Geek News: Latest Technology, Product Reviews, Gadgets and Tech Podcast News for Geeks


Ooma shows off new SOHO product

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 10:25 AM on February 25, 2013

ooma boxOoma has been around a few years now and many of you may have heard the name — it is a way of cutting the cable, but in this case it is the telephone cable, much the way some people do with services like Skype. In other words, it is home phone service that uses the internet.

This year the company has expanded its service with a new Ooma Office which is targeted at small business and can provide ten extensions and five lines. It can reduce the costs in an office by up to 75 percent per month, if Ooma’s calculations are correct. Of course this can vary slightly based on service level and current pricing of the local carrier.

Ooma is now in over 50 countries and is frequently used by those working abroad as a way to maintain a U.S. phone number. Head over to Ooma to learn more.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and Scott Ertz of F5 Live

Sponsored by:
On new orders get 35% Off your GoDaddy Order use Promo Code:
go35off2
GoDaddy Promo Codes always save you money, check out my Promo Codes Today

PlayPlay

Matrix Audio

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 8:23 AM on February 25, 2013

matrix audio logoRobert Daw from Matrix Audio had the chance to visit with TPN in Las Vegas and show off a few of the company’s latest products. These are some tiny mobile speakers that come in a range of prices and power.

The first is a 3-watt that can be used open or closed depending on the sound you prefer — more bass or more treble. In can also be daisy-chained with others to get more sound. There is also a Bluetooth version that looks similar to the aux-versions — it still has an auxiliary jack if you prefer that method of connection. That version is 3.5-watts. Both speakers come in a range of multiple colors.

Finally, the compnay unveiled what it termed as “the world’s smallest 3-watt speaker”. It is Aux-only at this point, but Matrix Audio plans a Bluetooth version that will launch in March. It is available in black, silver and red.

Prices for these speakers range from $30 to $80 and all are available now — except, of course, the one launching in March. You can get more information by visiting Matrix Audio.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and Scott Ertz of F5 Live

Sponsored by:
On new orders get 35% Off your GoDaddy Order use Promo Code:
go35off2
GoDaddy Promo Codes always save you money, check out my Promo Codes Today

PlayPlay

Hold Onto Your Tablet With Mobio

Posted by Andrew at 6:43 PM on February 24, 2013

Mobio GripToday’s smartphones and tablets are all expensive devices, whether they come from Apple or Samsung, and no-one wants to drop theirs on the floor with butterfingers. Mobio have a neat approach that should keep tablets and phones in the hand. Andy and Scott find out more from Darek Spring at Mobio.

The Mobio Grip is two part set, with a magnetic ring that sticks to the tablet or smartphone, and a handle which then connects into the ring. Holding the handle keeps the tablet easily in hand without blocking any part of the screen and the magnetic handle can be taken off to put the tablet into a case or bag.

Other variants such as the Mobio Pivot and Mobio Go use the same magnetic connector in a stand configuration or for in-car use. The Mobio Grip is $34.95 and is available through Mobio’s store.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and Scott Ertz of F5 Live for the TechPodcast Network.

Sponsored by:
On new orders get 35% Off your GoDaddy Order use Promo Code:go35off2
GoDaddy Promo Codes always save you money, check out my Promo Codes Today

PlayPlay

Apple Keyboard Overlays from KB Covers

Posted by Andrew at 6:14 PM on February 24, 2013

KB Cover Keyboard OverlayKB Covers produce lightweight and flexible keyboard overlays for Apple Macs to help make people more productive with complex software applications or type in foreign languages. Andy and Scott find out what’s happening with KB Covers from Bruce Franklin.

KB Covers produces overlays for Apple Macintosh desktop and laptop computers, covering both current and older models. Generally there are three kinds of overlays: those for protection or decoration, for foreign languages and for advanced application use, where keyboard shortcuts are key to being proficient in the app. Each year, KB Covers comes out with additional overlays for extra languages and new applications, often at the suggestion of customers.

The overlays are available on-line from around $20.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and Scott Ertz of F5 Live for the TechPodcast Network.

Sponsored by:
On new orders get 35% Off your GoDaddy Order use Promo Code:go35off2
GoDaddy Promo Codes always save you money, check out my Promo Codes Today

PlayPlay

Ergotron shows off its new mounts

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 1:41 PM on February 24, 2013

ergotron logoErgotron is likely a company that many of you will be familiar with. It makes mounts for the products you likely use every single day. At the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas a company rep stopped by to talk about the latest news and products.

The company talks a bit about its “work-fit” product line which allows the user to sit or stand while still being productive in their jobs. The new products involve both computer and TV mounts. The new TV mounts can extend from the wall, pivot and tilt as well. This type of versatility is especially nice for being adjustable to different family members who are using the TV at any particular time — especially going back and forth between children and adults.

As for the Sit-Stand desks, the company not only provides entire desks that raise and lower, but also add-ons as well. To find out more you can watch the video below and also head over to Ergotron.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and Scott Ertz of F5 Live

Sponsored by:
On new orders get 35% Off your GoDaddy Order use Promo Code:
go35off2
GoDaddy Promo Codes always save you money, check out my Promo Codes Today

 

PlayPlay

ViperSmart car security and a lot more

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 6:36 AM on February 24, 2013

viper logoViperSmart stopped by TPN recently to discuss SmartStart, which can start, lock, unlock and monitor your car from anywhere. Those controls can all be handled from a smartphone app — either Android, iPhone or Blackberry. In fact the company president demonstrated that he could unlock his car, located in California while sitting in Las Vegas.

The app also receives trouble codes from the engine and alerts you to these, essentially monitoring your vehicles health, including if your battery is running low. It will alert you if your doors are unlocked or if your trunk is open, locate your car and monitor the speed of travel (in case your teen borrows it).

The plan is on a per-car basis, not a per driver and it runs about $3 per month, though the charge is actually annual. Some features are separate and can add a bit to the price. The app itself is free. Users will need to install the system in their car and the entry level version is $299.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and RV News Net and Daniel J Lewis of  Audacity to Podcast

Sponsored by:
On new orders get 35% Off your GoDaddy Order use Promo Code:
go35off2
GoDaddy Promo Codes always save you money, check out my Promo Codes Today

 

PlayPlay

Luxury Cases by Evutec

Posted by Andrew at 6:49 PM on February 23, 2013

0001028_freed_iphone_5_cherry_wood_260Although the name might be new, Evutec have been around for over fifteen years, producing luxury cases for smartphones and tablets from leather and wood. Andy and Scott find out more about the cases and the creative process from David, one of Evutec’s designers.

Evutec have a wide range of cases for smartphones and tablets, including Apple, Samsung, Blackberry and Motorola devices. Offered in a luxury range of materials, particularly fine wood veneers and DuPont’s Aramid (aka Kevlar), these are high-end cases beautifully made. Prices seem to be in the $20-$50 range depending on material and size. Definitely a little bit more expensive, but this isn’t plastic pretending to be something it’s not.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and Scott Ertz of F5 Live for the TechPodcast Network.

Sponsored by:
On new orders get 35% Off your GoDaddy Order use Promo Code:go35off2
GoDaddy Promo Codes always save you money, check out my Promo Codes Today

PlayPlay

Panavise phone and camera mounts

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 9:37 AM on February 23, 2013

panavise logoPanavise has been around since 1956 and is known for circuit boards and electronics. a company representative stopped by during the Consumer Electronics Show to discuss its latest smartphone and camera mounts.

The company showed off its latest smartphone car mount with windshield mounting  and adjustable size to hold different models of phones. It also showed off a new suction cup mount for the GoPro camera that can be mounted almost anywhere. The device has been tested in extreme conditions to ensure it can continue to function. The device accepts many other brands of cameras thanks to its standard tri-pod mounting system.

The camera mount retails for $30 while the smartphone mount, known as the Porta Grip, sells for $20.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and RV News Net and Daniel J Lewis of  Audacity to Podcast

Sponsored by:
On new orders get 35% Off your GoDaddy Order use Promo Code:
go35off2
GoDaddy Promo Codes always save you money, check out my Promo Codes Today

PlayPlay

The Maxthon Cloud Browser

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 6:46 AM on February 23, 2013

maxthon logoAt the moment you may not realize it, but there is a difference between a cloud browser and a web browser, despite the general feeling that the internet itself exists in the cloud. Maxthon stopped by TPN in Las Vegas to explain.

The Maxthon Cloud Browser attempts to provide and experience that spans multiple platforms, from computer to tablet to smartphone. The browser not only syncs, as both Firefox and Chrome can do, but CEO Jeff Chen claims that it allows the browsers on different platforms to “talk to one another”. Users can push information between devices in multiple ways, depending on what they choose.

The technology is available free across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. To learn more, you can check out the video posted below.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and RV News Net and Daniel J Lewis of  Audacity to Podcast

Sponsored by:
On new orders get 35% Off your GoDaddy Order use Promo Code:
go35off2
GoDaddy Promo Codes always save you money, check out my Promo Codes Today

PlayPlay

IonAudio introduces Job Rocker

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 5:03 PM on February 22, 2013

ion audio job rockerIf you are in the market for serious portable speakers for a job site or a backyard party the Ion Audio has you covered. When I say serious, I mean industrial size and strength.

Bars not only protect the speaker, but also make for easy transport. The device batter powered and Ion Audio claims up to 50 hours of battery life. It has both wireless, Bluetooth and auxiliary inputs, the side acts as a power strip, AM-FM radio and is rugged enought to withstand a job site with sawdust, dirt and more.

The speaker weighs just over 20 pounds and pricing and availability have not yet been announced.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and RV News Net and Daniel J Lewis of  Audacity to Podcast

Sponsored by:
On new orders get 35% Off your GoDaddy Order use Promo Code:
go35off2
GoDaddy Promo Codes always save you money, check out my Promo Codes Today

PlayPlay