Category Archives: Accessory

ThinkGeek has a Star Trek TNG Bluetooth ComBadge



Star Trek TNG Bluetooth ComBadge ThinkGeekThinkGeek is selling an exclusive Star Trek: The Next Generation ComBadge that is more than just a prop. This one actually has some functionality!

The Star Trek Bluetooth ComBadge is an officially-licensed communicator badge. It hooks up to your phone or device via Bluetooth, and has a built-in microphone for hands free calling. Connect it to your phone, tap the badge, and you can answer or send calls, play or pause audio, or access Siri, Google Now, or Cortana.

The badge plays a communicator sound effect when pressed. Keep the badge charged via a micro-USB charging cable.

To be clear, the badge does not include the voice of Majel Barret, the woman who was the voice of the Enterprise Computer in the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series. (She also played Lwaxana Troi in the Star Trek TNG).

Product Specifications Include:

  • Officially-licensed Star Trek: The Next Generation merchandise
  • Plays classic communicator chirp sound effect when you press it
  • Connects to your phone or device via Bluetooth
  • High quality micro-speakers by Massive Audio
  • Wireless Range: 33 ft
  • Drivers: Neodymium magnet
  • Frequency Response: 200Hz – 20KHz
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: >80dB
  • Materials: ABS and zinc shell
  • Attaches using magnets so you don’t have to make holes in your clothes
  • Batteries: Rechargeable Lithium-ion (one charge lasts 10 hours)
  • Charges via micro-USB cable (included)
  • Micro-USB Port: DC5V, 350-400mA

The ThinkGeek website notes that the specifications are subject to change pending licensor approval. The Star Trek TNG Bluetooth ComBadge is priced at $79.99 and is coming in November of 2016.


Ergotech’s New Sit-Stand Products Give You Flexibility at Work



Ergotech sit-stand desksIt’s a pervasive fact of modern life. We’re stuck in the seated position for multiple hours a day, starting at one screen or another. This type of long-term sedentary behavior has been proven to contribute to a plethora of health problems. It’s become such a big concern, that a cottage industry has arisen of apps and devices designed to remind us to get up and walk around the room once an hour. And while those solutions can help, they still don’t address the core problem of constantly having to sit. And thus, the sit-stand (and even the treadmill-based) desk was created to make it easier for desk-strapped information workers to go from sitting to standing while still being able to work. Desk and display accessories manufacturer Ergotech recently entered the sit-stand space with its own line of offerings.

First up is Ergotech’s One Touch Free Stand:

Ergotech’s One Touch Free Stand is a free-standing sit-stand workstation compatible with both PC & Apple iMac® monitors which requires no desk mounting or clamping for use! Powered by an electric motor and providing the highest range of vertical travel on the market today at 20”, the Free Stand easily adjusts to your desired height giving you the ability to sit-stand throughout your work day.

The One Touch Free Stand comes standard with the base unit and an electric motor, as well as an upper & lower work surface.

The middle offering of this new product line is the One Touch Free Stand Bundle:

Ergotech’s One Touch Free Stand Bundle is a free-standing sit-stand workstation compatible with both PC & Apple iMac® monitors which requires no desk mounting or clamping for use! This bundle conveniently includes Dual Monitor Mounting equipment, making this bundle a one stop solution for most users. The One Touch Free Stand base lies flat on the desktop and installs in less than 10 minutes. Powered by an electric motor and providing the highest range of vertical travel on the market today (20”), the Free Stand easily adjusts to your desired height giving you the ability to sit-stand throughout your work day. The One Touch Free Stand Bundle comes standard with the base unit, an electric motor, an upper and lower work surface and Dual Monitor Mounting equipment. The Free Stand has just a 27″ desk footprint and is able to hold any size single monitor and up to two 30” monitors on the included Dual Monitor Mounting Equipment.

The third sit-stand product is called the One Touch Ultra:

Ergotech’s One Touch Ultra Sit-Stand Workstation is electric powered and mounts directly to your existing desk or wall!

Compatible with both PC & Apple iMac® monitors, the One Touch Ultra comes standard with both a lower and upper work-surface and your choice of desk mounting hardware.

Able to hold up to four monitors, the One Touch Ultra blows the competition away with its unique features and outstanding performance.

With the highest range of vertical travel (20″) and the biggest work-surface on the market today, the One Touch Ultra is sure to surpass all of your sit-stand workstation needs.

Ergotech’s One Touch line of sit-stand products begins at $749.00 with additional options for adding extra displays, depending on the model.


ZUS Kevlar Cable has a Lifetime Guarantee



ZUS Kevlar CableNonda, a startup that is based in Palo Alto, California, has created the ZUS super duty cable. It has been fully funded on Indiedgogo and will start shipping to backers on July 6, 2016. ZUS is made with Kevlar and has a lifetime guarantee.

ZUS was designed to solve the problem of splintering cables that only last for a few months. Nonda created the ZUS Cable with DuPont Kevlar fabric (which is 5X stronger than steel and is used in ballistic body armor). The Kevlar provides the ZUS Cable with added protection against cord splintering and daily wear.

Every ZUS Cable is covered by a lifetime warranty. If your ZUS Cable breaks from normal wear and tear, Nonda will replace it.

The tough nylon braiding on the ZUS Cable keeps it inherently tangle free. Each ZUS Cable comes with a complementary velcro tie to keep things further organized.

The ZUS Cable is 4 feet / 1.2 meters. It comes in Micro USB to USB, Lightning to USB, or USB-C to USB. The Micro USB to USB is for Android devices, Samsung, Kindle, HTC, Motorola, Nexus, Nokia, LG and other Micro USB devices.

The Lightning to USB is for iPhone SE, iPhone 6s / 6s Plus, iPhone 6 / 6 Plus, iPhone 5 / 5s / 5c, iPad Air / Air 2, iPad Pro, iPad mini, iPod touch and iPod nano. The USB-C to USB is for Macbook 12-inch, Chromebook Pixel, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, LG G5, HTC 10, OnePlus 2, Nokia N1 Tablet, and other USB-C devices.

Their USB-C cable is a full USB-C spec cable. It meets the following requirements: 56K Ohm Resistor, Vbus IR drop of less than 500mV, and GND IR drop of less than 250mV at 3A. Their Lightning cable is Mfi Certified.


HYPER Releases USB Type-C Hub with Mini DisplayPort Support



HYPER USB Type-C Hub with Mini DisplayPort supportSanho Corporation, creator of the HYPER line of Apple and mobile accessories, has announced the availability of the HyperDrive USB Type-C Hub with the Mini DisplayPort support which allows the USB Type-C enabled 12” MacBook to connect to the Apple Thunderbolt Display and other Mini DisplayPort compatible displays (like the Apple LED Cinema Display).

HyperDrive is an adaptor that expands the single USB Type-C port on the new Apple 12” MacBook to 5 different ports including Mini DisplayPort, microSDXC, 2 x USB 2.0 and a USB Type-C port that supports pass through charging so that you can use the HyperDrive USB Type-C Hub and charge the MacBook at the same time.

Despite the number of ports, the HyperDrive USB Type-C Hub is very compact and as thin as the MacBook itself. It has been designed to stay flush with the MacBook. It comes in Gold, Space Gray, and Silver aluminum (so you can match it to your MacBook). The HyperDrive USB Type-C Hub acts like an extension of the MacBook, so you never have to take it off.

The HyperDrive USB Type-C Hub with Mini DisplayPort retails for a MSRP of $49.95 and is currently available.


Breathe Underwater With “Artificial Gills” from Triton



triton swimmer in poolHumans have been able to swim underwater safely for decades using equipment like SCUBA gear. But that type of underwater apparatus can be expensive and difficult to use. What if a swimmer could just put on a simple mask-like device that would allow him to breathe underwater without the need for oxygen tanks or other bulky gear? The developers of the Triton Artificial Gill Re-Breather are hoping to answer that question.

The Triton team has created a prototype “artificial gill” system. This so-called “re-breather” uses a special respirator that a swimmer holds in their mouth to be used with an attendant mask that covers the eyes and nose. Triton claims that this system will allow a swimmer to safely breathe underwater for up to 45 minutes without the need for external oxygen tanks or other breathing equipment. The artificial gills are made from microporous hollow fiber that keeps water out but allows oxygen to pass. A powerful lithium-ion battery then runs a compressor that feeds a small onboard oxygen tank, making it possible to breathe underwater.

Triton is launching its re-breather thru an Indiegogo campaign that’s been wildly successful. The team was hoping to raise $50,000 and the campaign has already taken in more than $800,000 in pledges. A contribution of $299 will net you a production-model re-breather and save you $100 on the expected retail price.


NexPaq Modules Bring Versatility to IoT



NexPaq logoThe recent boom in smart, connected technology has given consumers more opportunities than ever before to command and control different devices. But if you want to bring the so-called “Internet of Things” into your home, you’re faced with potentially having to buy a small army’s worth of new devices to replace your old ones. What if there was a platform that allowed you to create your own IoT system using modules that could be configured to do almost anything? That’s what NexPaq is doing with its modular products.

Aylee met with Steve Safarowic, Chief Marking Officer of NexPaq. Steve showed off his company’s innovative system that uses modules to do specific things. First, he demonstrated a special smartphone case that interacts with the phone. Users can add modules to extend battery life or create programmable hotkeys to do certain tasks like turning on lights or making a phone call. NexPaq also has a standalone device that uses its modular system without a smartphone. NexPaq also has a developer kit that can be used to create new modules. Developers can even submit their modules to the NexPaq store where they could become available to sell to other NexPaq users. NexPaq smartphone cases and modules are available for purchase thru the NexPaq shop.

Aylee Nielsen is a video host who specializes in covering live events for Plughitz Live.

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BenQ at 2016 CES



Todd CochraneBenQ Zowie interviews Ronald Kim from BenQ. They discuss BenQ’s new line of Zowie line of competitive gaming accessories. BenQ brings in professional gamers to help them validate their gaming accessory designs.

Ron shows three models (they offer a total of seven models) of gaming mice that are specifically designed to give the end user the best possible gaming performance. They include the ZA Series, the EC-A Series, and the FK Series mice. Top-level professional gamers still prefer wired mice over wireless mice for the best possible lag-free performance. BenQ Zowie mice offer the ultimate in adjustable precision.

The mice are all priced at $59.99 each and are available now. The BenQ Zowie mouse pads are priced from $25 to $45 dollars on Amazon.

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