All posts by Andy McCaskey

A Look at CE Design

CES 2013, Gadgets,

ViVickLogoHere’s some insight into the world of design – taking standard features and capabilities and presenting them in a fresh way. Vivick Designs in headquartered in Vancouver, BC and, since 1986 has been behind many of the designs for products we use and wear. In this interview, we look at two novel designs, one for a LED study lamp that combines a Bluetooth speaker system – and also allows connection from the regular desktop computer, and the other a portable power supply that is designed to power devices such as tablet or smartphone when regular AC mains power is not available. It includes a means of stowing the line cord, all a part of the design for use that the company has as a specialty. TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Scott Ertz, F5 Live: Refreshing Technology .

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Rocstor: Secure Storage with Data Encryption

CES 2013, Computers,

RocstorLogoKeeping data secure without having to load special drivers or programs offers a lot of appeal. RocStor builds ruggedized drive enclosures with built in encryption that mount just like a regular portable drive. Using access cards or a hardware token, the drive is built so that tampering will be immediately obvious. The drives are fully bootable in both Apple OSX and in Windows 7 and 8. It is particularly useful for financial workers, doctors, lawyers and others with high value data. Originally designed for US Government applications, this USA manufactured product begins at $250 for a 1TB drive. Firewire and USB interfaces are available. TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Scott Ertz, F5 Live: Refreshing Technology .

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HD HomeRun for All Your Screens in the Home

CES 2013, Home, ,

HDHomeRunLogoThe distribution of HD content within the home has been a problem – if you want to preserve video quality. HD Home Run is an established product that permits you to have the output of up to three tuners converted to broadcast quality MPEG-2, and then distributing it through the wired home network. However, as soon as you add a device like a smartphone or tablet, you will find that the on-board devices are just not able to keep up with the decoding task. Plus, the bandwidth on the home WiFi network is not going to be able to keep up. Networking of video in the home, using Conditional Access you are able to stream video to any connected device – wired, or wireless Android or iOs.  The new HD Home Run system takes up to four separate video streams and does a real time transcode of the MPEG-2 to H.264 that can be carried over WiFi, and easily decoded by the processor in the tablet or smartphone. The new system is fully compatible with Windows8. TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews .

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Action Packed 360 Degree 4K Video on a Budget

CES 2013, Gadgets, ,

EyeMirrorThere is nothing like the popular GoPro camera to get right in the middle of the action. This adapter from EyeMirror adds a full 360 degree view, and features a totally sealed enclosure so that the mirror never gets wet (tested to over 100 feet). The camera shoots at 4K, 24 Frames per second in a package that’s fully qualified for underwater adventure, and then the software translates it to a web page viewer that allows the reader to direct the view of the video to any point in the field of view.

The system is not only usable for outdoor videography, but there are security applications where a 360 degree surveillance field is of interest. The camera is $800, significantly less than other solutions – and it can be attached to conventional cameras and DSLR’s for photography on land. TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews
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Streaming Live 3D video

CES 2013, Gadgets, ,

PairasightThis is a developers dream project, from a new company called Pairasight. It has been over two years in development – with a prototype that has been fabricated on a 3D printer.  The capture device links to a smartphone which then transmits the signal to a website where it is displayed, and is viewable in 3D. The full 1080p video streams are both at 30 frames per second, from separate left and right 5 megapixel cameras, and include audio as well. The on-board processer CPU has less than 5% loading, and the developers anticipate that onboard realtime image processing will be in the next version of the device. With 600 mAh hour battery, it gives about 90 minutes of streaming – or about six hours without continuous streaming. Developers can have early access to the modules used in the device at SomThings.com, with single unit pricing of $200.

The initial applications for the device will be for EMT responses and repair or do-it-yourself advice with the realtime expert being connected on a wireless link. The developer’s hope that with early adoption efforts, it will become another tool for getting the right knowledge and skillset on site and on target. TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Scott Ertz, F5 Live: Refreshing Technology .

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Hold and Operate Your Tablet While on Skype

CES 2013, Gadgets

mobioAs revolutionary and handy as tablets such as the iPad have become in just a few years, they are still not set up to be easily held and operated during a Skype call or similar event. Participants end up propping the device at the right angle – which works until there is some screen action that needs to be taken or volume adjustment made – which knocks the camera view off center or topples the whole device to the floor. Mobio devices are manufacturer agnostic, equally at home on Apple, Samsung or other brands. And, for any tablet device it becomes a stand in landscape or portrait mode,depending on the application being run. For video or  still camerawork,  your hand does not cover the camera, making it easier to take steady shots, up close. Price class $45 . TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Scott Ertz, F5 Live: Refreshing Technology .

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Look like a Genius with Keyboard Shortcuts

CES 2013, Computers, , , ,

KBcoversLogoProfessional video editors, Photoshop experts and CAD operators all know that the secret to mastery of a complex application is not to be found mousing around through stacks of menu items, right and left clicking and remembering where the menu choices have been relocated from version to version. Power users know that keyboard shortcuts – where your hands never leave the keyboard and the app becomes an extension of your mind is where real productivity is found. KBCovers helps you move to that keyboard genius level in a quick and easy step, with overlays for Apple notebooks and keyboards. As you begin by typing slowly, you will learn the shortcuts and your speed will increase quickly and smoothly. The covers offer protection and embedded product keyboard shortcuts for many professional apps, in addition to special editions for the visually impaired or those who must operate in low light situations, such as nightclub DJ’s and lighting. Both US and ISO keyboards are available in the $30-$40 range. TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Scott Ertz, F5 Live: Refreshing Technology .

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Evutec Introduces Limited Edition Luxury Cases

CES 2013, Mobile,

evutecWood, wood veneer, and bullet resistant fiber are not the materials for the run-of-the-mill smartphone case. In fact, the idea of luxury cases made from high quality materials in limited production runs is the idea that Evutec brought to CES2013.  In addition to cases for Apple products, Evutec has models for HTC, Amazon, Samsung, Motorola, Blackberry and Google devices.

An established producer of luxury goods crafted from leather, bamboo, redwood and similar materials, Evutec also is quick to align with fashion trends in upscale markets, insuring that their products are sleek accessories to the latest styles in clothing, leather goods and premium business attire. TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Scott Ertz, F5 Live: Refreshing Technology .

 

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Big Surprise: Women Love Spiders

CES 2013, Gadgets, ,

breffoAt least when they are the  Breffo Spider– a mounting system for desktop, auto, bike or cubicle. It’s not clear if they love spiders, or if they are buying them for gifts, but it’s been a surprising trend since it was introduced a year ago. Applicable to any sort of mobile device, the completely pliable legs capture GPS units, smartphones, cameras, radar detectors, portable radios, music players and other devices. Using a premium grade of steel rod, it holds in position rather than springing back.  Oriented in portrait or landscape, it can be molded to the car headrest or other vehicle parts. TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Scott Ertz, F5 Live: Refreshing Technology .

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Mobile Mounts from Panavise

CES 2013, Mobile, , ,

PanaviseLogoAny electronics technician will immediately recognize the name and quality of Panavise – the standard for precision vises, circuit board holders, work holding tools – the essential “third hand” for delicate tasks. It turns out that they also design and manufacture mobile electronic mounts for smartphones, GPS units, and mobile video screens. Other consumer and pro grade components include CCTV cameras and home theater components.

The system is designed for flexibility and adapts to wide format smartphones like the Galaxy Note, but is also adjustable for the much narrower iPhone 5.

We also took a look at the mount for the GoPro camera – allowing mounting on the exterior of vehicles – say at hubcap level – for exciting action shots that had not been available before. TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey, SDRNews and Daniel J. Lewis, The Audacity To Podcast.

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