What is NFC and what can it do for me? Well, take this scenario:

At a rehearsal the other night, with a 12-piece band, it came to that awkward moment when everyone had to pay the bandleader their cut of the room fee. 

In a flurry of hands scrounging through pockets and flustered attempts to find the right amount of money, I asked the bandleader if he could supply me his bank details. With that, I logged on to netbanking on my smartphone and made the transfer – what a whiz I was! Well, it seemed to create more problems than it solved for our poor bandleader: the other ten members asked for the same thing. Bank details, log on, transfer...half an hour later...

I thought, ‘What if there was a system like Melbourne’s new public transport ticketing system Myki or London’s Oyster, where simply putting a device near another device makes an instant electronic transaction?’ Our bandleader could stand at the door with his phone presented, and well all file out, ‘touching off’ for the night. Phone meets phone: paid. Phone meets phone: paid. And so on.

NFC (Near Field Communication) technology would allow for this. This technology has been around for a few years, but the potential of its use seems to have been floating in space while electronics manufacturers decide how to use it best.

This concept is technically already in use with VISA’s Paywave debit cards, but this is mostly at the physical, and often human-staff-manned, point of sale.

In the US, experiments with drink vending machines by VISA are taking it one step further. Purchasers can simply place their smartphones within ten centimetres of the machine, and NFC technology will have the machine ‘talk’ to your phone, debiting the money from a nominated bank account. 

Great, huh? No ‘expiring’ debit card, no cash, and no withdrawing the minimum $20 from an ATM to make a $2.50 purchase.

And it’s not just for transferring money. Transferring ANY data is possible through this technology – music files, movies or pictures. In fact, if it can be digitised, it’s instantly transferable. NFC – and NFA (Near Field Audio), NFC’s cousin – has also been used as a wireless medium with which to amplify music from portable devices like smartphones and tablets, like Kaiser Baas’s CONTACT Speaker and Jawbone’s Jambox.

Kaiser Baas have some exciting new products coming out soon which utilise NFC, so stay tuned! Now, off to show the drummer how to use his phone...

 - the KB Tech Tiger

Buying a Drink with NFC 

Some of the best movies have been inspired by books. For example, The Godfather directed by Francis Ford Coppolla, is widely considered better than the Mario Puzo novel upon which it is based. Silence of the Lambs, based on Thomas Harris’s novel, was another great film that was hugely successful, mainly due to Anthony Hopkins chilling depiction of Hannibal Lector. Film makers are continuously inspired to make movies inspired by literature with movies such as Gangster Squad, Anna Karenina and The Great Gatsby all coming out this year and all based on novels. The question you might find yourself asking before going to see a movie such as the upcoming The Great Gatsby, is, ‘should I read the book first?’ 

Some of today’s bands are releasing their new albums with an option for vinyl. Who still manufactures these records? Is this a novelty trend? Does vinyl sound better? Is there still value in packaging music in a keepsake way, i.e. something you can hold in your hands?

It seemed that the vinyl record had died an inevitable death beneath the crushing wave of the digital revolution. First released commercially (albeit unsuccessfully) in 1930, the vinyl LP’s heyday was from the 1950s up to the 1990s, making it the main format for the commercial distribution of music. Swept under the inexorable drive towards greater convenience and portability, vinyl records were replaced first by audio cassettes, and then by CDs, which in turn have been usurped by MP3s under the reign of the iPod and digital downloads.

But it now appears vinyl records are not doomed to exist solely in collectors’ treasure chests after all. Some of today’s musicians – for instance, Soundgarden, Mumford & Sons, Australian success story Tame Impala, and even country-pop star Taylor Swift – are releasing their new albums with an option for vinyl, and consumers are responding. While classic rock albums such as the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” (1969) have topped vinyl record sales for years, with classic jazz also being a mainstay, recently produced top-selling vinyl LPs include offerings from hipster acts the Black Keys with “El Camino” (2011) and Jack White with “Blunderbuss” (2012). No longer are DJs and nostalgic baby-boomers the only ones building their vinyl collections; Generation Y thinks vinyl is cool too.

While CD sales continue to fall, vinyl record sales are actually increasing, and not just by a little bit: according to Nielsen Soundscan data, vinyl record sales grew by 36% in 2011. And while independent record stores have always continued to push vinyl sales as a means of niche-market survival, giants like Amazon are also getting in on the vinyl action. Factories such as United Record Pressing in the USA, responsible for stamping the Beatles’ first US singles almost half a century ago, are enjoying booming production. Furnace MFG in Virginia once manufactured mainly CDs and DVDs, but now focuses on vinyl as its core product, producing in excess of 2 million records a year.

So what’s going on here? Is this just a novelty trend, some temporary retro fad, or is it a sign of the vinyl record’s enduring appeal?

Some music buffs will swear black and blue that analogue offers superior sound quality over digital formats, achieving a warmer, richer, and more detailed sound. Unlike CDs, and to a lesser extent MP3s, the records are not compressed in any way. Yet detractors bemoan vinyl records’ susceptibility to scratching and warping, and the resultant sound degradation. The extent of eventual degradation is determined largely by the quality of vinyl. More often than not, records are pressed on recycled vinyl. But in an attempt to better withstand the rigours of regular play, some modern albums are now pressed with new, heavy vinyl. Also with the intention of reducing the possibility of scratches, a laser has been developed to replace the needle in reading vinyl records, although the expense of such technology is inhibiting its mainstream adoption for now.

Notwithstanding efforts to increase durability, it may be precisely the extra level of care required when handing vinyl records that attracts serious music lovers. Vinyl is not an idle pastime for the uninitiated. It requires commitment, and you have to know what you’re doing. First, you have to be dedicated enough to have your own record player, which can become costly. If you want to care properly for your prized possessions, you must store them upright, in a cool, dry area. Finally, taking care to avoid the grooved surfaces (if you’re really serious, a good quality pair of cotton gloves may be necessary here), you must carefully place the record on the turn-table, laying the needle down just so. All of this ritual and caution fosters and necessitates a certain degree of respect for the music and its medium.

What follows is a complete and all-consuming experience. In contrast to the instant gratification of buying or playing a song online at the push of a button, you’ve taken the time to select a record from your collection and remove it from its sleeve, building anticipation for the moment when the needle begins to run in the grooves. You then have no choice but to listen to the record the way the artist intended: all the way through, from start to finish (whereas iPods mean we can now cut between tracks and across entire genres on shuffle mode). You will most likely be fully engaged in listening to the record. Moreover, because of the restricted mobility of record players, you associate playing your records with relaxing at home or entertaining friends, and not as a background soundtrack to some dull activity like taking public transport, which can make music-listening rather isolating. It is perhaps this deeper motivation to pursue a genuine entertainment experience that accounts for the revival of vinyl, more so than simply a desire for improved sound.

Another characteristic of the vinyl LP that may help to explain its resurrection is its raw physicality. It is something you can have and hold. You can feel the weight of the artist’s creation in your hands, pore over the artwork, and proudly display the record on a shelf in your living room. The physical qualities of the vinyl are, of course, of critical importance to a DJ, who can use the needle to directly manipulate the music, speeding it up, slowing it down, or spinning and reversing it. (Granted, some CD players are now built with these capabilities, but that’s arguably way less cool than having a set of turn-tables.) The tactile aspect of vinyl is also appealing to bands themselves, as it’s infinitely more satisfying to hold the fruit of their labours in their hands, lay the needle down that first time, and display the record as a trophy on their wall.

More broadly, the resurgence of vinyl can be seen in the context of a wider trend of bucking technology, a small but staunch protest against the unrelenting march of progress. A case in point: books haven’t disappeared either. The advent of the automobile hasn’t stamped out horse riding. Likewise, newer vehicles can run much faster, but try telling people who love vintage cars that speed is everything. From a purist perspective, ‘the real thing’ (as opposed to its digitalised counterpart) is somehow more substantial and authentic than something existing only in the abstract digital cloud.

Rather than gathering dust, filling the burdensome milk crate in the garage, the LP is regarded as an asset. Having already invested in the music once, people are hanging on to their records - and adding to their collections - for enjoyment for years to come.

Whatever the reasons, after more than 80 years of history, the vinyl record most certainly is not history.

Perfect for summer sports and outdoor adventures, the Kaiser Baas Sports Camera allows you to capture HD video in 1280 x 720 resolution. Share your adventures with family, friends, community and clubs or preserve special memories for yourself!

 

Simply mount the camera to your handlebars or helmet and start recording with a 120 degree wide angle view – capturing your movement in the surrounding environment perfectly. A built-in infrared LED assists with low light capture and support for motion-detecting recording means you can set a particular timeframe to record while participating in the action.

View a bicycle ride taken with the Kaiser Baas Sports Camera

 

View a glider journey with the Kaiser Baas Sports Camera

Water resistant for up to 20 metres, the Kaiser Baas Sports Camera is perfect for underwater video capture, especially snorkelling. There’s no need to fear water with this camera – white water rafting and surfing footage are a breeze!

View shark diving with the Kaiser Baas Sports Camera 

 

If you’re a sporting enthusiast, you can’t go past this beauty! The Kaiser Baas Sports Camera is very handy to lend to family and friends – listed below are some of the applications where it would come in useful:

Abseiling
Baseball & Cricket
Basketball
Canoeing
Cycling
Diving
Football Matches
Hockey
Horse Riding / Equestrian Events
Hot Air Ballooning
Jetskiing
Kayaking
Kite Surfing
Lapidary / Rock Collecting
Motocross & Motorbike Riding
Rock Climbing
Rugby Matches
School Sporting Events
Skateboarding
Skiing
Skydiving
Snorkelling
Soccer Matches
Surfing
Swimming Events
Tennis Matches
White Water Rafting

Capture up to 3 hours of video with the built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery and store the footage on a Micro-SD card of up to 32GB (not included). Then sit back and watch your journey on TV (there’s a TV-out function for easy playback).

> Click here to buy the Kaiser Baas Sports Camera  

Main Features

- HD video capture - up to 1280 x 720 capture resolution with 120 degree wide view angle
- Waterproof up to 20 metres, able to capture video and take photos underwater
- Camera: 5.0 megapixel CMOS sensor
- Video format: AVI up to 1280 x 720 30fps
- Video capture time: 3 hours

- Charge time: 3 to 5 hours

More videos of the KB Sports Camera on YouTube

Kayak fishing in NZ
Motorbike riding
Pedal bike riding
Gaming capture

1. For The Car Enthusiast

If your dad loves his car or is into car gadgets, you can’t go past the Kaiser Baas Car Camera. A revolutionary portable video camera, the Car Camera lets you record car journeys from inside the windscreen with a 120 degree wide angle view. Record family holidays, car races, road trips and more with ease, or use the camera as protection for insurance purposes. There’s also a built in microphone to capture sound and you can record night journeys using the built in night vision LED.

 

Click here to buy the Kaiser Baas Car Camera
RRP $99.95

2. For The Vintage Record Collector

Has your dad got a large vinyl record collection that he treasures? The Kaiser Baas Vinyl Converter will help him treasure it even more by allowing him to backup his music collection to a digital format, while retaining the original records. Over time, vinyl records and audio cassettes deteriorate, so don’t let your dad run the risk of losing his valuable collection, which he might have taken decades to build!

Convert vinyl records and audio cassettes into digital format quickly and easily. Burn the captured data to CD or create mp3 or wav files. The supplied Spin-It-Again software polishes up newly captured music to remove clicks, crackles and pops from recordings.

Click here to buy the Kaiser Baas Vinyl Converter
RRP $79.95

3. For The Radiohead Dad

If your dad listens to the radio a lot, he’ll love this portable digital radio! With hundreds of digital channels to choose from*, he’ll never be caught short on something to listen to – whether he’s at work, on holiday, outdoors or relaxing with family.

Battery powered, the DAB+ Digital Radio has a headphone port for solo listening. As soon as the unit is turned on, the radio automatically scans for digital stations, and the 2-row backlit digital display shows the station, artist and song title as well as optional other displays.

Click here to buy the Kaiser Baas DAB+ Radio
RRP $79.95

* DAB+ radio reception depends on your location, please refer to DigitalRadioPlus.com.au for coverage in your area.

 

4. For The Dad Who Likes Outdoor Adventures

Does your dad like to have adventures in the great outdoors? The Kaiser Baas Sports Camera is a perfect gift for those who like cycling, abseiling, rock climbing, horse riding, diving, kayaking or other similar activities. Secure the Sports Camera to your handlebars or helmet and capture photos and videos in high definition. Water resistant for up to 20 metres, there’s a lot of adventure potential in this little gadget, which will allow everyone to enjoy the adventure too!

Click here to buy the Kaiser Baas Sports Camera
RRP $99.95

5. For The Parent With Young Kids OR Hobbyist Collector

Looking for a new gadget your dad might not already have? The Kaiser Baas Digital Microscope will offer your dad a fascinating afternoon in the microcosmos at 200x magnification. A great gift to bring fathers and children together, the Digital Microscope is ideal for studying insects, food and other items – and the microscope image is displayed directly to a PC , so everyone can see what’s going on and save their favourite images!

Simply plug in the Digital Microscope via the supplied USB cable, install the software and you’re right to go. This is a great gift idea for the dad who has young children or dads who are hobbyist collectors of specimens, stamps, coins and so on.

Click here to buy the Kaiser Baas Digital Microscope
RRP $79.95

Congratulations to Ian Bain, you are the winner of a pair of Bluetooth Headphones!

Thank you to everyone that entered!  

If you would like to join us and be in with a chance to win prizes, please send an e-mail to: marketing@kaiserbaas.com with "Subscribe" in the subject line. 

From early 2012, Kaiser Baas has started promotions, competitions and exclusive offers on Facebook, with the aim of connecting with our audience and rewarding our loyal fans. We also share our latest products, industry innovations and news so that our audience can be up to date on technological innovations and enjoy the benefits of the latest gadgets available online.

Mother’s Day Competition Reaches Out

A competition we held this year was the Mother’s Day Competition in May, where entrants submitted a photograph and caption of their mother. We were very touched by the 98 wonderful photos and stories sent in by family members and our happy winners received 1 of 6 iPad PhotoScanners or A4 PhotoScanners of their choice.

Artwork Brings Parents & Kids Together

The School Holiday Drawing Competition held in July brought together 40 parents and their children in the creation of beautiful artwork which we showcased in our Facebook Gallery. Kaiser Baas provided 20 Digital Keyrings as prizes for the winners.

Digital Microscope Goes Viral

We've been looking at some very strange images lately, and capturing them on the Kaiser Baas Digital Microscope to show everyone what this useful little product is capable of. Viral (and bacterial) reach is something our microscopic images will attract as we engage with our audience in fun guessing games on our Facebook wall for the next few months.

Got A Photo With A Funny Story?

From August to September, we’re holding a Funny PhotoStory Competition, where we hope to see some hilarious photos with funny stories attached. Up for grabs is a $200 gift voucher to spend online at www.kaiserbaas.com on anything you like!

If you’d like to find out more about special offers and discounts, want to have a quick guess at the strange microscope images or enter the latest Kaiser Baas competition, come check out our Facebook page today!

Click here to join Kaiser Baas on Facebook

   

This month in New Zealand, our publicity machine went wild and a media frenzy ensued in the promotion of Kaiser Baas gadgets during July and August!

Kaiser Baas Has Breakfast With The Gadget Guy

We featured on the Breakfast show with Gadget Guy John Buckley on July 13th 2012. John commented that the speed of scanning with the iPad PhotoScanner was impressive. He also used the PhotoMaker Pro and remarked that it was an attractive gadget because no computer connection was needed.

View The Breakfast Show excerpt here
View John Buckley’s blog here

Media Published In New Zealand

Let’s Travel – 01/09/12
"Use the Kaiser Baas PhotoMaker on the go, in any location."

Next Magazine - August 2012
"An add-on accessory that is practical and perfect for tablet lovers."
Featuring the iPad PhotoScanner.

Dominion Post Weekend – 11/08/12
"This Bluetooth-friendly conference speaker by Kaiser Baas is ideal for
both the office and anywhere in the home where there is a need to talk hands-free."

Reseller News – 03/08/12
Featuring the Kaiser Baas DVD Maker and Sports Camera.

The Press – 07/08/12
Tech shopping in Christchurch: "Look mum, no hands!"
Featuring the Kaiser Baas Conference Speaker.

Weekend Press – 14/07/12
"Preserving precious memories has just got easier thanks to the Kaiser Baas PhotoScanner."

Gadget Guy TV Review – 13/07/12
Featuring the PhotoMaker Pro and iPad PhotoScanner.

Let’s Travel – 01/07/12
Featuring the iPad PhotoScanner.

The Press – 12/06/12
"Mobile Scanning" (Kaiser Baas iPad PhotoScanner).

Kaiser Baas initially launched in Singapore at the PC Show 2012 on June 7th 2012. Over one million visitors (a third of the population of Singapore) attended. With four booths spread out across all three levels of the show hall, our popular PhotoScanners sold out on the first day!

 

Following on from the PC Show, Challenger (our partner retailer) in Singapore ordered hundreds of Kaiser Baas Car Cameras for their top five stores and so far over half have sold out. Replenishment orders have been placed.

 

Weekend promoters at Funan and Jurong Point ran out of stock last week and are waiting for 1000 Kaiser Baas Car Cameras to arrive. It seems that Singaporeans just can’t get enough of the latest technological gadgets from Kaiser Baas!

Looking for the complete Bluetooth connectivity kit? The Kaiser Baas BT-320 is a keyboard and mouse combination pack that will allow Bluetooth connectivity with your mobile, tablet, laptop, desktop computer or PlayStation 3.