REVIEW: Electrohome Signature Vinyl Record Player Classic Hi-Fi System

Retro always seems to be in vogue and despite the fact that physical media like CDs and DVDs have more or less given way to streaming and downloading there still seems to be place in some people hearts for the warm sound of vintage vinyl. As a former collector and one who still dusts off the turntable from time to time, I jumped at the opportunity to test drive the Electrohome Signature Vinyl Record Player Classic Turntable Hi-Fi System (EANOS700).

The hi-fi is an eye-opener right from the start. It’s more reminiscent of a mid-century radio rather that the boxy look of a 60s record player. The hefty cabinet has a large footprint (17.9”x13.5”x12.1”) and weighs a hefty 26 pounds. It has a sturdy build, handcrafted mainly from MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) with an antique real walnut veneer finish. It has a retro cloth grill and antique finish brass knobs and buttons. It looks like a model from yesteryear, save for the blue LED panel and front USB port (for both recording and playing), giving telltale signs of a more modern production date.

Hidden behind the grille are four speakers – 2 x 15W and 2 x 5W. The front face shows an obvious built-in AM/FM tuner with an analog scale and rotary tuning dial. It also has a single tray-load CD player.  Read Full Review at G4 Canada

VERT transmits how high you can jump

Back in the mid-eighties, when Van Halen’s David Lee Roth sang “might as well ‘jump’,” he probably never thought that he could wear a device on his waistband that could tell him how fast, how high and in which direction let alone share that information with his adoring fans both in the audience and half way around the globe. That’s obvious since smartphones and the Internet, as we know it today didn’t exist, but more specifically, the VERT, Jump Rate Monitor, by Mayfonk Athletic Inc. hadn’t yet been invented, until now.

The wearable jumping device is referred to as a mini IMU, Inertial Measurement Unit that’s small and non evasive. It’s best worn near one’s waist using the VERT training clip or Active Waistband. It has an on-board display but is most useful when data is transmitted, which it does in real-time, so it can be viewed simultaneously on your smartphone or tablet with one of the two apps- the free personal VERT app for iPhone which also allows you to sync your data for historical tracking on myvert.com or the more advanced VERT Coach App for iPad ($119.99). Read full Review at Canoe Tech Blog.

Toastcaster Podcast 053 Visual Productivity

Looking to jumpstart your productivity? DTM and expert Kevin Achtzener returns to Toastcaster and speaks with Greg Gazin about Visual Productivity the new Mind Mapping. He also introduces his new book appropriately entitled – Visual Productivity. (25:33)

Apple confirms Apple Watch in-store preview and on-line pre-orders begin Friday

GoldEDMONTON, AB, April 9, 2015/ Troy Media/ – After much anticipation, Apple confirmed today that the Apple Watch would be available for in-store preview and on-line pre-order beginning tomorrow, Friday, April 10. Previews can be made at local Apple Stores in Canada, the U.S. along with Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and the UK, select galleries in Paris, Tokyo and London and Authorized resellers in Japan and China. On-line ordering will be open to the public at 12:01 a.m. PDT with deliveries starting on April 24th.

With all the on-line buzz the Apple Watch has generated, it seems the stores will certainly be busy on Friday.  Read Full Article at Troy Media.

Wink Hub and Home Automation on CKUA MUSE w/ Tony King

I had another cool opportunity to be a guest columnist on CKUA’s MUSE a new radio program hosted by Tony King. Today I talk about The Wink Hub and Home Automation. (06:52)  ( Original air date: Apr 5, 2015)

Connected AwoX colour SmartLIGHT a modern day disco ball

 

smartlight_color_600x300Connected smart lights are becoming a lot more commonplace and many models are more than just another pretty white light. Thus is the case of the new smartphone controllable A SmartLIGHT Colour light bulb by AwoX based in Montpellier France, fairly new to the Canadian market. It looks like a regular light bulb, compatible with most common lamps, but since it’s LED, it consumes much less power and not only offers up to 16 million colours including multitude of shades of white, it can also sync to the beat your dance music giving you your own modern day disco ball.

The AwoX SmartLIGHT offers a simple smart solution powered from the AC socket of your lamp, but controlled by your iOS or Android device, pairing easily via SmartBluetooth 4.0. The free SmartCONTROL app you can get from the App Store or Google Play will allow you to control the colours, tones, intensity and more. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog

 

Over one third of software developers would marry a robot

Robot

I realize that today is April Fools’ Day but realizing how far and how quick technology has progressed and hearing the fears of respectable tech leaders like Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Steve Wozniak about the rise of intelligent robots and enhanced Artificial Intelligence (AI), it really starts you thinking not just about what is truly possible, but when it might actually happen.

But not everyone thinks it’s totally a bad thing. In a recent ad hoc poll done by Evans Data Corp., 72% of software developers believed that artificial intelligence is beneficial to mankind. Furthermore, 35% said that they would consider marrying a humanoid robot.  Read Full Post and take survey at CanoeTech Blog

Is your microwave a Netflix killer?

MicrowaveThere’s nothing more frustrating than when the family is watching the last episode of House Of Cards Season 3 after binge-watching all day when your son decides to make microwave popcorn. And all of a sudden, the video gets choppy, Netflix starts buffering and rebuffering. It’s not a catastrophe as it eventually resets and comes back but still it can certainly kill the moment and the watching experience. It makes you wonder what does the microwave have to do with your TV?

[Read more…]

Refreshed crowd-funded SmartGuitar never needs tuning

Jamstik+

After the launch of the original jamstik, the Smart Guitar in 2014, Zivix, the creators went back to the drawing board to improve upon their original offering. And just a few days ago, they initiated a Kickstarter campaign for jamstik+, that reached its original funding goal of $50K U.S. in just four hours. They currently have over 900 backers with over $224K U.S. in pledges – four and a half times the original ask.

Jamstik works with your iPad, iPhone or Mac and unlike the guitar you get with RockBand, it uses real guitar strings, real frets and a magnetic pickup. But the real beauty is that it never needs tuning.  It’s quiet, lightweight and portable, measuring only 16” tall and weighing 36 oz.  It has a five-octave range and also handles string bend and vibrato. It runs off its built-in battery rated at over 8 hours of playtime. Read more…at CanoeTech Blog

Coin sized TrackR keeps tabs on your stuff

TrackR Coin

Can’t remember where you left your keys or maybe your phone? If you answered yes to either of these questions then TrackR bravo is the gadget for you. It’s a Bluetooth enabled device paired with a mobile app that using a distance locator, could locate missing items within 30m and possibly beyond. And it’s not just limited to your phone and your keys; it can track anything from pets and bikes to purses and wallets, anything that you attach it to.

It’s tiny. It has a 31mm diameter only 3.5 mm thick and it’s pretty clever. You start by downloading the app for Android or iOS. You then pair TrackR bravo with your compatible smartphone and it will keep tabs on where it is and show it on the map located within the app. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog