Best CES 2014 Longreads

From Greg
CES 2014 is in the books. The buzz words this year were wearable and 3D printing. 5,000 tech journalist swarmed Las Vegas. Here are the best long read articles from the show.

Microsoft and the PC have seen better days
The PC isn't dead, but Microsoft will have to work hard to stay relevant in an increasingly mobile world in 2014.
by Brooke Crothers at CNET
Read the full story HERE

The Gear That Got Us Through CES
Any tech blogger will tell you CES can be fun, but it is a grind. They will tell you loudly, and insistently. You will not need to ask. But to get through that joyous slog, we had some helpful sidekick gadgets to get us through (mostly) unscathed. Here are the Gizmodo Strike Force favorites.
Read the full story HERE

Executive Insights & Innovation
Sensor-equipped objects and their networks -- what Cisco calls the Internet of Everything -- will reshape your life, Cisco CEO John Chambers says.
Read the full story HERE

Digital Trends Best of CES 2014 award winners
We came, we saw, we drank in the very best tech CES 2014 had to offer. After revealing our Best of CES 2014 nominees in 15 different categories on day one of the show, we slept (very little) on our decisions, roamed the show floor again, and now we’re back to reveal the hard-fought winners – including the coveted Best of Show award. It took some agonizing, nail biting and even a little arguing, but we managed to whittle our list of five nominees in every category down to just one. Except, of course, in the Home category, which has the distinction of claiming six winners this year to accommodate for its exceptionally broad scope. Without further ado, here are the products that defined CES 2014.
Read the full story HERE

Related articles

• Google may announce Android based in-car system at CES 2014
• CES 2014: Cisco's Internet of Everything Vision - InformationWeek
• CES 2014 Photos
• Digital Trends Best of CES 2014 award finalists

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PowerUp 3.0 Kickstarter

From Greg
My favorite thing is a good Kickstarter campaign. Yesterday I signed up to support the PowerUp 3.0 campaign at the $40 level. This is a blue tooth device you attach to a paper airplane that allows you to remote control it. WOW! AMAZING! You had me at HELLO!

From Developer
PowerUp 3.0 turns your self-made paper airplane into a smartphone-controlled flying machine.


PowerUp Toys has introduced a new form of play by meshing origami classics with technology. This time we took a big leap forward, by integrating state-of-the-art Bluetooth Smart technology into our PowerUp design. Now you can easily control a simple homemade paper airplane with your smartphone. Say hello to the World’s First Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane - PowerUp 3.0.

We have made major improvements over  the past months. Now we are ready to start production and put this innovative toy in your hands. By backing us on Kickstarter - the leading crowd funding platform - you will help us reach our minimum order goal. In return we will give you a reward. On the right hand side you can see the various pledge and reward options. To get more information press here.

1 -Fold It: Simply fold a piece of copier paper into a paper airplane
2 - Attach It: Attach the Smart Module to your paper plane with the patented clips underneath the Smart Module.
3 - Connect It: Start the app to connect to the Smart Module with your iPhone.
4 - Fly It: Push throttle to full and launch the paper airplane high up into the sky. Tilt your smartphone to the left or to the right to steer your plane, increase or reduce throttle to go up or down.

- Crash-proof carbon fiber frame 
- Precision control for easy flying 
- Automatic thrust to assist when banking
- Lithium Polymer Battery provides 10 minute of flight on one charge

- Ascend/Descend using the throttle lever
- Tilt iPhone right or left for maneuvering
- Battery level indicator
- Charging status indicator
- Range indicator
- Thrust level indicator
- Artificial horizon
- Air Traffic Control (ATC)  

Related articles

• PowerUp 3.0 Is A Bluetooth Module That Turns A Paper Plane Into A Lean, Mean App-Controlled Flying Machine
• PowerUp 3.0 is a Smartphone Controlled Airplane That's Received $947k in Funding
• PowerUp racks up $850K on Kickstarter for iPhone-controlled paper airplanes
• PowerUp 3.0 Lets You Fly a Paper Airplane Using Your iPhone [Video]

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Gametime app

From Greg
Here is a great idea from Gametime.com. A ticket app geared toward last minute ticket buys. Completely paperless. However what caught my eye were the interface. Check out the images below. It shows the view from you seat with the game in progress. As a paying customer this is what I want to see before money changes hands.

Read the full story at techcrunch.com HERE
From Techcrunch
You purchase a ticket on the app, then you just present your phone with the ticket at the gate and it gets scanned in. Not that Gametime is the only service to take advantage of this technology, but it’s deliberately limiting itself to tickets in these formats. So when you use the app, you know for sure that no printing will be required.

Gametime is also focusing on tickets that are discounted right before the game, which, Griffith said, it’s pulling from “a bunch of different suppliers.” That means you get tickets at a cheaper price, and you don’t have to buy them days or weeks ahead of time.

He compared the approach to HotelTonight — and indeed, the interface will be familiar to HotelTonight users as well, and HotelTonight’s founders are among the investors in GameTime’s initial funding of $800,000. Other backers include owners of the Warriors and Giants, as well as Sincerely and Xobni co-founder Matt Brezina.

Gametime company web site

Gametime company on Facebook

Get the app on the Apple app store HERE

From Developer
Gametime makes your phone your ticket to the San Jose Sharks, Golden State Warriors and now the LA Lakers, Clippers and Kings! Your mobile tickets are 100% guaranteed by our GAMETIME GUARANTEED promise. 

Gametime transforms your phone into your ticket to the best games. Since we're team-focused, there's no searching or sifting through events. We examine thousands of potential tickets then present you with only the best values - not an impossibly long list of options. Plus, our last-minute prices can save up to 80% off of retail. We present each option with an epic panorama view from your seat so you can select the right perspective. After purchase, tickets are delivered directly to your phone so you never need a printer. With tickets on your phone, you can email or SMS them to anyone in your group. Gametime makes getting into the game as amazing as being there.

Related articles

• Gametime Aims To Provide The Best Mobile Experience For Last-Minute Sports Ticketing
• LeBron James does not participate in shootaround; gametime decision vs. Pacers
• NFL playoffs: Did gametime temperature in Green Bay set a record?
• Gametime with Smosh: Living on the Mirror's Edge

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Cassette Adapter Bluetooth

From Greg 
CES 2014 is getting close. New product releases are being announced every hour. Here is one that struck me as clever. It turns your old cassette player into a wireless music player.

Read more: ionaudio.com

From Developer
www.ionaudio.com

Turn your car's cassette deck into a wireless music player.

With Cassette Adapter Bluetooth from ION, your car’s cassette player instantly becomes a wireless Bluetooth receiver. Just like that, you can stream music from any Bluetooth music player or phone. No complicated installation. No cables. No tangled or snagged tape. Just pop it in and it automatically turns on. Cassette Adapter Bluetooth contains a long-lasting rechargeable battery for even the longest road trips. Plus, you now have a hands-free solution for phone calls.

Now, you can use your car's speakers to hear phone calls and music without having to buy a new stereo head-unit. Both of your hands stay safe on the wheel while your audio source stays in your pocket. Cassette Adapter Bluetooth is the last cassette you’ll ever need and the first —and only—step to bring your favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks into your car.

KEY FEATURES

• Transforms your car’s cassette deck into a Bluetooth music receiver
• Streams music wirelessly from any Bluetooth music player or phone
• Turns on and off automatically when inserted and ejected from deck
• Allows for hands-free phone calls using your car’s speakers
• Built-in rechargeable battery lasts up to 6 hours
• USB charging cable included

INCLUDES

• Cassette Adapter Bluetooth
• Charging Cable
• Quickstart Guide
• Safety & Warranty Manual

From Greg

Here is the original story I saw about the product. 

Gizmodo

Easily Update Ancient Stereos With ION Audio's Bluetooth Cassette

by Andrew Liszewski

You may have convinced your parents to upgrade to a smartphone or a tablet, but that monstrous ancient stereo system in their living room that served them well in the 1980s isn't going anywhere. Thankfully, ION Audio's new Cassette Adapter Bluetooth is a ridiculously easy way to get their old and modern technology to play nice together.

It's all but guaranteed that your parents know how to use an audio cassette, and that's about as difficult as this rechargeable wireless adapter gets. The Bluetooth receiver automatically turns on when it's inserted into a boombox or a car's outdated stereo, and then switches itself off when it's ejected. And while availability and pricing haven't been revealed yet, it's safe to assume this adapter will be a lot cheaper than replacing your parent's beloved sound system. 

Related articles

• MP3 Players Buying Guide
• The iShower Bluetooth Speaker Fills Your Shower With Music
• Soundfreaq Unveils Two New Wireless Home Speakers and Pocket-Sized Bluetooth Speaker at CES 2014
• The CoolStream Duo Bluetooth Music Receiver
• Review: iHome iBN26 NFC Bluetooth Stereo System

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