Category Archives: Gadgets

Ventev Battery Packs and Chargers

Auto, CES 2014, Gadgets

Ventev LogoVentev offers innovative combined battery packs and chargers for smartphones and tablets. Scott Franklin, Director, chats with Todd and Don about Ventev’s latest mobile accessories at CES.

External battery backs for smart phones and tablet are very common these days, but the benefit of Ventev’s unit is that the charger is integrated into the pack itself; there’s no need for additional external charger. Scott shows off three different packs in the interview;

  1. the powercell 6000+, a 6000 mAh unit ($74.99) that plugs directly into the mains electricity socket. Two USB ports, rated at 1 A and 2.1 A.
  2. the powerdash r900, a cylindrical 900 mAh unit ($39.99) which charges from a car cigarette lighter. One USB port rated at 2.1 A when plugged in and 1 A when running from the battery.
  3. the utilitycharger 2100, a charger only ($39.99) but powers from both from the mains and from a car lighter. Two USB ports rated at 1 A each.

For more information on availability, visit Ventev’s website at www.ventev.com.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor and Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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StickR TrackR Helps You Track and Find Your Lost Stuff at CES

CES 2014, Gadgets, Home

stickr-trackr-keysChris Montera, the Geekymedic, checked out some of the products and services at CES Unveiled including the StickR TrackR from Button-Trackr.com. If you lose things around your house or office frequently the Stickr Trackr might just be the perfect gadget for you.

StickR TrackR enables users to locate any lost item in seconds using their iPhone or Android smartphone. Attach the coin-sized StickR TrackR device to any commonly misplaced item such as keys, purses, wallets, and more. The app automatically tracks where your items are so you can stop stressing about staying organized and stop wasting time looking for lost items.

Best of all, you can home in using the app and cause the TrackR on the device to chirp so it’s easier to find. The app will also tag the last known location on a map and notify you if it is moved. And, lost or stolen items can be found even more quickly because the lost item will show up on other’s smartphones with the app installed, notifying them that the object has been reported lost.

You can find more at Button-Trackr.com and get your own StickR TrackR for your valuable stuff!

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Find more segments from CES 2014 both here and at Health Tech Weekly with host Jamie Davis, the Podmedic.

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Parrot Jumping Sumo Leaps Into Your Hands

CES 2014, Gadgets, , , ,
Parrot Jumping Sumo
Parrot Jumping Sumo

Parrot had a lot of different types of remote controlled drones at CES 2014. One of them was called the Jumping Sumo. The Sumo is a small remote-controlled device that can turn on a dime. Controlled with your smartphone or tablet, you can use two finger gestures to turn and control. The camera on the Sumo allows for 1st person view.

The jumping sumo has two large wheels that can push together for better control. It’s big feature, though, is the fact you can push a button and have the sumo jump up in the air — approximately 2-3 feet up.

The sumo can also be controlled up to 160 feet away with the mobile tether. The VGA (320×240) image returns to the device so you can see what it does.

The jumping Sumo is not out yet, but you can watch for it at www.parrot.com/usa/ces/

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Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine

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Parrot Zik Headphones with Lou Reed Settings

CES 2014, Gadgets, , ,

Parrot-ZikA good pair of Bluetooth headphones is something I look for when doing home recording.

A good pair of bluetooth headphones tuned by Lou Reed and I know I can fine tune any project or just listen to some great music.

I was at the Parrot booth learning more about Zik and how in the final months Lou Reeds’ crew helped Parrot put these settings together. Not only will you be able to set them to his tastes, but you can also adjust the headphones via a smartphone app to feel like you are in the front row or the far back.

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A solid pair of headphones. Find out more at www.parrot.com/zik/usa/

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine.com

 

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Wakka Wakka: Solar Power and Emergency Lighting When Needed

CES 2014, Gadgets, , , , ,

wakka wakkaSolar powered chargers and lights are not new, but when you do something valuable and helpful — that gets you noticed. That is what I liked about Wakka Wakka: the company is making solar products that help you along with helping people in 3rd world countries get power as well.

Wakka Wakka has on one end a solar panel that can charge the battery inside and give you over 40 hours of light. It can also charge devices if you need emergency power.

The device charges within 8 hours itself and is a perfect item for you boat, house or anywhere you need emergency power. The stand has a hole in it so you can set the charger on a bottle. That way you lift it off the window sill and get the solar device powered even faster.

Wakka Wakka also is helping in 3rd world countries that do not have a standard power grid. By powering these devices in the sun, they can charge their systems to make the day go faster. They also have lights for nighttime travel.

Best part is they are developing a full home emergency kit. The device is not released yet — you’ll have to watch the video for more information. In the meantime, go to www.getwakawaka.com for product lines.

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Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine

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CES 2014: Neptune Pine Smartwatch with IdoNotes

CES 2014, Gadgets, , , , ,

Chris Miller (IdoNotes) talked to the CEO of Neptune, Simon Tian, and got some hands on time with the new Neptune Pine Smartwatch at CES 2014.  A new section on smartwatch technology was made at CES 2014 that brought most of the smartwatch exhibitors together in one area. Chris had this area as a mission as part of his CES 2014 coverage.  Chris talked to the CEO of Neptune, Simon Tian, and got some hands on time with the new Neptune Pine.

Chris had previously interviewed ( YouTube interview) the CTO, Aaron Wilkins, to cover all of the Pine Smartwatch technical specifications. This time we see the working devices and talk color, phone networks and numerous capabilities.

Video summary by Chris Miller (IdoNotes) of Spiked Studio.

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CES 2014: visit CES Unveiled with IdoNotes

CES 2014, Gadgets, , , , , ,

CES 2014 Unveiled is a chance to get an early look at close to 100 exhibitors and what they will be launching as the week of CES continues.  Chris Miller (IdoNotes) visits the show floor and gives you a video summary.

Chris breaks the exhibitors down into what appeared to be five major group areas complete with pictures and commentary. See everything from home automation, phone cases, audio, health to just plain stuff.

Video summary by Chris Miller (IdoNotes) of Spiked Studio.

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CES 2014: Living In Digital Times Brings Smaller Products to CES

CES 2014, Gadgets, , , , ,

I got to talk with Robin Raskin, a former PC Magazine editor, who wanted to bring lifestyle items to CES. Medium size companies Digital health, aging solutions, sports and more. They represent real people that have real products.

For example, Canary is a sensor that will tell you temperature, noise detection, and also allow you to do things like unlock doors for people, see what’s going on at the house and more.

Another product is called Kurio – a phone for kids that want a smartphone but shouldn’t have a $800 device in which they can text and play games at all hours in the day. Kurio has parental controls so you can say how much they text or play Candy Crush.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine.

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Todd Cochrane – CES 2014 Host Introduction

Accessories, Auto, Back Channel, Cameras, CES 2014, CES 2014 Team, Computers, Entertainment, Gadgets, Health, Live Show, Mobile, Photography, Special Events, Toys & Gaming, TVs, Video, Wireless

I’m Todd Cochane of Geek News Central. I am also the CEO of RawVoice the parent company of TPN.tv and the Tech Podcast Network. This will be my 9th year covering International CES and as always I am excited to be at the show. Take a few minutes and watch the video to get some background on me and the team that will be coming to cover CES.

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Modular Robotics Makes Playing with Robots Fun for All Ages

CES 2013, Gadgets, , , , ,

Modular Robotics Cubelets
Modular Robotics’ Cubelets in robot form
A walk around Eureka Park at CES will always lead you to something new and exciting that will make you literally want to put your hands on it. Modular Robotics was no exception, as their namesake product allowed us to do just that. The company has created a line of blocks that all have little computer chips inside them that allow them to act and react to each other. Using blocks such as sensors, rollers, blinking lights, motors and more, you can build any type of creation you want, and then even program the blocks yourself to do things you want it to do. These cool gadgets are for ages 6-60 and are a great stocking stuffer or birthday present for anyone, young or old. You’ll want to see what we created in the video.

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Video by Nicholas DiMeo of F5 Live.

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