Entree DC Returns 9/19 with Keynote Speaker Rose Previte

From our friends at the DCRA and the WDCEP...

Rose Previte to Keynote DCRA’s Entrée DC in Partnership with WDCEP

Founder of Maydan and Compass Rose joins restaurateurs, chefs, and entrepreneurs at sixth annual Entrée DC Conference

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) and Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) announced today the details of its sixth annual Entrée DC conference taking place Wednesday, September 19th from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The event, free and open to the public, provides information, business resources and access to DC-government decision makers while promoting collaboration among Washington, DC’s most renowned restaurateurs and mega-brands in the hospitality industry.

Academy of Art University Benefits Society with Augmented Reality

The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA

From our friends at the Academy of Art University...

The Academy of Art University Has Found a Positive Way to Use Augmented Reality

Art schools have certainly evolved more in the past decade than any other branch of education. Only 20 years ago, the average art school was merely a place to learn painting, music, singing, and possibly a talent more useful like clothing design. Art schools still offer common subjects like music, acting, and painting; however, now, beginning in recent years, art schools are a great place to learn a useful trade that will benefit a person, financially and creatively, for the rest of their lives.

Roy Rogers Restaurants Introduces New Technology Enhancements

From our friends at Roy Rogers Restaurants...

Roy Rogers Restaurants announced two new technology enhancements to the company with the launch of its online ordering service and the launch of the second phase of its loyalty app, Roy’s Rewards, on Monday, January 8. The new online ordering service allows customers the ease of placing their order with the click of a button from the comfort of home and picking up their order at their favorite Roy Rogers Restaurants location. The second phase launch includes online ordering, e-gift cards and increased flexibility when redeeming rewards points.

Ticketmaster Partners with LISNR

From our friends at LISNR...

Ticketmaster has officially selected LISNR as its mobile ticketing solution. LISNR technology converts data into audio and transmits this data through Smart Tones™ - tones inaudible to the human ear. The result is Presence - a way to provide seamless, secure, and easy entrance to events, while authenticating exactly who the ticket holder is.

Sharing Music and Sending Text Messages Combine to Create More Beats

From our friends at Beatshare...

Pioneering Mobile Company Tunes into the Power of Music to Help People Connect

It’s estimated that people take around 100 million selfies per day. They also love to share music and realize it helps create memories. Now, with the advent of Beatshare, they can do both in a simple manner, all from their iPhone, using iMessage or in a stand-alone version.  The new Beatshare app gives people the opportunity to send a song they love or a 10 second clip of a song to someone to share their thoughts, feelings or emotions through the power of music. You can even integrate it with pictures, video, and your special message. This is a simple and quick way to convey thoughts and feelings, as well as to have a little fun with the song and message.

Roy Rogers Restaurants Launches Loyalty App

From our friends at Roy Rogers Restaurants...

Today, Roy Rogers Restaurants announces the launch of its loyalty app, Roy’s Rewards. The app launches at its 24 corporate owned locations today with an expansion into participating franchise locations by 1st Quarter 2017.

Events DC Announces Expanded Free Wi-Fi Services at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center

From our friends at Events DC...

Free Wi-Fi Initiative Highlights Commitment to Best in Class Technology to Enhance and Enrich the Attendee Experience

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, announced today substantial expanded complimentary Wi-Fi services across the 2.3 million-square-foot Walter E. Washington Convention Center. As a world-class convention facility in our nation’s capital, Events DC will work with Smart City, its exclusive technology services partner, to enhance its Wi-Fi service. This enhancement will allow Convention Center attendees to stay connected on the go.

Original 8.5 Boogie Board Product Review

Say Goodbye to Paper

There's cool, and then there's cool. The Original 8.5 Boogie Board is the latter. For starters, it's not an extreme sports apparatus (snowboard, surfboard, etc.) but rather an iPad mini-lookalike, that rekindles fond memories of the Etch A Sketch... minus the bulk and frustration. Keep in mind, this is the original 2012 version, which isn't quite as spectacular as the newer Boogie Board Sync 9.7 (currently on sale for $79.99 on Amazon) but a whole lot cheaper (just over 20 bucks.)

Vizio Reference Series Demo Review

This year's AFI Docs Festival included a special bonus... one that was aimed at cinephiles and filmmakers alike. I got to check out Vizio's new (and incredible) Reference Series, available to John Q. Public later this year (in 65" and 120" versions.) The differences between current sets and the Reference Series is greater than night & day; but I shudder to think how much those differences will cost customers. Needless to say, I won't be getting one... no matter how positive this review is. That said, it gives me great incentive to buy a lottery ticket or two this weekend.

DUBS Product Review

You don't have to be old to enjoy DUBS. In fact, it makes sense to start using ear plugs (especially badass ones like DUBS) sooner rather than later. Me? I grew up with Walkmans, moved on to iPods and attended 100+ concerts in between. For me, it's more of a necessity. What separates DUBS from all the others (including DownBeats, which I also love) is clarity: You hear everything, only not as loud. In other words... the perfect pair of ear plugs.

Doppler Labs & Goldenvoice Launch DUBS Earplugs at Coachella

From our friends at Doppler Labs...

Safe in Sound: Doppler Labs and Goldenvoice Partner to Launch DUBS Earplugs at Coachella 2015

Following the overwhelming success of the launch of DUBS Acoustic Filters, Doppler Labs, the New York City-based technology company, and Goldenvoice have partnered to make advanced hearing protection available to all attendees of the 2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Together, they will launch DUBS Earplugs, the second hearing protection product from Doppler Labs. DUBS Earplugs are stylish concert earplugs created specifically for music listening.

New Mobile App Plurro to Bring Special Discounts to Local Stores This Weekend

From our friends at Plurro...

‘Tis the season to shop local, and this Saturday and Sunday 15&U and the Leesburg Downtown Business Association are partnering with Plurro, a new mobile app that lets consumers decide and create their own promotions at their favorite small businesses, to launch the app in DC and Leesburg. The events bring together twelve local businesses allowing customers to receive special promotions when signing up for a Plurro using the free app. The app was launched in Clarendon, Virginia last week.

Plurro Launches Tomorrow, Co-Hosts Event with Clarendon Alliance

From our friends at Plurro...

Plurro, a new app that connects customers with local businesses and brings the power of the discount to the consumer, is launching this weekend and hosting an event with the Clarendon Alliance this Saturday, December 13 from 11 AM - 5 PM.

VOXX Electronics Holiday Gift Guide

From our friends at VOXX Electronics...

VOXX Electronics Has the Gifts Everyone Wants This Holiday Season

With the holidays right around the corner we wanted to share with you the gifts that everyone wants this Holiday season. From car speakers, to rear seat entertainment, and the next generation of karaoke we have something to satisfy everyone on your shopping list this holiday season!

Contest: Sol Republic RELAYS 3-Button, In-Ear Headphones

Enter to win a pair of Sol Republic RELAYS 3-button, in-ear headphones. They retail for $79.99, and allow you to operate mic, music and phone control without having to fumble around for your phone or music player. Answer the following trivia question correctly for your chance to win. All entries must be in by Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at 11:59 PM EST. The winner will receive his/her prize by FedEx, UPS or USPS; so make sure to include a proper mailing address. Good luck!

Sol Republic RELAYS Product Review

Sol Republic RELAYS

For the record, I take my headphones very seriously. I've tried them all (Bose, Sennheiser, Sony, V-MODA and dozens more.) Before I put on a pair of Sol Republic RELAYS, I was married to JVC's HA-EBR80s, a reliable, straightforward option that costs less than 15 bucks on Amazon. So much so, I bought five extra pairs (just in case.) Well, Christmas is coming; and odds are, those extra headphones are headed for five different stockings. Why the change of heart? RELAYS, RELAYS, RELAYS.

Craft Coffee Launches Coffee DNA Project

From our friends at Craft Coffee...

Coffee + Science + Technology = Love

Do you know why you love your favorite coffee? A lot of us can’t put our finger on exactly why we dislike one cup but love another. Craft Coffee has pioneered the ultimate experience of the best coffees from exotic growing regions around the world via independent roasters across the country. After three years of evaluating thousands of these coffees and learning about what makes your favorite brew perfect for you, they have cracked the formula. Today Craft Coffee announces the Coffee DNA Project - where curation meets convenience. Using innovative science and technology, they bring you a uniquely tailored coffee experience delivered directly to your doorstep.

Download the Volkswagen Rallycross DC App!

From our friends at Volkswagen Rallycross DC...

In D.C., Red Bull Global Rallycross fans will have a whole new way to follow the action with the brand-new event app from Volkswagen Rallycross DC - the third round of the 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross Series to be held June 21-22 at the RFK Festival Grounds. With the Volkswagen Rallycross DC app, attendees of the most exciting summer event in D.C. will have access to driver bios, full weekend schedule, track map, and timing and scoring.

Sol Republic DECK Product Review

I used to be a gadget man... way ahead of the curve, when it came to technology. As I got older, I became less impulsive (iPhones every other year) and began to make purchases based on necessity, rather than want & desire. In other words, it takes a special item to catch my attention (yet alone my credit card info.) Sol Republic's DECK Wireless Speaker is such an item. I've played around with my fair share of bluetooth speakers, including the Jawbone JAMBOX (which used to be my favorite) but none of them come remotely close to the DECK.

Contest: Sol Republic RELAYS 3-Button, In-Ear Headphones

Enter to win a pair of Sol Republic RELAYS 3-button, in-ear headphones. They retail for $79.99, and allow you to operate mic, music and phone control without having to fumble around for your phone or music player. Answer the following trivia question correctly for your chance to win. All entries must be in by Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 11:59 PM EST. The winner will receive his/her prize by USPS; so make sure to include a proper mailing address. Good luck!