Andy TaylorLeave a commentFashion, Hardware, Shopping, TechtalkRadio, Websites, Women Tech, , , , , , ,

Valentine Gift Ideas – Getting Chic with ChicBuds.com

GETTING CHIC WITH CHIC BUDS

Products features on KMSB from ChicBuds
Products features on KMSB from ChicBuds

Back in 2008 We featured some very cool products from a startup company that was created by women for the idea of creating products that appealed to the female sense of design and usability. Chic Buds is that company and since our interview with one of the founders Nikki Carlson, the company has gone through some changes which has increased the product line and continues to innovate with a focus on the user wanting a fashionable accessory for smart phone, tablet or PC/Mac.

A Photo of the ChicBuds PortaParty
A Photo of the ChicBuds PortaParty

We are taking a look at several products that could make really nice gifts for Valentine’s Day! ChicBuds refers to these products as Fun, Functional and Fashionable. One of the most requested products on the website at http://www.chicbuds.com is the Porta/Party Bluetooth Wireless Speaker. Easily pair up and play with your wireless device the Porta/Party is set for up to a 10 hours of play time and a design created by girls for girls, the floral or plaid design can fit just about anywhere and recharges with a USB cable, No buying of Batteries required! The Porta/Party sells for $49.99.

ChicBuds Gurl Power
A Photo of the ChicBuds Gurl Power

One of the products I found on the ChicBuds site that I had to take a look at is the creative and functional Gurl Power device. No doubt this was developed by somebody with girls in the household that are always needing a place to plug in and charge their phones or tablets! Gurl Power is a small shape with floral design and features two USB charging ports! Two devices can be charged at the same time eliminating the headaches of tying up an outlet with bulky chargers. The product  itself receives a charge which can be done from an outlet or a PC/Mac. The device can then be carried with you and if the need to charge your phone arises, plug into the portable GurlPower back and in some cases, a full charge to the phone in about 70min.  This device sells for 39.99

As a dad to two girls, now grown up, I can see them still really enjoying the Chic Buds Luv/Buds In Line Mic and Earbuds. With the Chic Buds Luv/Buds you not only get the sound but you get the style with a flat cord design allowing for some actual pattern or design on the cord. Gel Tips on the Luv/Buds make it comfortable for listening longer and one button microphone allow for using your earbuds and still having the ability to accept incoming calls on the iPhone. This product sells inexpensively for 14.99 on the ChicBuds website.

ChicBuds Physique
A Photo of the ChicBuds Physique

If you like to use your iPhone while on the go, the folks at ChicBuds have a solution for you. The Chic Physique armband allows you to strap the soft housing, currently only for the iPhone 5 series, to your arm via a Velcro wrap which can be adjusted for just about any size arm. The material is reflective which can aid in safety on jogs and is machine washable! The pricing for the Chic Physique is 14.99 and comes in different designs.

Finally, we looked at a really nice little carry all called the Onsie. The ChicBuds Onsie features a space for your phone, a strap to carry the Onsie and cool looking designs available. Inside, a mirror to check the makeup, the ability to hold a couple of credit cards and have easy access to your phone screen. This Onsie sells for about 24.99

These are just some of the products we looked at, the entire line can be found at http://www.chicbuds.com. Many of these items could be shipped in time for Valentine’s Day and could even be thought of for Mothers Day. It’s nice to see another company focus on making Tech fashionable and friendly for a large market of the consumers. ChicBuds is certainly a strong brand with outreach to other areas such as its website http://www.chicblvd.com which features articles on not only tech gear but also tips and tricks for everyday life, marriage and family and dating. http://www.chicexec.com also branches to the area of innovation and business with a great site for learning of trends and practice in start ups. http://www.chicexec.com can provide public relations services as well as channel management for distribution of products when developed to investor relations to assist in funding the dream.

Be sure to visit

http://www.chicbuds.com – Products
http://www.chicblvd.com – Articles, Advice, Tips
http://www.chicexec.com – Business and Development

Andy TaylorLeave a commentHardware, Laptop Bags, Review, TechtalkRadio, , , , , , ,

KMSB Fox 11 Segment – MobileEdge Traveling in Style (Video)

This is a segment from Fox 11 KMSB featuring the MOS Organizer and the MobileEdge Line of Herringbone Stylish Bags and Tote. Read the reviews for the Mobile Edge line and the MOS Organizer here on the Blog.

Andy TaylorLeave a commentAudio Production, Hardware, Mac, TechtalkRadio, , , , , , ,

KMSB Fox 11 Segment – Apogee Digital

Every other week Andy Taylor of TechtalkRadio visits KMSB Fox 11 to share the latest in Tech and Gadgets for the Consumer and Small Business. In one of our recent segments, Andy talked with Mark Stine about a drive from the Arizona Technology Council to recycle used electronics.

Everything from Big Screen Televisions to Old Computer Towers were recycled in this drive and while the push was on for a set period of time, the effort continues. Check with your local Electronics and Computer dealers on how they can help recycle your older systems.

Locally in the Tucson Area, SWS Electronics and Computers will work with you and recycle your older computers and the Arizona Technology Council may be able to provide an expanded list.

We also shared a very cool product from Apogee Digital for the Desktop which is for recording directly into your iPad, iPhone or Mac. Field Reporting just got a whole bit easier!

Links to check out:

Home

HOME

Andy TaylorLeave a commentComputers, Hardware, TechtalkRadio, TTR Website, , , , , , ,

The MOS Organizer – Magnetic Organization System

The MOS Organizer
The Magnetic Organization System

Cables, Cables, Cables!! It seems that we can never get rid of our cables. They probably wouldn’t be that much of an issue if they didn’t always seem to fall behind the desk or turn into a mountain of spaghetti. Cable organizing devices have come along that usually place the cables out of site and still require some fumbling to find them when needed. That’s where Andrew Adams and Greg Peterson put their concept to work on Kickstarter.

The MOS or Magnetic Organization System helps eliminate cable and cord clutter with its base made up of a stylish anodized aluminum that can be wall mounted or set on the top of a desk to easily access the cord needed. Two other options in the MOS look is  a white plastic or black plastic base. A fine example of the use of the MOS is the plug in of a cell phone device to transfer files to the computer. No having to fumble through a desk or finding the right cable, this MOS device easily helps eliminate the frustrations of cable mess!

Priced at around 25 bucks the MOS also ships with 3 color coordinated ties which can be used on the cables without a great deal of metal in the base. The MOS is one of those devices that will sit on the desk, you may not think about it much once it’s in use however you will likely appreciate what it “brings to the table!” My only concern is to remind this is a magnetic device. While it can sit on your desk, preferably not under your monitor, you will want to keep your cell phones and other electronics clear of this. It certainly looks good on the desktop and more projects are funding through Kickstarter to bring these items from Andrew and Greg to manufacturing.

For more information on the Magnetic Organization System, take a look at http://www.mosorganizer.com

The Kickstarter Project can be found at this link

Diamond DaveLeave a commentComputers, Hardware, Review, software, TechtalkRadio, , , ,

Soluto Solves Slow Startups

A quick trip to the Soluto “Anti-Frustration Software” site, an 80 second video, a small download and an easy install, netted this user over a 25% savings on start up times to an already speedy system!

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The entire process is quite intuitive and user friendly, offering both beginner and advanced options to guide you step-by-step. With the end results listing all the programs that run at start up and exactly how long it actually takes.

As you can see above, my system took a little over two minutes to load, with 80 applications running AT BOOT UP (I had no idea).

The green section shows “No-brainer” applications to remove from the boot up list…to be delayed or paused to be more precise, and hovering over any of the slices reveals a drop drown information window that tells you how long that program is taking to load up, the name of the program and a recommendation to either pause or delay that program on future start ups.

After spending a couple of minutes deciding to either delay a program or pause it all together, I restarted my computer shaved off nearly 30 seconds from previous start ups.

Soluto‘s goal is “ to bring an end to the frustrations PC users encounter”; however, there are so many different programs, with so many different people – who have various levels of skill – being used in so many different configurations, that the task itself seems overwhelming…Enter: The PC Genome project.

“Soluto’s PC Genome is a knowledgebase of PC frustration data built automatically through the usage of Soluto software. Its objective and statistical information, gathered and analyzed by Soluto, is also editable by the community.”

Included in this beta version is even an option to let Soluto know when you’ve been the victim of some computer operation or lack there of. You simply right click on the Soluto icon in the systray, and click on “My PC just frustrated me” and the program sends a report back to the PC Genome project, with ‘Frustration Suspects’ that will be analyzed and ‘mapped’ in order to provide a future solution.

Who knows, maybe one day soon, we will live an a frustration free world…but until then, there’s always Call of Duty or Whack-a-mole for a therapeutic outlet. ~ DDTG