Naturally being a bunch of raging technophiles, we love a good gadget on TNW so here’s a few that we lust after and hope one day to be able to afford. Maybe we can save up for some for Christmas!
The thermostat of desire. Okay. The learning thermostat that is beautifully designed and learns when you prefer to be warmer, cooler, when you’re out and which temperature you’re most comfortable at.
This year the company started selling on the App Store , not a surprise as the learning thermostat was invented by former iPod product manager Tony Fadell. Naturally you can control the thermostat with your iPhone. The move to sell via Apple took down the App store briefly as fans went to take a look at the offering.
Also this year Nest started working with Texas-based energy utility, Reliant . So the spread of intelligent temperature settings is set to expand. ➤ Nest $249.95
The watch that we want because it talks to our phone, and it looks cool. So cool that it raised the roof on Kickstarter, securing more than $10m in funding and sold out of watches. The E-paper watch is easily visible, even in sunlight and talks to your iPhone or Android via Bluetooth.
What makes it even more handy that just monitoring when your phone rings, is the development of apps for the watch. Cyclists and runners can access the GPS on their phone to track their mileage or music fans can control the songs they listen to. The E-paper display is also customisable so you can choose whether to follow the hands of time, or go digital.
➤ Pebble $115
Got time on your hands? Probably not if you pick one of these up. The Play Station Vita went nuts when it launched in Japan and saw a similar enthusiasm when it arrived in Europe, North America, South America and Singapore earlier this year .
Things have come a long way since Sony first released the Play Station Portable back in 2004. The design of the latest handheld is very appealing with glossy black curves and brushed metal edges.
The gaming device has its own apps based operating system not just for games but for third party fun too. For users in the Americas, the added bonus is a deal with Netflix which naturally takes this pocket fun pack into the realms of all round entertainment.
➤ PS Vita $249.99
Google’s project glass caused a collective gasp online when a video revealed the plans for this prototype visual gizmo. Spectacles with a heads up display that can bring you information via voice command and geolocation for starters, now that sounds like the future we were promised.
Better still, for specs with added data, the design and presentation of Project Glass seems light and a lot more discreet than trying to stick a button camera to the bridge of your nose.
The good news for the myopic and friends is that Project Glass will also work with your prescription .
Though this is not in production for the masses yet, Larry Page was seen flaunting a pair at Zeitgeist and made them look just cool enough for as all to consider selling a vital body part to get one. Just not an ear, otherwise we’d having more trouble wearing them.
➤ Project Glass $If you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it.
Audiophiles brace yourselves, for here is a thing of beauty and possibly fingerprints. Klipsch has built ‘The Console’.
The Console hides two 12-inch drivers in a bandpass configuration for bass that will move you and yet not vibrate the doors off the unit. HDMI, optical audio, USB and AirPlay can all help you bring the noise and loud just doesn’t really summarise the levels available along with clarity that stings.
We found the console at CES in prototype and we can’t wait until it’s ready for sale.
➤ Klipsch Console $6-7k
What’s cooler than a cool gadget? One that can make all sorts of other cool gadgets of course. The MakerBot Replicator is the latest version of the MakerBot. Though the machine we all want from the future is not quite in every home, it’s nearly here and you can make almost anything you want.
This is the stuff of our sci-fi dreams. Imagine just being able to make something at home and not have to buy or order it.
Naturally MakerBots are already being put to good use for creating things that are hard to find – like Atari 2600 cartridges and for the more classically artistic, how about scanning works of art and making them more accessible ?
Gadgets should inspire and delight us, encourage us to think differently and make life easier. We can’t wait to see what people start to create with MakerBots when they start appearing in everyday lives.
➤ MakerBot Replicator $1749.00
Image Credit: Counselman Collection
14 tips for making the most of the tablet for your business
Tablets are going to replace computers — or so we’re told. Despite divided opinions over tablet use in corporations, they’re coming… fast . While the screen of a smartphone may be too small for books, documents and articles, tablets bring the best features of a full-size computer to our fingertips. Free of bulk and excessive cords and filled with apps for everything we need, it’s hard to imagine a future in which the tablet isn’t a standard gadget.
Though it’s exciting to view this emergence as a consumer, business owners should be prepared for the technology shift toward the tablet. No matter what industry you’re in, there are small changes that can be made now to prepare for an inevitable frontier. Even more so, by integrating the tablet into your business model earlier than others, you can actually boost your business — now.
I asked a panel of successful young entrepreneurs the following question:
Here are 14 simple tips for overcoming common tablet handicaps and making the most of the gadget for your business:
1. Everyone Has a Type
“While tablets have pretty awesome keyboards and touchscreens, we’re still very much programmed to type on a regular keyboard. Plus, you can really increase your efficiency while working on a table with a keyboard attachment.”
– Danny Wong , Blank Label Group, Inc.
2. Keep Your Tools
“OnLive Desktop gives you remote access to Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer. It’s perfect for doing work on the go, and along with a Bluetooth keyboard, your tablet can replace your computer when needed.”
– Josh Weiss , Bluegala
3. Pitch the Clients
“Tablets are worth their money when you effectively use them in getting deals done. Make a practice of finding ways to incorporate your corporate tablets into client meetings. For example, if you’re a mobile development firm, you can do app demos on tablet to show the prospective customer how the app works. Or, replace pen-to-paper during meetings and take your notes on the sleek tablet instead.”
– Doreen Bloch , Poshly Inc.
4. Don’t Be Cheap!
“Don’t be afraid to spend “too much” on apps. Applications like Keynote and Air Sharing that hit the $10 price point are worth the extra money. To embrace the mobility that comes with tablets, you need to spend the money and time on creating systems that actually allow you to use the tablet in everyday business tasks.”
– Jennifer Donogh , Young Female Entrepreneurs
5. Limit Your Gigs
“Don’t fall prey to the psychology of getting enough storage “in the event that you need it.” I currently have a 32GB iPad using that theory, and looking back, I could’ve gotten the 16GB and been more than covered. Tablets are ultimately for consumption and display, so content can be accessed via the cloud. Apps like Splashtop even let you access your desktop remotely via your tablet.”
– Pete Chatmon , Double7 Images
6. Plan Ahead
“A data plan can save you time and money. Free wireless access isn’t quite ubiquitous yet, and you never know when you might need the Internet. I’ve been able to easily demo my product for potential investors and business partners in coffee shops and hotel lobbies, thanks to my data plan.”
– Bhavin Parikh , Magoosh, Inc.
7. Pick Your Battles
“I quickly learned that while tablets are great for some business functions, they’re no means a replacement for more robust computers — yet. For instance, drafting a document that requires viewing multiple sources on the tablet is an exercise in frustration; on the other hand, they’re great when you need to focus on drafting one piece. Don’t try to make the tool fit the wrong activity.”
– Charlie Gilkey , Productive Flourishing
8. The Tradeshow Star
“I always invest in having the best iPad available. I love to bring them to tradeshows, walk around and show live demos of my website to prospective clients. Tablets are a great tool for mobile presentations, and people love to geek out on the latest technology too — they may listen to your pitch if only to play with your cool tablet!”
– Eric Bahn , Beat The GMAT
9. Mind Map Ideas
“I love mind maps, and although there are tons of tools to create mind maps on a desktop or laptop, using a tablet to create mind maps allows you to jot down ideas on the go. It also helps to visualize an idea from start to finish — without being distracted by the multitasking environment that a full computer offers.”
– Nathalie Lussier , Nathalie Lussier Media
10. Learn Your Target Medium
“If your customers are looking at your site or product on a tablet, make sure that you’re giving them a great experience. The fact that our online reporting dashboard renders nicely on an iPad is a big advantage for our company over some of our competitors.”
– Allie Siarto , Loudpixel
11. Consume That Content
“Tablets are best for consuming content — downloading books and PDFs and streaming videos — and communicating with others. Make sure your tablet can do all of this, but be clear on its limits. Tablets aren’t computers, so certain features won’t be as good, if even possible.”
– Ash Kumra , DesiYou
12. Get Creative With Clients
“If you have retail business, why can’t the tablets replace the regular menus or brochures? Why not have an in-house sale that’s only available on your tablet (yes, not even on your website)? How about replacing the whole POS for a tablet with POS app. Let clients use and have fun with them.”
– Devesh Dwivedi , Breaking The 9 To 5 Jail
13. Download Apps Wisely
“When people get tablets, they often head for the App Store and download hundreds of apps that just add more confusion, more chaos and more inefficiencies to their businesses. Instead, download the apps that compliment the programs you already use in your business so you can create a seamless workflow, instead of adding more steps to it.”
– Erin Blaskie , BSETC
14. Got a Pen?
“Whether it’s scribbling down notes, making mind maps or drawing crude prototype images, the ten bucks I spent on a pen for my iPad has completely changed it from being solely a consumption device to a creative resource.”
– Sean Ogle , Location 180, LLC
bloomua via shutterstock
Samsung acquires Swedish fabless Wi-Fi chipset maker Nanoradio
Samsung Electronics this morning announced its acquisition of Nanoradio , a Kista, Sweden-based developer of low-power Wireless LAN chipsets for wireless access in mobile phones, tablets, portable media players, gaming devices and more.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but the reasoning behind it is obvious given Samsung’s numerous mobile products.
Nanoradio has approximately 60 employees and specializes in developing high-performance Wi-Fi chipsets with low power consumption for cellular platforms.
The semiconductor company is a ‘fabless’ chip maker, which means it designs chipsets but outsources the actual manufacturing of them.
Founded in March 2004, Nanoradio is headquartered in Kista, Sweden, but also boasts sales offices in Korea, China, Japan and the United States.
The company received investments from Viking Venture , Creandum, Industrifonden, Nordic Venture Partners, Ferd Capital, Innovacom, Anchor Capital and Teknoinvest.
Its chairman and CEO is Keith Cornell, who also serves as SVP, International for Clearwire in the United States. He’s previously served on the management teams of several mobile operators, including O2.
The rest of Nanoradio’s management team has experience at companies like Nokia, Ericsson, Fujitsu Microelectronics, Compaq and Dialog Semiconductor.