Gadgets Under $50

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Alan Shazan

Check out this video for five new cool gadgets for under $50. These include: a smart mailbox beacon and a game controller for the top gaming app.

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Mini Chemistry Gadgets

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Alan Shazan

While electronics and metal are out, molecules are in…at least when it comes to the latest chemistry gadgets. Mini in size but mega in power, Chemistry Nobel laureates Jean-Pierre Sauvage (Strasbourg University), Bernard Feringa (University of Groningen) and Fraser Stoddart (Northwestern University) received the prize for their “design and synthesis of molecular machines.”

Thanks to the recent development of chemical strategies to build interlocking ring molecules, and the discovery of a way of converting energy into work (the basis for a molecular motor), this miniature (the size of a thousandth of a human hair) has now arrived at the gadget ad gizmo table.

And talking of mini gadgets, students and frequent travelers might be happy to hear about the mini travel steam iron could be just what they need when they have to get their shirts wrinkle-free for their important meeting.

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Lenovo: September Gadget Launches

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Alan Shazan

Lenovo – the Chinese multinational technology company – regularly launches new products. Now, this video shows its latest wares for the September 2016 Launch event held in Berlin…the “must-have gadgets for Christmas and beyond.”

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“The List” of “Must-Have Photo Apps”

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Alan Shazan


Today, people are practically attached by the hip to their social media profiles.  It is no good for one’s profile therefore, to not be up to par.  In this short video, Donna Ruko talks about 4 photo apps that can “take [one’s] social media game to the next level!

 

 

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Media Technology Institute

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Alan Shazan

broadcastersAt the end of last month, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association marked the Media Technology Institute’s fifth anniversary.  Between June 20 and June 23, the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center was home to the celebration.  The actual Institute is known for its “practical, instructional courses” that it offers to “prospective, beginning, intermediate, and senior broadcast/media engineers.”

A day before the celebration begun, WBA Engineering Day held sessions on these subjects: dealing with risk management within broadcast enterprise; FAA lighting changes and tower site security; Information Security and Broadcasting’s ambient noise.

WBA will also be offering two scholarships for those who wish to attend the Media Technology Institute

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Travel with a Smart Suitcase this Summer

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Alan Shazan

Going on vacation in the summer? What are the plans for transporting clothing and accessories?  It seems that in a world in which everything is smart, surely luggage should not be relegated to some third world option.

Now it no longer has to be.  Thanks to the Bluesmart Smart Suitcase, one can travel smart as well. Featuring a built-in GPS that can be tracked anywhere around the world, one need not be too worried about lost luggage – an all too-regular occurrence these days with interconnecting flights.

The technology can be controlled by a mobile app and there are no worries about the phone running out of battery power as the smart suitcase also features a built-in power bank that can charge phones up to six times.  As well, the built-in scale ensures the contents of your luggage are not overweight and a digital lock that deters thieves.

Of course, it’s also a great suitcase and has easy access to belongings as well as a section that is perfect for laptops.  For around $399 the Bluesmart case is not a bad price for peace of mind!

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The Ozo Broadcast Camera

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Alan Shazan

camera-1272791_640The Ozo Broadcast Camera – created by ESPN and Foglight Entertainment (founded by Jeff Bowler) – is the “first Virtual Realty device to capture 360° spherical video and 360×360 surround sound.” It has eight microphones which record 360×360 surround sound. Each of the interchangeable digital cartridges it comes with provide 45 minutes of recording time, and then saves all video and audio to one file, eliminating the need for numerous SD cards.

Now, the camera is being used by ESPN. Carson Wentz (former North Dakota State quarterback who is expected to be one of Chicago’s top 2016 NFL picks) will be showcased on TV and throughout social media in ESPNs first ever 360-degree video segment. Talking about this new method, ESPN’s Associate Director of Original Digital Video, Lindsay Rovegno explained:

“We saw 360-degree video as one of the next big opportunities for storytelling. In the past we’ve experimented with 360-video clips, but have yet to use the medium to tell a narrative story. 360-degree video allows us to place the viewer in the environment in which we filmed and experience the story as if they were on-site, in this case in the FargoDome with Carson Wentz.”

In 2001 Jeff Bowler founded Foglight Entertainment where he remained CEO for five years. This bi-coastal film and TV production company “believe[s] in truth, integrity and clarity: clear storytelling, clear communication and clear messaging as we bring bright ideas to life on any screen.” The Ozo Broadcast Camera fits perfectly with this philosophy.

 

 

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Parental-Child Bonding with Electronics

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Alan Shazan

computerIn theory we might idealize the notion of our kids playing outside in the dirt, collecting desert tortoises and taking their little brothers to the park until dark, but in practice, the reality is kids these days engage in a lot of screen time. Therefore, the trick is to maximize that time to make it as educational and positive as possible.

With that in mind, Kano – the “computer and coding kit for all” – gives kids the opportunity to put together a computer from the beginning and then learn basic coding skills. Even adults can benefit from this; anyone who is anyone knows how important a skill like coding is, especially in today’s job market.  Plus, it’s a great way for kids to bond with their parents. Featuring a Raspberry Pi, case, cables, Wi-Fi dongle, speaker and wireless cables, kids will love this for its similarity for building Lego pieces and parents will get a kick out of learning such a useful skill for their office together with their offspring.

And then there is an old toy that has been reinvented; the  View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack .  Based on the View-Master that was first commercialized in Oregon back in the late 1930s that our parents and grandparents will remember, today, Mattel has joined up with Google to make a virtual reality version of it.  In other words, users can now also interact with the virtual reality world, as well as benefit from traditional, old-school enjoyment.  And, the good news is, it only retails at $29.99 – probably not that much more (in today’s money) that it was back in those days!  Pair it with your smartphone and enjoy an old childhood toy with your kid but in his language!

So gadgets and gizmos are not all bad for kids; they can provide some great bonding experience!

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Starting Your Car with a USB Port

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Alan Shazan

technologyHow many times have you gotten to your car and found the battery dead?  And there’s no one around to help you jump it?  And it’s late and you just want to get home?  Well, that problem could soon be a thing of the past.  A 12000mAh battery with 600A peak output from Nekteck, prices start at $49.99 (using a $30 off Amazon coupon code).

It has the capacity to jump start both a 3L diesel and a 5L gas engine, up to 12 times on just one charge! It also comes with two USB ports that can be used to charge other gadgets.  Featuring an LED flashlight, a 12V charger, a MicroUSB cable, and jumper cables that plug into the power bank, it seems like Nekteck have thought of everything.  For those moments when you’re in the dark trying to deal with a dead battery, the flashlight is particularly welcome.

Coming with a full year guarantee and getting a 4.9 star rating, what more is there to be said?

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Self-Building Gadgets?

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Alan Shazan

hardwareMake your own gadget? What will they think of next. That is the idea behind Nascent’s new products which can be “tweaked and built to [the consumer’s] hearts content.” This renders the device less expensive as well as having the capacity to be “personally crafted for your own life.” All modules (HD camera, speaker, computer device recording real time water use) feature plug and play and work with each other.

It’s all about hardware. Everything made via the Nascent Objects platform starts with a shape. For example, if you want to build a security camera, you start by “uploading a 3D form into Nascent Object’s software, and then drag and drop modules to any location on the object. The software then calculates exactly where the circuitry pathways need to be, and prints those pathways onto a plastic chassis, which forms the skeleton of your gadget. From there, you simply click the electronic modules into place, then add external shell. It’s product design gone automatic.”

The brain behind Nascent Objects – Baback Elmieh (who used to work for Google) – explained that while there is so much versatility with software, hardware is not used in the same vein. Thus a year ago, together with his team, Elmie “took apart 600 products released since 2012 and found that 80 percent of them could be built from just 15 common electronic components.”

The ultimate goal of the product is: “to create a platform that empowers consumers to create products themselves, but the company is launching with a handful of fully-baked designs.”

 

 

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