Greg Gazin

Refreshed crowd-funded SmartGuitar never needs tuning

March 29, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: accessories, Apple, Apps Alive, Audio, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, New Product · Tagged With: Apple, Kickstarter, music

Coin sized TrackR keeps tabs on your stuff

March 24, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: accessories, Android, Apple, Apps Alive, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, New Product, Product review, travel · Tagged With: bluetooth, GPS, New product

New Apple TV slated for June WWDC?

March 20, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

At Apple’s recent “Spring Forward” event the focus was on the Apple watch and the new MacBook but quietly, Apple reduced the price of the Apple TV in Canada by $20 to $89 without any changes to the product. But little did I realize, that two little words on the Apple TV page at the Apple Store might be an indication of something new and exciting coming down the path.

Those two words were “starting at”. At first, I didn’t think anything of it, because like many people, when looking through a store, I was just browsing, so I really never thought much of “Apple TV starting at $89”. Funny thing is, there is only one Apple TV model but at the time it really didn’t faze me. Read more…at CanoeTech Blog

Filed Under: Apple, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg · Tagged With: Apple, Apple TV, video

Young Toronto entrepreneur takes on Candy Crush turning playtime into paytime

March 20, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

A young Toronto entrepreneur is giving away a minimum of $1,000 per week with the hopes of attracting enough players to play his games and build his user base and then in turn earn ad dollars to take on the likes of Candy Crush. And unlike other revenue models where you need to pay-to-play, this model is Free-2-Win; there are no in-app purchases. And the more you play, the more chances you have to win.

“Our mandate with Big Time is to change the way mobile users play games,” says Jeremy Zuckerman, Founder of WINR Games. “The games are fun on their own, but the opportunity to win cash only adds to the appeal of the app. We’re the first and only free mobile gaming app to offer a cash prize. Our aim is to pave the way for the future of mobile gaming.”

And they’ve already given away lots of green, almost $20K to date. READ Full article at: CanoeTech Blog

Filed Under: Apps Alive, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Gaming, New Product, smartphone · Tagged With: Apps, Canada, Entrepreneurship, Gaming

Review: XSories Big U-Shot designer selfie-stick

March 18, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

It’s hard to go anywhere without seeing someone taking a selfie and were seeing more and more people using monopods to help them do the dirty deed. So if you’re going to join the crowd and carry one around, it might as well be one that has a long range but also somewhat fashionable just like the XSories Big U-shot Deluxe Leather Telescopic Pole.

Now I have seen many selfie-sticks, but never one that has both a genuine leather leash and a tailor-made matching hand-stitched leather handle, which I have to admit, has a fairly appealing stylish urban look.

The leather handle cover is quite soft, very comfortable to grip and is actually just the right size. The telescopic frame is made of aluminum with a hard anodized finish, which is 29cm long when closed and extends out in four sections to a maximum of 93cm. You extend it by pulling out and turning to the right and to lock it in place simply turn it to the left. When you’re done, simply reverse the process. READ FULL ARTICLE at G4TV.ca

Filed Under: accessories, GadgetGreg, Hands On, New Product, Product review, Review · Tagged With: accessories, New product, Review, Selfie

Furious 7 behind-the-scenes C-130 plane car drop

March 12, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

If you haven’t had enough of the Fast and Furious, the seventh instalment of the high-octane movie franchise will be hitting the big screens next month starring returning veterans Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson and the late Paul Walker. While it’s sure to be action filled, it features a really cool stunt where a car is actually being dropped from a plane. Ever wonder, how do they do that?

Read more…and see the videos at CanoeTech Blog

Filed Under: Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, In the news · Tagged With: movies, news

PRONG new PWR Case for iPhone 6 on Indiegogo – funded

March 12, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

PRONG launched the New PWR Case for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus on Indiegogo and it’s now totally funded having raised over $63K of their $50K goal with 15 days still left.

The PWR Case comes equipped with a detachable battery and built-in plugs, allowing users to easily charge up their iPhones without to the need for a wall adapter and cable. You can now charge your device anywhere and at any time.

The PWR iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus case comes in two components. First, there’s a bumper attachment that acts like a normal bumper case, and then the actual charging attachment can clip on and off the bumper case.

For more information, check out Prong’s Indiegogo page.

Filed Under: accessories, Apple, GadgetGreg, In the news, New Product · Tagged With: Apple, cases, charger, indiegogo, iPhone 6, New product

Apple Watch Canadian pricing and availability announced

March 9, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Applewatch At today’s Spring Forward Event and after much anticipation, Apple officially rolled out and finally announced pricing and availability of the Apple Watch collection: the Apple Watch Sport the Apple Watch and the 18 karat gold Apple Edition.

The Apple watch, which Apple calls “its most personal device yet and the newest innovative addition to Apple’s ecosystem,” will be available in nine countries including Canada on Friday, April 24th. They will also be available for preorder beginning on April 10th. Read full article and details on the Apple Watch and other announcements at CanoeTech Blog.

Filed Under: Apple · Tagged With: Apple Watch, macbook, new products

iPhone 6 cases for devout minimalists

March 6, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

Every new iPhone brings a subsequent onslaught of new accessories, especially cases, covers and protective housings and in so many different shapes and sizes. In fact there are so many, it’s tough to even count them. So today, we’re going to look at a few cases and protective housings for your iPhone 6 designed with the minimalist in mind – someone who likes to keep their prized possession protected but prefers to avoid adding too much bulkiness.

Read more… at Canoe Tech Blog

Filed Under: accessories, Apple, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Going Mobile, New Product · Tagged With: accessories, Apple, cases, new products

Square now accepts offline credit card payments

March 4, 2015 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

I’m sure many of you by now are familiar with Square. It’s a service that allows businesses or even individuals to accept payment by credit card using a little dongle attached to the headphone jack of their smartphone or tablet. This type of service relies on the ability to securely transmit card information either through an Internet connection or data connection like 3G, 4G or LTE. But what happens when there’s no connection available? Read more…at CanoeTech Blog.

Filed Under: Business, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Going Mobile, Taking care of business · Tagged With: mobile payment, small business