Philips self-optimizing monitors include embedded Bluetooth speakers

Philips Moda 2 front

Philips has introduced a new pair of monitors, the Moda 2 that feature not only a stunning AH-IPS high definition self-optimizing display, but also built-in pair of wireless surround sound Bluetooth speakers with speakerphone and built-in mic.

The speakers cleverly located in the base of the monitor, output an efficient 7 watts x 2, specially tuned with Philips SRS WOW HD sound technology, for an immersive Virtual 5.1 surround sound experience. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog

Is LG redefining the laundry category?

LG_Twin_Wash_System_500
The invention of the iPhone may have once redefined the phone category, but LG’s latest washer and dryer designs might just have done the same for the laundry category. They’ve just introduced a revolutionary front-loading TWIN Wash system that allows two different loads of laundry to be washed at the same time along with Wi-Fi and NFC integration bringing about a plethora of smart connectivity options including integration with LG’s home chat messaging service.

Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog

Braven LUX it’s not a purse but a speaker

LuxLady

If you see a lady with the Braven LUX, you might comment on her stylish clutch purse. While she might be flattered with the compliment, you may be surprised to find that it’s not a purse, but a new limited edition wireless speaker from Braven’s Design Series.

“The LUX breaks the typical Bluetooth speaker design mould by combining luxury with a feminine style,” says Lauren Bos, Brand Manager.  “Fashion-conscious music lovers now have a portable speaker that’s as stylish as it is pure in sound.” Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog

Braven Fuse palm-sized wireless mixing console

Braven Fuse

There are wireless music players, wireless headphones, wireless mice, and wireless speakers but for someone who wants to do a little bit of the DJ thing it might be tough to find an actual wireless mixer, until now. At International CES 2015 (CES) Braven, known for their funky portable wireless speakers announced the Braven Fuse, a portable wireless multi-channel mixing console.

What’s really cool, is not only is it wireless, it’s tiny, measuring only 5 inches long and can literally fit in the palm of your hand. It’s multichanneled, so you pair two devices along with two speakers via Bluetooth. It has two volume slider controls, one for each channel along with a cross fader. Read more… at Canoe Tech Blog.

App Store price hikes in Canada encourages bargain hunting

FREEAPP SCREEN

As Apple hikes the price of those just under a buck apps in Canada to $1.19, it looks like for now, the $0.99 app is a thing of the past  The cause of the increase, no doubt, is due to our weaker Loonie, closing Tuesday at $0.8365 against the US Greenback. And it was just a matter of time before the exchange rate differential caught up with pricing north of the border.

I guess it was great while it lasted. With the same prices on both sides of the border, we in essence for a short time were getting apps almost 20% cheaper than our friends to the south. It was a nice little bonus considering that historically, even when the dollar was at parity with the U.S., we were paying significantly more for many of the same products up here. Read more… At Canoe Tech Blog

CES 2015 Last Gadget Standing winners

MeccanoidWith thousands of new products being rolled out and announced every year at International CES you always have to wonder, “which product will succeed?” which is the basis for Last Gadget Standing. It’s a competition, now in its 14th year, that sees one winner selected from a live audience at CES and the other from an on-line audience with entries having been previewed starting in late September of the previous year. For 2015, the top honours go to MeccaNoid from Meccano in the “live” category and SCiO from Consumer Physics Inc., takes home the online honours. Read more at Canoe Tech Blog.

iRig Mic Field records stereo in landscape or portrait mode

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Back in 2012, here at CanoeTech Blog we reviewed IK Multimedia’s iRig Mic Cast a portable external microphone you popped into the headphone port of your iOS device. Skip ahead to 2015 and its follow-up product, the iRig Mic Field is a new and improved stereo and now digital microphone perfect, as the name says, for field recording and for both audio and video projects.
The iRig Mic Field connects digitally through your devices Lightning connector instead of the headphone jack eliminating any analog noise. It has a built-in 24-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) converter with sampling rates as high as 48 kHz as well as a high-def low noise preamp for efficient quality recordings.  Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog

Wearable anti-fatigue brainwave detector may saves lives

Impecca The Alert Band Photo with man
A new wearable gadget that attaches to a driver’s forehead promises to send real-time alerts to an iPhone or Android device three to five minutes before the driver falls asleep. It’s called The Alert Band by Impecca and it’s being introduced at International CES 2015. The device which the company says is 90% accurate, is designed to sense fatigue and help prevent accidents.
The idea for The Alert Band came about after a friend of the developer was severely injured in a car accident because someone had hit him after they had fallen asleep behind the wheel. Read more…at CanoeTech Blog

Transform your cassette deck into a wireless receiver

IONCassetteAdapterBluetooth

If you’re still driving an old or classic car, chances are as long as it’s not too ancient, it’s equipped with an AM/FM Cassette Deck. Now while it still might sound pretty good, likely most of your cassettes have been more than sunbaked and it’s still not up to today’s digital standards. So here’s a little gadget, the ION Cassette Adapter Bluetooth that transforms your cassette player into a wireless music receiver allowing you stream tunes from your portable device through to your car’s speakers.

It’s shaped like a cassette tape; obviously, as it would need to fits into a cassette player. Looking directly at its front face, the microphone and the micro USB charging port are both on the left-hand side along with the on/off sensor which automatically powers the adapter either on or off when you insert or eject the adapter from the player.  READ MORE at Canoe Tech Blog.

Last minute gadget gift ideas

Epson LabelMaker Jar smallMany of us wait for the last minute to pick up our gifts for loved ones so here’s a few 11th hour ideas to help you get through that special day. If it’s too late to get them in, think of them as ideas for Boxing week, which in some places, has already started.

Ultra Portable Mini Groove Controller

If you’re looking for a great gift idea for a budding music producer, music lover or someone who just likes to tap out a beat, cue up loops or mix like a DJ, then check out one of the newest gadgets from IK Multimedia – iRig Pads, a full featured ultra-portable universal MIDI groove controller.

One huge feature is its size. It’s a little smaller than an iPad, less than 1″ thick and really lightweight – ideal to port around. It’s designed to consume very little power – in fact it draws peer from whatever it’s plugged in to.  READ MORE at Canoe Tech Blog