2021 - Consumer Electronics Show (CES) - Events

F5 Live: Refreshing Technology

CES 2021 Pre-Show - Episode 584

2021-01-10

This week, the Tech Podcasts Network team discusses what's coming up and what we're all most excited about for CES 2021.

PLUGHITZ Live Presents

Nooie brings beauty and security together in your home @ CES 2021

2021-01-19

The technology field is full of fascinating products that, while doing a great job to help the user in his chosen field, are not very attractive to look at. This is where Nooie is so different. The Nooie line has beautiful cameras and a smart-looking doorbell.

Nooie was created in 2018 in San Francisco by co-founder and designer Sasha who introduced us to Nooie. The Nooie Cam Doorbell is designed for beauty and smart function. One of the advantages of the Nooie Cam Doorbell is the ease of installation and use. The wiring has been eliminated and replaced with a powerful battery with a 10,000 mAh capacity. The base station, on the other hand, plugs into a standard outlet and must stay within 20 feet of the bell. One of the things that set this doorbell apart is that it is a 2K camera instead of HD. This will give greater clarity when viewing remotely or reviewing footage.

Another product of this company is the 360-degree camera with night vision. It has horizontal and vertical rotation with advanced algorithms that can track motion wherever the action is. The night vision has two 940nm infrared LEDs that will ensure a perfectly crisp and clear picture up to 32 feet, even if it is pitch black. There is also a 2-way audio system allowing you to listen and talk to your family and even your pets anywhere in the house. It has a built-in anti-noise feature and a mic and speaker. You can share streaming and recordings with others if desired. There is a capability of also using it with Alexa, making it like having a personal assistant in your own home.

These designer security products are available now on Amazon. The Cam Doorbell retails for $149.99. The Cam 360 is retailing for $49.99. To learn more about these and other Nooie products, check out the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Millo Appliances brings a small blender on the go @ CES 2021

2021-01-19

Some areas of our lives get regularly updated, while others tend to stay about the same. The kitchen has mostly stayed the same over the years, with the exception of the occasional trendy appliance. However, the next major change in the kitchen has been coming for a few years and is starting now with Millo Appliances.

For years, we've heard about the wireless kitchen of the future, but it always seems just out of reach. But Millo Appliances has made it a reality with the Millo Smart Portable Blender. Now, care of this small, portable device, you can have smoothies and more anywhere you are. And, unlike the traditional wireless kitchen promise, this device is battery-powered, meaning you can take it with you to the park, the beach, and more.

The portability and size are possible because of the technology that powers the device - a magnetic air drive. Rather than using a traditional motor, which requires a lot more power because of the loss of torque, this motor uses magnets to drive the blades, which almost entirely eliminates the torque issues. Less force requires less power, meaning that this little kitchen device can run on a battery. This battery can charge up in about 2 hours and will last for up to 10 smoothies.

To go along with the unique driver, the Millo Smart Portable Blender also employs a unique interaction design. The carafe simply sits on the base without the need for a docking pin (because of the magnetic drive). In addition, the entire base is a control surface, meaning there is no front or back. When you touch the base, a segment of capacitive buttons lights up, giving you full speed control. If you rotate the base and touch a new spot, the buttons will follow you.

The Millo Smart Portable Blender is available for pre-order now at $399 and will be shipping soon. For more information or to pre-order, head to the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Movo introduces a trio of universal smartphone lenses @ CES 2021

2021-01-19

There is no denying that the cameras on smartphones have improved incredibly over the past few years. Just look at the Samsung Galaxy S21, announced during CES 2021. The back is seemingly covered in lenses, but still, it doesn't have all of the capabilities of a proper camera. That's because, no matter how many extra lenses for different modes are added, there will always be capabilities that are missing. Fortunately, Movo has a solution that will work with almost any phone.

The company has announced a new line of clip-on lenses for smartphones, known as the SPL Series. The line is launching with a trio of options: a 238-degree fisheye lens (SPL-FE Super Fisheye), a 3x zoom perspective (SPL-TELE Telephoto), and an 18-mm perspective wide-angle (SPL-WA Wide Angle).

The feature that sets these lenses apart from many of the past products available on the market is that it is not dependent on the model of phone you have. In the past, these lens kits were form-fit for a particular model of phone. This limited the ability to take the lens with you when you upgraded your phone, meaning you had to rebuy every time you changed phones. The SPL Series of smartphone lenses are instead designed to clip onto nearly any phone, making them a one-time buy for photographers.

Most importantly, these lenses follow the company's longstanding tradition of providing quality products at affordable prices. The existing product line contains photography and videography supplies, including lens accessories for cameras. The move to include universal lenses for smartphones into the lineup is a natural extension of who Movo has always been.

All three lenses are available to pre-order, with shipping expected in February 2021. Each lens retails for $39.95. For more information or to purchase, check out the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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MoviWear makes aging in place less stressful for everyone @ CES 2021

2021-01-20

If you have a loved one who is aging in place, it can be difficult to feel comfortable that everything is okay. Is the persona okay or have they fallen, or maybe having heart issues? For most of us, the best we can do is hope that everything is okay and, if not, our loved ones will call us to say something is wrong. But, many people don't want to admit that something is wrong, so that is less likely. However, MoviWear is working to alleviate these concerns.

The company provides a number of connected devices that help track the wearer's activity and status and can report it to family and caregivers. Depending on the device, you can track different things, ranging from heart rate to blood glucose level (without pricking yourself). The devices connect to a central system and aggregate the data, creating a live report for caregivers.

MoviWear's primary wearable is the NurtureWatch. This smartwatch looking device is designed with the brains, but without the visual bells and whistles. While it may not offer an app store or web browser, it does provide the wearer with a number of major benefits. Of course, it's a watch, but it also incorporates AI-powered fall detection. This feature allows the device to detect when motion falls outside of the normal range of motion and can report to medical personnel, friends, or family, that something has happened. The watch also features a red SOS button, which can be used in the event assistance is needed.

In addition to the watch, the company also offers a simple panic button. This device works like the red SOS button on the watch but is a stand-alone product. It can be worn as a pendant, watch, or set on a table - whatever is most convenient for the user at the time. Both products are available from the company's website and retail around $250.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Skreeneo SoClean makes public touchscreens safe to use @ CES 2021

2021-01-20

If you're like me, you hate public touchscreens. Just the idea of touching something that someone else has been fiddling with seems gross. However, the technology is getting more common and will get even more common over the next few years at places like fast food, convenience stores, and grocery stores, as these places are forced into additional automation. However, the fear of touching public screens is even greater today, thanks to public health concerns. Fortunately, Skreeneo has technology that alleviates the concern while eliminating constant screen cleaning.

The Skreeneo SoClean technology uses silver ions to act as a barrier against bacteria. The ionized protection blocks the instantaneous growth and proliferation of microbes. When the silver ions come into contact with the bacteria, they prevent them from growing. With no reproduction path, the bacteria die in place, preventing them from spreading the disease to the next user, no matter the public health situation. It also prevents the devices from discoloring prematurely.

The SoClean technology is available in a variety of forms. The company offers unique kiosk and touchscreen solutions for business and display, with the SoClean technology pre-installed. So, if you are installing a new kiosk system, anything from self-checkout to autonomous hand sanitizing stations, you can have it be sanitary from the start. However, if you already have the technology in use, you can retrofit those devices with an add-on film.

As the demand for autonomous systems increases over the next few years, the importance of keeping those systems clean is going to increase. If you are working on a solution, for your business, Skreeneo's SoClean technology should be part of your project research. To find out more about the company and its digital signage and SoClean technology, head over to their website for more information.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Maicat from Macroact is a realistic robotic cat companion @ CES 2021

2021-01-20

Companionship is an important part of life, and for many, a pet can be the perfect companion. However, for a variety of reasons, not everyone can or will have a pet. Some people have allergies, some are scared, and others live in a controlled environment. In these cases, and others, an artificial companion can help overcome the challenges. Macroact has a robotic cat, Maicat, to help fill this void.

Macroact is a robotic startup which is combining artificial intelligence with robotics but focuses on very specialized markets. The first of their adaptive robots, Maicat, is a companion robot that is designed to behave and interact like a cat. This is done without sending the robot into the uncanny valley, so it is compelling and cute.

While other companion robotic animals have been created before, Maicat separates itself in size. It is about two-thirds the size of its competitors, making it a more manageable device. In addition, Maicat features autonomous motion control and 21 actuators, allowing it to interact with the people and objects around it more similar to a real cat. Thanks to its integrated environment detection system, it is also able to know its environment and avoid obstacles in its path.

Like a real cat, Maicat learns from your unique interaction with it, including using voice and facial recognition and sentiment analysis, and determines the perceived intent, both positive and negative, of each action. The robot also develops its own unique emotional rhythmic cycle and uses that to respond to external stimuli with each interaction. This means that, like a real cat, each time you interact with it, the experience will be different. This will obviously make the experiences more diverse and fun.

One clear use for this technology, as pointed out by Christopher Jordan, is for helping to teach a younger child about pets. Rather than the child learning the hard way through scratches or bites that certain activities are inappropriate, Maicat can help instead. To learn more and find out when it becomes available, check out the company's website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Hello Genius bridges the learning gap for parent and child @ CES 2021

2021-01-21

The idea of Hello Genius is a genius idea! When a child is in public school, the parents aren't always aware of the true nature of what the child is learning. Hello Genius is an app-based learning system that is designed to build greater connectivity between parents and their young children through a personalized learning experience.

Founded in 2020 by Jack Lee, CEO, and Lee Daley, the chief strategy and marketing officer, the idea for Hello Genius was inspired by the desire to better understand their children and connect with them as they learn. Hello Genius believes that all children learn at a different rate of speed and at different levels. Children are more receptive to learning if it is done with something they are interested in or care about. At that early age, they aren't normally driven by the average curriculum but rather by something they are truly interested in-something that captivates them.

The Hello Genius software platform is driven by the principles of non-linear adaptive learning and natural development during the child's early formative years from ages 3-10. As the child explores, the system will adapt to feed or satisfy the particular interests and potential of each child.

There are two apps available, one for parents and one for children. For children, the system adapts with a tailored learning journey while revealing their interests and preferences to their parents through quantitative and qualitative data.

For the parents, the app provides a set of features to help parents support their child as they learn and grow, also encouraging the feeling of safety and security of their children being online. One feature is a live activity feed and the capability for parents to share topics in real-time and receive content from their children, which may also have messages, voice and video call functions, and push notifications.

The software platform uses AI and machine-learning algorithms to build the child's profile based on valuable data and insight, helping parents to get a deeper understanding of the child's growing interests and talents. The app management feature provides parents with the ability to regulate a safe mode as the child engages on the Hello Genius app. This safe mode allows the child to engage with other third-party applications, selected by the parent, apart from the main app, and thereby reassuring the parent's desire for safety and security.

The cost of this app is less than the price of a cup of coffee, only $0.99 a day. Hello Genius is currently only available in English, but there are plans for expanding to multiple languages in the next 12-18 months. Hello Genius is offering free subscriptions for the remainder of 2021, along with a lifetime membership to the parent community who download the early release of March 1, 2021. The early release platform is available on any iOS or Android device. For more information go to the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Nomadplug makes traveling a breeze for your devices @ CES 2021

2021-01-21

A hardware startup is not an easy thing to accomplish. There are numerous obstacles out there just waiting to slow you down, such as currency fluctuations, your certifications, selecting your manufacturer, or even a global lockdown! Now there is a great product called Nomadplug, created by Ryan Silberman. Nomadplug is an international travel adapter that has been in development for 3 years. It's sleek and small, making it very lightweight to travel with. Speaking of travel, it functions in all of the 195 countries!

Nomadplug is a slick new product for many reasons and these are what sets it apart from other travel adapters. Unlike most travel adapters that have an individual piece for each plug type, Nomadplug does it with one interlocking connection. You simply disconnect the stack at the location you need and plug it into the wall. It also uses a rare earth magnet for keeping all the interlocking modules together.

On the backside is a universal plug so you can use almost any device from any country in any outlet in any country. The only limitation is that the device must support the voltage of that particular country. This makes traveling with modern phones, tablets, or computers easy. The plug features an easy to use hinge that prevents it from falling out of sockets.

In addition to the adapter, there will be three USB-C chargers that can also be used for your laptop and mobile phone. That means no more traveling with extra power bricks! The model that is available now provides 18W and a single USB port. Future models will be available with 30W and 65W, both offering more than one USB port. You can currently purchase the current model in a variety of colors for $76.44. For more information go to the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Arculus looks to secure cryptocurrency assets from theft @ CES 2021

2021-01-21

In the past few weeks, the value of several cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, has skyrocketed. This change has caused a lot of new people to get involved in investing in these currencies in an attempt to make some quick cash. However, unlike owning a few shares of Microsoft or Apple, there are inherent insecurities in owning cryptocurrencies. Most notably, having a public, or hot, wallet on an exchange holding your coins, is just asking for trouble. In fact, billions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency have been stolen in recent years. However, Arculus has a new solution to the problem.

The basis of cryptocurrency security is in making the wallet that holds those coins unavailable to hackers. This process is called cold storage, or storage that is not accessed regularly, compared to hot storage, which is accessed often. This could mean keeping it on a flash drive or a portable hard drive that is kept disconnected from a computer. However, Arculus' new process adds a number of layers of security that the normal process is lacking.

In particular, this process has three-factor authentication. You must have something you know, which is your PIN, something you are, which is your biometric lock on your phone, and something you have, which is the Arculus card. This means that, without you, the value of your wallet is zero. In addition, the currency is maintained in an air-gapped state, meaning that it is not connected to the internet - preventing external hackers from stealing from you.

The company has built this technology on the back of its security expertise. They produce metal credit cards for several companies, as well as governmental access badges. With that background, they have produced what could be the most secure way to store and transfer your cryptocurrency assets. The Arculus card should be available soon. To learn more and sign up to be notified of the launch, head to the company's website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Zibrio is here to keep you balanced and in good health @ CES 2021

2021-01-22

There's nothing worse than falling and possibly getting badly injured. Falling is the #1 reason for trauma deaths. Part of the reason many people fall is poor or improper balance. Zibrio, which looks and functions like a bathroom scale, has been developed for helping to find your area that needs attention.

Many times people aren't even aware that they have a balance problem. Balance is defined as your postural stability, which means it's your body's ability to maintain an upright and stable position. That means standing, walking, or being active. The three things that make up this postural stability are sensory output, which deals with the inner ear and the bottom of your feet The second is a processing link to your brain or input, and the third is output which tells the brain to react.

They have commercialized NASA technology to help with finding balance problems. The technology was used with the astronauts inside their boots on the moon to make sure they had good enough balance for the mission they were on. Zibrio developers wanted to be able to help people find our where they had balance problem so that they could avoid falls and potentially serious injuries. They found that the company was 2-5 times better at finding high-risk problems than what the doctors were doing. Wanting it to be a friendly device, they made it available for in-home use as well as in your doctor's office so you can use it daily, weekly, or monthly.

Your balance changes daily and with Zibrio you can track it and find out where you need to focus to improve it. There have been cases where elderly people have started out scoring very low and using Zibrio, have been able to raise their level of balance. This has been a great help in assisted living facilities where there is a high risk for falls. The senior population, which has a 28% chance of falling, is the group that needs to improve its balance. Some unfortunate ones never recover.

Zibrio comes with a consumer app, which shows such things as your sleep, and your stress level, both of which directly affect your balance. Knowing where a problem is part of the solution to keeping you upright and healthy. The measurements can be retrieved in 60 seconds and you will find out where you are on a scale of 1-10. The border of the unit lights up in the color that indicates the area of concern. Green is good, yellow is marginal, and red is the area you need to take care of.

The cost of this amazing product for the consumer is $299. For the clinical version that is used in your doctor's office, the cost is $449. For more information go to the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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TROVA has it locked up tight, for hiding things in plain sight @ CES 2021

2021-01-22

Privacy for certain things is important these days. Who wants to have a secure place to store things that screams out that there is something of value inside it? Scott from TROVA has brought a sleek secure storage box that is cleverly designed as a decorative accent piece for your home.

TROVA is a personal biometric safe used for secure storage "out in the open." It is wirelessly connected through Bluetooth and secured with your phone's biometrics. To open the box and access the contents inside, open the app on the connected phone and sign in using fingerprint, facial recognition, etc. Some of the models offer the ability to unlock with the multi-function button but that severely limits the security.

It's made of aluminum alloy that is very strong. TROVA offers a few ways to physically secure the box. For simple installation, you can use the Kensington lock to connect it to your desk or table. For a stronger lock, it has internal bolts that are hidden from both the inside and the outside of the box. It is also able to send alerts based on different events. For example, if your TROVA gets too far from your phone, you can get an alert on your phone. You can also get a warning if the box is left open or it's been moved.

The HOME offers a few added benefits. You can be notified if another user unlocks the device. There is an internal organization with a clever sliding shelf system that allows storage of several layers of items. It also offers Wi-Fi and NFC which gives more options for unlocking it.

TROVA GO and TROVA GO plus are available now for $199 and $229 respectively. The TROVA HOME is available for pre-order for $549. For more information go to their website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Pigro makes finding answers from your company data easy @ CES 2021

2021-01-22

Every company may produce different products and services, but one thing that every company produces is a ton of information. For a lot of companies, it can be difficult to keep that information organized, and even more difficult to grab the information you need when you need it. This is never more urgent than for support staffers, who often need to access very detailed bits of info in a short period of time. That's where Pigro comes in.

Pigro, which means lazy in Italian, is a data indexing and search platform designed specifically to be able to answer questions about the company and its products when needed. The whole aim of the system is to make data searchable to reduce the amount of time spent trying to answer a question.

Take, for example, a product like a smart TV powered by Roku. The operating system is not made by the same company as the television itself, but support staff will certainly be asked questions about the operation of the Roku system. Rather than having to train every support team member on every aspect of a product your company doesn't make, you could instead load all of Roku's support documents, as well as your own, into Pigro so your staffers can find the answers to obscure questions on demand.

The best part of the system is that it takes requests in the form of natural language. This means that you can ask questions in the same way you would to a coworker next to you, which we don't currently have. It also means that you don't have to guess what keywords the person who uploaded the document may have used, as they are likely not the ones you are thinking about for your question.

Pigro is currently available, and the company will give you a demo of the system in action on your own dataset. To find out more and to book a demo, head to the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Aladin by Domalys is improving safety in assisted living @ CES 2021

2021-01-23

Anyone who has ever been in a hospital room or assisted living facility is familiar with the standard light fixture over the bed. It provides light as well as a nurse call capability via a chain you pull. But, this fixture has remained completely unchanged for years and, more importantly, is completely passive. If something happens, you have to be close enough to the fixture to pull the chain or wait for someone to come by. Domalys has a solution to all of these problems with their Aladin lamp.

This light, which is currently focused on the medical industry, offers everything in the current light fixture, but with the added benefit of active reactions. Instead of having to manually turn the light on and off, Aladin does this for you. If you get up at night, Aladin turns on the light to help reduce the risk of falling. This is important because nearly 30 percent of older people have serious falls.

If you do fall, Aladin can detect the behavior and report it to the facility staff. This eliminates the need to pull a chain or push a button that you may not be able to reach. It also reduces the amount of time before a staff member can get to you to help you up.

The sensors are not only used for detecting falls, however. They can also be used to track behaviors, both day and night. This allows the system and facility staff to detect changes in behavior over time. Some of these changes, including increased bed lifts or lower sleep quality, can be indicative of other declines in health. Being able to detect these changes early can help reduce the lasting effects of these changes.

Domalys is currently working with facilities to implement the technology. For more information or to engage them to install the system, head to the company's website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Publidata wants to streamline communication with government @ CES 2021

2021-01-23

If you have ever tried to get meaningful information from your government, you know just how challenging it can be. When we moved our studio last year, we had to learn what the rules were for trash and recycling. Finding accurate information was not easy, because different parts of the website had conflicting information. It was also seemingly impossible to find out what days were collection days. Fortunately, we were able to get answers from a neighbor, but it shouldn't be like that. Publidata is working to fix that situation.

Publidata is a system for managing and disseminating data in a single, unified way. It provides a single back-office portal with the ability to update any piece of information, whether it be the hours of your local pool or the availability of trash pickup. From there, UIs can be built on top, including government websites and applications. The company even has a number of pre-built applications designed to streamline the time from adoption to general availability.

In addition to data entry capabilities, Publidata's system can incorporate fleet location data. Instead of just knowing that trash pickup is Tuesdays and Fridays, you could know exactly when your pickup will be today, or whether it has already happened. Think of it as the governmental equivalent of the Amazon Prime delivery tracking system. With a GPS tracker on the garbage truck, you can get information on where it is right now, and potentially see how long before it arrives at your property.

Publidata's system is currently in use in France, covering 2.6 million citizens. The company is currently in the process of expanding outside of the country, and is looking for governmental bodies interested in implementing the technology. For more information on the system or to find out about bringing it to your city, check out the company website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Ariel is a solar-powered robot for easy pool cleaning @ CES 2021

2021-01-23

There are so many pool owners these days and as everyone knows, there is a lot of upkeep to make sure it stays clean. Who wants to jump in to cool off if there is a layer of leaves and debris floating on top? Even worse, once you're done cleaning, you are too tired to enjoy the pool. Paul Sim from Pivot Solar Breeze introduced us to a contemporary new robotic cleaning system for your pool. It's called Ariel and it literally runs itself because it is solar-powered.

Most people clean their pool in what Paul says is an upside-down method. That is, cleaning with the device that resembles a stingray, which snakes along the bottom of the pool. By the time the debris is on the floor of the pool, it has decayed and created bacteria. It then requires more chemicals to bring the pH to a safe level, also forcing the filtration system to work harder than it has to.

Ariel floats along the top and literally scoops the debris and bugs before they decay and sink to the bottom, making the cleaning process easier. The robot has a paddle wheel that powers the movement to pick up the leaves, bugs, and debris into a mesh screen. There is a window to see how much has been collected so that it can be easily emptied. Being solar, Ariel only runs while the sun is out, making it self-powered. There is a 12W solar panel that also keeps the lithium metal battery charged.

It weighs a little less than about ten pounds. Even when the debris is collected, it shouldn't be much more. That makes it light-weight to lift out and empty. It will be available in the second quarter, just in time for pool season. Your pool will always be "party-ready!" It retails for $528 but there is a CES special for $468. For more info go to their website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Cutii is a companion robot to ease social isolation @ CES 2021

2021-01-24

We all want to maintain our independence and lifestyle as long as we can, but for seniors, that can be difficult. Memory can slip and activity can wane, but the biggest challenge is actually being alone. Senior isolation has always been a problem, and it has gotten even worse in the past 12 months. There are great services out there that can send a home health worker to the house or even a "grandkid on-demand," but what about the in-between times? That's where Cutii by Care Clever comes in.

This robotic companion combines the best aspects of a telepresence robot with the voice control capabilities of a digital assistant. It is designed to help relieve some of the stresses created by social isolation by creating virtual environments in which to interact with other people. For example, during CES, a Thai Chi class was held through the platform. While other virtual class platforms exist, Cutii sets itself apart because you can easily interact with your classmates. This makes the experience a lot closer to what it would be like to be in a real class.

In addition, Cutii has the ability to interact with things around the house, including smart devices. This is because of its wide range of communication technologies. Cutii can turn on lights, check doors and windows, and more. You can also summon Cutii to your location with your voice, which is possible because of the onboard sensors which create a map of the house. While voice is a common technology these days, Cutii also makes interaction via touchscreen a possibility, because it is designed to be accessible to the most people possible.

Cutii is coming soon. For more information about the product or the company, or to find out when it becomes available, check out the company's website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Absolar finds the best locations for solar installation @ CES 2021

2021-01-24

For those of us in places like Florida, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, or Hawaii (where most of our CES team members have property), the idea of solar power is ubiquitous. You don't really have to consider whether or not installing panels on your home or business will be productive or if the investment will ever be able to pay for itself. However, for those in other parts of the world, that is a real consideration. In order to help determine where solar will be a success, Absolar was created.

The company has created a fascinating system that combines two standard CES technologies, LiDAR and artificial intelligence, in a service that is not an autonomous vehicle or robot. Instead, they use massive yet detailed LiDAR scans of an entire city to map out the physical structure of an entire city. From that scan, they apply a machine learning algorithm in order to determine the surfaces on which solar panels will be the most productive and which will pay for themselves.

The technology was developed in conjunction with local governments in England in an attempt to reduce carbon output and non-renewable energy dependency. The LiDAR scans were made available by the government, and the data models were generated by Absolar. Together, they were able to map out a large number of buildings that could benefit from the installation of solar technology.

Even more interesting is that the technology is not limited to solar technology. With the scans and a new data model, they could identify other benefits, including green roofs, which is a trend that is starting to gain steam in the West. By training a new AI, new benefits can be achieved.

To learn more about Absolar or to find out how they can help your green initiatives, check out their website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Caregiver Smart Solutions eases the aging in place process @ CES 2021

2021-01-24

As we age, certain abilities degrade. There's nothing intrinsically wrong or embarrassing about this - it's just a part of aging. However, many people still feel a level of embarrassment about these changes and will do things to pretend they don't exist. When aging in place, ignoring these issues can be even more of a problem because they can indicate other issues, or cause future issues. Caregiver Smart Solutions has a suite of products designed to help identify these issues while maintaining privacy.

People with hearing loss will pretend all is fine and not look for hearing enhancement technology. Some will begin to experience mobility issues, and not tell anyone including their doctors. And we know when we ask our parents how they are, the answer is often "fine" regardless of the truth. This can cause a lot of stress for the families of those aging in place, and a lot of ways of checking up on your family can be intrusive. The Caregiver Smart Solutions suite allows you to learn about your family's behaviors without installing cameras and other intrusive technologies.

In an example provided by Ryan Herd, founder of the company, think of your mother coming home with groceries. She puts them away but doesn't completely close the refrigerator door. She isn't able to hear the refrigerator beeping to let her know, so she leaves the kitchen and goes to watch TV. When she returns later, she finds the door open, but still uses the food that may have spoiled in the fridge and gets sick. With this solution, however, you could get an alert that there is an alarm going off in the kitchen and call your mother to check on her.

The sensors track a lot of other environmental conditions, as well. For example, you can learn whether your family is eating, sleeping normally, moving around. It also has the ability to detect falls and notify you without the need for a wearable device or a panic button.

You can purchase the Caregiver Smart Solutions in kits or individual sensors now. To learn more about the system and make a purchase, check out the company's website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Smoothtalker technology that boosts your cell phone signal @ CES 2021

2021-01-26

The modern world runs on mobile devices, and when it comes to mobile connectivity it all starts with your signal strength. That is where Smoothtalker comes in! With devices that are easy to use, Smoothtalker is bringing the world of cellular signal boosting from the commercial market to the home in 2021.

Whether you need a couple of extra bars in your home or on the go Smoothtalker has you covered. Their units made for home and commercial use are no larger than your average router and boast ranges from 6 miles to your closest mobile tower that cover a range of up to 2,500 square feet, to a model with a whopping 30 miles distance from your local cell phone tower that covers up to 5,000 square feet. With range like this you can guarantee your family and visitors complete mobile connectivity across your entire house, whether in the city or just outside the city limits.

On the go in the car, RV, or even in a boat? No worries. With a full line of mobile units for single user or multi-user use, Smoothtalker wireless boosters are ready to get you connected at. Whether it's your office on the go or your family on vacation, Smoothtalker mobile boosters are good to go with minimal wiring knowledge needed and easy to use functionality that assures you the best connection for cellular phones and wireless devices. Even if you are taking the family out on the houseboat for the weekend, that does not mean you cannot still be connected. The Wave x6 marine booster and its water ready brethren are the solution for all your connectivity needs while out riding the waves of the internet on the lake.

Stop on by and checkout the full line of great products from mobile connectivity to mobile accessories and more today at https://www.smoothtalker.com.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Actasys gives your vehicle and its sensors 20/20 vision @ CES 2021

2021-01-26

Vehicles these days are extremely sophisticated with intricate computer systems. They have many sensors used for everything from outside temperature to automated braking. Because these sensors are generally exposed to the elements, they eventually need to be cleaned. Unfortunately, many are too sensitive to come in contact with, while others are not easily accessible. Even worse, what happens if they get dirty while you're on the road? Actasys has developed a technology to autonomously keep the sensors clean and functioning.

The company's technology, which is called ActaJet, is a unique sensor cleaning system. It uses small focused jets of air to keep the lenses and covers clear of dirt and debris. This is done by a series of small actuators, which means there is no need for fans, pumps, or compressors. This ensures optimal operation of the sensors and cameras in all environments and weather conditions.

Imagine driving down the interstate following a large truck. The truck hits a puddle, spraying mud and water all over your car. You can clean your windshield with the wipers so you can see again, but your car doesn't have the same ability. Suddenly your automatic braking system, lane guidance, and tailgating alarm stop working. That's why ActaJet was created.

Actasys focuses its attention on working with the sensor builders and OEMs, meaning that the vehicle manufacturers don't have to do anything special to incorporate the technology. Because ActaJet is designed in a cartridge, all that is need is a single power wire instead of tubes or valves. The ease of implementation is a core aspect for wider adoption. Being an electronic device, one of the concerns is always power consumption. The system draws less than 10 watts of power and as low as one. This reduces the potential drain on the battery.

For more information go to the website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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MightyMic Pro brings high quality audio to any device @ CES 2021

2021-01-26

Paul Ackel, Vice President of Ampridge, a U.S. based company that makes the MightyMic, a microphone for smartphones and cameras, joined us at CES 2021 to tell us about some of their latest developments in microphone technology.

Their core product, the MightyMic Pro, is a wireless Bluetooth microphone that can be paired to almost any device and can transform almost any headphone into a wireless microphone. Designed to work with most popular apps, the latest iteration of the MightyMic is the MightyMic Pro 3, a robust mic designed to accommodate a longer battery life, reaching 9 hours on a single charge. It also allows for the addition of external microphones. With three different sensitivity settings, it provides highly customizable audio recording. Additionally, the Ampridge MightyMic Pro employs a unique circuit design that solves the challenge of playing back music when recording video.

Ampridge delivers its MightyMic Pro in a series of different packages serving different needs. The MightyMic L-Pack includes the wireless adapter plus a clip-on Lavalier microphone, providing an off-the-shelf solution for hands-free broadcasting from any device. The MightyMic F transforms the mic into a mini-shotgun microphone. The Mic F effectively provides 4-in-1 microphone capabilities, with a fuzzy windscreen attachment for outdoor use on a DSLR or other device, the ability to attach it to the mic jack on a tablet or phone, to a phone rig, or to a boom pole. With the MightyMic adapter attached, you can also wirelessly stream audio. The MightyMic is also compatible with most gimble mounts.

The Ampridge adapter allows users to take any traditional 4-pin designed headphone microphone and turn it into a wireless microphone. Ampridge also makes the MightyMic C, a directional hand-held microphone with multiple settings and an XLR cable.

The MightyMic Pro retails for $80. The L-Pack sells for $100. The F-pack and the C pack both retail for $110.

Visit the company's website for more info and find their products on Amazon.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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ProMytheUs talent discovery promises a fulfilling future @ CES 2021

2021-01-27

Vedica Jha, from Case Western University, is the founder of ProMytheUs, a talent discovery software tool. With research showing that 8 in 10 people are unsatisfied with their job and career paths, the tool promises a way to a more fulfilling future by helping people identify what they're really good at, and connect with schools and jobs best suited to them.

ProMytheUs was inspired by sports talent scouting. Jha and her cofounder, both math majors, wondered why no one scouted for math talent the same way they scouted for baseball and basketball talent. Their platform initially focused on identifying mathematically skilled talent and has now expanded to 27 different fields of expertise.

Their talent identification is aimed at 7 to 22-year-olds, Jha says, because it's much harder to tell someone who is older that they might want to change their academic or career path. Parents, by default, are their secondary market, although there is obvious potential for integrating into business markets.

The goal of working with youth and young adults is to find talent early and help them nurture that talent. While there are many personality-based tools like Myers-Briggs or strengths finders, Jha says there are no other talent-based software tools that can identify a person's core talent, something that you're naturally good at

There are three parts to the ProMytheUs process. The first part is the Find My Talent tool, a 3-8 minute assessment that helps the user identify or confirm their talent. After that, they can proceed to register their talent or register any of the 27 available categories if they don't feel the one identified is accurate. Although their current rate of accuracy, Jha says, is 95%.

The third part of the process involves a series of questions the individual can answer about themselves, with a section for Testimonials from friends, teachers or family to share statements and stories about the individual, and an Evidence section, to upload things that showcase the person's talent.

ProMytheUs seeks to be a one-shot stop for talent, and provides four different avenues of access, for students, educational institutions, companies, and recruiters, who can all access the talent database for their different needs.

The project is two-thirds completed. Users can currently find their talent on the platform and receive a talent report that includes two different scores that they've built a mathematical algorithm for - their secret sauce - that provides recommendations for the user. The final third of the project is called the Talent Lifecyle Plan and is being designed to give people a future projection of their talent progress based on milestones and suggested resources.

To learn more visit the website or call 312-989-4089 to connect in person.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Knuckles 5 puts all the drone control you need in one hand @ CES 2021

2021-01-27

Kostiantyn Borysov is the creator of Knuckles 5, a multi-faceted, one-handed drone controller.

Drones are a big business in the U.S. Of the nearly 2 million drones registered with the FAA, about 1.3 million of them are recreational drones. There are currently over 200,000 certified remote pilots. By 2025, it is estimated that the market for commercial drones will exceed $13 billion per year (Stastica). So Knuckles 5 made a prime time entry at CES 2021, with some promising new developments in accessibility and functionality.

Designed initially around the idea of a flight stick, Knuckles 5 utilizes a single 5 button, 3 analog joystick with eight axes, and two modes. The device features two trackballs - one moved by the index finger and the other by the thumb - to control a drone along a combined four axes. Two more axes controlled by a mini-joystick, and another two axes by an IMU (inertial measurement unit) that picks up controller tilt. Using GUI (graphical user interface), it is technically possible to have 19 possible axes or 40 different buttons configured through the custom set up feature - all controllable with one hand. Borysov said the controller also provides for faster drone control than current controllers offer.

Still under development, the controller will be able to potentially control everything from pocket drones to commercial UAVs. And more intriguingly, the controller makes it possible to control two drones at the same time. Knuckles 5 opens up drone flying to people with disabilities, and Borysov is currently seeking people to test the device. While designed for flying drones the controller can also be used for video game play.

Knuckles 5 is expected to be available some time this year, and will retail at around $250 to $300. Visit the company's website to learn more.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Monster Smart Illuminessence brings the color to your home @ CES 2021

2021-01-27

One of the companies that have been a consistent guest for us at CES has been Monster. We've talked about headphones, earbuds, speakers, and more. Last year, we had the opportunity to speak about one of the newer additions to the Monster family - Monster Smart Illuminessence. This new line of LED products has become incredibly popular, with Jennifer Garrett's reveal of the products being our top viewed interview of 2020. So, of course, we had to have her back to show us what's new for 2021.

In the totally new category, Monster Smart Illuminessence has a couple of really cool products. First, we've got The V - a clear acrylic tent with fully controllable LEDs embedded. It is able to do all of the cool swirling animations of its bigger cousins, Prism and Digit. It will come in a pack of six with a charging base. Because it is acrylic, you can use it to write on with dry-erase markers for place settings, table decorations, and more.

Next is the Arc, another device featuring the swirling LED animation capabilities. The Arc, however, is designed to be a combination lamp and headphone stand. It also includes a 10-watt Qi-certified wireless charger. In addition to the multicolor LED capability, the Arc is able to be used in warm white and reading light modes, making it a great companion for a nightstand or desk. Following along is the Studio, a ring light with similar capabilities to the Arc. It will also add the ability to be used as a clock.

2021 will also see upgrades to some of the existing product lines. Jennifer showed us a Midnight Edition of both the Digit and Prism. These devices look and function like their original counterparts, but with a dark body. The darker body mutes the lighting to an extent, but also allows it to fit into a mare natural or darker environment than the current white body.

The biggest upgrade comes to the Neon, which is an indoor/outdoor LED strip with a diffuser. The current version of the Neon can do a single color at a time but the second edition, dubbed the Neon Flow, will implement the same kind of animation as the other products in the lineup.

The company is hoping to launch these products in the Summer of 2021. For more information on the current Monster Smart Illuminessence product line and follow the journey of future products, check out their website, and for help with setting up these products, check out our How To videos.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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BenjiLock is protecting many aspects of your daily life @ CES 2021

2021-01-28

Since its first outing at CES 2017, Robbie Cabral, founder of BenjiLock, has consistently worked to bring his vision of a more convenient and more secure world to reality. Our team has had the privilege of following his journey, from concept to Shark Tank and Hampton Products to today.

Last year, just before the world came to a halt, Robbie stopped by our studio to discuss upcoming products. While 2020 took a toll on the timeline of these new products, Robbie and the team at Hampton Products have managed to bring all of these products to market for 2021.

Our favorite new product last year was the BenjiLock Door Lock. In fact, we liked it so much, we secure our office and studio with one. We were in good company, as the product received a CES Innovation Award last year. This product merges the best of both companies, with BenjiLock's fingerprint reading technology combined with the long history of security products made by Hampton Products. Honestly, we have really enjoyed the convenience of the fingerprint reader for entrance by our team. We added to it the Hampton Push-Pull-Rotate doorknob, so even with our hands full of equipment, we can open the door.

Coming at a close second was the new bike lock. When exercising, I always try to carry as little as possible, and that includes my keys. Being able to lock a bicycle while out without the need for a key is ideal for my experience. It seems like I cannot be the exception, but likely closer to the rule. Anyone wearing proper cycling gear will find it difficult to store a key for any lock, let alone their bike.

The BenjiLock Bike Lock is available for $79.99 and the Door Lock is available for $159.99. To find out what colors are available, to make a purchase, or to learn more about the BenjiLock product line, check out the company's website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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RoboEatz ARK 3 automates the kitchen of a restaurant @ CES 2021

2021-01-28

For small restaurants around the world, like most businesses, one of the largest costs is payroll. The real problem for restaurants is that margins are usually razor thin. Over the past few years, many restaurants, especially here in the United States, have been looking at what can be done to reduce payroll costs. Many fast food and chain restaurants have added ordering kiosks and at-table computers. However, the place that could really reduce cost is in the kitchen. In addition to the cost of labor, there is also food waste. RoboEatz has developed a robot that can help with both of these issues - the ARK 3.

The RoboEatz ARK 3 is a full kitchen automation system that can replace the kitchen staff and equipment of almost any restaurant. It takes up only 200 square feet and can serve 1000 meals without needing to be replenished. That replenishment process is also easy, as the system is able to use its sensors to determine when supplies are needed and place the order itself.

The first concern of any restaurant owner is the ability to maintain their menu and customer relationship. Implementing new technology that ruins your brand image is not going to be a win. ARK 3 allows you to create and fully customize your recipes, meaning you can keep your food exactly as it is. Even better, through the system's mobile app, customers and servers can easily adjust their order, including ordering partial portions.

On top of the cooking process, ARK 3 also takes care of all of the cleanup. In fact, the process takes place between each and every order, eliminating cross contamination. This means that it can prepare and cook regular dishes and vegan dishes without any issues.

The company is currently working to build a prototype restaurant to show off the robot, while also working with other restaurants to implement the technology in the future. For more information on the ARK 3, check out the company's website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Follinic makes regrowing lost hair as easy as wearing a cap @ CES 2021

2021-01-28

Hair loss is a common problem for a large portion of people. We may immediately think of male pattern baldness, but females have hair loss problems, too. There have been many treatments over the years, from creams to pills, and even hair transplants. The results and price have varied wildly, and the side effects have as well. South Korean company IL Science has a new product designed to avoid all of these things - Follinic.

The Follinic does not use any internal intervention and, instead, focuses on the scalp itself. The product looks like a brimless baseball cap and fits the same way. Using various specially focused LEDs, as well as microcurrent, it is supposed to both prevent hair loss and stimulate follicles that have already stopped growing hair.

While the product has already been cleared by the FDA in the United States and has been on sale in South Korea, our guest Youngju Hwang personally questioned the efficiency of the product. So, she purchased one at regular retail and tried it out with her father. The results absolutely made her a believer in the product, having seen significant hair regrowth for her own father in just three months.

This experiment goes to show that, while we often question the efficiency of some of the products we see during CES, we aren't the only ones. Even the employees of the companies themselves can be skeptical about whether or not their own products work as well as they are supposed to.

Follinic runs $699 and will be available through retail channels in the US soon. The company also offers a tonic and premium shampoo, both of which are designed to work together with the Follinic product to improve the results. For more information on the product line, check out the website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Hero Trainer brings the only fitness reward app for gamers @ CES 2021

2021-01-29

A lot of people hear the word "gamer" and picture of a certain kind of person in their mind. But contrary to popular belief, the world of gaming is actually quite vast and getting more diverse all the time. There are so many different types of video games that there truly is something for everyone. Games for kids that expand their creativity and problem-solving abilities, games for sports lovers that immerses them right in with their favorite teams, first-person shooter games that let you get your Rambo on, and yes... even character-based games that the grown-ups enjoy way more than they ever imagined that they would. Hero Trainer wants to help change that misconception.

As a gamer himself, Yash Jain wanted to find a way to bring the elements of fitness, community, and rewards to the world of gaming. The result is truly invigorating. Yash founded Hero Trainer, a free mobile app where users can earn rewards in their favorite video games by simply exercising. That's right, earn in-game rewards and even gift cards for use in dozens of video games (on your PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo) just for walking. He came up with the idea after realizing that even when he had a decent fitness streak going, he would end up losing motivation for various reasons and ultimately fall short of his own fitness goals. Like so many others, video games ranked higher on his list of interests than fitness, so he came up with the idea of merging the two. And what better incentive than offering gaming currency for steps taken.

Cool concept, right? But how does it work? It's actually so EZ! Simply download the app from either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and let your wearables and smartphone do the rest. Steps are counted and transferred into Hero Trainer from both the Apple Health and Google Fit apps. The currency that you accrue for spending is called Aura and you earn 1 Aura for every 1,000 steps you take. Rack up that Aura and redeem rewards in the Marketplace. Vendors include Riot Games, the Steam Store, Blizzard Entertainment, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo eShop, Google Play, and Apple. We can't think of a better reason to stop camping and go AFK for a nice long walk.

As an added layer of motivation, Hero Trainer goes a step further by adding that gaming element to the app itself. Each user has their own character in the app that grows stronger as they walk. If that weren't exciting enough, you can also team up with friends, in Guilds, and compete in seasons that are about 8 weeks long. Depending upon where your Guild ranks, you can earn even more points to spend in the marketplace. As you can imagine, this concept is quite intriguing for us here at PLUGHITZ Live, as we have been known to dabble in a game or two from time to time. And, not to brag, but we're quite the team, especially when we're on the road at tech conventions.

So, whether you're badass in Call of Duty, a tank in League of Legends, or reached the Koopa Troopa Cup in Mario Kart Tour, you can only benefit from using the Hero Trainer app. To get more information and download the app, click here and use our Referral Code - BAO8. Our PLUGHITZ Live Guild looks forward to seeing you there.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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FaceMe allows for a more personal product experience @ CES 2021

2021-01-29

At CES 2020, we had the opportunity to be introduced to FaceMe by CyberLink. While most people think of CyberLink because of its video-related software, FaceMe takes that video processing knowledge and applies it to one of the most sought after aspects of connected devices - facial detection and recognition.

There has been a lot of talk over the past year about facial recognition and how it can be abused. Generally, the two ways we have seen the technology misused has been in inappropriate implementations and openly accessible data. FaceMe helps to address the concerns through its technology setup. While many systems require uploading images to a centralized server, FaceMe is an entirely closed system. This design allows for companies to create unique experiences while still valuing privacy.

The product came about almost accidentally. It was originally created as a part of another product called YouCam Makeup. This product was designed to allow for virtual makeup trials, which obviously needed the ability to recognize and distinguish a face and its features. After the success of YouCam Makeup, the company saw the value that the underlying technology could hold for themselves and others.

Because FaceMe is designed to be able to be used nearly anywhere, it means that it can help enhance lots of products and services. A developer could use it to create another virtualization product, like what we see with Snapchat filters. Or, a developer could use it to allow for individualization of products, like a pill dispenser. Imagine having a single dispenser in a home and, using embedded technology, can determine who is at the machine in order to only give them their medications.

If you are interested in learning more about FaceMe or engaging CyberLink on integrating the software into your platform, check out the product's website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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WooBloo SMASH puts a smart projector anywhere you need it @ CES 2021

2021-01-29

The last 12 months has created an interesting new reliance on entertainment. Being locked in our homes has forced us to look for new ways to spend our free time. A lot of it has driven us onto services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video because there are large libraries of content to help us survive downtime. But, for many people, this has forced them to watch a lot of content on small screens, like phones, tablets, or laptop screens. WooBloo has a new product, called SMASH, which will help with that limitation.

The WooBloo SMASH is a small, portable high definition smart projector. Because of the wireless capabilities, you can take it into any room of the house and watch your content. Take it into the living room and watch a high-profile movie together, or take it into your bedroom and watch a TV show by yourself. You can even take it into the kitchen and use it to cook with your kids, using tutorial videos on the wall.

Unlike other smart projectors we've seen, SMASH has removed the biggest limitation on those platforms - software availability. This is because SMASH allows you to use Airplay and Chromecast to push content from your phone, tablet, or computer directly to the screen. In addition, the projector has an HDMI port to allow you to bring other devices, like gaming consoles and streaming sticks, onto the screen. But, you can also get in-built applications to reduce the strain on your other devices.

When WooBloo SMASH is not in use as a projector, it can also be used as a smart speaker, both plugged in and on battery. This is powered by Alexa, giving you access to all of the features of the Alexa digital assistant.

WooBloo SMASH is available now for pre-order on Indiegogo. For more information, check out the company's website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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iWONDERCOOK takes the hassle out of preparing a fresh meal @ CES 2021

2021-01-30

After a long day at work, whether you're working from the office or working from home, sometimes the energy or interest to cook dinner can be limited. For some, it means going and getting fast food. For others, it means jumping on an app and ordering delivery. But, if you are lucky enough to have an iWONDERCOOK, you don't have to have fast food or order out, and you don't have to expend the energy to cook.

iWONDERCOOK is a small robotic chef that is designed for your personal kitchen. It is about the size of a consumer 3D printer and even follows similar principles. The design of the meal is done beforehand, and the required materials are prepared and shipped to your house. To cook the pre-packed but not prepared meal, you scan the barcode on the package and place the ingredients in the machine. Then, in about 15 minutes, return to the machine and plate your food. That's all there is to it. In fact, during the conversation, Michael Lemberg cooked and plated a meal on camera.

The way it works behind the scenes is similar to some of the meal kits, but with an easy and robotic twist. The company sources the ingredients to support the recipes in its system. They then clean, cut, and pack those ingredients into containers, split by meal. They ship those packets to you, which contains the general ingredients, sauces, and spices. So far, a tried and true model. The difference, of course, is that you don't need a printed recipe with preparation and cooking processes. Instead, just scan, cook, and walk away. You don't even have to deal with cleanup, as the machine takes care of that (except for your plate and silverware).

Because of delivery requirements, iWONDERCOOK is currently limited to the New York area. If you are interested in learning more about the product, check out the website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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DFree is an early warning system for your bladder @ CES 2021

2021-01-30

There are a lot of things that happen as you age, one of which is something very personal that most people don't like to or won't talk about. Probably the most common one is the concern of bladder control. There are 500 million people worldwide that truly suffer from this issue. DFree was developed to help target those people with this problem. This is mainly the senior population or anyone who has a bladder incontinence condition.

DFree is a small wearable device that has an ultra-sound sensor. Being totally non-invasive, it is placed on the lower abdomen after applying ultra-sound gel and secured with medical tape. Using four ultra-sound probes, it is paired with your phone and tells you how full your bladder is so you can be prepared to find a bathroom if necessary. Through the app, there is a range of 1-10, with 1 being empty and 10 being full. We typically fall between 1 and 10. There is a notification threshold that can be set to a number to let you know how full the bladder is, say 80. When it reaches 50, it will notify you so you can plan on finding a bathroom. It has an analysis function that shows you several things. Some of these are how much urine is accumulated, how often you go to the bathroom, and how much time passes between bathroom visits. Much of this information seems unnecessary to some people, but if you live with this condition, any and all information can be very helpful in coping with the issue.

DFree has a USB port and is easy to charge. The charge lasts for 24 hours, allowing the user to wear it all day. This is available now for $399.99 but that is just for the hardware. There is also a minimal cost for the ultra-sound gel and the medical tape. For more info go to their website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Mighty Health keeps your body in shape and your mind alert @ CES 2021

2021-01-30

As folks age, their health needs slowly change, sometimes to the point that they don't realize their decline. James Li, co-founder, and CEO of Mighty Health tells of the time his father was rushed into the hospital for emergency open-heart surgery. He was told in no uncertain terms that he either must change his current diet and lifestyle or he would be back in three to six months, even though the surgery was successful. Out of this scary experience came Mighty Health, a nutrition and lifestyle program designed especially for those over 50 years of age. James described it as a virtual YMCA.

As we age, it's natural that we cannot do things as we used to that requires regular exercise or physical stamina. Older people's needs are much different for fitness. Maybe it's running a 5K or doing weights that are not working the way that they used to. Another common problem is joint pain. These days we are very restricted from going to places that many people share a limited area due to COVID-19. This has many negative repercussions, one of which is loneliness and isolation, which is definitely a contributor to poor health, both mental and physical. Not only are there nutritional classes and workout videos, but just by being involved in this program, you'll find yourself in a community of people who are just like you. This is 360 support for you and you find that you are not in this alone.

The program has cardiologists and fitness trainers from all over the world who will guide you through the journey to better health through your nutrition and exercise program. Mighty Health will also send alerts to your family members so they can cheer you on for support.

The easy-to-use-app is not only available for iOS and Android, but for your phone and tablet. The cost of the program is $19.99 a month or you can get a discount by pre-paying for a year, which is $159.99. For more info, go to the company's website.

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GoSun is bringing the solar revolution to your home @ CES 2021

2021-01-31

At CES 2016, we met Patrick Sherwin, the founder of GoSun. The company was announcing a fascinating new solar stove that was built through inspiration from Patrick's experience working with roofing. It uses solar directly to cook food in a tube, and can be used with 12-volt power for use at night or in bad weather. Since 2016, Patrick and GoSun have expanded their product line, staying focused on solar-powered products and the camping community.

This year, we are introduced to the current GoSun product lineup. It now includes nearly everything that regular campers could possibly want. The core of the product line is the power solutions. You can get small, portable solar panels in 10-watt and 30-watt options. You can use these solar panels to power many devices, but the most obvious is a power bank. Charging one of the GoSun banks, like the Power 144, allows you then power your devices and charge the bank at the same time.

One of the really intriguing product categories on offer was focused on water. These newer products have won a CES Innovation Award for 2021, which indicates a unique and useful product. In this case, you can get a solar-powered water purifier and pump, and a portable sink and shower that connect to the pump. The purifier is small enough to fit into a backpack, runs on solar, and can filter up to 99% of pathogens from water.

While the obvious target here is camping, it was hard for us to also focus on the usefulness in the event of natural disasters. This comes from much of the team living on the Gulf Coast and knowing what happens after a hurricane. The water filter would mean being able to trust the water we hoard in our bathtubs ahead of the storm, and possibly other water we receive after a storm.

The GoSun product line, which is wider than we have covered here, is available from the company's website or on Amazon.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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RoadPrintz makes roadwork safer and less expensive @ CES 2021

2021-01-31

There are some aspects of daily life that very few people actually know how they work. One area that we know very little about is roadways. People are often shocked to see just how big traffic lights and road signs actually are. They would also be amazed to learn just how the painting of symbols on the road actually happens. These giant symbols, such as "right turn only" or "school zone," are hand-painted, or painted using giant stencils. This realization was so surprising for Sam Bell that he founded RoadPrintz.

RoadPrintz is a company that is dedicated to automating the process of printing on the road. Bell was involved in a multi-million dollar project and was shocked to discover that certain road printing projects would not be undertaken because of the cost. The cost was not just in the initial implementation but in upkeep. It turns out that these have to be repainted annually, making it an eternal cost.

Once he began to investigate, he discovered that a large portion of the price was because at least five people are involved in the painting process, including those who control traffic, drop stencils, and paint. The process takes time, leaving these people in the middle of the street. This could be dangerous for them as well as motorists. Since lines are painted autonomously, why not symbols, as well?

That was the question that was answered by RoadPrintz - it absolutely can be. Using and training a robotic arm, the company was able to completely print road symbols quicker, cheaper, and safer than normal. This new process is a win for everyone involved. The intention is for cities to be able to purchase these robotic arms and use them to create and maintain their roads.

The product is currently in a testing phase, with hopes to bring it to market for cities and municipalities in the near future. For more information on the company, check out their website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Autoslide makes any sliding glass door autonomous @ CES 2021

2021-01-31

If you have a pet dog and a sliding door, you likely have to stop what you're doing and go open that door a dozen times a day to let the dog in and out. If you have a multi-level home, it can be even more of an inconvenience, especially now that many of us are working from home. This, and a number of other issues, is what Autoslide is designed to solve.

This system is a retrofit device that makes any sliding door into an autonomous sliding door. Using motion sensors, the door can be set to open when someone comes near it. This could be good for opening when you're carrying supplies out to the grill or just when you're entertaining. It could even be used at restaurants and bars to keep air conditioning inside while maintaining the feel of an outside experience. By using NFC tags, it could be great for letting the dog out.

Another great use case for the Autoslide is for people in wheelchairs or walkers. Obviously, the weight and length of a sliding glass door can make it difficult to open or close in this situation. Being able to automate the door, either by motion-sensing or by button, could be a life-changer in one of these homes.

Truly, the aspect that makes this system unique is that it does not require you to replace your door. Instead, it fits onto the existing door and track. This retrofit capability reduces the cost significantly, as you don't have to have a contractor knock out the existing door and install a new one. It also means that you might be able to install it yourself.

The Autoslide system, in various configurations for motion, NFC, manual button, etc., are all available from the company. To learn more or make a purchase, head over to what the website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Lasso Loop closes the recycling loop for homeowners @ CES 2021

2021-02-01

Stuart Chater, communications manager for Lasso Loop Recycling, joined us from Sydney, Australia for CES 2020.

Lasso Loop is a two-year-old company that aims to make the recycling process more elegant and efficient for homeowners, right at the source. Traditional recycling involves transporting recyclables from residences to a sorting facility, where a small percentage of material is closed-loop recycled. Lasso Loop aims for 100% of residential recyclables to enter into the closed-loop cycle, where they can be transformed into products of the same quality as the original.

The biggest issue with the current system, says Chater, is contamination, which renders material unusable in a high-quality product. Lasso Loop overcomes that problem by sensing at the source, whether in a home or office, to detect the type of material an item is composed of so it can be kept in the right stream. For example, if an item is made of PET plastic it stays in the PET plastic stream, if it's clear glass, it stays in the glass stream, and so forth.

After material detection, the item is washed and cleaned, a critical step many people skip. After that, the material is ground - plastic is flaked, metal is shredded, and glass is crushed - and then the ground material is stored inside the Lasso Loop container as a pure industry-standard product, ready for high-quality reuse.

The company aims to have its first full prototype completed this year, and the first retail model available in 2022. The appliance will be about the size of a dishwasher, weigh around 260 lbs, use no more than 2 liters of water daily, and will process materials in about 15 minutes.

Visit the company website for more information, and to reserve your own Lasso Loop appliance when the final version is released.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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fash\on turns your closet on with a digital closet system @ CES 2021

2021-02-01

Jong-Hyun Ko is the founder of fash\on, a Korean company that has developed a Digital Closet tool to make fashion clothing shopping fast and efficient. It's a brand new company debuting its product at CES for the first time.

The fash\on Digital Closet is designed for the customer who wants fast fashion products and regularly updates their wardrobe with the latest styles. fash\on aims to remove the obstacles that currently make both online and off-line clothing shopping slow and tedious, by separating how customers get product information from their purchasing behavior. In the case of clothing shopping, fash\on believes there's too much information for shoppers, who can spend nearly an hour trying to find just what they're looking for as they sort through product descriptions. Their smart Digital Closet solution aims to take the guesswork and the extra time out of the clothing shopping experience.

Company surveys show that people wear 10-20 sets of clothing per season, so what they really want, Jong-Hyun believes, is to buy clothes in their style to mix and match what they already have in their closet. Therefore, the best way to get good fashion recommendations and purchase options are to show clothing stores what's actually in your closet.

fash\on is a digital tool that does just that, making your closet "smart" and channeling your personal styling into a subscription service. With the tag line, "Turn your Closet On", the device and companion app help you get personalized and fast styling service, allowing you to shop online or off at your favorite retailers. You register your size with your favorite shops, then take photos of your current clothing collection, and add them to the app to find complementary clothing by color or style at your favorite clothing stores quickly and easily.

To learn more, visit the company's website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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CleanAirZone makes your indoor air quality better @ CES 2021

2021-02-01

There are a lot of reasons why people are interested in clean air. Between allergens and viruses, pet dander, and more, many people decide to add cleaning technology to their homes and offices. This is in large part because indoor spaces have more air contaminants than outdoor spaces. In fact, Todd Cochrane has two devices in his offices and studios for this reason. Many of the standard devices available have a major flaw - they use the same technology, so they tend to miss the same materials. That was the challenge that CleanAirZone set out to solve.

Traditional air purification systems fail to remove the ultrafine particles. Many of those particles are the most hazardous to health, and yet they are the ones that are skipped. The CleanAirZone, or CAZ, devices are capable of capturing and digesting 99.99% of contamination in the air. This is because, unlike standard filters, the CAZ uses the electrical charge of airborne particles to capture them as they move through the system. Then, the system literally digests these pollutants using the company's water-soluble BioCAZ Solution.

The change in technology also leads to a change in behavior. There are no filters or bulbs to purchase and dispose of. There's no UV light or ozone in the process. Rather than being a piece of technology, it is a living ecosystem designed to help keep you and your family healthy. Essentially, CAZ aims to bring the environment of the outdoors inside. Important for many people, the CAZ device is not very loud. In fact, in the video, you cannot hear the device running in the room. That is a huge benefit, as noise pollution can lead to stress and anxiety.

The CleanAirZone device should be available in Q2 of 2021, and will retail for $1499. For more information, head over to the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Alango's Wear and Hear products improve hearing and health @ CES 2021

2021-02-02

Dr. Alexander Goldin is the founder and CEO of Alango Technologies, a 20-year-old Israeli company that specializes in personalized digital hearing amplification systems. If you use hands-free technology in your vehicle, wireless earbuds, or a speakerphone for business meetings, there's a good chance, says Dr. Goldin, that you are using Alango technology. At CES 2021, Dr. Goldin joined us to talk about Alango's own line of products called Wear & Hear.

Millions of communication products worldwide utilize Alango's digital signal processing software, which aim to improve the quality of voice communication and audio experience in a variety of environments by providing high-quality noise cancellation, enhancing speech, and dynamically equalizing signal volume and spectrum in real-time response to dynamic acoustic conditions. Their devices can also improve health, by improving hearing, says Dr. Goldin.

Recent studies show that untreated hearing loss is the surprising leading cause of dementia in adults, increasing the chances of dementia by 8%, well above other risk factors. With 15% of the population suffering some degree of hearing loss, which also contributes to a number of other health and social problems, Alango's Wear and Hear line of personalized hearing amplifiers hopes to improve health and well-being while bringing clarity of sound to the user.

Wear and Hear devices are disguised as Bluetooth communications headsets, stereo headsets, and other similar consumer electronics products. The first product they introduced at CES this year is an upgraded version of their CES 2020 Innovation Technology winner, the BeHear Access . The latest iteration of this device has several new features including Improved directivity and own-voice reduction that reduces the volume of the user's voice in the headset.

Alango also has a new multifunctional Neck Speaker that can be used to perform personal hearing evaluations, includes attached earbuds to function as a personal sound amplification device, and can work as a speaker phone in conferencing situations.

The BeHear Access retails for $349 - 10x less than the cost of traditional hearing aids - and the neck speaker $189.

To learn more, visit the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Typewise brings intuitive typing to your fingertips @ CES 2021

2021-02-02

David Eberle, CEO and Co-Founder of Typewise, joined us at CES 2021 from Switzerland to talk about his company's unique take on the mobile keyboard.

Typewise is a smartphone keyboard that works on iPhone or Android devices, promises up to five times fewer typos, and safeguards your privacy in the process. The keyboard system, developed in partnership with is ETH Zurich, is AI-powered and completely customizable.

Typewise was developed to help improve productivity by overcoming the slow and cumbersome traditional keyboard system, that's over 140 years old. The keyboard consists of a honeycomb interface with hexagonal keys that are 70% larger than standard mobile device keyboard keys. Space keys are in the center, conveniently situated for thumbs. While it lacks shift and backspace keys, those functions are replaced with more intuitive gestures that complement the capabilities of touch screens. The result is 80% fewer typos, a number the company arrived at by replicating a 2018 Cambridge University study that analyzed the behavior of over 30,000 users across a variety of keyboards.

Where typically every fifth word typed using a standard keyboard contains a typo, the Typewise system drops that number down to one in every 20 words, on average. Future releases will integrate autocorrect technology with voice-to-text, so the keyboard knows how the user spells certain words when typed, and the voice-to-text engine will be able to type spoken words as the user would. The keyboard will eventually work on desktops, VR and wearables, and any device where you have to input information.

The app is completely free, with no advertising, and is available in 40 languages. A premium version is available as an in-app purchase for those who type in multiple languages at the same time, enabling the keyboard to switch easily between the languages.

Visit the company's website to learn more or download the free app at the Google Play Store or the App Store.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Rendever is allowing seniors to get back into the world @ CES 2021

2021-02-02

Social isolation has been a growing problem in modern life and has grown worse in the past year. It's a particular problem for the older population, many of whom have had major life changes, moving out of their homes and into various versions of eldercare. While in younger days, they may have been used to going out for a day of fun or traveling the world, in older life, these abilities may have been lost. This is the problem that Rendever is looking to solve.

Rendever merges two surprising things into one - seniors and virtual reality equipment. Now, we have all seen prank videos where kids introduce their grandparents to virtual reality through shocking environments, but this is certainly not that. In fact, the company is using virtual reality equipment to create environments to reduce the social isolation that seniors feel. These seniors can explore the world, whether it be new places that they always wanted to see, or even revisit locations that hold special meaning.

The best part of this technology is the ability to go on these experiences together. Other residents of a facility or family members can come by, wear their own headsets, and virtually travel together. Imagine being able to have another family vacation or a recreation of a honeymoon, all without having to leave your facility or bringing staff with you.

The technology is already being used in some high-profile senior living facilities, through healthcare systems like UCHealth and Cleveland Clinic, and has commercial partnerships with AARP and Verizon. While the system was designed to be used in facilities, the oddity of 2020 has led the company to explore the future possibility of remote group experiences, as well.

To learn more about Rendever and its VR technology, check out the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Biohacking ORB is a new age professional wellness multitool @ CES 2021

2021-02-04

One of the latest trends in medicine is called biohacking. The idea is to use science and technology in order to make the body function better and more efficiently. The ultimate goal is to enable people to control their own journeys in order to achieve their personal wellness outcomes. Because these tools and processes enable people to achieve their goals with fewer time requirements, it has the promise of being more accessible. Biohacking ORB is building these techniques tech technologies into a single, multifunctional device.

The Biohacking ORB is a combination of a number of different processes and technologies into a device that looks a little like Tom's "chair with a roof" on Parks and Rec, or a tanning bed from the future. But it is way more interesting than either of these items. It combines aromatherapy inhalation therapy, neuroacoustic sound therapy, mandala chakra chromotherapy, and mandala chakra vibroacoustic therapy. Additional techniques that can be added are oxygen therapy, mandala chakra near-infrared, air compression massage, halotherapy (salt therapy), and a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) mattress.

The Biohacking ORB itself is not an inexpensive purchase. But, it is also not intended for home use. Instead, it is intended to be introduced into existing areas, such as in spas or your work wellness center. It can also be used to set up a unique wellness center, dedicated to these devices. The company is currently in talks to create a few of these centers, while also looking to help implement them into corporate campuses.

If you are a spa or wellness center looking to include a touchless option in your facility or looking to reduce operational costs, or are a corporate campus looking to add a unique benefit for your employees, or if you have a new concept, you can learn more and get in contact at the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Essence USA introduces healthcare and security products @ CES 2021

2021-02-04

Israel-based security manufacturer Essence introduced various new 5G forward-compatible security products at CES 2021.

In our interview, Todd Cochrane talks to Josh Locke, Director of Sales for Essence USA. Essence provides smart connected-living solutions for security, communication, and healthcare service providers. Backed by 20 years of experience and over 15 million devices installed worldwide, Essence takes pride in the full ownership of our end-to-end solutions; from concept development and design, through the manufacturing of hardware and software to the day to day operations.

Essence's PERS 5G, introduced at CES, is, according to a press release, "a highly advanced gateway that provides activity monitoring, fall detection, and voice capabilities anywhere in the home. The 5G technology enables service providers and users to enjoy the highest levels of dependability and accuracy."

As for a non-5G wellness application, Essence also touted its MDSense fall detection system, which leverages another cutting-edge technology - radar - to cover a full room using a wireless device that looks much like a traditional PIR motion detector. The product is ideal for people who might not be wearing an emergency pendant and/or cannot reach a panic button.

Beyond the wellness monitoring area, Essence also introduced an intrusion detection system aimed at homes and small businesses. The company calls its Integrated FogShield product "the world's first 5G standalone solution for intruder prevention." Connected via 5G CAT-M networks, it includes motion detection, video recording, two-way voice capabilities, and a smoke diffuser that fills a room with a harmless but disorienting smoke that forces intruders out of the premises. Suitable for both residential and commercial buildings, the company says the system can be integrated with existing security systems or used as a standalone solution.
Essence believes in building a future where technology is a seamless extension of people's lives. Enriching, enabling, and shaping life's possibilities.

Learn more about these and all of Essence's products on their blog.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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BOON Spotlight provides private and personalized shopping @ CES 2021

2021-02-04

At CES 2021, Todd Cochrane sits down to talk to Dylan Grey, founder of BOON, an award-winning startup from the UK that is revolutionizing online shopping with psychological research and AI technology.

The company has built the technology to create a personalized shopping experience using a unique combination of psychology and AI. The startup works with online retailers to deliver engaging experiences and increase their conversion rates, while also guaranteeing complete data control and privacy to the user.

BOON Spotlight leads consumers through a set of fun, image-based questions that use filtering and a psychology-backed AI to give meaningful product recommendations. The service uses groundbreaking AI and powerful filtering to shortlist the best products for each shopper, helping them discover their next purchase. BOON's technology can be used as a personal shopping assistant or a gift finder. Shoppers can instantly replace any of their recommendations to curate a list of top picks. BOON's AI continuously learns and improves from feedback like this, so each subsequent shopper gets a better experience and better recommendations.

The majority of consumers say they want better control of their data, but that can be a challenge for conventional tracking-based product recommendation technology. One of the benefits of BOON's technology is that every consumer controls what data they provide and remains anonymous throughout. They took a new approach when designing their AI, building with privacy-in-mind from the ground up. Through the survey questions, users control what data they provide, and all responses are forgotten as soon as the window is closed - no cookies to track you for months on end.

Research shows that BOON's technology will increase conversions by up to 85%. BOON has found that consumers love the experience: 96% participants complete all the questions once they start, they are up to 85% more likely to checkout, and they have a 35% larger basket size.

Improve your customers' experience now by connecting with BOON via their website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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DialogueTrainer's avatars teach corporate communication @ CES 2021

2021-02-05

At CES 2021, Todd Cochrane interviewed Michiel Hulsbergen, CEO of DialogueTrainer, a professional development company that teaches better corporate communications skills through virtual simulations.

Based out of The Netherlands, DialogueTrainer has been developing interactive online educational scenarios since 2013. Built on a solid scientific foundation, DialogueTrainer's online platform was co-developed with Utrecht University. Their innovative conversation simulations allow users to practice tricky conversational situations online with virtual training actors. Virtual avatars provide the basis of the DialogueTrainer approach, followed by in classroom exercises. They believe this blended approach to training is what is needed to penetrate the difficulty inherent to some of these tough professional conversations.

Communication is the most important soft skill needed to improve services and increase job satisfaction. Companies that provide professional development training to their employees notice an increase in retention. Employees stick around longer because they are being enriched. People are interested in working for a company they can grow with. Classes on professional communication can help build confidence, improve efficiency and re-energize your staff.

All types of businesses can benefit from this training. DialogueTrainer has interactive online communication training in the following subjects:
*Customer Relations (Telephone sales, Sales conversations, Negotiating, Dealing with complaints, Consultative selling)
*Collaborative Working and Team Building (Giving feedback, Motivating, Coaching, Addressing certain behaviors)
*Leadership and Management (Inspiring, Coaching, Development interview, Giving bad news, Delegation, Communication)

DialogueTrainer provides conversation simulations and learning environments to help build professional communication skills. When working with DialogueTrainer, first they connect with you to determine which situation your company's simulation should focus on, what the agreed upon best-practices will be, and the learning objectives of your team. Then they develop interactive online scenarios in which difficult discussions from the workplace can be practiced with virtual training actors. You experience virtual situations that are recognizable and realistic.

For the best interactive training on how to have difficult professional conversations, contact the company.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Smart Home Need helps you identify needs and solutions @ CES 2021

2021-02-05

The concept of the smart home is getting pretty popular. A recent study shows that 13% of homes have a smart bulb and 9% of homes have a smart outlet. With acceptance like that, it is no surprise that some concern over the way these devices work together is beginning to creep into the public consciousness. Unless you buy into a multi-brand system, the chances of two brands working together are pretty small. Even Todd Cochrane says that few of the items in his own home are compatible. This is one of the ways in which Smart Home Need is helping consumers on their smart home journeys.

The Smart Home Need system is designed to help you identify your needs by asking questions. Once your needs are identified, it helps you understand what those needs are why any they are important. Not all of these needs are easily solvable via technology, so an assessment is made as to which make sense to apply tech to solve. Then, you have the ability to act with meaningful habits and smart home technology to help address those needs.

Clearly, the intention is to improve your overall well-being without adding additional stress to your life. By designing and implementing a technology solution that can address your needs without adding a large collection of unrelated devices into your life, they can help with that goal. Even with all of these benefits, the service is offered to customers to try without charge. This is because of relationships with manufacturers and donations.

Smart Home Need is available now to the public. To learn more about the service, to learn what products are currently in the system, or to give it a try for free, you can head to the company's website. Try tier is offered for free. Learn and Flourish tiers are charged yearly.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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CL360 is a bright lighting idea for 360 photos and videos @ CES 2021

2021-02-05

One of the growing trends in digital photography and videography is 360. There are a lot of ways to take advantage of this medium, but it also produces a number of unique challenges. The biggest issue has been in lighting. You can't set up a whole big room or yard full of lighting in order to light your photos correctly, so what do you do? The CL360 Camera Light is the solution to this problem.

If you have used a 360 camera, you know that they generally sit on a tripod or monopod. They then produce their 360 photos or videos, editing out the very bottom of the frame, thus eliminating the majority of the mounting hardware. That is exactly where the CL360 Camera Light finds itself - under the camera. It takes its place between the camera and the mounting solution and produces a very bright wash light in all directions. It can be used as an always-on solution for video, or as a flash for still photos.

The idea here, of course, is to make the quality of your projects better. There is nothing worse than a photo or video that is too dark to be seen. It is even worse when the media is being used in a professional or production setting. For example, anyone who has looked to purchase a house has seen a 360 photo of the rooms in the home that are absolutely dreadful. Besides being placed in the wrong positions, which can only be fixed by training, they are also dark. It makes sense since the houses usually have no power, but adding proper lighting can make the experience better. The same holds true when looking at videos in VR that are produced in a darker environment, such as outside at night.

The CL360 Camera Light is currently in final testing and is hoped to be on the market by mid 2021. For more information and to get updates on production, check out the company website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Package Clipper wants to protect your deliveries from theft @ CES 2021

2021-02-06

These days, package theft is a huge issue. Chances are, you or someone you know has had at least one item stolen off of the front porch. We have even had a review product stolen from our office after being delivered. The problem gets worse year over year, and it has been incredibly difficult to solve. Fortunately, Package Protector is here with a simple and effective solution - Package Clipper.

We've seen companies with products to help with this problem before. But, in general, the solutions involve either laying down concrete or mounting something to the ground or wall. While this may work for some people, there are large collections of people who don't have this option. For example, if you live in an apartment, condo, or an HOA with strong regulations, the chances of mounting a large box to place packages into are unlikely. Even if you can install something large, you may not want to because it can be unattractive.

Package Clipper has a very small base that can be mounted unobtrusively by your front door. Rather than being a box, it has clips at the end of leads that clip onto boxes or envelopes once delivered. Once clipped, the system is armed, and removing the clip sets off an alarm. Being a connected device, you can also get an alarm while away from home, via your phone.

Of course, the biggest challenge is getting the delivery drivers to actually use the Package Clipper. The company's solution to this issue is Package Tipper, which gives the recipient the ability to tip their driver for using the system. The driver simply scans the QR code on the base unit with the driver's app, which lets you know it's been delivered, and gives you the ability to send a tip to the driver.

The Package Clipper is expected to enter crowdfunding in quarter 2 of 2021 with an expected retail cost of $69.99. For more information, check out the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Acconeer's small radar sensors can create new experiences @ CES 2021

2021-02-06

Radar-based technology has been around for decades but has seen massive changes. In particular, the size of the sensor arrays has shrunk in ways that are nearly impossible to imagine. Originally, radar sensors required huge dishes mounted on towers or domes around military installations. Today, thanks to Acconeer, these sensors are so small you can barely see one in the video.

This accomplishment by Acconeer is significant for a number of reasons. Of course, the accomplishment of making it small is, in itself, impressive. However, the really cool aspect is what is possible because of the size of the sensors. With large arrays, we were able to detect planes during World War 2. With the small arrays, we can accomplish equally impressive tasks for everyday life.

On the company's website, they have a number of impressive demos for the technology. One of these demos is passenger detection in vehicles, which is a problem we've seen a lot in the past few years. Being able to detect if someone is in a vehicle, particularly children with no adult, could potentially save lives. The presence detection capability could be applied outside of a car, howe3ver, and make home security sensors more accurate, smaller, and more power-efficient.

Another interesting demo scenario surrounds liquids. These small sensors could be used to detect tank levels, in your water heater or even your gas tank. In the latter instance, the idea of a contactless sensor could end the common scenario of not trusting the gas gauge because it varies based on the angle of the car. Not having to rely on floating sensors means that the readings could be more accurate.

There are more examples of where these tiny sensors could be used. If you have an idea and would like to learn more or engage with Acconeer, check out their website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Ninu Perfume creates unique scents for different occasions @ CES 2021

2021-02-06

Modern technology has led to a new concept of individualized experiences. The concept can range from small, home breweries or distilleries, to automated drink mixers. These experiences have begun to branch out, with the latest one coming to us, care of Ninu Perfume, a connected device that allows you to create your own custom scents.

Ninu Perfume is taking the standard concept of perfume or cologne and making it personal. And, it's not just personal to you, the wearer - it is personal to your current state. Consider the experience of going on a date. For that, you might want something bold. If the date is with someone you know well, perhaps you want to integrate something you know they like. However, if you are going for a job interview, you might want something subtle.

Within the app, you can choose between environments, such as move, work, and love. Rather than category, you can also choose between moods, like fresh, sexy, or elegant. Based on your choices, the system's AI can build a scent based on your preferences. Then, the app connects to the device, which mixes the scent.

The device itself uses a sustainable refill system, which allows you to maintain the different components that are used to produce the final scents. The components have been tested to be safe to the skin and are 100% vegan. Using those components, the device mixes the scent that was designed for your mood and environment. If something is created that does not match your style or preferences, you can alert the system so that it learns what is and is not something you like.

The Ninu Perfume has been developed, and will be entering crowdfunding through Kickstarter soon. To learn more or sign up for notifications, you can head to the company's website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Fluo Labs is shining a neon light on allergy treatment @ CES 2021

2021-02-07

If you suffer from allergies, you know that they can be debilitating. Common items around you can cause you to suddenly struggle to breathe. Some people can't have pets because of dander, even if they love them. Some people can't have flowers around because of pollen. There are a variety of treatments, from pills to shots, that help alleviate the symptoms, but generally have side effects that can also affect your daily life. Fortunately, there is a new treatment from Fluo Labs.

The Fluo (which is French for fluorescent or neon) solution does not use pills and shots. Instead, the company uses a form of light therapy to address the common reaction to allergens. It comes in the form of a small electronic device that looks very similar to an electronic thermometer. Rather than going in your ear, however, this goes in your nose. You put it inside of each nostril for a few seconds. The device's light causes the cells inside of your nose to block the production of histamine, which is the chemical that causes you all of your discomforts.

Traditional medical treatments can cause you to be drowsy or dizzy. These side effects can affect a number of areas of your life, including job and hobby options. This is commonly referred to by allergy suffers as brain fog. Using light therapy, you can alleviate your allergy symptoms without the brain fog. It can also be used by those who cannot use pharmaceutical intervention, like those who are pregnant, medical conditions, or specific careers.

The Fluo handheld device has been fully developed and is now in the final stages of FDA clearance. The company hopes to bring the product to market before the end of 2021. To learn more about the product or sign up for production notifications, head to company's website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Future Seating wants to improve the way you spend your time @ CES 2021

2021-02-07

The quality of the desk chair you use is incredibly important. We use them for work, for gaming, and even for downtime. However, too often, the chairs we use are really poor quality, or have been around too long (just ask Pam on The Office). But, now that many of us are working from home, we have the ability to choose our own chairs, and Future Seating has two lines designed to improve your life - X-Chair and Mavix Gaming.

X-Chair is a brand that has been around for a while and is focused on the office. The X-HMT is the model we were introduced to in the conversation. This chair sports a number of features designed to make the experience better. This desk chair offers massage capabilities, which are intended to maintain proper blood flow. You can use two levels of intensity, depending on how you feel. You can also choose between constant and variable modes. It also has therapeutic heating technologies, intended to relax muscles.

Mavix is a new brand and aimed at the gaming market. The company has taken all of its learnings from X-Chair and applied them to the Mavix line. It's important because there are some capabilities that gamers might need that an office worker won't. For example, Mavix chairs have the ability to lock the wheels. This is because physical reactions to in-game actions can cause problems in games. In addition, all models feature adjustable back, lumbar, seat depth, head and neck support, and tension recline, plus a cooling seating surface.

Chairs from both of the Future Seating brands, X-Chair and Mavix, are available now, with models ranging in price, depending on additional features. You can also get a variety of styles and colors. The company sells through its X-Chair and Mavix Gaming websites, and tries to ship product immediately upon order.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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GXC makes virtual learning feel more like being in person @ CES 2021

2021-02-07

One of the accidental and unplanned themes of 2020 was definitely remote learning. Whether it be schools trying to virtualize their lessons or corporate conferences trying to maintain their engagement, the struggle has been intense. Tools like Microsoft Teams have worked, but they're far from perfect because education is not what they were designed for. Fortunately, both schools and corporations now have GXC to improve the experience.

Because the GXC Education Platform is designed specifically for education, it's able to bring back some of the capabilities teachers and students miss from being together, without the chaos of meeting platforms. Obviously, the system is video-focused, but also maintains a lot of the written aspects of traditional learning. For example, during a class, the system has the ability to write, organize, and share notes about the lesson - specifically related to that lesson. The notes are timestamped to the video, so you can get back to the point in the video where you created it. There is also class-specific messaging, which allows the students to communicate with one another without disturbing the class itself.

For international students, there are a number of language features. The first is a dual view subtitle option. It shows the video on the top of the screen, with timestamped, searchable transcription on the bottom. Those transcriptions can be viewed in the natural language of the video or translated into other languages. The translations can be done by professional translators or can be done automatically using the system's neural network machine learning system. The AI translations can be done live, in near real-time.

The GXC Education Platform is available to educational institutions or corporations. Core features can be had for about $2 per student per year, with additional capabilities being available. To learn more about the platform or to request a demo, check out the company's website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Signal Cortex simplifies task management for staff & managers @ CES 2021

2021-02-08

Matt Crowley CEO of the start-up, Signal Cortex, is the former CIO for Philadelphia and Cleveland airports. During his time with the airports, he became accustomed to working in complex situations with large traffic flows and heavy background work done by frontline employees - everything from mopping floors to moving chairs around to directing customers. Current systems for managing these tasks, he says, are very complicated. For example, for janitorial staff trying to clean up a spill, they need to carry multiple devices and complete a long questionnaire after completing their task, so management can make proper deployment decisions going forward. It is a messy system with inconsistent results.

Signal Cortex addresses the bulkiness of these challenges through a system they've developed that simplifies complex enterprise environments, getting tasks to staff members more easily and results back to management more efficiently, to help them make better logistical decisions. The company's first product is a simple phone app that can use commodity Bluetooth devices and convert routine tasks that employees need to do into audio-based notifications.

The system automatically dispatches and manages work for individuals, groups, or teams, empowers staff by streamlining data collection, reduces training time and process complexity, and is easy for everyone from staff to management to use.

Originally developed for airports, Signal Cortex pivoted because of COVID-19 and redirected their enterprise solution as a building management tool for building service contractors. Building service contractors typically lose half of their customers each year due to bad data, says Crowley, with either employees not receiving information about their tasks, or failing to report the tasks completed, resulting in dissatisfied customers. Their solution eliminates both those problems.

Ultimately Signal Cortex views itself as both a business and a consumer product as well. The company officially launched publicly at the end of January.

To learn more about Signal Cortex, visit their website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Pleco water monitor provides real-time data for real impact @ CES 2021

2021-02-08

Marcelo DeCarmagc, the co-founder of Nudge Systems and the Pleco water monitor, hails from a background of instrumentation and measurement. His partner and co-founder works in the water utility industry. In 2014 they experienced one of the severe droughts common in California. In the process of discussing how difficult it is to get compliance when governments and utilities ask people to conserve water, Nudge Systems was born. The company's goal is to save and conserve as much water as possible while giving people the tools and information they need to make good conservation decisions.

Nudge Systems believes the gap in the residential market related to water conservation, exists because residents don't have an intimate relationship with water, and therefore don't understand exactly what they need to do to make an impact. Their solution, Pleco - named after the common aquarium suckerfish that keeps tanks clean - is based on the premise that people would be more willing to conserve water if they were given more actionable information. Nudge Systems nudges people to take the steps to do what they wanted to do but didn't previously have the information to inspire them to do it.

Most water conservation systems for homeowners are complex, says DeCarmagc, and require professional installation. The Pleco system consists of three main elements and an app, all of which can be installed and deployed easily, without tools. The sensor is a "water watch" that's wrapped around the existing water meter and measures water flow into the home. The sensor data transmits the water usage data to the homeowner via a customized radio system. The data appears on the Pleco touch screen display in real-time. The display also acts as a hub connecting to the internet and a companion smartphone app. The entire system can be set up in minutes by the homeowner.

By measuring water flow in real-time, the homeowner can not only see the information, but via an algorithm that recognizes patterns of usage, can actually identify where the water is going - to showers, faucets, toilets, irrigation, or being lost through leaks. By seeing more clearly in real-time where their water goes, Nudge Systems believes that homeowners can and will change the way they relate with and use water in their home.

The device retails for $249. You can learn more about Nudge Systems by visiting their website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Wizest helps build expert, winning investment portfolios @ CES 2021

2021-02-08

William Littlefield is the CTO of Wizest, a 2-year-old next-generation investment trading platform that takes the complexity and drudgery out of wealth building.

While young professionals recognize the value of building an investment portfolio, Littlefield says they can find the current process complicated, intimidating, or boring. Wizest flips the standard practice of picking stocks, bonds or financial instruments yourself, and gamifies the process, making investing more like playing Fantasy Football, helping investors to build their own team of financial experts.

Anyone can join Wizest as an investor and after indicating their investment preferences, the platform takes those preferences and matches them up with financial experts in those fields to create a leaderboard for an investor to peruse. Once the investor identifies a few financial experts they like, they can then drill down further into their portfolios, and investment strategies. Then, with the click of a button, the investor can replicate their preferred expert's portfolio for themselves. Depending on an investor's risk threshold, new investors can anticipate returns between 3% and 16%, net of fees.

There are no account minimums and investors can get started now with a closed-beta risk-free simulator. After the beta period, investors will be able to open an account, deposit funds, and execute real trades. When you're ready to invest with real money, Wizest charges 0.5% for transaction fees and a 0.5% annual management fee. Unlike many investment platforms, Wizest has no account minimums. Additionally, experts never have direct access to investor funds, which are instead held by the platform.

Participating financial experts, can bank on no overhead costs, a national clientele base, and added income. They simply create a profile on Wizest, including their strategy and investment experience, create a portfolio of stocks, using a percentage allocation model, and then post and communicate their strategy to attract investors. Wizest compensates experts based on the amount of their virtual assets under management, subject to multipliers based on user satisfaction and portfolio risk.

Interested investors and financial experts can find more information and enroll in the closed beta period at their website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Fauna Audio is putting amazing audio into your glasses @ CES 2021

2021-02-10

Listening to our favorite songs and movies, and even taking conference calls are all very important aspects of our daily lives. And it seems that we usually need to make sure that we aren't disturbing coworkers and others around us. Now, we all love a good set of headphones. But, honestly, they can be quite bulky and even impractical in a lot of settings. Earbuds are great. But even they don't always fit the best and, like headphones, aren't always perfect in the office, while driving or even taking a walk, because many times you can't hear what's going on around you. Luckily Fauna Audio has been working on this very thing. Their new line of smart glasses is an excellent solution, not to mention quite fashionable.

It was a pleasure to have a discussion with Isabel from Fauna Audio this year during our coverage of CES 2021 and learn more about them. And even though the virtual nature of the show this year has made exhibiting some of the products a little more difficult, it was actually a great way for us to get a good look at the smart glasses in action, as she was using them for the interview. This sleek and stylish eyewear features MEMS loud-speakers that are produced by USound. With these speakers located in both temples, they boast technology that concentrates the sound around the ears to reduce audio leakage and are designed to only be heard by the listener. These easy to use glasses pair with your devices via Bluetooth, have a built-in mic and also a digital voice assistant, making them perfect for hands-free calls.

They didn't stop their design process with only great style and sound, either. They also wanted the best for your eyes. They have included Zeiss DuraVision BlueProtect lenses in their regular line, as well as Carl Zeiss Vision for their line of sunglasses. These lightweight, high quality, and durable lenses are BPA free with more than 99% protection from UVA/UVB rays and offer distortion-free, clear vision. The frames are also designed to allow for the lenses to be easily swapped out with most prescriptions lenses.

Currently being sold in Europe, they are hoping to launch in the U.S. soon. To learn more about their convenient and stylish audio eyewear, make sure to watch the full interview and check out all the specs and designs on their website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Tovertafel brings joyful play to late-stage dementia patients @ CES 2021

2021-02-10

Sjoerd Wennekes is the co-founder of Tover, a Dutch company that specializes in interactive games for people with severe cognitive disabilities, and he joined us at CES 2021 to tell us about their signature product, Tovertafel.

Tovertafel, or Magic Table, is an interactive gaming system for people with late-stage dementia or other cognitive impairments. Using a ceiling-mounted projector equipped with computer hardware and sensors, the device projects images onto any existing table in a care facility, creating simple interactive games for life enrichment. The games are played by touching the projected images, for instance, the action of swiping away projected autumn leaves or bouncing the image of beach ball back and forth between one another.

Tovertafel is a care home-friendly system, requiring no connections to external computers, or any sophisticated installation process. The ceiling-mounted device has a wide-angle lens with an adjustable projection field that can be used on any size table. Family members or staff can easily use the remote and get right to playing together without the need for special instructions.

While the projection technology is not new, how Tover utilizes it is unique. The company focuses on late-stage dementia patients who lack the ability to activate themselves, those typically living in long term care facilities who are often subject to apathy - the total lack of feeling and emotions which is the primary cause of death in dementia patients. Tovertafel games are designed to stimulate the portions of the brain that are not damaged by diseases like Alzheimer's so that even people in the last stages of dementia can experience some joyful quality of life.

Care professionals utilizing the system have noted that patients playing Tovertafel games are more physically active, engage in more social activity, and seem to experience more joy and less sadness while playing with the Magic Table. They've also found the system improves the relationship between caregivers and residents and increases happiness for care professionals, family members, and friends alike.

Tovertafel is used in over 5000 cognitive care facilities in 12 countries. The company is launching in North America this spring.

Visit the company's website to learn more.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Reflexion trains athletes' brains to improve performance @ CES 2021

2021-02-10

When we think of professional athletes, we can immediately imagine the amount of work that goes into training. The long days in the gym to improve their bodies, and then even more time on the field, court, or rink in order to improve their specific sport performance. Nearly every professional athlete or Olympian has a similar story of doing this since childhood. But, there is an aspect of the body that is generally ignored, which Reflexion looks to solve.

The part of the brain that is far too often overlooked is the brain. This is despite the major impact the brain can have on performance. Take, for example, Tom Brady, who just took the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Bowl for the first time in nearly 2 decades. Sure, he's the greatest football player of all time, but part of that is because of his reactions. Not only does he move quickly and throw with accuracy, but he can also read the field quickly to make decisions on what to do.

Brady credits his quick response time to regular cognitive training, which is the technology that Reflexion has been developing and deploying as Reflexion Flex. The company's technology is specifically designed to improve sports performance in competition. The company's solution uses a touchscreen lightboard and cloud-based software to create interactive training games and activities.

The responses to those activities are logged and analyzed to determine areas that need improvement. These can be decision making, hand-eye coordination, peripheral vision, or reaction time. Activities in the future will then be run to help improve those areas of performance.

Reflexion has been working with athletes directly in private, but is releasing the platform to the public. The Reflexion Flex is available now through Dick's Sporting Goods and runs $3499.99.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Swidget is future-proofing your smart home devices @ CES 2021

2021-02-11

There is no doubt that smart home devices are becoming a normal part of most homes. Whether it be a daily driver type device, like a connected thermostat, or a less complex product, like a lightbulb, connected devices are everywhere. One of the big problems, however, is the interconnectivity, or lack thereof, between different brands and technologies. Fortunately, Swidget has a way to keep your products working with one another.

Swidget has taken the concept of smart devices and broken it into components. Take, for example, a connected light switch. Let's say you purchase a set of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bulbs and get a light switch that controls them. When the bulbs need to be replaced, the brand no longer exists, so you buy new bulbs. Unfortunately, these bulbs work on Z-Wave. This means that your light switch no longer controls the bulbs, so you have to purchase a new switch, too.

With the Swidget technology, the communication method is separate from the device. That means that you can pop out the communication module for Wi-Fi and swap it to one for Z-Wave. Now you're up and running again without having to do electrical work - it's literally as easy as a snap.

In addition to just communication modules, Swidget allows you to add functionality. The modules can have USB ports, video cameras, thermometers, guide lights, and more. The idea, of course, is that your devices can carry forward with you as the technologies change. But, for those who like to be in full control of their devices, which is the target demographic for smart homeowners, you can truly decide exactly what features you want, and where you want them.

Swidget switches, outlets, and inserts are available now in Wi-Fi configuration, with Z-Wave modules coming soon. To learn more about the technology or find where to buy, check out the company's website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Impulse Neuro-Controller makes you faster when gaming @ CES 2021

2021-02-11

For gamers, one of the most important things is controlling your timing. Every fraction of a second in response time can be the difference between getting the shot or getting shot. Gamers go out of their way to find just the right mouse and keyboard to be able to speed up their reaction times ever so slightly. But, as Avram always says, you can also speed up the slowest part of your computer - you. One way to accomplish this is with Impulse Neuro-Controller from Brink Bionics.

The Impulse is a fingerless glove that works with your existing gaming mouse to improve reaction times. Rather than waiting for you to click, it literally reads your mind and acts early. It is able to read your impulses (hence the name) from your hand using biosignals. Using an AI algorithm, the glove is able to learn your behaviors and act on them ahead of time.

Just like any bio-feedback device, it takes some time to train. Everyone reacts differently to different stimuli. For example, if you are training a brain control headband, you need to determine certain things to think about and map those thought patterns to specific actions. With the Impulse, you simply set it up for training and plan like normal. The system is able to read your biosignals and connect them with your actions on the computer. Once the connections are made, it is able to work ahead of you to produce results before you are able to click.

The Impulse Neuro-Controller is ideal for players of first-person shooters, real-time strategies, multiplayer online battle arenas, and more. To learn more about Impulse and Brink Bionics, you can head over to their website, which currently takes you to their Indiegogo page, which has a lot of additional information.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Wayzn turns your sliding door into an automatic pet door @ CES 2021

2021-02-11

Pets can require a lot of attention. In particular, they need to go outside to do their business fairly regularly. This can pose a challenge when you're working, whether you're working from home or going into an office. They may also need to go while you're gone to the store, or out with friends. Wouldn't it be great if they could let themselves out? That's the goal of Wayzn.

Now, there have been options for pet doors for years. The most common is the traditional flap. They're fairly inexpensive to purchase and uncomplicated to use. However, they require you, or more likely a contractor, to cut a hole in your exterior door. Plus, if you don't lock the flap or put a board in front of it, you're inviting wildlife into your home. A cool place with food left out is a raccoon's dream scenario, and the flap would make that possible. There are also sliding door inserts, and, while they're easy to install, they have the same issues as a regular flap, plus they limit the door's usage.

With Wayzn, you get all of the benefits with none of the drawbacks. The system sits on the bottom part of the track of an existing sliding door. As long as the door is long enough and the fixed pane is outside, you're likely good to go. Installation can be done by you with little trouble. Once installed, you can set the door to open on its own, by an app, or by voice control.

Wayzn devices are in limited production but are available to purchase now. They run only $399, which is less than the installation of a flap. To learn more about the Wayzn door opener or to take the survey to make sure it will work with your door and to purchase, head over to their website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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ScopeMedia gives online fashion retailers a boost @ CES 2021

2021-02-13

As consumers, the overall process of bringing an already well-established line of products to market seems to be routine and relatively simple in our minds. For example, if we want or need a new suit, we visit retail stores (whether brick and mortar, online, or more commonly by some combination of both) to shop and ultimately make our purchase. As far as the supply chain, we inherently know there are designers, marketers, distributors, advertisers, and wholesalers/retailers involved in the process. However, we usually never stop to consider that, in this day and age, there are many other intricacies involved in helping us get to our final purchases. Actually, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes for any industry, and especially when trying to improve upon processes and sales growth. The fashion industry is no exception to this. We had the chance to discuss one of these industry improving technologies with Paul from ScopeMedia this year at CES 2021.

As a leading developer of visual-based personalization and recommendation services, ScopeMedia has conducted years of research on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as well as Computer Vision and has developed quite an interesting system. The result is a smart visual recommendation system that involves an innovative fashion index for e-commerce retailers. As internet shopping becomes more prevalent, adding a machine learning approach to all aspects of the design-to-purchase process is a smart path to take.

Their platform can easily be integrated into eCommerce stores to assist retailers to increase customer interest and sales, as well as improve the overall shopping experience. They have a unique Fashion Index model that is specifically designed for the fashion industry. It's not only good to increase consumer satisfaction and increased sales, but it also helps retailers conduct trend analysis on the back end.

Be sure to watch the entire video to get more information and if you would like to give their technology a try for yourself, you can check out their demo store.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Learning the key to a more simple life with Everykey @ CES 2021

2021-02-13

Everyday life is so busy. There are so many things, every day, that we are accountable for. We're so busy running around all over the place and trying to keep up with everything. It's so easy to get lost in our routines. I, for one, seem to constantly be misplacing even the most basic items... my hairbrush, my wallet, my keys. And don't even get me started on how many passwords I have, all with different criteria. This site needs a minimum of 8 characters, another one needs a mixture of special characters while yet another one wants no special characters at all. So confusing and frustrating. That's why this interview with Chris from Everykey was so refreshing and couldn't have come along at a better time.

I'll admit that the mere name of this product begs certain questions right off the bat. What exactly is this and is it even safe? Excellent questions! First of all, Everykey is made using military-grade security with extra safety features right at your fingertips, so you can rest assured that it is safe. It is a Bluetooth device that replaces some of the most important items in your life, like your keys and your passwords. You will use Everykey to unlock your phone, laptop, tablet, house door, car door, and other access-controlled devices. And it will do so automatically. Whenever you are nearby, your devices will unlock and then they will lock back down again when you walk away. Everykey can also generate secure passwords for your various website accounts. This is great because it allows you to automatically log in when you visit a website.

You'll be able to set up and customize your Everykey with their easy-to-use mobile application. The app assists you with pairing to all of your devices and managing things like the range settings. It will also allow you to receive the latest over-the-air software updates to your Everykey so you can stay up to date on new features and security standards. Best of all, you have the ability to freeze it when needed. In the event that you lose your Everykey, you can remotely freeze it via the App or by a quick call to the company, to ensure that no one else can use it if they get a hold of it.

Pricing starts at $59 when purchasing multiples and they have accessories that start at $5. To find out more, please make sure to watch the video in its entirety and also check out there website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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HairMax makes regrowing lost hair as easy as a ballcap @ CES 2021

2021-02-13

Hair loss is a common problem, but one that many people find embarrassing despite having little to no control over the situation. An entire industry of products and services has been created around the problem and its solutions. Some solutions come in the form of medications, which can have side effects and could even cause harm to people around you. There are transplants, but those are incredibly expensive and a little odd for some. We've seen devices, but many of them can be more expensive than people are able to afford. Luckily, if you suffer from hair loss, HairMax has a unique solution to the problem.

HairMax has been around for 20 years and is constantly looking for new ways to make its products available to more people. They focus on laser-powered solutions in a variety of configurations. There's the LaserComb, which is exactly what its name sounds like. There is the LaserBand, which looks like a thick hairband with the treatment lasers built-in. There is also the PowerFlex Laser Cap, which takes the treatment lasers and builds them into a baseball cap. However, the design of the product caused a higher price than they had hoped, so back to the drawing board the company went.

The solution that came about was the Flip 80 Laser Cap. Rather than having the entire scalp covered in the specialized lasers, they cut the number down. How did they accomplish this? Straight down the middle. Rather than a single usage every other day that covers the entire scalp, you do two treatments every other day. You start with the lasers on one side of your head and then flip it around and do it again. In doing this, HairMax was able to cut the price to less than half of its full scalp sibling.

All of the company's products are available now. The PowerFlex Laser Cap runs $1899, while the Flip 80 Laser Cap runs $699. To learn more about these products or to make a purchase, check out the HairMax website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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WOSH makes handwashing available without running water @ CES 2021

2021-02-17

Tetsuya Morimoto, Senior Manager of the Japanese company, WOTA Corp., joined us at CES 2021 to tell us about their new WOSH handwashing station that is ushering in a convenient and efficient new community sanitation system.

The WOSH handwashing station is a small triumph of technology that requires no access to running water. It consists of an upcycled drum, with a reusable self-contained AI monitored water system, sensors and three filtration systems: two activated carbon filters and one RO film which remove impurities and viruses. It can be placed anywhere and does not require any plumbing. The self-contained system recycles more than 98% of the water, returned to the user as clean water. It also includes a smartphone sterilization feature, with a 30-second, deep ultraviolet radiation function.

The company's ultimate goal is to remove every limitation between people and water. WOSH can be easily installed in cafes, restaurants, offices and other facilities, and the AI system helps it become more efficient with repeated use. Other applications include hospitals, nursing facilities, airports, military deployments, and disaster relief support.

Described as a next level public health product, WOSH is aimed at those who understand the importance of handwashing and take health and sanitation seriously. The system also addresses the challenge of sanitation in developing nations where as many as 3 billion people have little to no water supply infrastructure. WOSH also features a lighted "safety ring" that counts down 30 seconds, to ensure that users wash their hands for the maximum recommended time, making handwashing fun for children, too.

WOTA, which is based in Tokoyo, already has 4 000 pre-orders from several major Japanese companies, including Mitsubishi and is getting ready for a $60 million series A launch. The company plans to bring WOSH to the United States in 2022

Learn more at the company's website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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BioflightVR makes world-class medical training accessible @ CES 2021

2021-02-17

Pauly Suchy is the Business Director at BioflightVR, a health care education company that uses Virtual Reality (VR) to train doctors, nurses and students. He joined us at CES 2021 to talk about the company's training platform and their vision for the future.

VR training and simulation environments can save money and time, reducing training time for medical professionals by 40% from traditional training methods. When they employ high definition immersive environments like BioflightVR's , they can also impart a heightened sense of excitement and urgency, just as a real world experience would, providing for more realistic training.

Launched by a grant from Facebook five years ago, BioflightVR's first project was a pediatric resuscitation program developed in partnership with Oculus, Facebook and the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Another program involved the creation of hybrid surgical training procedure with Duke University, utilizing a high definition 360 view of a recorded surgery. Bioflight VRs process is unique both for the gamification aspects of their training programs and the realistic immediacy created through real world recorded scenarios, developed in partnership with medical experts.

BioflightVR works with the medical community in three basic ways: enhancing existing training curriculum and helping develop new training procedures, creating immersive labs across a variety of VR platforms that include Oculus, HTC Vive, Oculus Go, and WebVR among others; and providing full VR and 360° video production services.

The end goal, said Suchy, is a cloud based platform where a user can take an Oculus , download an application and get access to a world class education from doctors around the world , in real time, from their operating rooms. Ultimately, BioflightVR believes the tool can decentralize and democratize access to what can often be unattainable training and resources for remote or underserved facilities and the medical professionals who serve them, bringing better health care to all.

Visit the company's website to learn more.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Sugr makes for clearer digital assistant experiences @ CES 2021

2021-02-17

Anyone who has ever owned a virtual assistant has had the experience of calling them without them ever responding. Or, even weirder, is when you don't summon them and they respond. After they are paying attention, it's not guaranteed that things will go as planned. Commands can be misinterpreted or completely ignored. A lot of this has to do with the sound happening around you. Fortunately, Sugr has a solution for the future.

The company provides embedded voice technology to improve experiences. The technology can be built into many devices, making the voice of the user clearer to the listener. That listener could be a virtual assistant, or it could be someone on a headset or speakerphone. This can be a big win for many people in many scenarios.

One example where Sugr's technology can make a great impact is in the car. Obviously, when in the car, there is a lot of external noise. The car itself makes noise, there's road noise while in motion, other cars can honk their horn, etc. Trying to use a voice assistant in the car, therefore, can be a really hit or miss experience. Amazon tried to address the issue by including extra hardware to create a better version of regular noise cancelation - a third microphone.

Sugr's voice technology is able to produce a better noise cancelation, and therefore a better Alexa experience, without the extra microphone. Less physical hardware means less to break and less inherent cost. Plus, the voice isolation can be used while on the phone, reducing the background noise, which is something the person you talk to on the phone will appreciate.

If you are a device manufacturer looking for voice technology to improve their product, you can learn more at the Sugr website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Petpuls is a wearable, using AI to give your dog a voice @ CES 2021

2021-02-18

Wearable health tech has become a normal part of our lives. Many people wear a smartwatch or fitness tracker on their wrists that tracks your activity. Some people wear more specialized devices, like DFree, to track more specific medical issues. But, this is catering specifically to humans - but we love our pets almost as much as we love people. Petpuls recognizes this, and is bringing the benefits of wearable devices to your dogs.

Petpuls is a specialized collar that gives your dog a voice. Essentially, the idea is that your dog is speaking to you. Anyone who has had dogs knows that they can express their feelings and physical states with their barking. Different tones are used in different scenarios and to express different emotions. However, it can be difficult for humans to detect those differences. For those who can differentiate, it can still be difficult to figure out what they want or need.

This is where Petpuls comes in. Using a microphone, the collar has the ability to listen to your pet's voice. Using artificial intelligence, the system is able to take that voice and translate it into simple English. Now, it's not going to give you the ability to hold conversations with your dog, but it does give you the ability to determine several emotional states that your dog might be in: happy, sad, anxious, relaxed, and angry. This can give you the ability to respond to help relieve negative states or help maintain positive states.

Because the system is powered by AI, it means that the more devices that are in the wild, and the more of them in active use, the better the detection will get. In fact, with time, the nuances between these states might be able to be broken out into more detailed categories.

The Petpuls is available now for $99 for the small size and $108 for the large size. To learn more or make a purchase, head over to the Petpuls website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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OrCam MyEye turns text to speech for the visually impaired @ CES 2021

2021-02-18

The modern world relies very heavily on sight. While podcasts have brought audio back to a primary method of communication, much of what we do is visual. Phones, despite their name, have a strong focus on visuals. Even things as simple as eating at a restaurant requires sight to be able to know the menu. But, if you have a visual impairment, it can have a major impact on your life. Fortunately, our friends at OrCam have a technological solution to the problem: OrCam MyEye.

The OrCam MyEye is a small device that looks like a PowerPoint controller. But, instead of a device to control a computer, it is a small computer with a built-in camera. It attaches to your glasses, which allows it to stay focused in the same direction as your head. This allows you to use it to read aloud text in front of you. It can be done directly from the device, or it can be paired with a speaker or headphones.

The OrCam MyEye is controlled using gestures. You can tap the device to read whatever is in front of you. Or, you can point at text to have it start reading there. You can use a hand gesture, similar to an orchestral conductor, to end the reading. This puts you in full control of what is being read and when.

In addition to the text reading capability, it is able to do object identification. For example, it can learn and announce people using onboard facial recognition. It is also able to identify products around you, either using a pre-determined database, or by using the barcode on the product. In either case, it is able to announce that person or product just the same as it can read text.

The OrCam MyEye is available now starting at $3000, or can be purchased using Sunbit starting at $150 per month. To learn more or make a purchase, check out the OrCam website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Wi-Fi 6E and The Wi-Fi Alliance are making our lives faster @ CES 2021

2021-02-18

Our lives are increasingly connected, and many of those connections are made via Wi-Fi. These days, while many of us are working from home, signal strength and speed have become even more important than before. Not because of this need, but in support of this need, the Wi-Fi Alliance has announced the next upgrade to the Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 6E.

You may be unaware of the Wi-Fi Alliance, but they are an essential part of our lives. The organization is responsible for creating, maintaining, and advancing the standard that is Wi-Fi. They are the reason why it keeps getting faster and more reliable. They are also the reason why your HP laptop can connected to a Linksys router and have all of the benefits, without being manufactured by the same company.

The most recent version of the Wi-Fi standard was the renamed Wi-Fi 6. Like its Wi-Fi 5 (formerly 802.11ac) predecessor, the new standard runs on 5GHz spectrum. But, new spectrum has been opening up across the globe in the 6GHz bands, which gives additional speed and reliability. New spectrum means a new draft for what is being called Wi-Fi 6E. The updated standard will bring with it 14 additional 80 MHz channels and 7 additional 160 MHz channels. The additional of new channels means more opportunity to find channels without any local interference, improving stability.

Potentially even more important that all of this is the addition of capacity. Connected homes and smart homes mean more devices, all of which are looking for internet access via Wi-Fi. Fortunately, Wi-Fi 6E compatible devices will be coming to the market soon. As always, older Wi-Fi devices will still be able to connect to the newer routers, and newer devices will still be able to connect to older routers. To learn more about Wi-Fi 6E and the Wi-Fi Alliance, head over to their website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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VirtuItaly brings the art gallery experience to your home @ CES 2021

2021-02-19

The past year has stolen a lot from us, but one of the biggest losses has been the ability to travel and experience new places and cultures. Traveling is big part of life for many people of varying backgrounds. The experiences of going to parks, restaurants, and galleries is hard to give up. However, thanks to ArtCentrica, we can experience the art of Italy through VirtuItaly.

While VirtuItaly is designed to be an immersive platform that allows for in-person and remote experiences, the last year has certainly placed a focus on one part of the business. That aspect is a fantastic virtual platform that can help bring the experience of a classic art gallery to you, wherever you are. Through the platform, you can explore a large collection of paintings in a whole new way.

While normally, you must view the paintings from a distance, with VirtuItaly you can get up close and personal. In fact, you can use the platform to get so close you can see the individual imperfections in the paint. In our demo, we get to zoom into a painting to the point where you can see brush strokes and canvas cracks. The detail is absolutely stunning, and gives you the ability to experience the art in new ways.

One of the other things that sets the platform apart is the way they work to digitally restore the artwork. The art restorers research the materials that were available and popular for tinting paint in the time the work was created, and use that to determine what the colors would have been originally. This means that the vividness of the colors are likely closer to the original work than the reality is today.

VirtuItaly is available now, with a free trial to see what it is all about. To learn more or try it out, check out the VirtuItaly website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Joule is making your home energy consumption smarter @ CES 2021

2021-02-19

It seems like every year we use more and more electricity in our daily lives. Moving our work to our homes has not lessened that consumption - in fact, it has certainly increased it. No longer can we let our air conditioner hibernate a little during the day, because we're always home. We've got extra computers and equipment for our jobs. And, we're watching more streaming content than ever before. But, there are always ways to decrease our usage, but how can you determine what they are? That's is where Joule comes in.

Joule is a cloud platform that is able to take data from any electric meter, old or new, and turn it into useful knowledge. It then combines it with data about other utilities, such as water and gas. The ultimate goal of the system is to help you optimize your energy consumption. The platform can work in residential, commercial, or industrial environments, meaning that it can help in any part of your life.

Users are able to interact with their collected data through a paired web and mobile application, as well as through an Alexa skill. Today, the company provides service for more than 12,000 users in Italy and has collected over 800,000 readings. The company has successfully helped these users minimize their ecological footprint.

In addition to the platform, the company offers a companion device - Scala. This device looks like a smart speaker, but has environmental sensors built in, allowing it to record indoor conditions to apply to the cloud platform's algorithms. It has a screen on the front that can show information, such as indoor temperature, energy consumption, air quality, and humidity. You can also invoke the speaker with your voice and ask questions about past, present, and future consumption, among other factors.

To learn more about Joule, you can check out their website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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

2021-02-19

Many 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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Direct Smarter All-in-Sensor protects your connected home @ CES 2021

2021-02-19

If you have followed our CES 2021 coverage, one of the major trends you have likely noticed is the growth of the connected home and smart home. With lighting, cameras, temperature sensors, and more, our homes are getting more and more connected. But, there is a problem inherent in those connections - privacy. The Direct Smarter All-in-Sensor is a new solution to maintain your privacy while getting the benefits of a connected home.

Over the past few years, we've discussed a number of scenarios where a connected home has been invaded or various levels. Ring doorbells can be accessed by law enforcement without a warrant in communities across the country. In some cases, indoor cameras and even baby monitors have been accessed by the outside world. In some cases, hackers have actually spoken to children through these breaches. While testing a new product in our office, we accidentally got paired with a local camera in someone's home.

The Direct Smarter All-in-Sensor is a device looking to prevent just that scenario. The general problem with a connected home is that it relies on a connection to the internet for each device. That connection pushes all data to a cloud server somewhere, where hackers have a single point of entry to access hundreds, thousands, or millions of devices. This device allows you to keep all of your individual sensors behind your firewall, and connect directly to this instead of the cloud.

The device itself has a collection of sensors built-in, but it can be expanded using additional tabs. This can include alarm capabilities, smoke detection, and more. You can also add external modules, such as smart power, and more.

The Direct Smarter All-in-Sensor can be pre-ordered now for $198. To learn more about the product or to purchase one, head over to the Direct Smarter website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Blacknut has a huge catalog of cloud streaming games @ CES 2021

2021-02-19

There is no doubt that the future of gaming has a big place for cloud streaming services. There have been a number of companies, including Microsoft and Google, who have gotten in on the game. However, there seems to be a lot of question over the stability of and the commitment to these platforms. One company that is showing both stability and commitment is Blacknut.

The company has taken a very similar approach to Microsoft, in that the service is a monthly fee and includes all of the games in the catalog. The games in the catalog have no ads and no in-game purchases. Your game state is stored in the cloud, meaning that you can start your game on your phone and continue it on the computer, or vice versa. But, how many games are available? Currently, the service offers over 400 games with n ew games added weekly.

The catalog is also very diverse. There is a large collection of Japanese games with anime styling, such as BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger. There are a lot of racing games, from big name franchises like Asphalt, Gravel, and MotoGP. And, there are weird games, like Overcooked and Farming Simulator 19. There is definitely something for everyone.

The service also has a strong focus on families. On your single subscription, you can create up to 5 profiles, so everyone has their progress separately. There are also parental controls, disabling access during certain times and limiting access to games with certain ratings.

Blacknut is available now for $15.99 per month, with a 50% discount for your first three months with discount code WELCOME3M21. You can play games on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Fire TV, and Google TV. To learn more about the platform, browse the catalog of games, and start your subscription, head over to the Blacknut website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Clic-Light makes riding a bike on the road a safer exercise @ CES 2021

2021-02-19

Riding a bike on the road can be a dangerous way to exercise. While some of us are lucky enough to have bike lanes on our major roads, nor everyone has that safety feature. Even if you do have a dedicated lane, crossing lanes can still leave you vulnerable, because few people actually know how to watch for turn signals from a bicyclist. Plus, adverse weather conditions make the experience even worse, as visibility is naturally limited. So, how do you improve visibility without negatively impacting your ride? Luckily, Clic-Light is here to make the experience safer for everyone.

Clic-Light is a simple device that you strap to your back while you ride. The position of the panel is designed to put it directly at eye level people drivers behind you. On the panel is a left and right turn signal, as well as a brake light. It also features a position light, fog lights, and hazard lights. All of the lights are controlled from a remote that can be attached to your handlebars, allowing you to keep your hands on the handlebars while making yourself more visible than you normally would.

Of course, the Clic-Light isn't just for bicyclists. Rising a motorcycle can be even more dangerous than a bicycle, especially at night. The signals for both activities are the same, and the lights can make both safer. In addition, as electric scooters are becoming more popular again, both two and four wheel varieties, the light can be used there, as well.

The Clic-Light should be available in the near future and is expected to retail around $160. To learn more about the product and to sign up for an email when it becomes available, head over to the company's website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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FINDY helps you find your glasses when you lose them @ CES 2021

2021-02-20

If you wear glasses, one thing you are familiar with is the panic when you cannot find them. At some point, everyone puts their glasses down and has no idea where they are. Many people spend way too much time searching for those misplaced glasses. But, if you have FINDY by Foxsmart, your phone can do the hard work for you.

FINDY is a very small Bluetooth LE device that attaches to your glasses. The device pairs with your phone, giving you a location service for your lost glasses. In our conversation, you get to see the surprise reveal of the FINDY being worn from the first moment, showing just how small this gadget really is. If it is going to be worn on your face, small is going to be important. Because of the design of the device, you can use it for more than just your glasses. Slip the tracker into a sleeve and connect it to your keys.

The device works similarly to a Tile, in that it uses Bluetooth to log your device's current location when the two devices connect. When they disconnect, the last location is reported to the cloud service. This gives you the ability to see where you were. Once you are close to it, and you still can't find the glasses, you can use a signal strength meter to get closer. Hold your phone to your body to block the signal and determine the quadrant it is in. Once you have a direction to face, you can get a hot/cold meter to get even closer.

The FINDY is available for sale now, with a regular price of $49.95 (but a sale price right now of $34.95). To learn more about the product or to purchase one for yourself, head over to the Foxsmart website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Karamba Security is preventing hacking into the IoT @ CES 2021

2021-02-20

Securing the Internet of Things is a complicated task. We've seen small and large companies, as well as small and large devices, get hacked. Sometimes the hacks happen on the cloud side, but too often they come from the device side. Not too long ago we covered a scenario where DVRs, cameras, and more, were all being used as part of a botnet to create attacks against other networks. Karamba Security focuses on protecting those devices.

The hacker's main objective is to gain control over the device. Once compromised, the intention of the device can be changed. The new intention could be as part of a botnet, like mentioned above, or even more sinister. Take, for example, a connected camera. The intended usage is for the camera to stream video directly to a cloud server, where you can then login and view the video. But, a hacker might have the intention of seeing your camera, either for anti-security or anti-privacy purposes. Being able to get in the middle and prevent that attack in the first place is where Karamba Security fits in.

Too many companies don't think about security as an important aspect of the product design lifecycle. Either there are no experts within the company or no time resources dedicated to the project. That's where security controls and systems from experts fit in. In the engineering world, we tend to want to let experts on a particular topic handle those complicated topics. Security is, by far, the most important and the most useful to let security experts handle.

Currently, Karamba Security is working with a number of clients to integrate their technology into over 12 million connected devices. To learn more about their technology, or to engage the company about integrating it into your own project, head over to the Karamba Security website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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j5create has a pair of new products for content creators @ CES 2021

2021-02-20

Over the past year, a number of products that were previously thought to be pretty ubiquitous have come into high demand. Chief among those products have been products for content creation. This year, j5create has brought out a number of products that can be used in content creation, whether in your home, your studio, or your office.

The first product we were introduced to is the new JVCU360 360° All Around Webcam. This camera can be mounted to the ceiling or a table and allows for the streaming of a full 360-degree video. Once we get back into our offices, this would be perfect for a conference room table so that the people you are talking with remotely can see the whole table. It can also be used for podcasting, as the video can be streamed as-is, or the video can be cut into segments for different camera angles.

Next up is the JVA06 Dual HDMI Video Capture - a USB-powered HDMI streaming device. The box has a number of inputs and outputs, including 2 switchable HDMI inputs and an 1/8" mic input, plus an HDMI and 1/8" headphone/speaker output. There are also USB-C power and host ports. The box has video processing built-in, meaning that it can take processing load off of a computer. This is perfect for game streamers because it can do picture in picture as well as picture beside picture modes, plus chroma key - essentially everything that a standard game streamer uses on a regular basis.

The JVCU360 360° All Around Webcam is available for $109.99. The JVA06 Dual HDMI Video Capture is available for $239.99. To learn more about these products and the entire diverse line of products available, check out the j5create website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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AfterShokz offers great sound and unparalleled comfort @ CES 2021

2021-02-24

Most 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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Kawantech is moving smart technology to the streets @ CES 2021

2021-02-24

We live in a world of "Smart" everything. Smartphones put the world in our hands. Smartwatches put an entire computer on our wrists. Smart cars can direct, park and even drive us. We have even done interviews for companies that have come up with smart clothing. And although we here at PLUGHITZ love it all (ok, most of it), it's getting to the point where new ideas for smart technology are beginning to get mocked and seen as a bit of an overreach by some. So, we have probably hit that point where there's really nothing else to smarten up, right? Well... No. Some engineers are actually so insightful that they are able to see amazing potential in even the most common items. And Kawantech is one of the companies that share in this ingenuity.

In fact, they are a company that has been created by skilled entrepreneurs that have experience in connected vehicles and infrastructure. And while we are all aware of the strides that have been made in automobile electronics and technology, most people don't even think about making the actual infrastructure smart. But Kawantech believes that cities actually need digital infrastructure, as well. This will help to get a whole new generation of public services that are based around mobility. A modern city with new technologies can bring added safety and also improve daily life. But creating all new components to add to the current infrastructure would be cumbersome, costly, and possibly bad for the environment. But what they have created is actually a great idea that, in concept, will save money, resources, and even lives.

Their concept is smart public lighting, specifically streetlights. By adding a brain (KARA) inside of streetlights, cities will have the ability to regulate energy, keep the streets safer and even help to alleviate traffic jams. What a great idea! Taking an existing, and useful, object and modifying it to be even more useful. Their concept adds sensors that can be enabled to do things like monitor and report traffic conditions to existing map apps that will add another layer to help commuters better navigate their routes. And uses/features can continue to be upgraded as time goes on and be better adapted to the needs of the users. As for the light itself, it is engineered to be extremely energy efficient. For starters, they will only light up when needed. They will also have the ability to be brighter on the sidewalks and crosswalks than in the streets, to make sure that pedestrians are always well lit and can easily be seen by drivers. Overall, this will allow for energy savings of up to 70% for the cities while keeping the citizens safer and happier.

To find out more, make sure to watch the full interview and visit the Kawantech website.

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

2021-02-24

Whether 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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Why monitoring indoor air quality with Airthings is essential @ CES 2021

2021-02-25

With so many diseases spreading these days, monitoring indoor air quality has become essential. That is because most of us spend our time at home now, and the air quality can impact our health and comfort. That is where Airthings comes in.

Airthings is among the leading manufacturers of indoor air quality monitors that ensure you have a safe workplace and home. Here is everything you need to know about it.

What Contributes To Poor Indoor Air Quality?

• Poor ventilation
• Building materials
• Cleaning supplies
• Poor HVAC system
• Smoke
• And much more

Why Do You Need To Monitor Indoor Air Quality?

Final Words

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Energizer Connect is a perfect solution for your smarthome @ CES 2021

2021-02-25

Smart home devices are becoming nearly ubiquitous, but there can often be huge costs involved. The products themselves can be expensive, they can require additional devices, like hubs, or even subscription services. But, one brand that has been ubiquitous for decades itself has taken on the challenge of making connected devices that avoid all of these financial issues: Energizer Connect.

Energizer Connect has a wide variety of connected devices, ranging from indoor lightbulbs, outdoor light fixtures, switchable outlets, and security cameras. In addition, all of the devices are controllable through a single Energizer Connect app. You can set up schedules and smart scenes, make devices respond to one another, and more. This year, the company is expanding its line with some new products in its lineup, particularly in outdoor security.

First up is a smart 1080p HD indoor/outdoor battery camera. This camera features full HD video and is battery-powered, meaning you can install it in places where you might not be able to run a power cable. However, if you are able to power it, you can do that, as well, using the included weatherproof power cable. Inside is a long-lasting battery (this is Energizer after all), which is made to run longer because the camera is able to go into a low power mode when not being fully used. The camera attaches to the base using a strong magnet, so pulling it down to charge is easy.

Next up are the spotlight and dual floodlight offerings. These lights can be used for both home security and general daily usage and entertaining. The floodlight offers an integrated security camera with motion and people detection, as well as activity zones. It also features night vision for general night usage. It also has 2000 lumens of multi-white light available for all uses. There is also a smaller spotlight version, which offers 1000 lumens.

Some of the products are available now, while others are coming soon. To learn more about the product offerings or to make a purchase, head over to the Energizer Connect website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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

2021-02-25

Did 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?

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

How Can An AED Help?

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The applications of Chirp Microsystems' ultrasonic range finder @ CES 2021

2021-02-26

If you are in the hardware design, robotics, automation, or home security industry, you are probably familiar with ultrasonic range finders. These are sensors that can offer a lot to a user. The best part is that many industries can make use of this technology.

Chirp Microsystems is right now the only manufacturer of ultrasonic range finders with MEMS technology. Here is everything you need to know about it.

The Uses Of A MEMS Ultrasonic Range Finder

• Presence sensing
• Position tracking
• Range finding
• Object detection
• Object avoidance
• Narrow and wide-field detection
• And much more

What Makes The MEMS Ultrasonic Range Finder By Chirp Microsystems Unique

Final Words

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Why you need AV Mapping AI engine for video content creation @ CES 2021

2021-02-26

Making a film, video, or any other such content is challenging. You need to do a lot, such as looking for music, getting music licensing, and much more. However, AV Mapping has changed the game of video content creation with their latest technology.

The AI engine of AV Mapping allows you to search music for your videos, video buyers, and much more. Here is everything you need to know about their latest technology.

The AI Engine Of AV Mapping

Why You Need Video Soundtrack Analysis?

• Frame by frame analysis
• Sound noise reduction
• Still image color card production
• Sound project development
• Sound design

Final Words

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Urinary incontinence: what Innovo can do about it @ CES 2021

2021-02-26

Urinary incontinence is a common problem among older adults, but not everyone wants to admit it. The topic is taboo, and that is why many people refuse to seek help. However, managing the problem is not a long-term solution.

Innovo by Atlantic Therapeutics is among the leading manufacturers of a pelvic floor exerciser. It is non-invasive and will exercise your pelvic muscles so your problem can be treated from the comfort of your home. Here is everything you need to know about it.

How Innovo Can Treat Urinary Incontinence

Why You Need Innovo By Atlantic Therapeutics

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Albi Home M makes the perfect wine pour every time @ CES 2021

2021-02-28

The popularity of wine has grown leaps and bounds in recent years. A recent survey showed that wine is preferred to beer for Millenials in everyday situations. With popularity comes a renewed focus on innovation in the space. One of the most interesting changes coming to the wine market is from Albicchiere - Albi Home M.

Albi Home M is designed to be the perfect wine companion. Depending on who you ask, the lifespan of wine, once opened, varies, but is usually very short. In Italy, they'll tell you that it's vinegar within 24 hours. General wisdom suggests that it should be used within a few days. With the Albi Home M, you can keep wine good for up to 6 months.

The extended life is accomplished through the combination of a couple of advancements. The most important is the transition of wine from a glass bottle to a bag. The company is working with brands to offer their wines in these bags, but you can also transfer your own wine into a bag at home. You then put the bag into the machine, which sits on your counter. The machine itself is then able to take all of the excess oxygen out, helping to preserve the wine.

From there, the machine takes over all of your needs. It keeps the wine chilled, with three cooling modes - allowing you to keep it quiet, keep it drink-ready, or optimize power consumption using an AI-powered energy saver. When you're ready for a drink, the Albi Home M pours for you, resealing the bag and removing oxygen again. And, best of all, it's always the perfect temperature.

The Albi Home M will be available starting at $349. To learn more about the product or to sign up to learn when the product becomes available, head over to the Albicchiere website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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The Beeing B-BOX makes beekeeping at home safe and easy @ CES 2021

2021-02-28

Urban farming may be a concept that is foreign to many people, but it is quickly growing in popularity. From people turning their yards into full gardens that can produce food to full indoor hydroponics cabinets like our friends at Natufia, the idea has gained a lot of attention in recent years. But, one area that is gaining in popularity is beekeeping. The process can be rewarding but difficult, but Beeing is making it easier with the B-BOX.

Beeing produces a new style of bee box that is designed specifically for the urban farmer. Appropriately named the B-BOX, this box has a large focus on safety. It helps to maintain the simplest and safest interaction between humans and bees. This is because bees are not domesticated animals, meaning that they have no reason not to hurt someone, so always be careful (even with the safety precautions in place).

The B-BOX is also designed to make the experience exciting. The entrance point for the bees is just over 7 feet from the ground, making it perfect for watching without a heightened chance of getting stung. The side of the box also has a transparent side panel, so you can peek in and see what's going on. Of course, since bees only feel safe and at home in the dark, the panel has a cover that should stay in place under normal circumstances. Honey collection is also made easy, with panels across the top that slide up and out.

In addition to the B-BOX, the company produces a number of connected devices to help manage your colony. Using sensors within the box, you can detect issues early, before they negatively impact the health of the bees.

The B-BOX is available internationally, while the connected devices are currently only available in Italy, with a wider rollout in the works. To learn more about the B-BOX, head to the Beeing website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Mercku M6 Mesh is an attractive, powerful Wi-Fi system @ CES 2021

2021-02-28

Wi-Fi is an essential part of our daily lives, made even more important with the global lockdowns. But, many home wireless networks are questionable, which can cause a lot of problems working from home or watching content on your phone, computer, or tablet. A strong, powerful Wi-Fi system running on the most modern publicly available standard, can help address this. The Mercku M6 Mesh is just such a system.

Mesh systems, like the Mercku M6 Mesh, allow you to use multiple access points around your home or office, which all identity as the same wireless network. This allows you to walk around your home while maintaining your Wi-Fi connection. This can be almost required for a two-story building, like our offices, where you lose almost all coverage when you change floors. But, by placing a second device, which connects to the first and acts as a repeater, you can keep your signal strength at peak performance.

The Mercku M6 Mesh also features Wi-Fi 6, which is the current standard coming into CES 2021. This standard provides the fastest speeds and strongest signal available. With a faster maximum bandwidth, it allows for better speeds even with degraded coverage (such as in outer corners). Wi-Fi 6 also allows the mesh to have the best possible connection between access points.

Another big focus for the product is appearance. Unlike Wi-Fi routers of the past, mesh routers are designed to be placed out in the open to maximize signal strength. As such, appearance is an important aspect of the product. Many mesh routers take a minimalistic approach, looking like boxes or air fresheners. The Mercku M6 Mesh, however, is designed to be seen and to be a point of aesthetic pride.

The Mercku M6 Mesh is coming soon and will have a suggested price of $349. To learn more about the product and to find out when it comes to market, check out the Mercku website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Baru allows you to customize your home and office furniture @ CES 2021

2021-03-01

Moving can be a stressful experience. Part of the stress is created by the desire to make the new place as nice as possible, but since every place is different, your old furniture just might not work. In fact, while moving is one of the most common times to replace your furniture. The process of choosing just the right set can be difficult and expensive, but Baru is here to make it an easier process.

Here's how the system works. There is a large collection of furniture designs in categories like desks, dressers, armoires, beds, nightstands, and storage. Once you choose the piece that fits your needs, you get to customize it to your liking. First, choose your material. This can vary depending on the piece, but includes matte and gloss coverings, as well as natural woods like raven oak and smoked walnut. Once you've chosen your material you can customize the size. Obviously, the customizations will be different for different types of furniture but will give you a lot of capability.

Possibly the best part of the Baru process is the quick delivery time. If you are within one of the operating zones, you are guaranteed delivery of your custom-designed and manufactured piece within 2 weeks. The impressive turnaround time is possible because of an automated cutting process. Using a CNC machine, the pieces can be custom cut on-demand in partner shops, delivered to the address, and assembled - all within the short timeframe.

The service is live now, with dozens of pieces available for customization and order. Prices vary depending on material selected, and free delivery and 2 week timeframe are dependent on proximity to an operating zone. To check out what is available and to place an order, head over to the Baru website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Tanoshi computers are a perfect school companion for kids @ CES 2021

2021-03-01

Having a computer for children went from a nice to have in 2019 to a near necessity in 2020, and that requirement seems to not be slowing down. Of course, not all computers are great for kids. Either they're too fragile, too easy to use for unapproved reasons, getting into unsafe places, and more. Over the years, kids' computers have been a thing, but they always focus on very young kids. But, the Tanoshi computers have a wider range of ages.

The Tanoshi computers take some inspiration from the Surface product line, being able to use as both a full laptop or as a tablet. In laptop mode, you get a full hardware keyboard complete with a touchpad and emoji key. For tablet mode, the screen detaches from the keyboard and continues to function as a complete computer. When doing schoolwork, this gives the student the ability to choose where and how to work. After school, they get the ability to take it with them and explore.

The computers feature Android, as opposed to Windows or ChromeOS. With Android, they get access to the Google Play Store, but in a limited way. The computer features a robust parental control system, so parents can approve and deny apps, monitor screen and app use time, set approved usage hours (like turning off at bedtime), and more.

Of course, as a kids' computer, there are some things that will make the experience better. For example, the durability is impressive. In fact, during the conversation, you can see the screen literally thrown across the room and continue to work. It is also available in a choice of bright colors, which will be appealing to kids.

The Tanoshi 2-in-1 is available for $199, and the new Tanoshi Scholar is available for $299 (with a special at $249 as of this writing). To learn more or purchase one for your family, head to the Tanoshi website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Fixbid wants to save you from bad home renovations @ CES 2021

2021-03-01

Finding a quality and trustworthy contractor can be an absolute nightmare. Almost everyone who has done home remodeling work has a story about someone involved in the project who was or caused a problem. When my family built an add-on to the house, we ended up with a large collection of issues (we still have one door we can't use nearly 30 years later). But, the mobile app Fixbid wants those issues to be a thing of the past.

There have been contractor rating platforms before, but they never quite work. The problem has always been that the scores come exclusively from customers. And who takes the time to review someone? Unhappy customers or people being incentivized. Joe Lycett showed just how easy it is to become the top water purification system on Trust Pilot without ever having a product. The process is far too easy to game, making the scores fairly useless.

Fixbid set out to fix this problem by using actual certification metrics. Rather than just hoping that customer reviews are accurate (which they are not), Fixbid uses the American Rating Company as its basis. All contractors that are listed on the system are all Diamond Certified Contractors, giving a higher level of confidence in hiring them.

Of course, the goal of the platform is to help you pair up with a contractor that offers the service you need, whether it be electrical, plumbing, solar, and more. You can find, communicate, and even pay for the services all through Fixbid.

The service is currently available in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, with plans to expand that service area in the future. To learn more about the service or explore the available contractors, head to the Fixbid website. From there, you can register and download the app.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Lify Wellness puts healthy tea options at your fingertips @ CES 2021

2021-03-02

One of the big trends for CES 2021 has been home health and wellness products. These products go above and beyond the monitoring technology we've seen for a few years, and extend into the prevention space. One of the more interesting products we saw is the Lify Wellness smart tea system.

Unlike some of the products we saw, Lify Wellness is designed to be an integral yet casual part of your day. The things we drink during our day can be a general afterthought or a byproduct of a desire for energy, or even simply a habit. But, being thoughtful about what we drink can make a big impact on our general wellness. But, most of us know little to nothing about what teas can do what, and how best to make them.

The Lify Wellness system combines knowledge and technology to help maintain your health. First is the brewer, which takes only about 40 seconds to make a small carafe of tea, which holds around 2 standard cups. You simply place one of the discs into the machine, and it does all of the work. It knows the right temperature and time, producing the perfect cup every time. And the discs are designed differently from the popular coffee pods, because they are intended to be fully biodegradable, making them environmentally friendly as well.

Of course, even more important than the technology is the tea itself. The blends are all specifically planned and balanced by professional medicinal practitioners, herbal scientists, and tea masters. This means that the teas will be more likely to produce a proper response in the body. You can even get recommendations about which tea to drink, based on your body conditions, the current weather, and even your mood.

To learn more about the Lify Wellness system or to purchase one for yourself, you can head over to the company's website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Zhiyun Tech makes professional quality gimbals affordable @ CES 2021

2021-03-02

Photography and videography have become more popular pastimes over the past year. But, most of the new products that have come out in support of the content creator community have been focused on the static shot, intended to help improve the experience of streamers. But, Zhiyun Tech has a collection of camera gimbals for content creators ranging from home users to professional production rigs.

When filming motion, the only way to get great, smooth video is with a gimbal. These devices attach to your camera and give you more control over the picture. For all cameras, they offer a gyroscopic stabilization system that helps to keep the lens of the camera pointed in the same direction, despite the motion of the camera itself. So, if your arm moves around or shakes a bit, the stabilization system will help to keep the picture as steady as possible. Large motions, like tripping, will not maintain a steady shot but will produce a smooth downward motion.

For larger cameras, an added bonus is additional points of contact. You can use a larger rig with two hands, separated from one another for added stability and less strain on your arm muscles. With really big rigs, you can lean them into your chest, providing a third point of contact. The style of gimbal you need will depend on the type of camera work, the size of the camera, and the length of the shot.

In addition to the gimbals, the company also offers a video transmission technology for live broadcast, streaming, and camera previewing. Simply plug it into the video out on your camera and you can get up to 100 meters of transmission with only 60 milliseconds of latency.

To learn more about the products available, you can check out the Zhiyun Tech website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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ResiTire has a new airless replacement for traditional tires @ CES 2021

2021-03-02

One of our favorite contingencies at CES is always the group from Case Western Reserve University. Over the years we have seen the school present innovative new products and services from students, faculty, and alumni. We've had the opportunity to speak with representatives from several of the new companies, and in this installment, we got to speak about ResiTire.

ResiTire is offering a new take on an everyday necessity idem - tires. Rather than being a standard rubber tire filled with gas, the new approach is actually made of interlocking metal rings. The metal, called Nitinol, is actually designed by NASA, and the design is licensed from NASA, which calls it Superelastic Tire technology. While the technology was originally created for use on other surfaces, ResiTire has adapted it for terrestrial use.

The tire that we see during the conversation is actually only part of the equation. This strangely shaped device has an elastic style design to it because of the interlocking rings. Because of this, it allows the tire to operate similarly to a traditional rubber tire, with the same grip capability. However, because there is no gas or destructible surface, this technology makes it possible to produce a tire that is able to eliminate leaks, slashes, tears, and more.

To be clear, this is not a "run-flat" tire. One of the biggest problems with the current "run-flat" concept - nearly no one actually replaces one with another one. This means that you only get the benefit for the first few months of owning the car, and never again. The company is currently focusing on the tire market but intends to use the elastic properties of the metal to produce other items in the future.

To learn more about ResiTire and how it can be used, head over to the company's website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Stern Pinball launches new titles for iconic pinball fun @ CES 2021

2021-03-03

Zach Sharpe, Director of Marketing at Stern Pinball, joined us at CES 2021 to tell us about some of their newest machines and what makes them stand out in the arcade market. Stern Pinball, Inc. ("SPI") is the oldest and largest designer and manufacturer of arcade-quality pinball games on the planet, churning out eye-catching pinball machines for more than 30 years.

Pinball is the universal language of fun, says Sharpe, bridging generations and cultures across decades. For 2021, Stern Pinball released some iconic titles including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Avengers, and their amazing Led Zeppelin, complete with Immigrant Song and 9 other songs, which took years to acquire the rights to use in the game.

SPI offers a full line of commercial and consumer pinball games, merchandise, parts, and accessories that are sold to pinball operators, enthusiasts, and fans around the globe. Each of their cornerstone titles is available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models. Pro is the coin-operated machines players will typically find in bars and arcades. Premium and Limited Edition models are found more commonly in private collections and typically feature a few more moving parts, such as the Electric Magic Device found in the Led-Zeppelin machine. The device rises from the floor of the machine and features a spinner and ball capture that literally changes the whole trajectory of a game.

The Premium and LE models also incorporate an Expression Lighting System with nearly 100 intelligent LEDs that simulate a graphic equalizer choreographed to the music. With their new Spike 2 technology, the machines are also easier to maintain and repair, with less complexity, fewer components to break and easy serviceability.

Visit the company's website to see the full collection of SPI machines, as well as to access their Pinball Locator so you can find Stern Pinball machines out in the wild to play.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Quantum Operation is removing needles from blood glucose @ CES 2021

2021-03-03

For those living with diabetes, one of the most difficult aspects of maintaining your health is the constant use of needles. There are needles for insulin injection and needles for blood glucose level readings. Many people have a problem with the idea of needles, with a strong concentration in children. But, with diabetes, there is no way around it - they are a part of your daily life. But, a new wearable device from Quantum Operation Inc. is looking to ease that stress, especially for children.

Wearable technology has become a normal part of our lives, and many have a strong focus on health and wellness. However, this new wearable device adds to those features by being able to calculate your blood glucose level without the requirement of a needle or actual blood. This is a literal game-changer for those with diabetes. No longer do you need to stick your finger several times per day in order to get your level.

But, it is important to note that this is not a single-minded product. It is, in fact, a full fitness tracker. It offers temperature, step counting, heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry. Several of these are features available on many mainstream devices, while others are highly unusual. The idea that a watch can regularly track your blood oxygen levels is fantastic. This is a metric that is important in the COVID-19 era, and usually requires a special device that you stick your finger in. Being able to track it more regularly could mean you can spot a problem earlier.

The product is currently in a prototype phase with very positive results in early tests. The system still requires clinical trials in multiple countries, including the company's home country of Japan, before it could be made publicly available. However, you can still get more information and follow the device's development process by heading to the Quantum Operation Inc. website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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RoboSense solid-state LiDAR drives next-gen autonomous cars @ CES 2021

2021-03-03

Cassie Gong, Overseas PR Manager for RoboSense, was at CES 2021 to share the company's latest developments in LiDAR technology.

Founded in 2014, RoboSense (Suteng Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.) is the leading provider of Smart LiDAR Sensor Systems. The systems incorporate LiDAR sensors, AI algorithms, and IC chipsets that transform conventional 3D LiDAR sensors into full data analysis and comprehension systems. The company's mission is to develop outstanding hardware and artificial intelligence capabilities to provide smart solutions that enable robots (including vehicles) to have superior perception capabilities.

The RoboSense product line includes various Smart LiDAR perception system solutions, including the MEMS and Mechanical types LiDAR HWs, fusion HW unit, and AI-based fusion systems. At CES, the company announced the SOP version of their automotive grade high-performance solid-state LiDAR, which is also the world's first mass-production ready solid-state automotive LiDAR. The solid-state system, says Gong, serves the critical automotive industry need to achieve large-scale commercialization of autonomous vehicles with a new generation of high precision 3D environmental sensing.

The high resolution, high reliability, and low cost of the system make it attractive to the automotive industry, as does the fact that MEMS technology has been long used by companies like Texas Instruments for a long time, making it a mature technology in terms of therefore it is very mature in terms of production, cost, and performance

RoboSense technology has earned the AutoSens Award, Audi Innovation Lab Champion, and the CES Innovation Award twice. To date, RoboSense LiDAR systems have been widely applied to autonomous driving passenger cars, RoboTaxi, RoboTruck, RoboBus, automated logistics vehicles, and intelligent road by domestic and international autonomous driving technology companies, OEMs, and Tier1 suppliers.

The company expects to be able to get the cost of their solid-state LiDAR system to $700-$800 per unit, with the goal of getting it in every autonomous vehicle in the near future, to provide a safe and reliable drive. To learn more about the technology, head to the RoboSense website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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iStaging is bringing the conference feel into the virtual @ CES 2021

2021-03-04

Virtual reality, and its flat-screen equivalent, have seen an increase in popularity in recent years. One of the places that we have seen this technology take a strong position has been in real estate. The ability to virtually explore a new house, apartment, or condo ahead of a visit can help prevent spending time seeing a place that doesn't fit your needs. iStaging started in that space, but has recognized a new need and is applying its technology to this new market.

The new market in need of virtual space technology is trade shows, like CES itself. Some shows have taken a simplistic approach, where it's more like browsing a standard website. Some shows, though, have looked to keep the feeling of an in-person event while still being virtual. That is where iStaging's new offering is really standing out. The app creates virtual meeting venues and experiences by putting control in the hands of the owner.

The system is designed to give full control to the conference owners. There are no hard and fast pre-existing layouts that you are forced to conform to, making it different from in-person events. You can create DaVinci-era open-air amphitheaters for presentations. You can create custom presentation spaces for each exhibitor. You can even create a virtual meet-and-greet area, where people can walk around and meet other attendees. In fact, you could even create a "chill zone" featuring music, artwork, and more.

Obviously, nothing is going to replicate the feeling and energy of a traditional conference in every way. However, with technology like iStaging's virtual expo venues, we can get as close as possible. If you are planning a virtual event and are looking for a VR-style experience, you can learn more about features, processes, and pricing by heading to the iStaging website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Steve Winter discusses CES and the future of trade shows @ CES 2021

2021-03-04

Every year during CES, we expose a little bit of inside baseball about how our show or the industry works. This year, we got the opportunity to speak with Steve Winter, president and founder of Brotman-Winter-Fried Consulting. Steve has been a long-time friend of the Tech Podcasts Network team, and we feature several of his clients annually. This year, Steve brought us 5 companies: Cutii, Domalys, Publidata, GoSun, and Clean Air Zone.

But, as we have worked together for years, the conversation naturally went to the future of trade shows. With CES going virtual, we experienced new problems. Depending on the length of the lockdowns, there is a possibility of a lot more like this. Different events are planning to address them in different ways. Some are looking to follow CES's lead. Others are looking for virtual equivalents of physical shows. Both have their ups and downs, and only time will tell which works best. Fortunately for us, the way CES decided to handle virtualization worked well. However, exhibitors might have preferred a closer to traditional representation.

One thing we noticed was that there was a lot less news during CES 2021. Steve pointed out that, under a normal CES there are around 4200 exhibitors. This year, the number was just under 2000. With fewer exhibitors, you can expect less news. But, we saw more than a 50% decrease. This suggested to Todd that those who were participating were not taking it as seriously as in years past. Steve points out that, with so many unknowns, companies spent extra time preparing their presentations. Todd and Steve present an inside view of the future of conferences, with decades of experience between them.

To learn more about Steve's work or to engage his PR services, head over to the Brotman-Winter-Fried Consulting website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.