R.I.P. Windows Server 2003 support

WindowsServer

Back in May, we reported here at CanoeTech Blog, the end was nigh for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 support and shared what action you might considering taking to minimize the pain of migration to a new successor. It’s amazing how time flies, because folks, that day is today. Starting tomorrow, anyone still running Windows Server 2003 will no longer have the pleasure of getting any further updates, security patches or technical support from Microsoft leaving them vulnerable to possible breaches and future compatibility issues. Read full post at CanoeTech Blog.

Doctor Who time travels into Lego Dimensions

DrWhoScreenShotWhile I don’t profess to be a gameaholic like some of my colleagues, the combination of Doctor Who, Lego and video games really piqued my curiosity. While Doctor Who has never before materialized into a Lego video game, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment recently unveiled at the San Diego Comic-Con some of the details about Doctor Who in Lego Dimensions.

This latest creation merges the world of bricks and mortar with interactive console gameplay. To be more accurate, it’s Lego brick building. What’s really cool is that it will feature the 12th Doctor, Clara Oswald and Missy, voiced by actors Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and Michelle Gomez. Read full post at CanoeTech Blog.

Braven powerbank that’s smart, rugged and Bluetooth enabled

Braven BRV-BankAs the weather heats up this summer and people pack up the car and head out to connect with nature, they still want to stay connected and that means keeping their gadgets charged. One cool gadget that can help do that and more is the rugged Braven BRV-BANK. It’s more than just a battery and like a good bank, it offers an array of “services” you would expect from a bank and a few more. Surprisingly, it’s Bluetooth 4.0 enabled and can be remotely controlled.

As for power, it features a rechargeable lithium-ion 6000mAh battery that can recharge two 5V USB enabled gadgets at a time. Port 1 is configured to output 5V/1A for recharging typical gadgets like smartphone accessories and Port 2 outputs 5V/2.4A suitable to recharge power-hungry devices like the iPad. Once drained, it can be fully juiced up in 4-5 hours via its micro-USB charging port. READ MORE at CanoeTech Blog.

Albert Clock makes you think to know the time

Albert Clock Hold

A clock is something that’s used to tell you the time and perhaps wake you up in the morning, but MNTNT, a little humble Paris design studio had the idea that it could be more than that. In addition to simply providing information, it could also be a “digital object” that keeps your mind active and at the same time improve the mathematical skills of kids and grownups alike. And thus, Albert or more specifically, the Albert Clock was conceived.

Named after Albert Einstein, the idea behind the innovation is that instead of just giving you the hour and minute of the day, you’d be faced with a math problem to solve and the results would be in hours and minutes respectively. So to know that it’s 8:30, you’ll have to do a little calculation; 18-10 = 8 and 26+4 = 30. Made you think, didn’t it? To keep it more fun, interesting and challenging, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division can be set to four different levels of difficulty.  READ Full Post at CanoeTech Blog

IK offers free 96kHz firmware upgrade for iRig PRO and iRig HD

iRigPRO_in_hand_2015
While today is Canada Day, owners of the iRig Pro and iRig HD mobile audio interfaces have another reason to celebrate. These funky little devices that enable high-resolution audio sampling can now be enhanced via a firmware update to sample at higher 24-bit 96kHz, for free.

IK Multimedia, creators of the iRig HD and iRig Pro, announced today the no-charge update for registered owners of these devices, allowing them to double their original 24-bit 48kHz sampling rate. According to the company, the update will effectively now allow musicians to, “play and record with recording studio quality sound and capture even more of the subtle nuance and detail of analog instruments and other input sources.”  Read Full Article at: Canoe Tech Blog.

Did I just miss a call from myself?

CallerIdSpoofingIf I told you that I just missed the call from myself, you’d likely think either I had started Canada Day celebrations just a little bit early or I was totally losing it. But it’s true. My phone rang and my caller ID had my own number on it. However, it wasn’t me or my voicemail calling, it’s just another way that telemarketers and phone scam artists are trying to get you to pick up your phone.

I have to admit, it took me by surprise. I’ve become wise to the “unknown name unknown number”, “private caller” and the mysterious 1-800 or 1-888 numbers and even repeated calls that originated from my local area code. But when I got a call from my own number it caught me little off guard.

Wouldn’t you be curious enough to pick up the phone call coming from your own number?  READ MORE at CanoeTech Blog.

 

Epson WorkForce All-In-One inkjet rivals multifunction laser

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Attention all Dads. Did you end up with a gift card for Father’s Day and wondering what kind of gadget you might get yourself?  If you’re the kind of guy who likes to buy things that are both useful and practical for both home or office and that can also be shared with the family, then check out the Epson WorkForce WF-3640, an affordable colour inkjet all-in-one that fits those criteria and rivals multifunction lasers.

All-in-one really means 4-in-1.  It prints, copies, scans and yes, it even faxes for the few times you will actually need to. It’s pretty quick too, rated at 19ppm in black and 10ppm in colour and a little more than half that speed when printing double-sided.  It uses the latest DURABrite Ultra pigment ink so it shouldn’t fade or smudge.  Read more…at CanoeTech Blog.

Mic Room by IK Multimedia turns one mic into twenty

microomWouldn’t it be nice to be able to use a myriad of studio microphones to get the right sound without even having to unplug the one you’re currently using? Well with Mic Room by IK Multimedia you now can. Mic Room is a simple and clever microphone-modeling app for your iOS device that transforms your microphone. It can turn your iRig Mic HD, iRig Mic Field or even your iPhone’s built-in mic or even Apple earbuds into a Shure SM58, an AKG C12 condenser or even a classic foam capsule old-time late night radio mic and more.

It’s a great concept. If we think of classic tracks or the music we want to create, being able to have just the right condenser, dynamic or ribbon mic can make things sound exactly the way they should.  We have virtual amps, why not mics, too? Read more…at CanoeTech Blog.

Fathers Day gifts for gadget-loving Dads

Kinivo snapIt’s that time again finding the right gift for dear old Dad. If you’re looking for some funky socks, you won’t find them here unless they’re water-cooled or have embedded sensors, in which case I really should “get me a pair”. But fear not, there are certainly some really cool gadgets for Dad most of which I’m sure he’d be happy to share with the family.

Galileo Motorized Robotic Platform

If Dad loves to take pictures and capture video then Galileo by Motrr might be just the accessory he’s looking for. I wouldn’t call it a droid, but a closer description might be an app controlled motorized robotic platform. Galileo will allow Dad to not only prop up his iPhone or iPod touch or even GoPro but also help him zoom, pan, tilt and rotate up to 360 degrees remotely. This can be from either a nearby Bluetooth enabled handheld device or from the other side of the world through the Internet. You can also program Galileo with pre-programmed movements; face tracking and one touch panoramas. Imagine the incredible shots and virtual tours Dad could make. He could also use it for cool Google Hangouts or even a remote security camera. READ Full Post at CanoeTech Blog.

LG Announces 4K FreeSync Display

freesync-mu67LG has just announced a new 27-inch class Ultra HD 4K monitor that offers a 16:9 aspect ratio and a huge 3840 x 2160 screen resolution intended to provide the ultimate gaming experience for both real-time strategy and first-person shooter games that have graphic intensive visuals and ultra fast paced action.

The monitor, the LG 27MU67 features AMD’s FreeSync technology designed to eliminate image tearing and stuttering which typically happens when the monitor’s refresh rate and the graphics card’s frame rate can’t keep up with the other each other and end up out of sync. With the inclusion of FreeSync, even with a refresh range of only 40-60Hz, the gamer will experience both a fluid motion and no loss of frame rate. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.