Tag Archives: emergency

Eton Solar Powers for Good and Bad Days

February 28, 2016Bluetooth, ces, Gadgets, Interview, Speakers, Special Media, videobluetooth, ces, CES2016, emergency, Interview, power, speaker, USB, videoAndrew

Eton‘s motto is “Empowered by nature” and in this case, it’s powered by nature too, with a full range of solar powered gear. Scott gets charged up with Sharon Cook, Eton’s VP of Marketing.

First up is the Rukus Xtreme, a solar powered Bluetooth speaker with USB charging ports. Five hours of charging gets around eight hours of playing time and with an IPX-4 rating, the Xtreme won’t mind a few splashes either. Available for US$179 (MSRP $199).

Next is the the Xtreme’s baby brother, the Rugged Rukus, which is perfect for camping or hiking weighing just a pound. Retails for US$79 (MSRP $99), it charges and plays for similar times to the bigger Xtreme and has the same IPX-4 rating.

On standby for emergencies, Eton have the Scorpion II, a “rugged, portable multi-purpose digital radio, that charges smartphones with crank power back-up and weather alert”. Think of this as being the information equivalent of a Swiss Army Knife or Gerber Multitool. You need one of these in your emergency packs and at US$50 you’d be a fool not to get one.

Finally, FRX5 is the big brother of the Scorpion II, with all the emergency features you can think of from torches to emergency beacons, am/fm radio to NOAA weather alerts and SAME regional alerts. Powered by solar, crank, rechargeable batteries or three AAAs, you can charge via USB if you need to. Perfect for the home or car at US$100 (MSRP $129).

Note Eton is known as Soulra in some countries.

Scott Ertz is a software developer and video producer at F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

Become a GNC Insider today!

Support my CES 2024 Sponsor:
$11.99 – For a New Domain Name cjcfs3geek
$6.99 a month Economy Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1h
$12.99 a month Managed WordPress Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1w
Support the show by becoming a Geek News Central Insider

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

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Powerocks with New Battery Products at CES

January 30, 2015automotive, cars, ces, Interview, smartphone, Special Media, tablet, travel accessories, USB, videobattery, car, ces, emergency, Interview, smartphone, Tablet, USB, vehicle, videoAndrew

USB power packs for charging smartphones and tablets are ubiquitous and companies are striving hard to find their niche in a market that’s full of products from both established names and up-and-coming specialists. Todd talks with Craig Miller from Powerocks about how they’re going to set themselves apart.

Powerocks has adopted a two pronged approach. In its established market for mobile devices, it’s taking USB battery packs and giving them a lifestyle makeover, in this case a leather covering, to make them more appealing to a wider audience and sold in mainstream stores.

Secondly, Powerocks is using its battery expertise to be build products that aren’t only smartphone chargers but still have a battery at the core. The Jump Starter vehicle emergency unit includes a 10,000 mAh battery, USB charging ports, an LED signal light, a torch, a distress alarm, a steel break-glass and a car jump-starter all in one unit. Seriously!

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

Become a GNC Insider Today!

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

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Magiccook

February 9, 2013Gear, Information, Special Mediachemical, cooking, emergency, MagiccookKL Tech Muse

If you do a lot of backwoods hiking, then you know that building a fire isn’t always easy and there are times when it might not be permitted at all. However when eating food cold isn’t the answer either, one solution maybe the product Magiccook. All that is needed to heat something up with Magiccook are the Magiccook pouches and some kind of liquid. It can be water, but you could also use snow or even a soda. Place the pouch in the container, then pour the liquid over it. Place the cooking vessel with the food in it in the container and the water will begin boiling in less than a minute. It will continue to cook for up to 60 minutes and can reach up to 203 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the cooking is done the pouch is recyclable.

There are two packages available, the smaller package consisting of a mug size container and 10 small pouches is $35.00. Replacement pouches are $15.00 for a pack of 10. The larger package consisting of a larger container and 10 large pouches is $50.00. Replacement pouches are $25.00 for a pack of 10. Further information can be found at the Magiccook website. Magiccook is not only great for hikers but also a great cooking source in the case of an emergency.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and RV News Net.

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

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

SpareOne Emergency Mobile Phone at CES 2013

January 17, 2013battery, ces, energy saving, mobile, smartphone, Special Mediabattery, Cell Phone, ces, emergency, GSM, Mobile, mobile phone, smartphoneAndrew

Modern smartphones are expensive, relatively fragile and battery-hungry. Consequently, they’re pretty much useless in any tough emergency situation. Todd talks to Christian Scheder of SpareOne about their solution to the problem.

The SpareOne emergency phone is a mobile phone that runs off a standard AA battery rather than a rechargeable one more usually found in a mobile phone. While this gives 10 hours of use from a single battery, the benefit in an emergency is that the battery can simply be swapped for another. Further, Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries have a storage life of 15 years so this phone can be stored with batteries for up to 15 years, ready to go. The SpareOne is supplied in a waterproof bag that further protects the phone during storage and any wet emergencies.

The phone takes standard GSM SIMs for ordinary calls but the SpareOne can also call the emergency services even without a SIM card. If you are interested, the SpareOne is available now for $99 from the website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

SpareOne Shows off its Award winning AA Battery Operated Phones at CES 2013

January 7, 2013Gadgets, Gear, Phonecellphone, emergency, SpareOneKL Tech Muse

SpareOne was Honored as Best of Innovation at CES 2013. It received this honor for being the world’s only mobile phone powered by a single AA battery. It will be inducing the SpareOnePlus at the show. The SpareOne Plus features a location-based cell ID service. This location-based service identifies the exact location of the cell ID. The phone also has an audible numeric feedback that reads both the number dialed and incoming call number. Both the SpareOne and the SpareOne Plus are made to be an ultimate safety and communication devices. If stored with the plastic tab inserted and in the off positions the SpareOne has up to 15 years of battery life. It has 10 hours of talk time when in use. There is a TorchLight on top which provides 24 hours of continuous light. It has a dedicated 911 button that works without a SIM card. There is the ability to set 9 speed dial numbers.

It includes an re-sealable waterproof bag with a humidity-proof seal. You can operate the phone through the bag. The bag floats and allows the phone to be operated in extreme temperature from–22 degree F to 140 degree F. The phone can be submerged in the bag to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes and still work.

Both the original SpareOne and the SpareOne Plus are designed to work without a cell phone carrier. You simply insert a SIM card with some credit on it and start making calls. It is an unlocked phone so it can accept any SIM card. There is even a micro SIM adapter so you can insert an iOS SIM.

The SpareOne is available now for $99.99 at the SpareOne website. The SpareOnePlus will be available in early 2013. There are two versions available one for the Americas and one for Europe/Asia/Oceania

SpareOne has been recognized for design and innovation by Popular Mechanics, Entrepreneur Magazine and PC Magazine among others. You can see their products at the Venetian Las Vegas Casino, Hotel & Resort, Suite #28–111.

Etón and American Red Cross TurboDyne Gadgets

January 9, 2011cesces, emergency, Eton, flashlight, Radio, torch, USBAndrew

As the Boy Scouts would say, “Be prepared” and the latest additions to Etón Corporation‘s American Red Cross TurboDyne series are a good step forwards for everyone. Showcasing at CES, the Road Torq, Axis and Rover are all aimed at helping during those unexpected emergencies.

All the devices are self-powered through a hand crank which charges up the internal battery, so there’s never any worry about the batteries running out – just wind it up.

The Road Torq is a roadside assistance tool, with a spotlight and emergency beacon. As you can see from the picture (left), it’s a little tripod with a hinged lamp so you can put it on the ground or your car roof and direct light where you need it.

The Rover is a combined AM / FM / NOAA radio, torch and USB phone charger. Shown right in the picture.

The Axis, centre, is the slightly bigger sister to the Rover. It too has a AM / FM / NOAA radio but comes with a digital tuner. The torch is also present as is an additional flashing red lamp. The Axis can be powered from multiple sources, including the crank, 3x AAA batteries and a DC input. The USB phone charger is there too.

“Our long-standing partnership with the American Red Cross enables us to provide products that help our friends and families stay prepared for unexpected situations,” says Esmail Hozour, CEO of Etón Corporation. “Our new TurboDyne Series represents a new design and increased functionality, and we are proud to help support the efforts of the Red Cross with its introduction.”

I think this is a great little set of products for emergencies, so I’ll be picking up a Road Torq for the car and an Axis for the house as soon as I can. Available in black and white, and coming soon in 2011, a portion of proceeds will go to the American Red Cross, but no price was announced.