Category Archives: Gadgets

Zolt, the World’s Smallest Laptop Charger

CES 2015, Gadgets

Zolt_scene2finalThe Zolt Laptop Charger Plus is not your average laptop charger. First, it is the size of a roll of quarters and only weighs three ounces; second, it has three integrated USB ports so that you can charge any mobile device as well. The Zolt uses a proprietary, high voltage, USB based connector that has multiple interchangeable ends so you can use it with most laptops. The Zolt will also soon support Apple MacBooks, with a special adapter sold separately.

The Zolt charger uses special technology called ERC (Efficient Resonant Control) that analyzes the devices that you plug in to, and puts out the exact charge needed by that device. The three USB slots on the Zolt Laptop Charger Plus can each be used to charge a mobile device, however only the top port is powerful enough to charge a laptop. A special “key” in the end of the included laptop cable, keeps the user from plugging it into the wrong port.

The Zolt Laptop Charger Plus is available for pre-order now at a special price of $79.99. It will cost $99.99 when it comes to market later this year. If you would like more information, you can check out the website at GoZolt.com.

Interview by Chris Davis for the Tech Podcast Network

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Flic is a Shortcut Button for Your Life

CES 2015, Gadgets

20141116125901-IntroducingFlicPranav Kosuri describes Flic as an “easy button that actually does something.” And he could not be more right. The Flic is a small bluetooth enabled button that connects to your phone and enables you to set up shortcuts for actions you commonly use. Each Flic can have three actions assigned to it through its iOS and Android app, a press, double press, and long press. You can control Spotify, call home, send a text message to a loved one, or get directions to your next calendar appointment; all with a single press of a button. The Flic is powered by a coin cell battery which will last 60,000 clicks, so if you use Flic 10 times a day it will last 16 years. Flic ships with a reusable, micro suction adhesive backing allowing you to stick it practically anywhere. Along with the adhesive, there are also accessories available so you can clip Flic to your clothes or a bag and take it anywhere you go.

Flic’s Indiegogo campaign was a huge success. They raised over 800% of their asking amount. The campaign is over now and the backers should be receiving their Flics by April. After the backer’s orders have been filled Flic will be available on their website and at their partnered retailers. If you want some more information about Flic, check out their website at Flic.io.

Interview  by Chris Davis for the Tech Podcast Network

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eyeSight Singlecue Gesture Control at CES

CES 2015, Gadgets

eyeSight logoWhen it comes to motion tracking and gesture control, gaming has shown the way especially with Microsoft Kinect and the Xbox. Outside of this arena, there’s been relatively little traction though eyeSight are hoping to change this state of affairs with Singlecue. The two Todds talk to Tal Kryzpow, VP of Product Management, to find out more.

The Singlecue is a tabletop device that’s roughly the same size as a Kinect, though unlike its sibling, the Singlecue has a small central display. Singlecue converts gestures, such as an upright finger to the lips, into an action, in this case “mute”, which it then passes onto the relevant devices in the room using infrared. As it uses IR, it’s compatible with almost every piece equipment in the home that uses a remote control. The Singlecue also uses WiFi to interact with technology such as Nest thermostats and Philips Hue lighting.

The Singlecue is currently on pre-order at $129 but will have MSRP of $199 when it goes on sale in Spring 2015.

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

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Jamstik Guitar For Your iPad

CES 2015, Entertainment, Gadgets, Toys & Gaming

Zivix LogoLearning 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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Liquid Image Ego LS at CES Unveiled

Accessories, CES 2015, Gadgets, Photography, Video, Wireless

Liquid Image LogoLiquid Image weren’t a company with which I was familiar but having looking at their website, they have an impressive range of action cameras, with some interesting models where the camera is integrated into a scuba mask or ski goggles. At CES Unveiled, Todd interviews Melanie about Liquid Image’s new streaming wireless camera.

The Ego LS is hand-sized wearable and mountable camera not unlike others on the market but its key feature is that it can stream video over the Verizon 4G LTE network including XLTE allowing for fast live streaming. In addition to 4G LTE, the wireless features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Low Frequency RF, which keeps the camera in standby mode for over a day without draining the battery. This makes the camera very flexible with a range of wireless coverage options and the Ego can simply record to memory if there’s no wireless at all. Neat.

The Ego LS model 800 is expected to retail at $399 and will be available in Q1 2015 for the US, with availability in other territories including Europe, Russia, Japan and Canada in Q2 and Q3.

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

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Griffin PowerDock Pro at CES

Accessories, CES 2015, Gadgets, Home

Griffin LogoIf your house is like my home, there’s a plethora of gadgets to be recharged overnight and a quick tally gives five devices to be plugged in on a regular basis, from phones to tablets to mi-fis. The good news is that Griffin might have the answer with new PowerDock Pro which both charges and organises devices at the same time. Todd finds out more from Heather at the Griffin booth.

The PowerDock Pro can charge five devices at once while neatly racking the smartphones and tablets in bays to keep them tidy with cable management hidden in the base. Smart electronics charge the devices without overcharging and because it charges via USB, it’s device agnostic. Regrettably the PowerDock Pro won’t be available until Q3 with an anticipated price of $130. (If you can’t wait that long, the PowerDock 5 is available now).

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

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OmniMount Takes A Lifestyle View at CES

Accessories, CES 2015, Gadgets

OmniMount LogoCES regulars OmniMount decided to approach the show a little differently this year, setting out their products in lifestyle vignettes, with visitors to seeing the products in real and relevant scenarios. Don chats with Bill Ennis, veteran of 31 shows, to hear about a few of OmniMounts latest products.

The first of OmniMount’s new products is the WorkSpace Wall Organiser, a stylish wall-mounted height-adjustable fold-away desk which conveniently creates a mini-office when folded down and hidden away when not needed. $399.95.

Also new and entered for a CES award is an in-wall TV mount that holds up to an 80″ screen almost flush with the wall surface. With the flush mount, the slim bezels of the stylish TVs are emphasised, enhancing the picture frame qualities of the TV. Snappily titled OE120IW, it’s $349.95.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor.

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Perfect Bake with Connected Scales at CES

Accessories, CES 2015, Gadgets, Home

Perfect BakeAlthough the Internet of Things is very much of the moment, sometimes all you need is a connected device. In this case, the device being connected is a set of kitchen scales. Todd and Todd start cooking with Darin Barri and Perfect Bake Scale and App.

Targetted at cooks and bakers, Perfect Bake combines digital scales with a tablet app to make sure that the weight (or more correctly mass) is just right. Connected via the audio jack, scales can weigh in real-time, showing the quantity on the tablet screen. The app has hundreds of recipes and can walk the baker through the steps with mixing times and instructional videos. The scales come with colour-coded preparation bowls to help too and the app can adjust quantities to suit appetite.

There’s an even an oven thermometer to make sure the temperature is right, so whatever’s baked, it’s baked perfectly every single time.

The app available for both Android and Apple devices, the Perfect Bake Scale and App is available now for $69.99 from Brookstone. A Bluetooth wireless version will be available later in 2015.

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

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OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock at CES

Accessories, CES 2015, Computers, Gadgets, Home

OWC logo (OWC) always turns up at CES with new toys and this year Todd looks on with desire as founder Larry O’Connor shows off the latest accessories from the Mac shop.

First up is a 240 GB SSD with USB3 crammed into a memory stick form factor. Made to match most Apple products with a brushed aluminium finish, it’ll set you back a cool $199. A 480 GB version will be coming soon!

Next is OWC’s which brings five USB 3.0, two Thunderbolt 2, FireWire 800, HDMI, gigabit ethernet and audio in/out ports into a single unit. On order for delivery in February, this will set you back $249 as a CES limited-time special ($299 normally). Very handy if you have legacy FireWire gear that you want to use with newer Apple computers.

Other products mentioned but not shown include SSDs for Mac Pro upgrades, and portable backup drives.

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

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TPN Picks Awards

Accessories, Auto, Cameras, CES 2015, Computers, Gadgets, Health, Home, Mobile, Toys & Gaming, TVs, Video, Wireless

Each year the TPN team picks 10 companies that our team feels are deserving of a TPN pick. The awards are for what we feel is cool at CES and excites us the most. This years 10 picks are exceptional.

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