By Amy Eller, Susan Davis and Richard M. Sherwin

(For more product reviews, and news, listen to us on the Mom Squad Radio Show
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Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy Tab S lineup. The 10.5-inch and 8.4-inch are priced at $399 and $499. Both tablets have 2,560-by-1,600 pixel resolution, Super AMOLED displays, fingerprint recognition and integrate Galaxy-only inter-device sharing software. Ya gotta admire Samsung’s chutzpah, they had the IPad on display next to it in the press room!

Specs are similar to the Galaxy S5 smartphone, with an octo-core Exynos SoC, fingerprint scanner, 8-megapixel rear shooter and 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera on board. Samsung is offering both models in white and muted bronze colors. The tablets are slim and sexy. The 2,560-by-1,600 pixel Super AMOLED display is approximately 0.25 inches or 6.6 millimeters thin. The buzz is all about the color; Samsung claims the screen produces deeper blacks and more vibrant colors than previous Galaxy tablets.

SideSync is a new software that lets users pair with and navigate their Galaxy S5 on the tablet’s screen. SideSync allows the user to transfer files, get app access and make and receive phone calls, not unlike the Apple technology of the moment. The feature requires a Galaxy S5 to work on both devices and they need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Is LG Jumping Past Sony and Samsung?
If you think that Korean Giant LG was taking too much of a back seat in TVs, Tablets and Smart phones, you were right. But now, through some innovative technology and terrific marketing strategies, LG is back in the lead for summer and fall in many areas. LG’s ultra HD TVs have probably the biggest, yet thinnest screens on the market.

LG’s UB9800 Series Ultra HD/4K technology meets the needs of deep pocket high end consumers that demand larger screen sizes and improved sound to match 2160p resolution. It features LG’s proprietary picture quality enhancing technologies including LG LED Plus edge lighting with Local Dimming, wide viewing angles thanks to Ultra IPS panel technology, and an Ultra Clarity Index (UCI) of 1560 for smooth motion. It’s equipped to display native 4K content with the latest HDMI inputs, H.265 decoding and Smart TV+ webOS™ that makes accessing streaming content fast and simple. A high-performance Harmon/ Kardon-designed audio system completes the package: 70W 4.2 channel audio for model 65UB9800, 90W 5.2 channel for model 79UB9800 and 120W 5.2 channel for model 84UB9800. Available in 65-inch class (64.5-inch diagonal), 79-inch class (78.5-inch diagonal) and 84-inch class (84.0-inch diagonal) screen sizes, the UB9800 series has suggested prices of $4,499, $7,999 and $14,999, respectively.

LG, quiet in the Smart Phone category makes a jump
LG, which has been relatively quiet in the Smart Phone category, seems to have jumped past both arch rival Samsung and even Apple’s 6S model expected soon, launching the LG3 Smart Phone. The 5.5″ Quad HD IPS display provides four times the pixels of HD (2560 x 1440) with a superior pixel density of 538 ppi. We experienced super sharp, detailed imagery on-screen with an advanced pixel structure that provides a near infinite contrast of deep blacks and bright whites as well as more accurate color reproduction. Featuring next gen built in digital camera and video technology, the LG G3’s Laser Auto Focus measures the distance to the subject using laser technology. Laser Auto Focus allows for improved focusing speed and object detection in low-light situations. We also loved the Smart Keyboard, an intuitive, easy-input keyboard that provides comfortable, efficient operation and adapts to the user. Advanced features include keyboard height control, adaptive area recognition based on word prediction, user behavior and easy cursor control.

Smart Phone, Tablet Battery Protection
Wherever we’ve gone looking for new products, we’ve been besieged by dozens of companies marketing longer lasting pocket sized battery backups for Smart Phones and Tablets. If you are like us, you always run out of juice just before the big call or the big project.

One of our favorite new battery chargers, Neptor, does this with very stylish but light, long lasting chargers priced under $50. We found that some of the under $30 chargers (usually sold at deep discount stores and even at AT&T and Verizon stores) only lasted a few hours.

Another charger device by Kingston called the MobileLite not only charges your tablet or phone, but acts like a mini hot spot allowing you to to stream, read and send files while charging your devices. Especially good on planes, trains and buses, it frees up space by letting you offload photos and videos, it lets you share data with three users simultaneously via Wi-Fi, comes with free support and free apps for Android, iOS and Kindle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFYfIQA0eDE

Softwear for Dogs (and soon Cats)
With wearable technology like wellness enabled smart phones helping consumers gauge their blood pressure, heart beat, monitor their medical records and do even more sophisticated medical measurements, it’s about time the technology gurus invented something we can all bark about for our best friend, the dog.

Voyce is a breakthrough in wearable technology in that it bridges the gap between communicating with your pet and/or veterinarian. “Voyce measures key vital signs and other wellness indicators through a safe and comfortable wearable collar using proprietary algorithms. This information can be used through an App on your smart phone or tablet. Voyce provides you and your vet with trends and health indicators that help owners stay proactive in their dog’s overall health, behavior, and well-being,” claims Wendy L. Weinberger, the company’s Senior VP of Operation. The collar, which costs $299 plus $15 a month monitoring fee, will be available in September.

Voyce content partners, include leading veterinarians such as Dr. Andy Roark and Dr. Justine Lee, animal behaviorists such as New York Times best-selling author Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, as well as top dog trainers, among others.  Additionally, Voyce will enable pet parents to store their medical and vaccine records and a reminder service for appointments and medication administration like monthly heart worm and flea and tick reminders – anywhere, anytime!   The Voyce™ band will fit medium to large sized dogs ranging from a dog with a 12 inch neck (ie. Beagles, Westies) all the way up to 31 inches (ie. English Mastiff, Great Dane). Collars for smaller dogs and cats will be available later on in the fall.

Voyce’s partent company is i4C Innovations whose motto is “we love dogs.”  Their mission is simple:  To understand dogs like never before and to build more rewarding, enduring, and richer relationships with man’s best friend.  i4C Innovations has brought together a diverse team of smart, passionate individuals and top-tier organizations to build a suite of unique products and services for the companion animal market.
To learn more, visit http://www.MyDogsVoyce.com or http://www.facebook.com/mydogsvoyce.

Wash the air? Sure, why not? 
If you are like our team and have pets, cook some interesting dishes that may make your eyes water or your nose cringe, then a German company has launched several remarkably quiet, efficient and easy to use air filters dubbed, Venta Airwashers. The Venta Airwasher is a premium quality 2-in-1 system that constantly humidifies dry air in the home while simultaneously purifying it – and it’s one of the few products that use this principle without using filter pads.

The idea behind the Venta Airwasher is simple: water is the filter. Dry, dirty indoor air is drawn in and washed by water, stopping the transmission of bacteria, germs, dust, allergens and odor – even the smallest particles. At the same time, pure water evaporates, humidifying air to the perfect level. It is hygienic, built to last a lifetime and, in our trials at a fellow reporter’s house which usually wreaked of cigarettes, cats and Chinese food, we all noticed the improvement in the air within fifteen minutes.

Who’s that knocking? Now you’ll know.
We were wondering when someone would think of this App and hardware combo.

Doorbot is essentially a doorbell with hardware and software that lets see visitors on your Smart phone or Tablet from anywhere in the house or the world and let you talk to them. The $200 DoorBot has a built in rechargeable battery. However, it can also be powered through your existing doorbell wiring. Quick and easy setup – your DoorBot can be mounted and synced to your personal Wi-Fi network in minutes. Technical Features- include Night vision, adjustable camera angles, and connection to a personal Wi-Fi network.