Archives for May 2015

Grid-It woven elastic system keeps you organized

Gridit LArgeIf you ever had to dig through your backpack or kit bag trying to find a cable or accessory, it can certainly be a real pain, especially when you’re in hurry. The solution, which at first you may not think novel, is elastic bands. But not just any elastic bands, but rather a purposefully organized system of interwoven bands by Cocoon Innovations appropriately called Grid-It.
Grid-It is the ultimate organizer. Grid-Its come in various shapes and sizes and while they were likely designed for gadgets like your iPhone and accessories like your earbuds and charging cable, you can use one for just about anything you could potentially tuck under or wrap in an elastic band.  Read full post at Canoe Tech Blog.

Review: PureGear Bluetooth enabled selfie stick

1 PureGearSelfieStickThe invention of the monopod opened the doors to almost endless selfie possibilities as people no longer had to rely solely on the length of their arm for getting the right shot. And while timers certainly made the task a little easier there was certainly room for improvement. So in their infinite wisdom, accessory maker Pure Gear decided to create a selfie stick that was Bluetooth enabled with an in-line shutter button so you’d no longer have to reach for your device to snap the picture.

The Pure Gear Selfie Stick is small and compact, yet with it’s sleek aerial style telescopic arm can extend the length of your arm from about eight inches to just under three feet. It has a non-slip rubber coated handle and detachable lanyard to ensure it stays in hand.

Its head is made of sturdy thermoplastic and fitted with a spring-loaded style clamp as seen on some other sticks, but with certain enhancements. The upper portion of the clamp is fully rubberized. This allows for better gripping of the edge of your smartphone. The lower portion has a slightly thicker rubber, more like a rounded edged wedge, so when your smartphone is inserted the front of the rubber sits higher, making it more difficult for you smartphone to slip out.   Read Full Review at G4 Canada.

Backyard summer travel tech six pack – CKUA MUSE w/ Tony King

I had another cool opportunity to be a guest on CKUA Radio MUSE a new radio program hosted by Tony King. On this episode, I spoke with Tony about three cool gadgets and three apps (plus one bonus app), that can help you take a travel right from your backyard pool.  Original air date: May 24, 2015. (06:37)

 

Review: iKlip Grip multifunction video stand with Bluetooth shutter remote

iKlip Grip TallAccessory maker IK Multimedia is back with yet another addition to their iKlip product line, this time, the iKlip Grip that at first glance looks like just another monopod or selfie-stick. But it’s more than that. It’s a cleverly designed modular 4-in-1 accessory offering additional functionality as a desktop tripod, a handle/stabilizer and a tripod adapter with a Bluetooth shutter remote to boot.

In the package you get a handle/tripod, extender, a bracket/tripod adapter plus a remote Bluetooth shutter, that when paired with a compatible device allows you to take a snapshot remotely. Read Full Review at CanoeTech Blog.

 

Review: ECOPEBBLE Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

1 ECOPEBBLEThere are many portable Bluetooth speakers on the market, a number of which are rated to resist occasional splash. However, the new ECOPEBBLE by EcoXGear has a waterproof/dustproof rating of IPX7, so it’s designed to not only keep out debris, but also water even when fully immersed to a depth of one metre for 30 minutes.

The ECOPEBBLE speaker is tiny and almost square, measuring 2.8 inches high, 2.9 inches wide by 2.8 inches deep and weighs a mere eight ounces. Its perimeter is fully rubberized with big button controls on the top and threaded camera mount screw post on the bottom to attach accessories or mounts. On one side is a colour grille and the other cleverly hidden panel behind a lanyard mounted lens-cap style cover that hides a 3.5” AUX audio-in jack for a wired connection, a microUSB input port for charging, a status indicator light and a main power switch.  Read full article at G4TV.ca.

Apple refreshes both 15-inch MacBook and iMac with Retina 5K display

iMAc5KApple announced today that it has refreshed the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display adding new and enhanced features, including the new Force Touch trackpad found on the 12-inch MacBook and the refreshed the MacBook Pro 13-inch introduced back in March. They’ve also added a new lower cost configuration of their ultra high-resolution desktop 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display.

“The response to the new MacBook and updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display has been amazing, and today we are thrilled to bring the new Force Touch trackpad, faster flash storage and longer battery life to the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Customers love the groundbreaking iMac with Retina 5K display, and now with a new lower starting price, even more people can experience the best desktop we’ve ever made.”  Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog

 

SoundCover: Ultra thin folio speaker for iPad

onanoffSoundCover by Onanoff is a new folio speaker that amplifies your iPad’s volume by up to 400 percent and doubles as a carrier for your device when you’re on-the-go, it:

  • Brings your iPad’s music, movies, conference calls and games to life with two built-in flat panel speakers
  • Allows you to wirelessly control music from a tablet up to 33 ft. away and produces a 360 degree audio field and is
  • One of the slimmest speakers on the market at 14 mm thin and is intended for maximum portability and travel
  • iPad clips into the SoundCover with the screen facing in to protect it from scratches during travel
  • Matte metal finish fits in with the most design-conscience homes and offices
  • Sophisticated built-in microphone makes it the ideal audio accessory for calls
  • Can be paired with any Bluetooth enabled device, fits with iPad Air and iPad Air 2

SoundCover can be paired with any Bluetooth enabled device, fits with iPad Air and iPad Air 2. It’s available in three colours: Gold, Space Grey and Tactical Black and retails for $199 US. For more info visit Onanoff.com.

via Onanoff

Overcrowding halts RazerStore Taipei weekend launch activities

RazerStore_CrowdWe all know the sheer mass of the crowd size we can find at Apple stores on a new product launch day, but it’s usually manageable and not usually a cause to shut down the festivities. However, for the kick-off of a new RazerStore in Taipei, Taiwan, this was not to be the case.

According to Razer, a big name in connected devices and software for gamers, due to massive overcrowding at the launch of the new store at Syntrend Mall, mall management requested that Razer suspend its weekend launch activities, citing safety concerns.  Read full post at Canoe Tech Blog.

 

PowerSkin launches ONE CENT battery pack promotion (US ONLY)

POPN SkinIf you live in the continental US and are looking for a portable charging solution, then until May 16th at 11:59PM ET, you will be able will be able to purchase select PoP’n portable battery pack for only a penny, plus shipping.  The battery packs are available for select Android phones and iPhone 4 & 5/5C/5S and currently sell for $49.99 U.S.

PoP’n is not a battery case, it’s a hybrid. Its unique design allows for quick, on the go power, only when needed. Press PoP’n right onto the back of a smooth surfaced smartphone or case, charge the phone up, pull PoP’n off and it’s ready to go!

PoP’n’s slim design easily fits in a pocket, any bag, clutch, or purse and adds a bold dash of color to a phone should you want to accessorize and show your own personal style.  The PoP’n chargers feature a 10mm case and lightweight design, weighing only 3.03 ounces and have a respectable 2000 mAh battery.

You need to visit PowerSkin’s PoP’n promo page and use the codeword “ONECENT” at the checkout. It’s a limited time offer and of course, quantities are also limited. There is a limit of one unit per order.  The chargers are available in a variety of colors including white, black, red and pink.

via PowerSkin

Microsoft ends Windows Server 2003 support July 14th

Server EndsIn the finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation the omnipotent character ”Q” says to Captain Jean-Luc Picard, “All good things must come to an end.” It’s true and times are different now and for those who have found solace in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 over the last 13 years, including the 40% of those Microsoft servers in Canada still running it, support for those using this platform will end on July 14, 2015.

With no further support, it seems that resistance will be futile, so the folks at Microsoft have created an infographic to enlighten those who may have questions and show the importance of migrating to a cloud-based server. See infographic and read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.