A thin, light, take-anywhere Bluetooth keyboard.

Logitech Keys-To-Go. Logitech calls this as Keys-To-Go for iPad, but it really is great for just about any device that has Bluetooth and uses a keyboard. I tested mine on my Samsung Galaxy 5 smart phone. The new Logitech Keys-To-Go is a standalone ultra-portable keyboard that is thin, light and durable. It’s small and light enough to tuck into your purse, briefcase or coat pocket. The typing experience is enhanced with keys that give you the tactile feedback you’re used to on your laptop. However this keyboard is fused into a water-repellant FabricSkin covering that helps protect it from spills and dirt – crumbs and liquids wipe right off. You charge it via micro-USB and Logitech says rechargeable battery can last up to three months on a complete charge. The keyboard is compatible with all generations of the iPad and iPad mini (and other Android devices) and is available in three colors – black, red and teal – for a suggested retail price of $69.99. Right now I only see it on the Logitech website. Once it becomes widely available, I suspect you’re see it at some discount prices. 

More info: http://tinyurl.com/phcmcv3

Is this what 'the chef of the future' will use to cook with?

I never heard of sous-vide cooking until the Engadget Expand event where I saw theNomiku. Then on 11/20/14, a big article in the New York Times talked about how technology is able to put sous-vide cooking in the reach of the home cook. Seems that sous-vide is the premiere way to cook food in warm water; anything from eggs to steaks and everything in-between. Unlike my idea of sous-vide cooking, which is "boil-in-a-bag," sous-vide cooking still involves a plastic bag. You seal the ingredients in a plastic pouch to make sure there is no air inside. You can use a bag sealer, or just Ziploc-type bags. Food is cooked in constant temperature circulating water for minutes or hours or sometimes days. (Yep, Nomiku cofounder and CEO Lisa Fetterman said ‘days’ in some cases.) The portable Nomiku unit is the size of a hand blender and can work with a large pot or container that you already own. When Sous-vide cooked, the result is said to be the best tasting food ever!  At the show Lisa told me the White House uses her device, as do many top-notch restaurants. She also explained that in the past professional sous-vide cooking units started around $1,500. The Nomiku is making it far less expensive with their device, which will retail for $359. There is a discounted price of $299 available on the company website with shipping in 6 to 8 weeks. (As of 11/20/14). But wait, there’s more! If you can wait until Spring 2015 they’ll be a new wifi version so you’ll be able to download new recipes and perhaps exchange info with other sous-vide chefs. It will also be $299. (My own opinion? I'd opt for that.)

Company video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhpNxIjBtTA&index=5&list=PL_RH8eV0RaE4fzwXm1WJ5UTh78RQdvck_ 

Company website: www.Nomiku.com

Weather so timely, the readings are taken in your backyard!

People are forever checking the local weather forecast. Problem is, that forecast could be hours old and for a neighborhood from far yours. That’s whyBloomSky developed a new style of weather station. It uses digital cloud computing to provide you with a more accurate local weather forecast directly on your smartphone and directly from your backyard! The completeBloomSky weather station consists of both indoor and outdoor modules with six sensors making it capable of measuring temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, UV exposure, wind speed and direction, and precipitation. The external module also features an ultra-wide angle HD camera to record the weather from your own backyard. It routinely turns on at dawn and off at dusk to create a stop action video of the day’s weather events. The BloomSky weather station also automatically sends updates to your smartphone whenever the weather in your neighborhood changes. You can even use it to post weather photos to your Facebook page and Twitter feed. Once the system is up and running you’ll be able to see weather from other BloomSky weather stations, even if you don’t own one yourself. $179.99. It can pre-ordered now for $149.99. (As of 11/12/14) Optional accessories include a solar panel so you never need charge the internal battery. 

More info: www.bloomsky.com 

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/Jb7CHjfjmuc 

Joby introduces the Action Series To Hold Action Cams

Joby Suction Cup & Locking Arm VersionAt the show I learned about the Joby Action series. There’s the Joby Suction Cup & Locking Arm designed for action video cameras such as GoPro, Contour, and Sony Action Cam. There’s also the Joby Suction Cup & GorillaPod Arm version. I got to play with the suction cup mount at the show, locking it on the display table. I was unable to break the suction pulling up on it. It’s that powerful suction cup that let you set up your camera to shoot videos in seconds! The quick-twist design can easily grip and secure to any clean, non-porous surface. Once secured, you’re ready to position your video camera! Use the two locking arm pivot points to position it at any angle you need. The two pivot points rotate 360° and pivot 180° side to side. When your Joby Action Series Lock Arm is locked into place, you’ve set the perfect vibration-resistant angle for your video camera. Both versions are available now at MSRP $39.95 each which includes free ground shipping on the Joby website. (As of 11/3/14) As of 11/6/14 I did not see these two products on Amazon, but they’re new and may be on Amazon in the future at a discount. 

Video Company Demo: http://vimeo.com/110138884 

Company website: http://joby.com/action-series/suction-cup-locking-arm/ 

A watch that 'watches' that you don't fall asleep at work or in school.

Spark bills itself as the watch that keeps you awake. It’s designed for those times when you doze off in the middle of a day, or even in the middle of The Giz Wiz explaining a gadget like a watch that keeps you from falling asleep. Spark’s job is to know when that happens and to gently vibrate to wake you back up. A team of high school students, tired teenagers who know about snoozing in the classroom designed it. Spark uses motion-tracking algorithms developed in conjunction with sleep researchers to analyze an individual’s motion patterns throughout the day. Using this data, the watch can detect when its user has fallen asleep at an inconvenient time. It’s equipped with a 12V vibration motor to rouse the user if he/she falls asleep. The Spark has two functions and two buttons. It tells time, and vibrates to wake you if you doze off. And those can be two very important things. The preorder price is $49, while retail will be $79. (As of 10/30/14, if you click the “order” button on the company website – link below, the $49 price was shown.) 

Company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgd0_6gnBPA#t=104 

Company website: http://wearblanc.com/