Showing posts with label tech toys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tech toys. Show all posts

New Tech Tuesday: Streaming Devices

2/03/2015 10:00:00 AM maze
It's time again for New Tech Tuesday! This week we'll be discussing streaming devices. So what are streaming devices? These are small devices that plug into your television and allow you to watch Internet content without the trouble of hooking up your computer to your television. Most of them do require a wireless network connection. If you find yourself watching more Netflix than network TV, streaming could be right for you! 

Streaming devices come in a wide range of prices and features. The ones we'll cover today are just an overview of the most popular choices. 

It's important to note that almost all of these devices connect into the HDMI port of your television. This means that older televisions will most likely not have the capabilities to support these devices. But if you have a TV purchased in the last 12 years, there should be an HDMI port on the back of your television. 

Roku Streaming Stick

Roku was one of the first companies to venture into streaming devices. What started as a way to watch Netflix on your TV has become a serious challenger to cable and satellite. Roku supports apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Instant. It also offers over 1,500 channels, though not all are free.
The Roku stick comes with a dedicated remote, though you can also control it with your smart phone. The Roku Streaming Stick is usually priced at $49.


(image via Roku)

Looking for something a step-up from the Roku Streaming Stick? Check out the Roku 3. These is a box that sits on or near your television. It offers the same capabilities of the Roku Stick, but can also connect to the Internet via Ethernet cable, in case your WiFi is not strong enough. It also includes access to online games and a microSD card. The Roku 3 is usually priced at $99.

Chromecast from Google

Google Chromecast is similar to the Roku Streaming stick. However, it does not come with a dedicated remote. Instead, you can download an app for your phone or tablet and an extension for the Chrome browser on your Internet. This device works well with Netflix and Hulu Plus, but doesn't work at all with Amazon Instant. One added perk is the ability to mirror your screen on your laptop or device onto your television. That means if you want to use your television as a monitor, you can! However, this only works with the Chrome browser so you can only view web pages. Google Chromecast is usually priced at $35. 

(image via Google Chormecast)

Amazon Fire TV Stick

Like the Roku Streaming Stick and Google Chromecast, this device connects into the HDMI port of your television. It also comes with a dedicated remote. It works with Netflix, Hulu Plus and, of course, Amazon Instant Video. If you have an Amazon Prime account, this could be the device for you. Amazon Fire TV Stick is usually priced at $39.
(image via Amazon)

Apple TV 

If you a die-hard Apple user and want to be able to access the movies and television shows on your iTunes, Apple TV may be the device for you. 
Apple TV is a small box that connects to your television and allows you to access your iTunes account. You can also access online services like Netflix and Hulu Plus. However, Amazon Instant Video and Pandora will not work on Apple TV. Apple TV is usually priced at $99. 

(image from Apple) 


How do you watch Internet contact on your Television? Do you use one of these devices or maybe a gaming system? 

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New Tech Wednesday!

9/03/2014 03:41:00 PM maze
Thanks to the Labor Day holiday our schedule is a little off, so this month's New Tech Tuesday is actually being posted on a Wednesday. We hope you'll still enjoy all the shiny new gadgets.

There are many exciting smartphone accessories available on the market today. For our New Tech Tuesday (one day late) this month, we'll be discussing a few accessories to make your smartphone even more versatile.

External Camera Lens 

The camera phone means that most of us have a camera at all times, ready to capture the perfect photo of the sunset, family and friends or just our evening meal. There are also lenses that allow your phone to take panaramic pictures, perfect for capturing landscapes or, in our case, the many books on our shelves!

The newest external lens in the news turns your smartphone into an almost professional level camera. The latest lens from Sony is bringing interchangeable lenses to your smartphone.
You can find more information on the new article from TechCruch.com.


Speakers

Listening to music and movies is made even better with external speakers. There are many choices for external speakers for smartphones, including smaller speakers that plug into the headphone jack of your phone and wireless speakers that connect to your phone via bluetooth. The good news is, the variety of speakers available on the market means you'll be able to find one in your price range. You'll even have your choice of colors! 
There is even a speaker that learns your moods and preferences and plays music accordingly! The Aether Cone features a complex algorithm that allows it to learn what you like to listen to, when and where and tries to play music accordingly. Read Gizmodo's review to learn more! 





Portable Chargers

Using all of these fancy accessories or even just using your phone in the course of your normal day can really drain your battery. Unfortunately, we can't always be near an outlet to charge up. Luckily, there are portable chargers there to help you when your batter starts to fail. Like the speakers, these portable chargers come in almost every price range. There are some that run on batteries (which means you have to change the batteries before charging) and some that are rechargeable themselves. There are a variety of sizes, though most can charge a smartphone from almost dead to full charge at least once. The one we'll be talking about today goes the extra mile - it reminds you to take it with you when you're having a busy day! 

The Smart Power Battery from Elgato syncs with your calendar and sends you a reminder to bring it along any time you have a full schedule. It also sends you a notification when your battery starts to run low. 
You can read more about this battery from Elgato on SlashGear.com. 




What is your favorite smartphone accessory? Tell us in the comments below! If you have an idea for blog posts or questions/comments, you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 



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New Tech Tuesday!

8/05/2014 01:00:00 PM maze
It's the first Tuesday of the month which means it's New Tech Tuesday!

This month we are going to focus on fun new Tech that is designed to make working in your kitchen a little easier.

The Smarter Microwave - with Accupop

Now a microwave, while convenient, is nothing new. However, this particular microwave has several features that make it a cut above most microwaves. This microwave has a feature that allows you to steam cook vegetables, fish or rice with a provided steamer. This feature also converts to allow steam cleaning.  It also features 'sensor cooking' which adjusts cooking times based on the food itself. It also has the Accupop technology, which adjusts popcorn cooking time using sound sensors. That's right, it listens to your popcorn as it cooks and when the popping slows down it recognizes that this means the popcorn is almost done. 
It may seem frivolous but burned popcorn can stink up your whole house and put a serious damper on movie night. 

At Home Sous Vide Machines

If you've never heard of Sous Vide (pronounced Sue Veed), don't worry you are not alone. The only placed we'd ever seen it before was when chefs got particularly adventurous on Top Chef. However this method for cooking meat is gaining popularity, especially now that Sous Vide machines are available for home cooks.

Sous Vide is the process of cooking food by placing it in a vacuumed sealed bag and keeping it at a steady temperature. This usually means cooking it in hot water. So what's so great about Sous Vide? T. Susan Chang from NPR's Kitchen Window has the answer:
Why would you want to do this? Because careful temperature control results in a kind of protein sorcery. You can get perfectly cooked delicate fish because it can't dry out or overflake. You can coax meats into meltingly soft braises because the protein never gets hot enough for the fibers to turn to string. You can get eggs that are never rubbery. You can melt the layers in pork belly without liquefying them in the process. You can even keep chocolate from losing its glossy temper when melted.

Find Chang's entire article here on NPR's Website. Cooking sous vide at home without any special equipment is possible, however it can be difficult to keep the water at a steady temperature for the length of time it takes to cook your meat. You can buy Sous Vide Circulators which help regulate the temperature for long periods of time while circulating the water to keep it from boiling down. These are less bulky than the Sous Vide Machines.


Sous Vide Circulator
image via Serious Eats 




Sous Vide Machine



Smart Refrigerators

The newest technology in refrigerators allows them to do so much more than just keep things cool. The smart refrigerators have touchscreens which allow you to make shopping lists and even keep track of expiration dates for foods. LG is working to create the ability for users to text their refrigerator to ask questions like "Are we out of eggs?" or "How long until the milk expires?' from their smart phone, even while in the middle of a grocery store. 
There are even WiFi enabled refrigerators that allow you to take phone calls, surf the internet, listen to music or even watch television right on the fridge. No more missing out just because you're stuck cooking dinner or cleaning up after. 


 


Smart Ovens

Refrigerators aren't the only appliances getting in on the new technology action. GE has several oven models that work with their app GE Brillion, which allows you to turn on the oven, pre-heat, or change the temperature from your phone or tablet. These smart ovens also have built in meat probes to tell exactly when the meat has reached the right temperature and will alert you by text when the meat is ready. 


 (image via GE Brillion)



Of course, with all these features comes a pretty hefty price tag, at least for some of these devices. However it should be long before these technologies become more common. 


For now we're stuck listening to our own popcorn to make sure it doesn't burn. 
 (image from DeludedDiva)


What did you think of these fancy kitchen appliances? Comment and let us know what you think! If you'd like more information on these or any other library services, you can call your local library branch or contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 







Please note: This is intended to be purely informational and should not be viewed as a personal endorsement by any employee of Bossier Parish Library.
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Most Expensive Tech Toys at CES 2009

6/17/2009 10:56:00 AM Jaketha, I/T Manager 0 comments
These most expensive tech toys debuted the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in January of this year. Ironically, you will need to do your own research to find the true costs of these tech toys.

1. Samsung 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LCD HDTV w/ LED lighting and Internet connectivity for Yahoo! widgets, faster refresh at 120 Hz (6000 and 7000 series and 240Hz (8000 series only). (pricing: varies)

2. Samsung BD-P4600 Blu-Ray, "thinnest blu-ray player in the world" at 1.5 inches thick, with WiFi capabilities, Internet streaming capabilities (NetFlix), digital media streaming capabilities (Pandora) and touch-sensitive controls. (pricing: varies)

3. Motorola Aura (cell phone) -with a sapphire crystal face and a rounded display screen (pricing: $2,000)

4. JVL Encore - a counter top entertainment system with a 22" screen for gaming and digital music streaming capabilities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/10064.html
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