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.

Major web upgrade comes to Netflix

The app like design provides consistency across platforms, including mobile devices

New_Netflix_Website_ENEDMONTON, AB Jun 16, 2015/ Troy Media/ – After four years, Netflix has finally decided that it was time for an overhaul of their website. Gone are those cascading box shots that scrolled right to left like moving sidewalks at the airport. They’ve been replaced with an interface that resembles a more modern app experience than a traditional series of webpages.

Now to be fair, the site was pretty cool when it was originally designed, but four years in technology is a pretty long time. The company says that it has redesigned to take advantage of the availability of more sophisticated technology that allows for richer visuals and animations. The app like design makes sense by providing consistency across platforms as more people watch Netflix on their mobile devices including smart phones and tablets.  Read Full Post at Troy Media.

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.

iRig UA: First near-zero latency Android guitar effects processor

 

iRig UA _02Apple iOS has been the mobile OS of choice for many artists and musicians for many reasons with one factor being the inconsistency of Android devices/OSs with respect to audio latency – the time delay as audio passes through the system. So when IK Multimedia decided to create an Android version of iRig, their digital guitar interface and effects processor, instead of trying compensate for the myriad of Android flavours, they used a novel approach. The result: iRig UA, the first of its kind guitar and effects processor for Android devices with near-zero latency.  READ FULL REVIEW at CANOE TECH BLOG

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Apple recalls Beats Pill XL Speakers

BeatsPillXLIf you own Beats Pill XL headphones, it may be possible the battery might overheat and catch on fire. To that end, Apple announced today that they are voluntary recalling these speakers and will issue a full refund for customers.

While Apple says the occurrence is rare, they may still pose a fire risk. So not to take any chances Apple has requested that anyone who is currently using these speakers to stop using them immediately.

Apple says the Beats Pill XL can be identified by the Beats “b” logo on the speaker grille and the words “beats pill XL” on the handle and could come in any of the five colours: black, metallic sky, pink, titanium and white.  Get full story at: Canoe Tech Blog.

Grid-It woven elastic system keeps you organized

Gridit LArgeIf you ever had to dig through your backpack or kit bag trying to find a cable or accessory, it can certainly be a real pain, especially when you’re in hurry. The solution, which at first you may not think novel, is elastic bands. But not just any elastic bands, but rather a purposefully organized system of interwoven bands by Cocoon Innovations appropriately called Grid-It.
Grid-It is the ultimate organizer. Grid-Its come in various shapes and sizes and while they were likely designed for gadgets like your iPhone and accessories like your earbuds and charging cable, you can use one for just about anything you could potentially tuck under or wrap in an elastic band.  Read full post at Canoe Tech Blog.

Review: iKlip Grip multifunction video stand with Bluetooth shutter remote

iKlip Grip TallAccessory maker IK Multimedia is back with yet another addition to their iKlip product line, this time, the iKlip Grip that at first glance looks like just another monopod or selfie-stick. But it’s more than that. It’s a cleverly designed modular 4-in-1 accessory offering additional functionality as a desktop tripod, a handle/stabilizer and a tripod adapter with a Bluetooth shutter remote to boot.

In the package you get a handle/tripod, extender, a bracket/tripod adapter plus a remote Bluetooth shutter, that when paired with a compatible device allows you to take a snapshot remotely. Read Full Review at CanoeTech Blog.

 

Review: ECOPEBBLE Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

1 ECOPEBBLEThere are many portable Bluetooth speakers on the market, a number of which are rated to resist occasional splash. However, the new ECOPEBBLE by EcoXGear has a waterproof/dustproof rating of IPX7, so it’s designed to not only keep out debris, but also water even when fully immersed to a depth of one metre for 30 minutes.

The ECOPEBBLE speaker is tiny and almost square, measuring 2.8 inches high, 2.9 inches wide by 2.8 inches deep and weighs a mere eight ounces. Its perimeter is fully rubberized with big button controls on the top and threaded camera mount screw post on the bottom to attach accessories or mounts. On one side is a colour grille and the other cleverly hidden panel behind a lanyard mounted lens-cap style cover that hides a 3.5” AUX audio-in jack for a wired connection, a microUSB input port for charging, a status indicator light and a main power switch.  Read full article at G4TV.ca.

Apple refreshes both 15-inch MacBook and iMac with Retina 5K display

iMAc5KApple announced today that it has refreshed the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display adding new and enhanced features, including the new Force Touch trackpad found on the 12-inch MacBook and the refreshed the MacBook Pro 13-inch introduced back in March. They’ve also added a new lower cost configuration of their ultra high-resolution desktop 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display.

“The response to the new MacBook and updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display has been amazing, and today we are thrilled to bring the new Force Touch trackpad, faster flash storage and longer battery life to the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Customers love the groundbreaking iMac with Retina 5K display, and now with a new lower starting price, even more people can experience the best desktop we’ve ever made.”  Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog

 

Overcrowding halts RazerStore Taipei weekend launch activities

RazerStore_CrowdWe all know the sheer mass of the crowd size we can find at Apple stores on a new product launch day, but it’s usually manageable and not usually a cause to shut down the festivities. However, for the kick-off of a new RazerStore in Taipei, Taiwan, this was not to be the case.

According to Razer, a big name in connected devices and software for gamers, due to massive overcrowding at the launch of the new store at Syntrend Mall, mall management requested that Razer suspend its weekend launch activities, citing safety concerns.  Read full post at Canoe Tech Blog.