 1936 and since then, the name has been synonymous with the instrument. This doesn’t mean that Gibson trades on its history alone and the company remains at the forefront of instrument innovation. The latest “High Performance” series is the most innovative guitar they’ve ever made. Daniele Mendez gets a demo of the latest axe from Christopher Oliphant of Gibson. These new SG-standard guitars have a range of new features, from physical changes to the contour of the neck heel through to auto-tuning. The new G Force tuning system self-tunes to both standard and alternate tunings, and the new version is faster and more accurate than before. Extremely easy to use, all the guitarist needs to do is press a button and strum the strings. The guitar will take care of the rest, tuning only one string or all strings. It’s not just for electric guitars either as the G-Force system is now fitted to high-end acoustic guitars too. Amazing to watch in action! All the guitars are available now with prices from US$1,099 for the “High Performance” models. Daniele Mendez is a video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Gibson Guitars and G Force Self Tuner at CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 10, 20168 min

Gymwatch Fitness Tracker and Coach at CES

Fitness trackers have been around from a couple of years and they’re beginning to evolve from simply measuring steps and reps to coaching for improved performance. Jamie and Nick get a demo by Fabian Walke to show how the Gymwatch exemplifies that next stage in evolution. The main difference between Gymwatch and other activity trackers is that it’s designed to be moved around the body to accurately measure the activity. Goes on the arm for arm exercises, on the leg for leg exercises. For the coaching, the Gymwatch reports to a companion app that not only counts the activity but also provides feedback to the wearer as to whether they’re doing the exercise correctly or not. Perhaps the wearer is overextending or perhaps they’re not doing enough: whatever it is, the Gymwatch will advise how to correct the exercise. The Gymwatch is available now for US$149. Fabian says $99 in the interview but it’s $149 on the Gymwatch website. Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic and health journalist. Nick DiMeo is a video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Gymwatch Fitness Tracker and Coach at CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 10, 20166 min

Celluon at 2016 CES

Todd Cochrane talks to Ethan from Celluon about the PicoBit laser pico projector. The PicoBit is a pico projector shaped like a smartphone that uses a built-in version of the Android operating system. It has 8 gigabytes of built-in memory and a Micro SD card slot for extra media file storage. Since the unit runs on a laser light engine, there is no need to focus, and therefore no focus ring control. Depending on the darkness of the room, the unit is capable of projecting up to a 150″ inch image. It has a standard tripod mount on the bottom of the unit. They are planning an April release date with pricing at $379. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Celluon at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 9, 20166 min

Audio Technica Headphones and Turntables at 2016 CES

Todd Cochrane talks with Crystal Griffith, Marketing Manger at Audio Technica. Crystal discusses the Audio Technica ATH MSR7 over-ear headphones. They sell for $249.95. Crystal also shows the ATH MSR5 in two different versions, the corded version selling for $149.95 and a Bluetooth version selling for $199.95. They also talk about Audio Technica’s new Bluetooth turntable that sells for $179.95. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Audio Technica Headphones and Turntables at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 9, 201613 min

Kodak PIXPRO 4k 360 Action Cam at 2016 CES

Todd Cochrane talks with Paul Meyhoefer, Vice President, J.K. Imaging Limited, Kodak about the Kodak PIXPRO 4k action camera. The Kodak PIXPRO 4k action camera uses a 4k sensor to record 360 degree video with a 235 degree band of view. The unit is able to use WiFi to produce a lower resolution live view on your Android or iOS mobile devices so you can check your camera aim. The device includes stitching software and editing software for both Windows and Mac. The unit can support up to a 128 gigabyte Class 10 (or higher) Micro SD card. An RF remote control is sold separately for $45. Underwater housings and other mounts are available for sale on the website. Kodak PIXPRO 4k pricing is $449 for the camera by itself. The Premiere Pack which includes various accessories is priced at $499. The Dual Pro Pack is priced at $899 and includes 2 cameras and accessories. The 360 degree videos produced are compatible with both YouTube and Facebook. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Kodak PIXPRO 4k 360 Action Cam at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 9, 201611 min

Living In Digital Times at 2016 CES

Robin Raskin, founder of Living In Digital Times, talks with the guys about their experiences at 2016 CES. Living In Digital Times produces technology conferences, exhibits and events at CES and other locations. The guys talk to Robin about tech-enabled fashion, as well as the take0ver of electronic forms of money, driverless cars and other forward-looking trends brought on by the continuing forward march of technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Living In Digital Times at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 9, 201615 min

Touch Technology at 2016 CES

Patrick Hanley, Marketing Manager at Touch Technology demonstrates their new oem touch screen controllers. Patrick demonstrates a new force touch or three dimensional touch screen device mock-up, where increased pressure causes different reactions on the screen, such as a heavier line in a drawing. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors   The post Touch Technology at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 9, 20168 min

Stofiel Aerospace at 2016 CES

Brian Stofiel, CEO of Stofiel Aerospace talks about launch services for micro/nano satellites. Traditional launch services are extremely expensive. The Stofiel Aerospace concept is to launch a 30 pound payload from a rocket from a balloon at 100,000 feet. They are working with governments to come up with a low earth orbit space that will allow small payload, rapid deployment satellites. The system they are planning will be able to launch within a couple of hours. These are short-duration satellites that will only remain in orbit for about two weeks before de-orbiting. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Stofiel Aerospace at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 9, 201613 min

TPN Crew Picks at 2016 CES

Jamie Davis is joined by Daniel J. Lewis and Michael Day. They discuss their personal picks from 2016 CES. Michael talks about a spoon that is designed to automatically compensate for involuntary movements, allowing people with Parkinson’s Disease or Cerebral Palsy to feed themselves. Daniel talks about the IK Multimedia iKlip A/V, a sophisticated mounting device that allows a smartphone to be used as a light-weight, single hand-held video recorder with a wireless lav microphone and real-time audio monitoring. It should be available in the second quarter of 2016 and should be priced around $100 or under. Nick Demayo’s pick was the GymWatch Sensor, a Bluetooth-enabled device that you can clip on your arm that is able to detect range of motion, speed, etc. to ensure you are exercising properly and can report data back to an app on your mobile device. The app can graphically display your range of motion on your mobile device and also tell you verbally if you need to speed up, slow down, etc. to ensure maximum exercise impact. The GymWatch Sensor sells for $149 and $289 depending on model. Jack and Michael like Dog and Bone Bluetooth LockSmart, a Bluetooth-enabled padlock that sells for $89.95. Jamie found a ThinOPTICS flat smartphone-shaped pod that sticks to the back of your phone case that stores flat built-in reading glasses. Through the use of FlexGrip technology, the ThinOPTICS teading glasses securely stick to the bridge of your nose without arms and stores flat in the back of the phone case when not in use. The ThinOPTICS pod sells for $24.95. Or choose a phone case version to fit your phone for $38.95. Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic and health journalist. Daniel J. Lewis is the host of the award-winning podcast about podcasting, The Audacity to Podcast. Daniel helps others launch and improve their own podcasts for sharing their passions and finding success. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors   The post TPN Crew Picks at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 9, 201611 min

Nexia at 2016 CES

Todd Cochrane talks with J. George Land, Executive Director of Nexia Connected Home Solutions. Nexia Connected Home Solutions is a software provider that works with selected products from a select number of different home automation manufacturers integrating everything into one voice-controlled software application. Nexia offers Z-Wave gateways. The Nexia Z-Wave bridge sells for $67.00 on Amazon and can handle up to 200 Z-Wave compatible products from different manufacturers. With The Nexia Z-Wave bridge, you can control your connected home products from anywhere you have an Internet-connected mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop computer. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Nexia at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 8, 20169 min

VESA talks DisplayPort at 2016 CES

Todd Cochrane talks with a Bill Lempesis, Executive Director of the VESA video standards organization. VESA now has 235 members and is currently concentrating most of its efforts around DisplayPort, a digital display interface standard. They discuss the current state of acceptance of DisplayPort. The new USB-C port is expected to carry DisplayPort video on a wide variety of mobile and other products in the near future. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post VESA talks DisplayPort at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 8, 201611 min

Humanscale Ergonomic Furniture at 2016 CES

Todd Cochrane interviews Jim Kidd of Humanscale, an ergonomic furniture manufacturer. Todd and Jim discuss the need for and health benefits of ergonomic office furniture. Humanscale’s product line includes sit/stand desks, seating, keyboard systems, monitor arms and lighting. Humanscale’s adjustable sit/stand desk products are designed to easily be mechanically raised and lowered with minimal one-handed effort. Their task chairs are designed to automatically adjust to the individual weight of the person sitting in them each time. Humanscale also offers a seating ball called Ballo priced at $329. Ballo encourages low intensity activity while in a seated position. Humanscale’s sit/stand desk solutions are priced from $829 to $1,999 depending on size. Humanscale’s task chairs are priced from $319 to $1,169 depending on selected model. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Humanscale Ergonomic Furniture at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 8, 201615 min

Digital Ski with AR Goggles at CES

There are all kinds of fitness and sports trackers coming onto the market, from the generalists like Fitbit through to the specialists for single sports, like basketball or baseball. Digital Ski is in the latter category, bringing specialist sensors to both downhill and cross-country skiing. Dr Hermann Schindler of HS Innovations shows Jamie and Nick what’s possible with two sensors instead of one. Unlike most sports trackers, Digital Ski uses two intercommunicating sensors, one for each ski. The dual sensor approach brings the benefit of better motion analysis as with only one tracker, it’s not always easy to see if a motion was cause or caused. Impressively, the sensor information is reported in real-time to the skier’s (augmented reality) googles which can show the skis’ movements and forces while in motion. There’s a German language video here which shows it off to good effect. Of course, there’s an app too for post-race analysis. For runners, there’s Run Rockets, which uses a similar dual sensor strategy to provide data while on the hoof, as it were. Digital Ski isn’t available for purchase yet but those interested can register on the website. Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic and health journalist. Nick DiMeo is a video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Digital Ski with AR Goggles at CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 8, 20167 min

Catalyst at 2016 CES

Todd Cochrane interviews Josh with Catalyst, a leading provider of waterproof cases for the iPhone and Apple Watch. The Catalyst line of waterproof iPhone covers have an IP-68 rating and every individual product is tested before the sale to a water depth of 16.4 feet. The Catalyst iPhone cases are also two meters drop proof. Catalyst also offers phone mounts that fit their waterproof iPhone cases. The phone mounts are priced at $45. The iPhone cases are priced at $74.99 for the iPhone 6S+, and $69.99 for the smaller iPhone 6S. The waterproof case for the Apple Watch is priced at $59.99. All Catalyst products are available now. Become a GNC Insider Today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Catalyst at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 8, 201611 min

BenQ at 2016 CES

Todd Cochrane interviews Ronald Kim from BenQ. They discuss BenQ’s new line of Zowie line of competitive gaming accessories. BenQ brings in professional gamers to help them validate their gaming accessory designs. Ron shows three models (they offer a total of seven models) of gaming mice that are specifically designed to give the end user the best possible gaming performance. They include the ZA Series, the EC-A Series, and the FK Series mice. Top-level professional gamers still prefer wired mice over wireless mice for the best possible lag-free performance. BenQ Zowie mice offer the ultimate in adjustable precision. The mice are all priced at $59.99 each and are available now. The BenQ Zowie mouse pads are priced from $25 to $45 dollars on Amazon. Become a GNC Insider Today! Support our coverage sponsors The post BenQ at 2016 CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 8, 20169 min

BeON Home Protection at CES

Improved home security is one of the benefits often cited by proponents of the smart home, but setting up everything can be technically daunting and require a little DIY. The team at BeON have taken a different approach, developing home protection that can easily be installed without any geek or DIY credentials. Jamie and Nick learn more about this original thinking from Alexei Erchak, CEO of BeON. The BeON Home system is a set of smart LED lightbulbs (or lamps) that screw in to replace existing lights. How are the bulbs smart? To start with, they learn the lighting patterns in the house so that when the building is unoccupied, the lights mimic the normal activity. Next, they learn the sound of the doorbell, so that when the doorbell rings, the lights will come on as if the householder is answering the door. Similarly, the BeON Home bulbs learn the sounding of smoke detectors and will automatically turn the lights on if a fire is detected in the building. Finally, the bulbs come with a backup battery which keep the lamps on even if the power fails. All-in-all, it looks a pretty neat solution providing a deterrent to intruders and enhanced safety for the home-owner and family. The BeON Home is available now and a starter kit costs US$199. Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic and health journalist. Nick DiMeo is video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post BeON Home Protection at CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 7, 20169 min

Fasetto Link Packs in the Features

Normally a wireless NAS unit wouldn’t merit a second look, with plenty of choice from big OEMs like Seagate to small crowd-funded efforts. But when this wireless NAS unit is the size of a matchbox, holds 2 TB and weighs 4oz, it’s definitely worth another viewing. Marlo and Nick examine this miniature marvel with Luke Malpass from Fasetto. The Fasetto Link is a small waterproof cuboid just 48 mm by 23 mm, yet holds a 2 TB SSD along with 802.11ac wireless connectivity. Able to connect to 20 devices at the same time, it can stream to seven of them at once. It has a write speed of up to 1.5 Gb/s so it’s entirely feasible to have multiple wireless action cameras recording simultaneously to the Link. If that’s not enough, it uses Qi wireless charging to recharge in less than an hour. Now this doesn’t come cheap – the 2 TB version US$1,449 but the price does fall with the capacity and a 256 GB version is only $349. The Link will be available in Q4 2016. Marlo Anderson rounds up the latest technology news at The Tech Ranch and Nick DiMeo is a video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Fasetto Link Packs in the Features appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 5, 201610 min

Jamstik Brings MIDI to the Guitar at CES

Keyboard players have had a wide range of options for creating all kinds of sounds for years, thanks to MIDI (musical digital instrument interface). MIDI takes input information from a control device, such as the keys of a keyboard, and translates it into audible sound, usually by triggering sounds in a sample bank. If you’ve ever played an electronic keyboard or synthesizer, then you’ve experienced MIDI in action. And while using a keyboard to play MIDI notes makes sense, it’s always been a challenge to transfer MIDI control to other instruments, such as guitar. Jamstik is working to change that. Chris Helle, Senior Music Product Specialist at Jamstik, stopped by the TPN booth to meet with Jamie and Nick. Chris showed off the latest version of Jamstik and demonstrated how it uses Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to an iPad. Jamstik can be used to control apps on iOS, Mac OS, and soon Android wirelessly. Jamstik uses infrared light to track a player’s movements on the fretboard, sending the data in near real time to the host device. This allows for fast responses, perfect for all kinds of musical performances. Jamstik is currently on the market for $299. Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly which can be found at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic, and health journalist. Nick DiMeo is an audio engineer and show host at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Support our coverage sponsors The post Jamstik Brings MIDI to the Guitar at CES appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 2, 201611 min

Lola from Blue are Headphones with Nothing to Hide

Headphones may seem simple enough on the outside. But to discerning ears, a set of headphones’ ability to accurately reproduce sound is crucial to the enjoyment of the material. Sure, a cheap set of earbuds might be fun for consuming audio during a bus or train trip. But when you really want to feel the audio you’re listening to, you go to that trusty set of big headphones that sound great. Many companies have produced high-end headphones over the years and microphone manufacturer Blue is the latest to enter this space. John Maier from Blue stopped by the booth to talk with Jamie and Nick. John showed off the new Blue Lola headphones. Lola headphones are ergonomically designed to have a great feel. They use a custom 50mm driver to provide full audio performance. The headphones’ physical design was inspired by a Formula One racing car’s suspension so the ear cups stay level regardless of the size/shape of the wearer’s cranium. Blue’s Lola headphones are expected to retail for $249. Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly which can be found at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic, and health journalist. Nick DiMeo is an audio engineer and show host at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Support our coverage sponsors The post Lola from Blue are Headphones with Nothing to Hide appeared first on Geek News Central.

Mar 1, 20168 min

Gyenno Spoon Returns Dignity to Tremor Sufferers

Hand tremors can be a very disabling condition for sufferers as the tremors affect the ability to feed oneself and simply, food won’t stay on the fork or spoon. For the afflicted, this either ends up in unremitting frustration or a considerable reliance on others. Fortunately, products are coming to the market which dampen and stabilise the cutlery (flatware) allowing those suffering from hand tremors to feed themselves with dignity. Jamie and Nick find out more about the new utensils from Kang Ren of Gyenno. The Gyenno spoon is designed to work with a wide range of tremor conditions and the spoon uses built-in sensors and machine learning to control two independent motor systems for spoon stabilisation. In addition to keeping the spoon still, the sensors record data which can be passed to healthcare professionals to monitor the on-going condition. The spoon is available from Amazon and is currently priced at US$312. Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic and health journalist. Nick DiMeo is a video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Become a GNC Insider today! Support our coverage sponsors The post Gyenno Spoon Returns Dignity to Tremor Sufferers appeared first on Geek News Central.

Feb 29, 20166 min

CUJO is a Simple, Yet Sophisticated, Smart Firewall

The internet can be a dangerous place if you aren’t careful. There are ads that contain malware, phishing websites, and other dangers. People who aren’t very tech-savvy might be unaware of the dangers or how to protect themselves, and their families, from them. CUJO provides a simple, yet sophisticated, smart firewall that can be easily used and understood by everyone. Jamie and Nick spoke with VP of Technology of CUJO Smart Internet Security, Robert Beatty, at CES 2016. He explained how CUJO works. It is a plug-and-play device that you plug into your router. There is no configuration required. CUJO will automatically take over from there. The CUJO team checks to make sure that your computer (and other devices) are not talking to things like virus command and controller centers or phishing websites. For SSL, they check to make sure that no “man in the middle” attacks are happening. They can also check to see if IoT devices are suddenly talking to a website other than their manufacturers. Once something has been identified as malicious, the team behind CUJO sends a signal to your CUJO device with a specific rule from that device in particular to whatever rogue server is communicating with it. Only that communication is stopped. Family members who are not tech-savvy can glance at the CUJO device and get a quick idea of how things are going. CUJO’s “eyes” appear to be smiling when everything is good. When CUJO’s “eyes” are round, it means that it is filtering something. CUJO is available for preorder via the CUJO website. The device is priced at $99.00. It comes with a subscription. The first three months are free. After the free trial is over, the subscription costs $8.99 a month. Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly which can be found at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic, and health journalist. Nick DiMeo is an audio enginner and show host at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology. Support our coverage sponsors The post CUJO is a Simple, Yet Sophisticated, Smart Firewall appeared first on Geek News Central.

Feb 29, 201610 min