Greg Gazin

Illuminating iPhone power case for the perfect Selfie

July 6, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

To help you get the perfect lighting when taking a Selfie with the latest iPhone 6 models, Pyle Audio has unveiled the Lite-Me Selfie Lighted Smart Case, a slim-fitting multi-function case fitted with a series of super-bright LEDs to give your self-portrait the lighting it needs.

You could of course opt to use Apple’s Retina Flash, which illuminates the phone’s display as a way of simulating the flash. However, it can only be set to on, off or auto and given an almost unlimited array or lighting conditions does not give you the flexibility you’ll likely need. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: accessories, Apple, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Going Mobile, New Product · Tagged With: battery charger, battery power, case, flashlight, iPhone Accessories, New product

Technics direct-drive turntable a Grand Class experience

July 2, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Many may think that CDs and DVDs have gone way of the dodo bird as digital downloads and streaming services seem to be in great supply. However vinyl, which for some may be a distant memory, seems to be making a real comeback, especially for Hi-Fi enthusiasts. Technics is betting on it, unveiling the ultimate turntable — the Technics Grand Class Direct Drive Turntable System SL-1200G.

This new turntable is designed for the ultimate Audiophile who craves the depth and warmth of the LP – the vinyl disc. Now turntables are nothing new, but this new model is designed to use the latest technology to overcome some of the challenges that plagued the turntables of yesteryear. Read full details at CanoeTech Blog.

Filed Under: Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, New Product, sound · Tagged With: Audio, music, New product, vinyl

Sub $200 HP Chromebook Android app friendly boasts 12.5 hr battery

June 30, 2016 by Greg Gazin · 1 Comment

HP is rebooting its 11-inch Chromebook, announcing a newer sleeker stylish laptop that offers an optional touchscreen, all-day battery life and designed to be Android app friendly.

The new model the HP Chromebook 11 G5 will come with a totally redesigned chassis. It’s thinner, has narrower display bezels and at only 2.51lb. (non-touchscreen model), it’s over 10% lighter than its predecessor, making it ideal for an ultra-mobile road warrior.

It will have an 11.6″ (1366 x 768) display and will be available with or without a touchscreen. The standard screen will feature anti-glare and the touchscreen model is made with Corning Gorilla Glass.

Expect battery life will vary slightly with the different screens – 12.5 hours and 11 hours respectively. Read full post at CanoeTech Blog.

Filed Under: Android, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Going Mobile, laptops, New Product, Signs of the Times · Tagged With: Android, Google, New product, Notebook

Cel-Fi PRO boosts your cell signal at home

June 26, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

A dropped cellphone call can be a real annoyance, but even worse might be an interrupted data transfer due to poor LTE, 4G or 3G coverage. And while we may be at the mercy of whatever location we’re at, there is something we can do about improving our voice and data coverage at home by using a plug and play smart signal booster like the Cel-Fi PRO Smart Signal Booster by Nextivity.

Five Minute Install

The beauty is it’s a solution that consists of just two wireless AC powered boxes – a Network Unit (Sender) and a Coverage Unit (Receiver) and you don’t have to climb up on your roof or install antennas nor do you need to schedule a technician to get it up and running. It takes about five minutes.

Basically, how it works is you place the Network Unit (NU) at a location in your home where you have the strongest signal, which I would suspect for most is likely by a window. Having four bars of signal is ideal, but the booster will work with as little as one. Then, place the Coverage Unit (CU) where the signal is weakest but close enough to the Network unit so they can talk to each other. It will likely be somewhere in the middle of your house. Of course the building’s materials will affect the signal. Read full Review at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Hands On, New Product · Tagged With: Cellular, New product, product review, wireless

BoostCube is an iClever little 4-port charger

June 18, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

The iClever BoostCube 4-port is a smart 40W/8A USB wall charger whose claim to fame is that it can up charge to four USB devices simultaneously at full power from a single plug. At 2.45” x 2.45” x 1.12” it has a small and sleek form factor with a nice quality finish that’s about the same width and about 1/2” bigger than an iPad charger but smaller than a MacBook AC charging block.

iClever BoostCube features SmartID. This means it can recognize the type of device plugged into it and deliver up to the full 2A per plug and charge the likes of the iPad Pro, iPhone 6S Plus, Samsung Galaxy S7, LG G5 and others at the same rate as their original chargers but up to four at a time. Read full review at Canoe_Tech Blog.

Filed Under: accessories, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Hands On, Product review · Tagged With: accessories, chargers, product review, USB

Treat dad to gadgets this Father’s Day

June 17, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Microsoft-Sculpt-Ergonomic- EDMONTON, Alta. June 17, 2016/ Troy Media/ – Looking for the right gadget for Dad on Father’s Day? If so, here are a few ideas that will certainly put a smile on his face.

If Dad spends a lot of time in front of his keyboard and likes to stay comfortable, the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Wireless Desktop may be something he’ll enjoy. It consists of an all-wireless ergonomic keyboard with a cushioned palm rest, a multifunction ergo-mouse and a separate numeric keypad.

Unlike a typical keyboard, this one offers a domed design and arc style split key set which allows Dad to keep his wrists and forearms in a very natural and relaxing position.

The mouse has a nice ergo shape to keep Dad’s wrists from getting tired. It also has a four-way scroll wheel, so Dad can navigate left and right, up and down. It has a Back button and Windows button to quickly get to the start screen without moving the cursor. Read full article at Troy Media.

Filed Under: accessories, GadgetGreg, New Product, Troy Media · Tagged With: accessories, father's Day, Gadgets, gift ideas

Family purchase Father’s Day gift ideas

June 15, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

It’s always fun yet sometimes challenging trying to pick out a gift for the Dad who likes gadgets, as there are so many to choose from. Here are a just a few ideas of some of the newer, perhaps a little more buy-as-a-family type gadgets and gifts to hit the market for you to choose from.

Kindle Oasis

For starters, the Kindle Oasis, the newest Kindle e-book offering seems to have been made with Dad in mind. It’s thinner, lighter and shorter yet a tad wider than previous models.

Like other models, it has a 6″ display e-Ink display and 300 ppi (pixels-per-inch) resolution found on most models and is enhanced with the use of 10 LEDs for even better page readability. In addition to a touch screen this model also has two physical page turning buttons and a larger frame area on one side so Dads with larger hands can easily grip it in one hand.

And it doesn’t matter if he’s right or left handed as Kindle will automatically adjust the page’s orientation to suit the hand. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, New Product · Tagged With: ebook, father's Day, gift ideas, Kindle, new products, smart watch

Toastcaster 67 Ummo App: Your Harvard Developed Personalized Speech Coach

June 13, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

[27:46] Ummo App is your personalized speech coach & crutch-word finder developed at Harvard University. Greg speaks with two of its developers from Dehli, India and the Bay Area in California, Anshul Bhagi and Sam Li who tell us what the app’s about; how they developed it and how IBM’s Watson plays a role.

They also tell us how you can use it to analyze and improve your speaking skills and share how Boston Toastmasters have been involved and what the future has in store for the app. You can find more Toastcaster Podcasts at Toastcaster.com or iTunes.

Filed Under: Apps Alive, GadgetGreg, podcast, Speaking, Toastmasters · Tagged With: app, podcast, speaking coach, toastcaster

Free wake-up service fit for the Queen

June 12, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Not everyone has a cellphone, a computer or even an alarm clock, so when our long-retired Aunt called to find a wake-up call service for 2:55AM MDT to watch the Queen’s 90th Birthday celebration, she mentioned that she had heard there was an on-line service that could do the job. I too thought there must be one or even an app for that.

No Time to Lose

With less than six-hours of available shut-eye for dear old Aunt, I quickly started a little digging and noticed there were a number of services. Some ask you to set up an account; others offered a one-time free call, a few more freebies if you signed in and of course a charge behind that. Read Full Post at Canoe Tech Blog.

Filed Under: Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Signs of the Times, What the? · Tagged With: phone, travel

G4TV: Star Wars and other tech inspired Father’s Day gift ideas

June 10, 2016 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Father’s Day is just around the corner and picking the right gift can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. So here are a few gadget gift ideas that might pique your interest and help you find the special one for that special Dad.
BB-8 App-Enabled Droid

For the ultimate Star Wars Dad and at the risk of sounding cliché, the Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid just might be the one he’s looking for. More than just a toy, it’s a Bluetooth BLE enabled interactive robot with an adaptive personality that evolves the more you play with it to give Dad virtually endless fun. It even listens and responds to voice commands like “Look Around,” “Wake up” and “Watch out” and like a pet BB-8 perks up when you talk to it. Order him around or even send him out on patrol and BB-8 will explore by itself. Read Full Post at G4TV Canada.