Focus 2 easily adds focus, blurring and other lens effects

Focus 2

There are days I’m in such a hurry to take a picture that I’m usually happy if it all comes out in focus. But there are times where adjusting the focal point of an object to make it jump out of the picture or purposely blurring a section for a contrasting effect, among other options, can really add to the overall impact of the image.

On many cameras today you can add effects right within the hardware or use a special lens.  You can adjust the aperture or maybe set it to take a shot in macro mode; but even then, it might not always come out the way you want.  Especially if you’re like me – a little depth of field challenged! Of course, there are apps for that. Classic apps like Photoshop can certainly do the job and then some and, although great for some people, it might be a little intimidating or overkill for others.  Read full Review at G4 TV Canada

Review: Edifier Bric Bluetooth Connect Wireless Speaker

Edifier Bric Bluetooth Connect Wireless Speaker

Edifier is not only known for their Bluetooth speakers; they’re easily recognized by their elegance in design and styling and the Edifier Bric Bluetooth Connect (iF335BT) is certainly no exception.

It has a built-in microphone allowing it to operate as a hands-free speaker kit when you’re using your phone and a neat little output device when you’re streaming your tunes. Its appeal is further enhanced with a pocketsize wireless multifunction remote. It has a beautiful black frame with a matching grill. It’s quite square at the front with rounded edges and curves to the backside. It has two chrome reflex bass ports on either side and two front-facing 70mm drivers under the hood. While it’s classified as portable, at 11.8” x 3.54” x 5.23” (W x H x D), this unit is not really designed to be thrown in a backpack or purse and used on the go. It can run on batteries, albeit six AA cells, but it also runs on AC power with the supplied adapter.

READ FULL ARTICLE AT G4TV Canada.

G4TV.ca Review: Hang tight with MonkeyOh, MonkeyDo

MonkeyOh, MonkeyDo

There are tons of gadgets on the market that are either cute or useful, but together they often come up short in one category or another. Enter MonkeyOh,by Felix. It comes up as top banana; pardon the pun, in both categories.  Shaped like a monkey, it’s a fun little 3-in-1 dock, stand and cord wrap that keeps your desk, table or wall socket clutter free and keeps a grip on your iPhone in either landscape or portrait mode.

READ MORE at G4TV Canada

CanoeTech Review: iRig KEYS PRO hits the right notes

KeysPro+iPadWhen iRig KEYS, IK Multimedia’s mobile MIDI keyboard, hit the streets about a year or so ago, people were most impressed with it’s functionality, ease of operations with iOS devices and loved its size.  It was adored by most people who used it except for those who felt the actual keys themselves were slightly on the small side – a tradeoff for ultra-portability. For those people, today is a happy day as IK Multimedia released the iRig KEYS PRO.  It’s identical in functionality and performance compared to the original with some exceptions: it’s bigger, it has full-sized keys and features Apple’s new Lightning connector built right in.

Read more…AT CANOE TECH BLOG

Review: IK’s new Bluetooth portable speaker is certainly iLOUD

iLoud_front

There is certainly no shortage of Bluetooth speakers on the market. They come in all different shapes, sizes, colours and levels of quality and most of them are designed around working with portable devices; but there really hasn’t been one that was designed primarily with the musician in mind, until now.

Read more… AT CANOE TECH BLOG

Guardian AlertME app offers up a little piece of mind

Guardian  AlertME

If you’re heading out to Trick or Treat on Halloween, jog around the neighbourhood or you’re off to locations unknown, it’s probably a good idea to check in with your loved ones to let them know you’re ok. But despite our best intentions we sometimes just forget and unknowingly causing unnecessary worry at home. So isn’t it nice to know that there’s an app that will not only remind you to check in but it will send an SMS alert and or email to a designated emergency contact if you don’t.

It’s called Guardian AlertME, by SnakeHead Software, LLC. Designed for iOS it’s easy to set up and easy to use.  Right through the app, you simply register with your name, optional email address and a 4-digit PIN, which acts as your password. Select your alert contacts from your address book, you can have up to five and pick whether they are to get an SMS text message, e-mail or both.  READ FULL ARTICLE at G4TV Canada 

 

G4TV.ca: Bluetune Bean: a truly portable wireless speaker

Bluetune BeanThere’s no shortage of small portable Bluetooth speakers on the market, but the Divoom Bluetune Bean with a built in loop and a supplied carabiner is designed so you can carry it along with you anywhere. All you need to do is clip it onto your bike, belt, purse or backpack and you’re good to go.

When I first came across the Bluetune Bean, without any point of reference, I thought for a minute that it was a mini wireless speaker you attach to your keychain.  Upon further investigation, I discovered at 68mmx45mm92mm that it was not ultra mini, but still small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. READ MORE AT G4 Canada

 

CanoeTech: Win a Powerocks Super Magicstick portable power bank

 Super Magicstick

It’s nice to have a little extra juice for your phone without having to carry around an extra battery or a bulky charger specifically for one model. Enter Powerocks Super Magicstick. It’s a cylindrical shaped power bank that resembles either a lipstick case or maybe a small cigar, depending on the way you look at it, which can charge most smartphones at least once and maybe even twice.

Read more…and enter the Contest at CANOE TECH BLOG

CanoeTech Review: Mobile Home brings Siri to your car

Mobile Home

When you hear “mobile home”, the first thing that comes to mind is a house on wheels. But this mobile home is nothing like a house trailer; this one is a portable replacement for your iPhone’s home button.

Mobile Home is a creation of Plano, Texas based, Beanco Technology. It’s like they’ve detached your iPhone`s home button and put it in a little package that resembles a garage door remote. Just like the garage remote, simply mount Mobile Home on your dash or attach it to the visor in your car.  With a push of a button, you can bring Siri to life, leaving your iPhone’s features usable while it’s safely and legally in your pocket or purse. The concept is so simple you wonder why someone hadn’t come up with it sooner.

Read more…AT CANOE TECH BLOG

Review: Satechi Bluetooth Wireless Keypad

Satechi Wireless Smart Keypad

I really enjoy using my Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard but one thing it’s missing, similar to many notebooks, is a numeric keypad. I’m certainly not an accountant or do tons of data entry, but truthfully, having a keypad handy to quickly punch in numbers rather than pecking one number at a time can certainly be a godsend. Apple doesn’t make one, so accessory maker Satechi designed one to fill the void.

The Satechi Bluetooth Wireless Smart Keypad looks stylishly similar to the Apple Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard including the rounded battery compartment. In fact side-by-side from far, you’d think it was a matched pair. However, unlike the Apple aluminium frame, the Satechi is made of plastic and coated with a brush-aluminium finish. The keys are white, similar in size except for the larger “0”.  It’s slightly more elongated than the keyboard, likely due to its prominent LED display that takes up the upper portion of the device as it can double as a calculator, which you can access by simply pressing the mode button.  READ FULL ARTICLE at G4TV CANADA