Techstination

Techstination Week is a compilation of this week's Techstination Reports with tech journalist and host Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.  I’m Fred Fishkin.  A company called Gabb Wireless…spelled g a b b ….is taking a different approach to keeping kids safer with mobile devices.  Just about all kids it seems…even toddlers…are drawn to smart phones.  Gabb Wireless aims to give parents some peace of mind with devices that don’t include browsers…or app stores…and are designed for communication.  CEO and founder Stephen Dalby…

“It looks and feels just like a smartphone but there’s none of the inherent risks that are also associated with smartphones.  So when there’s no Internet browser, that makes it pretty safe.  And when there’s no app store, you can’t download any addictive games or social media.”

The company’s first device is the ZTE Z1..price at 99 dollars.  Talk and text…but no MMS…costs 20 dollars a month.  There’s more to come.  Find more info at www.GabbWireless.com

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

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.  I’m Fred Fishkin.  Brondell is a company focused on using technology to bring cleaner water, air and hygiene into the home.  And the do it yourself installations are easy enough for just about anyone and can save you lots of money.  The company’s Circle reverse osmosis water filter will fit into most kitchen sink cabinets and is designed to generate far less wasted water than the competition.  And the results taste great.  Brondell’s Swash 1400 Bidet is winning lots of fans as well…with a heated seat…self sanitizing …and remote control of the bidet functions.  The company’s Daniel Lalley…

“We convert believers all the time here at Brondell where people are just like..I can’t believe I was using toilet paper for so long.  I mean it saves money.”

And can be much more sanitary and healthy.  For more check out Brondell.com.

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

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.  I’m Fred Fishkin.  GoPro is unleashing two new cameras this month…the Hero 8 Black…available now….and the Hero Max…with 360 degree shooting capability… very shortly.  VP Rick Loughery says the Hero 8 uses a new magnetic system instead of the previous snap on enclosure…that will …

“Make it super easy to travel with your GoPro so you don’t have to remember your frame.  It also makes the camera a little bit slimmer so it fits into your pocket nicely.  And also with this new design, it allows us to put a microphone on the front of the camera where we couldn’t put it before.”

Also new is what GoPro calls Hypersmooth 2.0 to take out the shakes.  There are also some new add on Mods for the Hero 8 Black.

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

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.  I’m Fred Fishkin.  More and more of us are taking more and more pictures…but taking the shot is really just the start.  The right software can help you express yourself in new ways.  Exposure…formerly Alien Skin Software…is out with a new version of the company’s flagship product…Exposure X5.  What’s new?  CEO Finley Lee ..

“Our biggest new feature in Exposure X5 is 3D color masking.  And this allows you to very precisely control where image adjustments are applied.  And what it lets you do is very easily target skies…you can quickly make a selection of an entire sky in an image, or skin tones.”

Exposure X5 is intuitive and fun to use…and you can try it for free.  If you buy, the price is under 120 dollars.  Head to www.exposure.software.

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

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.  I’m Fred Fishkin.  Learning to play the piano…with a little help from some legends.  Quincy Jones is a co-founder of Playground Sessions along with Chris Vance….and they have brought in Harry Connick Jr. to help to teach us all how to enjoy and play the piano.  The company offers very reasonably priced, yet capable, electronic keyboards to get you started.  And as Vance tells us..

“I didn’t know how to play.  I built this company because I was one of those 90 percent of people that were failing, I was getting quite frustrated by it.  I kind of pride myself that I’ve learned to play the piano as we’ve developed the program.  Now I have a grand piano in my apartment, I play in front of Harry, I play for Quincy all the time.  They’ve complimented me, it feels great of course.”

Subscriptions are as little as 10 dollars a month.  The entry level yet capable keyboard is priced at 160 dollars.

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

Techstination Week is a compilation of this week's Techstination Reports with tech journalist and host Fred Fishkin.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.  I’m Fred Fishkin.  With a background in design, education and innovation…Bethany Koby decided to take things upon herself when as a young mother she couldn’t find products to help kids learn technology in really useful ways.  And so Tech Will Save Us was born…and the company has a range of products designed for four year olds up to 12.  The latest is called the Arcade Coder..

“It’s essentially a games console that teaches kids how to create code, modify games.  An important part of this is it is not a solo experience.  It’s designed for multi player gaming.  It is designed to play with friends and family.”

The project was successfully funded on Kickstarter and arrives at the end of the month for about 160 dollars.  Find more at www.techwillsaveus.com.

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

Music producer turned pro photographer Gavin Hardcastle doesn't look back.   Out of Oregon Techstination interview.

From teaching English in China to pro photographer: Levi Sim's journey.  Out of Oregon Techstination interview.