Fitbit shows off the Charge HR and Surge Watch #CES2015
You can’t get too far in a conversation about fitness trackers without talking about Fitbit. These tracking wearables have become the widest known brand in the category, and with good reason. This year at CES we’re not seeing any new products from Fitbit, but instead we’re seeing new ways Fitbit can be used and intent to make the new Charge HR band and Surge watch more broadly available to the public.
What sets the Fitbit Charge HR and Surge Watch apart from other Fitbit are the GPS chips contained within. These chips, along with some new sensors, allow Fitbit to create a category for more serious fitness folks. The Fitbit Surge also includes some basic phone notification support, for things like an incoming call or a text message. It creates a hard dividing line between people who want casual fitness tracking in a serious smartwatch, and those who would like a serious fitness tracker that plays nice with your phone.
Floome, a smart breathalyzer, can share your drinking habits with the world
Is there anything left that cannot be tracked? It is starting to seem that way. A new smart breathalyzer called Floome is on the market aiming to make blood alcohol content (BAC) measuring fun. The device gets inserted into a device’s audio jack and then the user blows into it. It shares the user’s BAC with the app that saves gender, age, and weight. With all of this information, Floome will inform the user when to take another test before being able to drive again. In the event that the test remains not so great, Floome can redirect the user to call a car service or friend for pickup.
The best thing about Floome, however, is its ability to share a user’s blood alcohol content with the world. The app will forward the measurement to Twitter, Facebook, and other social networks. Either your friends/followers will come to the rescue with a pickup or they will laugh all about it as you scratch your head the following morning.
Hit the break for the press release. Click here for our full CES 2015 coverage.
FLOOME Smartphone Breathalyzer Launches With Italian Design, Social Panache and Accuracy
For Safety, Accurate Blood Alcohol Content Measurement and Easy Access to Cabs, Bring FLOOME Next Time You Go Drinking
LAS VEGAS, NV — (Marketwired) — 01/06/15 — CES – Booth 75728/Sands Expo – When you drink, FLOOME. That is going to be the new line for anyone enjoying a pint of beer or a pastel cocktail at the local watering hole. FLOOME is the new smartphone breathalyzer that combines chic, award-winning Italian design, elegant shape and feel with very accurate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measurement. FLOOME, from 2045Tech, launches today at CES. (Try FLOOME at booth 75728, Sands Expo/Eureka Park.)
Providing a unique user experience in size, shape, social features and app functionality, FLOOME will be available in the US later this year. Attaching to the audio jack of your smartphone, FLOOME sports a battery that never needs to be charged or replaced, does not require any warm up time or calibration and makes it fun to measure and share your blood alcohol content (BAC).
“FLOOME is a brand new way to have fun and stay in control when you drink,” says Fabio Penzo, CEO, 2045Tech, which created FLOOME. “FLOOME can help you to call for a ride home or find food nearby if you have had too much to drink. Or, you can share your BAC to let your friends know whether you need help or, if you have not been drinking, you can let them know that you can safely drive them home. FLOOME fits in your purse or pocket, feels good to the touch and can be a new drinking buddy whenever you go out. That’s why we say, ‘If you drink, FLOOME.’”
Delivers accurate info with a fun app in a chic device
A highly accurate breathalyzer, FLOOME utilizes a flow meter and the fuel cell sensors used in professional breathalyzers to detect ethanol molecules to determine the BAC. FLOOME works with iOS, Windows and Android smartphones, easily connecting through the phone’s audio jack. After blowing into the device, the BAC is calculated based on your physical characteristics (gender, age, weight) and the information is reported through the app.
In addition to the BAC, the app tells you approximately how long you will need to wait to possibly be under the legal limit to drive, reminds you when to take another test, calls a cab or other ride service and shows you nearby restaurants. The device has a removable mouthpiece which can be cleaned so it is easy to share.
FLOOME’s app includes social features such as sharing your BAC in a selfie photo overlay for posting to Facebook, Twitter and other networks, and a social map highlighted with your location and your BAC so your friends can see where are, if you are safe to get home or might need some assistance.
Come comment on this article: Floome, a smart breathalyzer, can share your drinking habits with the world
Could this mysterious watch be the LG G Watch R 2?
There are a lot of things meant to be seen at CES, but some of the best stuff are the ones that aren’t literally on display. Take for instance the watch in the image above which is made by LG and was on the wrist of Ulrich Hackenberg during Audi’s press conference at CES.
It certainly resembles the G Watch R in the design, but other than the obvious difference of silver, you can clearly see three buttons at the right. What they could be used for is anyone’s guess. This watch actually looks a lot like what I asked for in my review of the G Watch R: A two-toned silver and black option.
When will it be available is a valid question, but a bigger question would be, is this even Android Wear? It’s safe to assume that it is, but there is a very small possibility it could be WebOS. I doubt it, but crazier things have happened.
Be sure to check out our full CES 2015 coverage.
source: TheVerge
Come comment on this article: Could this mysterious watch be the LG G Watch R 2?
Mad Catz releases high-end transformable L.Y.N.X. game controller for $300
Mad Catz, the folks who brought us the M.O.J.O. micro-console, have just released their new creation at CES 2015. It’s called the L.Y.N.X., and it’s vastly different from any other game controller we’ve ever seen. The controller is meant to be a one-size-fits-all controller, in a sense. It has a built-in microphone, keyboard, smartphone stand, and it can even hold your tablet.
The L.Y.N.X. features three main components (left wing, right wing, and the device’s ‘brain’) that fold out to create a number of different gaming options. The smartphone holder looks just like any other portable gaming controller we’ve seen, but that’s just the beginning of what this thing can do. Keep folding the device outward to reveal the tablet stand, compatible with most tablets 7-inches and smaller. If you aren’t interested in mounting your mobile device to the controller, you can always fold it to make a standard gaming controller, compatible with most set-top boxes. What’s more, Mad Catz has also included a detachable QWERTY keyboard in the box, so you can really bring your mobile gaming to the next level, if you so choose.
While there is no exact battery information available quite yet, Mad Catz is reporting that the controller can last up to 30 hours on a single charge. The Mad Catz L.Y.N.X. is available now for preorder for $300 in black, white and red, though the controllers won’t ship until March of this year. Are there any mobile gaming fans out there that would spend this much money on a portable controller?
“The trend towards mobile gaming continues unabated and is set to explode further into 2015. We believe that a disruptive, high-quality product like the L.Y.N.X. 9 will enable us to further cement our reputation as leaders in mobile gaming and contribute significantly to sales in 2015.”
Designed for the passionate gamer who typically plays across multiple devices, the L.Y.N.X. 9 features a patent-pending design which allows it to fold into a compact footprint, fitting into a shirt pocket for travel without compromising on the classic console-style ergonomic feel gamers are accustomed to.
The L.Y.N.X. 9 design uniquely enables the controller to be assembled in a variety of different configurations to fit the gamers’ chosen device. Consisting of three primary components (Left Wing, Right Wing and Controller ‘Brain’), theL.Y.N.X. 9 can break apart and attach to the included tablet stand, transforming a tablet of up to seven inches into a portable games console! Configure as a standard controller and enjoy living room gaming on a compatible set-top box or PC or attach the mobile clip and dock your smart phone for console quality gaming on the go.
The L.Y.N.X. 9 is an ideal companion for Smart TVs and living room browsing. The included QWERTY Keyboard Module attaches simply to the underside of the L.Y.N.X. 9 and provides effortless on screen typing. At the top of the controller, the integrated Mouse Sensor Pad and media controls allow for all manner of traditional control and theL.Y.N.X. 9 even includes an integrated microphone allowing for voice search with compatible hardware and applications.
“We believe the L.Y.N.X. 9 represents a generational leap in mobile game controllers. Today, gaming is commonly format agnostic, with most of us playing games across a variety of platforms and locations. The L.Y.N.X. 9 is designed to offer a premium gaming experience in almost any situation. Traditionally a mobile controller meant that comfort had to be sacrificed, unsuitable for sustained play and complex software now being introduced to mobile. Thanks to the ingenious design of the L.Y.N.X. 9, Mad Catz has produced a truly portable controller that delivers a full size, uncompromised gaming experience,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “The trend towards mobile gaming continues unabated and is set to explode further into 2015. We believe that a disruptive, high-quality product like the L.Y.N.X. 9 will enable us to further cement our reputation as leaders in mobile gaming and contribute significantly to sales in 2015.”
The L.Y.N.X. 9 is designed for precision performance, featuring hard-wearing metal and premium components, with action buttons rated to one million button presses. Owners of the L.Y.N.X. 9 are encouraged to download the free L.Y.N.X. app to their Android™ smart device. As well as providing gamers with a constantly updated list of compatible software, the app allows gamers to tune the sensitivity of the thumb sticks and triggers, creating a custom feel for their chosen software and ideal for FPS and action titles.
The L.Y.N.X. 9 will be debuting at CES Las Vegas 2015 and can be seen via appointment only at the Mad Catz suite, located at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, suite number: 12121. Mad Catz will also be unveiling the L.Y.N.X. 9 Controller at the ShowStoppers CES event, taking place the evening of January 6, 2015 at The Wynn, Las Vegas.
For additional information or to order your own L.Y.N.X. 9 please visit: http://store.madcatz.com/Mad-Catz-L-Y-N-X-9-Mobile-Controller-for-Android-Smartphones-Tablets-PC.html
About Mad Catz
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (NYSE MKT/TSX:MCZ) is a global provider of innovative interactive entertainment products marketed under its Mad Catz® (gaming), Tritton® (audio), and Saitek® (simulation) brands. Mad Catz products cater to passionate gamers across multiple platforms including in-home gaming consoles, handheld gaming consoles, Windows® PC and Mac® computers, smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices. Mad Catz distributes its products through its online store as well as distribution via many leading retailers around the globe. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Mad Catz maintains offices in Europe and Asia. For additional information about Mad Catz and its products, please visit the Company’s website at www.madcatz.com.
Kensington Unveils ‘MiniSaver Mobile Lock’ for Use With Ultra-Thin Laptops and Tablets [Mac Blog]
Kensington’s ubiquitous hold on security locks for computers and other devices has loosened somewhat as devices have grown smaller and more portable, and the space requirements for the company’s traditional lock mechanism have led Apple to even omit Kensington security slots from many of its recent products such as the MacBook Air and Retina MacBook Pro.
Kensington hopes, however, to reinvigorate the security lock with today’s announcement of the new MiniSaver Mobile Lock designed specifically for use on ultra-thin notebooks and tablets and touted as “the industry’s thinnest security lock system.”
As opposed to the traditional “T-Bar” mechanism used for years by Kensington, the new MiniSaver lock features a patented “Cleat” locking design, including the smallest attachment points the company has ever made, to safely and securely provide ease of mind when leaving a computer or tablet alone in a public space or at the office.
The company says it’s aware that though the technology has gotten smaller over the years, consumers’ security needs haven’t, and the MiniSaver is Kensington’s answer to that problem. While the original Kensignton slot design is intended for devices at least 12 mm thick and requires internal vertical clearance of at least 7.5 mm for the T-Bar to rotate into locking position, the MiniSaver requires only about 3 mm of vertical clearance, allowing for installation on thinner devices.
“Today’s increasingly mobile workforce is creating more demand than ever for ultra-thin devices and those devices need protection to prevent the mounting risk of theft and resulting data breaches,” said Judy Barker, Global Product Manager, Kensington. “The first-line-of-defense provided by physical security locks can stave off device theft and save businesses and their employees from the costly exposure of a data breach. With our revolutionary MiniSaver design, now protection is not only easy but sleek and convenient as well.”
Amongst other features, the lock also provides one-handed operation thanks to the simple push of a button on the security lock, includes a cut and theft-resistant carbon steel and protective plastic-lined cable, and allows greater freedom of movement and reduced blockage of nearby ports thanks to an off-body lock and pivot-and-rotate cable.
Kensington’s MiniSaver Mobile Lock is available to purchase online now with prices starting at $59.99.
Apple’s 12-Inch Retina MacBook Air Shown in Artist’s Renditions
In a set of artist renditions, 9to5Mac offers a look at Apple’s long-rumored 12-inch Retina MacBook Air. The renditions and details shared in the report are consistent with previous reports on the machine, although plans do sometimes change during the development process.
As previously described in rumors, the next MacBook Air will have roughly the same footprint as the current 11-inch model, but include a 12-inch display nestled inside narrower bezels. The machine’s keyboard will also extend from edge to edge while the speakers move to a set of grilles above the keyboard.
Comparison of 12-inch Retina MacBook Air (left) with current 11-inch MacBook Air (right)
As part of Apple’s effort to reduce the thickness of the MacBook Air, the new 12-inch model will do away with nearly all of the ports currently found on the machine, including the usual USB and MagSafe ports. Instead, the machine’s sides will include only a headphone jack, a pair of microphones, and a USB Type-C port that appears set to handle both connectivity and charging.
Apple’s new Retina MacBook Air is expected to run on new Broadwell Core M to allow for the thin, fanless design and perhaps come in multiple color options similar to the company’s iPhone and iPad lineups. The machine has been rumored to be entering production as soon as this month, although it is unclear whether Apple may wait until its Worldwide Developers Conference in June to launch the device or introduce it earlier in the year.
Razer introduces a slew of new products for the living room
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It appears that Razer, the company known for making high-end peripherals, has been very busy as of late with their recent announcements at CES 2015. Four new products were announced, all aimed at providing a new connected living room experience.
First off is the Razer Forge TV. This “micro-console” runs android TV to bring games and entertainment to the living room for an affordable $99. The powerful hardware included should be able to handle any games or apps you could throw at it, but the defining factor of the console is the ability to stream PC games at full HD over Wi-Fi or an ethernet connection. More details should be available soon, as the release date listed from Razer is Q1 2015.
Packed inside the plastic exterior are a Snapdragon 805 processor, paired with 2 GB of RAM, a 2.5 GHz quad core CPU and an Adreno GPU. The processor offered in the console was built for supporting 4K resolutions, but so far Razer has not commented on whether or not 4K will be possible on this device.
The second announcement was an update to the popular PC game launcher, the Razer Cortex. This new update takes care of the software side of streaming to the Forge TV. It should be an easy setup as Razer has described it as “one-click … PC game streaming.” Multiple PCs are supported and the software will identify whether each game has a traditional mouse and keyboard style, or if a gamepad is worthwhile. The software will retail for $39.99, unless you buy the Forge bundle, or one of the console’s accessories in which case the software will come bundled along for free. As important as Cortex is to the overall experience and individuality of the Forge TV, it is set for a Q2 2015 release, meaning that the console will ship without streaming capabilities at first.
The last two announcements were accessories for the console, the Razer Serval and the Razer Turret which are a gamepad and a lapboard (basically a keyboard with an edge for a mouse) respectively. The Serval has multiple modes to be used with the console, android phones and tablets or with a PC, though it is described as being an android gamepad so its uses on PC are not yet clear. The turret is to be used with the console to bring the accuracy and familiarity of the keyboard-mouse combo to the big screen.
With a $150 bundle including the Serval and the console, 1080p 60fps PC game streaming and all the features of android, the Razer Forge TV is looking like a great deal for an all-in-one home entertainment system. Do you think PC streaming is worth it? Or would you rather hook up your PC or use existing consoles for gaming? Let us know in the comments down below!
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The Dell Venue 8 7000 Series Android Tablet is now available at Best Buy
Earlier today at CES, Dell released the Dell Venue 8 7000, which was first shown in September at Intel’s Developer Forum. The tablet is the thinnest in the world with a 6mm thickness, and it is the first with Intel’s Real Sense 3D camera.
The Venue 8 7000 has an 8.4-inch, 2,560 x 1,600p, OLED display, which extends edge-to-edge. Dell calls it an infinity display. On the back, there is an 8MP camera near the bottom. Two 720 stereoscopic sensors above it are Intel’s RealSense Snapshot Depth Camera. The technology is already included in some laptops, but Dell is the first to take advantage of its software with Dell Gallery, a photo manager. The RealSense camera and Dell Gallery together make image post-processing and refocusing easier. For example, you can change the background color of a photo while leaving the foreground subject’s color intact.
Also included in the tablet are a 2.3GHz Intel Atom quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a micro SD card slot that is capable of accepting cards up to an astonishing 512GB. An LTE version is in the works. While the device currently runs Android 4.4 KitKat, Dell explains that the update to Lollipop will be available soon. The company also adds that users could update it themselves since the tablet is unlocked.
The Dell Venue 8 7000 will be available in the US and Canada later this week for $399. It can be bought from Dell.com and Best Buy stores. Dell says that the tablet will arrive in Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, India, Germany, and the UK early this year.
Source: TheVerge
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It’s confirmed! TCL is bringing back Palm!
TCL is resurrecting the Palm brand with a brand-new Palm, Inc. based in California. As we reported last week, TCL purchased the Palm brand from HP late last year, although at the time it wasn't clear what the company had planned. It's not at all clear what TCL intends to do with the Palm brand, although they seem to recognize the history that the brand carries.
Says TCL:
Palm has always carried a lot of affect and emotions. That's why TCL has set the direction to rebuild the brand involving Palm's very own community, making it the largest scale crowd-sourced project ever seen in the industry.
Where TCL's Alcatel Onetouch has long produced entry-level and mid-tier smartphones, and it seems that TCL wants Palm to be a division that produces "a more-advanced device", with "breakthrough innovations" across the hardware, software, and even sales models.
TCL's full weight will be behind Palm, touting 5000 engineers and 7 research-and-development centers around the world. When we'll see more from TCL and Palm isn't clear, but we do one thing: Palm is coming back.
The story of Palm is a twisted one, with Palm being founded as an independent company in 1992, being bought by US Robotics in 1995, and then 3Com in 1996, being spun off in 2000, split in half in 2002 and renamed PalmOne, merged with Handspring in 2003, rebranding as Palm, launching webOS in 2009, selling to HP in 2010, getting canceled in 2011, webOS getting open sourced in 2012, and the remnants of the Palm company (minus the branding) being sold to LG in 2013. It's rare that a company receives a second life as Palm did, and rarer still to be revived after being left for dead.
Regardless, the Palm brand carries a lot of emotion for many, so it's good to see it coming back and we hope TCL produces a phone that's worthy of the name Palm.
Pepcom’s 80s-themed news conference in less than 60 seconds
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Neon pink spandex, automated baby rockers and a Bluetooth speaker that can chill six bottles of champagne: This is Pepcom’s 80s-themed news conference in less than 60 seconds.
For more from Pepcom and and beyond, check out our 2015 CES Field Guide.
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