Among my observations, accessories, protection, ease of use, craftsmanship, and learning about oneself were a big part of the products being offered, in technological and innovative form. In a more generalized discussion, below you will find a small sampling.
Let’s start with McIntosh Laboratory, Inc., (www.mcintoshlabs.com), which has been around since 1949. And it takes pride in noting itself as a premiere craftsman for audio production, ranging from receivers to turntables to amplifiers, just to name a few. To note their business philosophy, their changes are steady, well thought out, and detailed to last. And it reflects the function-ability of units sold from the beginning of time to the present day. In addition, as newer models are made, a strategy incorporates a process where previous customers can upgrade their older units through a series of tweaks, if they so choose; and where the newer models still reflect the outer look, in many regards, of the previous. In other words, a McIntosh is a McIntosh is a McIntosh; alternative, you know when its not. Accordingly, one gets a sense they have built quite a following, from the average Joe or Jane to the bedrocks of musicians.
Next on our list is G-Form, (www.gform.com), which builds protective cases for your smart devices, i.e. smartphones (though not all types), tablets, etc, having a military emphasis. To illustrate their point, they made a video, dropping a smart device from 100,000 feet, using the gform case. It apparently still worked after the landing. Fast forward to CES 2013, they used a pad, placing mms, the candy, on it; placed the g-force material they use in their products; and then dropped a bowling ball onto it; the success was uncrushed mms, ready and willing to be eaten by onlookers. Yes, I did sample one of the mms, during my interview of them. Also, to note, the most popular colors sold are black and blue, according to their marketing manager. And no, they do not have such a case for my phone.
Another far ranging technology present at CES 2013 was Neurosky, (www.neurosky.com), the brainwave cat ears. And while you might associate the look with playboy bunnies, the item is far reaching in implications. The premise deals with feedback from your brainwaves, highlighting your focus to the task or conversation or your surroundings at hand. In my interview with the marketing director, it has found usage with kids having focus problems and those with autism. Alternatively, image yourself being in front of a mirror engaging in a phone call, while wearing the ears. Notice the movement of the ears, as the call transitions from good moments to moments of excitement to how fully participatory you are in the call to even moments of displeasure or anger. Furthermore, as the interview delved deeper, the observations you can make about someone’s internal responsiveness, to surrounding circumstances, i.e. passersby, if they’re wearing the ears, can be quite revealing. In a bit or irony, I was wearing the ears while conducting the interview.
The complement to Neurosky is an organization called WujiTech, (www.WujiTech.com), which has a product that records your brain signal status, while watching a video, as illustration. I was introduced to the creator by the marketing director of Neurosky. The two are a perfect pairing. By any means, the Wuji product measures your alpha, beta, delta, theta, and gamma brain frequencies, i.e. summarized as your levels of attention, inner calm, and joy. The results are visually translated and displayed onscreen, with the movements of say dolphins, to denote highs and lows. Personally, fascinating in concept, and pretty cool to see play out. And yes, I participated in a reading of mine. Wow!! And yes, it’s on my wish list.
Comments