Vertical Technology Blog

Our batteries should last longer and Panasonic has decided to prove this point by  making a longer lasting AA battery called EVOLTA.  Panasonic entered the EVOLTA battery into the Guinness Book of World Records and claim the longest lasting AA battery cell category.

They were recognized as such based on data obtained from discharge tests that were conducted on these EVOLTA batteries by Panasonic.  A change in the battery structure and other materials has made this an innovation we all could benefit from, considering all our lovely gadgets and gizmos happen to need power to keep them going.

Panasonic announces that the alkaline batteries will be good for both low and high current drain applications.  This could really up the ante for other companies to improve their products.  Will the batteries cost more?  Only about $5.40 for a 4-pack, not much more than competitors.  You’ll see this battery available later this year in the US.

Source: tmcnet.com

The TopTag Pet ID is a great way to keep identifying information on your pet, without having to tag them internally with the ever-popular method of inserting the information on a microchip inside the skin. It’s incredibly easy to use and allows you to store information about your pet in great detail.You simply insert the tag into any USB port and a nice auto play setup will guide you through your pet’s vital information as well as small details in case your pet is lost for an extended period of time. You don’t have to add all the details, but the questions and additional information might help the one that finds your pet better care for it.

Comes in a tightly connected waterproof case that is light and easily attached to your pet’s collar or cage. You can also print all the information that you enter so that you can refer back to it during update periods or after a move and decide what needs to be changed.

TopTag offers volume discounts to pet clubs and organizations, and I like that idea. They will also send you a free waterproof case if you ever need one, simply by registering your Top Tag Pet ID early on, and giving them a call when it’s needed. If you forego the registration you can still get one for a small fee.

A super informative site and greatly detailed fact sheet made this a definite buy for all my family members with pets!

A company called Reactrix has taken mall floors to a new level.  I noticed a neat setup at our mall while holiday shopping.  On the floor was a mat or pad with a projected video game on it.

If you placed your foot near an asteroid on the mat, it would explode.  Then after playing the game a bit it showed a few commercial ads but they were interactive, too.

Coca-Cola, Visa and Sprint have already grabbed this idea up and are utilizing it in their marketing plans.  This interactive advertising is a great idea and I can see it in more widespread use in the future.  Reactrix claims measured recall is very high with an average of 55% and a high of 72%.  Aided recall was averaged at 86% with a high of 99%.  Nice job, Reactrix!

You can see video demos on the site of what I experienced.

Too bad they are currently sold out.  You can look for them to return to the site, though, if you want a talking Japanese watch.  It will speak up and tell you the time in Japanese (maybe you can learn a bit while you sort through if you’re late to work or not) and keep you in the know.

In bright colors with a display of the time below the speaker, these cute watches might be just what you’re looking for.  The Fred Flare site has a wish list, too, so you can let others know how much you want one.

On Tuesday, JetBlue will be the first airline to offer free Internet while on board the flights.  This will allow passengers to use Email and Instant Messaging on their handhelds while during flight.  JetBlue announces this move during a competitive season, it should make a few people consider changing flights for the holidays.

Unfortunately the service is limited (you knew that was coming, right?) to Yahoo! Mail, Messenger and Wi-Fi enabled BlackBerrys for BB mail and messenger services.  Just makes you wonder if you should change services just to take advantage of this.

Typically while in flight, it gives you a great reason NOT to work, until you land.  Will this have others upset instead of excited about such a great step?

JetBlue was already known for providing free wireless in the airports, unlike some carriers that charge for the use.  Good thing for JetBlue is that they can sell this service to other carriers, since they own the operations rights.

This might scare some of you, and it might make a few of you feel safer and more secure that you won’t have to worry about a stolen car screaming by you, putting you or your family in harms way.  Police chases have always been a hot news item and a dramatic time for anyone near, but they might become a thing of the past.A company called Eureka Aerospace has developed a microwave beam shooting device that can target cars from the air, stopping them by frying the electrical system.  The energy that the device generates is amplified by a generator is converted into microwave radiation.

Discovery News says:

The technology uses the same kind of energy used in microwave ovens, but at a different frequency. Ovens typically operate at 2.45 Ghz, whereas the high-power car-stopping system is at 300 megahertz. In both cases, the radiation is above common radio frequencies and is not harmful to humans.

The device uses a special antenna to focus the radiation and aim it at cars in the most susceptible areas, disabling the electrical parts and making the car useless.  It has a 10 to 50 ft. range and is being tested for use by local police.  Hopefully you won’t have any reason to find out if this actually works on a car you are behind the wheel of…

This Torpedo Digital Game and Movie Projector allows kids (or those of us that are big kids) to see their gaming on a larger scale.  You connect it to your video system or game setup and you can display what you would usually see on your simple TV screen, somewhere else, in super-sized mode.

Projects in a 960×240 resolution and has built-in speakers so you continue to hear the same gaming sounds you’re used to.  You can also plug in a pair of headphones for a quiet experience, but I think if you’re projecting it up there that big, you probably want projected sound, too.

You could also set up with a DVD player for larger movie displays…could be fun for parties or a get together.

The Dallas Fort Worth Airport is holding their first ever Traveler Tech Fest this month where they will show off a few of the newest ideas that will be incorporated into their airport. It is important to note that these improvements are being reported to be focused on business travelers, but I feel even the most casual traveler will benefit from the changes.

If you’ve been to an airport recently you can probably relate to the stories of travelers finding free outlets in the hallways of an airport, plugging into them and working away, even if this means they have to sit on the floor. With DFW’s new setup you won’t have this issue. The only catch? You have to pay for some types of access.

With the introduction of pay-per-use electricity in the past, you could stay connected with your laptop, personal hand-held or mobile phone for as long as you needed. But now, they offer Ethernet connections and a place to sit while conducting your business.

Also being pushed onto rushed travelers is the vending machine concept gone high-tech. With items inside like iPods, Sony digital cameras and upscale headphones, you will have the ease of buying quick gifts if you’re a weary traveler that doesn’t keep up with holiday dates well.

DFW already launched a podcast service just last year that allowed passengers to check for information on parking, hotel, dining and other options. With monthly updates, you can visit the iTunes Music Store or the DFW Airport site for access to this download to keep you updated while traveling. The podcasts focus on amenities that are located in the International Terminal D and should be a neat way to stay in the know.

CompuTech Direct has always been reaching upwards when it comes to learning about new technology. If you’re looking for the newest gadgets, most useful sites, competitive priced services or even just some good advice about electronics, you can look here on the Vertical Technology blog.

We’re reaching new heights with our research and hope to bring you only the best.

Google is taking the world by storm and they won’t let you get too far without seeing something branded with the logo we are all so familiar with. Now they are hitting your local gas pumps that are made by Gilbarco Veeder-Root to bring you more convenient technology.

Google is incorporating their maps into displays at thousands of gasoline pumps starting early December, across the United States that offer turn-by-turn directions to your destination (or, sometimes, destinations that merchants set up). So, while you stand there pumping gas into your vehicle, you can press buttons and get directions printed on your receipt to get you to local schools, businesses or restaurants.

The SF AP reports:

Greensboro, N.C.-based Gilbarco Veeder-Root will initially offer the service in about 3,500 gas pumps and expand based on retailer demand.

Unlike most of Google’s services, this one won’t include ads bringing the company income. But participating retailers will be able to make extra money from other merchants that offer coupons on the service.

And to make this more convenient to us all, they plan to use the displays to even more advantageous means by placing store items up for sale that you can order and pay for, at the pump, then just run inside and receive your purchases when you are done.

Coming, to a gas station near you!