Listen here – http://www.lyingonthebeach.com/2019/12/30/ces2020
There was a lot of chatter this week about the lack of innovative products at CES. Many members of the press were in a rush to write how disappointed they were. I had similar thoughts, but I have been walking the aisles of CES for 51 years. Maybe, just maybe, very little can impress me. I think the same thing is true for many tech writers who just can’t be wowed that easily anymore.
We also may be in a transitional year. There are years of innovation, and then there are years of getting the work done for the next series of surprises. Whatever the case may be, there were many clever products that I want to show you over the next few days.
Today, I want to introduce you to an expensive gizmo that will tell you whether that viagra pill is the real deal. Maybe you won’t consider the Linksquare Spectrometer expensive considering the job you are asking it to do. The Linksquare Spectrometer will also tell you if your fish or poultry is still fresh, name the brand of liquor in a bottle, and if the money in your pocket is real, or counterfeit.
My friend, Steve Greenberg, the Today Show Innovation Insider, just did a demonstration of the Linksquare Spectrometer for a dozen TV stations around the country. He said it is very easy to use, so click here to watch his presentation. Other innovative products are included in his segment.
The Linksquare Spectrometer is $299.
Company video
My CES video interview
I have a solution for seniors who have some hearing problems, but are not quite ready for hearing aids. I was introduced to the IQbuds at CES. They are a combination of wireless headphones and a hearing aid.
Made by a company called Nuheara from Perth, Australia, the Bluetooth IQbuds are capable of cancelling out ambient noise yet amplifying the human voice. You can also use them for hands-free calls, streaming of music, and to personalize a user’s experience
They sell for $199.00.
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RIP Steven McDonald, Paralyzed Officer Who Championed Forgiveness, Dies at 59
Stephen was the brother of Owen McDonald and cousin of Danny McDonald. Eliot and I worked with both Owen and Danny in the 1970’s and are still in touch with them. Stephen, a New York City police officer, was shot in Central Park in 1986.The McDonalds are a big, wonderful family. You can read all about Stephen here.
Bloomlife got a lot of attention at CES, primarily because women with big stomachs were walking around showing off their automatic track and monitoring systems. Bloomlife tells pregnant women the frequency and duration of their labor contractions. It’s a personalized digital pregnancy wearable.
The concept is brand new. The company is only renting the monitor for the last trimester at $149.00. While some future moms may not feel that this gizmo is necessary, I bet most will love ❤️ it. There’s nothing like having a little reassurance that’s it’s time to head to the hospital. I did a video with a company executive giving a fast synopsis of the product, and I also posted a Bloomlife one which gives you great insight.
I stayed at the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas this year. Our new favorite.
Gary Shapiro is president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, which represents more than 2,400 tech companies and owns and produces CES.
The following was posted on Gary’s Facebook page last Friday.
Way before the first Republican primary I have been consistent, clear and firm that Donald Trump is unfit to be President. He is divisive, appeals to our worst tribal instincts and is highly immoral. He hurt thousands of contractors and investors. He is lazy, didn’t prepare for debates or learn the basic facts about foreign or domestic policy. I disagree with the substantive positions he has taken. (The only redeeming virtues for me of a Trump presidency are restrictions on regulatory overreach, lower corporate taxes, investing in infrastructure and pro-business Supreme Court appointees).
But I am never Trump for two other big reasons:
First, he will destabilize the world and should not be entrusted with our military and nuclear arsenal. This draft dodger for a foot bunion had the audacity to say multi-year POW Sen. McCain was no war hero.
Second, he is such a horrible immoral sexist, racist, nasty person he should not sit in the White House. The President sets the moral tone for the country and is a model for every child. For the last 40 years we have had R and D presidents who had different views but they were decent and ethical people.
I want my children and future grandchildren to know I did what I could to stop this horrible person from being President.
So I have written op eds, tweeted and opined.
Now I must vote. Despite having supported, contributed and advocated for the last few Republican presidential candidates, I am almost ready to vote for Sen. Clinton as she is experienced, stable and by every measure a better choice. She is good on tech policy, social issues and hopefully trade. Her husband was a great president who appreciated that businesses create jobs.
I think she means well and although she began as a Republican, had adversity (NASA telling her at five that girls could not be astronauts, failing the bar – and other better known challenges) she did ground breaking work establishing rights of children and fighting for women globally. She also is passionate about the value of a free Internet.
Of course she has issues. She does what unions want. She has several incidences of poor judgement which I hope she learned from.
I hope she can understand that American companies are in a global battle and need a supportive government willing to let them hire the best and brightest and not face unfair tax and regulatory burdens.
In high school she ran for class president against a guy who said something like you are stupid if you vote for a girl for president. Well, I hope tens of millions of Americans vote for HRC not because she may be our first woman president but because she is highly qualified. Trump not only is unqualified, he is bad for our nation, our ideals and our children and the legacy of moral leadership we owe them.
Having written a best seller about innovation and ninja behavior, I can only say this is not the situation I preferred, but looking at all the options, a landslide vote for Sec. Clinton would be the best message we can send the haters, the party firsters and others who think Trump’s brand of nastiness, failure to take responsibility, and simplistic but idiotic fixes will make us better.
Broadway at CES
Virtual Reality Theater Nikon Surround Camera
Intel Sleep Lab.
DigiDame 