All posts by Andy McCaskey

Modular Home Security

CES 2013, Home,

Sensors and Apps Combined into Affordable Alert Service

Lowes Logo

The smartphone is changing security monitoring and home automation  – with consumers demanding the ease of use of app based display and control. Smartphone connectivity and apps permit Lowe’s to offer packages like the Smart Kit and Safe and Secure are basic security systems in a box.  In addition to hardware  such as plant monitors, smoke detectors, instrusion alarms, medical alert or area coverage monitors, Lowes now offers a variety of monitoring services that that can trigger alert or safety alarms.

Iris

Integration of pet doors, sprinkler systems and other sensors all combine to observe the daily routine of seniors and alert via SMS is less than $15 per month.

TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDRNews.com

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Micro Climate Air Quality Monitor

CES 2013, Gadgets

Home Weather Air Quality Monitor

NetAtmo Logo

The growth of metropolitan population around the world has incredible impact on air quality. Three time CES Innovation Winner NetAtmo has designed a micro air quality sensor compatible with Android and iOS devices.  Official air quality monitors are not plentiful enough to measure and report air quality in microclimates that exist across the entire city, so these units augment the official measurement systems, and provide a more complete picture of the changes moment to moment.

Netatmo

The unit links via Bluetooth and compares interior and exterior air quality, pollution, humidity and air pressure. The Wifi connected base station uploads to the user account, which is then accessible from the Smartphone app.

TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDRNews.com

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Two weeks of Power from a Portable Fuel Cell

CES 2013, Mobile,

Nectar Mobile Power System

Nectar Logo

If you are constantly on the move, you probably  struggle to keep your devices charged throughout the day. You try techniques like disabling services in an attempt to keep within your battery capacity when you are out of the office or car, unable to charge your device – and end up without information from a critical app.  Or, you might be on a long trek away from power mains but still within wireless range. You need more power.

CES-2013-AM-LilliputianSystems-Nectar-FuelCell

The Nectar Mobile Power System is a flameless fuel cell that combines a hydrocarbon (butane) with oxygen from the air – producing electricity as a by-product.  This technology came from MIT, and uses a solid oxide fuel cell, converting any hydrocarbon into electricity. Fully approved for airplane travel, the system can provide two weeks of cellphone power on a single charge that costs less than $10.

It will be available exclusively at Brookstone in mid 2013. More technical details at their site, NectarPower.com

 

TPN Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDRNews.com

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MakerBot: The Open Source 3D Printer

CES 2012, Gadgets,

Affordable Digital Replication

MakerBot Industries has an online community at Thingiverse.com where users can post digital design files, document their designs, and collaborate on open source hardware. That is only part of the emerging product and community surrounding one of the Top 20 NYC Startups. Makerbot has been featured  has been featured in The New York Times, Wired, Colbert Report, Fast Company, Engadget, Make: Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, Time.com, IEEE Spectrum, CNN, Financial Times, NPR, the Economist and others.

Bre Pettis has appeared on TPN for several years as a featured guest at CES.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDRNews and Don Baine, the Gadget Professor, for the TechPodcast Network.

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Line2: Add a Second Line to Android or iOS device

CES 2012, Mobile, , ,

Add Flexibility with WiFi Connection Second Line

You may want to keep business calls separate from personal calls. You may want to keep your cellphone number private, or have responsibilities for a volunteer organization or agency that needs a public face. Line 2 is a great choice for professionals.

And as an added bonus, you can take an old iPhone, add this $10 a month application and have a fully functional phone within a wifi cloud that will forward to a regular phone or voicemail when you are outside of the wifi zone.

There’s a 7 day free trial period.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDRNews and Don Baine, the Gadget Professor, for the TechPodcast Network.

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Perch: Solution for Chargers Left Behind

CES 2012, Mobile,

Don’t Lose Your Charger

Road Warriors are famous for multi-tasking on the run. One of the consequences is that they often run out of their hotel rooms or airline business clubs with a variety of chargers left behind – either behind drapes, under desks or in the out-of-the-way places that outlets live.

Perch has developed a device that sounds the alarm whenever you depart. It very simply reminds you to take your charger for mobile phone, GPS, radar detector, laptop or other device with you, instead of leaving it behind and coming up short on juice a few hours later.

 

Interview by Courtney Wallin of SDRNews for the TechPodcast Network.

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Solar Focus: Solar Kindle Lighted Cover

CES 2012, Gadgets, , ,

The SolarFocus Technology Company Ltd  offers a CES2012 Innovation Award product, the solar-powered Kindle Lighted Cover.

E-ink technology offers an easy-on-the-eyes lightweight reading experience with the Amazon Kindle. But if you are looking for a way to protect that screen, and make sure that your Kindle never runs out of power, this is the product for you!

Plus, with the built in light, you can read in areas without good illumination (like on long flights) or while your sleeping partner enjoys an early bedtime.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDRNews for the TechPodcast Network.

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iPowerUp : Portable Battery Packaged with Ingenious Features

Mobile, ,

Charging Device with Fuel Gauge

IPowerUp provides an entire series of cases, combining protective case with USB charging also adds a 1700mah battery – effectively doubling the range adding 6-8 hours of use time. Other models offer pockets for drivers license or credit card, or FM modulator that automatically selects an unused channel in home or auto. Charge status is displayed directly on most models, as well as integrated solar charging to allow the device to recharge indoors or out, adding about 17 minutes of talk time for every hour in the sun.

iPowerUp also makes a Bluetooth audio amplifier and a DLP Micro-Projector that also has charging capabilities.

Interview by Andy McCaskey and Courtney Wallin of SDRNews for the TechPodcast Network.

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iMicroData Introduces Smart-ID for Paper Filing Systems

Gadgets, ,

Thousands of File Cabinets Managed Electronically

Over 5000 file cabinets or 500,000 paper files can be managed with computer. Many types of real estate and legal documents require physical paper copies, rather than scanning. This system from iMicrodata uses RFID technology, modifying the cabinet hardware and linking it to a database that will enable you to move or remove a file folder as needed, while the system keeps track. The power for the device is transmitted through the rails mounted in the cabinet.

 

Mobile Apps are in the works, with starter packages under $1000.

 

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDRNews and Dave Lee from NetcastStudios for the TechPodcast Network.

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Kidzvuz: A Safe Place for Kids Online

CES 2012, Home

The World from a Kid’s Point of View

Kidzvuz is a Safe environment , targeting eight to ten year olds, allowing them to comment and learn how to create a digital footprint and build skills in digital content. All of the content is moderated, and parents have total control of what is actually released and published on the site. The site is free to use, supported by brands who want to reach the audience, who get great user generated content, but in full compliance with the Child Online Protective Act.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDRNews and Don Baine of the Gadget Professor for the TechPodcast Network.

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