Wireless Wednesday for 3/25/15: New Spring Travel Gadgets

Rick and Mitch look at some new gadgets for travelers.

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/25/15 - Travel Gadgets’ on audioBoom

 Note the segment aired fine on the radio, my taping of the show had issues with the recorder, causing some portions to drop. That included the end of Impecca's Bamboo Keyboard, all of the Aquapac and all but the end of Incipio.  - Any questions, please let me know.

1.  Impecca's Bamboo - Bluetooth Portable Keyboard

www.impecca.com

Need a portable keyboard to take with you on the road? Be eco-friendly with Impecca.
he new Impecca bamboo and wood smartphone and tablet accessories: the Impecca Bamboo Bluetooth Keyboard for tablets, smartphones, iPhones, Androids, and Bluetooth compatible devices, along with natural Impecca Bamboo and Wood Cases for iPhone 6, iPad Air and iPad mini.

The keyboards and cases are well designed and developed for the eco-conscious consumer. You get something different with bamboo and wood, so the accessories are great for business offices, like doctors or lawyers, the home office, schools, or any person or organization that likes the natural wood or exotic look.

In addition to performance and being eco-friendly, these products are also comfortable to use and offer ergonomic comfort to users. Power users will appreciate the comfort of these accessories.

The products come in at great price points- $49.99-$79.99.

2. eBags Packing Cubes (Now in New Colors)

The best $20 or so you will spend before your head off on your trip....

Fit more in your bags with eBags packing cubes.
- Large: 17.5 x 12.75 x 3.25, Medium: 13.75 x 9.75 x 3, Small: 11 x 6.75 x 3
- Guaranteed for life under the eBags Lifetime Warranty
- Includes premium YKK® zippers with corded pulls for a lifetime of opening and closing
- Guaranteed for life under the eBags Lifetime Warranty
- Highest construction standards utilized and interior seams fully finished for durability
- Mesh top panel for easy identification of contents, and ventilation

 

3. Aquapac

$20-$45  depending on the size

Protect your gear and valauables if you are going to the beach or out on the water

All Aquapac cases were redesigned to use polyurethane instead of PVC.
- Polyurethane is 100% recyclable and more environmentally-friendly
- Can withstand temperatures from -40° F to 122° F
- Thinner than PVC, making it easier to operate controls
- The Large Whanganui Case has Class 5 water protection, AquaPac's highest, meaning it is waterproof and submersible to depths greater than 12 feet
- Large size provides room enough for boat registration papers, maps, first aid kits, electronic items, purses, wallets, cash, passports and other vital documents
- Designed with 4 eyelets for easy attachment to canoes and kayaks

 

4.  Incipio Cases for your Smartphone

In the $20-30 range

The versatile STOWAWAY Case is the perfect solution for protecting your device and storing up to three credit cards. Constructed of a soft-touch Plextonium polycarbonate outer shell, and a shock absorbent Flex2O polymer core, the dual-layer design ensures twice the device protection, while offering the convenience of credit card storage.

 

5. Kinivo - Bluetooth Car Kit with Multipoint  

Model BTC455

Turns existing car stereos into Bluetooth compatible stereo systems. For that long spring break drive you have ahead of you. Makes things easier and keeps you safe.

·         Allows you to take calls hands free, stream music, and listen to navigation instructions over the car’s speakers

·         Features automatic syncing to your mobile device
·         Allows you to connect and simultaneously  sync up to two devices to your car’s stereo system via multi-point Bluetooth 4.0 technology
·         Enables you to operate your device’s voice-command functionality through its built-in microphone
·         Offers control over audio tracks, including play, pause, previous song and next song
·         Easily connects to your car’s stereo system via 3.5mm audio input port

Available at: www.amazon.com
Price: $44.95
Website: www.kinivo.com

*App of the week*

KeyMe mobile app

Free
Create a "digital copy" of your keys that you can use anytime to get new keys produced.

This is a seamless multi-platform experience – keys can be saved via the app, then accessed and printed at a kiosk in the event of a lockout.  The app can be downloaded at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/keyme-digital-keychain/id663884543?mt=8

 

Wireless Wednesday for 3/11/15: Rick Playing Tennis, Apple Watch and California

Rick is in Indian Wells this week as the BNP Paribas Open starts it's tennis run. This is the biggest tennis tournament in the world outside of the majors. It is also the most tech-friendly tournament on the ATP Tour.  - They have their own app, tons of video screens around the grounds.  They even stream the action from 2 of the practice courts.

Have a listen and see how Rick did on the court at "Tennis With the Stars"

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/11/15 on 92.9 The Game’ on audioBoom

 
Rick has been at all the pre tournament events.

1. The Wilson event with world No. 3, Simona Halep.  New Wilson racquets in the Burn and the Blade. New Wilson tennis shoes and partnering with Sony on smart technology for the racquet.  Rick did the tennis obstacle course Wilson has called the #BURNChallenge.

2.  Rick was one of the media participants in the "Tennis With the Stars" event at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa.  He played with ATP World Tour top-10 players Kei Nishikori and David Ferrer .   How was it?

3.  Since Rick is in California we look at some tech developed in the State of California.

-  First the Apple Watch.  Apple had an event on Monday to formally introduce the Apple Watch.. Is the Apple watch viable?
 
And now it’s all here and ready to debut on April 24. (Preorders start April 10.) But do you want to pay $17,000 for it?

OK, you don't have to pay that much, but that's the top price of the premium gold option, called the Apple Watch Edition. If you're looking for something on the scale of hundreds of dollars instead of thousands, the company is offering the Apple Watch Sport (starting at $349) and the flagship Apple Watch (starting at $549). All of these watches come in two sizes, 38 mm or 42 mm; have different case colors to choose from; and have swappable bands. Depending on the band you choose, the standard Apple Watch can easily reach $1,000.

Apple claims that the watches will have about 18 hours of battery life, and they'll charge using a special MagSafe cable. As Apple previewed in September, users will navigate through the menus of the watch using a special knob that both physically turns and is touch-sensitive.

You can reply to a text message, browse Instagram, and remotely opened a garage door. The watch lets you know when you've been doing too much sitting, can track heart rate, and is also Apple Pay–enabled, so you can buy many different things.

More on the history of technology in California...

a)  There are more than 30,000 manufacturing companies in California

b) 387,000 high-tech jobs in Silicon Valley alone and more coming....

How did Silicon Valley get it's name?
The series, entitled "Silicon Valley in the USA", began in the "Electronic News" back in January 11, 1971 issue. The term gained widespread use in the early 1980s, at the time of the introduction of the IBM PC and numerous related hardware and software products to the consumer market. The Silicon part of the name refers to the high concentration of companies involved in the making of semiconductors (silicon is used to create most semiconductors commercially) and computer industries that were concentrated in the area

c)  More tech "startups" in California than any other state.
A "startup" is a new company, many times started with no sources of income.

App of the week

If you are traveling to California anytime soon...

California Essential Guide

A $4.99 app that puts the best of California in your pocket.
Born and raised in California, Veronica has 30+ years of travel experience that she’s translated into an informative YouTube series about all the Golden State has to offer. Ever wondered what the best strategy is for tackling Disneyland? Planning a trip to San Diego and want advice about must-do sites and activities? Think you want to visit Yosemite but want a preview of the best wilderness hiking trails? Answer any of these questions and more with Veronica’s detailed and digestible travel videos, with more than 150 video reviews to watch.
 

Wireless Wednesday for 3/4/15: The 100th Wireless Wednesday

When you celebrate a 100th anything, it's usually an accomplishment!

This week, it's a very special "Wireless Wednesday" as Rick and Mtch celebrate the 100th Wireless Wednesday....

What started way back at Dave-FM, now has to be the longest "appointment radio" segment on 92.9 The Game.
 
Wireless Wednesday No. 100

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/4/15 on 92.9 The Game No. 100’ on audioBoom

We take a look at Rick and look back at some of the best of Wireless Wednesday

1.    Who is Rick and why does he do "Wireless Wednesday?"

Was contacted by Jeremy way back at the Dave FM Days about doing the tech segment with Steve Craig...
- Tech and Sports tech writer
- Radio and TV segments
- Covers events,  tennis, golf, Bassmasters Fishing anything with a tech angle
- Rick's new book
- And why does Mitch have Rick on each week..


2. Planning out a "Wireless Wednesday" segment

- Picking topics
- Feedback from listeners
- Reviewing gadgets

3.  Popular topics on Wireless Wednesday

Over the past couple years.... some topics get more feedback than other

Some of the popular have included...
1. Dashboard Cams - and they are getting more popular
2. Laptops - people are always shopping for a new laptop
3. iPhone releases - Rick always goes and waits and talks to the people in line for new iPhones
4. Anything Smartphones - they are the one gadget we have with us at all times


App of the week

PhotoTime app

Free

Smartphones are increasingly coming filled with advanced camera features, making them ideal for everything from snapshots to family photos, selfies and more. As more and more photos are taken on our mobile devices, the need for photo management tools has grown.

PhotoTime tags smartphone photos using dozens of different categories, including place, date, object and scene. It also recognizes faces — either by connecting to your social networks and matching contacts with people in the photos, or by building collections of photos including the same face and letting users label them manually.

The smart photo management app simplifies the hassle of organizing, sorting and tagging all of your IOS photos.
 

Wireless Wednesday for 2/18/15: NASCAR Technology for 2015

The NASCAR season is about to get underway.

Rick and Mitch look at some of the new technology in NASCAR for 2015.

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/18/15 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on audioBoom

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/18/15 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on audioBoom

1.  NASCAR will use 45 remote HD cameras to record every pit stop

This year, NASCAR will use 45 remote HD cameras to record every pit stop and automatically check for rules violations such as the pit crew entering the pit stall too early, equipment leaving the pit stall and drivers pitting outside their stalls.

The cameras will feed into a trailer in the TV compound at each track, where eight NASCAR officials will sit at workstations with two computer screens each, and double-check the penalties. If a violation is found, it will be radioed up to NASCAR race control in the timing and scoring area. Race officials will then enforce the penalty per NASCAR's rule book. The officials in the trailer will be assigned pit stops randomly.

Shawn Rogers, NASCAR's managing director of business operations, said the sanctioning body evaluated 18 proposal from 31 companies, including defense contractors and sports technology firms, before teaming up with Hawkeye Innovations as its development partner for proprietary technology.
The new system was tested over the final 11 Sprint Cup races of 2014.

 

2.   Spacers and Rear Spoliers

NASCAR unveiled a variety of new rules designed to save teams money. The sanctioning body will use tapered spacers to reduce the flow of air and gasoline into the engines to cut nearly 175 horsepower down to 725. That should make engines more reliable while reducing any advantage by an engine manufacturer.

NASCAR also hopes to make the cars harder to drive by reducing the rear spoiler from eight to six inches to make it more difficult for anyone to get separation from the pack. Drivers also will be allowed to make adjustments to the set-up from inside the car and the Sprint Cup Series will use rain tires at its two road courses.

 

3.  NASCAR to use tablets for car inspections

NASCAR unveiled a technology that lets officials see whether inspection is running on schedule, using a real-time app created by Microsoft and a "tablet."  They don't publicize what tablet it is, but it's a Microsoft Surface 2 Pro or Surface 3 Pro.
On a tablet device in the NASCAR hauler office, Sprint Cup Series director Richard Buck can monitor each inspection station, see which cars have been tagged for infractions and track the individual progress for each car.

"It allows real-time management of a very dynamic world," Buck told USA TODAY Sports. "We're time-certain. ... Once that (inspection) process starts, we've got multiple elements — templates, laser inspection station, engine stuff — all going on at multiple times. This allows me to manage those to where we shouldn't get behind."

4.  Nationwide Series now the Xfinity Series

 The Nationwide Series, the second-tier in NASCAR, will have a new name this year — the Xfinity Series. Xfinity is owned by Comcast, which also has NBC in its group. By coupling with a cable company, it could be easier to promote the series on network and cable outlets.

 

5.  Say "Farewell" to the Souvenir Trailers at NASCAR Races

Fanatics (Fanatics.com)  has acquired certain exclusive rights from NASCAR and NTP that will make the company the primary retailer of NASCAR, team and driver merchandise at all 38 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends.

Fanatics, the market leader for officially licensed sports merchandise, powers the e-stores for hundreds of the top sports leagues, teams and schools, including a long history running NASCAR's e-commerce business. The NASCAR at-track deal expands Fanatics' growing in-venue partnerships.

The new trackside retail model, which will replace the traditional souvenir trailers so popular among fans for many years, will be phased in at NASCAR events over the course of 2015. It will evolve from using solely haulers for each specific team or driver to displaying all merchandise in a climate-controlled superstore retail environment supported by, in instances, smaller satellite retail touch points around the track. The new model will feature the following options for fans.

 

** App of the Week

Fox Sports "GO" app
- Free for iOS and Android users

Fox will continue to carry the first half of the NASCAR season including the Daytona 500 and Atlanta's, "Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500."  

For the second consecutive year, "The Great American Race" is streamed live in both English and Spanish through FOX Sports GO, the critically acclaimed app that provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content at home or on-the-go. All FOX NASCAR programming in 2015 is live streamed on FOX Sports GO. FOX Sports Deportes, the No. 1 Spanish-language sports network in the U.S., also offers live coverage of the DAYTONA 500, with NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES driver German Quiroga joining as race analyst.

 

Wireless Wednesday for 2/11/15: Companies to Watch in 2015

Rick and Mitch look into the crystal ball and talk about some companies that utilize technology in what they do, and why you should be familair with them...

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/11/15 on 92.9 The Game’ on audioBoom

1.  SpaceX
www.spacex.com

Owned by entreprenuer, Elon Musk, SpaceX is about to launch a 14-story tall rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

If all goes according to plan, Falcon 9 will launch into space, jettison its Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite, and return to Earth to land on a 300-by-100-foot barge off the coast of Florida. DSCOVR will orbit the Earth for 110 days to monitor the planet's solar winds, which are capable of disrupting power grids, aviation, and GPS.
SpaceX wants to revolutionize space tachnology and travel, with a goal of going to other planets.
 


2.  Tesla Motors  - also owned by Musk
www.teslamotors.com

Tesla designs and manufactures premium electric vehicles. Tesla currently produces the Model S sedan and is taking reservations for the Model X SUV.
Tesla prices start at $35,000

 

3. Epson

Epson is branching out.  It's not just printers and projectors anymore.

Epson is getting into golf with their new swing analysis monitor-  coming out in over a month.

Epson Smart glasses are being used by Android developers to create augmented reality business apps

·        Epson Robots are being used by business from big pharma (e.g., airborne drug testing) to big agra (e.g., stuffing jalapenos into olives), and in hundreds of other industrial applications

·        Epson is working with fashion designers around the world to print never-before-seen designs on fabric – check out its plans for NYC’s Fashion Week

 
4.  GoPro

Yes, the action camera company.

GoPro is at the very early stages of becoming a media and publishing engine.
GoPro will be a media company.
GoPro wants to be a media company. That transformation—physical goods to digital media—is one that many companies are making these days, and it's an intuitive next step for GoPro.

The convergence of social and mobile publishing has created all kinds of well-defined channels for content distribution, and audiences already congregate around those channels. So why wouldn't a retailer or manufacturer want to put its product in front of them? For GoPro, becoming a media company means tapping into a distribution network with content that makes people want to buy GoPro cameras.

 

5. Apple

No big surprise here, but Apple Watch will sell at least 30 million devices and increase Apple’s market share of the app market where they will continue to see higher monetization than Android.

6.  WeChat and Line

As WeChat and Line have demonstrated, you can build an entire computing ecosystem around chat, allowing people to book taxis, bank, chat, exchange goods, and play games.  We will be chatting and using message and text features even more.
 


App of the week  

TVSofa 2 - Track your favorite shows and movies

.99 app

TVSofa is the best tool for tracking series and movies on your iPhone and iPad. With this universal app you will discover new shows and movies and save then in your favorites list to access then later.

WONDERFUL DESIGN
• TVSofa has been designed for iOS7, but it is also works great with iOS6.
• Easy to use. With just a tap you can find all popular, best rated and playing now movies and shows, access to your favorites, open the series calendar, etc…
• Customize the interface with one of the beautiful themes we provide you.

BEST SERVICES FOR BEST MEDIA INFO
• TVSofa uses great services like TheMovieDB, TheTVDb, Trakt.tv or Series.ly for finding the best media info.
• Use the filters to find the movie or show you are interested looking for.
• Access all the actors info, including their filmography.
• Access all the users comments and watch the trailer in your language.
• View and download all the movie and serie artwork.
• Get the media info localized in your language (just open the settings menu and change it).
• Full Series.ly data synchronization (a series.ly account is necessary).

TRACK YOUR FAVORITES SERIES
• Now you can track your favorites shows in a really easy way.
• Use the built-in daily calendar to know when is your favorite show aired.
• Receive notifications on your device two hours before a new episode starts.

WORKS GREAT WITH OTHER DEVICES
• TVSofa is an universal app, that means that works great with iPhone and iPad. Only one app for all devices.
• With the Series.ly synchronization, all your data will be up-to-date on all your devices.
• TVSofa is compatible with "Video Web Downloader" *(available on the App Store).