Wireless Wednesday for 1/6/16 - Rick at CES

Rick is in Las Vegas this week for the massive CES show, otherwise known as the Consumer Electronics Show.

Rick arrived on Sunday. Monday started with the Storage Visions Conference, a 2-day conference on digital and data storage. Monday night was the CES Unveiled Show, a press only event where some of the new gadgets debut. Tuesday is "Press Day" and it's wall-to-wall press conferences with all the big tech companies. Tuesday night is the Pepcom media event and the actual show begins Wednesday.

Here are some of Rick's finds and observations so far:

1.    This Show is Big

CES takes up most of the Las Vegas Strip.  Last year there  were 176,000 people. This year they say around 160,000.  This is one of the largest trade shows in the world and many of the new products shown here won't debut until later in 2016.
 

2.  Press Events are Important

The show is so large, it would be impossible to see everything. Therefore the press (1000s of them) come in days before for press events and briefings.

Rick attended the Fitbit press conference at 7:30 am on Tues to hear about Fitbits new products which were shown off my former Falcon great, Tony Gonzalez.

 

3.  A "Smart Everything"

Smart watches, smart cars, smart beds, a smart refrigerator an even the debut of a smart spoon this week in Vegas.
New for 2016, Slow Control has a "smart spoon." Of course they do, but the thought here is noble in that a toy makes kids want to try and eat vegetables. It's said this spoon will come out in the first quarter of 2016. Who would've thought that a spoon could be smart?
 

4.  Older Brands Trying to Become New Again

Remember RCA, Panasonic, Pioneer, Casio and more...'
These iconic brands all have a big presence at CES and are reinventing themselves in different ways.
***RCA is introducing some new TVs and accessories, working on info for the others...

5. Andre Agassi partners with Square Panda for a line of educational apps and devices for kids up to the age of 8

Who would've thought tennis great, Andre Agassi would be so involved with learning and educational opportunities for kids. The Andre Agassi foundation has workd for 20 years with Agassi's charter sachool in Las Vegas and now he has a line of apps and learning tools for kids.

This is the first in Square Panda’s line of educational products aimed at promoting literacy among preschool children. Along with its debut, Square Panda is proud to announce the appointment of Andre Agassi as a board member. He is also a founder of the Turner-Agassi Charter School Facilities Fund which was established to provide investors seeking both financial and societal returns access to the growth of
America’s most innovative educational organizations.

Designed to teach, engage, and entertain early learners (ages three and up), the phonics play-set uses connected letter toys and multi-sensory apps to explore early reading skills.
Drawing from the latest research on phonics and multi-sensory instruction, Square Panda’s adaptive technology combines multi-sensory learning, humor, and exploratory play. Built upon proprietary hardware and software technology, its connected play-set adapts to recognize what a child is ready to learn and presents challenges to stretch growth and language skills.

See more at www.squarepanda.com

 


App of the Week:

Speedify

This is an app that debuted at CES...  Speedify Mobile
With Speedify Mobile, Android and iOS users can seamlessly combine Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth connections for faster and more reliable mobile Internet connectivity.

Speedify Mobile is solving the frustration that most smartphone users encounter daily, weak mobile or Wi-Fi signals that impede streaming media and make web pages fail to load. Speedify promises seamless mobile connectivity by intelligently switching between available Wi-Fi, mobile and Bluetooth networks or bonding them to create the best possible mobile experiences.

Speedify Mobile is also cost aware. It uses free Wi-Fi as long as it is available and will seamlessly move Internet traffic to mobile data only when necessary in order to conserve mobile data usage.

"We are thrilled to begin offering Speedify Mobile at CES 2016," said Chief Executive Officer, Alex Gizis. "We want to empower users all over the world with fast and reliable connectivity while ensuring they are getting the most out of their mobile plan."

The Speedify Mobile app establishes a connection to the company's Speed Servers in the cloud.  The technology works similar to a VPN by acting like a middleman between mobile devices and the rest of the Internet. The app works in tandem with their Speed Servers to intelligently divide Internet traffic at the packet-level taking best possible advantage of Wi-Fi and mobile data to deliver the combined availability and speeds of both connections. In this way, even single applications like streaming video, VPNs, and file transfers are given a speed boost on mobile devices.

To get started, simply download the app from the App Store for iOS devices or Google Play for Android devices. Speedify Mobile is being offered for free with 1 GB of speed-up data at launch with subscriptions for higher data use.   
 

Wireless Wednesday for 12/16/15 - Star Wars Gadgets

The movie theaters are all sold out, anticipation is high as Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens at cineplexes this week.

The movie is going to break records and no movie series sells products and tie ins like the Star Wars movies. Star Wards fans can show their support and take a piece of the movie with them with some of these gadgets.

* Rick and Mitch share their Star Wars memories and talk gadgets

1.    Darth Vader Toaster

Luke, Han and Leia have to toast the Darth Side. Lord Vader rules when it comes to sales. What better gift to give the "Star Wars" newlyweds you know — and we all know them! — than a toaster in the shape of Darth Vader's helmet. For $50, you even get the "Star Wars" logo branded into every slice. It is your destiny to own this.
 

2.  Sphero BB-8  - App enabled droid

- It's a toy, it's areal droid and it's fun!

- www.sphero.com  and Sprint stores in Metro Atlanta $149.99
The BB-8™ App-Enabled Droid by Sphero is the Droid your little (or big) Star Wars fanatic has been looking for, with its adaptive personality that responds to your voice. Connect to a compatible Apple® iOS or Android device to guide BB-8 around your home.It makes noises, it remembers and even try out the hologram feature,
 


3. SMS Audio Street By 50 "Star Wars" Headphones

Choose from Rebel Alliance, Galactic Empire, Storm Trooper, Boba Fett or in the second edition, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and even Darth Vader. These On-Ear Wired headphones are sleek, ultra-durable and comfortable. The professionally tuned 40mm drivers deliver amazing clarity and richness without distortion, for the same great sound as our other headphones. Pick your favorite character and enjoy great audio.
 

4.  The Millennium Falcon drone

Now you can irritate your neighbors in style! The $199 Millennium Falcon drone from Hammacher Schlemmer can go as high as 250 feet and fly for 10 minutes on a 45-minute charge, "With a subspace hyperdrive." And with a subspace hyperdrive and bow C-beam lamps that glow during flight, its built-in gyro stabilization keeps the drone level, while simple controls on the 2.4 GHz radio remote provide deft handling in any direction Get it? They said "subspace hyperdrive" because we TOTALLY know what that is.

 
5.  Han Solo Fridge

Bringing new meaning to "frozen" in carbonite
Let Han keep your food cool or warm

 Extra large capacity holds up to 18 cans of soda
Retails for about $150 -  Any Star Wars fans would love this

 

App of the Week:

TomTom USA app   - 50% off right now!
 
I've tested all the GPS apps including Google Maps and TomTom is the one I've found to be the most accurate.
Now you can get the TomTom USA app for your mobile device for $24.99  that is half off thr $49.99 price.


Special value deal: get the TomTom app now for only $24.99 instead of $49.99.
TomTom Navigation for iPhone/iPad. World-class navigation that’s trusted by millions of drivers.
Last minute plans? With the TomTom Navigation app, driving somewhere new couldn’t be easier. You’ve always got your iPhone with you, so navigation’s close at hand. And losing signal is not a problem, because the app works not only online, but offline too. This saves you money on data roaming costs, and you’ll have constant access to the same maps, technology and world-class navigation as on our satnavs. It’s the app that drivers can rely on.
Only the TomTom Navigation app offers all this:
›› Voice-guided turn-by-turn car navigation. Find your way the easy way with clear voice instructions and a 2D or 3D view of the route ahead. Including automatic rerouting if you miss your turn.
›› Advanced Lane Guidance. Gives you extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions.
›› TomTom Offline Maps. Maps are stored on your iPhone or iPad – so you don't need a mobile data connection or large mobile data plan. Updated for free with every major release.
›› FREE Daily Map Changes. Benefit from shared daily map corrections from our 20 million strong Map Share community.
›› IQ Routes. The fastest routes, the most accurate and reliable arrival times - at all times of day.
›› Traffic. Drive with world-class traffic information (available via in-app purchase). (1)
›› Spoken Street Names. Helping you to keep your eyes on the road.
›› Powerful search. Search for destinations with TomTom Places, Facebook™
 

Wireless Wednesday for 12/9/15 - Laptops for the Holidays

Millions of Americans will be shopping for and getting new laptops for the 2015 holiday shopping season. Rick gives some laptop shopping tips and some of his favorites - all Windows 10 models.

Have a listen to Rick and Mitch:

Laptop Shopping tips for the holidays
- Apple or Windows
- Go with what you can afford
- Look at processor speed and memory

*  A look at some new laptops

1.   Toshiba Satellite Radius 12

Intel® Core™ i7-6500U Processor
 Windows 10 Home
 8GB LPDDR3 1600MHz (not user upgradeable)
 Intel® Integrated Graphics
 256GB M.2 solid state drive (SSD)
Retails for around $1,399

 
2.   HP Spectre x360

The new HP Spectre x360 limited edition is based on the latest version of the award winning HP Spectre x360, delivering an x360 with unparalleled sound and design.
·         The beautiful 13.3 inch diagonal Ash Silver with Copper accented HP Spectre x360 celebrates Bang & Olufsen’s 90th anniversary.
·         Weighing 3.17 pounds and 15.9 millimeters thin makes this notebook ultra-portable.
●      The CNC aluminum chassis precisely fits a large battery for power and quality in a thin and light design.  
●      Four different modes to enjoy your content: use the notebook mode to get things done, the tent mode for games or presentations, tablet mode to read the news, and stand mode for watching movies.
Hardware
●      13.3” FHD or QHD Display with 72% color gamut.
●      Choice of sixth generation Intel® Core™ i5 and i7 processors for horsepower.
●      A lightning fast SSD up to 512GB for responsiveness to get things done fast.
●      Up to 12 hours of battery life so you can leave your power cord at home.
●      4GB/8GB RAM.
●      Support for a full-size HDMI and mini-DisplayPort 1.2 allowing access to content across multiple screens.

●      Three USB 3.0 ports all with HP USB Sleep and Charge.
 
Experience
●      The HP Spectre x360 is an ultra-thin PC with the versatility to take advantage of Continuum in Windows 10 for fluid transitions from notebook mode for work, stand mode for viewing entertainment, tent mode for a great presentation tool or for touchscreen entertainment, or tablet mode for on the go.
●      Full sized backlit keyboard with 1.5mm travel for a great typing experience and has extra-wide touchpad.
●      Audio by Bang & Olufsen for bold and crisp audio experiences.
 
HP Spectre x360 in Ash Silver and Copper accents is available at www.hp.com/go/spectrex360 and Best Buy  starting at $1,299.99.

 

3. Lenovo Yoga 900 Laptop

Retails for about $1,199

Different from the competition, the Yoga 900 is unbelievably thin and elegant. From the 360° watchband hinge to the eye catching color options, this 2-in-1 will turn heads. Packed with the latest Intel processing power and customizable features of Windows 10.
Drown out distractions with JBL speakers that deliver rich stereo sound and premium Dolby® Home Theater® for an immersive audio experience.
Starting at a mere 2.8 lbs and just 0.59" thick, the Yoga 900 is ultraportable — it's perfect for doers on the go, and is the world’s thinnest Intel® Core™ i convertible.* Bend it, flip it, or fold it to experience your apps in a way you never have before.
 


App of the Week:

ShopSavvy (Android, iOS) - a price shopping comparison app

ShopSavvy is a handy shopping companion, with the ability for shoppers to scan barcodes or search for an item in order to look up the best prices at top retailers and shops nationwide. Tag-based searching and a Sales tab also keep it easy for users to find and keep track of the latest sales relevant to them, with data on promos updated daily. You can even set a "SmartAlert" that notifies you of special deals that fit a particular profile you're looking for.
 

Wireless Wednesday for 12/2/15 - Sports Tech for the Holidays

Rick is a sports tech writer, so we talk sports gadgets, products and tech for the sports-minded and active individual.

Have a listen to both parts:

1.   Smart Rope (Smart Jump Rope)

Smart Rope - the next generation of jump rope, equipped with fitness tracking and real-time display capabilities.

Beautifully designed and (most importantly) portable, Smart Rope is the perfect gift for the fitness junkie in your life.

Smart Rope displays your fitness data mid-air, while you jump, through 23 high-quality embedded LED lights and pairs with your smartphone, via the Smart Gym app, for easy tracking and sharing of your jump count and calories burned.

Smart Rope retails for $89.99 and is currently available online at http://store.tangramfactory.com.
 



2.  Harman Kardon JBL speaker line in partnerships with NBA

JBL and the NBA partnered to elevate the NBA basketball experience for fans around the world wherever they enjoy the sounds of the game - at the arena, in their homes, in their cars, or on the go.

This is a partnership that will make the company the official headphone, speaker, and audio partner of the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), NBA Development League (NBA D-League), and USA Basketball. This unprecedented partnership is the NBA’s first-ever marketing partner in these categories and HARMAN’s first partnership with a professional sports league.

Products include the Flip 2  NBA, the Clip NBA and S300 NBA

 
 


3.  Tennis Racquets, tennis bags, tennis shoes

Sometimes the holidays and winter is the best time to buy tennis gear.
New racquets from Wilson and Tecnifibre and bags and shoes from other manufacturers.
 



4.   Binoculars (What to Look for and Buy)

Magnification is the degree to which the object is enlarged. With a 7x35 binocular, the object will appear to be seven times closer than without the aid of a binocular. The number immediately following the "x" is the diameter in millimeters of the objective (front) lens. The larger the front lenses the more light that is allowed to enter the binocular. A 10x50 binocular has 10 times magnification with a 50mm objective lens.

One as an example: The black 10x42 Aculon A211 Binocular from Nikon is a handheld fixed-magnification optic with multicoated aspherical lenses and an ergonomically-designed housing. For the redesigned Aculon series, Nikon packages the Aculon A211 binoculars with environmentally-friendly Eco-Glass elements composed of responsibly-sourced arsenic-free material. The Aculon binocular's Porro prism design delivers enhanced depth of field, and its multicoated aspheric optical path delivers the image clarity and flat FOV demanded by nature observers.
 


5.  Bio Mech AccuLock Ace Putter

AccuLock ACE is their latest putter and since it was designed from the body out, the developers say it takes the thinking out of putting and frees up your movement to hit the putt you want. The putter has a PGA Tour professional singing its praises is Heath Slocum as he put it into play and is having success.  “It just feels natural and more athletic. To me it’s just easy and makes sense.”
Dr. Frank Fornari is one of the inventors and co-owners of BioTech, he and BioMech's John Cunningham are traveling around the country hosting clinics and showing golfers what the AccuLock ACE can do for their golf game.
Note: The AccuLock ACE is designed so that the grip rests against the inner portion of the forearm, stabilizing the hands, arms and shoulders (a method that will remain legal after the anchor ban on Jan. 1, 2016)
 



App of the Week:

Master Lock Padlock and App

For Gym Lockers, Storage Units and more...

Master Lock recently announced their new Bluetooth Smart Padlocks, and we’d love to send over samples for you to test and review. These new smart padlocks turn any smart-enabled device into a key, eliminating the worry and hassle that surrounds forgotten combinations or lost keys.  

Master Lock Bluetooth Smart Padlocks Overview:

o   Download free Master Lock Vault eLocks app and sync lock with Activation Code

·         Functions:

o   Invite guests to share digital keys

o   Remove guests who no longer need access

o   Schedule unlimited guest access or restrict access to day and night

o   Receive tampering alerts

o   View padlock’s activity history

·         Indoor and outdoor models are available for purchase online (indoor $49.99, outdoor $59.99)

 

Wireless Wednesday for 11/25/15 - Black Friday

*  Two days and counting until Black Friday...

A couple Black Friday stats:

- 133.7 million - The number of people that shopped during 2014 Black Friday weekend
- Over 17% of items will actually be more expensive on Black Friday than they currently are on Amazon.com.

And some Black Friday deals... so have a listen:

1.   Need a 32" Flat Screen TV?

Target and Kohl’s both with a Westinghouse 32" LED TV for $99.99 on Black Friday
Includes 3 HDMI inputs, a 60hz refresh rate, a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, USB input for picture mode and also a PC input for those that want to use this as a PC monitor which is also very convenient.
 

2.  Zagg.com  -  Accessories and more for your mobile devices is having everything 40%-60% off for Black Friday

That includes.... .  Zagg's Messenger Universal Keyboard

One keyboard for all your devices...  from Zagg.com   $69.99  also one coming for iPad Pro - take with you on your golf trips
Features
    Universal compatibility and Bluetooth® capability syncs with Apple, Android, and Windows operating systems as well as with virtually any computer, tablet, or smartphone.
    Island-style keys in an 8-inch or 12-inch typing area* offer a natural typing experience so you can email, take notes, and blog faster.
    Magnets secure the cover when not in use and activate the keyboard’s sleep/wake function to help preserve battery life and ensure you can enjoy up to three months of typing between charges**.
    The built-in stand provides an ideal viewing angle for any device.
    A durable cover provides a secure grip and protects your keyboard when not in use.
 
3.  HP and their storewide Black Friday Spectacular  - Windows 10

- Laptops, Desktops, Printers, Accessories, Monitors
all at www.HP.com
 

4.  For Gamers... Bundles  - Bundles can save you money

- With a bundle, you not only get a game system, but also a deep discount or free game or two
Examples:
 - At Gamestop  - $299 Xbox One Gears of War Bundle – Save $50 and get Gears of War Ultimate.
- At Sam's Club -   PS4 Uncharted Bundle for $299
 

5.  Deals on Apple Products?

Check with the Apple Store

Various other stores put a few of the Apple products on sale.
Staples for example:
    64GB iPad Air 2 - $449 - $150 Off
    iPad Mini 4 - $299 - $100 Off
    iPad Air - $319 - $80 Off
    iPad mini 2 - $239 - $60 Off
 

App of the Week:

Zip, the Question Answer App  for iOS or Android

You put in a question with two possible answers and then the question is crowdsourced.
You can then answer other's questions as well. It's fun, addictive and informative.
The original idea behind Zip, the Question Answer App, was to settle arguments, and now, it’s also introducing a whole new, simple and proprietary way to communicate with media outlets (i.e. TV, radio, print, digital, etc.)

The rapidly growing interactive app is revolutionizing everyday conversation and mass polling.
www.thezipapp.com