Category Archives: Accessories

MightyMic Pro brings high quality audio to any device @ CES 2021

January 26, 2021Accessories, Cameras, CES 2021, Mobileces2021, gadgets, microphone, mightymic, mobile, videoPLUGHITZ Live

Ampridge MightyMic Pro Paul Ackel, Vice President of Ampridge, a U.S. based company that makes the MightyMic, a microphone for smartphones and cameras, joined us at CES 2021 to tell us about some of their latest developments in microphone technology.

Their core product, the MightyMic Pro, is a wireless Bluetooth microphone that can be paired to almost any device and can transform almost any headphone into a wireless microphone. Designed to work with most popular apps, the latest iteration of the MightyMic is the MightyMic Pro 3, a robust mic designed to accommodate a longer battery life, reaching 9 hours on a single charge. It also allows for the addition of external microphones. With three different sensitivity settings, it provides highly customizable audio recording. Additionally, the Ampridge MightyMic Pro employs a unique circuit design that solves the challenge of playing back music when recording video.

Ampridge delivers its MightyMic Pro in a series of different packages serving different needs. The MightyMic L-Pack includes the wireless adapter plus a clip-on Lavalier microphone, providing an off-the-shelf solution for hands-free broadcasting from any device. The MightyMic F transforms the mic into a mini-shotgun microphone. The Mic F effectively provides 4-in-1 microphone capabilities, with a fuzzy windscreen attachment for outdoor use on a DSLR or other device, the ability to attach it to the mic jack on a tablet or phone, to a phone rig, or to a boom pole. With the MightyMic adapter attached, you can also wirelessly stream audio. The MightyMic is also compatible with most gimble mounts.

The Ampridge adapter allows users to take any traditional 4-pin designed headphone microphone and turn it into a wireless microphone. Ampridge also makes the MightyMic C, a directional hand-held microphone with multiple settings and an XLR cable.

The MightyMic Pro retails for $80. The L-Pack sells for $100. The F-pack and the C pack both retail for $110.

Visit the company’s website for more info and find their products on Amazon.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

Sponsored by:
Get $5 to protect your credit card information online with Privacy.
Amazon Prime gives you more than just free shipping. Get free music, TV shows, movies, videogames and more.
The most flexible tools for podcasting. Get a 30 day free trial of storage and statistics.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Smoothtalker technology that boosts your cell phone signal @ CES 2021

January 26, 2021Accessories, CES 2021, Home, Mobileautomobile, gadgets, mobile, signalPLUGHITZ Live

Smoothtalker cellular boosters The modern world runs on mobile devices, and when it comes to mobile connectivity it all starts with your signal strength. That is where Smoothtalker comes in! With devices that are easy to use, Smoothtalker is bringing the world of cellular signal boosting from the commercial market to the home in 2021.

Whether you need a couple of extra bars in your home or on the go Smoothtalker has you covered. Their units made for home and commercial use are no larger than your average router and boast ranges from 6 miles to your closest mobile tower that cover a range of up to 2,500 square feet, to a model with a whopping 30 miles distance from your local cell phone tower that covers up to 5,000 square feet. With range like this you can guarantee your family and visitors complete mobile connectivity across your entire house, whether in the city or just outside the city limits.

On the go in the car, RV, or even in a boat? No worries. With a full line of mobile units for single user or multi-user use, Smoothtalker wireless boosters are ready to get you connected at. Whether it’s your office on the go or your family on vacation, Smoothtalker mobile boosters are good to go with minimal wiring knowledge needed and easy to use functionality that assures you the best connection for cellular phones and wireless devices. Even if you are taking the family out on the houseboat for the weekend, that does not mean you cannot still be connected. The Wave x6 marine booster and its water ready brethren are the solution for all your connectivity needs while out riding the waves of the internet on the lake.

Stop on by and checkout the full line of great products from mobile connectivity to mobile accessories and more today at https://www.smoothtalker.com.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Caregiver Smart Solutions eases the aging in place process @ CES 2021

January 24, 2021Accessories, CES 2021, Health, Homeaging, ces2021, connected home, gadgetsPLUGHITZ Live

Caregiver Smart Solutions aging in place technology As we age, certain abilities degrade. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong or embarrassing about this – it’s just a part of aging. However, many people still feel a level of embarrassment about these changes and will do things to pretend they don’t exist. When aging in place, ignoring these issues can be even more of a problem because they can indicate other issues, or cause future issues. Caregiver Smart Solutions has a suite of products designed to help identify these issues while maintaining privacy.

People with hearing loss will pretend all is fine and not look for hearing enhancement technology. Some will begin to experience mobility issues, and not tell anyone including their doctors. And we know when we ask our parents how they are, the answer is often “fine” regardless of the truth. This can cause a lot of stress for the families of those aging in place, and a lot of ways of checking up on your family can be intrusive. The Caregiver Smart Solutions suite allows you to learn about your family’s behaviors without installing cameras and other intrusive technologies.

In an example provided by Ryan Herd, founder of the company, think of your mother coming home with groceries. She puts them away but doesn’t completely close the refrigerator door. She isn’t able to hear the refrigerator beeping to let her know, so she leaves the kitchen and goes to watch TV. When she returns later, she finds the door open, but still uses the food that may have spoiled in the fridge and gets sick. With this solution, however, you could get an alert that there is an alarm going off in the kitchen and call your mother to check on her.

The sensors track a lot of other environmental conditions, as well. For example, you can learn whether your family is eating, sleeping normally, moving around. It also has the ability to detect falls and notify you without the need for a wearable device or a panic button.

You can purchase the Caregiver Smart Solutions in kits or individual sensors now. To learn more about the system and make a purchase, check out the company’s website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Ariel is a solar-powered robot for easy pool cleaning @ CES 2021

January 23, 2021Accessories, CES 2021, Gadgets, Homeces2021, gadgets, home automation, robot, roboticsPLUGHITZ Live

Ariel by Pivot Solar Breeze There are so many pool owners these days and as everyone knows, there is a lot of upkeep to make sure it stays clean. Who wants to jump in to cool off if there is a layer of leaves and debris floating on top? Even worse, once you’re done cleaning, you are too tired to enjoy the pool. Paul Sim from Pivot Solar Breeze introduced us to a contemporary new robotic cleaning system for your pool. It’s called Ariel and it literally runs itself because it is solar-powered.

Most people clean their pool in what Paul says is an upside-down method. That is, cleaning with the device that resembles a stingray, which snakes along the bottom of the pool. By the time the debris is on the floor of the pool, it has decayed and created bacteria. It then requires more chemicals to bring the pH to a safe level, also forcing the filtration system to work harder than it has to.

Ariel floats along the top and literally scoops the debris and bugs before they decay and sink to the bottom, making the cleaning process easier. The robot has a paddle wheel that powers the movement to pick up the leaves, bugs, and debris into a mesh screen. There is a window to see how much has been collected so that it can be easily emptied. Being solar, Ariel only runs while the sun is out, making it self-powered. There is a 12W solar panel that also keeps the lithium metal battery charged.

It weighs a little less than about ten pounds. Even when the debris is collected, it shouldn’t be much more. That makes it light-weight to lift out and empty. It will be available in the second quarter, just in time for pool season. Your pool will always be “party-ready!” It retails for $528 but there is a CES special for $468. For more info go to their website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Aladin by Domalys is improving safety in assisted living @ CES 2021

January 23, 2021Accessories, CES 2021, Healthaging, ces2021, gadgets, HealthPLUGHITZ Live

Aladin by Domalys smart lamp Anyone who has ever been in a hospital room or assisted living facility is familiar with the standard light fixture over the bed. It provides light as well as a nurse call capability via a chain you pull. But, this fixture has remained completely unchanged for years and, more importantly, is completely passive. If something happens, you have to be close enough to the fixture to pull the chain or wait for someone to come by. Domalys has a solution to all of these problems with their Aladin lamp.

This light, which is currently focused on the medical industry, offers everything in the current light fixture, but with the added benefit of active reactions. Instead of having to manually turn the light on and off, Aladin does this for you. If you get up at night, Aladin turns on the light to help reduce the risk of falling. This is important because nearly 30 percent of older people have serious falls.

If you do fall, Aladin can detect the behavior and report it to the facility staff. This eliminates the need to pull a chain or push a button that you may not be able to reach. It also reduces the amount of time before a staff member can get to you to help you up.

The sensors are not only used for detecting falls, however. They can also be used to track behaviors, both day and night. This allows the system and facility staff to detect changes in behavior over time. Some of these changes, including increased bed lifts or lower sleep quality, can be indicative of other declines in health. Being able to detect these changes early can help reduce the lasting effects of these changes.

Domalys is currently working with facilities to implement the technology. For more information or to engage them to install the system, head to the company’s website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

TROVA has it locked up tight, for hiding things in plain sight @ CES 2021

January 22, 2021Accessories, CES 2021, Gadgets, Mobileces2021, connected device, gadgets, mobile, privacy, securityPLUGHITZ Live

TROVA privacy boxes Privacy for certain things is important these days. Who wants to have a secure place to store things that screams out that there is something of value inside it? Scott from TROVA has brought a sleek secure storage box that is cleverly designed as a decorative accent piece for your home.

TROVA is a personal biometric safe used for secure storage “out in the open.” It is wirelessly connected through Bluetooth and secured with your phone’s biometrics. To open the box and access the contents inside, open the app on the connected phone and sign in using fingerprint, facial recognition, etc. Some of the models offer the ability to unlock with the multi-function button but that severely limits the security.

It’s made of aluminum alloy that is very strong. TROVA offers a few ways to physically secure the box. For simple installation, you can use the Kensington lock to connect it to your desk or table. For a stronger lock, it has internal bolts that are hidden from both the inside and the outside of the box. It is also able to send alerts based on different events. For example, if your TROVA gets too far from your phone, you can get an alert on your phone. You can also get a warning if the box is left open or it’s been moved.

The HOME offers a few added benefits. You can be notified if another user unlocks the device. There is an internal organization with a clever sliding shelf system that allows storage of several layers of items. It also offers Wi-Fi and NFC which gives more options for unlocking it.

TROVA GO and TROVA GO plus are available now for $199 and $229 respectively. The TROVA HOME is available for pre-order for $549. For more information go to their website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Nomadplug makes traveling a breeze for your devices @ CES 2021

January 22, 2021Accessories, CES 2021, Gadgetsces2021, gadgets, mobile, portable power, power, travelPLUGHITZ Live

nomadplug foreign travel adapter A hardware startup is not an easy thing to accomplish. There are numerous obstacles out there just waiting to slow you down, such as currency fluctuations, your certifications, selecting your manufacturer, or even a global lockdown! Now there is a great product called Nomadplug, created by Ryan Silberman. Nomadplug is an international travel adapter that has been in development for 3 years. It’s sleek and small, making it very lightweight to travel with. Speaking of travel, it functions in all of the 195 countries!

Nomadplug is a slick new product for many reasons and these are what sets it apart from other travel adapters. Unlike most travel adapters that have an individual piece for each plug type, Nomadplug does it with one interlocking connection. You simply disconnect the stack at the location you need and plug it into the wall. It also uses a rare earth magnet for keeping all the interlocking modules together.

On the backside is a universal plug so you can use almost any device from any country in any outlet in any country. The only limitation is that the device must support the voltage of that particular country. This makes traveling with modern phones, tablets, or computers easy. The plug features an easy to use hinge that prevents it from falling out of sockets.

In addition to the adapter, there will be three USB-C chargers that can also be used for your laptop and mobile phone. That means no more traveling with extra power bricks! The model that is available now provides 18W and a single USB port. Future models will be available with 30W and 65W, both offering more than one USB port. You can currently purchase the current model in a variety of colors for $76.44. For more information go to the company’s website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Movo introduces a trio of universal smartphone lenses @ CES 2021

January 20, 2021Accessories, Cameras, CES 2021, Mobileaccessories, ces2021, digital photography, gadgets, mobilePLUGHITZ Live

Movo SPL Smartphone Lenses There is no denying that the cameras on smartphones have improved incredibly over the past few years. Just look at the Samsung Galaxy S21, announced during CES 2021. The back is seemingly covered in lenses, but still, it doesn’t have all of the capabilities of a proper camera. That’s because, no matter how many extra lenses for different modes are added, there will always be capabilities that are missing. Fortunately, Movo has a solution that will work with almost any phone.

The company has announced a new line of clip-on lenses for smartphones, known as the SPL Series. The line is launching with a trio of options: a 238-degree fisheye lens (SPL-FE Super Fisheye), a 3x zoom perspective (SPL-TELE Telephoto), and an 18-mm perspective wide-angle (SPL-WA Wide Angle).

The feature that sets these lenses apart from many of the past products available on the market is that it is not dependent on the model of phone you have. In the past, these lens kits were form-fit for a particular model of phone. This limited the ability to take the lens with you when you upgraded your phone, meaning you had to rebuy every time you changed phones. The SPL Series of smartphone lenses are instead designed to clip onto nearly any phone, making them a one-time buy for photographers.

Most importantly, these lenses follow the company’s longstanding tradition of providing quality products at affordable prices. The existing product line contains photography and videography supplies, including lens accessories for cameras. The move to include universal lenses for smartphones into the lineup is a natural extension of who Movo has always been.

All three lenses are available to pre-order, with shipping expected in February 2021. Each lens retails for $39.95. For more information or to purchase, check out the company’s website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Millo Appliances brings a small blender on the go @ CES 2021

January 20, 2021Accessories, CES 2021, Homeces2021, gadgets, kitchen, smarthomePLUGHITZ Live

Millo Smart Blender Some areas of our lives get regularly updated, while others tend to stay about the same. The kitchen has mostly stayed the same over the years, with the exception of the occasional trendy appliance. However, the next major change in the kitchen has been coming for a few years and is starting now with Millo Appliances.

For years, we’ve heard about the wireless kitchen of the future, but it always seems just out of reach. But Millo Appliances has made it a reality with the Millo Smart Portable Blender. Now, care of this small, portable device, you can have smoothies and more anywhere you are. And, unlike the traditional wireless kitchen promise, this device is battery-powered, meaning you can take it with you to the park, the beach, and more.

The portability and size are possible because of the technology that powers the device – a magnetic air drive. Rather than using a traditional motor, which requires a lot more power because of the loss of torque, this motor uses magnets to drive the blades, which almost entirely eliminates the torque issues. Less force requires less power, meaning that this little kitchen device can run on a battery. This battery can charge up in about 2 hours and will last for up to 10 smoothies.

To go along with the unique driver, the Millo Smart Portable Blender also employs a unique interaction design. The carafe simply sits on the base without the need for a docking pin (because of the magnetic drive). In addition, the entire base is a control surface, meaning there is no front or back. When you touch the base, a segment of capacitive buttons lights up, giving you full speed control. If you rotate the base and touch a new spot, the buttons will follow you.

The Millo Smart Portable Blender is available for pre-order now at $399 and will be shipping soon. For more information or to pre-order, head to the company’s website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Nooie brings beauty and security together in your home @ CES 2021

January 20, 2021Accessories, CES 2021, Homeces2021, connected home, gadgets, security, smarthomePLUGHITZ Live

Nooie Cam Doorbell The technology field is full of fascinating products that, while doing a great job to help the user in his chosen field, are not very attractive to look at. This is where Nooie is so different. The Nooie line has beautiful cameras and a smart-looking doorbell.

Nooie was created in 2018 in San Francisco by co-founder and designer Sasha who introduced us to Nooie. The Nooie Cam Doorbell is designed for beauty and smart function. One of the advantages of the Nooie Cam Doorbell is the ease of installation and use. The wiring has been eliminated and replaced with a powerful battery with a 10,000 mAh capacity. The base station, on the other hand, plugs into a standard outlet and must stay within 20 feet of the bell. One of the things that set this doorbell apart is that it is a 2K camera instead of HD. This will give greater clarity when viewing remotely or reviewing footage.

Another product of this company is the 360-degree camera with night vision. It has horizontal and vertical rotation with advanced algorithms that can track motion wherever the action is. The night vision has two 940nm infrared LEDs that will ensure a perfectly crisp and clear picture up to 32 feet, even if it is pitch black. There is also a 2-way audio system allowing you to listen and talk to your family and even your pets anywhere in the house. It has a built-in anti-noise feature and a mic and speaker. You can share streaming and recordings with others if desired. There is a capability of also using it with Alexa, making it like having a personal assistant in your own home.

These designer security products are available now on Amazon. The Cam Doorbell retails for $149.99. The Cam 360 is retailing for $49.99. To learn more about these and other Nooie products, check out the company’s website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More