You may have convinced your parents to upgrade to a smartphone or a tablet, but that monstrous ancient stereo system in their living room that served them well in the 1980s isn’t going anywhere. Thankfully, ION Audio’s new Cassette Adapter Bluetooth is a ridiculously easy way to get their old and modern technology to play nice together.
     |
If you’re outraged that the government would dare tell you what kind of lightbulbs you should be able to buy, ION Audio’s new Party Ball should help quell your rage. It’s designed to screw into a standard ceiling mounted light socket, but instead of just providing a warm glow to illuminate a room, it puts on a dazzling colored light show.
| |
Technology is everywhere. We carry it around with ourselves, we even wear it. It has already crept into our homes and now we’re being treated to solutions that manage said technology in a much more efficient way. Archos recently announced its “Connected Objects,” which aim to connect technology that we use everyday. Today Samsung unveiled a new platform that will allow users to control and manage home devices through one single app, the platform is called Samsung Smart Home and it will be showcased at CES 2014.
Samsung Smart Home Platform Unveiled original content from Ubergizmo. 
| |
CES 2014 is upon us, and even though I can’t yet set foot into any booths, plenty of companies are trying to get a jump on things with early product announcements. Perhaps one of the biggest items we’ll see at this year’s show – based on sheer size – is LG’s massive 105-inch Ultra HD TV.
This enormous set offers a large curved screen with a resolution of 5120 x 2160 pixels, which LG is calling “5K”. Yes, kids – this set has over 11 million pixels. Of course, my point and shoot camera has even more pixels, so I’m sure this isn’t the end of the display resolution wars. The display has a 21:9 cinematic aspect ratio, and incorporates a Harmon Kardon sound system, offering enveloping 7.2 surround sound using only speakers in the display.
While I’m pretty sure I’ll never have one of these in my living room, I’m certainly looking forward to checking it out on the CES floor this week.
Griffin has brought the old PowerMate rotary controller back from the dead, snipping off the USB cable for the Powermate Bluetooth, a wireless version. Intended for video editors, digital artists, … Continue reading
This year at CES, our core crew of reporters can use only their phones to cover the show. No DSLRS, no laptops. No fancy compact-system cameras or iPads. Just phones.
| |
CES DAY: 1 2 3 4 5 6
| |
Last year, Square debuted Stand, a piece of hardware that turns a merchant’s iPad into a card-swiping register. The idea was to provide a simple and elegant way to allow merchants to accept Square for credit card processing and swiping via their iPad. In news announced today at CES, Square is extending this ease of use to iPhone users of its card readers, via a new partnership with hardware developer Griffin Technology.
Until now, Square hasn’t debuted any accessories for its card case reader. Third-party developers have created key chains and cases for the readers, but these haven’t been part of the Square ecosystem. Square and Griffin are announcing a new Merchant case for iPhone 5s and iPhone 5, which is a protective case optimized for a Square Reader and a companion iPhone. The Merchant case, which also includes a Square Reader, is available to order for $19.99 here (current orders shipping within 2 weeks).
Square is also announcing a new initiative called Works with Square, which allows developers to build accessories for Square businesses. The inaugural partnership is the one being announced today with Griffin, and Square says it actually partnered with the hardware accessories developer to design the Merchant case to enhance both performance and convenience for merchants selling on the go with Square.
The case itself is custom-molded to secure the Square Reader when connected. A groove in the bottom of the case aligns with the Square Reader to guide a credit card to a frictionless, consistent swipe. The case is made from silicone, and aims to protect the phone from bumps and drops. Additionally, the merchant case features non-slip sides and corners so it’s easier to hold the phone and to hand over for customers’ signatures. And when merchants are not using the Square Reader, the hardware can be detached and stored in the back of the case. Aesthetics wise, the case is no beauty, but it seems to be solid and functional.
It’s unclear what percentage of Square’s merchants use the iPad vs. iPhone for readers, but it’s probably safe to assume that many merchants who are on the go (i.e a massage therapist, tutor, taxi driver) would use their iPhone over an iPad. The case provides a pretty easy way to use your iPhone for personal and professional use when accepting payments. Square decided to develop this case for iPhones, and has not yet developed any sort of external accessory or stand for the Android (although its reader does work with Android).
In terms of the Works With Square program, Square is expanding its ambitions beyond just providing point-of-sale hardware into providing accessories that are optimized for the Square experience. This could mean that the company starts partnering with the developers of receipt printers, kitchen printers, cash drawers and barcode scanners to create a more connected experience for merchants. We asked Square whether there is a revenue-share agreement with developers in this program, and did not receive an answer. But the company did say that products in the Works with Square program can use the Works with Square badge on their packaging, and in certain cases, can include Square readers as part of their packaging.
As Square prepares to potentially go public, it’s clear the company is creating an ecosystem of sellers and developers around its payments products and hardware. Square just debuted an API for the first time in December and also launched a marketplace for its merchants to be able to sell online as well as in-store. Works With Square could be another channel through which Square’s brand and readers are promoted.
When Griffin Technology revealed the original PowerMate—a hefty polished aluminum programmable knob—way back in 2001, most users were left scratching their head as to what they’d use it for. But years of software updates have resulted in a surprising useful and sleek desktop accessory that’s great for everything from controlling volume, to scrolling massive documents. And now Griffin is finally releasing an updated version that introduces—above all—wireless connectivity to your computer via Bluetooth.
| |
CES is upon us yet again, and you can expect a shebang of devices that will hit the market. The thing is, there are just so many new products that will be introduced, it could get pretty difficult trying to keep track of who releases what. Samsung, a regular player at CES and other trade shows these days, has just announced the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2, where this particular device will continue from where it left off by running on the Android mobile operating system, sporting a lightweight retro design that ought to get avid photographers talking, since this particular shooter gets even more social than ever before, delivering superior images in comparison to its predecessor.
The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 will come with a brand new quad-core 1.6GHz processor to keep things running spiffy, while the Android platform also makes it snap to shoot, edit and share high quality images with your circle of friends and family. The 2,000mAh battery will also be able to let you shoot a whole lot more photos than you can ever image, making sure that you do not miss out on a single moment along the way.
Just when you thought that your smartphone’s camera is good enough for normal shots, the 16-megapixel BSI CMOS Sensor will be able to deliver vivid images that are rich in color and sharp in detail. Not only that, it will boast of a huge 21x Optical Zoom so that shutterbugs are able to get closer than ever to their subjects. Other hardware and software specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 include 2GB RAM, a pre-loaded Dropbox app, Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, and a 4.8” HD Super Clear Touch LCD display among others. Apart from that, it will come with its fair share of filters as well as Multi Motion Video support, letting you get a whole lot more creative than you want to. Pricing details remain to be known as at press time.
Press Release
[ Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 launched copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
