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NEW TECHNOLOGY
From Show Floor to Screening Room: Curating Technology That Helps Creators Work
By Scott L Rindenow and Roberta Dacks
LAS ANGELES — The annual technology-show circuit can be overwhelming. CES fills Las Vegas with thousands of product launches, while NAB Show brings together the tools that help television, film, streaming, and broadcast professionals tell stories. For Scott L. Rindenow, the important question is simpler: Which new products are genuinely useful once the show lights go down?
That question has guided Rindenow’s work in gathering, reviewing, and presenting standout technology for entertainment professionals at institutions and industry gatherings. A member of the Directors Guild of America’s Technology Committee, Rindenow brings a working creator’s eye to the process—looking beyond flashy demonstrations to find equipment that can make a real difference on a production day, during travel, or in a home editing setup.
His selections reflect the way production work has changed. Today’s professionals may need compact cameras, dependable power stations, smart wearables, portable storage, strong audio tools, and travel gear that can protect a laptop and a collection of personal gadgets. The best products are not necessarily the most complicated ones; they are the ones that save time, reduce stress, and help people stay focused on the creative work.
CES remains a massive starting point for that search. The 2026 show drew more than 148,000 attendees and over 4,100 exhibitors, with new technology spanning artificial intelligence, accessibility, immersive entertainment, mobility, and more. CES 2026 showed how quickly technology is moving from futuristic promise to practical everyday use.
At NAB Show, that search becomes especially relevant for the entertainment world. The 2026 event brought media companies, broadcasters, creators, and technology innovators together around subjects including AI, streaming, cloud production, sports media, and the creator economy. NAB Show continues to be a place where new gear is considered not just as a product, but as part of the larger storytelling process.
The conversation comes home to Los Angeles at the Directors Guild of America’s Digital Day. Founded in 2003 by the DGA Special Projects Committee, the event brings DGA members and other industry professionals together to explore the creative, technical, and business questions raised by new digital tools. This year’s program, “Mind Over Machines: Human-Controlled Creativity,” featured panels, presentations, exhibits, and hands-on demonstrations at the DGA’s Los Angeles headquarters. DGA Digital Day 2026 placed a welcome emphasis on the human choices behind the technology.
Rindenow’s perspective is shaped by a long career in the field. A past DGA Board Member, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Emmy winner, and recipient of Associated Press and Golden Mike awards, he approaches each product with the needs of working professionals in mind. The goal is not to chase every trend. It is to identify the equipment that earns a place in the real world: on a set, in a backpack, in a production truck, or beside an editor’s desk.
As the line between consumer technology and professional production tools continues to fade, informed curation matters more than ever. By bringing carefully chosen products from the show floor to fellow creators and institutions, Rindenow is helping make the newest technology easier to understand—and more useful for the people who bring stories to life.
DJI NEO 2: A SMALL DRONE WITH BIG AMBITIONS
By Scott L. Rindenow and Roberta Dacks
LAKE ARROWHEAD — In a move that surprised even longtime drone watchers, DJI has rolled out the DJI Neo 2 barely a year after the original Neo hit the market. The rapid turnaround signals something unmistakable: DJI intends to dominate the exploding selfie‑drone category, a space already heating up thanks to competitors like the HoverAir X1 Pro and ProMax.
A Major Upgrade in a Small Package
The Neo 2 may look familiar at first glance — the same compact, cine‑whoop‑style frame with built‑in propeller guards — but nearly every major system inside has been reworked or enhanced. The headline improvement is Omnidirectional Obstacle Avoidance, powered by a combination of vision sensors and LiDAR. For a drone designed to track runners, cyclists, skiers, and hikers at close range, this is a game‑changer. The Neo 2 now navigates tight spaces with noticeably more confidence, dramatically reducing the risk of mid‑flight mishaps.
DJI also doubled down on storage, boosting internal capacity from 20GB to 49GB, a welcome upgrade for users who rely on the drone’s autonomous shooting modes.
Camera Performance: Built for Motion, Not Masterpieces
The Neo 2 isn’t trying to compete with DJI’s Mini 5 Pro or other photography‑focused drones — and it doesn’t need to. Its 1/2‑inch 12MP sensor, paired with Rocksteady Electronic Image Stabilization, is tuned for smooth, shake‑free video rather than high‑end stills. Photos are limited to JPEG, with no RAW option, but video shines:
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4K up to 60 FPS
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1080p up to 60 FPS
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Vertical 2.7K (9:16) up to 60 FPS
During testing, even aggressive movement barely rattled the footage. The stabilization system does exactly what it promises.
A Drone for Everyone — No Controller Required
One of the Neo 2’s biggest selling points is its flexibility. It can be flown:
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Completely controller‑free
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With the DJI Fly app
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With the DJI RC‑N3 controller
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With DJI FPV accessories
Beginners can take off within minutes, while experienced pilots can push the drone into more advanced FPV‑style maneuvers.
Intelligent Flight Modes Galore
The Neo 2’s software suite is where it truly earns its “selfie drone” title. DJI packed in an impressive list of automated modes:
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Follow, Skiing Follow, Cycling Follow
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SelfieShot, Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle, Boomerang
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Dolly Zoom, Spotlight, Manual Control
QuickShots — DJI’s one‑tap cinematic patterns — are also included. Combined with the new obstacle‑avoidance system, the Neo 2 tracks subjects with surprising accuracy, even weaving around trees or terrain while keeping the user centered in frame.
Price and Availability
The Neo 2 retails for $229–$259, depending on the seller. It’s not officially available in the U.S. through DJI, but some retailers — including Walmart — have begun stocking units. For those who can get one, the Neo 2 offers an unusually strong value: a beginner‑friendly drone that doubles as a capable FPV toy and a reliable adventure companion.
Verdict
The DJI Neo 2 isn’t a professional camera drone — and it doesn’t pretend to be. Instead, it excels at what it was built for: capturing people in motion, safely and intelligently, at a price almost anyone can justify. With major upgrades in obstacle avoidance, storage, and stabilization, DJI has delivered a small drone that feels far more grown‑up than its size suggests.
For travelers, athletes, content creators, or anyone who wants a drone that “just works,” the Neo 2 is one of the most compelling options in its class.
VTOMAN FlashSpeed 2400 Review:
Big Backup Power Without the Gas and Noise
By Scott L Rindenow and Roberta Dacks
At $699, the VTOMAN FlashSpeed 2400 portable power station is designed for people who want reliable backup power without the noise, fumes, and upkeep of a gas generator. It brings enough battery power to run many of the things people depend on at home, on the road, or at a campsite.
With 2,400 watts of steady power and up to 3,200 watts for short bursts, the FlashSpeed 2400 is built to handle more than phones and flashlights. It can support appliances such as refrigerators and microwaves, along with power tools, computers, Wi‑Fi equipment, and CPAP machines. With 12 outlets and ports, a household can charge and run several items at once rather than choosing what gets power.
Its standout trick is speed. Plugged into a wall outlet, the unit can recharge from empty to full in roughly one hour. That is a major convenience before a storm, after a long day outdoors, or when the battery has been doing heavy lifting during an outage. It can also recharge through a vehicle, solar panels, or a combination of wall and solar power.
For home office workers and families, the nearly instant backup feature may be the most reassuring detail. In the event of a power failure, the FlashSpeed 2400 can switch over in less than 10 milliseconds—fast enough to help keep a computer, router, or medical sleep device operating without a noticeable interruption.
VTOMAN has also included a few practical extras that make this more than a large battery box. Included jumper cables can help start many cars, SUVs, and light trucks with a dead 12-volt battery. A built-in five-mode light offers low, medium, and high settings, along with SOS and strobe modes for emergencies.
The unit uses a LiFePO4 battery, a type known for durability and safety. VTOMAN says it should retain more than 80 percent of its original capacity after 3,000 charging cycles, which suggests years of regular use.
At $699, the FlashSpeed 2400 is not an impulse purchase, but it offers a useful mix of home backup, travel power, and roadside preparedness. It will not replace a whole-home generator for every household, yet for anyone tired of extension cords, gasoline cans, and generator noise, it is a modern backup plan with real muscle.
Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 Review:
Smart Glasses That Feel More Like Everyday Eyewear
By Scott L Rindenow and Roberta Dacks
At $379.99, the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Gen 2 aim to make everyday technology feel less like carrying another device and more like putting on a familiar pair of Wayfarers. They look like classic Ray-Bans, but tucked into the frame are a camera, open-ear speakers, microphones, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and Meta AI.
The appeal is easy to understand. Instead of pulling out a phone to take a quick photo, change a song, answer a call, or ask a question, users can do many of those things hands-free. The built-in camera lens wearers capture short moments from their own point of view, while the speakers play music and calls without sealing off the outside world. That makes them better suited to walking, errands, travel, and casual social settings than traditional headphones.
Meta AI is the feature that gives these glasses their personality. Users can ask for suggestions, answers, and reminders out loud. Live translation can also help keep a conversation moving across six languages, offering a practical use beyond novelty.
Battery life is another strong point. The glasses offer up to eight hours with moderate use, and the included charging case raises total available power to as much as 48 hours on the go. At 49 grams, they are still light enough to plausibly wear for most of the day.
Style remains the deciding factor for many buyers, and Ray-Ban has wisely kept that front and center. The Gen 2 line offers lens choices ranging from clear and blue-light-filtering to tinted and Transitions lenses, allowing the glasses to work as regular eyewear rather than a gadget that looks out of place.
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 is not for someone seeking a replacement for a phone or professional camera. But for people who want music, calls, quick captures, translation, and an AI assistant close at hand—without staring at a screen—it is one of the most natural-looking ways to bring smart technology into daily life.
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Targus Voyager EXP Review:
A Travel Backpack That Keeps the Little Things in Their Place
By Scott L Rindenow and Roberta Dacks
At $89, the Targus Voyager EXP Travel Backpack feels built for the kind of traveler who carries more than just a laptop. It is a roomy, rugged bag made for commuting, airport lines, hotel lobbies, and the everyday scramble of keeping chargers, tablets, cards, and personal gear from ending up in one tangled pile.
The Voyager EXP holds laptops up to 17 inches and offers 30 liters of space, with an expandable design for those trips when a simple overnight bag suddenly becomes a two-day adventure. There are several pockets and sections, including space for a tablet, quick-access items, cards, and front zippered storage.
What stood out most in this review was how comfortably the bag was laid out for travel with personal gadgets. A laptop, tablet, charging cords, headphones, travel documents, and smaller everyday items all have a logical place to go. That may sound simple, but it saves a surprising amount of time when trying to find a boarding pass or a phone charger at the bottom of a crowded bag.
Comfort also receives attention. The ventilated back helps reduce that warm, sticky feeling common with backpacks during long walks, while padded shoulder straps make carrying a full load easier. A top handle offers a quick grab-and-go option, and the trolley strap allows the backpack to slide onto rolling luggage—a small detail that makes airport travel much smoother.
Security-minded travelers will appreciate the RFID-blocking pocket, designed to help protect cards from unwanted scans. There is also a built-in holder for an AirTag, giving owners one more way to keep track of the bag while it is moving through busy terminals or packed trains.
The water-resistant exterior and sturdy build give the Voyager EXP a practical, ready-for-anything feel. It is not trying to be a fashion statement; it is trying to be useful, and it succeeds. For travelers, students, commuters, and anyone who regularly carries a laptop plus a collection of personal tech, the Targus Voyager EXP is a well-organized, comfortable backpack that makes daily packing feel a little less chaotic.
DJI Osmo Action 6 Review: A Tough Little Camera That Thinks Big
By Scott L Rindenow and Roberta Dacks
DJI’s Osmo Action 6 Standard Combo, priced at $415, arrives as a serious challenger for anyone who wants high-quality adventure video without carrying a bag full of camera gear. It takes what worked well in the Action 5 Pro and adds a handful of meaningful upgrades, most notably a new adjustable lens opening—something rarely seen in a camera this small.
In plain terms, that adjustable aperture lets the Action 6 adapt more naturally to changing light. Whether filming a sunny bike ride, a dim campsite, or a late-afternoon hike, the camera can better balance brightness and image detail. Paired with its new 1/1.1-inch square sensor, DJI says the camera can produce sharp, colorful 4K footage in a broad range of conditions.
The Action 6 is also built for people who do not treat their equipment gently. It can operate in cold weather, is waterproof down to 65 feet, and offers up to four hours of battery life. That combination makes it a practical companion for skiing, snorkeling, road trips, and long days outdoors. Its 50GB of built-in storage is another welcome convenience, giving users room to start filming even when they have forgotten a memory card.
Sound has not been overlooked. With DJI’s OsmoAudio support and direct microphone connection, creators can capture clearer narration, conversations, and natural outdoor sound without relying entirely on the tiny microphone built into the camera.
DJI’s familiar strengths remain: smooth image stabilization, dependable internal audio, wireless compatibility with DJI microphones, and advanced color controls for users who want to edit their footage afterward. The camera is also positioned competitively against GoPro, offering a premium feature set without pushing its price into uncomfortable territory.
The Osmo Action 6 does not try to reinvent the action camera. Instead, it improves the parts that matter most: image quality, low-light flexibility, battery life, durability, and ease of use. For $415, it looks like one of the most complete action cameras available for anyone who simply wants to press record and bring home footage worth watching.
By Scott L Rindenow and Roberta Dacks
Lake Arrowhead News.com
PC MOVER ULTIMATE FROM LAPLINK
Laplink PCmover
Laplink PCmover is PC migration software developed by Laplink Software. First introduced in 2005, as the successor to Laplink, PCmover comes in a variety of versions that provide the ability to move or restore all selected files, folders, settings, user profiles and programs from an old PC to a new one, an old operating system to a new one, or an old hard drive to a new one. Microsoft has partnered with Laplink on multiple occasions and recommends PCmover for automatically moving programs, files and profile setting to new Windows 11 PCs.
Overall the experience with PCmover has been great. If you can read English, it's easy to use. It's fast, if you have the USB 3.0 cable, but also has a good transfer speed through a strong internet connection. And most importantly, it's safe. No external or online storage needed. Where PCMover does its magic is moving and installing applications along with associated settings. That saves time tracking down installation disks or downloads, installing each app individually, and getting it configured the way you want it.
Zoner Photo Studio X
Your Lightroom® and Photoshop® alternative
Zoner Software has released the latest version of its flagship digital photography suite, Zoner Photo Studio X
The latest version includes many improvements and new features, including:
– Stunning new Tone Mapping based HDR (illustrated below),
– Pro-quality Advanced Noise Reduction,
– GPU acceleration to speed up calculations,
– Improved dual monitor support,
– RAW edits preview faster and there is new support for advanced camera RAW features
– Seamless linking with Zonerama.com web galleries.
ZPS X is the most universal photo software there is for the price. RAW processing, Layer support, Presets, Retouching tools, Video editing, and Cataloging, it’s all there.
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS Without the Work
It just takes a little to make your photos look a lot better. Zoner Photo Studio X will help you on the way, while also saving you lots of time spent on processing your digital photos.
RAW and JPG Editing
Need to handle a giant RAW file? Or maybe 100 photos at once? ZPS X has your back.
An Editor With Layer Support
Thanks to layers and masks, you’ll handle cloning, collages, and other photo tricks with ease.
Retouching Tools
The unique retouching brush and the faces tool make portrait enhancement a snap.
Video Editor
Turn your photos into a video, a presentation, or a time-lapse without switching software. Take care of it all in ZPS X.
Presets
Change a photo’s whole mood in just one click with one of the best-loved features in ZPS X.
Cataloging
Easily organize hundreds of photos—or thousands. Browse them by date, shot location, keywords, or folders.
New From Tapplock, Tapplock lite
Feather light. Lightning fast.
Padlocks can be a pain with out a key. Tapplock has the solution. In the house or on the go, Tapplock lite boasts a strong, lightweight chassis and packs Tapplock’s advanced fingerprint technology. Tapplock lite is the perfect portable lifestyle lock.
State-of-the-art capacitive fingerprint sensor allows unlocking in under 0.8 seconds. Adaptive algorithm means the lock becomes faster and more accurate with each access. Store up to 100 different fingerprints per lock. Manage users and fingerprints via the Tapplock app.
Lightning fast fingerprint access, Bluetooth access via the Tapplock app, or set your own combination to unlock via Morse-Code.
Three versatile ways to unlock means you’ll never be stranded without access.
Sharing access is simple. Share Bluetooth access remotely with unlimited users. Set permanent access or limited access with flexible dates and times, and feel free to revoke access whenever you want. Track and monitor access history with time and location from the Tapplock app.
With an 8 month battery life per charge, you are good for a long time. You can even check the battery charge on the Tapplock app!
Nearly Half Of Consumers Expect To Add New Streaming Service - Still, a majority feel that there are too many streaming choices and the price tag is becoming too high
As for Apple TV+ and Disney+, about 42% of consumers expect that they will add one of the new services (which will eventually also consist of HBO Max and Peacock), but even more (87%) are worrying at the cost it will be to keep up with the latest offerings. These findings come from a joint study by TV Time and United Talent Agency’s UTA IQ data and analytics group, titled “Beyond the Big Three,” that sought to determine awareness, purchase intent and how specific offerings will motivate consumer adoption. While almost half of respondents say they plan to add one of the upcoming streaming services, that number drops to 20% at the prospect of adding two new streaming services. One reason for this is likely that the emergence of these new options will not impact the subscribers of the big three current services—Netflix, Hulu and Amazon—as 70% said they were not “likely” or “very likely” to drop a current service. Another 70% of consumers also believe that these new additions will create an environment of too many streaming services and, as mentioned above, result in a bill more expensive than they would like.
It’s not just cost that some are skeptical about, other frustrations include the need to toggle between services (67% people cited this), the process of account setup and management (58%) and the inability to find content easily (45%). Consumers also shared that while subscription-only models are still the most popular (56%) compared to ad-supported models (44%), there are those willing to convert to ad-supported if it helps alleviate the cost of the service. As for what will be the biggest draw for consumers to a particular service, library content is more important than originals. What library content was available on the service was “important” or “very important” to 90% of respondents; originals earned 68% in those categories.
Panasonic Transparent OLED TV
Panasonic shows off its updated transparent OLED concept at IFA
The groundbreaking set has been developed in partnership with Swiss furniture brand Vitra and is a joint collaboration between Scandinavian based designer Daniel Rybakken and Panasonic Design Kyoto.
Once switched on the set magically displays content much like a regular OLED TV, with the aforementioned objects behind the display completely obscured.
The set appears to be a clear glass cabinet with a stylish, inch-thick wooden frame. With pictures and ornaments positioned behind the display during the demo, only a mild filtered surface belies the fact that the objects were in fact behind a TV display.
Once switched on the set magically displays content much like a regular OLED TV, with the aforementioned objects behind the display completely obscured.
Somehow all the prototype’s components have been cleverly and concealed within the wooden frame which doubles up as a stand. Also housed within the frame is a lightning element, which helps to further enhance the viewing experience. Transparent displays are by no means a new concept - Samsung demonstrated both mirror and transparent OLED displays as far back as 2015, only to cease production a year later, while LG have also produced see-through OLED screens that were also flexible.
Consumer Spending On Traditional Pay TV Drops 10% From 2018-21
Parks Associates report finds only internet video entertainment is holding its own. The average subscriber to standalone pay-TV service spent 10% less from 2016 to 2018, with consumers reporting monthly spending dropping from $84 to $76, according to new research from Parks Associates. "Traditional pay-TV providers (MVPDs) have faced continued subscriber losses due to increasing consumer choice from OTT services, so they are deploying skinny bundles and vMVPD services to create more choice among viewers," said Parks Associates President Elizabeth Parks. Packaged media, such as DVDs and Blu-ray discs, also have felt the sting of changing viewing habits. Spending on non-pay-TV home video entertainment, as reported by consumers, dropped 30% per month over the past seven years, from its peak in 2014 of $40 to just over $20 last year, said Parks Associates. Movie Theater spending, as well, fell 50% from 2014 to 2018, according to the research group.
"Subscription online video is the only growth category for consumer-paid video entertainment beyond pay TV,” said Brett Sappington, senior research director and principal analyst at Parks Associates. Among the other key findings in the new report: 20% of U.S. broadband households have no pay-TV service. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) for traditional pay-TV service is weaker than other content types. The average number of connected devices per broadband household in 2018—excluding smart home devices—reached 8.4. 12% of U.S. broadband households cut the pay-TV cord in 2018.
CBC mixes AR with subtle scenic elements for Olympic studio
Canadian broadcaster CBC worked closely with its scenic design partner to create a fresh, modern space that blends augmented reality with traditional scenic elements for its coverage of the Winter Olympics.
“The design for the PyeongChang Olympics was about creating a subtle backdrop for talent and graphics to tell a story. Because AR was going to be such a huge part of the broadcast, we wanted to make sure that the set was not distracting in any way,” said Kyle Sanvictores of AKA Creative. “Careful effort was made to create a framework that could support a variety of storytelling methods and allow the information to be displayed in a compelling and seamless way.”
Both spaces include a span of windows overlooking the Jeongseon Alpine Centre — something that proved to be challenging for both AKA and other broadcasters using similar setups at the IBC. In the end the team built its own window, just in front of the original window — equipped with a gimbal that allows it to be carefully angled to counteract reflection and daylight.
