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

Retail Collective offers interactive in person shopping experience

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Some things like books, gadgets, and auto parts are great to buy on-line – it’s convenient, quick, and almost always automated. On the other hand, things like clothing, shoes, and other items that require personalized fitting or are very touchy-feely are best bought in person. But the in-store experience often lacks the ease at which an on-line transaction can be completed.

Read more…At Canoe Tech Blog

Edmonton’s Metterra Hotel of Whyte is ideal for staycation

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Trendy boutique hotel on trendy Whyte Ave ideal for business travellers too!

EDMONTON, AB, Feb 4, 2014/ Troy Media/ – I live in Edmonton and enjoy the trendy urban neighbourhood of Old Strathcona, which is located south of the North Saskatchewan River across from the city centre.

So during a recent staycation I decided to try out the Mettera Hotel on Whyte Avenue. I was more than pleasantly surprised.

The Metterra on Whyte Hotel is a boutique hotel located smack-dab in the middle of Old Strathcona on the busy Whyte Avenue (82nd Ave) and surrounded by a good selection of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, gift shops, book and clothing stores and live entertainment venues. If you didn’t know the hotel was there, you might miss it as it can easily get lost in the sea of retail signage in the area.

READ FULL REVIEW at Troy Media

MacPhun Phunny You Valentines Day contest

phunny you2MacPhun is celebrating peace, love and happiness for Valentine’s Day (and all of February).  As part of the festivities, they’ve put together an awesome little contest. 

It’s simple and easy to enter.  Simply submit a screenshot of yourself and your loved one.  Don’t make it serious, share some fun times, smiles, emotions and maybe a touch of craziness.

Win a $500 Gift Card

There is a gallery to view the entries and the contest runs until February 23, 2014. The best entry, selected by the Macphun Team, will win a $500 gift card of their choice.

For details visit MacPhun’s contest page.

 There’s more.

FREE SOFTWARE if you Enter

Just for entering, you’ll get a free copy of FX Photo Studio Pro for Mac.

Help MacPhun spread peace, love & happiness this month by entering and sharing  “Phunny You” contest and encouraging others to show their zanier side of life!

 

New gadgets by Divoom, Swann and Pyle

DivoomVoomboxThree veterans in the gadgets and accessories market announced the release of some new products today: Divoom rolled to their Voombox Outdoor bluetooth speaker, Swann, their SwannEye HD Indoor & Outdoor Wi-Fi All Weather Camera and Pyle unveiled a waterproof mp3 player with fitness tracker and pedometer.

 

 

Divoom: Voombox Outdoor
Rugged, powerful and water resistant Bluetooth speaker

  • Rechargeable, portable Bluetooth speaker designed specifically for rugged conditions
  • Water-resistant case that protects its components from splashing water and dust
  • Wirelessly stream audio from tablets, smartphones and other Bluetooth-enabled devices
  • 12-hour rechargeable battery and 15W of output power
  • Built-in microphone to make and take calls wirelessly
  • Available in a variety of colors: red, blue, black and green

 Available at: Divoom.com   Price: $99.99 

 

Swann All Weather

Swann: SwannEye HD Indoor & Outdoor Wi-Fi All Weather Camera

Indoor/outdoor camera offers remote watching and sharing capabilities and is able to withstand any weather

  • Wi-Fi internet, high-definition camera shoots real time 720p video or still images in daylight and at night
  • Built-in microphone captures audio
  • SwannEye HD app provides live viewing on PC, Mac, tablets & smartphones including iPhone, iPad & Android devices
  • Saves video & HD pictures to a micro SD card or your 3G/4G device & sends an email notification when motion is detected
  • Easy three-step set up using a QR code and your smartphone or tablet with no manual networking configuration required
  • All weather camera can be mounted on any flat surface indoors or outdoors

Available at: Microcenter  Price: $197.99  Visit  www.swann.com for more details.

 

Pyle

Pyle: Waterproof MP3 Player
4GB waterproof MP3 player/ fitness tracker comes with waterproof wrap-around earbuds for music enjoyment anywhere, anytime

  • Waterproof earphones are made of ergonomic soft silicon material to wrap comfortably around the ear
  • Built-in pedometer, stop watch and multiple swim fitness modes allows for tracking all your workouts
  • Waterproof up to 3 meters and stores approximately 1,000 songs
  • Features soft touch buttons to control power, volume, skip and play/pause functions
  • Transfer music and recharge via the included USB 2.0 cable
  • Provides up to seven hours of play time, available in black, white and blue

Available at: PyleAudio.com Price: $59.99

Watch for reviews at a future date.

 

 

 

 

Win a FixMeStick virus removal gadget

FixMeStick is a cool self-propelled hardware-based virus removal gadget that runs directly from a USB stick, created by a Montreal based company of the same name. There’s no software to install. All you have to do is insert it in the USB port of your PC, launch the FixMeStick software and you’re off to the races. It’s that simple.

Read more…and Enter the Contest at CanoeTech Blog

Get Set Games opts for App Store exclusive for new Mega Jump 2

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Redford and his friends are now jumping yet again in Mega Jump 2, the sequel to the smash hit jumping game Mega Jump that hit #1 in 28 countries. This time things will not only be better, they’ll be a little different or a lot different depending on how you look at it.

Read more…AT CANOE TECH BLOG

Techcessories just for her

Techcessories just for her

The ladies like their tech too, so how about creating gadgets and accessories that are not just functional, but are also attractive, stylish and designed with a lady in mind? There’s no reason not to, so here are a few items unveiled at the International CES 2014 that are just for her that would appeal to any Geekette, or Digital Diva.  READ MORE at G4 Canada

Microsoft SkyDrive change to OneDrive wasn’t easy

OneDrive-Logo-300x94

Just as people settled in on the name SkyDrive, Microsoft has just announced that it will soon become OneDrive, a place that despite all the devices you have in your life; you can find and store all of your important documents, photos, videos and important stuff, all in one place.

Read more…AT CANOE TECH BLOG

IK Multimedia announces new iRig Mic HD

irigmichd_iphone5_250srgbIK Multimedia,  today announced iRig® Mic HD, a high-quality digital handheld microphone for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac.

iRig Mic HD improves on IK’s groundbreaking and highly popular iRig Mic, by offering pristine digital audio quality and multi-platform compatibility for all generations of iOS devices and Macs, in addition to its practical handheld form factor and other convenient features.

It sports a 24-bit audiophile-grade A/D converter, a 44.1/96 kHz sampling rate, and a low noise/high definition pre-amp. It captures pristine audio that will suit the most demanding professional needs on the field or in the studio. Its accurate gain control and signal/level multi-color LED indicator make it easy to set an appropriate level for any sound-pressure situation, whether it’s a loud concert or a quiet, whispering vocal.

Universal support

iRig MIC HD supports the widest range of Apple devices via a series of three detachable cables. It’s the first handheld microphone that includes a Lightning connector cable for the newest iPhone, iPad and iPod touch models, while a USB cable allows for connection to any Mac computer. A 30-pin cable for legacy iOS models is also available.

Bundle up

iRig Mic HD works with free apps, making it easy to start recording, processing and editing vocals or any other audio source right away. For iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, iRig MIC HD works with VocaLive FREE a real-time vocal-effects processing, multi-track app, iRig Recorder FREE, a professional field recorder and audio processing app and AmpliTube FREE, a multi-effects, recording and studio app for guitarists and bass players, featuring stunning models of amps, cabinets and stompboxes. Mac users also receive a free version of AmpliTube and more to download with their iRig MIC HD.

Pricing and availability

iRig MIC HD supports all generations of iOS devices and Macs. iRig Mic HD will cost $99.99and will be available from music and electronics retailers worldwide in early Q2.

For more information, please visit: www.irigmichd.com