Category Archives: Gadgets

Clinton Bonner – topcoder – IBM Innovate 2014, Orlando, FL



[topcoder] has been around longer than most “Top” shows you might have seen on TV and in fact, has over 600,000 people signed up to the site from all over the world. Their mission? To compete in challenges in different aspects of software design. The site also has a community aspect where members improve their skills, demonstrate and gain reward for their expertise, and provide the industry with objective insight on new and emerging technologies.

One of the cool things about topcoder is that the site launches challenges that require an extremely fast turnaround. So fast that they actually launched one during IBM Innovate 2014 that lasted only 22 hours. The task was to work with a Twitter data scraper to create beautiful and useful experience. Developers everywhere took this challenge head-on and the results of their efforts were very impressive!

Clinton Bonner from topcoder talks about all of that, as well as some really cool things the site’s members have created.

Video by Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live and PLuGHiTz Live.


Meg Swanson – BlueMix Overview – IBM Innovate 2014, Orlando, FL



Meg Swanson, Marketing Director with IBM’s BlueMix cloud-based development platform, talks with us before the show floor opens for the day about BlueMix as a whole. She gives a brief overview and then gives a call to action for developers who might be interested to try out the software. In this segment, Swanson says that BlueMix has been really well received by almost everyone who has tried it, with IBM’s support team rapidly making requested features and changes available to developers based on dev feedback.

Video by Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live and PLuGHiTz Live.


Gene Kim – The Phoenix Project – IBM Innovate 2014, Orlando, FL



Gene Kim, former CTO of Tripwire, and author and researcher of “The Phoenix Project” was gracious enough to talk with us at IBM Innovate 2014, where he was a special guest and keynote speaker. Kim dives into a few different points of his reasons for being at Innovate, along with a couple of funny anecdotes and comparisons.

Kim also touches on the principles of developer operations and says that his passion is to turn horses into unicorns, something you have to listen to in order to understand what he means.

Video by Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live and PLuGHiTz Live.


Sanjay Joshi – Cloud Development with BlueMix – IBM Innovate 2014, Orlando, FL



Nick talks with Sanjay Joshi with jStart Cloud Projects and Client Outreach – Emerging Technologies Software Group IBM. In this discussion, Joshi speaks on designing secure applications in IBM’s new platform-as-a-service, BlueMix.

Sanjay also touches upon some interesting projects he’s working on and things to watch for.

Video by Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live and PLuGHiTz Live.


Cloud Discussion – PitStop Meetup – IBM Innovate 2014, Orlando, FL



At IBM Innovate 2014 in Orlando, FL, the PLuGHiTz Live crew sit in and record a quick panel on information regarding cloud computing and the IBM platforms.

A team of experts discuss different aspects of the cloud, including things like security and deployment. The panel was hosted by celebrity tech enthusiast Veronica Belmont.

Video by Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live and PLuGHiTz Live.


Hyper’s battery backup for your MacBook with HyperJuice



MBP2-100-2At the recent CES 2014, Hyper Juice presented an affordable battery pack system that can serve as backup for your Macbook.

Hyper Juice Macbook batteries come in four different capacities, beginning with the 60Wh, which allows you to charge your Mackbook for up to 14 hours. Not only can you use it to charge your Macbook, you can also use it to charge your iPhone, a tablet, or any USB-powered device. They also have the HyperJuice 100Wh, which gives your Macbook an additional 24-hour charging time, and up to 18x for your iPhone. The 150Wh HyperJuice battery, on the other hand, has the ability to provide an additional of up to 36 hours of charging time for your Macbook and iPhone for about 27x. Lastly, the 222Wh Macbook battery pack is a 61,000mAh that provides an additional 53-hour charging time for your Mackbook, and 40 hours for iPhone.

If you’re a professional that produces audio and video podcasts that need extra hours from their Macbook, these battery backup from HyperJuice will be a perfect addition to your gadgets.

Using the Magic Box kit, a little adapter where you can modify your existing MagSafe Power Adapter, all you have to do is connect it to your Macbook to create a connection. This will enable your Macbook to charge your internal battery instantly. So when you need extra juice, all you need to do is connect it to the HyperJuice battery and it will instantly recharge your computer or iPhone. Each Magic Box is sold in three different options. One is the battery by itself, the Magic Box Do-It-Yourself kit, and the pre-modified MagSafe Power Adapter, wherein the Magic Box will do the modification for you.

Furthermore, there’s also the HyperJuice 2, which a 100Wh that has an OLED screen as well as the ability to interchange the internal battery at a later time. So if in two or three years your battery starts to dissipate and you want to have the most up-to-date battery, all you need to do is contact them and they will help you do that.

As for its prices, the 60Wh HyperJuice external battery starts at $169.95$249.95 for the 100Wh,$349.95 for the 150Wh, and HyperJuice External Battery 222Wh for iPad/iPad 2 & MacBooks (MBP-222)The HyperJuice 2, however, can be bought at only $299.95, Magic Box not included. Learn more about the HyperJuice line from Hyper’s website.

Interview by Daniel J. Lewis from The Audacity to Podcast.

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iRig PRO and iRig PRE for remote podcast recording with iOS or Android from IK Multimedia at CES2014



iRigPRO_PR_02IK Multimedia, a company staffed with talented musicians that was first known for their Abbey Road console, presents an awesome little device at CES 2014 that will allow you to connect your professional microphone to your iOS devices for a nice digital connection.

First off, the iRig PRO—a digital interface of iOS devices and Mac that has three inputs; one for 1/4″, MIDI, and XLR so essentially, if you are a podcaster, you plug in your microphone and go directly into your iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or your Mac and be able to record with it. IK has a different recording applications that you can use that will go well with iRig PRO one — the iRig Recorder, a digital audio support that comes in Free and Paid app, and VocalLive, which features 12 real-time professional voice effects. As long as your iOS device is running, all you have to do is plug your microphone into your device, run it through the iRig PRO, and do your podcast. You don’t even need to plug it in anywhere, and you can simply put your iOS device in your pocket and let the iRig PRO and the apps take its course.

If you want to use your Mac instead of your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, you can connect your iRig PRO through your Mac through its USB port.

Essentially, all you need is plug in your XLR for your microphone, turn on the phantom power and start using it on your device. With the iRig PRO, you can connect using the three different connectors available, depending on what your device is. In addition, iRig PRO also has a monitoring system that allows you to monitor to headphones or a live system such as the iLive. Plus, you don’t have to worry about having latency issues when using iRig PRO.

If you are using an older iOS device with a 30-pin connector or an Android device that needs an analog connection instead of the digital, however, IK Multimedia offers the iRig PRE, which is an analog connection. What it does is take the output of your iOS or Android device and turn it into an Input-Ouput. The iRig PRE also has a monitoring, which allows you to go live out with its 8″ connection. On the top is the On/Off switch for your Phantom Power, which runs using a 9V battery. iRig PRE also comes with a handy Velcro piece so you can secure it to either your microphone, a microphone stand or any flat surface.

Are you interested in these awesome little devices? You can get them at just $39 for iRig PRE for iOS and Android Devices, and $149 for iRig PRO. Learn more about iRig PRE and iRig PRO from IK Multimedia.

Interview by Daniel J. Lewis from The Audacity to Podcast.

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Canon’s new Vixia HD camcorders for podcasting and home production



VIXIA_HF_R52_main_LCD_bkFor many years, Canon has been a household name when it comes to high quality cameras, camcorders, printers, scanners, and copiers, to name a few. Recently, Canon introduces a new line of camcorders that are perfect not just for hobbyist, but also for podcasters that are looking for a new camcorder that has excellent features but affordable at the same time.

Canon introduces a new completely different reimagined line of camera of their Vixi mini camcorder that is perfect for producing a podcast or any kind of media at all. Introducing the VIXIA mini X, not only can this new mini camcorder take images at 12.8 Megapixels, it can also capture full HD video recordings up to 1920 x 1080p (30p/24p) to a removable SD memory card.

Unlike its predecessor, the Vixia mini X has two large stereo microphones that are two and a half times larger than Vixia mini, enabling it to pick up great audio in wide dynamic range. It also has a two-stage system, which can eliminate unwanted noises. Aside from the built-in stereo microphone, it also has a microphone input on the side, which is great for podcasters who want to use their own microphones quite often, especially when podcasting from a noisy environment. In addition, the Vixia mini X also has a headphone terminal, allowing you to adjust the audio whenever necessary using the volume dial.

When it comes to it’s screen, Canon’s Vixia mini X can be flipped in multiple angles. So whether you’re setting it up to interview someone or doing a separate podcast where you have to do the video work and be in the shot as well, you can simply reach, angle it, and make adjustments according to your needs. It also has a close-up mode, where you can crop unnecessary backgrounds and just focus on you and what you want to show. Even if you’re shooting at a low-light setting, the Vixia mini X has the Canon DIGIC DV 4 Image Processor, which provides excellent performance in a low-light situation. It also has an aperture of f/2.8, which also works great on low-light environment. What is great with this latest addition to the Canon camcorders is that it has no limit as to how long you can record; it only lies on the memory space of the SD memory card you are using.

VIXIA_mini_X_02If you want to step up your game when it comes to your podcasting, however, there are three newest lines of the Vixia HF R camcorders you can choose from, one of which is the VIXIA HF R500. Although it has no Wi-Fi and internal memory, it has 57x advanced zoom and an SD memory card slot, as well as the other advanced features the Vixia HF R camcorders have. The VIXIA HF R50 and VIXIA HF R52, however, both have built-in Wi-Fi and an internal memory of 8GB and 32GB. Using the built-in Wi-Fi, you can take control as to what images are coming up on the internet using their Media Controller App, whether it’s on an IOS or an Android smartphone system.

Canon also recently introduces the Pan Table, which is a base accessory that can be attached to the bottom of your Vixia mini X or the Vixia HF R camcorders. With this, you will have the option to oscillate the camcorder from left to right up to 200 degrees. It can also be manually adjusted for a tilt up to 20 degrees. Plus, using the Canon CameraAccess plus app, you can use the Wi-Fi to manage your files, as well as the camcorder’s stop-start and zoom option, making it more convenient when shooting your podcast.

At $399.00, you can already have the Vixia mini X and if you want to get the Pan Table, simply add $100.00 and it can be yours as well, which includes the battery pack and compact power adapter, to name a few. The Vixia HF R500, however, is at $299.99, whereas the Vixia HF R50 is being sold at $399.99 and the Vixia HF R52 is only $449.99.

One of the great things that Canon’s new line of camcorders bring to podcasters is that with its built-in Wi-Fi, you can be creative as you can be and share your video instantly. Learn more about VIXIA mini XVIXIA HF R500,Vixia HF R50, and VIXIA HF R52 by visiting Canon’s website.

Interview by Daniel J. Lewis from The Audacity to Podcast.

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Gosh! Parallel iPhone case with detachable battery



PrintGosh!, a company that is known for reinventing and recreating accessories for your smartphones and tablets, presented the Parallel 2500mAh Battery Case, an edgy accessory for iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, and iPhone 5S that takes away all the discomfort that typical power banks provide.

Unlike other power banks that come in separate battery banks, Gosh! Parallel’s are attached in a simple but chic iPhone case. Simply plug in the attached cable, press the power button, and your phone will start charging instantly! What’s more is that compared to some power banks, this super battery bank has a capacity of 2500mAH, 1.7× more lifespan so you can charge your phone all day without worrying about its battery life.

As for its case, however, the Parallel 2500mAh Battery Case are made of poly-carbonate case, which prevents it from scratches even if you put your phone face-down. Plus, this battery bank comes in three colors—Black, Red, and White. In addition, the battery case fits perfectly on your iPhone so you wouldn’t have to carry bulky and heavy power banks and power cords all day. You can even take it off (or not) off your phone whenever you like. Just don’t forget to push the power off once you’re done charging.

At $89.00, you can already have the Gosh! Parallel 2500mAM battery case, which is awesome for a battery that big and the case. Visit WhyGosh.com to learn more about this amazing iPhone case with detachable battery.

Interview by Daniel J. Lewis from The Audacity to Podcast.

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4-channel podcasting on iPad, iPhone, and Mac with Griffin Technology’s StudioConnect HD



Griffin Studio Connect HDProduce your audio podcast from home or remotely from your iPad or computer with StudioConnect HD. Griffin Technology—a leader when in accessories for home, mobile, and technology—recently launched an exciting new product that will bring your podcasting into a new level.

The StudioConnect HD is an all-in-one audio interface with two TRS/XLR combo inputs, where each inputs is its own individual channel, allowing the StudioConnect HD to support multi-track recording. Each inputs also has its own gain knob and phantom power. At the back of the unit are a 5-pin MIDI connection, a USB MIDI connection for USB keyboards, and balanced stereo output for studio monitors. The StudioConnect HD is compatible with iOS (30 pin & Lightning) and OS X (USB), with future support for Windows. Plus, you can use not just your laptop or iPad, you can also use your iPod Touch or iPhone, making it even more convenient when you air your audio podcast.

Using the two stereo inputs, you can record 4-channel audio by selecting which instruments you want to use from the left and right stereo inputs. This also allows you to use multiple instrument or microphones at the same time with this USB 2.0 device. And with only $199.99, you can already own this audio interface starting this Fall. Learn more about StudioConnect HD and see how it can take your podcasting into a new height.

Interview by Daniel J. Lewis from The Audacity to Podcast.

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