Category Archives: Entertainment

aiFi Stackable Bluetooth Induction-Based Speakers

February 5, 2015CES 2015, EntertainmentPLUGHITZ Live

There are a lot of Bluetooth speakers on the market, which is why it was refreshing to see the unique things aiFi is doing with theirs. Not only can you use a single one like a traditional speaker, but you can combine them to add functionality.

Whether you are looking for portability, music or television, there is a configuration for you. Odd numbers of speakers act like a soundbar, adding virtualized surround, while even numbers add depth through enhanced bass. Stack them speakers into both configurations to get both capabilities. The added range is endless.

Using induction and an internal computer system, the speakers can determine their position and configuration, and even pass the sound from the main speaker to its partners; no need to any wires or special connectors.

The speakers are not available retail yet, but you can pick them up on Indiegogo right now, or wait for them to hit store shelves this may.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology for the Tech Podcast Network.

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MGo Makes 4K Video Streaming a Reality at CES

February 3, 2015CES 2015, Entertainment, Video4K, CES, ces 2015, MGo, streaming, videogeek news

It seems like only yesterday we were crazy about our new high-definition TV’s. “We’ll never need anything better than this!” we proclaimed in pure satisfaction. But the times move on and so does the tech.

No doubt TPN followers are well aware of the arrival of 4K video. Marlo had a chat with Christophe Louvion, COO of MGO, a premium video-streaming service that specializes in 4K presentations. Louvion tells the story of how MGO was hoping to launch its 4K service at CES 2014, but they weren’t quite ready to go live. They did manage a successful launch later in the year, however, and MGO’s streaming capabilities have improved since.

Christophe also explains how MGO rebuilt the service after that failed launch, starting with the TV set and working back to the content provider.

Interview by Marlo Anderson from The Tech Ranch.

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Peri Duo Speaker Case for iPhone

January 31, 2015Accessories, CES 2015, Entertainment, Gadgets, MobileTodd Cochrane

When it comes to smartphones and tablets, there are few mobile devices that produce anything like a decent volume and as for stereo separation, forget it. Fortunately Peri can come to the aid of iPhone owners with the Peri Duo, a high-power wireless speaker and phone charger case. Todd and Jamie find out more from Cedric Sumimoto, co-founder of Peri.

The Peri Duo is a standalone wi-fi and bluetooth-enabled speaker and iPhone charger case all in one. As expected, music can be streamed via AirPlay but the iPhone doesn’t have to be in the case when playing the music, so the Duo speaker can be on the opposite side of the room while the iPhone is safely in a pocket. Even better, more than one Duo can be connected to a phone so one Duo can be assigned as the left speaker and one as the right. Alternatively, one phone can multicast to dozens of Peri Duos, which really gets the party going.

The battery is 2500 mAh which will fully recharge an iPhone once with a bit over, or else the Duo will play music for around 4 hours.

The Peri Duo will be available for the iPhone 5, 5s, 6 and iPod Touch. The MSRP will be $139 though it’s currently on pre-order at $99 via Indigogo. Deliveries are expected from April onwards.

Interview by Jamie Davis of Health Tech Weekly and Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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Audio-Technica Gets SonicSporty At CES

January 31, 2015Accessories, CES 2015, Entertainment, Gadgets, MobileTodd Cochrane

Japanese audio specialists Audio-Technica have a long pedigree in sound going back to the 60s with an impressive client list include a number of successive Summer and Winter Olympics. Todd and Crystal Griffith take a look at the latest headphones from Audio-Technica.

First up are new additions to the SonicSport line of in-ear headphones, each of which has a different mechanism for retaining the earbud in the ear. Some hang over the ear, others lock into the inner part of the pinna. The idea is that Audio-Technica has headphones that suit you and your activities. The USP of these in-ear phones is that in addition to the standard ear-tips, ridged ear-tips are provided which allow a small amount of external sound through. This makes the SonicSport headphone range a good choice for those who need to be a little more aware of their surroundings. Prices start at $35.

Next are a new pair of high-end audiophile over-ear headphones. Aimed at the lossless music market, these headphones are technically designed to get the best from the music source while providing comfortable extended listening. US availability is March at an RRP of $249.

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

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Ion Audio Gets The Party Going at CES 2015

January 19, 2015CES 2015, Entertainment, HomeTodd Cochrane

The great thing about Ion Audio is that they concentrate on fun audio products: seriously, who else puts a speaker in plant pot? At CES, Ion has continued in the tradition of fun with two products for two very different environments. Todd listens in with Wendy Fortin, Ion Product Manager.

First up is the Block Party Live, a 50W PA speaker on luggage wheels complete with light show. No really, there’s a light dome on top that projects coloured lights. Music can be streamed via Bluetooth and there’s an Apple and Android app to control the lights. Available now for $199.

Coming inside, the Sound Shine are wireless stereo speakers with built-in LED lighting. Screwed into a standard lamp holder the two speakers can either work as independent mono speakers or can be paired up for stereo sound. As with the Block Party, music is streamed via Bluetooth and both the music and light output can be controlled via an app for both Android and Apple devices. Available in Q1, $69 buys a single lamp and $129 gets a pair.

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

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Jamstik Guitar For Your iPad

January 19, 2015CES 2015, Entertainment, Gadgets, Toys & GamingTodd Cochrane

Learning to play a musical instrument is both challenging and rewarding but fitting practice into today’s busy lives can be difficult. Zivix Jamstik – the guitar for iOS – could be the answer. Chris Heille from Zivix shows the two Todds a few riffs.

The Jamstik is 16″ lightweight, portable guitar with six real strings and five frets designed to fit into modern life. It’s also a MIDI guitar controller which wirelessly connects with the iPad, iPhone and Mac. The Jamstik gives you the ability to use all of the nuances of guitar playing to control your favourite music creation iOS apps or Mac software.

Jamstik is a new idea in guitar controllers because it uses infrared light to “see” what your hands are doing in real time. Unlike other MIDI guitar solutions that rely on audio analysis and conversion to MIDI, the Jamstik scans the fretboard to detect what your fretting hand is up to before your picking hand ever hits a string.

If you want to learn the guitar, the included JamTutor iPad app will get you going through the basics of playing guitar without the hassles of tuning, lesson scheduling or expensive guitar teachers.

The Jamstik is available now for $299 from a range of retailers including select Apple stores. If buying direct from jamstik.com, look out for the limited time discount code CES2015JSSAVER.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Todd Aune of The Elder Divide for the TechPodcast Network.

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HearNotes Earbuds Bring Both Fashion and Fidelity to Your Audio

January 8, 2015CES 2015, Entertainmentaudio, earbuds, hearnotes, jamie davis, patrick donohue, Podmedic, wirelessJamie Davis

HearNotes is bringing revolutionary lossless audio technology to completely wireless earbuds at CES2015!

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For high-end audiophiles and people who crave both fashion and fidelity in their earbuds, HearNotes has brought you a solution. It is actually the most elegant solution we’ve seen in quite a while. No more bulky, blocky over the ear headphones, no more wires to get tangled or broken, HearNotes breaks the paradigm.

Health Tech Weekly host Jamie Davis, the Podmedic got the chance to stop by the HearNotes booth while at CES2015 to chat with founder and CEO Patrick Donohue about the genesis of the product and the key design features that set these earbuds apart from the pack. From the packaging and charging box to the innovative and exiting design, we think the HearNotes earbuds will be the next big thing in audio later this spring when they’re released!

Make sure you follow Jamie’s picks and coverage over at HTWeekly.com and the Tech Podcasts Network live CES 2015 coverage over at TPN.tv during the show where our entire CES team will be bringing you the best, the most innovative, and newest tech gadgets to you from the conference! And don’t forget to check out his shows for at NursingShow.com, MedicCast.tv, and the brand new Health Tech weekly show at HTWeekly.com.

CES 2015 Brilens LS1280 LED Projector

January 7, 2015CES 2015, Entertainment, Gadgets, Home, TVs, VideoTodd Cochrane

The Worlds First Portable Laser Projector. It features an Osram Laser Lamp with over 50,000 hours life and Texas Instrument DLP display technology, as well as a rich multimedia interface, mobile wireless screen mirroring and passive shutter 3D. It comes with a an external battery pack that can power the projector for two hours as well as run on regular power. The Projector is capable of 3800 lumens and was stunning in the studio. The color clarity was simply incredible. The unit retails for $999 and comes with multiple language support.

The projector has almost no heat due to the LED projection and was tested extensively running for up to a week continuously. It comes with a 2 year warranty. It has nearly every possible media connection while the projector is capable of 720p the image quality was incredible.

In the coming weeks we will be taking a much deeper look at this projector with a separate review by Geek News Central.