PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
The winners of the Last Gadget Standing and Mobile Apps Showdown competitions at CES 2014 have been announced.
Both competitions are hosted by Gary Dell’Abate and Jon Hein from SiriusXM Radio’s Howard Stern channels, and are decided by the applause of the crowd.
The Last Gadget Standing competition asked competitors to quickly pitch the product “most likely to change the face of technology.” The winner was the Kwikset Kevo, a Bluetooth-enabled deadbolt and smart lock that can be controlled using a smartphone.
The panel of judges commented on the app: “Imagine you’re on the way home and you realize you left your house keys at work. No problem. As long as you have Kwikset’s Kevo deadbolt lock and your smartphone, you can get in your door with a simple tap."
"As seen on Shark Tank, this deadbolt lock — with its glowing blue lining — uses Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0 technology to wirelessly communicate with your iPhone’s eKey code (no support for other platforms yet). The Kevo also includes traditional keys and a wireless fob to keep on your keychain or sewn into a kid’s backpack. As an added bonus, you can email an eKey to family, friends, housekeepers or guests, so they can use their phone to enter your home for a limited time or only on certain days of the week (such as a maid that works Saturdays).”
A separate online vote awarded the top prize to the Skulpt Aim, a device which measures body fat and muscle quality.
Dell’Abate and Hein also hosted the 2014 Mobile Apps Showdown, which saw app developers pitch their software for mobile devices in under four minutes.
The winner was Password Box, a password management app which incorporates social features.
The app lets users login to commonly-used websites and apps without having to type in their passwords. Credit cards, passports and other sensitive datacan also be encrypted and stored in the app, and shared with friends when necessary.
Ballerz, an app that helps players find local pickup basketball games in their area based on skill level, was the online showdown winner. The app was developed by a group of active duty naval officers who found that playing sports reduced stress and boosted morale on the base.
