Stand Your Ground

This week I will write about a couple of amazing products that I encountered while looking for “little miracles” in the “Big Apple”.

I intentionally chose to focus on these two not only because of their features and usefulness but also because they symbolize what has been in the headlines during the last few weeks.

Desiring to be hands-free, firm on the ground, and still get maximum use of your iPhone/Smartphone, IPAD/Tablet and other electronic devices, what stand should one have?  At the CE Week or CES Mid-Year Conference held in New York City, I was lucky to have been provided with versatile stands as sample products to review.

CRIMSON AV – eAzl

I tested it and have been using it for sometime.  I use it as a stand for my iPhone with an attached olloclip 3-in-one photo lens, iPAD, JVC camera, and Kindle.  Pocket-sized, I always bring it with me.  I checked out its features and the claims of the manufacturer.  I can attest that everything as claimed and advertised is true.  Here are the claims:

Versatile

Designed to be a fun, functional and stylish accessory for anyone using handheld cameras, video cameras, or other devices with a universal 1/4"-20 mount head adapter, photo-eAzlTM provides considerable elevation and stability, in a compact, pocket-sized package.

Stable

The photo-eAzlTM has rubberized surfaces on all contact points for slip-free and stable use that is hard to achieve from a foldable case alone.

Pocket-Sized Profile

Featuring unique height and angle adjustments, photo-eAzlTM provides photographers and videographers a stable yet compact solution that is easily carried in a vest, pocket or bag.

Multiple Angle Positioning

Photo-eAzlTM is easy to use. Simply raise or lower the legs to the desired height, then set the angle, and you're ready to go.

Construction

Die cast and machined from durable nickel-aluminum alloy with rubberized slip-proof contact points.

There is nothing like it in the market – a stable and compact folding tripod for SLRs, POV cameras and video cameras.

Look at the photos.

MOBIO PIVOT and MOBIO GO

MOBIO sent me samples of both the Mobio Pivot and the Mobio Go.  Let me start with the Pivot first.

As can be seen in the picture, it is an adjustable stand for mobile devices like my IPAD and iPhone. It holds either of them securely as you adjust it to any viewing angle.  One can use it while on Skype or Facetime hands free.  It can also act as a tripod while taking photos or shooting movies/videos.

Mobio Pivot is useful for Karaoke or video music, games, reading books, showing presentations, cooking with your recipes, and even holding as a teleprompter using your iPAD.

It is a sleek, precision-made, and elegant piece of art.

The price for Mobio Pivot is $44.95

MOBIO GO

This device is going after the mobile generation.  It is dubbed as the smartest way to use your phone in the car.  As I have tried, simply attach your mobile device to the Mobio Go magnetic mount and click.  It’s right where you want it.

For safer driving, Mobio Go is your hands free and completely adjustable car mount.  Its adjustability allows you to better read a map, select a number to call, play music, and talk hands free.

Both the Mobio Pivot and Mobio Go “use magnetic-based technology to securely hold mobile phones or tablets. The Mobio magnet attaches to your device with an industrial grade 3M adhesive that's incredibly strong and removable if necessary. Then, your device attaches to a Mobio mount with a simple click, and pops off in a second. Once connected, your device is infinitely adjustable and easy to disconnect.

Mobio products work with all brands of tablets, smartphones and cases.

“Little Miracles” in the “Big Apple” (Part III)

I am continuing my review on the sample products that I received after my trip to New York City for CE Week a few weeks ago.  While the products are quite useful and amazing in many respects, I must say that some do not really fall in the category of being a “little miracle”.  But my readers still deserve to be informed as to what the latest are in the consumer technology field.

BELL‘O DIGITAL BDH821 HEADPHONE

I have a collection of headphones and earphones.  I go to the gym six times a week.  I have used and tested them interchangeably.  For convenience and comfort, I have used the “in-ear” earphones more often.  Sometimes, I substitute the “out of ear” headphones especially when the “in-ear” earphones get to be irritating or when I want to be able to listen to my surroundings simultaneously.

I tried using my “over the ear” headphones to the gym as I did with the Bell’O BDH821 in order to test it for this review.  Of course, as expected, compared to the “in-ear” earphones and “out of ear” headphones, nothing beats the Bell’O headphone in noise isolation.  Even when compared to other “over the ear” headphones, it produces a nice warm sound output.  I am particularly impressed with the way the bass is clearly and distinguishably incorporated that you could both hear and feel it as you raise the volume.  

At home I have been using the Bell’O headphone for movie watching aside from listening to stereo music.  I also asked my friends including musicians and guests at home to test it.  All were unanimous in praising the headphone for the brilliant stereo performance in music delivery.

They are even as impressed with the design and with the price when I told them that they could buy it retail for $49.99.

For the design, I am posting some photos of the Bell’O headphone.  It is similar to what I am currently using.

The bigger cups are supposed to deliver bigger and better sound.  My experience indicates that they do.  The cups ear cushions are very comfortable and deliver a sufficient amount of grip.

As you can see in the picture, the hinge connecting the cups and headband is made from a very light and soft in touch plastic rubber.  

The reinforced cable is fabric-covered, which basically resists tangling and making it easier and quicker to manage.

It also has an all-in-one control and good quality microphone, which enables the user to answer and end calls, skip and go back on tracks, and pause and play music.

NITRO RETRACT FOR IPAD

I love my iPAD.  I never leave home without it.  I made sure that it had all the features plus the maximum memory it could handle when I bought it.  I installed more than 400 Apps to make sure that I do not miss out on anything.

Of course, it has the maximum protection not only for its contents but also for its physical integrity.  The cover, the case, and even the stand matter to me.

When I was attending CE Weekend, I was carrying my iPAD which is covered by a Woodchuck case customized so that my device is identified as my personal property.  It also has a cover/stand over it, which was made famous in Macworld by its name Kama Sutra due to various positions that the stand could be used.

Since the time I received the Nitro Retract for iPAD sample for review and testing however, I never stopped using it.  My iPAD is still covered by a Woodchuck case that gives its first layer of physical and legal protection but now it is inside the Nitro Retract for iPAD.

I like this new travel case for my iPAD!   Its patented CQ Zip Line technology conceals an innovative shoulder sling that retracts when not in use.  When I want to be hands-free I wear it over the shoulder or across the body.  When it is over my shoulder, I can calibrate the strap to remain at any desired height with a simple pull.  This ability to give me access to my smartphones freely or do other things with my hands without being bothered to protect my iPAD is indeed a distinct advantage for travellers or people on the go like me.

It is very easy to use.  It is not just a case and a cover; it is also a stand that allows multiple viewing angles.  Its retractable shoulder strap is strong, never tangles or knots, and of course, durable.

It is now the cover, stand, and travel case of my choice for my iPAD.

NITRO RETRACT for iPAD

“Little Miracles” in the “Big Apple” (Part II)

My barber calls me Ben MACnigo.  He knows that despite my heavy usage of the Windows PC for business for years, the electronic devices and/or gadgets of my choice all use the MAC IOS.  He has seen my MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPADs, iPhones, and iPods at home.

At the annual International CES Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada as well as at the CES Mid-Year Conference in New York City, APPLE does not officially participate.  Yet its presence was felt everywhere.  First, you saw many of the participants using and holding their iPhones and iPads.  Second, at the special zone called iLounge and at the Show Stoppers, many exhibitors displayed their newly created and launched accessories for APPLE devices.  Third, there were as many apps supporting the IOS offered as the Android and Windows devices.

I will describe some of these amazing “little miracles” that suddenly make my APPLE gadgets full with unbelievable features.

OLLOCLIP – 3-IN-ONE PHOTO LENS

I brought home one to use, test, and review.   I have always loved my iPhone 4S because of all of its features like talking on the phone, texting, emailing, browsing, listening to music and audio files, reading electronic files, playing games, and enjoying all the apps that have been developed.

The one feature that really makes me love my iPhone 4S so much is its camera.   This is because it captures, stores, and shares memories.  No wonder the expression, “LOVE is like a camera, full of memories.”

When I started using the OLLOCLIP jointly with my iPhone, the combined features made me love the device even more.  The OLLOCLIP transformed my iPhone into the “apple of my eye.”

As an amateur photo/videographer, I was quite happy with one lens.  But OLLOCLIP has provided me additional capabilities that gave me even greater confidence in photography and videography.

Flowers from my Wife’s Garden

This is a 3-in-1 Lens Accessory for the iPhone 4S.  Attached to the iPhone, it would have a Large Fisheye on one side; Wide-Angle & Macro Precision set on the other.  The latter is permanently attached.   So to use it, simply unscrew the Wide-Angle.

The OLLOCLIP is NOT manufactured abroad like many of the accessories being displayed.  It was designed and manufactured in Southern California.  Good design, of great quality, very simple and of course, quite functional!

I love it!  You will love it too!  I highly recommend you get one!

SOUND pOp

A new product of AudioSource – the lifestyle audio company known for delivering advanced technology products, SOUND pOp is a small but funky and water-resistant audio device.

It is a new Bluetooth speaker and hands-free speaker phone designed for use almost anywhere.  The fact that it is highly water-resistant makes it ideal for use by the pool, on the deck, in the shower, on boats and any other outdoor environment where conventional Bluetooth speakers would be overwhelmed by the elements.

I have brought it to my car, at the living room, and to my office.  Its diminutive size makes it quite portable to carry around after having paired and connected it to my iPhone.  Aesthetically attractive, it looks good on your office desk especially if you chose a color that matches.  Listening to music and using it as a speakerphone either at the car or at the office have definitely made things more convenient.

Sound pOp is a true high performance speaker at an affordable price ($39.99). “The sound that emanates from its proprietary 1.5” high definition, high efficiency driver is designed to satisfy music lovers who want to enjoy their favorite sounds in nearly any listening environment. “

The SOUND pOp’s use at the shower has been the most unique experience I have had so far.  

For the price in relation to its portable and versatile uses, it would be worth the buy.