Consumer Electronics Show Gadget Roundup
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2007— -- The party's over. This year's Consumer Electronics Show has come to an end and Las Vegas will never be the same -- well, until next January when the show returns of course.
This year's show was really about industry trends, HDTVs, next generation DVDs and a ton of computers and other software and hardware products for Microsoft's upcoming Windows Vista release.
But a show this big -- almost every major hotel on the strip had some kind of CES event this week -- can't be pigeonholed. Hidden behind the massive plasmas and glossy cell phones were a number of cool high tech gadgets.
Some are already on the market and some won't see daylight for some time, but we've rounded up seven of what we thought were some of the coolest and most innovative products seen this week into one easy to understand guide to cool.
Sony VAIO TP1 Living Room PD Digital Living System
Sony's new VAIO living room PC lets you make the most of Windows Vista and all of the new media functions that come with it.
A full PC in a round white package, the TP1 doesn't look like most computers on the market today, but does everything you'd expect or want from one and more. A wireless keyboard and remote control let you operate all of the PC's many functions.
Hook up the TP1 to your HDTV via an HDMI or analog cable and watch and record live TV just like a DVR thanks to the device's built-in TV tuners, or surf the Web wirelessly using its built-in LAN technology.
Store your favorite TV shows and movies on the device's 300 gigabyte hard drive, or burn DVDs and CDs with the TP1's DVD burner.
Of course you can also install and use all the games and applications you'd normally enjoy on your home computer and all for about $1,600.
LG Electronics Blu-ray/HD DVD Dual Format Player
The Super Model Blue Player could be the answer for many consumers thinking about upgrading to a next generation DVD player, but who are hesitant to commit to Blu-ray or HD DVD technology.
With the ability to play both DVD formats, LG Electronics is hoping to cash in on some of the confusion surrounding what's commonly referred to as the next generation DVD war.
While Warner Bros. recently unveiled a hybrid DVD that can be played in both HD DVD and Blu-ray players, when you consider that the player's constitute most of the cost when making the upgrade, LG may have cooked up the secret sauce to get wars raging.
Fujitsu PalmSecure
Security is a big issue in the age of computers and Internet and the latest incarnation of Fujitsu's PalmSecure technology aims to ensure no one can access your computer but you.
A small device that attaches to a PC via a USB port reads the unique vein patterns in the users palm to unlock the computer for use. If it's not your hand, it won't unlock.
PalmSecure represents a more secure and more sanitary biometric security device than many other similar products and unless a sneaky genetic scientist who wants access to your computer clones you're hand, you're documents are pretty safe.
Sony OLED Prototypes
OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode. That's a mouthful, but what it means is super thin, ultra high definition LED displays.
Though Sony was only showing off prototypes of the technology, the displays drew huge crowds to the company's booth, as attendees were hypnotized by the clarity, color and form factor of the sets.
Because OLED displays don't use much power but deliver a great picture, they're perfect for cell phones, especially as those phones include an increasing number of multi-media functions.
Sony wasn't saying when we'll start seeing these beauties on the market, but their research and development department is hard at work to get OLED TVs out of the lab and into the hands and homes of consumers.
Pepper Pad 3
A handheld portable computer that's smaller than a laptop but bigger than a smartphone, the Pepper Pad 3 integrates a ton of functions into an attractive package.
Browse the Web, download, play, import and export videos music and photos listen to streaming Internet radio or read a book in the device's eBook library.
Stay in touch with friends and family via instant messaging or e-mail or play one of the seven pre-loaded casual games.
The Pepper Pad 3 will even act as a remote control from your TV, DVR stereo and more. It's like a technological Swiss Army knife!
WildCharger
Sick of carrying around a ton of chargers for you're cell phone, media player and other rechargeable devices? Enter WildCharger, a truly "wild" device.
Just take any mobile electronic device enabled with a WildCharger adapter or attach one to a product that doesn't already have the technology, and place it on the WildCharger pad – a paper-thin strip that lives on any flat surface.
That's it. Whether it's a cell phone, a portable game system or virtually any rechargeable device, the WildCharger will replenish the product's battery. You can even place multiple devices on the pad with different power needs.
Apple iPhone
OK, so this wasn't a product appearing at CES, but you can't talk about gadgets this week without talking about Apple's iPhone announced at their MacWorld Expo in San Francisco, Calif.
The iPhone is like having a complete Apple computer in your pocket but cooler. Using the same "candy bar" design that's been so popular with their iPod media players, the device is almost all screen with just one button that returns users to the main menu when tapped. Most of the device's real estate is taken up by a 3.5 inch touch screen that users simply user their fingers to interact with.
Of course the iPhone makes calls, but it also houses all of the features of an iPod including music and media playback, photo viewing and storage as well as full Web browsing with Safari, text messaging and even e-mail.