Consumer Electronics Daily News

SquareTrade Urges Device Defense During Super Bowl

 As America prepares for Super Bowl XLVII, new research from SquareTrade^® reveals that 23 million Americans have damaged their cell phone or tablet while caught up in the passion of a sporting event.  With the action expected to be fast and furious this Sunday, SquareTrade is urging all fans to take extra care with their devices to avoid some of the most common spectator mishaps.

According to the study, Ravens fans are most at risk for a fumble, showing themselves to be 14% clumsier than 49ers fans.  27 percent of Ravens fans have had a cell phone accident in the past 12 months compared to just 23 percent for those rooting for the 49ers.

The top 5 sporting spectator gadget accidents revealed by the SquareTrade survey are: 

1)   The standard drop: device dropped from hand – 33 percent
2)   Liquid drops  -most common of which are toilet drops, sweat and water spills – 18 percent
3)   Beer drops - devices dropped in beer –13 percent - it's more common than you would think! 
4)   Passion drops: devices thrown in anger or excitement - 12 percent
5)   Bar drop: devices falling from a bar or table - 8 percent

"Given the tweeting, texting and photographing in arenas, stadiums, living rooms and local sports bars across the nation, we weren't surprised to learn that one in ten Americans has damaged their phone during a game," commented Ty Shay , SquareTrade's Chief Marketing Officer. "But the prevalence of Passion and Beer Drops caught us by surprise, and speaks volumes about the passion Americans have for football and other sports. "

To boost fans' device defense, SquareTrade offers the following tips for an accident free Super Bowl:

1)   Keep your phone at hand but not in hand – like the precious TV remote find a place that is close to the couch and easy to find 
2)   Count to ten after all suspect calls or player mistakes 
3)   Never use or take your device to the bathroom 
4)   Consider using hands-free beer hat dispensers 
5)   Protect your phone and promote your team with football phone covers

For those not heeding this advice, help is still at hand. If you experience a Super Bowl phone fumble, share your story at the SquareTrade Facebook page to win a chance to receive a replacement device: http://www.facebook.com/SquareTrade

SquareTrade works with leading online and in-store retailers to offer uniquely customer-friendly technology protection plans to protect thousands of consumer electronics and appliances including smartphones, tablets, laptops, televisions, video game consoles and digital cameras. SquareTrade consistently receives high rankings for superior customer service and its five-day service guarantee.

Monitor2Go Mobile Displays on Exhibit at Macworld

Mobile Monitor Technologies, a maker of portable displays, today at Macworld 2013 announced the expanded distribution of their Monitor2Go mobile displays on Amazon.com. Demonstrations of the product including use with iPad®, iPhone®, iPod® touch, and MacBook® will be available January 31 through February 2 in booth #324 at the Moscone Center.

Monitor2Go is a portable display designed to serve as the ultimate entertainment and productivity peripheral for all iDevices. Monitor2Go provides seamless media transfer from the small screen of iPads®, iPhones®, iPod® touch, MacBooks® and PC notebooks to Monitor2Go's 15.6" HD+ display for optimal media sharing, extended visual workspace, and delivery of impactful presentations. 

Starting at $299, Monitor2Go is immediately available at Amazon.com and PC Connection. Attendees of Macworld can enjoy a $20/unit discount for each Monitor2Go by simply emailingMacworld@mmt2.com .

A Watchful Eye On The Mobile Internet

Mobicip (www.mobicip.com), the parental control and internet safety service for mobiles, today announced the availability of a new 'monitoring-only' mode of operation to subscribers of its Premium Web Monitor service.

Mobicip offers a parental control solution in the form a Safe Browser app for iOS devices like the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and iPad mini, and Android devices like Google Nexus 7, Kindle Fire, and Nook, among others. Parents can optionally upgrade to the Premium Web Monitor service, a web-based application to customize the internet filter and monitor browsing history remotely without touching the device. The new 'monitoring-only' aka 'accountability' mode allows a family or school to setup the service with no filtering, but with only browsing history being monitored.

Unfettered access to the internet will be allowed, but with the caveat that browsing history is captured in the browsing history reports online or sent via email. "As children grow older and learn the use the internet responsibly, it behooves the parent or school to allow open internet access," says Suren Ramasubbu , Co-founder and CEO of Mobicip. "Older kids can learn to use the internet responsibly while under remote and unobtrusive supervision. It really is akin to the parent riding shotgun giving driving lessons."

The accountability feature has been much sought after not only by teens, but also adult users who wish to have open internet access supervised by an accountability partner. Current subscribers to the Premium service can simply login at mobicip.com and setup the new access level at no additional cost.

Visit www.mobicip.com to create a safe internet for your family, school or accountability partner. 

Orb Audio Launches Micro-Sized Amplifier

Orb Audio, a maker of high performance, decor-friendly audio products, announced today the launch of an all new Mini-T, the company's innovative micro-sized Class T amplifier designed for use with computers, televisions, iPods and most mobile devices.

The new Mini-T is even smaller than the original Mini-T and features a new glossy black cabinet, improved signal path design, and the first dedicated subwoofer output available at this price and size.  When paired with Orb Audio's compact speakers and subwoofers, consumers can achieve the highest quality output from the smallest possible package.

Like its predecessor, the new Mini-T allows consumers to use high-quality home speakers instead of resorting to cheaply designed self-powered speakers.  The new Mini-T can be paired with speakers already found in the consumer's home, or can also be combined with Orb Audio's award-winning Mod1 and Mod2 speakers.  Either way, the result is a simple, easy to use solution that brings high-quality audio performance to almost any device.

The new Mini-T is still based on the legendary T-Class amplifier technology.  It features incredibly low harmonic distortion (just .04 percent) and high quality, crystal clear output.  For 2013, Orb Audio has upgraded to "gold pin" Tripath amplifier chips and completely redesigned the signal path to reduce noise to the lowest levels yet achieved in a Mini-T design.  The addition of a subwoofer output also means that consumers can now enjoy deep, powerful bass without resorting to a full size and expensive home theater receiver. 

"The original Mini-T has been extremely popular since the day we launched it, because it solves the problem of getting home speakers to work with computers, TVs, mobile devices and tablets," said Ethan Siegel , Co-founder and CEO of Orb Audio.  "Of course, we always look to improve our products and the new Mini-T both sounds better and looks better, and is also significantly smaller than our first model.  It can now also easily be used with powered subwoofers to achieve room-filling bass.  The best part is that the new Mini-T is only $69, which is more than 20 percent lower than the price of the original Mini-T when it was launched in 2011."

Available as a standalone product for $69, the Mini-T can also be purchased in a package with two Orb Mod1 speakers for $299.  For consumers who desire a more traditional surround sound setup, Orb Audio also offers complete home theater systems to fit most needs and budgets.

More information about Orb Audio can be found at www.orbaudio.com and at (877) ORB-AUDIO (877-672-2834).

Wait, Wait, Don't Book Me!

A new priceline.com study of New Year's Eve hotel booking activity has found that 42 percent of all mobile-equipped travelers waited until after 5:00 p.m. local time to pull the trigger on their New Year's Eve hotel reservations. Meanwhile, 65 percent booked their rooms after 2:00 p.m. and 13 percent waited until after 9:00 p.m. to make their reservations.

The data reinforces earlier priceline.com studies suggesting that travelers with mobile devices are more prone to make their travel reservations at the last minute, often after they've arrived in their destination city.

"Travel apps like Priceline can be game changers for hotels on holidays like New Year's," said John Caine , priceline.com's Chief Product Officer. "It gives them that one more shot at selling last-minute rooms to mobile-equipped travelers who already may be in, or close to town, having dinner, clubbing, or watching the fireworks."

To assemble its data, priceline.com reviewed bookings made through its free Priceline app for iOS and Android devices, and its Tonight-Only Deals service for the app. The app is particularly popular among mobile users because it allows them to find hotel discounts up to 35 percent or more for check-in that same night. Every Tonight-Only Deal shows the exact hotel along with amenities, photos, location, guest reviews, satisfaction scores and, of course, the specially discounted rate.

The New Year's Eve study looked at which destinations were the most successful in pulling in procrastinating revelers, and where these mobile consumers found the biggest room savings.

Top Last-Minute New Year's Eve Destinations For Mobile-Equipped Travelers

• #1 Las Vegas Strip
• #2 Downtown Chicago
• #3 Houston Galleria
• #4 Downtown San Francisco
• #5 Downtown Boston
• #6 Chicago's Grant Park
• #7 Atlanta's Midtown/Downtown Area
• #8 Downtown Minneapolis
• #9 Downtown Denver
• #10 Downtown Seattle

Savings, which were substantial in some cities, could have been a driver for close-in New Year's bookings. Mobile-equipped travelers using the Tonight-Only Deals feature on the Priceline app to book their New Year's Eve rooms saved an average of 53 percent in San Francisco, 52 percent in Las Vegas, 41 percent in Seattle and 37 percent in Chicago.

Limited Edition Galaxy Tab in Red

Samsung Electronics America Inc.today announced that a new Garnet Red Edition of the powerful Galaxy Tab® 2 7.0 will be available for a limited time, beginning this week from participating retailers.

The new Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, preloaded with Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, showcases Samsung's commitment to providing users with choice, portability and entertainment. This limited edition version of the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is competitively priced at $219.99 and also includes a matching Garnet Red case ($50 value) at no additional cost. A stylish choice perfect for Valentine's Day or any occasion The Garnet Red Edition Galaxy Tab 2 was created for consumers who want to stay connected and entertained on-the-go, and are seeking a unique color offering.

"This new eye-catching version of the Galaxy Tab 2 offers endless entertainment in the palm of your hand, while the stylish Garnet Red look will set you apart from the crowd," said Michael Abary , Senior Vice President, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. "The Garnet Red version of the Galaxy® S III has been incredibly well-received, so we are happy to make the same brilliant color available for our Galaxy Tab 2 as well."

A compact 7" powerhouse that's smart and easy to use The Galaxy Tab 2 is a powerful dual-core tablet running Android Jelly Bean, and features an easily accessible memory card slot for convenient loading of multimedia files in a range of supported file formats. The tablet offers endless content access in a sleek design that can maximize the home entertainment experience. The Smart Remote App and built-in IR Blaster turns the Galaxy Tab 2 into a universal remote, helping users to easily find their favorite shows and change the channel directly from the tablet. Users can choose from hundreds of thousands of apps or access favorite movies and TV shows from Google Play or Media Hub.

The new Garnet Red Edition Galaxy Tab 2 will be available while supplies last, from Walmart, Amazon.com, Office Depot, Fry's, Tiger Direct, Toys"R"Us and other fine retailers. It features a 7" TFT display and measures 0.41" x 4.8" x 7.6". Weight including battery is 0.76 lbs and it features a built-in microSD slot supports up to 32 GB of additional storage. Connectivity includes WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0 host, and integrated IR for home theater control.

In addition to this new version of the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, Samsung continues to offer the Galaxy Tab 2 in classic black or white in both 10.1 and 7.0 sizes. As well, the award-winning Galaxy Note 10.1 with integrated S-pen is available in black or white as well.

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Kanguru Announces Defender DualTrust: A Secure Browser and Encrypted USB Device

Kanguru announces the launch of Kanguru’s new Defender DualTrust^TM, a new secure online access and encrypted USB storage device developed jointly by Kanguru and Deepnet Security. The Defender DualTrust turns any Windows PC into a safe and secure environment for online banking, paying bills, shopping, browsing, and investment activity. It also provides a secure portable USB storage environment to store your sensitive files and take them with you anywhere.

Protected by military-grade hardware encryption, the Defender DualTrust USB flash drive creates a secure browsing session that is isolated from viruses and spyware lurking on the host PC. Each secure session starts with a clean browser, and blocks vulnerabilities to malware and viruses, leaving no trace of online activity behind on the computer. Any files downloaded or saved during the session are automatically encrypted on the flash drive to easily take with you wherever you go.

As hackers and thieves become increasingly more sophisticated, it’s more important than ever for businesses and consumers to protect themselves from cybercrime. The Defender DualTrust makes it simple to protect bank accounts, credit card information and other sensitive data from disclosure. Best of all, it’s completely portable and works on any Windows computer whether at home, in the office or on the road.

Features include:

• Linux virtual environment isolated from host OS
• 256-bit AES hardware encryption (FIPS 197)
• Secure browser, leaving no trace of online activity on local PC
• Approximately 7GB of secure storage
• Onboard Bitdefender^TM Antivirus (Includes 30 Days free trial)

Kanguru Defender DualTrust is available now at www.kanguru.com/dualtrust and through authorized Kanguru resellers.

New eVerge Two-Way Radios by Vertex Standard Help Customers Improve with Better Communications and Performance

Vertex Standard introduces its new eVerge™ digital two-way radio series. The new eVerge digital radio portfolio includes the EVX-530 series portable radios; EVX-5300/5400 series mobile radios and EVX-R70 repeater for a complete digital system. These new radios are designed to work with existing analog radios for easy conversion from analog to digital for added convenience. eVerge radios are ideally suited for commercial and industrial customers who currently use basic LMR for voice communications and could benefit from better audio quality, better coverage and more privacy.

eVerge radios support easy, efficient conversion from analog to digital operating in both digital and analog modes enabling users to migrate to digital at their own pace to best support their functional and financial needs.

They are also designed to help customers use the right digital protocol, TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), for optimum power and spectrum efficiency. TDMA is compliant with the DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) standard so eVerge digital radios are compatible with more than 74% of digital radios used worldwide. TDMA also maximizes user performance with double the call capacity in one frequency channel to support two simultaneous digital conversations without relicensing or rebanding.

In North America, eVerge two-way radios will operate in VHF (136 – 174 MHz) and UHF (403 – 470 MHz; 450 – 512 MHz) bands. The eVerge portable EVX-530 series and mobile EVX-5300/5400 series are compact in size while designed to deliver more capabilities and flexibility for enhanced communications including:

• Better call quality versus analog. Ultra clear digital signals cut out static and interference and preserve voice quality over a greater range. eVerge radios also feature AMBE+2™ vocoder technology to further improve voice quality in noisy environments.
• Enhanced call management capabilities to control who hears what is transmitted on a channel. Digital delivers the ability to place direct calls to a specific individual or to select groups of radios without distracting others. Text messaging allows users to communicate when unable to talk freely or document a conversation by radio.
• Enhanced privacy when operating in digital mode without the need for extra encryption hardware. Only the intended recipient(s) hears what is transmitted without the risk of impacting voice quality that can be experienced with analog encryption.
• Exclusive Auto Range Transpond System (ARTS) monitoring that enables users to always know their connection status with other ARTS-enabled radios. eVerge also includes ARTS II that operates in both digital and analog modes to alert users when they are no longer in range to communicate.
• EVX-530 series key features include up to 40% longer battery life operating in digital mode and IP 57 fresh water submersible for 3 feet up to 30 minutes plus a complete suite of safety alert capabilities: one-touch emergency, lone worker and Vertex Standard exclusive ARTS

Visit Vertex Standard’s new eVerge website for complete product specifications and digital resources about evolving to better communications: www.everge.vertexstandard.com.

Garmin Golf Expands with the Approach S2: A Sleek Golf Wristwatch Preloaded with over 30,000 Worldwide Courses and Extensive Measurement Capabilities

Garmin International Inc. today announced the Approach S2 GPS golf watch—a sleek, stylish golf watch to expand the already popular Approach Series. The Approach S2 comes preloaded with over 30,000 worldwide courses, and is ready to use right out of the box without any subscriptions or fees. In addition to measuring distances to the front, back and middle of the green (like the Approach S1), the S2 features layup and dogleg distances at a glance so golfers can be at the top of their game, all while keeping track of their strokes on the digital scorecard. Additionally, the Approach S2 boasts a fashionable, yet functional design that is sleek enough for everyday wear but also acts as a digital guide to golf courses across the globe. Approach S2 was announced in preparation for the PGA Show in Orlando, FL. (January 24-26, 2013) where it will be prominently displayed at the Garmin booth.

Available in multiple color options (white/grey, black/red, purple/white), the Approach S2 measures individual shot distances and precise yardage to the front, back and middle of the green, and for those who walk the course, there is an odometer to tell golfers how far they have walked. The S2 also features layup and dogleg distances at a glance so golfers can improve their understanding of any course and in turn attempt to lower their score. To see the S2 in action, go to www.garmin.com/golf.

Weighing a mere 1.8 ounces, the sleek and athletic design of the S2 allows it to be just as comfortable on the course as it is off. The S2 is rugged, durable and waterproof (to 10m), while its flexible removable bands lend to an enhanced fit and easy replacement for a personalized, sporty look to suit any taste (colorful replacement bands available). With automatic time and date plus an alarm and rechargeable lithium ion battery, golfers will never miss a tee time.

The S2 can be used anywhere in the world and because its over 30,000 worldwide courses are onboard, golfers will never have to worry about data fees nor roaming charges. And, golfers traveling, playing unfamiliar courses, or perhaps want to simply better understand their regular courses at home will be able to improve their score and turn a few heads while doing so with the Approach S2. The S2 also offers lifetime course updates without a subscription or any additional fees. The digital scorecard feature allows for scores to be saved, viewed and analyzed via Garmin’s web based program. Scores can also be printed, making it easier for golfers to keep score and keep a record of their round.

The Approach S2 will be available March 2013 and have a suggested retail price of $249.99, and will be available at specialty golf retailers and golf course pro-shops. The Approach S2 is the latest addition to Garmin’s outdoor market segment, which strives to enhance users’ experiences on the course, on the road, on the trail and on the water. For more information about Garmin products or to read the Garmin blog, please go to www.garmin.com

Rand McNally Unveils Powerful New Handheld GPS for Hiking, Biking, Geocaching & More

Rand McNally today unveiled its new Foris™ handheld device at the Outdoor Retailer show. The company also showed off its latest GPS for RVs and campers, the RVND™ 7720.

Built for hiking, biking, geocaching, and other outdoor activities, the Foris™ 850 is "trail ready" with millions of miles of high-quality street and trail maps, a sturdy bike mount, and an easy-to-use interface with on-device help – all included. The Foris 850 has a suggested retail price of $399.

In bringing the Foris to market, Rand McNally worked closely with Falk Outdoor Navigation, a business unit of United Navigation Limited. 

The Foris 850 ships with contour maps and more than 5 million miles of U.S. roadways and trails on board the device – providing a much better out-of-the-box experience than competitive devices that require additional purchases and downloads. The Foris 850 device is unique in that it integrates routing and turn-by-turn voice guidance on trails as well as roads; it will even create navigable routes from "breadcrumb" trails that the user creates via the TrackNav feature.

The device includes other unique routing options such as Loop Me! – a feature that creates a looped trail with the same starting and ending point, based on the user's preferred time or distance for the outing – as well as options for a hilly or flat route. All Foris™ users get access to Trailhead, the Rand McNally web portal where they can download, store, and view their hikes and rides on desktop maps and more.

Other key features of the Foris include:

• Multiple U.S. map databases on device, including Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, U.S. National Park Service trails, National Forestry hiking trails and multi-purpose trails, U.S. National Wildlife Refuge trails, State Park trails, and the national hydrographic dataset, among others
• Millions of relevant points of interest including attractions, recreation areas, campgrounds and Rand McNally proprietary POIs
• Spoken and visual turn-by-turn directions with the ability to compare three alternative routes, with elevation profiles
• Paperless geocaching through integration with geocaching.com; all descriptions, hints,  logs, difficulty and terrain level on device
• Storage capacity for as many as 7,000 waypoints
• Barometric altimeter for accurate elevation – shows elevation levels on the map, along current trail as well as how far to the top of a mountain or other location
• All you need in the box – anti-glare screen protector for the 3" touch screen (240 x 400 pixels), 8 GB internal memory, bike mount, and batteries included

The Foris 850 is anticipated to be the first in a line of handheld products from Rand McNally. The Foris 850 will be available for shipment to stores in April.

Also at the Outdoor Retailer show, Rand McNally is demoing the newest version of its RVND GPS device – the first GPS device built specifically for RVs. The RVND's award-winning navigation is used to safely route RVs and campers on appropriate roads. The 7-inch RVND 7720 has Wi-Fi® connectivity allowing for real-time weather information and display, and new hardware with rugged casing, video input, and bright screen.