Archive for January, 2008
Join Mio C720t is one cool GPS
I believe I mentioned a few days ago an accident that occurred with a GPS device and an oncoming train. Just to let you know, I was able to use a GPS device to get me from where I was to CES 2008 in Las Vegas without any trouble.
While I CES, I found a GPS that was absolutely awesome: the Mio C720t. At first it seems like the C720t was just your average, run-of-the-mill GPS with a 4.3 inch TFT, landscape orientation, and text to speech. Blah, blah, blah, don’t all GPS devices have those?
However, the Mio C720t has some pretty amazing features. For example, the 2 Megapixel Digital Camera. I don’t know if there are many GPS devices with cameras, but I would have to say that this camera is unique. This one allows you to Geotag photographs, which will include the longitude and latitude coordinates.
The C720t also has some really fresh multimedia action, and is completely Bluetooth compatible. The C720t package also comes with real time traffic alerts, as well as 3 months of free service.
I believe that the Mio C720t was just released, and is the pride of the Mio collection. I believe the suggested retail price is about $499.
Belkin Flywire makes splash at CES 2008
At CES, I went to the Belkin booth and found M:i:III playing on a bigscreen TV. At first I was not that impressed (with the movie and the display), but then I found out that the 1080p Cinema quality was playing completely without wires.
I was then told a device was in motion called the FlyWire, a device that allows for the placement of your HDTV television anywhere, and transmits your content wirelessly. The content for the demonstration was Blu-ray, but I’m guessing it can do a DVD or HD DVD.
Continue reading » Belkin Flywire makes splash at CES 2008
Tannoy PSP Speaker System
While at CES, I got a chance to talk to the nice people of Tannoy. If you haven’t heard of Tannoy, they do a lot of work with speakers. I am told that several of the speakers on the Las Vegas strip were manufactured by them, so they are experts at making things loud.
They also showed me their PSP Speaker System, and it was equally impressive. It works by simply plugging the PSP into the device itself, and then you plug the other end into the video out. By the way, this will recharge your PSP as you use it.
Yes, this device isn’t really designed for the gaming aspect of a PSP, but rather to play UMD video files. And believe you me, it plays them very well. It puts out a power output of 50 watts, and I was encouraged to turn it up loud, as will you. The surround sound is pretty impressive from such a small device.
Continue reading » Tannoy PSP Speaker System
The Mr Clock Radio Choir
We wrote about Mr Clock Radio back in October 2007, I find them over at CES and yhey also had a very cool display of 5 of them singing together (sort of).
Can’t see the video? Click here.
You can find further info about Mr. Clock Radion in our original post, though I’m now holding out for the full Mr Clock Radio harmonizing choir.
Radar snoops your kids’ cellphone
The RADAR system is designed to let parents keep an eye on their kids’ cellphone activity. You start by installing their software on the phone (it supports most of the major platforms and more are on the way) and signing up for an account on the website www.mymobilewatchdog.com. Once you’ve done that, the phone sends a copy of every text or photo sent and received to your (i.e. the parent’s) cell, plus you get a record of phone calls made and received.
The system as demonstrated seemed to work pretty well and the website gives you lots of options to whitelist/blacklist contacts so you don’t get bothered every time the child contacts a known/trusted friend.
To assuage privacy fears the software puts a screensaver up every 24 hours that has to be acknowledged, to let the user know that their phone is being monitored ("Protected by RADAR").
I’m in two minds about this one. The system seems reasonably priced at $9.95/month and does what it says on the tin, but I think it’s a sad world that considers it necessary.
CES 2008 WoW Wee Flutterby and Fairyfly
Not all girls are into helicoptors, planes and other such microflying toys, so WoW Wee have now come up with two fairly girly options; Flutterby and Fairyfly.
Both charge on a hand held charging unit and take about 10 seconds or so to charge up and then fly for 20 seconds (Flutterby) and 5 minutes (Fairyfly).
The Flutterby can be used either indoors or outdoors and whilst not directly controllable via the handset, it will fly in a random circular pattern and, if the wind carries it, could go quite high.
Fairyfly can only be used indoors and is directed by the hand held remote control, which is perfectly suited to small hands.
Retailing at MRSP $24.99 for the Flutterby and MRSP $34.99 for the Fairyfly and available from Wowee.
Neosonik show working HD Audio / Video
Last year I wrote about Neosonik, who were trumpeting a Wireless HD home theatre solution. Unfortunately they had show gremlins and couldn’t demonstrate the video at the time.
I went back today to check up on progress, and guess what? It really works. I saw "Casino Royale" in 1080p, coming from a blu-ray source. Let me recap that, in case you glossed over it: 1080p high definition video with audiophile grade 5.1 surround (the system supports 7.2), without wires. OK, so you do need to run power to the speakers but that’s it.
The unassuming plastic box in the photo is the picture receiver module which plugs into the HDMI port on the TV. Range is about 200 feet.
Neosonik are running a few demo systems here at CES in adjacent rooms, which not only demonstrates that they actually have a working and reliable product but also that they can run in close proximity without interference. Handy if your neighbour gets one too!
Availability and price? Sometime this year, and since they’re going after the high-end market you can probably expect a price tag with 5 figures when it comes out.
Latest Tech News – 7 January
SlingPlayer for BlackBerry – Almost there…
Sling Media will show a demo of the SlingPlayer for BlackBerry at CES 2008, and hopefully, the software will be released to the public before 2009.
In case you don’t know, SlingPlayer is a software that enables users to watch live TV on their own BlackBerry smartphone, be it with 3G or WiFi technology. The price to watch television on the go is $30.
If you’re at CES (I’m talking to you, Al) keep an eye on Sony’s booth because they will show a demo.
Continue reading » Latest Tech News – 7 January
