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Sharp is bringing the first 8K TV to Europe

Sharp 70 inch 8K TV

At the IFA ’18 Global Press conference today in Rome, Sharp announced that they will be bringing the first 8K TV in Europe. The Sharp Aquos LC-70X500E is a 70-inch TV, but Sharp says that larger Sharp 8K TVs aren’t far off in the future. And by large, they mean wallpaper sized up to 150 inches! Perhaps that is a hint of their plans at IFA come September?

Today, TVs that are 70 inches and over account for just 0.4% of the European TV market, while TVs that are 55 to 59 inches in size are currently the dominating biggest segment in the European market. But Sharp says that 8K is destined to change all of that.

Sharp made a good point during their presentation, and that is that even if you have a larger 75-inch display hanging in your living room, you still have a lot of empty wall space surrounding it. It’s not just that 8K offers more 3D-like, realistic picture quality, but that it enables larger screens at home, and that is what consumers want. Do I want a 150 inch TV? Hell, yes – sign me up.

So you might be thinking, yes – that 8K sounds great, but where can you get content for it? For starters, Sharp’s Aquos LC-70X500E upscales content to 8K. It turns out that YouTube already supports 8k. Netflix is starting to embrace 8K too, as they recently shot Lost in Space in 8K. There is currently a Japanese broadcaster that has started shooting in 8K, and European broadcasters have plans to soon start shooting sports events in 8K too. So it isn’t too soon at all to jump on the 8K bandwagon – as long as you can afford it.

The Sharp Aquos LC-70X500E will retail for $11,990 Euro (yikes!) and it goes on sale end of April.

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Sharp is bringing the first 8K TV to Europe originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 20, 2018 at 11:17 am.

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Amazon’s new Alexa Skill Blueprints lets you create your very own Alexa skills

The first review I ever wrote for the Gadgeteer was for the Amazon Echo Dot. With Amazon’s AI Alexa, you could use skills to do things such as turn on lights or order a pizza. Since that time Alexa has evolved. Now there are literally thousands of new skills. Some useful, others not so much. In a press release on Thursday Amazon revealed possibly its best feature yet, Alexa Skill Blueprints. Alexa Skill Blueprints allows users of Alexa to build their own personalized skills and responses using a set of easy-to-use templates.

“Alexa Skill Blueprints is an entirely new way for you to teach Alexa personalized skills just for you and your family,” said Steve Rabuchin, Vice President, Amazon Alexa. “You don’t need experience building skills or coding to get started—my family created our own jokes skill in a matter of minutes, and it’s been a blast to interact with Alexa in a totally new and personal way.”

Create personal Alexa skills in minutes

Creating your own Alexa skill and response is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

  1. Select your blueprint template by visiting the Alexa Skill Blueprints website.
  2. Unleash your creativity. Fill in the blanks, Mad Libs style.
  3. Use your Skill. Publish it with just a click, making the skill or response instantly available on all devices connected to your Amazon account.

At launch, there are 21 different blueprint templates available across four main categories. Fun & Games, Learning & Knowledge, At Home, and Storyteller.

I tried blueprint myself using Sci-Fi Storyteller. It was both easy and fun to use. In just a few short minutes I was able to listen to a short Sci-Fi story. Complete with far-out sound effects. And once you’ve created skills you can manage and edit them at any time on the Alexa Skill Blueprints website.

To browse the list of available blueprints and to get started creating your own skills head over to the Skill Blueprints website.

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Amazon’s new Alexa Skill Blueprints lets you create your very own Alexa skills originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 20, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Manfrotto XPRO Over 4-Section Aluminum Monopod with 234RC Tilt Head Kit is ready for every opportunity


Filmmakers, videographers and photographers alike always hope to have the right equipment on hand, when an opportunity for a once in a lifetime shot comes along. There are times when we either go to the most difficult terrain, or the tightest places to get our shot. On many occasions, I have found that a monopod can be the ideal gear that is versatile enough to be used in tight and difficult spaces, as well as for normal everyday use. I have decided to write a few news stories that highlight some of the critical gear that we use.

The XPRO Over 4-Section Aluminum Monopod with 234RC Tilt Head is a lightweight, sturdy camera monopod and tilting head combination. This combination is designed to work with DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras and compact video cameras. The monopod is made up of 4 sections and is all aluminum which keeps the weight down. The sections utilize “Manfrotto’s patented Power-Lock flip locks which snap open and closed to ensure fast operation”. The combination of the monopod and the tilting head weighs in at 2.2 pounds, folds to 24.8 inches, and extends to 73.2 inches. It can support up to 4.4 pounds.

If you would like to purchase the XPRO Over 4-Section Aluminum Monopod with 234RC Tilt Head, you can pick one up at B&H Photo Video for $114.95.

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Manfrotto XPRO Over 4-Section Aluminum Monopod with 234RC Tilt Head Kit is ready for every opportunity originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 20, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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EverCam wireless security camera with 1yr battery life, Astro folding ukulele, TicPods touch control earbuds, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

This week we are bringing you six crowdfunding campaigns that are currently running on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. This week’s campaigns are for people who like to play ukulele, fidget, listen to music, keep an eye on their home, and more. Check out our picks for this week’s notable crowdfunding campaigns.

Eufy EverCam: The Wirefree Security Cam with 365-Day Battery Life

What is it?
EverCam is a wireless home security camera that can be used indoors or out and features battery life up to 365 days!

Why do I like it?
I like the EverCam because of the extra long battery life, facial recognition, free local storage, no monthly cloud subscription fees, and it can be used indoors or outdoors because it’s weatherproof. You can even put it in your refrigerator (if you can get a wireless signal in there) because it is operational even down to -4F.

Where can I find more info?
The EverCam campaign ends on 6/15/2018 and they already have 1 million dollars past their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order an EverCam starting at $219. After the EverCam campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in September 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Astro, the first smart foldable Ukulele

What is it?
Astro is a travel ukulele that folds up.

Why do I like it?
I like the Astro folding uke because it’s a uke and because it can fold up into a really small format for easy transport. It also will be available in both an acoustic or an electric version. The electric version can be used with your headphones or into an amplifier.

Where can I find more info?
The Astro campaign ends on 5/27/2018 and they have work to do before they will reach their funding goal of $80,460. You can pre-order an Astro starting at $184. After the Astro campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

SPECTA The 12-in-1 Premium Machined Pen & Fidget Ball Combo

What is it?
SPECTA is a fidget pen and a fidget ball made from a machined aluminum alloy.

Why do I like it?
I like the SPECTA fidget toys because they feature quiet fidget mechanisms so you can play with them without bothering other people. The SPECTA Pen can be used to write and as a stylus. It features an interesting scale design that you can twist. The SPECTA Ball doubles as a pen stand and offers several ways to fidget including a turning bezel, a button, spinner, and even a bottle opener and a hex bit adapter.

Where can I find more info?
The SPECTA campaign ends on 5/30/2018 and they have work to do before they will reach their funding goal of $59,000. You can pre-order a SPECTA starting at $50. After the SPECTA campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

TicPods Free: most interactive wireless earbuds

What is it?
TicPods Free are wireless Bluetooth earbuds for iOS and Android devices that have touch controls.

Why do I like it?
I like the TicPods Free Bluetooth earbuds because they come in a battery case that provides up to 18hrs of play time. The earbuds also feature touch controls that will let you change the volume, answer and end calls, and more, all without looking at your phone. They also offer ambient noise cancellation and noise isolation.

Where can I find more info?
The TicPods campaign ends in 30 days and they have already blown past their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order a TicPods starting at $79. After the TicPods campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in July 2018. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

Idolcam: The Pocketable 4k Gimbal Camera!

What is it?
Idolcam is a pocket-sized video camera with a 3 axis gimbal which allows you to shoot super smooth video without a lot of gear.

Why do I like it?
I like the Idolcam because it’s an action camera that features interchangeable lenses, lighting options, Mic input, and a 3-axis gimble in a small package that you can fit in your pocket and at an affordable price.

Where can I find more info?
The Idolcam campaign ends on 5/9/2018 and they have already reached their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order an Idolcam starting at $50. After the Idolcam campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Revo Journal: Revolutionize the Way you Journal

What is it?
Revo Journal is a paper journal that you can “attach” video, pictures, audio, web links, and other memories to using a special app and your mobile device.

Why do I like it?
I like the Revo Journal because it’s a new way to journal using an analog (paper) notebook with digital journalling tools. With the app, you can scan the QR code on each page in the Revo journal and then attach your digital media to make it easier to revisit the day or event at a later date.

Where can I find more info?
The Revo Journal campaign ends on 5/21/2018 and they are still working towards their funding goal of $5,543. You can pre-order a Revo Journal starting at $23. After the Revo Journal campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in July 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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EverCam wireless security camera with 1yr battery life, Astro folding ukulele, TicPods touch control earbuds, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 19, 2018 at 12:12 pm.

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The Genie Motion Control Time-Lapse Device from Syrp has all the right moves


As I continue the conversation on camera sliders and time lapse devices, I do recall someone mentioning the Genie from Syrp as part of the discussion from one of my previous news stories.

The Genie Motion Control Time-Lapse Device from Syrp is a relatively small device as a cube that is 4 inches all around, and its functions include both video recording and time-lapse photography. It weighs only 3.3 pounds, and attaches to just about any rig that is used for photography and/or videography, including tripods, sliders, dollies, etc.

With the Genie, you can perform both panning and linear motion control. It has the ability to be mounted to your gear and includes a 3/8”-16 stud so that you can mount your head directly onto it. What is really great is its weight capacity which is 44 pounds. With that type of weight capacity, you can mount just about any camera setup without any concern about weight. It has built-in presets for specific types of photography or videography, and you can load any additional presets you want to use directly into its memory. It features a built-in illuminated bubble level, a sensor input, and a USB input for firmware upgrades. A 3-hour battery charge will give you about 12 hours of usage, depending on the weight of your rig that is mounted to the Genie. It is compatible with over 130 cameras from the major camera companies, but the cable to link the camera to the Genie is usually a separate purchase. However, on some websites, I have seen one free cable included with the purchase. Since it ships with both panning and sliding bases, you are almost ready to go right out of the box.

If you would like to purchase the Genie Motion Control Time-Lapse Device from Syrp, head over the Amazon or B&H Photo Video and pick one up for $549.

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The Genie Motion Control Time-Lapse Device from Syrp has all the right moves originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 19, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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