Been doing a lot of video conferencing for work since the pandemic started. With my kids virtual learning and my wife also working from home I've been wearing a large pair of over-ear noise cancelling headphones to drown out other stuff going around my house and focus on hearing what people are saying during court hearings, mediations and other virtual meetings. While that has been working out fine audio wise my personal image has taken a bit of a hit with my getting a lot of mockery about looking like an aircraft controller when I am on Zoom.
So I've been looking for a more discreet way to tune into online meetings. Problem solved with the new Earfun Free Pro earbuds that I was given to try out during my participating in this year's Consumer Electronics Show. These earbuds fit snug and tight in my ear yet I don't even feel them in there because they are so small and light. Weighing only 4.1 grams per earbud these are lighter than a normal piece of office paper.
Yet they are big on sound! The clarity is incredible. Plus they provide something many ear buds and headphones lack ... decent bass!
For under $60 Earfun Free Pro earbuds provide the quality of similar products that sell for three times that price. They fit better and provide similar sound to a pair of Bose wireless workout headphones I spent more than $200 on awhile ago. Earfun Free Pro earbuds aren't just for casual or work use as they are made to be sweat and water resistant to make them useful for workouts too. I'm going to be using them now for when I go out for a run or doing a workout in my home gym.
These Earfun Free Pro earbuds are also equipped with 28dB active noise cancelation technology. While this does drown out some surrounding ambient noise, it was somewhat below par on my expectations for earbuds that promote themselves as active noise cancelling. They didn't block out nearby sounds like my dog barking, children screaming or wife watching television with the volume way up. I did notice farther away background noise was reduced though. To be honest in my opinion the noise cancelling mode was barely discernible from normal mode. That being said the normal level of clarity is so good the noise cancelling properties haven't really been needed when I've been wearing the Earfun Free Pro earbuds.
I've been so impressed with the other features of these earbuds and have had an exceptional overall experience using them though the noise cancelling limitations weren't that big of a deal. My being able to speak through their microphones on Zoom meetings and telephone calls so audiences could clearly hear me was much more important and left me highly satisfied. Plus the general sound quality whether participating in a work meeting or immersing yourself in music is exceptional especially for such a small sized earbud.
It comes with a great charging storage case that fits into the palm of your hand. You can charge your Earfun Free Pro earbuds while storing them in this case by placing on a wireless charger base or using an included usb cord. Not only are these cord free for wearing but can be charged cordlessly as well!
Earfun Free Pro has incredible battery life providing 7 hours with normal use per full charge and 6 hours utilizing noise-cancellation mode. And a powered up storage case can provide up to 32 hours of life to the earbuds. That provides great mobility when using Earfun Free Pro while traveling or if you are forgetful about recharging your tech.
There is also a latency mode that works really well. Often times when using Bluetooth connected earphones/earbuds that can be a lag between video images being shown and you hearing the associated sound. That sucks when watching a movie or playing a video game. This special mode eliminates that lag providing an undisruptive viewing experience with the sound matching up to on-screen imagery. Sound latency won't be a concern when utilizing Earfun Free Pro earbuds.
Earfun Free Pro provides the quality of much pricier brands exceeding my expectations for the earbuds. With exceptional sound quality and being very comfortable to wear as well as being visually low-key in your ears Earfun Free Pro has earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval. The flexibility of these quality earbuds to be multi-functional for both professional and personal uses combined with an affordable price makes Earfun Free Pro a real value.
My favorite features of Earfun Free Pro include:
+ Bluetooth 5.2 for stable connections and extended working range
+ Dual Composite Dynamic Drivers deliver superior sound and balance
+ Low Latency Mode improves Video and Gaming experiences
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that takes place annually in Las Vegas has become the "must be" place for tech product launches and demonstrations. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic CES went from taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center to being held online in a digital format in 2021. Even though I wasn't able to enjoy a trek out west, the opportunity for this dad blogger to participate in CES this year from January 11 - 14, 2021 was still appreciated.
While it just wasn't the same not being able to interact with people and products in-person, the digital format of visiting virtual exhibition booths and attending streaming presentations still provided an interesting experience. From watching Verizon Chairman & CEO Hans Vestberg provide a keynote address on how 5G will be rebuilding the framework of 21st century infrastructure to participating in a augmented reality Jeep ride there was a lot to geek out at during this year's CES technology conference. Here are some of my favorite products that I discovered at CES 2021:
Because of COVID putting a damper on our summer travel plans for 2020, we installed a pool to provide some staycation fun for our family last year. Because of city zoning requirements there was only one specific spot in our backyard we could put it ... which happened to be right next to a large pine tree. Because this tree majestically rises up into the sky almost four stories looking like a Christmas Tree you might see in Rockefeller Plaza and would be really expensive to chop down we left it be. That means I'm always cleaning the pool ... it is amazing just how many pine needles drop from that tree!
So my eyes tripled in size when I came across Aeriel from Pivot - Solar Breeze at CES. This intelligent, autonomous pool cleaning robot eliminates the need to hand-skim a pool by combining the force of solar-power with AI technology to collect debris from a pool's surface. Thanks to solar power Ariel continuously skims the surface water removing up to 95% of dirt, leaves, pollen, dust, hair, oil and more before the debris decays and sinks to a pool's bottom. This skimming results in less bacteria and algae growth, less filtration and sanitization needs, and less pool pump runtime, resulting in energy savings and reduced environmental impact.
I'm a huge baseball fan so this smart baseball from Jingletek to help pitchers train caught my attention. Analytics are now a key part of evaluating and coaching athletes in baseball whether it is amateur or professional play. Sensors are woven into these baseballs to track a variety of statistics without impacting the feel or movement of the ball. Plus the sensors can be wirelessly charged further reducing the impact of having them installed within a baseball.
Much more accurate than a radar gun, STRIKE time detection includes release/travel times and exchange/pop times providing a fuller picture into the speed of pitches. Because successful pitching is also more than just speed but also involves angles and rotation a ball takes when being thrown STRIKE also tracks those. It shows 3D spin rate and rotational axis of pitches among other analytical tools. Showing the angles pitches cross the plate also provide training tools that can benefit catchers and hitters as well as pitchers.
Maximize analytics to get the most out of training your players and coaching teams with STRIKE SMART BASEBALLS. Play ball!
I love ice cream and frozen drinks! Check out my recipes for home made Dole Whip andPickle Slushies for instance. But I often find myself over-indulging in store bought cartons of ice cream or having a lot to clean up when making treats at home ourselves. With my kids having peanut / tree nut allergies many brands of ice cream aren't safe due to contamination issues so even make a lot of our own ice cream at home. To be honest that can be a real chore!
Adding a COLDSNAP device to our kitchen would be amazing! Being able to make cold soft-serve style deserts in a snap would be so convenient. Slide a single serve aluminum pod into the device and within 60 - 90 seconds you are all set. No mess and no fuss!
Ingredient pods don't need to be refrigerated so they can be easily shipped and stored plus are recyclable after they've been used. Because ingredients transfer directly from the pod to a bowl or glass there is no clean up of the machine either. Set for commercial release in mid-2021 if they handle processing of ingredients for these pods appropriately this could be a game changing device for people with food allergies. Fingers crossed there aren't peanut / tree nut ingredient or contamination issues with their supply chain!
From a dad's perspective I also appreciate that COLDSNAP was created as a father-daughter collaboration. As pre-bedtime activity, entrepreneur Matt Fonte with his daughters Sierra and Fiona spent time nightly working on invention journals coming up with ideas for a product they could create together. The girls came up with the notion of a Keurig-style quick-serve, hassle-free ice cream maker and their dad contributed the engineering and business expertise that led to the development of COLDSNAP. What a great #girldad story!
Use your fingerprint to secure your life with a FLYWALLET Keyble. Scan a fingerprint into a unisex bracelet that acts as a key to your car, credit cards, bank account, home and more. Just touch the bracelet with your finger to confirm your identity than place your FLYWALLET against a scanner to unlock a door, access a device, or make a payment. No more having to carry a wallet or keys in your pocket with this device!
The FLYWALLET Keyble device also incorporates a clock as well as sensors into the device. So it can do a variety of tasks and monitoring involving vital signs, heartrate, motion and voice commands as well. It is like a high tech Disney Parks Magic Band that you can use every day!
Here is another use of fingerprint technology to make life more convenient. BENJILOCK by Hampton Fingerprint Sport Lock uses your fingerprint to unlock a door, padlock or bicycle lock. Don't want to worry about remembering a combination, juggling around a rotary lock, or keeping track of a key? Just place your finger on BENJILOCK and voila it opens right up.
The Fingerprint Sport Lock features a stainless steel shackle, slim form factor, and the ability to store up to 10 fingerprints. BenjiLock devices open with the touch of a user’s programmed fingerprint, and multiple print capability enables friends and family members to easily share their lock’s use without having to share a key.
The new BenjiLock-enabled U-Lock also stores up to 10 fingerprints. It is weather-resistant, IP65-rated, and features a pick-and drill-resistant cylinder and a bolt cutter-resistant, covered hardened steel shackle. BenjiLock By Hampton portable locks are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries that provide an estimated 6 months’ use on a single USB charge.
BenjiLock Fingerprint Door Lock brings security to your fingertips by integrating the BenjiLock biometric sensor that quickly scans a fingerprint with Hampton’s highly secure deadbolt design.
The Fingerprint Door Lock can be opened three ways: by using its fingerprint sensor, by entering owner-programmed numeric codes on a secure digital keypad, and by traditional metal key. It was specifically designed to operate without the need for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and provides homes, apartments and vacation rentals with a turnkey solution that is not dependent on network availability or external power for access.
Enjoy playing chess but have difficulty finding opponents to square off against? With a SQUARE OFF chess board you can match up versus 20 different levels of AI, find someone to play against through the 30 million people registered with chess.com or connect online with friends and family. You can play a game on a physical chess board against someone who could be literally anywhere in the world.
Play on a handcrafted chess board with intricately carved pieces. After you make your move watch as your opponents pieces move on their own across the board. Checkmate!
If your online opponent has a SQUARE OFF board too they'll see your pieces move automatically as your board registers your actions. Someone can also play utilizing an app that shows both players movements in a video game style view. Whether playing versus the artificial intelligence mode or against a human opponent remotely how cool is that to see their pieces move across the board as if they were sitting there next to you!
Since the pandemic started like lots of people around the globe I've been doing a lot of things for work that used to be in-person via video conference instead. To ensure that I can hear what is going on plus drown out noises in my own background from the dog, kids virtually learning at home, and my wife remote working from our house during Zoom meetings I've been wearing some bulky, over-the-ears noise-cancelling headphones. While these have performed nicely for providing a sound bubble during my professional engagements, I've received a fair share of ribbing about my looking somewhat unprofessional having the appearance of an aircraft controller.
The EarFun Free Pro earbuds can provide you with the same quality clarity and noise-cancelling of bulkier over-the-ear headphones but are hidden from view. They pop right into your ear. EarFun Free Pro earbuds 4-microphone array environmental noise cancellation technology provides crystal clear audio. They provide 6-hour playtime per charge and come with a convenient charging case. Plus if you want to use them for working out EarFun Free Pro are sweat and water resistant.
Light weight at 4.1 grams, using advanced Bluetooth 5.2 to provide stable connections with a working range of 49ft, and fast charging with 2 hours of playtime within 10 minutes of charging. There is a lot to like when it comes to these earbuds. It is amazing how wireless earbud/headphone technology has evolved over the last few years. Noise cancelling earbuds with incredible clarity that weigh less than a piece of paper ... incredible!
With hundreds of exhibitors participating in CES, it would be too overwhelming to share with you all the tech being showcased at the event. This roundup is of items that would make an immediate practical difference in my life that I came across during CES 2021 so they are getting a Geek Daddy nod of approval. I hope you were as geeked to learn about some of these items as I was while roaming the virtual exhibit space of this year's Consumer Electronics Show.
This is the first January in my lifetime that downtown Detroit hasn't been a buzz hosting the North American International Auto Show. The glamor of auto shows has faded over the years as car manufacturers marketing has evolved and other other events have competed for consumers attention. The pandemic combined with the local dealership association, DADA, that hosts Detroit's auto show plans to revitalize this iconic even put the January event in deep freeze. While the show may re-emerge as a Summer or Fall event in the future, the grey winter skies of January make the month a lot gloomier without the shine of the auto show bringing Auto Show crowds to the Motor City.
January isn't totally devoid of automotive news though. Motorheads will appreciate the techy industry highlights that have been coming out of this year's CES technology conference. A number of players in the automotive industry have been showcasing the next generation of cars at the Consumer Electronics Show. I've enjoyed the inside look at how the automotive industry is evolving while participating in CES 2021 and it has filled some of the void this car guy has felt with the absence of the Detroit Auto Show.
Headlining CES this year was a keynote presentation by General Motors Chairman & CEO Mary Barra. She highlighted how GM is moving forward with the next gen of cars by introducing a new tech industry inspired logo and discussing how the company is evolving from gasoline powered engines to an electrified future. Bara noted that currently electric powered cars and trucks make up only 3% of global vehicles but GM will invest 25 billion dollars now through 2025 in creating battery powered transportation. She believes the world is at an inflection point of an all electric future for the automotive industry.
GM provided an overview of a battery platform developed in partnership with LG that is adaptable for uses in a variety of consumer and commercial vehicle configurations ranging from cars to suvs to trucks. This battery technology will allow GM battery fueled vehicles to travel 450 miles on a full charge. They also noted that these batteries are quick charging and that a vehicle would be able to traverse 90 miles on just a 10 minute charge. As part of the GM investment into electrification, the car maker will be working to ensure that charging stations will be accessible to their customers as gas stations so that drivers can continue to enjoy the freedom of the open road like they do now. We will need to stay tuned for more updates but the next four years looks to be an exciting time in the evolution of cars and trucks.
GM also made a super announcement about an upgrade coming to its vehicle lineup. After debuting in Cadillac models the super cruise hands free driving system will be available in 22 models across all the GM brands. This adaptive cruise control uses real-time precise positioning, cameras, sensors and LiDAR map data to help navigate a car without the need for hands-on control of a steering wheel. My wife and I tend to purchase Buick and GMC vehicles so I'm intrigued that this feature is being expanded beyond luxury brands.
GM even brought some sci-fi to CES introducing its version of the Jetsons' "flying car" as a Cadillac. The Cadillac VTOL (Vertical Take Off / Landing) that it envisions one day will have people from rooftop to rooftop at the reasonable speed of 56 miles per hour. Why sit in traffic when you can go over it?!
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) made a final hurrah before the company merges with Peugeot to create Stellantis, which will become the world's fourth largest automotive manufacturer. FCA created a virtual auto show floor at CES featuring mostly Jeep vehicles as well as a couple of Fiat cars, Ram trucks and a Dodge suv. Videos showed you around the interior and exterior of the vehicles plus there was an augmented reality simulation of going off-roading in a Jeep. I enjoyed roaming around this virtual auto show display at CES.
Mercedes-Benz showed off a futuristic concept car. The Vision Vision AVTR looks like it could be a prop for a TRON movie or an animal from AVATAR. Its open sides and unique angles make this vehicle standout from anything that is driving on the road now. It also introduced a new concept for electric power using renewable plant-based materials to construct the batteries that fuel it instead of mined metals and minerals the automotive industry is relying on now for its next generation of cars. This was a car designed to make people geek out over it!
BMW promoted its new heads up displays. GPS map apps on phones have replaced old school paper maps and now these new LED dashboard displays will allow people to be more informed than ever before when it comes to knowing where they are going while safely viewing driving directions within their line of sight.
When I go to auto shows a highlight for me is checking out race cars on display. So I appreciated seeing the Indy Autonomous Car Challenge Race Car on display at CES. Universities from colleges in eleven different countries are competing to see who can win a race where the winner earns a million dollar prize. The race takes place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 23, 2021 involving actual Indy cars that can reach speeds of 200 miles per hour.
There is a catch to this competition ... the race cars can't be steered by humans in the vehicles or by remote control. Each entrant must maneuver the track competing in the race controlled by artificial intelligence. This competition is all about designing an autonomous driving system that has robotic cars driving around the speedway. This race is going to be very interesting!
Audi also introduced an all electric powered car called the RS e-Tron GT. This car looks sharp! Plus its performance stats make it seem as the car will run as good as it looks. If these stats are true to fact than this car will ride just as fine as any internal combustion luxury GT-style car on the market today.
Luxury brand Lotus even made an appearance at CES to announce they were designing their first ever all electric powered sports car. They didn't share a picture but it is not like I'll ever be able to buy one of these so not that big of a deal. There announcement though further points out that battery powered vehicles are really gaining a lot of traction right now. It will be exciting to see how these announcements are updated at CES during the next few years. I foresee that we will be seeing a lot of change in how we picture cars and trucks through the remainder of this decade.
So that is my roundup of next gen cars at CES. What is your favorite industry announcement or vehicle on display at CES 2021? While I was impressed by the Audi RS e-Tron what really excited me was that hands free driving is moving beyond luxury brands and into mainstream vehicles more quickly than I expected. Autonomous driving is going to be here before we know it, but until then I'm thrilled that super cruise hands free driving will probably be in the next car I get.
