CES Favorite Picks

As one of the more than 140,000 participants at CES, I sometimes felt like a lemming that I am going to flow from one to another show mostly in awe of the whole extravaganza. If it was cohesive theme had to be focused on the concept of digital integration. This is evident in the inter-connection of devices in lifestyle and environment for the workplace, home and car.

Microsoft is an impressive exhibition illustrates the concept of the best on-going presentations and the exhibition illustrates the integration of their software and services.

HP and other booths illustrate how digital technology can be used in any room in the house for convenience, comfort, productivity, safety and fun. Many exhibitors to solve only some aspects of integration opportunities. For example, there were many booths devoted to home security and remote second home applications such as sprinklers, garage doors, heating / cooling, hot tub / pool, lighting, video cameras and more. Some systems even use the integrated Windows Mobile device as a remote control.

an entire room was devoted to HD TV, video applications, furniture, sound, video games and systems installation. With the advent of widescreen HDTV, a whole new style of furniture and interior decoration was created with a home theater with special seating, sound systems, installation and connectivity issues.

By the way, I'd put my money on Blu-ray as the winner of the HD format war. Unless, at the time the dust settles, there is a brand new format available.

There are games galore with special controllers and furniture. Judging from the cacophony coming from a telephone, air guitar seemed to be popular, but it is wandering astray from the handheld computing world - well, not really. Hands-on Mobile in San Diego, CA, is currently offering Guitar Hero Mobile.

the car is definitely a new focus and a profit center for the integration of digital technologies. Ford and Microsoft have teamed up to offer voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, and GPS. For several years, Ford is offering Sirius satellite radio, but will now combine the MSN features such as emergency road, live traffic and road conditions, gas prices, guidance and redirection.

President of General Motors gave the keynote address suggests that GM has a few tricks up its sleeve as well. The rest of the automotive world will not be far behind.
What amuses me, however, that all these "new " feature was part of my car, the environment for years, thanks to my trusty Windows Mobile device with several peripheral devices. But I think the average person would prefer a more simple approach to integration with everything already built-in.

mobile computing devices

When I tried to get into everything, I'm sure I missed some wonderful things, because everything is just so overwhelming. However, I try to focus on two things: the new Windows Mobile devices and UMPCs.
I found several new WM6 devices, you'll see once I get a thorough evaluation units from Asus, Samsung, HP, Motorola, and Verizon. I was surprised that several new devices have been announced or released for the show. I'm not sure what HTC is doing and has never been able to catch up with them, but they are getting more and more closed-mouth now that they are working with carriers and marketing under its own name. Definitely the pick of the best new releases include the Motorola Q9h, Samsung shi760, a new power iPAQ Windows Mobile 6 standard edition.

Since my article about UMPCs when they first appeared a few years ago, I have been watching to see if they will survive. While they are not and will not replace the Pocket PC, and they have established a respectable niche in the market. I was thrilled to see a few new models available.

I will be receiving units from Samsung and Asus for review and will share my findings soon. Suffice it to say for now that both companies have listened to user input and respond accordingly. You can look forward to many improvements and innovations in the development platform.

In addition to big name brands such as Sony, Panasonic, and so on, there are hundreds of booths in the Hilton and the Sands region with a smaller producer wannabees exhibiting some mild, but you have to dig for them. Therefore, I found several manufacturers of large Windows Mobile devices, and some really innovative UMPCs, which I hope to receive for review, as well.

As for the peripherals to our dear friend's pocket, I found a few gems that I will do my part of the permanent pack.

Hands-free driving and music

I'm always on the lookout for a good Bluetooth headsets and headphones. I found that the Jabra booth. My favorite is the Jabra BT8030 Bluetooth speaker and headphones. This is the first combination that is unique in the market. You can remove the headset, open them, and they become speakers that emit sound from the Zire Power Bass for a surprisingly full and rich sound environment. These are a must have in my mobile package.

My only criticism of this otherwise brilliant product that you can not charge via USB connection. However, you can expect up to 32 hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 600 hours of standby time. They weigh less than 11 ounces. suggested retail price is $ 250, but shop around and you can probably do better.

I'm always on the lookout for a comfortable BT headset that will not fall out of the ear that is light and not too ugly. Jabra has come to the rescue again with its new JX20 Pura, elegantly crafted tiny titanium headset designed by Jacob Jensen famous Danish designer. It weighs less than a bird's beak, so that you do not even know it's there. You can listen to music with him too when not talking on the phone.

His Charger is a work of art that will grace your desktop too. You can expect up to six hours of talk time, and can be recharged in your car, or via USB, and AC. sound quality is superb, and there is an automatic volume control.

This stylish device will set you back as much as $ 179, which is a bit expensive considering that you can buy a Bluetooth headset now for as little as $ 30, but you get what you pay for.

Mobile Video just got better

One of my all-time favorite applications is getting better and better. I can not imagine life without my Slingbox and SlingPlayer for my Windows Mobile device that allows me to see my favorite live and recorded TV shows anywhere in the world, with no monthly fees.

The reason I say it just got better with the newly released Pro HD, you can watch full HD streaming and access to multiple video sources. You can use it for streaming HD video around your home to your desktop or laptop too. SlingCatcher will be soon, and this will allow access to the video output from any home video sites on the Internet.

SlingPlayer 2.0 now comes with Clip + Sling, a program that lets you record and send video scissors, that is fun and very useful. Congratulations SlingMedia as one of the truly innovative companies in the digital universe.

Video Glasses

I have another favorite choice for CES MyVu.com, as watching video solution for mobile devices. Although the company seems to be hung up on iPods, also offers a universal viewer that is supposed to work with all the video output of your portable devices. What you get for $ 199 is the glasses that projects the video output as if he was viewing the 27 inch screen. This is a wonderful concept, but I'm not sure yet just what you can project. It was such a mess in the booth that I could not get any satisfactory answers.

My viewing experience was that the picture is a small, isolated, and does not include low resolution. It could be that the game I was watching was not up to par as far as production is concerned, but what I saw left something to be desired.

Now if you could see the output screen of your Windows Mobile device and all it shows the same definition that appears in the palm of your hand, it will be worth gadget indeed.

My.Vu Crystal offers 701, which is elegantly hand-free viewing eyeware device with a headset and a VGA resolution, USB rechargeable battery with up to 4 hours of viewing time.
There is also the nuances of 301 models with umbrellas up to 10 hours of viewing time. You can also get Edge301, which is more compact design for hands-free headsets and watching the 4 hour rechargeable battery. Check it out at www. myvu.com.

As I progressed through the show, I noticed that there were other similar devices. In fact, there are many competitors in this market, but none as established as the MyVu. Another athlete who seemed a good solution is to Vuzix, the company that produces consumer video eyewear, medical devices, and tactical-display goods for the army.

VR920 device simulates a 62 "viewing screen, but it costs $ 399.95. the ultimate model costs $ 999.00. What a great way to improve the mini-screen on your handheld device. Obviously, this is a winning program that extends limits of Windows Mobile devices screens.

mobile scan and print

I recently submitted an article Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine about some of the tools I recommend for mobile productivity. I mentioned a portable scanner and printer that I will try to avoid toting unless I know for certain I will need them. This was before CES and my discovery of an incredible couple of products from PLANON DocuPen with your printer and thin.

I almost passed this stand as I had my eye on a fancy robot down the aisle when the attractive woman asked me if I ever heard the DocuPen. She was waving what could be a high-tech wand at me that Harry Potter would be proud to own. It looked something like a huge ball point pen.

demonstration blew me away, for all you have to do is wave over any document or graphic, and it will record it in black and white, grayscale, or 24-bit color.

It comes with the PaperPort software to scan, weighs 1.75 grams, runs on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and has a micro-SD expansion card for additional storage. Universal charger and headphones is good for up to 55 charges when the power source is not available.

Pairing DocuPen Printstik PS900 with Bluetooth, you have a powerful mobile solution. Of course, you can also submit a scanned image on your Windows Mobile device if you want to use it in a PowerPoint presentation or e-mail to. Of course, you can print the images already in your mobile device too.

PrintStick is only 1 "x 1.9" x 11 "and weighs 1.9 pounds including thermal paper and cartridge. prints up to 3 ppm at 8, 5 "wide sheets. cartridge will print 20 8.5 x 11 inch pages. Power options include AC 120-240, 12/24V DC, and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
suggested retail price is $ 299 for each unit. Accessories are extra. In any case, this winning combination could be worth its weight in gold on the road in emergency situations. I am glad that the lady gave up her wand at me and I did not turn into a pumpkin. Check it out at.

magicJack

I have one amazing little device to share with you that impressed me, although it is not exactly the handheld realm. It is magicJack, a unique VoIP solution. We have all heard of Vonage and Skype, without a doubt, but with magicJack comes with a completely new approach to VoIP. Imagine a little box about the size of the package of strike anywhere matches with a USB male plug extending from it.

Simply plug it into any PC USB port, plug a regular analog phone into the other end, and start talking. Local and long distance calls are free. This phone system has all the bells and whistles you'd expect from an expensive fixed account, such as voicemail, call waiting and caller ID. It even has call forwarding, so you can forward calls to your mobile phone, which justifies its inclusion in this article, I think.

only cost involved is to purchase the device for $ 39.95, which includes the first year of service. With each account, you get a real phone number that people can call in the usual manner with any phone from anywhere. After that, it's $ 19.95 a year, not monthly, yearly. Never pay the phone company again!

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