Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/620706
C o n s u m e r E l e c t r o n i c s D a i l y N e w s F r i d a y, J a n u a r y 8 , 2 0 1 6 3 4 THE TRUTH ABOUT HOTEL WI-FI We've come to a point where planning for our connectivity while we're travel- ing is as important as ensuring we've lined up transportation and sleeping quarters. In fact, a survey XCom Global conducted showed that more than 77 per- cent of travelers use the Internet while traveling. With the proliferation of smart- phone adoption, that number is only going to go up. Hotels have had trouble delivering the Internet connectivity that travelers need. While they haven't yet publicly released data specific to hotel Wi-Fi from their 2015 study, J.D. Power's 2014 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index study showed Internet usage continued to be the leading problem experienced by hotel guests. Hotelexecutive.com summa- rized from its review of the 2014 study that "challenges with Internet connectivi- ty remain twice as prevalent as any other guest problem. The negative impact of these problems is relatively consistent regardless of whether Internet access is complimentary or guests have to pay an additional fee for it." And it was also found that paying more to stay at a nicer hotel doesn't ensure great Internet access either. A recent study by Hotel Wi-Fi Test, a lead- ing company for collecting, analyzing and distributing data about WiFi quality in hotels around the world, confirmed that higher-priced hotel brands are not any better than independent and lower- priced hotel chains at delivering Internet speed. Hotel Wi-Fi is usually more expen- sive than XCom Global's daily rate. As the studies have shown, the quality of the connection is inconsistent regardless of what you pay. Hotel Wi-Fi can also be notoriously slow, especially during peak times when a lot of people are try- ing to access the same net- work at the same time. A mobile hotspot provides a dedicated Internet connec- tion, which usually gives you a faster connection speed. If that is not enough to make you think twice about hotel Wi-Fi, it has also become a target for cyber crimi- nals. Most hotel Wi-Fi is provided over unsecured networks, so they do not offer the built-in security (WPA2, VPN) that XCom's hotpots provide. One trick cyber criminals pull is to put up a net- work with a name that sounds like it belongs to your hotel. Once you con- nect to the wrong network, they gather your data. Perhaps the biggest problem with hotel Wi-Fi is it tethers you to your hotel to access the Internet. And if you want to use your other Wi-Fi enabled devices — iPad, laptop, reader, tablet — you may also be limited to a small number of devices that can connect. With XCom Global's mobile hotspot, you can connect up to 10 devices wherever you go. Share one hotspot with your entire traveling party! The truth about hotel Wi-Fi is that it can be expensive and slow and a target for cyber criminals. Why take your chances when you can rent an XCom Global Mobile Hotspot? It provides fast, low cost, fixed rate, secure Internet access wherever you are, in your hotel room and on the go. For more information, go to www.xcom global.com or stop by booth #72770. BEELINE CASES SECURE YOUR PHONE WITH STYLE By Brent Williams, President, Beeline Cases Inc. CES has been buzzing at booth #73263 in the Sands Convention Center. Beeline Cases is revolutionizing the cell phone case market at the 2016 International CES ® show. It's a game-changing cell phone case that gives you a sense of security in knowing you can safely have your phone by your side no matter what you're doing. It's a great story built out of necessity. It works great, those that have seen it love it, and I can't wait to show it to you. When I designed the Beeline case, I first had to find a great engineer to help me develop the product. I looked for a medical engineer to make sure I found someone who was precise and had a great eye for detail. We worked side by side and tore apart about everything in cre- ation that had retraction in it. After months of work we came up with the design. Branding is important as well. I found a great firm in Portland, Oregon that has transformed my idea into a real brand. The design of the logo, the pack- aging, the whole package has come together to a really amazing retail prod- uct. My agent and factory have also been great partners in helping build this business. I was lucky to have a mentor from a Fortune 500 company that gave me insight into how to work with the fac- tories and what to ask and to make the correct decisions for the production and delivery. No one ever said it was easy to make a product and they were right. I've taken my time to make sure I do things correctly and turn out a great product. I designed a cell phone case that is minimal, durable, stylish and functional. The Beeline carabiner will secure your phone to your backpack, belt loop or purse, so you never have to worry about losing it. Beeline has a sleek built-in carabiner on a Kevlar cord that extends out of the phone case so you can use it to call, text or take a photo and then simply retract the cord and the carabiner returns to its hidden position. The Beeline case is great for all consumers. It's a well-built everyday cell phone case. If you're an active person that enjoys hiking, riding, golfing, running, hunting, paddling, fish- ing, traveling, working or any- where in between, you can be secure with a Beeline by your side. This would also be a great tool for fire, police or military personnel. Also, we can all tell a story about leaving our cell phone on the airplane, or in a restaurant or bar, but a Beeline case keeps your phone by your side. Visit Beeline Cases at booth #73263 at the Sands Convention Center. For more infor- mation, go to www.beelinecases.com, call 206.948.1616 or email info@beeline cases.com. INNOWAVE: DISTINCTIVE APPEARANCE, QUALITY SOUND INNOWave Plus is an over-the-ear noise- canceling headphone with a distinctive design that appeals to those who like to stand out in a crowd while they're enjoy- ing high-quality sound. It's made by INNODesign, the audio products brand created by award-winning designer YoungSe Kim, and it's already garnering critical approval ahead of its January launch. Available in red, green, black and dark blue, INNOWave Plus is designed with ear cups that totally encapsulate the ear, which filters out external noise to deliver music as clearly as possible. Its unique wavy headband is an attention- getting means of assuring that the head- phone is fully adjustable to any head size. It's lightweight and comfortable to wear. "We've improved the electronics, and the overall, the look and feel is very lightweight, very comfortable," said Randy Kemps, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for INNODesign. "It's a truly outstanding design for people who want to be a little different. The wave will be very distinctive and stand out, so it will appeal to those who want to express their personalities." INNOWave was designed to perform as well as look good. It offers excel- lent frequency response across the spectrum from 10- 23,000 Hertz, and the ear cups are a lot bigger than they were in earlier versions of the headset, so they're better at can- celing out external noise. "They all con- tribute to the excellent sound of the INNOWave," Kemps said. It all comes at a $129.95 price point. "In January, when this product is launched, it'll be an aggressive price point for the quality and the design," Kemps said. "People are looking for distinguishing products in a very crowded mar- ket. How do you stand out in terms of design, in terms of quality? If you like a certain style, this will appeal to you. It's a very modern, very contempo- rary product with excellent quality, light and comfortable, and at a very attractive price point." Visit INNODesign in booth #82435 at the Sands Convention Center. For more information after the show, visit www.innodevice.com or email randy@innodevice.com. SAMSUNG WINS 38 CES 2016 INNOVATION AWARDS Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has won 38 prestigious International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016 Innovation Awards. The Consumer Technology Association[TM] has been recognizing achievements in product design and engi- neering since 1976 and has honored Samsung with one more Best of Innovation Award this year than last year. Among Samsung's 38 CES 2016 Innovation Awards are three Best of Innovation Awards. Products entered in the CES Innovation program are judged by a pre-eminent panel of inde- pendent industrial designers, engineers and members of the trade media to honor outstanding design and engineer- ing in cutting-edge consumer electron- ics products across 27 categories. "Samsung continues to deliver unique experiences for our consumers worldwide through the many products that help people lead more connected lives," said Gregory Lee, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America. "We are honored that CTA and the industry recognizes our ongo- ing commitment to innovation and excellence in consumer experience as we look forward to demonstrating our latest achievements at the 2016 International Consumer Electronics Show." Samsung's award-winning products span 18 categories including, TV, mon- itor, mobile, tablet, digital imaging, wearable, home appliance and memory.