Tag Archives: CES 2017

Bitdefender BOX Protects the Smart Home at CES

January 31, 2017ces, Interview, Network, Security, Special Media, videoBitdefender, ces, CES 2017, Interview, Security, smart home, videoPalmer

With the arrival of the Internet of Things, installing antivirus software on a PC isn’t going address malware lurking on a smart home control unit. A different approach is needed and Bitdefender’s BOX might be the solution. Dan talks to Todd about what Box offers over traditional security products.

The Bitdefender Box is a small hardware device which is connected into a free port on the main router – it’s similar in size to the control units for SmartThings or Hue. Once configured via Bitdefender’s Central Account or the companion smartphone app, it monitors the network traffic for suspicious activity. Box provides several layers of security over and above standard antivirus with everything from URL filtering to anomaly detection.

Bitdefender Box is available now for US$129 in the first year, with an annual subscription of $99. The next gen Box is expected in the summer, priced at $199. Box is currently only available in the USA.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com.

Become a GNC Insider today!

Support my CES 2020 Sponsor:
$0.01 GoDaddy coupon for a New domain name cjcfs3geek
$1.99 / mo Economy Hosting with a free domain. Promo Code: cjcgeek1h
$2.99 / mo Managed WordPress Hosting with free Domain. Promo Code: cjcgeek1w
Support the show by becoming a Geek News Central Insider

Podcast (specmedia): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Email | RSS

Cyber Timez Cyber Eyez Supports Low-Vision and Blind Users

January 31, 2017cesces, CES 2017, Cyber Eyez, Cyber TimezJenThorpe

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 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.

Podcast (specmedia): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Email | RSS

IOGear Brings Thunderbolt 2 Dock/KVM Switch to CES

January 31, 2017cesces, CES 2017, dock, iogear, ThunderboltShawn Thorpe

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 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.

Podcast (specmedia): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Email | RSS

Consumer Technology Association has Statistics on CES 2017

January 30, 2017cesces, CES 2017, Consumer Technology AssociationJenThorpe

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 (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!

Podcast (specmedia): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Email | RSS

Synology’s New 2600 Router is Packed with Features at CES

January 30, 2017cesces, CES 2017, router, SynologyShawn Thorpe

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 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.

Podcast (specmedia): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Email | RSS

Razer’s Project Valerie Triple Screen Laptop at CES

January 30, 2017ces, Gaming, Special Media, videoces, CES 2017, Gaming, Laptop, Razer, videoPalmer

One of the best things about motor shows are the preposterous concept cars that will never see the light of day and serve only to showcase the manufacturer’s technology. Razer are verging into this territory with a bonkers triple 4K screen laptop, codenamed Project Valerie, where the three screens combine to give a whopping resolution of 11520 x 2160. And get this….the screens will automatically expand and collapse – so cool. Aimed at the (very) serious gamer or esports player, it’s totally awesome and no doubt will have a price tag to match when (if?) it goes on sale.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com.

Become a GNC Insider today!

Podcast (specmedia): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Email | RSS

Get the Zzzzs in with Witti at CES

January 30, 2017ces, Home Automation, Interview, Special Media, videoces, CES 2017, Interview, sleep, smart home, videoPalmer

Witti are reasonably well-known for their Beddi collection of stylish bedside clocks and lights which both help the sleeper doze off and wake them gently in the morning. Expanding their product portfolio, Witti is introducing Sleepi and Todd finds out from Alfred what it can offer snoozers.

Sleepi is a sleep monitoring system, comprising of a bedside light and clock, a sleep tracker that goes under the mattress and the obligatory smartphone app. The app tracks sleep and wakefulness, providing a report in the morning. What makes Sleepi different is that it works with smart homes to figure out what interrupted the sleep, e.g. the room was too hot, and then adjust the temperature automatically. That’s smart.

A Kickstarter launch is planned for Sleepi, with shipping towards the end of 2017. Expected retail price around US$149.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com.

Become a GNC Insider today!

Podcast (specmedia): Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Email | RSS