PLUGHITZ Live Presents (Video)

Fingerprint readers are well established in all but the lowest cost smartphones - look at the Moto G-series for phones priced around $200 - and it's a trusted solution. So it's not surprising that fingerprint readers are now appearing in other devices such as padlocks and bike locks. BIO-key are fingerprint specialists and have a range of locks and readers that do away with keys and passwords. Todd unlocks the potential of his finger with Scott.

BIO-key's locks can be opened by a range of technologies depending on the model. Most use fingerprints, but others also have Bluetooth capabilities and some use PIN codes. There are some real benefits in using a fingerprint for unlocking - no key to lose, no combination to remember.

Prices start at $39.99 for the TouchLock Designer, and a TSA approved lock is $54.95.

BIO-key produce fingerprint readers for PCs too, so if you don't want to type in your password, check out these USB devices.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

This episode was originally published on Geek News Central.

True wireless earphones have been around for about eighteen months and products are beginning to innovate away from making the earphones technically better and physically smaller. As an example, Lizn's "hearpieces" are wireless earphones but also have some properties of a hearing aid. Todd listens to Michael to find out more.

The clue to Lizn's USP is in the name itself - it's a play on "listen." C'mon, keep up. As well as being discreet Bluetooth wireless earphones, the earphones have directional amplification to help the wearer hear conversation in difficult circumstances. The dual microphones use advanced sound processing to enhance the consonants in speech which helps understanding in noisy environments.

The earphones come in three different colors: ruby red, caffe latte and anthracite grey. They're on pre-order for $149 with an expected retail price of $199, and should be available in April.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

This episode was originally published on Geek News Central.

Kano's mission is to encourage people, particularly children, to see computers not as unchangeable appliances but as tools to be made, shaped, coded and shared. Their kits plug together bits, boards, buttons and cables to make individual and personalised computers. Joanna gets to the heart of the matter with Todd and the Pixel Kit.

Kano's approach is to challenge each young developer into programming simple apps that achieve technical goals. Using Kano's development tools, Kano Code, it's really easy to build programs as the tools come with code building blocks for things like displaying an emoji or responding to noise via a microphone. It's very easy to quickly produce something that's fun and keeps children interested.

The Pixel Kit is available now for just under $80 from both online shops and major retail stores.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

This episode was originally published on Geek News Central.

Kano's mission is to encourage people, particularly children, to see computers not as unchangeable appliances but as tools to be made, shaped, coded and shared. Their kits plug together bits, boards, buttons and cables to make individual and personalized computers. Bruno gives Todd a hand to develop a selfie camera from their new Camera Kit.

Kano's approach is to challenge each young developer into programming simple apps that achieve technical goals. Using Kano's development tools it's really easy to build programs as the tools come with code building blocks for things like taking a picture or responding to noise via a microphone. Consequently, even Todd can code an app to take a picture when someone claps.

The Camera Kit's not expected until next year but you can sign up to hear the latest news. Expect the price to be around $99.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

This episode was originally published on Geek News Central.

Playing games using bare hands for controllers goes back as far as the Eye Toy for the Sony PlayStation 2, but it was really Microsoft's Kinect that brought gesture recognition mainstream. As fantastic as these cameras were, players only received visual feedback, e.g. the in-game character moved in the desired direction. But what if there is no TV screen to show feedback? How could the user know that they've pressed the right button? That's where Ultrahaptics come in with their ultrasonic speakers. Todd gets a feeling for the tech with Heather.

Simplistically, Ultrahaptics uses ultrasound to project sensations onto a hand. Small highly controllable speakers can focus sound waves to make a hand feel on object that's not there. It's pretty clever technology but what it means is that a hand action can receive feedback directly, without needing a screen.

Heather splits the use cases into two, controls and experiences. Want to turn on a light switch? Feel the imaginary switch and flick it up. For experiences, a two-dimensional object could be given three-dimensional properties. Think of a film poster that responds to a hand approach it. The force awakens!

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

This episode was originally published on Geek News Central.

Mobile data charges abroad can be prohibitively expensive and tethering for Wi-Fi burns through the phone's battery. The new Fonebud W wireless hotspot solves this problem for over 80 countries worldwide. Don chats with Dixon about the features of this new device.

Using your home SIM while in a foreign land typically ends with a large bill when you get back, though seasoned travelers will have a pocketful of SIMs for local telcos. Mind you, it's still a pain making sure that your smartphone is unlocked and forwarding your calls to your new number (unless you have a dual SIM phone). A much better solution would be the upcoming Fonebud W personal Wi-Fi hotspot which works in over 80 countries, particularly in Asia and China. The 10,000 mAh battery will run the Fonebud W for well over a day and can be used to wirelessly charge a smartphone. Yes, it has a wireless charger built-in, though you can still charge with a cable. The small LED screen shows details of connectivity and battery life.

The Fonebud W will be available in Q2 2018 and will cost $129-$169 including 24 GB data which is valid for a year.

Interview by Don Baine, The Gadget Professor.

This episode was originally published on Geek News Central.

At CES 2017, PicoBrew showed off their personal beer brewing machine and this year, they're back with a little something to take home alcohol production to the next level. Todd finds out more from George.

For existing PicoBrewers, the PicoStill brings an opportunity to "up their game" and start distilling small batches of spirits safely and more precisely. 500 ml takes about 4 hours to produce, and up to 180 proof is possible with will multilevel distilling. Alternatively, the PicoStill can capture the essence of hops and other oils to give unique flavors and aromas to food and drinks.

The PicoStill is on pre-order for $249 ($349 SRP) but it's an accessory for other brewing appliances (Pico S/Pro/C) so check compatibility before ordering.

Also on show is the Pico C, a smaller and cheaper beer brewing machine for $549.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

This episode was originally published on Geek News Central.

When I hear "hydroponics" I always think of sci-fi and long missions to deep space. Fortunately, hydroponics is much more rooted in reality than the genre suggests, and this brings us neatly to Opcom Farm and their indoor hydroponics systems. Todd digs with Ray from Opcom and discovers how to garden in your garage.

Opcom offers everything needed to setup a home hydroponics garden except the space. Even then, the GrowPod can create space within another area, such as a garage, for the racks and shelving needed for a hydroponic garden. These days all the lights are LED, so energy costs are kept low, and there's a range of units from the simple O2-Light to a full GrowWall. It all depends on the budget - a GrowPod starts at $2000.

There's plenty of information on Opcom Farm's website and some products are available from Amazon.com. Others are on pre-order for delivery in 2018.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

This episode was originally published on Geek News Central.

Super technology in the home is not a thing of the future, but what is happening now. Kohler has been providing your home with everyday necessities for over 100 years, and now they are updating those products with their line called Kohler Konnect. This line of products is about moments made better, with control exactly how you want it. You can control these products manually, through the app or with your voice.

The Verdera Lighted Mirror is activated with built-in Amazon Alexa voice control. With the voice control in the bathroom, you can direct your wishes to start your shower with the proper temperature and desired spray choice or a combination of sprays. The morning shower person might want a quick awakening-type of shower and the bedtime shower person might want a more massage-type, relaxing kind of shower. Verdera is equipped with integrated lighting, 2 microphones and 2 hermetically-sealed speakers, so that you don't have any extra clutter on your counter.

In the kitchen there is a touchless faucet that is perfect for people who just want to wave their hand to turn on the water and not touch the faucet. You can also use the voice control to tell your faucet to fill your coffeepot with a pre-set amount of water. Except for Verdera, all of these products are platform-agnostic, making it very compatible with Amazon, Alexa or Google Assistant.

These products are available now except for the voice command mirror which is coming out in March. For more information go to kohler.com.

Interview by Chase Lowery of PLuGHiTz Live Special Events.

ShadeCraft Robotics is a start up company in California that has made it their mission to improve human interaction outdoors through connected devices and robotic technology. One of their greatest examples of working toward that mission is called the Sunflower. The Sunflower is the world's first autonomous shade that keeps your space completely shaded for the largest part of the day by automating its movements along with the sun's movement. It also generates and stores renewable energy using solar panels to bring the mechanism to life.

The Sunflower has speakers for any type of music from your own device and a microphone for AI commands through your smarthome system through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi built-in capabilities. But it doesn't end there! This shade goes above and beyond for any outdoor space with an HD camera and controlled lighting. You can easily use the Sunflower as the center piece from a party to a relaxing day to yourself.

Preorders are available now on the ShadeCraft website for $6900 until the end of March when the retail price increases to $8700.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

Daniele is a student at Florida Polytechnic University who is studying Computer Science with a concentration in Cyber Security. In High School, she was introduced to the science and technology world through the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), a robotics foundation where students of varying ages can compete through tasks that their robots perform. With help from mentors she met through FIRST, she became interested in programming and developing. Today, Daniele is a special events host for F5 Live: Refreshing Technology and PLuGHiTz Live Special Events and a co-host for both The New Product Launchpad and FIRST Looks.