Category Archives: Mobile

Steve Winter discusses how to handle live conferences @ CES 2022



Brotman-Winter-Fried marketingThe last two years have created a lot of new scenarios for the world. Particularly, the business world has had to adapt to a lot of adjusted scenarios. Much work has begun to be from home, rather than in offices. This forced IT to change the way they think of their corporate networks to allow for greater variability, while also protecting data. But, the biggest part of industries to be affected by the altered way of thinking has been events, like CES. Our good friend Steve Winter from Brotman-Winter-Fried discusses some of the changes and how to deal with them.

Virtual versus physical events

The general consensus for businesses has been that virtual events are incredibly difficult and less productive. Even though the overall expense of setting up a virtual exhibit versus a physical one is significantly less expensive, the number of people you interact with is lessened. If you look at it from a pure numbers game, the more people you talk to, the more likely you are to interact with someone who might want to do business with your company or even invest in the product offering. With fewer people, there are fewer chances and therefore fewer successes.

However, currently, physical events are not as well attended as in the past. For example, Steve Winter refers to the number 40% for CES 2022. Everything felt like it was at 40% of capacity – the number of exhibitors, the number of attendees, and even the number of media. Some of this is because of personal fears or legitimate medical situations. PArt of our team was forced to stay remote for CES 2022 because of medical situations. Others were prohibited from travel because of international restrictions. We spoke with companies ahead of CES that said they were having to drop out because, even if they could get into the US, they might not be able to go home.

How to address the issues

One of the hardest but most direct is to tough it out. Being in attendance in person is simply the best option. The accidental interactions you have with people on the show floor of an event like CES are unable to be replicated by a virtual venue. Many of the long-term partners we have, such as BenjiLock and Monster Illuminessence, were born out of chance encounters while wandering the show floor with no real intentions. With virtual events, it really comes down to curation and having a very strong plan, which completely eliminates the chance encounter.

The second great option is to have a strong PR partner, such as Brotman-Winter-Fried. They can help pick up some of the slack for those who can not attend in person, and enhance the opportunity for great conversations. They can also set up some planned conversations through their existing network of connections. In the past few years, some of our best guests have come to us through some of the big names in the CES PR space – namely Steve and his partners.

Summary

To learn more about Brotman-Winter-Fried or to contact Steve Winter, head to the company’s website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Ottonomy robots deliver food, groceries, and packages @ CES 2022



Ottonomy delivery robotsOver the past few years, the idea of getting things – anything – delivered directly to your door has grown in popularity. The internet has given us access to goods and services all over the world, while the change in environment has made many of us stay in the house much of the time. To address this altered reality, Ottonomy has developed an exciting line of autonomous robots that can deliver nearly anything straight to your home or office.

Who is Ottonomy?

Ottonomy, the company behind the world’s first autonomous delivery robots, is quickly gaining notoriety in the robotics industry. Its robots are designed to help navigate businesses with staffing shortages for retail and restaurant industries. Their fully autonomous robots can deliver food & beverages, groceries, and packages to curbside, last mile, and even indoor environments. These robots are available on a “RaaS” (Robotics as a Service) model. Their business customers get access to a quicker, safer, and more economical delivery option as compared to traditional 3rd party delivery services. Above all these robots are set to reduce carbon emissions and improve quality of life.

Ottonomy’s delivery robots

The Ottonomy robots are designed to deliver food, groceries, packages, and other items directly to a customer’s home or office. They have three different robot models – the Ottobot (footprint is slightly smaller than an SUV), Ottobot Mini (for indoor deliveries), and Ottobox (a refrigerated version). The Ottobots have been tested at several locations in Canada including the Toronto Zoo, University of Waterloo, and McMaster Innovation Park. Over 15K pounds of goods have been delivered by Ottonomy robots in Ontario alone.

While this particular concept may not be new for some companies – Starship Technologies offers delivery bots that can carry up to 20lbs – few others have managed to actually put their robots into operation. Ottonomy is looking to change that by doing things a bit differently. Ottonomy has taken the time to develop relationships with local businesses in Ontario, Canada as well as with government leaders and regulators. The Ottobots are also great for shorter distances, so they can operate within smaller cities where similar delivery services aren’t currently available or viable due to lack of business density and high overhead costs from full-time employees.

How is Ottonomy different?

Ottonomy partners directly with retailers & restaurants while others work more on the “last mile” segment (i.e., delivering goods from UPS). Restaurants, in particular, have been quick to adopt Ottobots because of the lack of staff during off-peak hours. For example, Ottnomoy has partnered with CVG Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their robots roam the airport autonomously and will stop wherever guests have placed an order to deliver a hot beverage or a meal.

Summary

The Ottobots are currently being piloted at various locations in Canada and CVG Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio, with plans for global expansion soon. If you’re interested in learning more about Ottonomy or want to see the Ottbots in action, be sure to check out their website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Sharvy: The digital solution to shared spaces in a company @ CES 2022



Sharvy resource managementIn these times of chaos, many companies are turning to telecommuting as a way to keep their employees safe. However, with so many people now returning to the office, it can be difficult to find an open parking spot, a desk in the office, or an available conference room. Sharvy is here to help! It’s is a digital solution that allows employees to reserve parking spaces, workstations, and cafeteria spots in advance. This will make it easier for employees to find a spot when they come into the office, and will also support new hybrid working methods.

What exactly is Sharvy?

Sharvy is an all-in-one application that allows employees to book a parking space, a workstation, and/or a spot at the cafeteria. Sharvy is available as both a desktop and mobile app, so it can be used anywhere. The goal of the company is to make it easier for employees to reserve spots and support new hybrid working methods.

Sharvy can manage resources such as parking spaces, workstations, and cafeteria spots. This gives companies a better look at what is being used and what is not to reallocate resources. For example, if the company sees that the parking garage is almost always full, they can move more employees to work from home. Or, if a conference space isn’t being used, it can be converted into a recreational area.

Sharvy is for anyone who works in a company with shared spaces. This includes employees, managers, and executives. Sharvy can help companies manage their resources more efficiently and make it easier for employees to find open spots when they come into the office thereby increasing their productivity and making it a more enjoyable environment to work in.

How can offices put Sharvy to use?

There are many different ways that Sharvy can be used in an office. Sharvy can help with:
One of the biggest issues that Sharvy can address is parking. With the platform, employees can reserve a parking space in advance. This will help to reduce the amount of time spent looking for a spot to park, which can be very frustrating and cause them to start out the day in a bad mood.

Space within the office can also be at a premium. For example, desk space in an open floor plan can be an issue. Sharvy allows employees to book a workstation in advance, which will help to reduce the frustration of not being able to find an open desk, an issue that often leads to drops in productivity. Another resource in offices that is scarce is conference rooms. Everyone wants one at the same time, so some end up without. Sharvy allows you to find an open room or book one ahead of time so you can plan your day efficiently. No more hoping that there is somewhere to present the next big idea.

If your company has a cafeteria environment, you might also struggle to find space in there. Lunch meetings have become a normal part of the business day, especially for those in sales. Being able to reserve part of the cafeteria in which to have your meeting can remove some of the stress of a lunch meeting.

Summary

Sharvy is currently available to companies as both a desktop and a mobile app. Prices are determined per managed resource, as opposed to per user. To learn more about the platform, to get a demo, or to sign up, you can go to the company’s website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Alviss.ai: Gain more knowledge from scientific research @ CES 2022



Alviss.ai Scientific KnowledgebaseIf you’ve ever had to do research for a science class in school, you know just how difficult it can be. Wikipedia is not a great source because of inaccuracies and information biases. Scientific papers are full of information but can be difficult to read unless you’re already an expert in the subject matter. Of course, you aren’t, or you wouldn’t be in the class. This is one of the problems that Alviss.ai is trying to address.

What is Alviss.ai?

Alviss.ai is an artificial intelligence software start-up building applications to extract insights from scientific data. The company offers personalized access to scientific publications and information for everyone.

The core of the company is in the indexing technology. Currently, the company has indexed more than 100 million scientific papers, extracting essential information. Using this database, the company produces applications with various applications to give people access to the information that has been gathered.

The Alviss.ai applications

There are two main applications currently available from Alviss.ai: Alviss Assistant and Read Science Better. They also offer some tools for professionals through their Professional Dashboard.

Alviss Assistant

Alviss Assistant is an application that helps you in your quest to research. You can ask the system questions and receive answers, all powered by the company’s knowledge base. You can also save your question and answer pairs for future reference, as well as save them as digital flashcards to test yourself.

The Alviss Assistant is available now from the Apple App Store (iOS), Google Play (Android), and HUAWEI AppGallery (HUAWEI Android phones).

Read Science Better

Read Science Better is an application that takes scientific papers and makes them readable for people without a scientific background. It extracts the most important information from papers and presents it in a way that is easy to understand.

The app also allows you to keep up with the latest news in science. It uses the company’s existing index of scientific papers, both current and new publications. You are able to create watch lists for topics of your choice and as new papers are published, the app provides notifications of new articles in your field of study or interest.

Read Science Better is available now from the Apple App Store (iOS), Google Play (Android), and HUAWEI AppGallery (HUAWEI Android phones).

Professional Dashboard

If you are a professional scientist or researcher, this might be the tool for you. It gives researchers access to more advanced tools, such as the Automated Reviewer and Editorial Assistant, which creates abstracts from full text. This is perfect for colleges, institutions, and other professionals in the industry. You can also explore the articles in the company’s index and dive into them more deeply.

Many of the tools also offer API access, giving professionals a more direct access method into the data. For example, the Editorial Assistant’s ability to create an abstract, complete with keywords, can be accessed through the UI or through API, giving users more choice and flexibility in its use.

Summary

The services are available now. Both mobile apps are available to download for free, while the professional tools come with a usage-based cost structure. To learn more or try them out, head to the company’s website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Quantiq: Turn any camera or phone into a medical scanner @ CES 2022



Quantiq medical scannerOver the past few years, the importance of telemedicine has grown significantly. What was once considered forbidden is now commonplace. We can talk to a doctor remotely, send vital statistics from home, and even have a full checkup all remotely. Our phones have become an integral part of our health regiment, and with Quantiq, it’s going to become an even more valuable tool for patients and doctors alike.

What is Quantiq?

Quantiq turns any camera or phone into a medical scanner. This software solution extends any camera, webcam, or smartphone to make it a medical device for remote patient monitoring, telemetry, and remote diagnoses. The system combines medical expertise, physics, advanced image processing, and artificial intelligence to decode your health markers with just your camera. A single shot of a few seconds is enough to get pulse, respiratory rate, and more.

This impressive breakthrough means that a patient doesn’t need to purchase a whole collection of devices to monitor their health. Rather than requiring a pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, and more, it can all be done with the camera you already carry in your pocket. You simply take a short video of a few seconds and

Who is Quantiq for?

Quantiq is perfect for any doctor who needs to monitor a patient remotely. Rather than lending or leasing expensive, complicated, and damageable equipment to a patient, you can simply ask them to use their own phone or computer. This makes it easier for them and less expensive for the doctor. Plus, it means they don’t have to learn a new piece of equipment.

It would also be great to offer to patients of in-home health services. For example, after a heart attack, a family member will likely have a home health aide visit regularly. They’ll take vital signs and log them into a system. If you’re lucky, they might even give you equipment to take measurements on your own when they are away. If they, instead, used the Quantiq platform, they could eliminate the extra equipment costs by just using the phone camera or webcam the patient already has. Plus, it’s something they are already familiar with using.

You can install the system locally on-premises for just your clients, or you can use it in the cloud in a software as a service model. Either way, you get access to the full suite of capabilities, all accessible through a robust Cobox API. This gives you the ability to build the Quantiq technology into your own application suite to enhance its capabilities. Perhaps you are a consumer electronics company that offers things like scales and smart mirrors. You could add Quantiq into your system to provide additional health benefits without having to enhance your technology. The camera that is built into the mirror would likely be enough to be able to get a clear video for analysis. This would make the value proposition of your product significantly better.

Summary

Quantiq is the perfect tool for telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and health care products. To learn more about Quantiq and how you might use it, check out their website.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch.

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Mobix Labs: Improving 5G millimeter band technology @ CES 2022



Mobix Labs 5G millimeter band technologyMobix Labs is a fabless semiconductor company focused on developing highly innovative RF and mixed-signal components and solutions for 5G millimeter band technology. Led by a team of highly experienced and accomplished industry executives, Mobix Labs is establishing itself as the go-to leader of RF, mixed-signal, antenna components, and solutions for the sub-GHz 5GNR market and beyond.

What does Mobix Labs do?

Their comprehensive product offerings include mmWave 5G ICs, modules, and antennas. They are designed to make it easier for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to develop products with best-in-class performance. With over two decades of experience in the wireless industry, Mobix Labs has the knowledge and expertise to help OEMs bring their next-generation products to market quickly and efficiently.

5G millimeter band technology is the next big thing in wireless communications. Mobix Labs is leading the charge in developing innovative products and solutions for this growing market. Their comprehensive product offerings include mmWave 5G ICs, modules, and antennas that are designed to make it easier for OEMs to develop products with best-in-class performance.

The True 5G Solutions from Mobix Labs are essential to unlocking the unprecedented levels of performance and speed promised by 5G. With its advanced research and development capabilities, Mobix Labs is well-positioned to provide leadership in this important technological area.

Where can the technology be used?

Currently, the company is focused on the infrastructure market. That means that the chips are intended to be used in the technology that makes it possible for you to get 5G signals. This includes the cellular towers installed by the carriers, repeaters installed by carriers, and small repeaters installed by businesses and individuals.

This focus means that you could be interacting with the company’s technology every day without even knowing it. This is because these chips and radios are responsible for the high-end 5G signal strength available on your phone. Their chips could be at the tops of tall cellular towers, but it could also be built into smaller form devices, like the cellular repeaters that many cities are having installed on the tops of telephone poles around town to enhance cellular reception.

The need for this much infrastructure is because of the nature of the frequencies used for mmWave 5G. The higher frequency used makes it possible for incredibly fast internet speeds, but is more susceptible to interference from everyday items, like walls. Our tests show about 8x speed in our offices over standard 5G on the same device. But these increased speeds are limited to Mission Control and are not available in the studio – likely because of the thicker walls, additional lights, and equipment.

However, this focus on infrastructure does not negate the technology’s other uses. In fact, the company has been in discussions about other implementations, including vehicles. Cars and trucks are more regularly using 5G technology for communication, both to the internet, as well as direct communication between one another. This allows for software updates to the vehicle’s systems, as well as the ability for it to know about what other cars and trucks around it are intending to do.

To learn more about Mobix Labs and their 5G mmWave technology, visit the company’s website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Why HeartHero is important during a cardiac arrest? @ CES 2021



HeartHero portable AEDDid you know that around 475,000 people in America die of cardiac arrest every year? It can be heartbreaking to see a loved one going through this, especially if you are waiting for an ambulance. However, a device such as an AED can increase survival chances when used within three minutes.

HeartHero is one of the leading manufacturers of AEDs, and here is everything you need to know about this device.

What Is An AED?

An AED is a medical device that is usually powered by batteries. The device includes defibrillator pads used to deliver currents so the heart rhythm can go back to normal. Here are three things that can happen during a cardiac arrest:

  • The patient can have no electrical current
  • The heart rhythm is too rapid
  • Or the electrical rhythm is disorganized

An AED will check the rhythm of the heart and then deliver a shock accordingly. The best part is that one does not need a professional because artificial intelligence (AI) in the device will tell the rescuer when to deliver a shock.

How Can An AED Help?

If you have loved ones in your home with poor heart health and are at risk for cardiac arrest, an AED is an ideal choice. It will allow you to promptly save your loved one in the face of danger without the need for professional help. The AED by HeartHero can also call an ambulance within a short time so that the patient can get professional help too.

So, if you need some peace of mind and help with a loved one in your home, an AED is the perfect investment in their health. HeartHero plans to save many lives through this device so that people can stay with their loved ones.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Elysie is a backpack with power for people on the go @ CES 2021



Elysie smart backpackWhether you’re a photographer, writer, journalist, or podcaster, there is one very common thread – the need for portable power. Heck, even regular device users know that, by the end of a long day, your phone is likely dead or nearly so. Portable battery packs can solve the problem for some people, but for many, we need more. Fortunately, we’ve got a more powerful solution in Elysie.

Elysie is, on the surface, a backpack. But, in reality, it is so much more. It’s got power storage built into it, with 2 separate 25,000 mAh batteries. In the outer shell, which is a polycarbonate material, are photovoltaic cells (solar cells) to charge the internal batteries. While the cells will charge best in the sunlight, they will also charge inside under decent lighting. The straps are reinforced, which makes the backpack great for carrying equipment, and feature photoluminescent straps, one at the top and bottom of each side (a total of 4).

The Elysie bag has a ton of smart technology integrated into it. Using the connected mobile app, you can check on the bag’s battery level. It can also tell you the current air quality in your current location. It’s also got a number of tracking systems built-in. Obviously, this is a bag you’re not going to want to lose. Fortunately, it has integrated geolocation tracking, so if you leave it behind somewhere, you can find out where.

One of the really interesting aspects of the Elysie bag is its ability to track what is inside. Using RFID tags attached to items, you can log what you regularly carry, like a laptop, camera, and headphones. When they are in the bag, it can let you know. More importantly, when they are missing, the app can also let you know.

The company is currently working on distribution and hopes to bring the Elysie bag to market soon. To learn more about the bag and the company, head over to the Elysie website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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AfterShokz offers get great sound and unparalleled comfort @ CES 2021



AfterShokz bone-conducting headphonesMost of us couldn’t get through the day without our headphones. At work, we use them for conference calls and to listen to our favorite podcasts and music. Away from work, they get us through everything from long workouts to helping us fall asleep, and they are invaluable in helping us escape when uncle Billy brings up politics at family functions. For these reasons and more, they are truly on our list of essential items. But let’s be honest, it’s almost impossible to find that perfect pair that fit properly, especially when we tend to use them multiple hours per day. Headphones crush your ears and make it impossible to hear anything that is going on around you. Earbuds are never the right size and some of them are downright painful. And just like your favorite pair of socks, there’s always one of those little silicone tips that has gone off in search of a better life. But luckily, technology keeps forging on to find us a more perfect personal listening experience. And AfterShokz may have done just that. We were very happy to be able to meet up again with Donnie Coryea, Retail Marketing Specialist at AfterShokz, during our coverage of CES 2021, to find out what’s new with them.

Although most of the gamers that follow our coverage most likely already know about them, we know that the average consumer probably does not. AfterShokz makes open-ear, bone conduction headphones. What? Stay with us, it’s actually really cool. The thing that sets them apart from regular headphones is that they are designed to not go in or on your ears. They sit just outside of the ear and the bone conduction technology delivers the sound right through your cheekbone and directly to your inner ear. This technology allows you to stay aware of your surroundings while using them. They are great in office settings where you may need to hear the phone or be available for your manager and co-workers. They are also great at home where you might be awaiting a delivery or need to keep an ear out for the kids. They can also help you stay safe during outdoor activities and workouts. And gamers are falling in love with them because they are able to play for longer durations without their ears bothering them. No matter how you choose to use them, they really do fit into daily life much better than a standard pair of earbuds. You can leave them on while shopping or dashing through the airport and keep your music on or make a call. Or, in the case of our production team, they can answer a question from the green room without having to awkwardly pull aside the earcup from one side of their headphones and then try to get them set again.

With four different models to choose from, there is something for everyone. All are Bluetooth and offer a level of water resistance. Batter life starts at 6 hours on the Air and OpenMove models and it goes up to 8 hours on the Aeropex and there is 16 hours of talk time for the new OpenComm Headset with Noise-Cancelling Boom Microphone.

Another thing for you to love about AfterShokz is the price. It starts at just $79.95 and tops out at $159.95. So whether you are looking for endurance, lifestyle or communication, there is a set that is perfect for you. You’ll also find a nice little assortment of accessories on the AfterShokz website. My personal favorite are the colorful After-Sockz. If you get yourself a pair (and are able to keep one from getting irretrievably lost in the abyss), be sure to upload a pic of them in the comments here or on any of our social media sites.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Soul Blade earbuds want to help improve how you run @ CES 2021



Soul Blade runner earbudsMany of us always take our music with us. Whether we have over-ear or on-ear headphones, or in-ear earbuds, a lot of people carry some sort of personal audio product with them all the time. However, one group often struggles to find earbuds that work for them – runners. The new Soul Blade true wireless earbuds helps to address the concerns of runners, while adding capability for others.

The standard consumer earbuds tend to not be designed to stay in during intense motion, such as running. Specific devices tend to treat a symptom, like running a strap behind the head to keep from losing it. The Soul Blade earbuds address this problem the way older sport buds once did – with little blades inside the ear to hold them in place.

But, this isn’t where the Soul Blades really set themselves apart. The truly engaging feature of these earbuds is the health features. Built-in to the earbuds is a collection of health monitoring sensors, which can be used to track running form and vital stats. The system is even able to provide warning before injuries.

When there is an area of your form that requires improvement, a voice will chime in through the earbuds and let you know. Some of the capabilities aimed at running form include head angle, body tilt, and stride distance. At the end of the run, the connected SOULFIT app can give you detailed information about your form and any mistakes you may have made. You can also see visual representations of potential injury. You also get more traditional information, such as time, speed, calories burned, as well as a map of your run.

The Soul Blade true wireless earbuds will be available around the start of Q2 2021, and will retail for $199. To learn more about the company and its full product line, you can head to the Soul website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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