Tag: gadgets
ABCey Events Tech Tuesday: Olloclip
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. In today’s #TechTuesday, we feature Olloclip the iPhone photography gadget that will step up your Instagram game!
The Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens
This extremely versatile cell phone lens is tiny and simple to use! Users can quickly change between the four lenses to get four amazing shots!
Features
The four lenses enable iPhone users to take professional and artistic photos and videos. There are four types of lenses: fisheye, wide angle, macro 10x and macro 15x! The lenses can be used on both the front and rear facing cameras so you can take awesome selfies as well! The images also come out crystal clear.
We are always looking for innovative ways to take photos of our events and these lenses enable us to do it quickly and creatively!
7 Tech Gadgets for Event Professionals
Welcome to the digital age! Yes, robots taking over can be scary, but technology can also be used for good. With so many gizmos and tools on the market, we want to keep you in with some of the top must-haves for event tech. ABCey Events has compiled a list of 7 great tech gadgets and apps for all event professionals to help make your job just a little bit easier!
7 Tech Gadgets and Apps for Events
1. Measuring Tools: Camera measuring app
Whether you want to know the measurements at a site visit, or see if the venue will fit a certain event prop, knowing exactly how much room you have is important. Instead of struggling with a regular measuring tape, turn your iPhone into a measuring tool with the EasyMeasure app! This app uses your camera to measure your distance from an object and dimensions of an image. Simply point your camera, click, and get very accurate measurements!
2. HD Livestream Broadcaster
It sucks when guests can’t make it your event, but they can still be part of the event action with livestream broadcasting! Event tech gadgets, like Livestream’s Broadcaster Pro, allow you to broadcast your event live in HD! You can easily attach this to any HDMI camera or your smartphone’s Livestream app. Then, click play and you’ll be recording live! Help guests who couldn’t make it, get your event noticed, and let people see how tech savvy you are!
3. Lightwave: Biometric sensor-equipped wristbands
Did you ever want to know how your guests are feeling? Now you can with Lightwave wristbands! These sensor wristbands pick up on a person’s body temperature, movement, and other biometric data. You can then use this data to adjust your event in real time. Change everything from the lighting brightness to music tempo and mic volume to create the perfect balance!
4. Digital Portable Scanner
If you’re an event professional on the go, it’s hard to keep track of documents, floor plans, proposals, and more! And, now that we live in the digital age, having hard copies of papers is almost pointless. To help fix this problem, try a digital portable scanner! With this magic wand, you can take physical copies of important docs and scan them to make digital copies. This way you won’t ever lose a contract, bank statement, or receipt ever again!
5. Crowd Mic App
It’s great to hear from your audience, but walking around to each person in a crowd with a microphone can be a hassle. Crowd Mic’s app lets any event guest’s smartphone become a microphone. Tap to request to speak, and the presenter can accept it, mute you, and let everyone speak with the open mic mode. Also, this app lets you have live polls and text, so you can directly connect with your attendees. Don’t make your staff run around and engage your guests with this fun event tech!
6. Google Chrome Work Devices
Make your virtual meetings a breeze with Google Chrome Devices! Google has devices and packages that can include everything from speakers, a remote control, a mechanical pan and tilt HD camera, tech support, and the physical Chromebox system/core processor. In addition, the box is equipped with Google app software which makes it easy to share docs, spreadsheets, Google invitations and more! Next time you have a virtual conference call, use this event gadget to help your video conference run smoothly!
7. Portable Projector
As an event prof, you have to be prepared for the worst, like your projector breaking down! Instead of having a massive projector, get a small portable projector. These are great for both meeting presentations and displaying videos or images at your parties! For a great all purpose projector, check out the Epson PowerLite Multimedia Projector. Not only does it project high quality data, videos, and photos, but it also connects directly and wirelessly to phones, computers, tablets, and USB memory drives. Give attendees a great presentation with a remote or a mouse control, and easily carry this 3.7 pound projector in your bag!
Do you plan on using any of these event gadgets for your events? Let us know in the comments below and on Facebook or Twitter!
How to Use Instagram Stories for Events
In this day and age, Social media is arguably the most useful tool for event planners! Recently, Instagram has come out with a new feature, Instagram Stories, that rivals Snapchat Stories. At ABCey, we want to keep you updated with all of the newest social marketing developments and how they effect the event world. So, here are our tips so you can use Instagram Stories for your next event!
How similar are Snapchat Stories and Instagram Stories?
If you recently updated your Instagram, you’ve probably noticed little circles above your regular feed. This new feature is Instagram Stories which is their version of Snapchat Stories. Like Snapchat, Instagram Stories can be edited with text and emojis and only last for 24 hours. In addition, you can see which of your followers (similar to Snapchat friends) have seen your stories. Although they may seem the same, there are some important differences that all eventprofs should know!
How are they different for events?
1. Social Media Marketing
One huge thing that sets Instagram Stories apart from Snapchat Stories are their audiences. On Snapchat, you have to be friends with someone to watch their stories. However on Instagram, it’s a whole different story! With a private account, all your followers can view your story. But if you have a public account, anyone can see it. This means your company and upcoming events can get tons of exposure from social media marketing!
2. Privacy Feature
In addition, only Instagram Stories have a privacy feature. This feature lets you block anyone from seeing your story. Take advantage of this for your events, and keep the event a secret from certain followers! Also, you can reward your followers by making your account private for a certain period. During that time, you can post special coupons or inside info on your story and only your loyal followers can see these prizes!
3. Permanent Posting From Your Story
Although Snapchat and Instagram Stories are alike, Instagram has some extra bonus features! Now you can easily take videos or images of an event from your story and post them permanently on your Instagram. This keeps the memory of an event alive, even when the event is over!
4. Audience Interaction
Instead of a chronological order like Snapchat, Instagram Stories are sorted by who you interact with the most. Now you can see who your best followers are and reward them with prizes! Also, it’s super important to engage with your guests! Encourage them to post event images and ask questions on their Instagram story. After, give your guests a unique event experience by answering their questions and giving them a shout out on your story or by directly messaging them!
5. Use Snapchat How To’s
Because this feature is similar to Snapchat Stories, you can use these Snapchat event tips for your Instagram! Instagram Stories give you great features of Snapchat and more of their of their own. You can post everything from behind-the-scenes footage of the event production process to shout outs from important speakers and sponsored advertisements during your events!
Do you plan to use Instagram Stories for your events? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Startup Monday: DoubleDutch-Live Engagement Marketing Platform
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on, or have worked with in the past & would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey Events! In today’s Startup Monday, we highlight a live engagement platform and mobile app: DoubleDutch!
As event professionals, we always try to create better experiences for our event attendees. It’s also important we have right tools for the event to run smoothly. Afterward, we really want to learn from the event, so that our next one is even better! So, how do we manage all this information? With DoubleDutch, you’re able to do all those things and more!
DoubleDutch Live Engagement Platform:
This company’s main product is their live engagement platform, which helps everyone from sponsors, attendees, planners, exhibitors, and marketers! Under this platform, there are 5 different sections: Studio, Event App, Lead Manager, Performance Manager, and Exhibitor Portal. All of these applications help to improve the event process and the overall success of the event!
Studio
First, customize your app and plan your event with DoubleDutch’s Studio! After you create the perfect app that matches your brand, use Studio to send out event invites to promote your app and event. In addition, manage your event content including: agendas, interactive maps, event information, user profiles, and more. And thats not all! You can help your sponsors advertise their posts, achievements, and activity to your guests!
Event App
Having an app for your event will be sure to impress attendees, but it’s also great for event professionals and will make your guests’ event experience so much easier! For event producers, the DoubleDutch Event app lets you give out attendee lists, surveys, polls, Q&A’s, direct messages as well as set up gaming aspects and forums. Also, attendees can create their agendas, and see profiles of sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers!
Performance Manager
Learn what worked and what didn’t with their Performance Manager! During the event, you can easily see how the event is going, what your guests like the most, poll/survey results, and more. Now you have tons of info that tells you how your event went and valuable insight for the next ones!
Exhibitor Portal
Your event exhibitors and sponsors will love Double Dutch too! Because the Exhibitor Portal lets exhibitors contact and understand their attendees, they are set to have a better booth and business! From customizing exhibitor’s app profiles and scheduling meetings to managing staff and giving offers to guests, there is nothing this app doesn’t do!
Lead Management
Finally, their platform has a Lead Management application to help you market your event! It looks at attendees’ actions, interests, and engagement, so that you can make informed decisions. Also, your attendees will love when DoubleDutch gives them recommendations on connections/sessions based on their activity at an event! Try their demo and see how DoubleDutch can improve your events!
Integration and Security
Are you currently using a different registration system? DoubleDutch has the answer! In addition to their platform, this company has added integration features that allow you to combine schedules, profiles, etc. from more than 100 other registration systems! They make it that easy!
You can also integrate with Salesforce and Marketo to have the best marketing campaigns and CRM services! Now you can use their platform with the info and work you already have. There are also security measures that make sure your data and event is safe!
Are you planning to use DoubleDutch? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
#TechTuesday: Spinn Coffee
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming technologies for their innovative ideas and impact on the event world!
What’s the best part of waking up? Why, it’s coffee of course! Nothing gets the day started quite like a piping hot cup o’ joe and for the busy professional, caffeine first thing in the morning is necessary for a productive day. For the coffee junkies out there, your mornings are going to get even better in the near future with Spinn Coffee, a WIFI connected coffee brewing machine.
Spinn uses centrifugal force to brew its coffee with beans only. No cups, pods or filters means zero environmental waste. Prefer drip, french press or espresso? Spinn can do it all.
How it works.
Download the Spinn App.
Connect your SpinnBrew to your WIFI network. Once connected, you can customize how you prefer your coffee to be brewed.
Brew coffee right from your phone.
Spinn uses only quality coffees from local and international roasters. Get connected to these community roasters through the app where you can browse, shop and review their coffees.
You can add your fave coffee beans to your Beanlist that acts as your coffee playlist. When your faves get low in stock, they’ll be automatically re-ordered and delivered right to your door.
It gets even better than that. Want to wake up to the sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee? Set Spinn to start making a brew while you’re still in bed and your coffee will literally make itself.
Why we love it. Spinn is the reinvention of coffee for the modern, technology-driven world; it’s a smarter way to drink coffee. It takes care of you by doing the coffee making for you and takes care of our planet by creating a more sustainable way to enjoy your favorite morning pick-me-up.
Need Spinn Coffee in your life? You can pre-order now!
Be sure to let us know how much you love your java on Facebook and Twitter!
#TECHTUESDAY: SKIDDLE- Weekend’s Matter
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming technologies for their innovative ideas and impact on the event world!
“A small fish in a big pond” is how any person can feel living in a large city, especially San Francisco! The “Things to do” lists extends for miles, but still some remain unaware of the events and excitement occurring a few steps from their door. Skiddle recognized this detachment and brought a resolution with their Weekends Matter app! Before we even go into the deets, this event library includes more than 100,000 events at any given time! Combining that stealthy number with the additional features, it’s no question why this app is featured on this week’s #TechTuesday!
It’s a Friday night and there’s nothing to do- until you open up your Skiddle app and find all of the events occurring within your location! Events range from anything as large as a music festival to something as simple as an art exhibit. The beauty of this app is that it identifies with all interests, which is why it has such an extensive gallery. Don’t feel like scrolling through an entire archive? That’s okay! You can search events by date, location, category, what’s trending, and even Skiddle’s recommendations!
Every once in awhile there’s an event that’s so good it requires you to pack your things for a few days and explore a new territory! However, planning the housing and transportation can be a little strenuous especially when it’s a group. If you’re looking for simplicity, Skiddle has a search feature to scope out the nearest hotels to your event venue. Still confused on how you’ll get to the actual event? If you’re looking for a lift, Skiddle is integrated with the Uber app (first ride is free for the newbies!) or if you’re within walking distance and choose to sightsee it offers directions to your event location!
Looking for some new music to listen to? This app has access to music clips via Spotify to give you a taste of an artist before purchasing any tickets! Once you find your new favorite artist, you can track them and receive alerts when new events are announced. When your event is finally available and you’re ready to purchase tickets, don’t worry! There are no booking fees with this app and ticket delivery is instantaneous!
Why we love Skiddle Weekend’s Matter: Learning new things is what keeps us young! This progressive app introduces users to a range of events that extends beyond their regular “going out” vocabulary. Discovering new music is as easy as a click, which can inevitably lead to a random night on the town to experience something different! It’s exciting to see how many avenues and options are literally at the tip of our fingers, and how simplistic it’s been made for our convenience. This database was made for enjoyment and that statement is clear with the ease of it’s accessibility!
So, where are you headed next? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Top 5 Techy Gadgets for Summer!
Here at ABCey, we love planning get-togethers, especially during the summer months! Since the Bay Area is at the heart of technology, we took the opportunity to search for new must-have gadgets that would be fun for outdoor events. Even though we seem to be beginning the June gloom here in San Francisco, you can pretty much guarantee a sunny and warm SF between September and early November (aka Indian Summer)! So, get ready to party with our Top 5 techy gadgets and make those BBQ’s, roofdeck parties, and beach days a bit more exciting!
1. Karma Wifi | $14/ GB | Karma Wifi is a pay as you go service that allows users to purchase different levels of Wifi for their mobile devices. This service is unique from other mobile wifi hotspots since there are zero monthly payments, the data purchased does not expire, and it can be shared between users. Karma is available in over 80 cities nationwide, and is simple to purchase additional data as you travel! We love how this service allows guests to stay connected, while still enjoying the company of other attendees outdoors.
2. ECOXBT Speakers | Waterproof Bluetooth speakers | $129.99 | Here is the next crowd-pleaser for pool parties this season! ECOXBT Speakers connect to any Bluetooth device and have the ability to submerge and float in water. As guests enjoy a leisurely day at the pool, they can still control their music without the extra hassle of getting out of the water. The best part is the 10 hr battery life and small size to travel around with guests.
3. Polaroid Socialmatic Camera | Shares & Prints Photos Instantly | Price & date to be released Summer ’14 | Polaroid is transforming the way photos are taken and shared to social media sites with this new, innovative camera! It has the ability to print on specialized Zero-ink, smudge & water resistant paper, and is simultaneously powered through Android to post to social media sites instantly. While the camera isn’t available for purchase until late Summer 2014, we still think this would be a great addition to any gathering!
4. iGrill Mini Smart Grilling Thermometer | $39.95 | This device is perfect for your next cookout and will benefit your summer barbecuing skills! The iGrill Mini aids the chef in making sure that the meat is cooked to the correct temperature, so you never have to worry about over or under-cooked meat again. It connects via Bluetooth up to 150ft away, so the host is able to enjoy the party while still monitoring the food! Don’t miss out on this must-have for your next barbecue!
5. Remote Control Beverage Cooler | $59.95 | This gadget will definitely be the star of your next outdoor event! This device is essentially an ice chest that will keep drinks cool and can roll around the party bringing guests’ drinks. It has a 60ft radius from the controller, and will add a smile to every individual it rolls on up to!
Which gadget is your fave?! Let us know which one you love the most in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter.
Friday Five: CES 2014 Gadgets We Love!
Every January Las Vegas becomes home to Techies and Gadget Junkies alike for the annual Consumer Electronics Show, otherwise known as CES. This year, we are bringing you our 5 favorite things from CES out of the 3,200 exhibitors, developers and suppliers!
1. Razer Nabu: The Nabu Smartband is leading the pack in the ever growing fitness field. Packaged in a stylish design it combines smart watch capabilities with a host of fitness tracking features! This lifestyle accessory combines the two features with a 7 day battery life, meaning less time charing and more time using the product for everyday tasks. The Nabu does everything from transmitting calls and texts to monitoring activity and sleep patterns for a healthier lifestyle.
2. Samsung Curved Television: Equipped with an Ultra High Definition display Samsung is tackling the concept of morphing screens head on. The debuted an 85″ flat screen television that can convert into a curved screen with the touch of a button. Currently Samsung is working on a product line of morphing and curved screens, look out for those later this year.
3. Ford C-Max Energi: Ford’s thought process on the new Energi concept is to take your charging station with you. How you ask? By creating a solar powered car! With built in solar panels on the roof of the small sedan Ford estimates it will be enough to power 75% of the average driver’s trips. The alternative fuel trend is no longer a trend, the Ford C-Max Energi makes it apparent it is now a way of life. Check out the video here.
4. Pebble Steel Watch: Wearables are the trend for 2014, with many calling it the year ‘nerd fashion’ goes main stream. Pebble has been around, but have taken this wearable smart watch to the next level. The digital display is complimented by a stainless steel or matte black metal band, a far cry from plastic straps on other smart watches. It gets better, at $249 it is not only within range of many high end watches, it begins shipping at the end of this month!
5. Vuzix Eyewear: Google may already have competitors lined up, willing and eager to take Google Glass head on. Vuzix is no exception, tackling Google Glass on. Combining Eyewear as well as headphones it creates a ‘full emersion’ experience. Although it may not be quite ready for mass consumption, it’s obvious that wearable eyewear is the next thing in smart technology. 
Tell us, what stood out to you at this years CES conference? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Tech Tuesday: PaperTab
Tech Tuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming companies for their innovative ideas and ability to think outside the box!
In a world where we look to Apple for innovation, the powerhouse is forced to step aside and make way! A collaboration between Intel, Plastic Logic, and Queen’s University lead to PaperTab, a new kind of tablet.
PaperTab might actually confuse you for a piece of paper! At 10.7-inches long and 7.2mm thick, it’s about an 18th of the thickness of an iPad mini. Although it is in relatively early stages of development, the PaperTab performs the basic functions of its big-league tablet counterparts. Its flexible touchscreen allows users to send files and e-mails and browse documents with simple hand gestures. PaperTab can display and track thousands of files, all of which are kept on a cloud.
The big question remains: Why should I buy one? In our opinion, the PaperTab is perfect for business. It’s lightweight, can fit in any briefcase, and lets you read and store thousands of documents on the go. One of the coolest features of this gadget is that you can combine them side-by-side to share files by touch! The company has plans to sell their displays at $20 apiece for now, which means companies would be able to buy them in bulk.
We think the PaperTab would find its niche in the business sector- What are your thoughts? Let us know in a comment on Facebook or Twitter!
ABCey’s Weekend Line-Up 6.13.13-6.16.13
If you and dad need some time away from the Father’s Day BBQs, take him to one of the events on ABCey’s Weekend Line-Up! From liquor-themed carnivals to street festivals and every tech event in between, ABCey’s here to amp up your family time this weekend!
1. San Francisco Craft Spirits Carnival | Saturday, June 15th | 1 p.m.-5 p.m. | Fort Mason Festival Pavilion | This is one carnival you definitely don’t want to miss! Try some of the local Bourbon, Whiskey, Tequila and other spirits available for unlimited sample along with your admission. And yes, those are technicolor trapeze artists, that’s not the absinthe talking!
2. GigaOM Structure 2013 | Wednesday, June 19th-Thursday, June 20th | 7 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mission Bay Conference Center at UCSF | From cloud to concept, this year’s theme will track how the real needs of businesses are driving IT construction and development. Speakers include representatives from Google, Amazon.com, and Revlon and startups and tech trailblazers will be recognized during presentations.
3. California Music Industry Summit | Friday, June 14th- Saturday, June 15th | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Laney College Theater, Oakland | Attention all music lovers and aspiring rock stars! This Friday, you’ll finally get your shot at stardom when hundreds of people from the music industry come out for a day of workshops, exhibits, and networking. Independent artists from all across America come to sing their hearts out and build relationships with others in the industry. Think of this as American Idol without the catfights.
4. North Beach Festival | Saturday, June 15th- Sunday, June 16th | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | North Beach District, San Francisco | Take dad to San Francisco’s Little Italy this weekend for Tony’s Pizza and the North Beach Festival. Enjoy the summer sun and bay breeze as you wander through the craft stands and chalk art adorning this charming area of the city.
5. Bloomberg Next Big Thing Summit | Monday, June 17th- Tuesday, June 18th | 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. | Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay | This hunt for the “next big thing” brings together entrepreneurs and investors to examine the impact of technology and business on innovation and the human experience. Talented journalists, businessmen, and analysts are sure to give conference-goers great insight into forward-thinking strategies for the tech industry’s future.
Would your dad like to go to one of these events? Let us know in a comment or on Facebook and Twitter!