Online social networking site gdgt hosted their meetup here in New York this past week with over 30 vendors, and hundreds of attendees. The last meetup took place in October 2009, and The Kitty Bradshaw was fortunate enough to attend both events. Just like in 2009, upon arrival there was a long line of loyal supports waiting to get in. Upon entering, guest received iPhone cases, gdgt t-shirts, and drink tickets. The registration process as a whole ran seamless.
Below is a recap of the vendors I got the chance to speak with, and my gdgt 2011 Wish List.
Hewlett-Packard had on display close to 10 items ranging in price, size, memory, and features. In layman’s terms they had something for everyone. There were two items that stood out for me, and made me add them to my gdgt 2011 Wish List: The HP TouchSmart 610 and the HP Mini 210 in pink 🙂
The HP TouchSmart 610 all-in-one touch screen desktop which features enhanced Twitter and FaceBook applications. The HD (which also houses the hard drive) screen comes comes housed in a 23 inch display, and reclines up or flat on its back. The overall look and feel of this desktop is sleek, and compact. Living in New York City… most of us are pressed for space. The TouchSmart provides function and compatibility at a starting price of $899. My only gripe with this desktop is that it doesn’t have graphic pad functionality that would allow a stylus pen to be hooked up in place of a mouse. Part of me wants to buy this, but I don’t want to buy it now if this is a feature that would be later added onto the newer model. Hmmm this may be a question I ask the HP reps.
The HP Mini 210 is perfection in a small package! Hewlett-Packard list in their advertisement that the battery life is strong enough to last through multiple layovers. So, I am assuming this is geared towards international travel. Let’s say the average flight last 10 hours… does this mean the battery can last this long? I didn’t ask what the exact battery life is, but I did get to hold the mini, and I can definitely say it is EXTREMELY light! Carrying a laptop while maneuvering through an airport with your carry-on items is never fun! I believe the mini is just under 3lbs. The mini comes in 4 colors: charcoal, crimson red, luminous rose, and ocean drive.
The next vendor that I got to speak with was iTwin. Ok, I am going to explain what this item is in my own words as best as possible. iTwin is essentially a thumb drive that snaps into two pieces that work together while functioning separately. So when you snap the two drives apart, you plug one into your home computer, then you take the 2nd piece and plug it into any computer. Now what you have is two computers that are in sync with one another. Computer #2 will be able to access all of the information on your home computer as if you were at home. I believe the iTwin reps described this as a miniature cloud. Computer #2 would need to have internet access, and your home pc would need to be left on while you were away.
My only question for this item is: Let’s say you are at work behind a firewall… could the iTwin be used in that instance?! Also, if I want to use programs such as Photoshop, or play games that are stored on my home computer; would I be able to operate those programs as if I were at home?
In any event, the iTwin is now featured in my gdgt 2011 Wish List 🙂
Next up on my gdgt tour was the SRS iWOW 3D booth. The iWOW is a plug and play adaptor that is used to take your iPhone, iPOD, or iPAD listening experience to the next level. Basically it boost your sound, while giving it a crystal clear sound quality. It comes with a free downloadable App that let’s you adjust the audio settings. This item has been added to my gdgt 2011 Wish List as well.
Next up is a company called, “Incipio“. Incipio is a company that was started by gadget obsessed designers who wanted to infuse fashion and function together. Not only does Incipio want to create stylish accessories for your electronics, they also want to protect your gadgets from the occasional damage that may occur to your device. Two words come to mind when I viewed their product line, Sturdy and Sexy.
The Incipio Reps allowed The Kitty Bradshaw to take home one of their “Smart Feather Ultra Thin” cases for the iPad2. I must say this cover is pretty sturdy! It comes with the cover, surface protector, smoothie card, and cleaning cloth for $34.99. I feel like you get a lot for your money as far as quality, and supporting merchandise to make sure the product runs seamless. It’s rare that you find a company that cares about the upkeep of their product after it has left the shelves. I am glad I was introduced to this product… Now, I think I will add their pink BlackBerry Torch cover to my gdgt 2011 Wish List.
Next on my gdgt 2011 Wish List is the Motorola Xoom Tablet. I spent time speaking with Ken Murphy, Motorola Regional Trainer, about Motorola products in general. I had expressed to him how I learned to appreciate the brand, only after I had left to go to another brand = FAIL!!! Motorola’s phones are built like a FORD truck! When I previously owned one of their phones, I never had any issues with it breaking down just after the warantee expired, but well before my contract was up. Although, I love my BlackBerry, I wish they would stop selling low quality merchandise that stops working after a few months.
Ken spent time going over the features of the new Motorola Xoom, but in my mind Motorola is a trusted brand! I know that BlackBerry has a tablet out on the market, but if I had to choose, I would go with the Motorola Tablet for the simple fact I don’t have money to waste! So anyways, Ken and I were so wrapped up into conversation on the brand as a whole, I totally forgot to write down notes about the Xoom. However, this can be easily solved by going to gdgt and reading the reviews and specs. Needless to say, the Motorola Xoom made my gdgt 2011 Wish List.
Next on my gdgt 2011 Wish List is the iRobot, which is a vacuum cleaner that works on its own. Basically, you set the timer and let it zip around your closet, hallway, room, or house. Price points range $199-$499. Honestly when I saw it, it reminded me of something you would see on the Jetsons. How cool is it to have something that can make your life easier at the touch of a button?! The largest size, which is the equivalent to a frisbee, can handle a whole house.
Next up on my gdgt 2011 Wish List is a membership for the Consumer Electronics Association. As a member, you receive insider info on the latest consumer technology news; opportunities to beta test new products; and special discounts from CEA member companies. The cost of membership is $49.
My next item on my gdgt 2011 Wish List is not something I necessarily need to buy, but more so something I want to send in. Gazelle.com was one of the sponsors at the gdgt MeetUP; they provide a buy back program for used and/or outdated gadgets. This service allows you to make a little cash while protecting the earth. You can send anything from cell phones to LCD Monitors. Visit their website for more details.
You ever stumble across something you had no idea you wanted, in no way needed, but sure do want to own?! 3M has this wonderful product called the 3M Shoot ‘n Share. This item is a camcorder that doubles as a projector. How cool is it to make videos and project them onto the wall for your friends to view. Price points start at $299.
The very last item on my gdgt 2011 Wish List is the Olympus Stylus Tough Waterproof Camera. I don’t have a lot of information on this particular item except that it can stay under water (up to 33ft), it is freeze proof (incase you accidentally leave it in the freezer), crushproof (in case you accidentally sit on it), shockproof (in case you accidentally drop it from a 6 ft building). This camera is bionic! In addition, it records video…. like this is the greatest camera EVER! lollll
Well that concludes my coverage from gdgt NYC 2011. It took me a full week to jot my thoughts down, and edit my pictures. I had such a great time, and met some really cool people. I can not wait for the next one!!!! 🙂
P.S. Thank you Barry!!!
