Tag Archives: smartphone

Waterproof, Drop-Proof, Extended Battery Life? Oh My!

CES 2016, Gadgets, , , , , , , , ,

lifeproof-freLife Proof is starting off strong this year with their FRE POWER battery case made for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. This case provides a waterproof and drop-proof design with a new extended built-in battery pack. The case is waterproof under 6.6 feet submerged and can last up to an hour. It is also drop proof for up to 6.6 feet.

The new extended battery feature offers a quick and simple design. To charge your phone, simply flip it over and press a button for double the battery capacity. This is the first time ever for Life Proof to be selling a battery extending case for plus sized phones.

Life Proof is also selling their new active-wear called LifeActiv. LifeActiv is made for all phones as long as you apply the quick mount adapter on the back of your case. This adapter works with Life Proof’s arm band, bike mount and suction cup car mount and allows easy access to your phone or device at all times. Just snap on your device to attach and to remove it, turn your device 90 degrees.

LifeActiv products are available now. The retail value for the accessories range between $40 and $50. You could also find the new regular sized phone case for $129.99. The Plus sized version is expected to come out at the end of the quarter for $149.99.

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Interview by Daniele Mendez of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology

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iOttie is Taking Wireless Charging to the Next Level and Winning Awards in 2016

CES 2016, Gadgets, , , , , , , , , ,

iOttie-IONEach year, we love to see the new advancements with wireless Qi technology, and this year did not disappoint. Our resident college student, Daniele, was on the hunt for new cell phone accessories and enjoyed speaking with Andrew from iOtte.

Of particular interest was their iON phone case which brings wireless charging capabilities to the iPhone 6 and 6s. Its sturdy design includes easy access to the headphone jack and data port while allowing wireless charging on any Qi enabled surface. Another new product is their innovative charging desk pad that simultaneously charges a power bank that can be taken along with you on the go, to charge any of your devices.

One of our favorite products this year is a new car mount that offers one touch lock and release technology for easy and convenient wireless charging in the car. This combines their already popular window mount with the ease of wireless charging.

Prices begin at $49.95 for the iON phone case and $69.95 for the Easy One Touch Qi Standard Car Mount Charger. Look for the new deck pad to be available in Spring 2016.

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Interview by Daniele Mendez of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology

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iSet Smartwatch Improves your Tennis Game at CES

Accessories, CES 2015, , , , , ,

iSet LogoPeople who are playing a competitive sport need to know the score as the game goes on. Sometimes, in the middle of a match, it can be difficult to keep track of. The iSet smartwatch solves that problem. It keeps track of tennis match scores in real time. Use it to track your own or to check the win/loss ratio of your favorite tennis players.

Scott spoke with Lea Partouche about the iSet smartwatch. The watch connects via Bluetooth to a player’s smartphone. It requires an app that is free to download for either iOS or Android. You can connect one iSet smartwatch to one smartphone.

Two tennis players, who each are using an iSet smartwatch, can keep track of the score of the match in real time just by glancing at their smartwatch. One really nice thing about the iSet is that it can be used even if your tennis partner doesn’t have one. The smartwatch can still record the score into the app.

In addition to recording the score, the app will show your win/loss stats. It keeps track of who you played against and when the match took place. Or, you can put the name of a tennis player that you want to follow into the app, and it will show you that player’s statistics.

In addition to being a tennis tracker, the iSet smartwatch can do other things. It can show you the time. It can be used as a stopwatch or a timer. The iSet smartwatch is expected to be released in March of 2015 for a retail price of $129.00.

Interview by Scott of F5 Live for the TechPodcast Network.

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Ventev Brings Battery Packs and Accessories to CES

Accessories, CES 2015, Mobile, Video, , , ,

Ventev LogoAlthough there have been great improvements in battery technology, the bigger screens, thinner devices and faster processors mean that it’s always necessary to monitor a smartphone’s battery level. USB power packs can help in alleviating battery anxiety and Marlo chats to Scott Franklin of Ventev to see what they have to offer.

Ventev brings a selection of mobile accessories including battery packs and cables with some specifically aimed at Apple products with Lightning connector. With prices from $39.99 up to $99.99, there’s a pack for every situation and price.

Interview by Marlo Anderson of The Tech Ranch. Note that the early part of the interview is missing.

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Kodak Shows IM5 Smartphone at CES

CES 2015, Mobile, Photography, Video, , , ,

Kodak logoNew technology can be great but sometimes, it’s loaded with so many options that it can also be difficult to truly grasp how it works. That’s the problem Kodak is hoping to solve with its new IM5 smartphone.

Todd talked to Lindsay Higgins from Kodak about the IM5. Lindsay explained that the device was designed with Baby Boomers in mind. She described the IM5 as an affordable camera phone that’s easy to use, with simple features that emphasize browsing and sharing photos.

The IM5 runs Android 4.42 and it uses a 13 megapixel back camera as well as a 5 megapixel front camera. The base model includes 8 gigabytes of storage, with models that expand up to 32 gigabytes. The IM5 also allows for dual SIM cards, so it’ll easily travel abroad.

Interview by Todd Aune from The Elder Divide for the TechPodcast Network.

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Eliptic Labs add Ultrasonic Gesture Controls to Devices at CES

CES 2015, Video, , , ,

EllipticLabs logoThe touch interface goes back as far as the early days of mobile devices to the Apple Newton and Palm Organiser. Elliptic Labs now add non-touch to the mobile user interface with ultrasound gesture recognition. Todd gets a demo from Laila Danielson, CEO.

Elliptic Labs use an ultrasonic speaker to create a sonic field around the mobile device. Moving a hand in front of the device creates ultrasonic echoes which are picked up by microphones and the changes in echo patterns are converted into gestures. For example, waving a hand from left to right scrolls a picture gallery. Moving a hand closer to the phone brings up additional information on a film or movie.

It’s currently a prototype device being shown to OEMs so expect the technology to appear on mobile devices in the next year or two.

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

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Schneider Optics adds High-Quality Lenses to Smartphones at CES

CES 2015, Video, , , , ,

Schneider LogoDigital pictures and smartphone cams have changed the photography industry beyond recognition in the last twenty years and the quality of this imagery is such that innovative filmmakers are using iPhones to record footage. One restriction remains and that is the lens itself; there’s only one and it’s fixed in place. But Schneider Optics might have a solution. Todd finds out more from Don.

Schneider Optics iPro Lens systems provides a selection of high quality optical lenses for Apple iPhones and the Samsung Galaxy S4, including macro, wide-angle, super wide, tele and fisheye. The system works by fitting the smartphone itself into a case and then mounting the lens onto the case with a bayonet connector to ensure the best possible alignment.

The iPro Lens is available now for the Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 4/4S and iPhone 5/5S. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus variant will be on sale shortly. Lenses cost from $39 to $99, the case is $31 and there are also kits available.

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

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Floome Checks Your Alcohol Levels at CES

CES 2015, Video, , , ,

2045 TechYou shouldn’t drink alcohol before driving as even small amounts of alcohol can impair your judgement. But, if you do need to check your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), then the Floome smartphone breathalyser from 2045 Tech can help you determine if it’s legal to drive. Fabio Penzo CEO shows Todd how it works.

Floome is a small palm-sized device that plugs into the earphone jack of a smartphone. The owner breathes into Floome and it then analyses the alcohol concentration and passes the data to the Floome smartphone app. The phone then shows the BAC on the screen along with a green or red indicator. The app has other features such as showing the location of the nearest taxi service or it can send “come and get me” messages with the alcohol level superimposed on a selfie.

The Floome will be launching in Italy for 49 euros and will come to USA in a few months.

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

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Program All The Buttons with Flic at CES

CES 2015, Video, , , ,

Flic logoFlic is a bluetooth-enabled button. It’s a simple idea that has many uses from taking pictures with a smartphone to autodialling or even working as a personal distress signal. Nick and Todd met with Pranav Kosuri, co-founder of Shortcut Labs.

Flic is a coin-sized button that can be stuck or clipped onto almost anything. When pressed, it sends a bluetooth message that is received by the Flic app (available for both Android and iOS) and actions include controlling music, dialling phone numbers, sharing GPS position, taking pictures, dimming lights and more. Different things can be done depending on the number of clicks or if the button is being held down: one click could be take a picture, two clicks take a video. The possibilities are huge.

The Flic is currently on Indiegogo and $99 gets 5x Flics with delivery in April 2015.

Interview by Nick DiMeo of F5 Live and Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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Remote Control Your Hearing Aid From Your Smartphone or Tablet at CES

CES 2014, Health, , , ,

siemens_logoHearing devices are getting better and better all the time. Chris Montera, the Geekymedic, guest host for Health Tech Weekly talked to the folks from Siemens about their new connected hearing aids and how you can control them and use them in association with other devices like your smartphone and tablet. The controller programs for hearing aids give the user flexibility to dial in their hearing aids to each unique and specific situation in which they find themselves.

The best part of using a mobile device like an iPhone or Android phone to control your hearing aids is that you can do it without anyone know that you’re doing it or even revealing that you’re hearing impaired. You’ll just look like you’re texting like anyone else and not fiddling with your ears or holding an odd looking remote control up to your ear. The connection is via bluetooth with the MiniTek remote controls which then communicate with the hearing aids via inductive technology.

These devices are available now and can be found with your local hearing health professionals. For more information and to find a local hearing professional, visit hearing.siemens.com.

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Follow-up with more segments from CES 2014 here at TPN.tv and over at the Health Tech Weekly Podcast with host Jamie Davis, the Podmedic.

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