Techstination

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.  I’m Fred Fishkin.    The folks at mPowerd are out with a new solar powered lantern…that you can control from an app for colorful or subtle lighting.  And the Luci Smart Solar Light can also charge your mobile device in a pinch.  Beyond having cool products…mPowerd has had a mission of providing clean energy lighting to areas of the world where it is most in need.  Founder John Salzinger…

“So really consumers and corporations in the developed world subsidize affordability.  And to date, we’ve impacted three million lives.  And that’s out of about three billion people that are either off grid or have intermittent access at best.”

So there’s still a tremendous need.   mPowerd is also out with a new Base light…its biggest and brightest ever.

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

 Which states have the fastest Internet?: High Speed Internet's Victoria Merinda chats with Techstination.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.  I’m Fred Fishkin.  Researchers in the U.K. have been using a video game to help determine whether people are at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.  Dr. Michael Hornberger at the University of East Anglia says the results of testing with the game, titled Sea Hero Quest, have shown it to be an effective tool…

“And really the purpose of the game was really to collect large samples of people, how they navigate.  So from our research we know that navigation, subtle navigation changes, are some of the first signs for Alzheimer’s disease.  Many, many years even before memory problems occur.”

The doctor says early detection can help future outcomes.  Deutsche Telekom created the game for the researchers.  There is more information at www.SeaHeroQuest.com.

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

 399 for a new Google Pixel? That and more from Google I/O 2019.  Justin Burr in Techstination interview.

 GoSun Chill uses the sun to keep food cold all day and night: CEO Patrick Sherwin in Techstination interview.

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.  I’m Fred Fishkin.  It’s outdoor season and the folks at SkullCandy are out with rugged new headphones  designed for the trails and more.  The Riff Wireless on ear headphone features impressive sound, for the price of just fifty dollars…boasts battery life of up to 12 hours…with rapid charging and they are comfortable.  Beyond that, the headband, made with Eastman’s Tritan copolyester…is designed for ultimate durability.  SkullCandy Chief Product Officer Jeff Hutchings..

“In the case of Riff, because it is an entry level and could be someone’s first experience with the SkullCandy Brand, we wanted to take an extra measure, I guess.  Which is why we sought out a material like Tritan which we knew would provide us a nearly indestructible headband for this.”

Perhaps an appropriate gift for grads and dads. 

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

 Combat vet turned Wagyu online entrepreneur: KC Cattle Co. founder Patrick Montgomery chews the fat with Techstination.

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Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.  I’m Fred Fishkin.   Kohl’s has found an unusual approach to dealing with the Amazon behemoth.  The brick and mortar retail chain is partnering with Amazon…allowing its stores to be used for easy returns of merchandise purchased through Amazon.  Why would they do that?  The logic is if Amazon customers bring stuff back that way….chances are they will spend some money in Kohl’s while they are there.  After a trial run in limited locations, Kohl’s is expanding the Amazon returns to all 1150 stores in July.  Beyond that…Kohl’s will be selling Amazon smart home merchandise at branded kiosks in its stores as well.  For consumers…the convenience seems like pretty good news.  The irony is…the move by Kohl’s will actually make shopping via Amazon even more attractive.

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

Plugo from PlayShifu brings AR to STEM learning for kids.   

 Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.  I’m Fred Fishkin.   Combine augmented reality with physical magnetic blocks that become part of on screen fun….and you’ve got a very worthwhile educational toy called Plugo that can help kids learn everything from grammar to math.  It’s from a company called PlayShifu.  It has been on the market with other augmented reality learning toys like the Shifu Orboot smart globe and Minglings…that use AR to bring magnetic figurines to life.  With Plugo…there’s a lot to like for both kids …ages four to ten….and parents.  But keep in mind that you will need either an iPhone or iPad or an Android device… and that will require adult supervision…to keep an eye on things.  The price, under 80 dollars.  There’s more info at www.PlayShifu.com.

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