ABCey’s Top Gadgets from CES 2013

For those who don’t know about CES (The Consumer Electronics Show), it’s the gargantuan annual gathering of the gadget industry. CES takes place each winter in the Las Vegas Convention Center, a complex so massive that it spans a highway. It was reported that this year, many of the best products came out of startups, and even Kickstarter!

We also saw that CES 2013 featured more innovation from the digital health and fitness world than ever, including everything from health monitoring devices to mobile fitness apps. Also,  there was a star studded guest appearance by President Clinton, who discussed the importance of mobile technology to help people around the world.

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite products that we hope you enjoy!

1. Interaxon’s Mind Controlled Headset | Interaxon designed Muse, a four-sensor brainwave headband to work with brain health, fitness, stress management, and other applications. Sensors in the headset read electrical frequencies emitting from the brain’s neurons (electroencephalography or EEG). Though this is old technology, Interaxon’s adaptation resulted in a lightweight headset that syncs what you’re thinking with an iOS or Android device- potentially very convenient.

2. Nano Nails touch screen styliiFor a woman with long nails and a touch screen smart phone, it can be a little difficult to get a lot done. Fortunately Sri Vellanki of Tech Tips created an over-the-fingetip stylus- but it then became a challenge to make it fashionable. Nano Nails uses the same design, but places it underneath the fingernail. In May, they will be available in a full press-on nail, or nail tip for around $10 per pack (4 or 6).

3. Moneual Smart TableThis Touch Table PC is going to revolutionize the restaurant industry. The idea of going to a restaurant, looking over the menu, ordering and paying, all without the waiter (and tempermental attitude) sounds beyond appealing. It can also be used for surfing the web, reading newspapers and magazines, and even playing music. We don’t know yet when it will be released, but hopefully soon!

4. Fitness Sensor EarphonesThe Iriver, by Valencell, has taken a little longer than expected, but will be available in March of this year. The best thing about the Iriver On is that it’s integrated with a device you already wear while exercising: earphones. There are no annoying clip on’s; you just monitor your heart rate, distance, cadence, speed, and calories burned while you rock out to your favorite songs. There is an app that will process all of the information it collects, as well.

5. Soft Headphones for SleepingSleepPhones “pajamas for your ears” were invented for those who want to lie down while listening to music with a pair of headphones. Regular headphones or earphones tend to feel uncomfortable and cause an slight annoyance, especially while you rest on your side. It can even be used on a flight as an eye-mask…that plays your music. How rad!

6. Cloud-based computerDell Wyse, the cloud computing subsidiary of the American Dell electronics company quietly revealed its latest product- Orphelia. This cloud-based computer on a USB-like device is going to be your best friend. It easily converts any TV or computer monitor into a functioning computer. This small device boasts an Internet accessible capability, keyboard and mouse support. Long gone is lugging your computer around on business trips or family vacations. Orphelia is all you’ll need.

Which of these products are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below, or on Facebook & Twitter.


2012 Crunchies Coverage: Best E-Commerce Application

ABCey Events is counting down the two weeks until The Crunchies in San Francisco on January 31. Have you been voting for your favorite Finalists? I’m sure the Finalists for Best E-Commerce Application are counting on your vote. Who are they? Let’s find out: 

Fab – Fab is a great design e-commerce site with smartphone app that helps people discover everyday design products at discounted prices. Fab offers everything from vintage apparel to vintage commerative collectibles to decorate your home. It’s great inspiration for interior decorators, fashionistas and DIY project fans. Check this site out to bring some bright colors, cool designs and pizzazz to your life. We love it because it gives great ideas for event decorations and goody-bags.

HotelTonight – HotelTonight is a great smartphone app that lets you book your hotel room at the very last minute (until 2am that same day) for a great deal. Obviously, this is ideal for last-minute planners/deal hunters as well as the hotel industry looking for a way to minimize their room stock. Event planners can recommend this app to event attendees who are looking for flexibility in finding accommodations.

Karma/Facebook Gifts – Last May Facebook acquired the gift app Karma and transformed it into Facebook Gifts. Facebook Gifts is great for two reasons: 1) It allows you to send a last-minute gift in a pinch 2) You don’t need to know your friend’s shipping address in order to send them a gift. Facebook Gifts does all the work by verifying the recipient’s shipping address. There are definitely people who hate shopping but who do love to give gifts – this streamlines the process for them. Next time you’re invited to an event on Facebook, go ahead and send your host/hostess an early gift with Facebook Gifts!

Warby Parker – Just three years, the two founders were selling their glasses from a loft in Philadelphia and now, they are everywhere! There’s very little to say about Warby Parker other than we love their glasses! (I am wearing them right now.) Before Warby Parker came along, I’m sure most people would not have thought it would be easy, convenient or SMART to shop for glasses on the Internet. These days, it’s almost hard to believe you wouldn’t go straight to them to purchase glasses since Warby Parker has made it so simple with their Home Try-Ons, flat rate pricing and free shipping.

Zulily – Sometimes when I stare jealously at a little girl’s cute outfit, I think to myself, “That must be from Zulily.” This is a great all-in-one shopping site marketed toward Moms. Zulily smartly targets Moms, who usually have the greatest shopping power in the household, to shop their flash daily deals for themselves but also provide an outlet to look for their babies and kids. Moms do not have to look any further than Zulily to outfit (the younger half of) their household. 

Are you big fans of these e-Commerce sites? Who are you voting for? Tell us in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!


Make Your Event a Stress-less Success!

Every event needs organization. Without it, we are stuck with a stressful mess of ideas, plans and an abundance of information. The best way to keep everything in order, is to incorporate technology into the event planning, and event itself. ABCey has adapted an article from Collaborate Meetings Magazine, who featured PlannerTech by Liz King of Liz King Events and Josh Gooch, elaborating on a list of some event planning tools to help you keep your cool.

1. EventFarm is an all in one ticketing service. They provide a variety of options for your attendees and for you as well! Their distribution process is comprehensive and even allows for ticket block distribution and progress tracking. Payment is simple and convenient, and registration/check-in can be modified by you- with the ability to ask registration questions, show seating arrangement options, as well as request entree selection. Along with ticketing features, also come promo codes, waiting lists, arrival alerts, and even the ability to create name tags/badges.

 

2. Social Tables is a sophisticated option for important details like venue mapping, making  general processes more efficient, streamlining the check-in process and communication. This service also allows for real-time collaboration among team members, as well as in depth seat mapping. They have received funding from 500 Startups and even gained the business of the 1,300 attendee Latin Grammy’s- a shocker to CEO Dan Berger. Congrats!

 

3. Hubb is a cloud based CMS which gives attendees, speakers and planners the ability to create personalized schedules, interact with one another and provides one location to view all social information associated with the event on a “community wall”. The mobile integration allows for real-time updates- making sure no one is left sitting in the wrong room.

 

4. Bizzabo helps planners make (and attendees get) the most out of an event. This service also allows everyone to receieve up to date info and help networking opportunities. It’s easy to use and allows for the much needed interaction before, during and after the event. As of now, its free to event planners and attendees, but in the future Bizzabo will provide some outlets for event organizers to gain extra revenue. 

5. Splash is a great tool to use to create an awesome and original event page, which lets you select a location, time and also serves as an invitation. You can take care of aspects like generating a budget, creating one-sheets and overall brainstorming, as well as tracking RSVPs and VIPs in real time. Pictures can be posted to the event page afterwards using a #hashtag!

Which of these services or apps have your tried to help techify your event and streamline those somewhat complicated tasks ? Let us know in the comments below, or on Facebook & Twitter.


Startup Monday: drinkwel

At ABCey, we’ve seen parties and celebrations lead to the downfall of many — a hangover downfall that is. Recently, we discovered drinkwel, “the multivitamin for people who drink.” Formulated by two doctors, drinkwel is made primarily from milk thistle, amino acids, superfruits, vitamin B-complex and vitamin C.  Its unique combination of ingredients promises to replenish nutrients and help your body process alcohol induced toxins.


drinkwel is designed to be a daily multivitamin, but its website says it is not necessary  to take it everyday. You can take one serving of drinkwel before you drink and one before you go to bed and you should feel the benefits. Taking a glance at its product reviews on Amazon, it looks as though when people take drinkwel they do feel significantly better than they normally do after a night of drinking.

As event planners, we would love to recommend this product to our clients! Have you tried drinkwel yet? Let us know about your drinkwel experience in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter.


TV Tuesday: Postmates

The holidays are usually a busy time for most people. Have you heard of Postmates? Well, after today, you’re sure going to wish you had heard about it sooner. Postmates sells itself as a “revolutionary same day urban logistics & delivery platform.” Well, that is a sophisticated way of saying Postmates has couriers who will ship things for you and bring things to you. In San Francisco. Under an hour. Watch a testimonial:

Pretty cool, right? It’s no wonder that Postmates is in the running for “Best Collaborative Consumption Service” at this year’s Crunchies. As an event planner, I can see many instances in where Postmates would come in handy for a last minute pick-up or drop-off. Can you see yourself using Postmates for any reason? Let us know if you have a Postmates experience and tell us about it in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter