Geekazine

While I was at SXSW, I was asked to come get footage for a chess match between Gary Kasparov, and 10 others. But what happened next really made my day. The 10th person did not show up, so I ended up playing in the spot! Of course, not prepared, I didn’t do that well, but it was still an honor to play against the grandmaster chess champion. 

Gary Kasparov – Brand Ambassador for Avast Software

Gary was at SXSW talking about how todays technology in the home is always prone to attack. He was with Avast President Ondrej Vlcek, talking about “Ethics and Responsibility in the AI and IoT Age”.

When you have your connected fridge, washer, thermostat, and other devices, talking to the Internet, hackers continue to look at ways to break in and control, or get personal information from you. They discussed the evolution of AI, the current state of home security, and how to protect privacy.

As Gary played us in chess, I thought – this is a perfect analogy to that fact. Gary being the hacker, and each of the 10 chess players trying to keep him from taking our King. Eventually, he won – every time. 

About Gary Kasparov

Kasparov is a Russian chess grandmaster. He was the youngest ever undisputed World Chess Champion at age 22. A political advocat of Russia, he chairs on the International Council of the Human Rights Foundation. 

Gary Kasparov also  played in a pair of six matches agains IBM Deep Blue – a supercomputer. The six matches happened in 1996, then a second series in 1997. Since then, Gary has also played “Deep Junior” in 2003, X3D Fritz (using 3D and speech recognition) and other promotional matches (such as this one), since. 

Then the Walkers Attacked

Once the match was over, the “Fear the Walking Dead” event took over, and walkers started roaming the ground. You can see them in the background of the video…

I used to do Eyerobics – a theory that if you work out your eyes, you will have better eyesight in the years to come. Some of the exercises made it tougher to stick on a regime, so I stopped. As I get older, I start to think on what I need to do to keep my eyes in good heath. So when I saw OTUS by Edenlux, and realized my ever deteriorating eyesight, I was excited to see better.

OTUSby Edenlux looks like a VR headset, but it’s actually something very different. This device helps you to see better by working out your eyes. And yes, it kind of makes you look like an owl. That makes sense because owls have great eyesight.

Who. Who! OTUS, that’s who.

We’ve all heard about the various eye exercises that you can do to improve your vision. Holding a finger a certain distance away and focusing on it, rolling your eyes back and forth and so on. Do these tricks work? I have no idea, but OTUSclaims that its goggles work. They are also very easy to use.

Phoropter

The idea is that you wear the OTUS goggles for about 5 minutes before you watch TV or use your computer etc. Inisde the unit, it will change your vision slightly – a lot like visiting the eye doctor as you can see the lenses change etc. And you still have your vision while this is going on so you can still see what’s happening around you. That means that you could use these almost anywhere when you want to improve your vision. At home, at work, on the bus, wherever.

During the 5 minute time period your eyes have been relaxed and also have gotten some exercise. It has a rechargeable battery. The device will launch in the United States at the end of the year. Prices have not been determined, yet.

If you feel that your eyes could use some extra care, this may be a great way to strengthen them and help your eyesight.

Check out OTUS website – Edenlx.com

This was a post-sponsored post by Edenlux, but all opinions are of Jeffrey Powers and Geekazine.com

CES innovations can be anywhere. Not just through the latest technology, but also bringing old and new together. Take Ullo World, for example. A CES Innovation Award Honoree.

The Inner Garden is an enterprising adventure into extended reality. The Inner Garden combines kinetic sand with a projector, sensors, and binaural sound effects to help the user practice mindfulness.

Somewhat like a zen garden, the user manipulates the kinetic sand into different shapes and patterns. The Inner Garden then measures the dimensions of the sand and projects colored light onto the surface of the sand. The colors change automatically according to the height of sand, allowing the user to create snow covered mountains, sandy beaches, and blue seas while listening to the peaceful sound of waves and wildlife. The resulting non-verbal topographical immersion helps the user feel calm through the tactile release of tension and an engaging refocus of the mind.

As seen in the video, the Inner Garden blends several non-medicinal scientific approaches to regulate anxiety that would be ideal for the home or classroom. Inner Garden plans to further expand the garden to include biofeedback for advanced users through the use of an abdominal breathing belt to reflect the user’s breath in the movement of the waves.

The Inner Garden is ideal for young children with ASD, ADHD, DI; adults with anxiety disorders or cognitive disorders, and elderly with neuro-degenerative diseases.

For more information, check out Ullo-World.fr

Recording video through a phone is a great way to capture the moment, but sometimes the audio experience gets lost. With binaural recording, the sound expands, and the experience increases. 

Anthony Mattana at Hooke audio wanted to make a simple device to give you that binaural experience. As a theater major, he saw how hard it was to mic up an actor. Further, it was harder to even bring the character to life with a mono audio feed. 

He came up with a design that will create sound in the same places you hear it – the distance from ear to ear. 

What is Hooke Verse

This is a headset with stereo mics on each side on the earpiece. The audio is recorded to the 3D audio app at 16 bit – 48 kHz. The proprietary Bluetooth with a latency of 0.043 allows for a seamless audio to video recording. 

The app then will convert into a video file you can download, or share with others. 

The Verse is also a 4.1 Bluetooth LE headset, so you can use it to listen to music, podcasts, videos, and more. You can also connect via cable to the phone, or another camera, GoPro, or other device. 

The headphones are a dynamic driver with frequency range of 20Hz – 16kHz. Battery life gives you 9-10 hours of playback, and 8-9 hours of 3D recording. 

Hooke Verse is $159 and available now. Get your Hooke Verse on Amazon.

This is part 1 of a 2 part video. 

I was asked by Aving.net to judge 8 of the Korean startups that came to CES 2019 to present and get noticed by investors and companies. In this first video, we look at the following 4 companies: 

IP&PMS

This company basically looks for trademarks and patents in other countries to make sure there are no complications when their client introduces their product in a new market. With that research, companies can open their doors for communication and possibly avoid any disputes. 

Chang Dae Tech

Chang Dae uses Blockchain with real estate transactions. If you want to get a property in Korea, for example, you can do business with the other company, and currency issues will seem seamless. 

Construction Machine Simulator

If you are learning to operate heavy machinery (fork lift, cranes, etc), you want to have logged many hours in a simulator. CMS is a system that gives you that experience. The equipment will cost you about $15k, but you get a VR system with hardware that simulates the machine you want to learn to use. 

It would also make an awesome gaming cockpit. 

Protostar Share Space

If you have a mall with empty office space, Protostar Share Space works such like an AirBnB to put businesses in your spaces. This is perfect for businesses that don’t need store fronts year round, and can get foot traffic to their company. The retail land owner gets buildings filled so they can assure patrons to come back. 

As a musician, podcaster, and live streamer, I use PreSonus interfaces for my portable needs. At NAMM, PreSonus has updated the line with USB-C interfaces, along with bringing you 192 kHz sample rates, 24 bit, and even MIDI options. 

Don’t forget to check out the new PreSonus ATOM MIDI controller, which we talked about in a previous post. 

PreSonus Studio 24C 2×2

Perfect for simple 2 input recording. Musicians will love it because you can record via microphone, instrument, or MIDI. Podcasters will love the compact size. The 24C also is equipped with XMAX-L preamp for leveling your device quick and easy. Finally, phantom power for any microphone that needs it. 

The PreSonus Studio 24c is $149. All these models come with Studio One software. All mixers also come with USB-C to USB-A adapters for connection to any computer.

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PreSonus Studio 26C 2×4

This is for those who need additional line outputs, and a Cue Mix A/B on the front. The outputs allow you to plug into main mix, and monitors, along with USB-C for input into the computer. 

The 26c is $199

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PreSonus Studio 68C 6×6

Need more inputs? The 68C gives you 6 in and 6 outputs. You also get two S/PDIF inputs and MIDI through the breakout cable. Small trio recording, podcasting panels, and live streams with changing guests are perfect for this one. 

The 68c is $299.95

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PreSonus Studio 1810c 18×8

Can you believe this could get 18 inputs and 8 outputs? You could record to your favorite DAW and take the time to mix down to perfection. You can even give one of 8 different outputs (4 XMAX-L, 4 through S/PDIF) for monitor mixes, and more. This is also the first model with a mute button if needed. 

The 1810c is $399.95

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PreSonus Studio 1824c 

Finally,  the 1824c is the rack mounted big dog for PreSonus interfaces. This has 8 XMAX inputs, 8 outputs, 2 main mix, 2 S/PDIF, MIDI, SDI Clock, and ADAT in/out for 8 channels. The Studio 1824c could give you the flexibility to record, stream, monitor, and even send out a live sound. 

The 1824c is $499.95

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Your cat is going to love the Petronics Mousr. This fun gadget plays with your cat. It lets you use your mobile device to play with and stimulate your pet.

Maybe you are too busy to give your cat the proper playtime. Maybe you’re just lazy and want a better way to do it. No problem. Petronics has made it fun enough that you will be playing with your cat more often. This gadget will help keep your cat exercised and sharp, so they can get those mouser skills well honed.

Mousr moves around enticing your cat with a fluffy tail that wags and you can take control through the app. And if your cat flips it over playtime is not ended since this thing gets back up on its own and flips back over. So you don’t even has to get up to correct it.

It actually knows when your cat in interacting with it, so it won’t pull too hard and hurt your cat’s teeth. You can control the speed, direction and more through the app. It’s pretty impressive how well this thing works.

Think of it as a cat toy for the 21st century. Fluffy will love getting some extra play time and you will love controlling this high-tech cat toy as you watch.

Cat fur getting stuck in the wheels should not be an issue since the wheels come off easily for cleaning. That’s always a big problem with these toys so I’m glad they solved that one. Cat hair gets everywhere.

Get Mousr on Amazon. Also check out the Petronics website.

In the last few years, I’ve been working on different ways a drum set can be put together. With electric drums, you can do so much more. Take, for example, this e-drum setup at the Keith McMillen Instruments booth. They were showing off their BopPad smart fabric drum, while bringing in a drumset feel, and finally adding the Pearl Malletstation (by Keith McMillen). 

This is a great setup if you are a theatre or orchestra percussionist. It’s also a fun way for drummers to turn into solo shows. I really don’t do the setup justice too much, since I am sitting down at this setup for the first time. If you put a little bit of time and through into it, you could come up with some fun musical ideas. 

BopPad

A 4-zone pad that can be used with hands or stick. The fabric drum is a different style of sensor (unlike most piezzo drums) that can sense pressure and impact. You can strike the pad, run a finger across it, push it down while hitting, and the drum will react, depending on what sounds you put in it.

Malletstation

This is a 3 octave keyboard made for Pearl by Keith McMillen. This is powered by USB MIDI, so you can connect to an iOS device. This is an adjustable range device. With key caps, you can change the pad range from a C – to – C instrument, to a F – to – F. 

Of course, the Malletstation can replace not only all of your keyboard instruments (like Marimba, or Vibraphone), but also cover many other instruments. You can also play a drumset with this keyboard. 

The Malletstation is $999, and BopPad is $199.  For more information, check out KeithMcMillen.com

If you need a good eye massage and also want to look like Cyclops from the X-Men, Aurai has just thing for you. The funny thing is that when you turn this device on the light in the front slit makes it look even more sci-fi. It’s a water-based eye unit that uses distilled water and you can choose to set it to make the water cold to warm as it does its thing.

Instead of making you a mutant superhero that shoots lasers from their eyes, this device is all about relaxation. Imagine sitting back in your chair and letting this thing give you a nice relaxing eye massage. That would feel pretty good right about now, wouldn’t it? It sure would.

The idea is that this device moves the water around and the motion massages the eyes for about six minutes at a time. It runs on a battery which will give you about 9-12 messages before needing a charge. It takes about an hour and a half to charge up again, which is not bad at all for how good it will feel to get a massage or six with this thing.

It takes about 30 seconds to warm up once you hit the warm up button. It will cost you $239 and it is available right now if you want to experience a relaxing eye massage for yourself. In fact, you can buy Aurai on Amazon. When it arrives those eyes will be relaxed for sure. Check out more on the Aurai website.

I went to New York a couple weeks ago to learn about a new set of Office Jet Pro printers that HP was releasing. We also learned more about why HP was releasing them, and that is simply to give SMBs more functional printers that can do more than just print.

In this hour-long presentation, we learn about the new line of SMB printers, the HP Smart App, and the new line of Office Jet Pro printers for SMB. We learned about Three Seat Espresso & Barber from it’s founder Aaron Cook. Interviewing was Ramon Ray.

HP Office Jet Pro 8025, 8035, 9015, 9025, and Premier

Office Space is evolving. HP noticed that people and businesses still need printers, but they don’t like the eye-sores and noise makers of years past. They also noticed that people would pay more money for ways to hide their printers or box them in to reduce noise. 

These printers need to scan, print, and send information. Smaller deskjets won’t do, and larger ones are too much. 

The new Office Jet Pro printers offer not only function, but some style. Color accents, contrasting base, and an interface with floating panels for easier use. Three colors to choose from – Basalt, Oasis, or Coral (Pantone color of the year 2019). 

Although the printers are smaller, they still have a lot of productivity inside. 500 sheet trays, 2x duplex scan and print, and a new glass design so paper doesn’t get caught in the edges. Finally, a smart output tray sensor that prevents paper from spilling out on the floor. 

These printers also have self-healing WiFi. This helps detect issues, try to fix, or even let you know there is an issue needing resolution. 

 

HP introduced Instant Ink in 2018. This service saves you 50% on ink, and will order more ink only when you need it. Plans start at $2.99, and include shipping and recycling of old ink.

Left: Aaron Cook talks with Ramon Ray about being a small business.

New HP Smart App for Organizing

HP also knows they have to work with the way you need to print, or store. That includes your smartphone. Therefore, they created a new HP Smart app that allows you to do more than print. 

One great option is called Smart Tasks – the ability to scan receipts, and get them ready for any program or print. This also includes OCR technology, and edge cropping, so you only get the receipt and not the clutter around it. 

The scans can then be sent to the cloud print, or just the cloud to be used for what you need. You can send these images to Quickbooks, Microsoft Cloud, Google Cloud, Box, and Dropbox. This can give you 81% fewer steps, and take half the time. 

HP Office Jet Pro Prices

Five new printers, starting at $169. Links available if they are released.

* OfficeJet Pro 8025 – $169 (May 2019)

* OfficeJet Pro 8035 in 3 different colors – $199 (May 2019)

* OfficeJet Pro 9015 – $229

* OfficeJet Pro 9025 – $329

* OfficeJet Pro Premier – $399, and comes with two years of ink delivered, and two year warranty.

I will be reviewing the OfficeJet Pro 9025 in-house later this month.