trade show

CES 2016!

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The top of my CES badge.

We are back at CES, and this time it’s (supposedly) bigger than ever, with even more drones & 3D printing areas.  Not that we really need more, but why not?  I am looking forward to seeing everything that will be coming out in the next year.  Over the week, I will try to post updates on what we experience.  I am especially looking forward to seeing what new products Razer and iHealth will be producing over the course of the next year or so.  Virtual Reality (VR) is another thing I am quite excited for, and not just for the gaming aspect.  With VR, you can be just about any place at any time.  Last year, we were chased by a T-Rex, we attacked a giant robot destroying the city, and watched two cute cranes play ball.  Oh, the future…

Stay beautiful!      

CES: Day 4 Recap

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The final day of CES, which is a shortened day, was spent between the Sands and the LVCC, saying our “goodbyes” to everyone. We also learned that Android had a pin event. Various booths were giving out limited Android pins, and it reminded me of when I used to trade at Disneyland (now, I’m just a collector. . . and no, I’m not ashamed to admit that). Had we known about the trading, we would have paid more attention. There was an app associated that allowed the user to mark which pins were obtained and where others could be found. There were 45 pins in total, and we only got about 4 or 5. . . it, literally, would have taken an entire day just to collect them all. I feel like I need to complete the collection…hopefully they have it again next year. Were you able to get any? If you were, which ones?

We also saw a kiosk called SAMPLEit, which allows consumers to purchase sample-sized bath, beauty, fragrance, snack, detergent, and hair products for around $1.00-$2.00. It was in with Redbox, CoinStar, and a couple of others.  The samples from SAMPLEit is essentially free when you factor in the coupons that come with each. Sample items are changed out every week or so, and full-sized products are displayed on the sides of the kiosk for easy access. It’s like a sample program without the monthly subscription! There is an app available that has a spinner, which gives the user an opportunity to win samples. The SAMPLEit app also has a rewards program. Since there are no kiosks in California, I can’t say anything about the effectiveness of the rewards program. I can’t wait for this to come to California. I have had a subscription to Eco-Emiin the past (it was okay.; maybe a 6/10 points for value and product selection), and am currently subscribed to Birchbox (5-8/10 points that fluctuates depending on the month and sample sizes. They also have a nice rewards program and free gift options). This kiosk will definitely give subscription boxes a run for their money, especially since they are quite a bit cheaper depending on the sample and number of samples purchased, and there is no waiting. Keep an eye out—one may be coming to your neck of the woods! If you have used them in the past, how was your experience?

Side of the kiosk. Image courtesy of H. Nelson
SAMPLEit demo. Image courtesy of H. Nelson

3D printing, like the fitness trackers and drones, was everywhere. Some pictures will be posted here, but there are so many that I will have a separate post with a gallery just for them.  3D Systems, the makers of the ProJet, CubePro, and ChefJet introduced the ChocoJet.  They have partnered with the Hershey Company.  Once the ChocoJet is available, consumers will be able to make his/her own, custom 3D chocolate pieces.  The chocolate was not available for sampling, but the candy from the ChefJet was.  It was AMAZING!  The flavor was sour blackberry, and it tasted just like that.  I was expecting it to be a bit more firm, but the piece dissolved almost instantly.  We could have easily eaten a dozen!  Other companies were showcasing their printers such as MakerBot, and of course a few Asian vendors.  
3D printed dress. Image courtesy of H. Nelson

3D printed necklace. Image courtesy of H. Nelson

The two images below are of the 3D candies.  I think they came in 2 or 4 shapes, but I don’t remember.  What I do remember is how amazing they were!

Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson

 
These were taken at two of the 3D printing booths.  The image on the right is a close-up of one just like the middle image.

Image courtesy of H. Nelson

Image courtesy of H. Nelson

 

Image courtesy of H. Nelson

 All of these were born out of a 3D printer!  The hammer is usable, but only on a project like a dollhouse.  Holding it, you’d never think it could be more than a decorative piece.

Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson
One of our last stops before saying, “Goodbye,” to everyone was the AfterShokz booth. They have one of two, I think, bone conduction headphones. They offer amazing products that are specially made to increase the safety of those who workout at night, or those who need to be aware of his/her surroundings. When I first sampled it at their booth, I was blown away. The quality is the same as if I had earbuds in, except that I could also hear everything around me. Safety is extremely important, and using these allows the user to hear it all.  The images below show the two colors of the Bluez 2.   I will have a review of them in the next couple of weeks.
Image courtesy of AfterShokz.com

Image courtesy of AfterShokz.com

Image courtesy of AfterShokz.com

There was so much to see, that there is no way to cover it all in a page to two. An announcement was also made for CES Asia, that will be be held in Shanghai May 25-27th of this year. What are your thoughts?  Do you plan on attending?  I can’t help but hope this will alleviate some of the traffic at CES Las Vegas next year.

CES: Day 3 Recap

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CES 2015 was the year of the drones and fitness bands. First, the drones…they were out in full-force; some with cameras and others without.  Here is a picture of one from my personal favorite, Zano that is equipped with a camera, and connects to your phone via an app.   It can find its way to you, and create all types of memories.  The Zano also comes in limited varieties, such as glow-in-the-dark (my personal favorite).

Image courtesy of H. Nelson

Next come the fitness bands. Of course the bigger, more well-known, companies were there, such as iHealth (my personal favorite) and FitBit.  Health trackers cover everything from steps to heart rate and sleep patterns.  Below are photos of a few of the fitness bands we saw.  I will have a review of each of the bands I will be testing out, as well as another comparative piece with a table. You will then be able to see which is best for your needs should you decide to purchase one.  Nearly all of the trackers look like the one in the left photo.

Photo Courtesy of H. Nelson
Photo Courtesy of H. Nelson
Photo Courtesy of H. Nelson

Image courtesy of iHealthlabs.com

We also were able to speak with others in different states and countries…by robot!  They were able to control the robot from wherever they were located, and walked with various passers.  House-cleaning robots are wonderful, but cannot allow people to telecommute.  If you’ve ever seen the episode of The Big Bang Theory where Dr. Sheldon Cooper decides to telecommute, it was that kind of interaction. Soon, the days of staying home sick from school and the office will vanish, especially if these are implemented.  The image on the left, with a lovely view of the back of my head, shows the device that is being moved by the woman on the screen.  She was able to walk us over to the stationary screen (image on the right), and we were then able to move one that was located in the Bay area.  As our buddy, Robert, moved the bot we caught a glimpse of the Google car that drives BY ITSELF!  Oh, the future. . . if only we had that now. . . 

Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson

We also saw Skechers Game Kicks.  When I was a kid, the coolest things were light-up shoes.  Now, kids will never be bored because Skechers has built a game (just like Simon) into their shoes!  Where were these when we were growing up? 
Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Day 3 was also the day I got to meet one of my favorite celebrities.  There were several celebrities there, but only one mattered.  Any guesses?  It was R2D2!!  He was so lively.  Once people knew R2 was there, he gained a huge following.  We were lucky enough to take photos with (and of) him before the handler moved on.  
Tried my best to crop out the guy in the back.  The house in the background was made of shirts by the Habitat for Humanity people.  Image courtesy of H. Nelson

CES: Day 2 Recap

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Part of South Hall is dedicated to gaming, and Oculus was definitely the highlight of the day. The virtual reality (VR) and virtual gaming (VG) have advanced significantly, and each demo made you feel a part of it. If you made an appointment, you were taken to one of the private viewing rooms (otherwise you stood in an insanely long line, and viewed it with others on the open floor). Each room was soundproofed, and each had a mat for the viewer to stand on. Viewers encountered rubber duckies, a charging T-Rex, being at the edge of a skyscraper, and three other scenarios. One of the most memorable was the skyscraper demo. I didn’t even realize where I was. As the screen changed, I thought I was looking out of a window in a high-rise, only to look down and see ant-sized cars whizzing below. Even though the logical part of me knew I wouldn’t fall, I didn’t want to take a step forward on the mat because I feared that something might happen. Everywhere you turned there was something to see, and nothing was repetitive. I can’t wait for this to be released! All they need now are attachments to increase the interaction between VR and player.
Image courtesy of oculus.com
Image courtesy of H. Nelson

And speaking of, directly behind was Omni.  They integrated Oculus’ technology in their gaming systems.  As you can see, demonstrators wore special outfits and guns designed to create a fully interactive experience. Have you ever seen the Daria episode where Daria and Ted go to the arcade, and they start to play a VRG that is set in a castle? Well, by the end of it, Daria quits because the game is making her sick, but others join in. . . to harass at first, but then they really get into it. This game looked EXACTLY like that, externally. Of course the graphics are a far cry from what they used to be, which is most excellent!

It was a little messy because the only available space was at the bottom…
The picture above was part of a wall that passersby got to write one.  On the other side, people could “mind-control” cars in a race. . . but we didn’t get a photo of it.  Moving on. . .
If you love cars, you would have loved all of the modified, tech-heavy, custom cars on the floor.  Ford, Audi, Kia, etc. all featured the latest technology that will (soon) come standard.  There were also customized cars at different vendor booths.  Here are some photos that were taken of them:
 
Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson

Everyone who knows me know that I truly love my Ford.  This year, Ford got creative, sending those who knew about the program on a scavenger hunt for pins.  Each Mustang-shaped pin featured the flag from one of 10 countries.  Each booth that was visited had a special guest.  Participants were able
to sit in the vehicles, and learn about all of the features that could be added on.  My personal favorite was the top-of-the-line Mustang that lights up the floor with a (you guessed it) Mustang!  It was like the Bat-Signal, but on the floor, in the shape of a horse.
You can’t really tell, but it looks like the inside of a command center.  Image courtesy of H. Nelson

CES: Day 1 Recap

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We got in to Las Vegas just before 1 p.m. on Monday. Checked in to the hotel, and despite the Internet going in & out, it’s been nice. Woke up early today (Tuesday), after a restless night due to body aches, and covered South Hall 1 & 3. Most of the vendors in the South Halls carry mobile accessories, such as this plastic iPhone 6 case:

Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of H. Nelson

 

 Remember those oil-in-water toys when we were kids? Well, you can now relive your youth. . . or at least that part of it. This color can be changed to virtually hue, and the little hearts can be changed to cars, dolphins, or whatever your little heart desires! Yes, they are wholesale, and no, they do not sell just one at a time. I did a quick search, though, and the cases can be purchased for virtually all phones here. There are also glitter-in-water cases, such as the kind foundhere. The image on the right shows how much will be added to the depth of the phone; not bad, eh?  The plastic is strong, but I haven’t been able to test my sample yet. . . I’m not sure how well they hold up nor do I know what it takes to crack them. If you have tested this style out, please let me know what you think!

Image courtesy of Amazon.com
Since my photographer and I are both gamers, we stopped at Turtle Beachto see what was coming out. Their booth had giant headphones, and we couldn’t resist taking a picture with them.   Below is a photo of one of the displays, featuring Turtle Beach and the Xbox One.

Image courtesy of H. Nelson

 While he is a Turtle Beach fan, I fully support Razer. They have wonderful gaming products that are easily customized to fit your needs. We met Ryan who introduced us to the Chroma line, and I can’t wait to complete the set. I upgraded my Naga mouse to the Chroma, and hopefully soon, I will have the headset and keyboard to go with it. If you are in the market for a new mouse and aren’t sure which is best for your needs, you can utilize the MouseSelector tool at the bottom of the page. The Chroma headset, in terms of noise-canceling, is comparable to those that Bose produces (and at a fraction of the cost). All three Chroma products can be synced to display the same color or color patterns. What is life without a little color?! To make things even better, the Razer team is fantastic! They know their product lines, and are passionate about providing well-made, aesthetically pleasing products that will last. Power to the gamers!

Razer logo.  Image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of RazerZone.com

Chroma keyboard image courtesy of H. Nelson
Image courtesy of RazerZone.com

  

Image courtesy of RazerZone.com

As we moved through the hall, we came upon Brookstone.  They carry some really innovative products, like the Perfect Bake. I remember seeing this back when I was Christmas shopping, and thought, “What a useless product! How lazy can you possibly be?” until it was demoed. The Perfect Bake is a way, for even the most novice baker, to prepare amazing baked goods, flawlessly. I don’t believe there is a person on this planet who could mess up any recipe that is included. The product comes with three differently sized measuring bowls (but you can always use your own), a scale, and an app. The scale connects to your phone via the headphone jack, and automatically alters the recipe to suit your needs. Have a recipe for 24 cookies, but you only need 12?  No problem! The app will automatically adjust each item in the recipe to suit your needs. Whether you need 1 or 100, they’ve got you covered. As you fill the bowl, the line on each individual ingredient will rise until you have just enough. Did you accidentally put too much flour in the bowl? That’s not a problem either, as the app will adjust the amount for each item as it does for different quantities.

Image courtesy of Brookstone.com
Now, we move on to vlogging and video chat. Move over cameras and video chat; iTOi is here!  We got to test it out, and I absolutely love it! This portable, iPad-friendly machine works as a video recorder and prompter for those who want to vlog but hate having to look into a camera. The product works with your iPad to create a meaningful dialogue between you and your viewers. No more looking off into a camera, and no more editing from a camera. You can adjust the prompter speed and edit directly from your iPad. Don’t like what you see? Scroll back, change the text speed (if you use that feature), and start over. This product serves more than just the vlogging community. If you are like me, and prefer to have a script ready, you can create a flawless presentation for any event. The unavoidable disconnect between individuals in a virtual meeting does a 180, turning it into a personal experience, because you are looking directly at the person, not at a camera. When I FaceTime my friends in Australia, I am always looking at the camera when I am talking to them, and they do the same. It looks like we are not communicating with each other, and there is no way to see what is going on when you’re not looking. You can also use iTOi to chronicle life’s adventures, which will allow your future kin to see what went on in a day in the life of you. Create a video resume that is professional and personal, with iToi. You can purchase the iTOi from Brookstone, here.
 

Image courtesy of seeitoi.com

Las Vegas Bound: CES 2015!

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So, I wasn’t able to get my posts in this week, and it’s because I’ve been prepping for my Vegas trip.  I will be attending CES 2015, and can’t wait!  I will try to post make-up posts for this past week, and keep up next week, but I can’t make any promises.

Here is what I will be taking during this trip:

TPG Clear Soft Pack (Large & Medium)

Image property of thepowdergroup.com

I absolutely LOVE these!  I’ve had mine for years, and they look brand new.  Each pack I have houses everything from makeup and brushes, to docking stands and charging cords.  The plastic is strong and durable, and each pack can be washed.  A little soapy water will do the trick.  The large size fits several palettes, individual shadows, and a brush roll.  I can also fit all of my cords, mouse, note cards, and pens with room to spare, or clothes, for short trips.  The medium is perfect for long trips, when I need to take more toiletries that normal.  They also have a longer case that can be filled with pens/pencils/highlighters, brushes, eye/lip liners, or eye/lip pencils.

MAC Pro Palette in matte/shimmer neutrals.

Zuca Pro Artist

Image property of zuca.com

 Zuca was established in 2004.  In that time, their line has expanded to include bags for kids, an artist collection that includes backpacks, graphic prints, etc.  The one in the image is the one I have.  It conveniently fits in the overhead bin when I fly, and since it weighs practically nothing (under 10 lbs) it feels like you’re pulling nothing…even when it’s full!  I’ve filled it with well over 20 lbs, and I forget that I’m even pulling a bag.  It also holds up to 300 lbs on the top, so you can sit on it while you’re waiting in the security line.  All of the accessories, such as the Artist Backpack, is made to conveniently fit over the handle, and rest on the seat of the Zuca.  This roller goes EVERYWHERE with me, whether I am flying, driving, or going to the local tea house.

Macbook Air

Image property of apple.com

I purchased my MacBook Air a couple of years ago, and it has been one of the best purchases I’ve made.  Admittedly, I purchased it from their refurbished site, since it was significantly less.  It does not come with a DVD drive; if you need one, you can purchase the external here.  I am working on my PhD, so all of my work is on it, including everything for my dissertation.  When I start to lose space, I back it all up on my external hard drive.  That way, I can make sure there is enough space for all of my work.         

…and of course clothes & walking shoes.