CES: Problem-Solving Gadgets
See previous post – CES: Sneak Preview
With CES featuring miles of show floor, tech reporters welcome the chance to see demos of new innovation award-winning products in more intimate venues. Last night, Pepcom Digital Experience presented 150 pacesetters, many of whom have developed digital solutions to common problems.
The sleek, new Roomba robotic vacuum
Problem: Your home needs cleaning.
Solution: iRobot. The company, which has specialized in practical robots for 20 years, introduced its new 700 series of Roomba robot vacuum cleaners. Advantages include dual HEPA filters, soft-touch bumpers to protect your furniture from dings, up to 50% longer battery life than past Roombas and iAdapt Responsive Cleaning Technology, with a three-stage patented cleaning process that remove dust, dirt and debris. And the company’s new buzz-generating Roomba Revenge game, featuring a wicked dusty bunny, is free to play using the iOS app here.
Cost: $450.
Roomba's Revenge game featuring wicked Dust Bunny
Yurbuds stay in your ears
Problem: Earphones falling out when you’re jogging.
Solution: Yurbuds feature a soft, pliable earplug that is guaranteed not to fall out, impressive sound quality, durable quality and clearer audio so you can turn down the volume a bit. Yurbuds chief Richard Daniels, an athlete himself, knew what he wanted in a headphone and went for it. A jolly guy at the event did handsprings to show these buds are made for sticking.
Cost: $30 to $50.
Dropcam on a shelf
Problem: Worries about what’s going on at home when you’re away.
Solution: Dropcam demo’d its new HD Wi-Fi video camera that makes it easy to use a computer, tablet or smartphone to keep watch on your home, kids and pets. Features include 60-second set-up, options to receive alerts by email or phone, night vision and two-way audio so you can hear and respond.
Cost: About $149.
Tagg Pet Trakker
Problem: The risk of dogs and other companion animals getting loose and lost.
Solution: Tagg, The Pet Trakker. Using mobile technology, it helps you track your pet in real time on the website and also with your phone, using an app or text messaging.
Cost: The Tagg First Pet master kit is $99.95, with one month of free service then $7.95 per month.
emPower digitally powered eyeglasses
Problem: Needing bifocals but not wanting to wear them.
Solution: emPower! The world’s first electronic corrective eyeglasses, emPower! includes composite lenses with a thin transparent LCD-like liquid crystal layer, microchips, micro-machine accelerometers and miniature rechargeable batteries. emPower eyeglasses look like regular bookish glasses and correct near, far and middle area. The tech circuitry is tucked in the temples of the eyeglass frames.
Cost: About $1,200.
Energizer 2 in 1 USB device charger
Problem: Tired of having to charge USB-powered devices.
Solution: Energizer introduced several car and wall outlet devices that charge USB-powered smartphones MP3 players, iPads, iPhones and other gadgets. Each is designed with handy cord management, allowing the user to easily wrap those unruly cords in place. Energizer also unveiled batteries that last 9 times as long, helping consumers and reducing waste.
Cost: Coming this spring at about $40.
Intuit GoPayment phone using free reader
Problem: Your business could make more money if you could take credit cards.
Solution: Intuit GoPaymentgives even really small business folks the ability to process credit card payments on the spot, anywhere, using a mobile phone or tablet. I can see it being a hit with craftspeople and artists who exhibit at festivals, photographers, service business owners, landscapers, hair stylists and many others. Just plug the free credit card reader into a mobile device’s earphone jack and use the free GoPayment app to do charge card transactions.
Cost: Rates are as low as 1.7% and there are no sign up, monthly or other fees.
Tune in again tomorrow for the next installment of CES: Get Tech, Get Fit
[...] came the digital age and everything got an upgrade. Not only was information being disseminated more efficiently and [...]
[...] earphones were today’s stay in-the-ear audio spotting treat. demonstrated on the show floor by gymnasts and snow-boarders jumping and [...]