Randy's Weekly Raves

For the Frequent Flyer, from the Frequent Flyer: Insights on upgrading your luggage and travel accessories

If you’re like me, work entails a great deal of travel.  You also know that after years of rolling through various airports and hotels for business trips, luggage can wear out or eventually break.   Don’t continue to use luggage that is on life support.  Instead, upgrade to some new gear in the New Year. 

If you’re on a different flight nearly every week, then a great set of luggageHartmann Lite Collection is the Hartmann Lite Collection.  The bags are lightweight which offers comfort and easy maneuverability, but they are also remarkably durable. The exterior is designed from a material stronger than ballistic nylon and stands up to the most extreme conditions.  This fabric is self-healing, so even if the bag is punctured the weave will come together again looking like new.  To top it off, this collection is a stylish choice available in black or walnut tweed.  

Tumi Marley BriefcaseBriefcases are an equally important business travel item, so if your current case is in need of an upgrade look no further than Tumi’s luxurious Bedford line.  The Marley briefcase is a thoroughly modern version of the traditional briefcase.  This piece features two exterior flap pockets and interior pockets for an iPad and other electronic accessories.  Designed from the finest leathers and fabrics, the Bedford Marley briefcase is a top choice in both function and fashion. 

Another option comes from Victorinox Swiss Army for those who prefer a more casualVictorinox Werks Traveler look without sacrificing durability.  The Werks Traveler line is also a cost-friendly solution to luggage needs.  Ideal for shorter trips, the WT 20 was designed with your comfort in mind.  The curved monopole handle system makes the bag feel lighter and keeps the wheels away from your heels, and the 360 degree rotating handle locks into a natural palm-facing-the-body position to reduce arm and wrist stress.

Take it from the ultimate road warrior, upgrade your travel gear to any of these items and you will be ready to hit the friendly skies in no time. 

 

Fresh Product Tuesday: Canon Vixia Wi-Fi Enabled Camcorders

The Fastest Way to Share Your Experiences - Rymax

Welcome to Fresh Product Tuesday, Rymax’s brief weekly look at some of the latest and greatest products we’re offering to our customers.  This week we’re taking a look at Canon’s latest Wi-Fi enabled camcorders. 

Vixia HF M52Presented at the 2012 CES, the latest Canon camcorders are part of the Vixia line.  The HF M52, M50, R32, and R30 are all Wi-Fi enabled, and allow users to upload videos or images to their preferred social networking site in an instant.  There are direct-upload options for Facebook and YouTube, as well as a pairing to iOS devices such as the iPhone via a free app. 

In addition to social networking connectivity, these camcorders come equipped with other features designed to record the highest quality videos and images.  Smart Auto Mode detects and analyzes brightness, color, distance, and movement to automatically select the best of 38 available pre-sets for a recording.  In addition, the Touch and Track feature allows the user to touch any subject on the LCD screen with their finger, which then allows the camera to ensure proper focus and exposure on the selected subject.

And there you have it… the fastest way to share your experiences.  

CES Wrap Up

Electronics to Watch For in 2012 - Rymax
 
Judging by the incredible products exhibited at the 2012 CES, the upcoming year promises to be another exciting one for technology items.  Last week we previewed the ultrabooks presented at CES and The Insider now has the scoop on some other hot items to be on the lookout for.
 
Televisions are always a hit at CES and this year was no different.  LG was named Best of Show by CNET in large part because of the 55” OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) TV that wowed attendees.  Unlike other OLED TVs which feature three pixels (red, green and blue), the EM9600 adds a fourth, white pixel.  This addition produces a sharper and brighter picture for viewers.  At just 4mm thick, this TV is also impeccably designed.  It is expected to be released in the second half of the year.  
 
Toshiba Camileo ClipIn the cameras and camcorders department, Canon and Toshiba led the pack.  Canon has added four Wi-Fienabled camcorders to its Vixia line.  The new models will offer an MP4 file format, making it easier to share content across mobile devices and social networking sites.  These cameras will facilitate the direct upload of pictures and videos to YouTube and Facebook or to iOS devices via a free app.  Toshiba presented the Camileo Clip camcorder, which is sure to be a trendy gift in 2012.  The Camileo Clip features the ability to shoot 1920 x 1080 HD video, rubberized coating, a compact size at 3.1” x 1.8” x 0.6”, light weight construction (2.5 ounces), and a clip for hands-free recording during adventures.
 
Monster VEKTR headphonesMonster shined bright at CES with the new VEKTR headphones, a collaborative product with the lifestyle company Diesel.  VEKTR headphones will be offered in both on-ear and in-ear versions to provide a comfortable and premium-quality listening experience.  Each set features a distinctive Diesel logo on each ear piece and enhanced audio performance incorporating Monster’s latest technology.   
 
As the year progresses, watch for these items to hit the shelves whether you need a trendy gift idea or a personal reward.  

 

Randy's Weekly Raves

Treat Yourself and Redeem Your Points!

Speaking from experience I know everyone is pressed for time and cash these days, and like me, more and more people are staying connected via their Smartphones. This connectivity eases the pressure of shopping and has resulted in an increased use of online redemption sites. This is the time of year where holiday bills start rolling in, but if you are among the majority of consumers who have has been banking your loyalty and recognition points since last year, now’s the time to start cashing them in. Don’t let your hard earned points go unused, start redeeming today for the hot items you wished your Aunt Suzy got you over the holidays instead of that stale fruitcake.  Online reward platforms offer a wide variety of products to ensure there is truly something for everyone. Whether you are interested in cooking like a celebrity chef with Paula Deen cookware, jamming to your favorite tunes on Monster’s Solo Beats headphones, dressing up in David Yurman jewels, donning the latest Michael Kors handbag, teaching your kids to count with Alex Toys, or checking out the time on a new Tissot watch…you get it…the rewards are endless.  And the best part is you get to choose your own reward.  Now that’s hot!

 

Fresh Product Tuesday: Toshiba L7200 Series TV

3D Television Without Glasses - Rymax

Welcome to Fresh Product Tuesday, Rymax’s brief weekly look at some of the latest and greatest products we’re offering to our customers.  This week we’re checking out Toshiba’s glasses-free way of watching 3D television.  

Since 3D became the rave, TV manufacturers have been trying to perfect the home 3D experience.  One issue to date with these monitors has been the need for glasses, which are often considered bulky, inconvenient and costly.  At the 2012 CES, Toshiba introduced the L7200 Series TV which boasts all the functionality without the need for glasses.

Toshiba L7200 TVThe L7200 offers natural 3D viewing courtesy of the 4K ultra-resolution monitor, with resolution four times greater than a standard 1080p HDTV.  This superior resolution gives the monitor the ability to display the same image nine times across the screen, each lined up differently from the other.  As a result, the viewer’s eyes each receive a slightly different view creating a three dimensional effect.  The monitor also has a camera with facial recognition software to line up the different images based on where each person is seated.  
 
And there you have it… the latest way to enjoy 3D.  
   

New “Ultrabooks” Taking Center Stage at CES

PCs Making a Splash at Las Vegas Show - Rymax

Since Apple’s release of the iPad in 2010, computer manufacturers have been striving to compete in the tablet market.  However, some of the machines have underperformed and these companies are now turning back to the PC market to regain success.  (See the Fox News report here)  

Toshiba Protégé Z830In his keynote, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer recognized the companies trying to make a splash with the dazzling PCs being tabbed as “ultrabooks.”  Toshiba is one company leading the way with the Protégé Z830.  The Z830 is the world’s lightest PC and smaller, lighter versions of the laptop are in the works.  Samsung has introduced the Series 9 ultrabook, a stunning device less than 13 millimeters thick.  Samsung also offers a more cost-friendly alternative in the Series 5 without taking a hit in style.  In addition, Acer has utilized CES to announce their new ultrabook.  The Aspire S5 is the thinnest of the new crop of PCs.

Acer Aspire S5Be sure to keep an eye out for these remarkable new computers as the year progresses, and check back with The Insider for additional CES updates.