Latest gadgets come alive in quirky Demo show

ByABC News
September 26, 2007, 10:34 PM

SAN DIEGO -- At the fall Demo conference here, an Irish games maker wants to lower your stress, one start-up is aiming to improve even just a little the lousy videos you shoot on your cellphone, and yet another harnesses new Web technology to help you learn a foreign language.

They are among about 70 hand-picked companies making pitches at Demo, a showcase for new technologies that has launched products such as the Palm Pilot and TiVo.

I can't say which, if any, of these young hopefuls will have the lasting impact of those famous alumni. Many Demo grads are never heard from again. But as usual there were intriguing technologies on display. Among the companies to watch:

Fun stress relief.

Can you out-relax an opponent? The Irish company Vyro Games' PIP (Personal Input Pod) is a teardrop-shaped, keychain-size gadget that uses biofeedback and Bluetooth technology to wirelessly control game play on a cellphone, PC or game console. In one mood-based game, the player who is the most relaxed can see his or her dragon outrace an opponent. In another you can calm the weather. The PIP biosensor, which measures your sweat, is expected out in 2008. No price yet.

Simple 3D.

SceneCaster is built around the vision that the masses can create and share 3D Web environments. You can build a 3D scene to tell a story, test out designs or for marketing purposes. The Canadian company's "social media" application and online community site works in Facebook and is integrated with Google's 3D Warehouse downloadable 3D furniture, people, etc. My initial instinct is that the market for such a service is limited. But who would have predicted how many people hang out in such virtual worlds as Second Life?

What the doctor ordered?

Think about the forms you fill out at the doctor's office. What drugs do you take? Family medical history? Have insurance?

New York City start-up Phreesia wants to automate check-in. Phreesia is giving docs free lightweight, wireless laptop-size orange touchpads; the doctors hand them to patients in lieu of traditional clipboards when they arrive at the office. Pads are paid for by sponsored advertisements. Phreesia tested the devices with 300 doctors.