Techstination

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. Those barcodes you see on all types of packaging…are on their way out. GS1 US the standards organization behind the barcodes….has developed a new standard which will be pushed out more widely next year. It uses QR codes….that can deliver much more information to consumers and retailers. Senior VP Melanie Nuce Hilton..

“Every product has a story and that story is best told through the consumer’s ability to interact with the product either at checkout or through their smartphone. Food waste is an important issue that we’re trying to tackle as an industry and we’d love to be able to reduce food waste. So a QR codes on a product, such as this carton of eggs right here, it contains information about the expiration.”

The QR code can deliver information about nutrition and allergies…or even link to recipes.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.

Some worthwhile screen time for kids this summer. Apple is offering free summer camp sessions at Apple Stores for fun and creativity. And you don't need to own an iPad. Details? Apples Jahmyra Austin chats with Techstination's Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.   I’m Fred FishkinStanford University spinout Adaptyx Biosciences has developed a wearable device that will measure hormones continuously,  beginning with cortisol.   Co-founder and CEO Vijit Sabnis..says cortisol levels are a critical indicator…

“There’s a field called circadian health or circadian biology that talks about how our body is on a daily rhythm.  And cortisol is the signaling molecule that starts that on a daily basis and when it is off, when it is not regulated appropriately, our entire health can suffer over time.”

Clinical trials are underway…

“But the technology is real.   We have measured our device in over 70 patients, more than 400 hours of testing which is supporting our pathway into an FDA submission.

There is more info at Adaptyx.bio.   

You can find us at Techstination.com.   I’m Fred Fishkin.

Unlock the front door with your face? The FamiLock E40 from Anker's Eufy Security does that in more. And there are new wired and solar powered EufyCam solutions. Details? Eufy Security PR Lead Janet Jin chats with Techstination's Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. A wearable continuous monitor for cortisol and more is on the way. Stanford University spinout Adaptyx Biosciences is in the process of commercializing a wearable device that will measure hormones. Co-founder and CEO Vijit Sabnis..

“This is a brand new technology that allows us to measure lots and lots of other different molecules continuously. And we’re starting first with the stress hormone cortisol.”

Why?

“Cortisol is a really, really critical and fundamental molecule that affects every major organ system in the body. It controls your metabolism. It impacts your sleep. When it is dysregulated, when we’re under a lot of stress chronically, when those levels get too high, it can drive diabetes, hypertension.”

More on the significance in my next report.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.

Want a really cool dad? Gobi Heat's line of cooling vests and apparel make for no sweat on Father's Day. And they can keep Moms and kids comfy too. How? Founder and CEO Jaye Genung talks about the products, tech and innovations with Techstination's Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. A new AI tool from Microsoft called Scout was unveiled at the company’s Build conference. Microsoft is saying it is its first Autopilot agent….integrated across the range of Microsoft 365 apps. It is designed to stay active in the background and take actions without needing to be prompted to help you get work done. With its own identity, think of it as a digital worker, Scout is powered by OpenClaw open source technology and Microsoft says it will be contributing back to the open source community. Meanwhile, Copilot is shifting from a chat assistant to AI Agent that can execute tasks. In other words…Copilot isn’t just answering questions anymore..it’s being designed to do work on your behalf.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.

Hitster Music Bingo is selling by the millions creating intergenerational game night fun. And there's a tech twist. Ready to play? Jumbo Group U.S. Marketing Manager Natasha Coppin chats with Techstination's Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear. I’m Fred Fishkin. The folks at Oura are at it again….with a newly redesigned Oura Ring 5. I’ve been impressed for years by previous generations of the ring…which provides sleep and health data without the discomfort and charging challenges of wrist worn devices. The Oura Ring 5 is 40 percent smaller than the Ring 4 and boasts battery life of a week. It is made from lightweight non-allergenic titanium and is available in new colors. Pricing starts at 399 dollars with membership priced at 5.99 a month or 69.99 a year. The impressive Oura app is offering some new health insights as well. Health Radar is an expansion of Symptom Radar..which can tip you off when something’s not right even before you feel sick.

You can find us at Techstination.com. I’m Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.   I’m Fred Fishkin.        Why is it that a song can instantly change your mood and bring back vivid memories.   Princeton Professor Music Elizabeth Margulis says studies have shown music can do things that seeing images, tasting foods or scents typically can’t.   And scientifical experiments have shown people hearing the same song…with no connection to each other.. have nearly identical daydreams..while listening…

“We can bring people in, one at a time, different parts of the country, play them a song they’ve never heard before and they’ll give us incredible concrete imagery.  Like I pictured a cowboy out on a front stoop looking out over a ghost town as a tumbleweed blew through.”

Magulis is the author of a fun and fascinating new book…on my recommendation list… Transported -The Everyday Magic of Musical Daydreams.

You can find us at Techstination.com.   I’m Fred Fishkin.