CE Week 2016 - Kodak, re-fuel, Vitrima, and WowWee!

CE Week 2016 - Kodak, re-fuel, Vitrima, and WowWee!

The CE Week event is a yearly affair where tech companies and start ups gather to show off their latest gear, and we're here to give you a taste of what we saw. This is part one with many more to come!

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The Lily Drone (Revisited)

Hey O&G Fans, today we are going to revisit a drone that was first reported by our tech guy Young last year. The Lily, Self-driving drone acts as a robot videographer, automatically following you anywhere. It starts recording videos as soon as you toss it into the air and is even waterproof, should you want to take it to the pool. A small tracking device lures Lily along as it uses technological wizardry to find the perfect shot.

The Lily isn't out for retail yet, but has had a big success in sales. The startup pulled in a whopping $34 million in pre-orders by the end of 2015, with 60,000 units already sold.

Here are some of the Specs for the Lily:

Battery and Power:

  • Built-in Lithium-Ion Battery
  • 20 min of flight time
  • Charging via 10A charger
  • 2-hour charge time

Waterproofing: Waterproof rating IP67

Flight:   Max. Altitude above head 50 feet (15 m)

               Min. Altitude above head 5 feet(1.75 m)

               Max. Speed 25mph (40 km/h)

               Max. Distance from user 100 feet (30 m)

               Min.  Distance from user 5 feet (1.75 m)

Camera: 

  • Video Resolution: 1080p 60 fps / 720p 120 fps
  • Video FOV: 94º
  • Video Format: H.264 codec, .mp4 file format
  • Photo Resolution: 12 MP
  • Digital gimballing
  • Image stabilization
  • Fixed focus

Sensors: 

  • Accelerometer
  • Three-axis Gyro
  • Magnetometer
  • Barometer
  • GPS
  • Front-facing camera
  • Bottom-facing camera

Memory: 

  • 4GB micro SD provided
  • External memory card slot

 

The Lily has a cool tracking sensor watch that you can wear on your wrist or put in your pocket.

The potential uses for this drone are great! I myself am wondering what cool things I can use it to record like my Convention coverage and Cosplay videos. I'm sure using it inside any convention area will require permission and legal paper work, but the video view would be worth it. The Lily costs $699 on pre-order, but will be $999 (around £650) when it goes on sale in May 2016.

 

by Sean Tucker

 

JBL Pulse 2 Review

Hey O&G fans, Today's tech review is on the JBL Pulse 2 wireless speaker. About five months ago I did a review on the fugoo wireless speaker and loved it, but I mostly use that speaker for my beach days and outdoor activities. Now I need something that is just for home with great sound and looks cool. After I attended Get Geeked NYC and spoke to the guys at the JBL booth, I decided to get the Pulse 2.

The JBL Pulse looks good and has a cool multi-LED light show added to it. The Pulse has a similar design to JBL's highly rated Flip and Charge Bluetooth speakers, but it's covered with a metal mesh grill. Here are some of the features and Specs on the speaker:

Bluetooth Connectivity allows you to wirelessly stream music through any Bluetooth enabled device.

Built-in Microphonethe built-in microphone allows you to answer calls.

LED Lights features a Multi-LED light show giving you a new ways to enjoy your music.

Passive Radiators Passive Radiators field enough bass for you to actually see them move.

JBL Connectbuild your own ecosystem by connecting multiple JBL connect enabled speakers to amplify the sound.

6000mAH Rechargeable Battery built-in Li ion battery for up to 10 hours of music and light show.

JBL Connect App Customize your light show experience and configure your JBL Connect settings, all at the tip of your fingers with the JBL Connect app.

SPECS

Support

A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.5, HFP V1.6, HSP V1.2

Battery type

Lithium-ion polymer (3.7V, 6000mAh)

Output power

2 x 8W

Battery charge time

≤5 hour @ 5V, 2.3A

Music playing time

up to 10 hours (varies by volume level and audio content)

Transducer size (mm)

2 x 45

REVIEW

I really do like this speaker, so much so I think I'm going to get another so I can use the JBL Connect feature and see what sound I get. I delivers good sound, but if you play something with heavy bass, the sound gets a bit distorted. The JBL Pulse 2 speaker features a very attractive design. Cylindrical in shape, the speaker stands like a larger soda can. The speaker was easy to set up and use. Pairing to a Bluetooth connected streaming device and the accompanying JBL Connect app with no issues.

The light show is pretty awesome! There are a few different preprogrammed modes to choose from and you can go with a custom light theme and control the brightness -- or just turn off the LEDs altogether. The only issue I have is that with the lights playing, it kind of shortens the Battery life. The Reception on the Speaker when it's connected to a smartphone is pretty good. the closer you are to the speaker, the clearer you can be heard on the other end.

Overall the speaker is a good purchase if you are in the market for a portable speaker. It's well built, splash proof, great sounding and the Pulse matches up pretty well against competing speakers in its price class.

 

by Sean Tucker

 

 

 

Hideit Mount Review

Hideit Mount Review

Wall mount these steel cradles under, behind or on the side of the TV near its wall mounted console for easy charging access and users will never step on, lose or feel hopeless upon finding a dead controller.

 

These 16-gauge steel mounts are just the newest addition to HIDEit’s complete line of minimally-invasive wall mounts for every gaming console/electronic/media device imaginable to create a“floating” media center.

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Looks Great, Sounds Awesome! JBL Xtreme Bluetooth Speakers

Looks Great, Sounds Awesome! JBL Xtreme Bluetooth Speakers

The JBL Xtreme is equiped with bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect most modern devices without a cable (including cell phones) for playing your music and podcasts. You can also take calls and share it over speakerphone during Thanksgiving dinner and let everyone hear grandma say hi. And believe me, everybody will hear her say hi.

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Wake Me Up Asuna Review

Wake Me Up Asuna Review

"Wake Me Up Asuna" is a personal smart assistant app that features a combination of Sony Corporation's voice interactive technology, state-of-the-art speech synthesis, and an animated anime character interface, where the heroine, Asuna from the megahit anime "Sword Art Online," provides useful information and morning entertainment including wake-up calls, current weather, fortune, and your scheduled appointments. 

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One Power Bank to Charge Them All

One Power Bank to Charge Them All

With more devices taking up space in our bags, the bigger the need for portable charging power. It's a crowded space, with even street peddlers selling them for $20 a pop, but the truth is, most of them aren't very good. But never fear, high quality and industrial level engineering can be found in the powerful Ventev powerCell 10000+

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JBL's Everest Elite 700 Headphones, Great for the Big City

JBL's Everest Elite 700 Headphones, Great for the Big City

JBL's new flagship, the Everest Elite700 headphones is the whole package. Yes it's big, and the sound matches its size. The materials are beyond comfortable. The built-in bluetooth controls are clever and designed for easy access. But what truly blows me away is the noise cancellation paired with the ambient sound control. It's one of the most useful things a city person could ask for and works to epic proportions.

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Free up your outlet with this powerful charger

Free up your outlet with this powerful charger

Modern times require modern ways of communicating, which means you probably own a cell phone and maybe a tablet. So unless you're a gadget geek like me, most people's needs for charging one or two devices can be totally satisfied by Ventev's elegantly designed wall charginghub 200 - without the ugliness of using a power strip.

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Echo Power Connect - Small in size, huge on power

Echo Power Connect - Small in size, huge on power

Echo, the UK company bringing out the first dual port Connect Key for lightning and micro USB, also have on offer the 4000 mAh PowerConnect and the smaller 1600 mAh PowerConnect Mini. The PowerConnect is physically so small that most people would shake their heads in disbelief as I tell them it's nearly as miniscule as a credit card. A credit card? Really?

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Fugoo Bluetooth Speaker Review

Hey O&G fans, we met some great companies at this years CE NYC 2015. One of these great companies are the makers of the FUGOO portable Bluetooth Speaker. There are many portable outdoor speakers out now, many are very bulky to improve durability and battery life. FUGOO has made a speaker that can withstand the elements and portable.

The FUGOO Bluetooth speaker has become my favorite piece of tech, thanks to its combination of sound quality, battery life and price. The speakers are water proof, has different accessories, and a choice of 3 different cover styles to fit your activities.

Design

At 7.75 x 2.9 x 2.3 inches, the Fugoo Tough is considerably smaller than many other outdoor speakers. They also make a XL Style version for those who want a bigger speaker, Measuring 11.3  x 3.8 x 4.5 inches, the Style XL is considerably bigger than the portable version I have.

Weatherproofing

An IPX67 rating indicates that the speaker is dustproof, and you can submerge it for up to 30 minutes in 3 feet of water. As a test me and member of the site put the speaker in a bowl of water and it did not miss a beat. The speaker even continued to play under water (Sound was a bit muffled, but it still played). This is great for anyone who love the beach or being poolside.

Sound Performance

The most important factor when choosing a speaker is the quality of sound. The FUGOO speaker delivers excellent sound, sound I couldn't believe could come from a speaker of it's size. You can see the 6 speakers through the grilles on the device, 2 speakers on the front and back, and one on each of the sides.  When listening to music, you do not need to worry about which way the speaker is facing. It plays great sound quality in every direction.

Speaker Covers

The speaker I have came with 2 covers, the sport and style covers. both covers look great and are worth the price. 

Sport Cover

Sport Cover

Style Cover

Style Cover

It also has a Tough case for outdoors and people who are into extreme sports.

Tough cover

Tough cover

The FUGOO Bluetooth speaker is the best portable speaker on the market right now for it's size and price. It ranks up there with the Bose Soundlink Mini, Beats Pill, and JBL Pulse. I would recommend this speaker to anyone looking for something affordable and durable with great sound.

See it in action here with Justin trying it and out.