By the time you read this, I will have hopefully recovered from my annual trek to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). For those of you who are not familiar with CES, here is the official definition from their press release:
With 1.8 million net square feet of exhibit space - the largest show floor in its history - and over 140,000 attendees from across the globe experiencing the latest consumer technology products from 2,700 exhibitors, the 2007 International CES reinforced its status as the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow. Produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) and celebrating its 40th anniversary, the 2007 International CES ran January 8-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"The 2007 International CES succeeded beyond our expectations," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. "It had buzz and optimism and attracted the world leaders of the content, technology and services, communications and automobile industries."
The CES show floor buzzed with more than 20,000 exciting product launches and major partnership announcements, spanning across industries and connecting consumers with more features, services and control of the content incorporated into electronic devices. A new convergence of CE devices emerged on the show floor, combining existing product categories with new digital content and services to create unique, multi-functional products.
"We had a record-breaking show with 2,700 exhibitors filling more than 1.8 million net square feet of show space," said Karen Chupka, senior vice president of events and conferences at CEA. "The shift of our high-performance audio and home theater exhibitors to the Venetian, the 23 Tech Zones and the focus on qualified trade attendees combined to produce what many called the best ever International CES. We also set a record with international attendance of over 26,000."
The official/non-official buzz word for this year was "WOW" and in some areas that was pretty descriptive. Take for instance the 108" Sharp TV... yup, that's correct 108" a real WOW to see... but I'm not sure that too many of us will pony up the cost (not set yet) for it. On the other hand, I found it interesting as one blogger put it: The show was not about prices, of course, no matter how much they were discussed in meetings between retailers and manufacturers.
The CES was supposed to be a showcase for retailers looking for the latest high-tech products that will lure consumers to the store. Watch for Powerline plugs that will use a home's existing wires to move digital content, including HDTV programs or movies, around the house. Loads of hand-held video players are coming, along with new digital cameras that offer even more automated functions to improve pictures. (Kodak hinted at a mode to remove the glow-eye from pet pictures.)
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates set the CES stage Sunday night with his tenth keynote appearance. He shared how the company is delivering on the promise of the "Connected Experience." which Gates characterized as the most important release of Windows ever, will make it easier, safer and more fun to use the PC and will play a central role in the experience. Through Windows Vista, Microsoft Office and Windows Live, consumers will connect to multiple devices and access live services, such as real-time weather and traffic reports. With Windows Media Center and Windows Vista, sports enthusiasts can enjoy real-time games, scores and alerts and digital photos can be edited, organized or burned to DVD all within the Windows Photo Gallery. Gates announced that more than 1.5 million devices are compatible with Windows Vista and previewed new PCs from multiple manufacturers and a Windows Home Server, all powered by Windows Vista.
I was able to play with a full-on Vista Ultimate equipped PC and continued to be impressed with it's features as I indicated in a previous column. Robbie Bach, Microsoft president of entertainment devices, introduced Microsoft advancements in music, mobile phones, gaming and television - or "Connected Entertainment." Hardware, software and services are coming together with the Zune, Microsoft phones and gaming. More than 200 million people play games on Windows, he reported, making Windows the number one platform for games. In the console space, Bach announced that 10.4 million consoles had sold in 37 countries through 2006. IPTV, which Microsoft first announced two years ago, is now supported by numerous telecommunications companies around the world and will connect with the Xbox 360 to allow seamless communication with friends while watching TV and other advanced features.
For his final announcement, Gates was joined on stage by Ford Motor Company's Mark Fields, to introduce the Microsoft-Ford "Sync" partnership, which promises to take the connected experience to the car. Microsoft auto software will connect devices into the vehicle allowing consumers to sync calls and other content with their car audio system. The fully upgradeable technology will be available in a dozen Ford car models this year.
Sorry to pour cold water on a Microsoft "goodie" but, despite their famously deep pockets and well-documented commitment to the success of its first digital music player, the Zune, Microsoft has so far not created anywhere near the buzz of iTunes. To make matters worse for MS, in a standing-room-only press conference, Eli Harari, the chief executive of SanDisk, announced the introduction of its latest digital music player, the Sansa Connect, and set it on a head-to-head collision with the Zune. Like the Zune, the Sansa Connect is WiFi–enabled, meaning that it, like the Zune, can wirelessly access music. Unlike the Zune, the Connect is svelte and contoured and is swallowed up by most pockets.
The player is expected to be available in the United States in late March and will cost $250. See: http://tinyurl.com/y32u3d for more details.
As you can imagine, trying to see what 2700 exhibitors had to offer was impossible, so I took advantage again this year of my favorite event during CES week, Showstoppers. This event showcases audio hardware & software, Bluetooth & broadband technologies, car audio, computer hardware & software, vehicle telematics & navigation, digital TV/HDTV, ecommerce, electronic gaming, global positioning systems, handheld information devices, home theater, home networks & shared access appliances, healthcare, home and business security gear, Internet applications & services, mobile electronics, MP3/Internet audio, personal electronics, digital photography, robotics, speech technology, telephony, VOIP, video hardware & software, WiFi and WiMAX technologies, and the wireless life and business. AND, the number of exhibitors allows time to see some of the most interesting new things that are being introduced without having to plod through the 140,000 attendees that always seem to be going in the opposite direction I am. To give you a feel for some of these goodies, I have picked one from each of the five categories Showstoppers used this year. They are:
- Audio, Video, Digital & Interactive Entertainment
- Computers, Cameras, Printers & Digital Media
- Productivity Tools, Security Tools & Software
- Startup Pavilion
- Wireless, Mobility, Communications & Home Automation
For each, I have included a short explanation and an URL so you can find out more. Here goes.
1. The dream machine... if you are a gamer, you will love this one. Because the Dream Machine Simcon requires the player to use their whole body, in order to control any game, using it to control the player's game of choice makes that game far more immersive, far more exciting, and that means far more fun!
Every gamer who has used the Dream Machine Simcon has declared it the best way to play any interactive game. Check out www.thedreammachinecontroller.com
2. Kingston Technology Releases microSD Dual Adapter Pack to Maximize Mobile Flash Card Ease of Use, Flexibility. This is a super idea, you can use most of your gadgets with this one.
For more on it, visit http://tinyurl.com/ykv3tx
3. RoboForm2Go
- It runs from USB disk and it attaches to browser from outside.
- No installation to the client computer required.
- Works even if software installs are prohibited.
- When USB disk is pulled out, RF detaches from the browser.
- All passwords are stored on USB drive, not on client computer.
If you are already using RoboForm, this lets you take it with you! If you haven't tried it, click on main at the top left of this page to see how it works. Visit: http://tinyurl.com/pv45f
4. With the Touch of a Button, Backup-Pal™
Is the First Device to Back Up and Restore Contacts of Virtually Any Cellular Phone. For more on this innovative newcomer, visit: www.backup-pal.com/press
5. If you are thinking of getting a VOIP phone... here's the way to do it right... 8x8 Inc provider of Packet8 broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communication services, has introduced its next generation consumer videophone solution, a one-of-a-kind broadband phone adapter with a built-in LCD screen that turns any regular home phone into a state-of-the-art, full motion videophone. Visit: www.packet8.net for more on it.
That's almost it, but just in case all of the above is too serious or technical for you, visit: http://tinyurl.com/y8zeud where you can get a chuckle or two reviewing the Ugly Babies of CES!
And, that IS it for now, until next time, when I'll cover more of the CES goodies, have fun with all those computer and electronic gadgets, but remember to be careful out there on the 'net!
Aloha, Lou
