Category Archives: CES 2012

iOnRoad Turns Your Old Car into a High-Tech Safety Machine

CES 2012, Mobile

The slogan “Turn your smartphone into a personal driving assisstant” should give you a quick overview of exactly what iOnRoad is all about. The smartphone app works in conjunction with the camera in your phone to watch what is going on in front of you and warn you of things like if you are getting too close to another vehicle or of lane drift.

The app is built to work in all light conditions, including at night, and gives audio alerts when it detects any dangers. iOnRoad claims the app uses 30 percent less battery power than your mapping app. The iOnRoad app is currently free, but will be $9.99 soon. You can find it in the Android Market, but it will be coming to iPhone later as well. There are a lot more cool little features to this, but you will have to watch the video below to learn about them. You can find out more at iOnRoad.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

[cessponsor]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Waterproof Your Gear With Liquipel

Accessories, CES 2012,

Liquipel LogoNanotech waterproof coatings have been quite the fashion at CES this year but Liquipel‘s offering is a little bit different. Todd and Steve learn more from Kevin Bacon of Liquipel.

Liquipel have developed a nanotechnology-based liquid-repelling coating for electronic devices that makes the device waterproof for short periods of immersion. This sounds pretty much like ever other waterproofing technology on the market…except Liquipel can waterproof gadgets you already own. Woah!

For only $59, you can send Liquipel a phone or mp3 player and they will waterproof it for you. At the moment there’s a restricted list of devices that Liquipel will coat but the list includes some Apple, Motorola, Samsung and HTC devices. The list of approved devices will expand over time and if you have a particular need, you can get in touch with them.

Watch the video if you want to see an Apple iPhone get dunked in water!

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network and Steve Lee of Waves of Tech.

[cessponsor]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Mobile Content Venture: Live TV on the Go with Dyle

CES 2012, Mobile, TVs, ,

Mobile Content Venture Somewhere in the back of a closet in a box, I have a portable TV. I use to carry it with me when I went camping or to a ball game. If I wanted to watch TV would simply turn it on and pull out the antenna and I was ready to go. Unfortunately when everything went digital, the TV became useless. Mobile Content Venture has joined with Samsung and Metro PCS, the 5th largest wireless carrier to bring mobile live TV back to the US consumer. The handset is made by Samsung and has an embedded mobile E. DTV tuner. Mobile Content Venture created the software application called Dyle which allows you to watch live TV over the device. Once the device is released in the US it will be available in 14 cities. They hope to expand to up to 32 cities. Depending on your location you can receive up to 6 channels including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and ION. You can also use Twitter, Facebook on the device.

If you already have a iOS device, then you might want to consider a Belkin accessory. This is a small dongle which connects to your iOS device using the 30 pin connector. Normally you would need an antenna to watch live TV however Belkin and Mobile Content Venture have developed a way around that problem by making the headphones the antenna. When you are ready to watch TV, just hit the Dyle application and you are ready to go.

At this time there is no pricing or availability date for the US for either of these two devices. The Dyle application will be free and available from the iOS store.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine

[cessponsor]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Nothing But Nets – A surprising visit to our booth

CES 2012, Health,

Todd and Steve get a surprise visit from a funny bug with a serious message. Even though it was Friday afternoon, and everyone was a bit punchy (including the tricaster operator in the studio) they managed to get the word out on this very important issue.

Nothing but Nets is a charity that sends mosquito nets to people in Africa. In Africa 1000’s of people die of mosquito-born illness. Nothing but nets will send a long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed net, distribute it, and educate communities on its use, all for $10. 100 percent of every $10 contribution to cover the costs.

You can donate by going to www.nothingbutnets.net

[cessponsor]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

IEEE Gives a Look Behind Today’s Tech

CES 2012, Computers,

IEEE, the commonly used abbreviation for the Institute for Electronics and Electrical Engineers, dropped by the TPN booth last month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to chat a bit about what is going on with the organization right now.

IEEE.org looks at all aspects of today’s technology, but also helps to set standards for some of it. You may have seen their logo on some products, but they have their hands on a lot more than you may realize, like 3D for instance. They also offer a lot of conferences on a broad range of topics and a large digital library that is open to the public. In addition, they also work with people to ensure the technical accuracy of papers and documentation before publication.

The video below is a fascinating, but technical, look behind the scenes. If you are interested by how this industry works, though, it’s worth checking out.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

[cessponsor]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

World Pride: Spy Gadgets for the Modern Spy

Accessories, CES 2012

World Pride is unlikely to be a name that you’ve heard of, but once you see a few of their gadgets in the video, you’ll recognise them from the gadget stores and catalogues. Jeffrey and Jamie chat with Jim.

The team at World Pride visit factories in Asia and try to spot cool gadgets that haven’t yet made it to market in the US. They then work closely with the factory to refine the product for US consumers. On show here are examples of gadgets that World Pride has already brought or will be bringing to the market.

One of the watches in the interview has a Bluetooth receiver and when someone rings your mobile phone, the watch will display the name or number of the person calling. As Jamie mentions, great if you are in a meeting and want to know if you should take a call.

Other gadgets include a pen and a watch with a video camera built-in and finally, there’s a miniature digital camera. It’s only about an inch wide but it looks like a tiny point-and-shoot camera while still taking 5 MP pictures and HD video.

Interview by Jeffrey “Austin” Powers of Geekazine and Jamie “007″ Davies of the  and the Nursing Show.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

CaseInity Cord On Board

CES 2012, Gadgets

Cord on Board was a Kickstarter project. The case comes with the custom sized cord included.  The case is $29.00 in their store at Casinity.

The idea is simple: have a cord inside the case at the ready for the user to either charge their device, or connect to a computer.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and Interviewed by Jamie Davis of The 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Skunk Juice: Magnetic Couplers Connect Multiple Headphones

Accessories, CES 2012

Skunk Juice earphones have a little feature which not only sets them apart from other earphones but brings friends together. Jeffrey and Andy talk with Corissa from Skunk Juice to find out more.

The novel feature about Skunk Juice earphones is that they have a patented inline magnetic coupler which provides two benefits. One, if you move away from your music player, the coupler snaps open rather than yanking your player onto the floor and, two, you can insert more than one inline magnetic coupler in the chain, letting you and your friends listen in to the same music. Up to four friends can tune in at the same time before the sound volume starts to fall. Neat.

Skunk Juice will be bringing new over-ear headphones to market later in the year, along with a Bluetooth version as well. The current earphones are $35.99 (available in black and white), the new larger headset will be around $100 and the smaller headset will be about $50. Skunk Juice earphones are available in the UKtoo.

If you are thinking that you’ve seen a magnetic coupler like this on a fruity laptop power supply and are wondering how Skunk Juice managed to get a patent, the answer is that Skunk Juice got there first.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and Andy Smith of Geocaching World.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

SteddiePod Brings Camera Monopod and Tripod Together

Accessories, CES 2012

This is the funniest CES interview I’ve seen (which isn’t saying much, to be honest). Jeffrey and Jamie get a hands-on demonstration ofBarberTech‘s SteddiePod by Eddie Barber, which actually looks pretty handy, all joking aside.

The Barber Tech SteddiePod is billed as the “world’s most versatile camera support” and it’s a handheld camera stabiliser with extra features designed in, so it can be used as a tripod or with the boom extended to give overhead shots. The setup looks amazingly straightforward – there’s a good video on the Barber Tech website – and with just a few minutes easy work, the SteddiePod can be accurately balanced for a video camera.

The SteddiePod starts at $499 and is available from dealers nationwide. Barber Tech is “Emmy Award Winning” and has other products such as camera booms and teleprompters for the TV and film industry.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and Jamie Davies of the  and the Nursing Show.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Wi3 – Turn Coax Cable into Ethernet Jacks

CES 2012, Gadgets

If you don’t want to re-wire your house for Ethernet, then check this out. Wi3 developed a way to use co-ax wiring (which connects the cable to your TV) to carry more that just pictures. The Wi3 system replaces the wall jack with a modular unit that offers a range of connection or transport options. All without affecting the cable TV signal.

Installation is five minutes The first two modules are only available to dealers at present but they will be stocked in big boxes nationwide later in the year. Prices are $150 and $200 for the ethernet only and wi-fi models respectively.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and Andy Smith of Geocaching World.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More