The Consumer Electronics Show erupted like the volcano at the Mirage, and I, along with a 1000 or more media attendees, were there to watch and learn about all the new goodies. The official opening was on Thursday 8 Jan but CES always does what the entertainment industry calls a “soft” opening on Tuesday. Continuing during the week with press events like PEPCOM, ShowStoppers and Lunch at Pieros. Then there is press day on Wednesday where all the big press conferences, like Samsung, Sony, Cisco, and Casio happen. These are really huge and that’s why the smaller ones which feature a much smaller number of exhibitors and allow for time to check out the new stuff are usually more productive.BTW, for those interested in numbers, here is the official CES statement.
More than 2,700 global companies, including 300 new exhibitors, unveiled an estimated 20,000 new technology products across 1.7 million net square feet of exhibit space this week at the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, electrifying the technology industry and helping lead the way to economic recovery. New trends unveiled at the 2009 CES will shape the future of consumer electronics, including 3D HDTV, advances in OLED, green technologies, Internet TV and digital entertainment.
So, with all that to see and sort out, what I have done is pick items I personally like having seen them and talked with folks from the companies. I’ve generally used some of the info provided and then, made my own comments. Next time, I’ll have some additional picks after I have a chance to check out some additional ones on their way via the USPS. BTW, I haven't tried to cover TVs as everyone had some , most had lots and picking one really involves a lot of personal decisions. There is a lot of good technical advise available on the 'net, e.g. Kim Komando has some excellent articles
First up is one of my continuing favorites, Diskeeper.
No substitute for keeping your PC running smoothely…here’s what they say: The one investment that pays for itself many times over in restored performance and hardware life is Diskeeper with InvisiTasking. Once installed, Diskeeper invisibly and automatically maintains performance from that day forward. Performance is consistently maximized, hardware life is lengthened and costly upgrades and refreshes are delayed. Diskeeper is the IT solution for tough financial times. Diskeeper 2009 features automatic defragmentation, which means fragmentation is now solved as it occurs, in real time. It is possible to defragment hard drives without clumsy or long maintenance processes. Scheduled defragmentation processes (robbing valuable IT hours) are a thing of the past. And, with the new InvisiTasking technology, defragmentation is done transparently. There is now zero resource conflict because Diskeeper 2009 only utilizes untapped, unused resources to defrag your volumes. PC performance and productivity are never impacted by the consolidation of free space on your drives. http://www.diskeeper.com/
Next, after you keep your PC running like a champ, what about the old saw, backup, backup, backup? The best solution (read easiest) I have seen is the series of ClickFree products.
These consist of several options which include hard drives that go as big as 1TB! My personal favorite is the little purple fella at the bottom right of the picture. It lets you use your own HD and works the same way as the other media …plug it in and it does the job automatically, so you now have no excuse for not backing up! Check out the features at http://www.goclickfree.com/
DLink had quite a few products including the latest, fastest home routers, but I liked the wireless cameras for security. The D-Link Wireless G Internet Camera (DCS-920) connects to an Ethernet or wireless network to enable remote high-quality video recording. 802.11g wireless technology allows you to place the DCS-920 in places that were previously inaccessible such as ceiling and walls. Access and control the DCS-920 using any Java-enabled browser, then instantly take snapshots or record directly from the Web browser to a local hard drive. http://www.dlink.com/
This one surprised me…I hadn’t thought about locks, but this story got my attention:
The other day I missed the repairman as I was held up at the doctor's. And, as I suppose many of you know, it's hard enough getting these people to come by in the first place, let alone a second! My husband and I struggle to juggle these commitments as we're not comfortable giving out our keys to strangers. But sometimes you just have to. But I don't want the cleaners going into our bedroom and my husband doesn't like strangers going into the office room. What's the solution? We can't put locks on every door, for there's always the danger of my child unknowingly locking himself in or us out! The solution is Schlage Locks who have recently developed an ingenious solution to this problem by creating an electronic keypad lock and deadbolt for our homes, both indoor and outdoor. The keypad allows access via a four-digit code that can be customized so members of your family, guests, nannies, and service providers can all access your home using different codes! Each code (up to 19 on each lock!) can be easily set up for a new person or deactivated if you no longer want someone to have access to your house. No more keeping track of spare keys, sending your children to school with a key around their necks, or changing the entire lock if you have a flame out with a nanny. Schlage Electronic Keypad Locks also provide relief from the rare occasions when you are locked out of the house or your child arrives home unexpectedly - without you there.
They also have a model that allows you to open your lock via your cell phone or laptop! http://consumer.schlage.com/electronics/default.asp
I grew up looking at Rand McNally maps!
But over the years as I started to use a computer, I kind of forgot about that brand…turns out, they have a lot to offer when it comes to finding a route…matter of fact they just happen to have the most extensive library of maps for anywhere you might want to find…more than google or yahoo would you believe. So next time you are looking for directions, try them. http://www.randmcnally.com/
I have been using a Lexmark all-in-one printer for a long time and was interested in seeing the new wireless X7675 at the Lunch at Pieros event.
I want one! If you're in the market for a new wireless machine, take a look at the X7675… Lots of info on this particular model as well as others at
http://www.lexmark.com/ 
I’ve been using Skype for free calls around the world, computer to computer for several years. I also subscribe for $29.99 a year, so I can call any phone in N America. This includes video calls. The quality of these calls has always been excellent. Now, Skype has expanded with mobile service. Here is what they say: Skype (http://www.skype.com/) is focused on enabling consumers to connect to Skype™ whenever, wherever and however they choose, while at the same time, making the Skype user experience even better than ever for the more than 370 million registered Skype users worldwide. To achieve these goals, Skype has released a trial lite version of Skype for Android™-powered mobile phones, beginning with the T-Mobile G1™. In addition, Skype has also introduced an advanced trial of a lite version of Skype for more than 100 other Java-enabled mobile phones from the world’s top five handset manufacturers – Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and LG. By merging the world’s leading Internet communications software with mobile phones, users who have a data plan for their cell phones, will now be able to stay in touch with their Skype contacts wherever they are, without the need for a smartphone or a WiFi connection. Plus, as mobile devices get more powerful (e.g., by adding processing power and memory), get larger screens and battery life becomes less of an issue, the company is now able to bring the full functionality of Skype – free voice AND video calling – to these devices. To address this emerging market opportunity, the company has also released the first version of Skype software for Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) powered by Intel’s Atom processor. With bigger screens and faster wireless connectivity, MIDs will enable Skype users to experience an excellent mobile video calling experience.
Small is good! Asus continues to stay in front of the pack, IMHO, with their 8.9 inch net books.
There are lots out there; I haven’t had a chance to try one of these Asus models for any length of time, but hopefully I will in the near future. I’ll keep you posted. Here is a product description: Embrace easy, excellent and exciting computing with Eee PC 904HA. Specifically designed for those who are constantly on the move and require a portable productivity companion, the Eee PC 904HA delivers a generous storage capacity in the form of 160GB SATA hard disk drives. The 8.9 display provides comfortable viewing, and a full QWERTY keyboard makes for easier typing and relaxing usage. Built-in camera ensures users stay in touch with the important ones. User friendly XP is pre-loaded. ZBD Guaranteed for best quality LCD. Content includes Eee PC, battery, AC adapter, sleeve case, manual and recovery CD. http://www.asus.com/
In that case is even smaller “gooder”? maybe so, as Sony announced at their press conference their new Vaio P Series ultra-compact notebook that has some good specs and an interesting design.
The tagline is that the P Series is the lightest 8 inch notebook in the world. Here is what Sony says about their latest: The world’s lightest 8" notebook, the 1.4-pound2 VAIO® P Series Lifestyle PC does more than you could imagine–with impeccable style. Email at the airport, IM from the park, or just show it off when you want some attention. Traveling to a new city? Turn-by-turn GPS navigation will get you there faster. Best of all, it fits right in your purse or jacket pocket. Pocket or purse, I guess that’s where the “P” comes from?
And finally, there are lots of photo sharing programs around, but I think this may be the easiest I have seen; besides, with Memeo Share you get 1GB totally free, there is no trial and no credit card required. Check it out and download at: http://www.memeo.com/memeoshare.php
That’s it for this time; stay tuned for more on CES and have fun checking all of the above sites…and remember to keep safe out there in www land.
Aloha, Lou
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