4G to the rescue

The Verizon Wireless booth at CES was packed with technology demonstrations that showed how 4G wireless broadband could be used in a variety of situations.

The case shown here simulates how a headset would be used in a search and rescue event. Responders would be equipped with a small display and camera, so they could share what they see and be directed by each other or from a central manager.

The video screen shows an infrared image that would help rescuers find people in a dark or smoke-filled environment.

Another popular demo showed a "second screen" application where people at or near an event, such as a football game, could get get live stats and additional video feeds from he event.

By: Ric Manning On 1/12/2013

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Innergie's cable three-peat

I know this is pretty geeky, but the freebie from CES that I was happy to score was the Magic Cable from Innergie.

It's a short cable with a full-size USB plug at one end and three plugs at the other. The trio is made up of a classic Apple plug, a micro USB and a mini USB and they all collapse into each other. That means I can use one cable to charge almost anything in my bag-ogear: an iPod, iPhone 4, Android phone, Kindle ebook reader, mini speakers, or Bluetooth headphones.

The only device it won't charge is the new iPhone 5 and the folks at Innergie say a version with the new Lightning tip will be out in a couple of months.  The current version sells for about $20 online.

   

By: Ric Manning On 1/11/2013

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Hyper active at the Sanho booth

Sometimes it takes more than a guy with a microphone to draw a crowd to a CES booth for a product demonstration. The folks at the Sanho booth had no trouble attracting attention when the brought out these lovely painted ladies.

Sanho sells Hyper-brand data storage devices, primarily for Apple computers and devices. I'm not sure exactly how the girls connect to the Sanho product and they weren't talking.
 

By: Ric Manning On 1/11/2013

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Big phone, little tablet

Sparked by Samsung's success with the Galaxy Note, mobile phone makers are producing ever-larger handsets that split the difference between a phone and a tablet. 

Here's the Ascend Mate from Huawei, an Android phone with a 6.1-inch screen.

By: Ric Manning On 1/11/2013

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New at CES: a cassette player!

Here's something I haven't seen at CES in 20 years. ION's $70 cassette player isn't an ordinary Walkman. It has a USB port so you can digitize those mixtapes that old boyfriends made for you. 

By: Ric Manning On 1/10/2013

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It's how he rolls

Can't afford a Segway? The Solowheel is only $1,796, but you get only one wheel.

The description at solowheel.com says:

The Solowheel is the smallest, greenest, most convenient "People Mover" ever invented. This gyro-stabilized electric unicycle is compact and fun to ride and is intended to be used as you would use an electric bicycle.

By: Ric Manning On 1/09/2013

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LG takes the wide view

LG has a solution for desktops crowded with multiple monitors: a single display that has a 21:9 aspect ratio. It can show four windows at once or deliver a wide view of video game action.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone

By: Ric Manning On 1/09/2013

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Eyeball TV

A technology demonstration in the Haier booth lets viewers control a TV with their eyes. The initial version requires you to sit about two feet from the receiver.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone

By: Ric Manning On 1/09/2013

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Sony sports music player

Coming in March for $99 Sony's MP3 headset is waterproof up to two meters.

By: Ric Manning On 1/09/2013

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Easy rider

The Z-Board is long skateboard with an electric motor mounted under the deck. Put your weight on the front and it goes forward. Tilt back and it slips into reverse. 

The motor is powered by a rechargeable battery that gets a boost any time you hit the brakes. Released last summer, the board comes in two versions for $650 and $950.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone

By: Ric Manning On 1/08/2013

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Toilet training for techie tykes

Is this the solution for toilet training? Let the kiddos bring their iPad - just like Daddy.

By: Ric Manning On 1/08/2013

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Brain power

The girl on the left just launched the toy helicopter using her brain waves. She's wearing a version of the $99 NeuroSky headset to transmit to an iPad which controls the copter. 

I tried it and was also able to get the copter aloft. The secret, according to the NeuroSky folks, is to clear your head of distractions and focus on one thing, like math problems. 

The company says their  instruments measure brainwave EEG and heartbeat ECG signals to entertain, relax, detect, heal, and exercise the most vital of our organs.
 
I want a version that works with a lawn mower.

By: Ric Manning On 1/08/2013

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Easy-flying drone

The Livestreamer LS1 from Rotor Concepts sends live pilot-eye video to its controller from altitudes up to 1,500 feet. The $500 plane also has an autopilot mode and the ability to record what it sees at 720p HD. 

Here's what the company says: 

The LiveStreamer (LS1) has autopilot and remote start/stop recording from it’s on-board camera. "FPV technology puts you in the cockpit with the on-board camera feeding 720p live video back (up to 1,500 feet) to the radio which has a built-in 3.5” video screen so you can fly from the aircraft's point of view. 

Rotor Concept’s LS1 is a great way to begin flying with FPV technology. Comes almost ready to fly. Just plug the wings together, glue on the tail, charge the batteries and its ready to go!
 
Controller operates up to 2,500 feet distance. Flight time varies depending on wind environment (~15-30 mins). Able to lift 3 ounce payload (example: a GoPro HD
Hero 3 camera) Possible applications include law enforcement, public events, private investigations, film and entertainment productions, and real estate/property surveys.

By: Ric Manning On 1/08/2013

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Sony focuses on 4K TV and NFC wireless

Sony opened CES by introducing new 55- and 65-inch TVs that use 4K resolution along with several products that rely on Near Field Communication to stream audio and video. New products that will include NFC include portable speakers, video receivers, tablets, and a 1 terrabyte media server.


The photo shows a 55-inch version of the 4K TV.

By: Ric Manning On 1/07/2013

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A look back at CES

USAToday.com has a nice timeline that highlights products from past Consumer Electronics Shows, like the 1985 show where the Nintendo Entertainment System was launched.

Check it out at:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/Interactives/CES_history.htm

By: Ric Manning On 1/07/2013

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CES Preview: New gadgets big and small

A new year brings new high-tech products that promise to make our work lives more efficient and our home lives more entertaining. Many of those new gadgets will be on display this month in Las Vegas at CES, the annual trade show for the consumer electronics industry.

The show attracts more than 150,000 people and more than 3,000 exhibitors from around the world. They include big names like Sony and Panasonic as well as tiny startup companies hoping to show off a new invention.

Here's a quick look at a few of the new products I'll be looking for:

SpareOne's emergency mobile phone is powered by a standard lithium battery, so it can be stored for years yet always ready to use. It functions in severe heat or cold and it can work anywhere in the world except Japan or Korea.

Dell will be among several computer makers to show off new PCs that take advantage of Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system. Dell's XPS 12 is combines a laptop computer with a portable tablet. It has a full keyboard and a 12.5-inch screen mounted on a flip-hinge so the computer can easily switch from a desktop PC to a touch-screen tablet.

The Smart Communicator from a Korean company called Maneual helps you tend to your potted plants.
It senses the soil conditions and reports them to your computer or smartphone over your home Wi-Fi network.

The Musshoof GreenZero Charger is both a wall and a travel charger. It senses when your device
is fully charged and automatically turns off the juice.

Polaroid is one of several companies that will target children with tablet computers designed just for them. The Junior Kids Tablet is preloaded with child-friendly apps and videos and has built-in blocks that prevent kids from surfinng inappropriate content.

CES will again be a battleground for TV manufacturers promoting bigger, thinner, and sharper television screens.
This 90-inch LED model from Sharp will be among the largest.

Sony's lineup of new products includes a receiver that delivers all the functions of a smartphone to a 7-inch
display on  a car's dashboard. Using a technology called MirrorLink, the receiver displays apps,
plays music and allows hands-free phone calls.

 

The Find My Stuff (FMS) App and Wireless Tag System uses discretely designed Bluetooth tags with a smartphone app to keep consumers from losing valuable items such as bags, laptops, clothes and more.

 

Samsung and LG will be among the companies showing what's being called Ultra Definition 3D - sets that have a resolution that's about four times greater than standard high-definition sets - with super-sized price tags to match.

By: Ric Manning On 1/06/2013

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