Nicole DiGiose

Royal Caribbean uses 80-inch HDTVs to create virtual balconies

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

An article I wrote for Electronic Products.

80-inch HD displays show close to real-time video from the front and back of a cruise ship

Booked your cruise too late and missed out on a window suite? There’s no reason to be bummed out, because for latecomers who would like the waterside experience, Royal Caribbean is offering what they call “virtual balcony staterooms.”

Royal Caribbean Virtual Balcony HDTV

Made of 80-inch floor-to-ceiling HD displays, the TVs show close to real-time video from the bow and stern of the ship, shot on RED Epic HD cinema cameras, complete with audio. In order to operate correctly in the sun, heat, salt and water, the cameras are marine compliant and weathertight. Fiber-optic cable carries the video to a server, then to a set-top box that decodes and processes the video before it’s displayed on the screen. Read More

Four technologies that don’t realize they’re dead yet

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

An article I wrote for Electronic Products.

A look at some everyday electronics that are nearing extinction

Remember the days when you would patiently wait for the fax machine at the office to send over those important documents? Then you’d go home to pop your favorite VHS into the VCR? Though it may seem like it, that wasn’t too long ago, and now a fresh batch of electronics we use quite often are on their way to joining those devices in retirement. They just don’t want to believe it.

Computer mouse

Computer Mouse

Image via Microsoft.

The idea of not using a mouse to navigate your way through a computer was science fiction 10 years ago. Now, due to the use of tablets and smartphones, the mouse is on its way out. It’s predicted that in about five years, the cost of adding capacitive touch capability to screens will be so inexpensive that displays from large-screens TVs to laptops will have it, eliminating the need for an old fashioned computer mouse.

iPod

iPod

Image via dailytech.com.

The birth of the iPod completely destroyed the CD, and now it looks like the cherished music player may be next in line. In the past few years, the iPod has been seeing dramatic falls in its sales—now making up only 2% of Apple’s income. Most smartphones, including the company’s beloved iPhone, make perfectly good MP3 players, resulting in the iPod’s deadly decline. Read More

Four handy tech gadgets that don’t require electricity

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

An article I wrote for Electronic Products.

Feeling powerless? It may not be such a bad thing after all

It’s always those times when you’re nowhere near an outlet when your smartphone or tablet uses its final breaths to flash a red light or slowly power down as it warns you of its nearing death. For the most part, electronics are nothing without power, right? Fortunately, that doesn’t always have to be the case. Check out the list of “powerless” tech gadgets below that can serve as useful devices while simultaneously charging your electronics.

SpareOne Plus emergency mobile phone

SpareOne Plus

Image via realsimple.com.

Even if you’re without power for an extended period of time and all of your other electronics have failed you, the SpareOne Plus will be ready to assist. This phone contains a special battery-isolator tab that keeps its single AA battery from draining, allowing the phone to offer 10 hours of talk time without electricity. If unused, it can survive up to an impressive 15 years. Also included is a built-in LED flash light for 24 hours of continuous light, a panic siren, and an SOS torchlight on top that flashes Morse code. Though it looks like something fresh out of 1998, it’s a good idea to keep this handy phone nearby and stored in a safe place.

Price: $80

Buy now. Read More

Six gross alternative energy sources to keep our planet spinning

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

An article I wrote for Electronic Products.

With the pressing need to find alternative energy sources, things may get a bit messy

Ever thought we’d be using feces, dead bodies and leftovers as power sources? With our diminishing amount of irreplaceable fossil fuels, we’re sure on our way. Though we can rely on sources such as wind and solar power, the need to find alternative routes to produce energy for our busy world has pushed the scientific community into thinking way outside the box.

Feces

TOILET

Most of us agree that feces are disgusting and should be disposed of immediately. But since poo contains the odorless, colorless gas we know as methane, it can actually be quite useful to our environment. Read More

The History of the Jack Rose Cocktail

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

An article I wrote for Chilled Magazine.

Rosy and smooth, the Jack Rose’s history isn’t as sweet as the cocktail might have you think. There are various theories about this drink’s origin, the most common being that it was invented and named after the infamous gambler and accused murderer, Bald Jack Rose, who became somewhat of a celebrity in New York during the early 1900s.

Image

Another theory is that the Jack Rose was invented by restaurateur Joseph P. Rose (who once held the title of the World’s Champion Mixologist) from Newark, New Jersey and named by him in honor of a defendant in a trial that was held at the courthouse in his city. Others believe the Old Waldorf Bar Days (1931), authored by Albert Stevens Crockett, which states the drink was named after the pink Jacquemot rose, a flower grown in France. The simplest explanation would be that it was named after the flush of color from its ingredients, but despite the different angles of the Jack Rose’s whereabouts, Harvey’s Famous Restaurant in Washington, D.C. first claimed to be the originator of the cocktail.   Read More

Top tech mobile apps of the year

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

An article I wrote for Electronic Products.

Electronic Products looks back at its most popular mobile app articles from 2013

It’s 2014, meaning that by now, there are probably multiple mobile apps for just about everything. Because there are all sorts of handy apps that make life much easier, and the fact that our Inspiration Awards are quickly approaching, Electronic Products highlighted some of the top mobile apps for tech geeks and electrical engineers alike.

Surv, the crowdsourcing camera-mapping app

Surv app screenshot

Ever get the feeling you’re being watched? If so, Surv is the app for you. By encouraging users to post locations and information of cameras in their cities, this handy app can help you detect traffic cameras, red-light cameras and even well-hidden police cameras.

Visit survapp.co for more information.

Simple ‘n Easy, the go-to app for Electrical Engineering 101

WAGmob S&E

With the Simple ‘n Easy app by WAGmob, electrical engineering students can easily learn the basics of electrical engineering in an organized manner. Aside from its glossary packed with information, features include tutorials, quizzes and flashcards.

Visit wagmob.com for more information. Read More

Top smartwatches on the market today

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

An article I wrote for Electronic Products.

Wearables are in and the smartwatch space is growing – which one should you wrap around your wrist?

What’s the deal with smartwatches springing up all over the place? Sure, they look hip and modern, but are they really worth it when you can have everything on your smartphone? The answer is absolutely yes. Not only do these smart gadgets wrapped around your wrist make you look like you’re with the times, they can do just about everything your phone can do and more. They can last for days on a full charge, are easier to access and harder to lose, and in the rare instance you somehow manage to drop your smartwatch, chances are it won’t break or shatter, and most of them are waterproof. Check out the three biggest smartwatches on the market today, and be sure to add one to your list this holiday season.

Pebble

Pebble Smartwatch Red

Pebble comes in several different colors. Image via pcmag.

With a clean, simple look, the Pebble smartwatch is just that. It offers an easy-to-read e-paper screen with a backlight you can activate by waving your wrist. Making calls, receiving phone notifications and controlling music is as simple as doing it on a smartphone. This trendy watch also allows you to download apps that fit your lifestyle, such as those that track your runs, notify you of sports scores, update information on your morning commute, and open voice navigation without swiping at a phone. Read More

Earbuds vs over-ear headphones: Which is best?

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

An article I wrote for Electronic Products.

Comparing two popular ways to enjoy portable music

No doubt about it, good headphones are a pleasure to listen to. Tuning out the world of noise around you so it’s just you and the music, audio book, or podcast you’re listening to is something we all need to indulge in every once in a while. When choosing headphones, one of the comparisons you’ll be making is whether you want earbuds or over-ear headphones.  As with just about anything, both come with pros and cons, but consider these important points when selecting a quality pair of headphones to enjoy.

Over-ear headphones

Pros: Over-ear headphones rest on your outer ears while fully enclosing them, much like the ear coverings worn by those working on airstrips. The biggest advantage of these headphones is that they deliver superior sound quality, especially for capturing bass tones while blocking out background noise you’d rather not hear, such as traffic on the street or that loud movie playing in the other room. Compared to earbuds, many people find the soft pads covering the ears to be more comfortable, as they don’t irritate the inner ear.

Cons: The downside to these bulky headphones is just that – they’re big and aren’t too portable, and if you wear them long enough, they tend to get sweaty and sticky, especially if you’re exercising. They also have a habit of ruining hair and getting in the way of glasses and jewelry. Read More

Spinlet, the iTunes of Africa

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

An article I wrote for Electronic Products.

Spinlet is a mobile music service that brings media distribution to emerging markets in Africa

This past week Electronic Products spoke with the CEO of Spinlet, Neil Schwartzman. Known as the “iTunes of Africa,” Spinlet brings you the world of African music, including tracks from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and more. With Spinlet you can discover the latest in African music, create playlists, and share your favorite tracks. Wondering what’s so different about Spinlet compared to other music distribution companies? Read on to find out.

Neil Schwartzman, CEO, Spinlet

Neil Schwartzman, CEO of Spinlet.

Electronic Products: Where did the idea for Spinlet come from?

Neil Schwartzman: Digital is the future of entertainment. Music fans all over the world are choosing to listen to their music when and where they want. The inspiration for Spinlet came from identifying this, but also the need for local musicians (wherever they reside) to have an easily accessible, affordable showcase for their talent that can reach more people and from which they can instantly start generating revenue.

Targeting emerging markets such as Africa where online services are developing and growing exponentially also made it easier to roll Spinlet out, especially as the African diaspora around the globe enjoy accessing the sound of “home.”

EP: What makes Spinlet different from other music distribution companies? Read More

Three Things That Make Fall My Second Favorite Season

Posted on by Nicole DiGiose

For me there’s nothing like wearing a pair of colorful shorts, a bright tank top and comfy flip flops while spending the long days beneath the shining sun. Maybe drink some freshly squeezed lemonade after taking a stroll along the beach with my feet in the ocean, toss a Frisbee around in the sand, wind down at a barbecue for dinner and then eat a fruity Italian ice, followed by roasting marshmallows beneath the glistening stars, laughing with my friends and catching the leftover hint of suntan lotion swaying in the warm air. And I must mention that driving with the windows down and radio up is what gets me from point A to point B. But it’s time to stop fantasizing about the past because today marks the first day of my second favorite season on our pretty earth: fall. Or autumn, as some of you may like to refer to it as. First of all, let me just say that I’m a fall baby — I trickled down to this earth like a leaf in November — it’s embedded within who I am. Right behind summer, so super close to it, just a tiny little nudge away from it in my heart lies my adoration for this gorgeous-stricken season, and here’s what I love most about it: Read More