Beyond the battery
Duracell is a brand long associated with batteries. But now the company has decided to enter the emerging category of personal power solutions with the drop-and-go myGrid charging pad, part of the Duracell Smart Power initiative (www.duracell.com/smartpower). Nine additional products will join the Duracell Smart Power line up including compact power chargers and rechargeable battery chargers.
The Duracell myGrid charging pad eliminates the mess of multiple electric cords by simultaneously charging multiple devices, such as cell phones, music players and other mobile devices. Once the charging pad is plugged in, devices can go cordless. Fit any mobile device with a Power Clip or Power Sleeve, sold separately, and then place the device on the charging pad to power it up.
Electronic diet coach
Sensei is a weight loss program that teaches consumers how to embrace a healthy lifestyle with customized meal plans, fitness tips and encouraging advice pushed directly to the dieter’s mobile phone or computer. Sensei works with a variety of smartphones and has just released an application for BlackBerry devices.
Originally launched in November, 2007, Weight Loss Sensei (www.Sensei.com) was among the first “intelligent applications” available based on Social Cognitive Theory and the science of behavioral informatics -- the use of technology to promote behavior change. Instead of a one-size-fits-all solution, Sensei takes a detailed account of the unique challenges each user faces and builds a nutrition and fitness program based on lifestyle, food preferences and budget. The Sensei dieter is reminded when to exercise, what to buy from the supermarket and encouraged to “stick with it” when confronted with various challenges. These personalized tips are sent directly to Sensei users through their selected devices.
Avoid dangerous links
AVG Technologies, developers of the world’s most frequently downloaded free anti-virus software, are touting the success of the AVG LinkScanner. This is a free software product that protects consumers against web-based security threats and prevents their computers from being recruited for botnets like the ones that brought down Twitter and Facebook. AVG LinkScanner is designed specifically to protect, in real-time, against Trojans, spyware, rootkits and other malware that tries to steal private information via compromised web pages. LinkScanner works alongside existing security software already present on consumers’ computers. The AVG LinkScanner can be downloaded as a stand-alone product from http://linkscanner.avg.com.
Smaller, smarter storage
Verbatim has launched new storage options just in time for back-to-school needs. The InSight Portable USB Hard Drive (HD) offers up to 500 GB of storage in a palm-sized piano black enclosure design. It features an Always On display, which shows the drive name and available free space, even when the drive is disconnected from the computer. The InSight includes Nero BackItUp Essentials, a complete data protection solution, allowing full, automatic system backup and restore functions.
Verbatim is also offering TUFF-’N’-TINY, a line of thin USB Drives. In capacities of 4 and 8GB, the drives cost less than $50. They are more rugged than standard flash drives because they feature SIP technology, which encapsulates all of the electronic components into a single miniaturized and sealed unit. As a result, the tiny drives are resistant to dust, water and static discharges.