The technology to measure physiology is becoming commonplace: any smart watch worthy of the name can record heart rate. The trick now is to incorporate these sensors into other useful gadgets. A good example here is the Owlet (http://www.owletcare.com) Smart Sock which brings reassurance to parents that their baby is sleeping normally.

The Owlet Smart Sock monitors a baby’s heart rate and blood oxygen, alerting parents or carers if either measurement causes concern. The Owlet Smart Sock system has three components; the smart sock or bootie which is worn by the baby on its foot, a monitoring unit and the companion app. The bootie communicates with the monitoring unit via Bluetooth and if there is a problem, parents are notified by visual and audible alerts on the Owlet unit and smartphone(s).

The app is available for both iOS and Android but check compatibility before buying.

The Owlet Smart Sock is available now for $249 direct from Owlet (https://store.owletcare.com/collections/owlet/products/owlet-vitals-monitor).

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com (http://geeknewscentral.com).

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Owlet Smart Sock for Sleeping Babies at CES (http://geeknewscentral.com/2017/02/01/owlet-smart-sock-sleeping-babies-ces/)

(http://www.geekazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Earin-M2-300x169.jpg)

Earin M-2 Earbuds

As we move away from wired headsets, we look for devices that will not only deliver great sound, but also stay in our ears. Last year, Earin came on the scene with a wireless earbud and power capsule to go with your new iPhone 7 or Lenovo Moto Z (both devices without headphone jack).

The folks at Earin came on the scene last year with their M-1 earbuds. Bluetooth earbuds with a charging case for up to 9 hours of listening pleasure. This year at CES 2017 Bluetooth Conference, Earin shows off the new M-2 earbuds.

These headphones now include a microphone technology so you can take calls, talk to Siri or Android Assistant, or record audio for podcasts or voice messages. The microphone drivers include a proprietary noise removal algorithm technology so you can have a phone conversation in a noisy environment.

The Earin M-2 earbuds will retail at $249 and will be out in early April. For more information, goto Earin.com

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Learning is best done when fun and what’s more fun than play? Sam’s Curious Cars (https://www.samlabs.com/) fall right into this sweet spot and Todd gets an interactive demo from Joachim.

Sam Labs have created a series of component-based toys (think chassis, wheels, motors) that can be built up to make a vehicle – in this instance a car. The components are compatible with Lego bricks, so builders can really express themselves.

Once constructed, the car can be controlled by other components, like a switch for power and a slide for left and right. The car can also be controlled by an app and for advanced learners, the cars behaviour can be built up using control blocks in the app. It’s designed to introduce some of the key concepts of programming without actually having to code.

There’s a series of six different sets, priced from US$99 and the Curious Cars are $199. Additional sensors and motors can be bought separately. Available now from the Sam Labs shop (https://www.samlabs.com/shop) and other good retailers.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com (http://geeknewscentral.com).

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Real and Virtual Play Combine with Sam’s Curious Cars (http://geeknewscentral.com/2017/02/01/real-virtual-play-combine-sams-curious-cars/)

Synology is a real innovator when it comes to computer networking. The company is well known for its NAS devices but Synology also makes routers. Last year, Synology showed off its RT2600ac router (https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/RT2600ac) at CES. And they’re back this year with an updated version of that same router.

Todd spoke with Chandra at the Synology booth. Chandra shared some of the new RT2600ac’s features:

* QOS layer

* Control bandwidth of connected devices down to the application, not just the device

* Router can function as VPN

* VPN+ software package allows for VPN cloaking

* Two built-in USB 3 ports for connecting storage devices

* Built-in SD card slot

* Synology CloudStation software runs right on the router

* 1 WAN port and 4 LAN ports

The new version of this router will be released later this year. Retail pricing has not yet been determined.

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Synology’s New 2600 Router is Packed with Features at CES (http://geeknewscentral.com/2017/01/30/synologys-new-2600-router-packed-features-ces/)

One thing every attendee of CES 2017 must have noticed is how large the show is. Todd spoke with Allison from the Consumer Technology Association (https://www.cta.tech) (CTA) about how the show has grown and changed over time.

Allison pointed out that CES 2017 had 2.6 million net square feet of exhibit space which, she helpfully explained, equals about 45 football fields of innovation. This explains why some people came out of CES 2017 feeling as though they had done a whole lot of walking around!

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Consumer Technology Association has Statistics on CES 2017 (http://geeknewscentral.com/2017/01/30/consumer-technology-association-statistics-ces-2017/)

Thunderbolt-based docks are turning into big business thanks to recent developments in computing hardware (mostly on behalf of Apple). Docks have been used for years to make it easier to use laptops in desktop situations. But what if your desktop already has a computer on it? Todd met with David from IOGear to gett the answer to that question.

David showed off the new Thunderbolt 2 KVM/Docking Station (https://www.iogear.com/product/GTD732/?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=GTD732) from IOGear. This dock is more than just a standard port extender for a laptop computer. Here are some details:

* Built-in KVM switch allows you to connect two computers to the dock at the same time

* Two Thunderbolt 2 inputs

* Thunderbolt expansion port allows for connecting up to 5 additional Thunderbolt devices

* 4K 30hz video output

* Analog and optical audio I/O

* eSATA connection, USB 3, and USB 2 connections for storage

* Gigabit Ethernet port

This new dock/KVM device is available for purchase now at a price of $399.95.

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IOGear Brings Thunderbolt 2 Dock/KVM Switch to CES (http://geeknewscentral.com/2017/01/31/iogear-brings-thunderbolt-2-dockkvm-switch-ces/)

We tend to think of new technology as something that everyone can use. Not so! Sometimes, the hottest new technology is inaccessible to users who are low-vision or blind.

Todd spoke with Sean at Cyber Timez (http://www.cybertimez.com) who has a product called Cyber Eyez which is designed for people who are low-vision or blind. Cyber Eyez is an application that runs on Smart Glasses. It is completely hands free and very easy to use. It has 3 buttons or voice commands to control it.

Cyber Eyez can magnify up to 15 times resolution. When it comes to text, they also have an OCR engine that’s on the device – so no internet needed. It reads text in over 100 different languages. Cyber Eyes can be very useful for people who are visually impaired or blind.

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Cyber Timez Cyber Eyez Supports Low-Vision and Blind Users (http://geeknewscentral.com/2017/01/31/cyber-timez-cyber-eyez-supports-low-vision-and-blind-users/)

Is there an AI Monitoring your Workplace? For most of you not yet, but for a unlucky few their is a AI watching your productivity and who your talking to at the office, but no it get’s much worse… Find about AI in the workplace and much more on tod...

Is there an AI Monitoring your Workplace? For most of you not yet, but for a unlucky few their is a AI watching your productivity and who your talking to at the office, but no it get’s much worse… Find about AI in the workplace and much more on tod...

Sponsored by Olio Digital Labs

Thanks to Techdoz.ca for the loan of the Snowball Blue Mic

Hosts & Guests

* Stuart Clark

* Derek Silva

Topics

* The cloud and Office keep Microsoft afloat during PC slump

* https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/26/microsoft-earnings-q2-2017/ (https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/26/microsoft-earnings-q2-2017/)

* HMV’s closure end of an era

* http://www.lfpress.com/2017/01/28/hmvs-closure-end-of-an-era (http://www.lfpress.com/2017/01/28/hmvs-closure-end-of-an-era)

* Amazon and PayPal may collaborate on a payments solution says CEO

* http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/01/28/amazon-paypal-may-collaborate-on-a-payments-solution-says-ceo/ (http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/01/28/amazon-paypal-may-collaborate-on-a-payments-solution-says-ceo/)

* Google Canada and the Canadian media fund announce partnership to promote homegrown content

* http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/01/27/google-canadian-media-fund-partnership/ (http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/01/27/google-canadian-media-fund-partnership/)

* Lots of recent Nintendo Switch hands-on sessions

* https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/01/hands-on-with-nintendo-switch-jack-of-all-trades-master-of-some/ (https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/01/hands-on-with-nintendo-switch-jack-of-all-trades-master-of-some/)

* http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/01/28/nintendo-switch-hands-on-canada/ (http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/01/28/nintendo-switch-hands-on-canada/)

* http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/nintendo-switch-impressions-1.3956877 (http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/nintendo-switch-impressions-1.3956877)

* Nortel cleared to end bankruptcy, distribute $7-billion to creditors

* http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/the-law-page/nortel-cleared-to-end-bankruptcy-distribute-7-billion-to-creditors/article33772825/ (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/the-law-page/nortel-cleared-to-end-bankruptcy-distribute-7-billion-to-creditors/article33772825/)

Stuff We Like

* Stuart – Neewer NW-700 Mic, boom etc (https://www.amazon.ca/Neewer-Professional-Broadcasting-Microphone-Adjustable/dp/B00XOXRTX6).

* Derek – Google Pixel (https://madeby.google.com/phone/)

What are you up to lately?

* Stuart – Got the new mic, boom, etc. in record time from Amazon, playing around with some video switcher apps.

* Derek – Marathon Council meeting last Wednesday, figuring out which sports leagues to sign the kids up for spring and summer, enjoying my Google Pixel and thinking about getting a Daydream VR, made a donation to OpenMedia, try to finish up my Amazon AWS certification course, bought a Withings Body Scale smart scale (after reviewing The Sweethome’s reviews (http://thesweethome.com/reviews/the-best-bathroom-scales/)).

Don’t forget to review us on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/canadian-tech-podcast/id547657813?mt=2), Google Play (https://play.google.com/music/m/Ibwy43fcr3h7v546xxges335vla?t=Canadian_Tech_Podcast), TuneIn (http://tunein.com/radio/Canadian-Tech-Podcast-p919794/), Stitcher (http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/canadian-tech-podcast), or wherever else you get your podcasts. Please retweet us when we tweet about new episodes on Twitter (https://twitter.com/techpodcast_ca), share them on Facebook (https://facebook.com/canadiantechpodcast) and Google+, or tell a friend!

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Music Credit:

“District Four” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com (http://incompetech.com/))

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)

 

The post CTP Ep. 102 – Jan. 30, 2017: I Got a Neew Pixel (http://www.canadiantechpodcast.ca/2017/01/31/ctp-ep-102-jan-30-2017-got-neew-pixel/) appeared first on Canadian Tech Podcast (http://www.canadiantechpodcast.ca).