Day 2 and I am ready to go!

January 9, 2013 | Author: Doug

I looked this morning and I have 4 new devices charging  today. And that’s only day one. Today I will cover the iLounge area and the PMA portion of the show. I hope I have enough time.

Yesterday, I walked 12,436 steps, covering more then 9 miles of floor. You can track my progress of steps at Fitbug Challenge. The goal for the four days is 60,000 steps. That is about the amount of steps it takes to run the Las Vegas Marathon.

Today, some of the toys I will be playing with today will be the I’m Watch, and the Blue Ant Bluetooth devices Commute, Ribbon and Endure. I have already used the Commute and Endure a little, and I am impressed with the Commute. I will fill you in on everything else in the coming weeks!

I am off to CES day two!

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Uhhhh Good Morning God

January 8, 2013 | Author: Doug

All of this prep for the CES Show, It’s like I have not taken any time with God. I mean I have kinda. Just not here on the blog.  This shows how we at times put God first and other times put God 2nd or even further down the list. I know I am not the only believer that feels like this.  

Our church has a Logo, the letters GF in a circle. The GF Stands for God First, and it’s a reminder for us to put God First in our life. It’s one of them decals you see around Las Vegas on cars a lot. I have not put one on my car. I know I probably should, and give my self some accountability. What I really want, is a GF sticker for my steering wheel. I think I need the reminder more for my self then for the person following me. I also think it would be cool to have tinted glasses with a lighter GF tint in each lens. Sometimes I feel like I need the Donkey encouragement.. A GF logo a foot or two in front of me, (The donkey with carrot tied to a stick dangled a foot in front of it) Yeah, I think that’s what I really need.  So, I pray that God will help me see a GF logo where ever I go today..

 

GF_Icon

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It’s here! Well Almost!

January 8, 2013 | Author: Doug

The 2013 CES show is about to commence. As dorky as it sounds, I am excited! Maybe not Disneyland excited but pretty close. My focus this year is the iDevice crave and what accessories there are for them. Everything from cases to listening back. To start off some of the cool products I will play with, Let me introduce the “FitBug Air” by fitbug. This little device can pair with your smart phone or tablet, and help you track your steps through the day. It can also tell you how far you walked in miles/KM and how many calories you have burned. At the end of CES on Friday, I will proudly announce just how far I walked. My goal is 60,000 steps in 4 days (60,000 steps is about how many steps it takes to complete the Las Vegas Marathon) You can check out the Fitbug Air at Fitbug.

ThinkTankPhoto is at the PMA Show that is at the CES Show, so you know I will stop by and say hello, and I hear they have some really new cool stuff. I would love to stop in today and say hello, but I sadly have appointments on the other side of the show. Gosh, I got to get moving, I only have three hours before the doors open! You can follow me on twitter @Doug_Kranz

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CES has started for me……

January 6, 2013 | Author: Doug

I just got my 7th CES Press bag. This means this is my 7th year at this event, and for me, getting my press bag is the start of this great electronic show. The next event for me, in just a few hours is the CES Unveiled, three hours of the newest products for this year, for members of the press. I am looking forward to the start of this show!

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Countdown to CES Continues….

January 5, 2013 | Author: Doug

My last free day for a week. Tomorrow starts CES with the CES Unveiled show at the Mandalay Bay Resort. This is a media event for CES, and where I will get a sneak peak of about 100 or so exhibitors at the CES Show. Monday, I have only one appointment, Tuesday all the fun starts!  For me, this is the true start of the year. And, man, it’s a lot of fun.

I have been heavily prepping for CES this year, lining up new things to see, things to compare, things I can have fun blogging about. All this has been no less then 50 e-mails a day. Monday, I will have just a few things to get done, route out who I need to see in what halls.

Like every year and I hope this will be the last year, I have been totally redoing my website, and switched content managers to WordPress. So, if you have suggestions, please feel free to let me know.

With everything, I am still finding some time to rest. From the time I post this blog until the time I head to CES Unveiled, I will take that time to relax. God knew how important it would be for us to take a break, to rest, to have a time where you were not expected to produce anything. So, do your self a favor. Take a break. God said so.

 

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ThinkTankPhoto’s Speed Racer 2.0

January 4, 2013 | Author: Doug

ThinkTankPhoto’s

Speed Racer 2.0

.

I am not sure if I need to classify this as a shoulder bag, or a waist belt/bag. It’s both! Not only that, you can use it either or and together as both. Simply put, for some jobs, this is the perfect bag. I can cram a 100-400 mm, Flash, 17-40mm, and a 24-70 mm with a body. Often I will use one of my skin bags to make things a little less crowded, but this small bag will hold quite a lot.

It’s fairly comfortable to wear as a waist bag, easy to turn the bag on your hips. Unfortunately, for me, I am not a skinny guy and have no rear end, so it does not stay up on me with out the shoulder strap.

What would make this bag great, is if it had a flap on the back, so it could be attached to a harness system like the Belly Dancer. Even with out, it’s still a perfect bag for many, jobs

Inside you will find two dividers so your able to configure exactly what you want. and I also love the front zippered pocket, easy access to cards, (both camera and business) pens, and also a quick place to stash that lens cap.

Another nice feature is the zipper on the top of the main bag, easy to shove a lens cap through unless your like me and prefer to use the front pocket.

The sides have a small pouch that’s great for that bottle of water, flash, or small lens. Behind the pouches are a pocket that holds the belt when you just want the shoulder strap.

Speed-Racer-V20-3[1]

And last, ThinkTankPhoto always has something that amazes me in almost everything they do. The amazing part is always the thought that goes into the product. On this bag, its the extra loop on the belt so you can also clip the shoulder strap.

PMA is just a few days away, and I am anxiously awaiting to see what is new from ThankTankPhoto!

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Making an iPhone (or Andriod) Feel more like a camera?

January 4, 2013 | Author: Doug

This is a press release I just got. This looks like it would be lots of fun…

cooltopia Announces Snappgrip, a Snap-On Smartphone Camera Grip providing Full Control with One Hand

Snappgrip empowers iPhone and Galaxy S3 photographers with enhanced grip and easy access to camera functions

See Snappgrip at the CES Digital Experience event – January 7, 2013 MGM Grand Hotel

London  –cooltopia announces Snappgrip, a snap-on camera controller for your smartphone with shutter, zoom and shooting mode controls making it easier to take the perfect picture. Smartphone picture fanatics can now hold their phone in one hand and snap off those spontaneous pictures with ease. The Snappgrip is completely portable, compact and removable so that you can slip it into your pocket or take it out quickly to capture any moment. It also features a tripod mount and a dedicated photography app for comfortable camera handling and phone use. Whether you’re a mom, student, traveler or avid smartphone photographer, the Snappgrip is the accessory you’ve been waiting for and will eliminate that extra camera that you always have in your pocket. Snappgrip is expected to be released worldwide in February 2013 for £69MSRP but can be pre-ordered now for £29-£49 at www.kickstarter.com.

“In studying the idea of app-connected accessories and considering the ubiquity of smartphones and how they relate to everyday life, we came up with the idea for a camera add-on that would completely transform the iPhone photography experience,” says Lee Harris, Creator of Snappgrip. “The end result was the creation of the Snappgrip which allows anyone to take the perfect picture quickly and easily while being completely functional with normal phone use.”

The Snappgrip controller communicates with our Snappgrip camera app over a Bluetooth data connection and works with both iOS and Android. The app includes features such as photo sharing and self-timer operation.

The Snappgrip controller provides easy access to real shooting controls including:

  • Shutter Function: Full press to take picture, half press to focus
  • Shooting Mode: Portrait, landscape, flash and video
  • Zoom Function: Zoom in for close ups or zoom out for wide shots

Additional Snappgrip features include:

  • An iPhone 4, iPhone 5 or Samsung Galaxy S3-specific case to which the Snappgrip controller is easily attached or removed
  • A tripod mounting point at the base of the controller
  • A power switch and a micro USB connector for easy recharging with any standard USB/micro-USB cable
  • An internal lithium ion battery that will last up to 60 hours on standby

A range of cases and apps for additional smartphones will be released following the funding of the Kickstarter campaign. Developers interested in supporting the Snappgrip controller can register their interest at

Posted in "i"Devices, Tools for photographers | Leave a Comment

I seen the stars

January 3, 2013 | Author: Doug

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Sadly, I did not have my camera, but I did have my iPhone….

So this brings up the question, as a professional photographer, how often should you have your camera. How about a simple family outing? For this image, I did have my camera, in the car, that was up a cliff. I was just to lazy to climb up and back down to get it…

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To Resolute or not to Resolute, that, is the question….

January 3, 2013 | Author: Doug

It’s the dreaded time of year. It’s the 3rd day of 2013, and I wonder how many of you have broken a new year’s resolution. (yep, 3 days is all it takes for so many) I did not make any resolutions. I rarely ever do. I did decide that I would make New Year’s day my 70th day without smoking. I passed that one, and in fact, decided that the 2nd would be 71 days. Doing good so far… and today, 73 days… and tomorrow, hoping for 74…

It’s much like a walk with Christ. It’s one day at a time, and hope that each day your walk gets a little stronger. There are days I feel strong in quitting smoking, and the days I don’t feel as strong, I think my walk gets a little stronger. They are the days I might pray a little more, ask for strength not to smoke.

So, when you are ready to break that new year’s resolution, don’t be afraid to ask for a little help, and enjoy a little closer walk with God

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The biggest eletronic show in the world!

January 3, 2013 | Author: Doug

The Consumer Electronic Show, (CES) is just a few days away. This show is the show that I look forward to all year, and in fact is responsible for this blog being started. This year, I hope to tell you about some really cool additions for your iDevice, and compare many “on the go” charging systems. I also hope to bring you up to date on some docking stations for your iDevice, as well as different ways to listen (and talk in some cases) with your iPhone or iPad. I will cover cases and protection for both, and even iPad VOIP services. And that’s just the iDevice area.. I just got an invite to look at TV connect. It’s a first and only multi touch for Android. If there is an area of electronics you want me to look at, please let me know.

If the CES Show was not enough, PMA is also part of the show again this year. I will get to see what’s new in the world of photography at the same time. The only part I don’t like: I only have 4 days…. Start the Mission Impossible Theme

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