Mike at CES - Day 4 & Wrap-Up/Follow-Up

[Mike Ungerman]

Sunday was a wrap-up day. See the areas of the show that I just couldn't get to during the week. And, of course, to see how much swag could be acquired as many of the booths at the show were starting to pack up within the last hour. Hewie and I compared our collections in the afternoon. See the pictures at:

CES2009 - Day4

I also received a PC Magazine email today on returning to Orlando. It's a link to their photo blog (we certainly couldn't cover everything)

http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/0,1206,l%253D235518%2526a%253D235517...

In future comments to this posting, I plan on going back through my notes and commenting on specific items and gadgets that impressed me. I'll also review some of the hardware and software that was given to me as a member of the press. So look for the entry showing comments to this posting and visit when a new one is up.

[Mike Ungerman]

DAVE'S TOP TEN: CES 2009 EDITION

This is a compilation of products and services that Dave Graveline and the “Into Tomorrow” Team selected as our Top Ten Picks at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. This listing is in no particular order and while there were MANY cool things that we talked about during our CES broadcasts and wanted to honor this year, below are the coolest that we found and awarded on "Into Tomorrow". Click on the product name to visit their website for more details.

http://www.graveline.com/topten.html

[Mike Ungerman]

Cell-Mate: An unusual way to wear your cell phone

I'll have to admit that this is the most unusual way to use your cell phone and avoid an earphone. But as cell phones get smaller and smaller, it actually seems to make sense.

From Cell-Mate's web site:

This new product brings the ultimate in simplicity and function to your cell phone. It provides hands free operation while maintaining all the functionality and sound quality that your phone can offer. Simply attach your phone to the Cell-Mate, slide it over your head, and you're ready to go! There are no plugs or batteries to worry about, no loss of sound quality due to an aftermarket speaker, no Bluetooth signals to sync, just your phone like you've always known it...now hands free! Plus the lightweight adjustable Cell-Mate meets the needs for all current state laws requiring hands free cell phone use while driving.

[Mike Ungerman]

ZeeVee’s ZvBox Does HD Streaming Over Coax

Users can view content from computer on all HDTVs in a home

May. 01, 2008 — by Steve Crowe

ZeeVee has launched its ZvBox media streamer, allowing users to watch Internet TV, online video, or computer content on all the HDTVs in a home.

The ZvBox connects the monitor output of the computer and turns it into a HDTV channel called Zv.

There are no subscription fees with the ZvBox and you can use the existing cable wiring.

ZvBox also allows viewing of other applications including email, web browsing, photos, music, home movies, and the computer’s DVD player.

“ZvBox closes the huge gap that has existed between HDTVs, which have the best viewing experience, and the computer, which provides virtually unlimited content options and many applications already in use by consumers,” says ZeeVee co-founder and CEO Vic Odryna.

“Instead of the walled garden world of set-top box solutions, ZvBox opens up the entire universe of Internet video and computer applications, where innovation usually happens first.

“And since ZvBox provides a duplication of what you see on your monitor, anything you can do on your computer you can now do on your HDTVs.”

ZeeVee also has a new wireless remote—the ZvRemote—which controls playback with an integrated touchpad.

The ZvBox retails for $499. It’s available at Amazon.com for $366.47.

[Mike Ungerman]

BOCS Enables Whole-House Video over Existing Cable Infrastructure

BOCS Xtender can distribute up to six sources over the home's existing coax network. No settop box or adapter is required for remote TVs, and the intuitive user interface enables out-of-the-box operation.

Jan. 30, 2009 — by Julie Jacobson

BOCS puts a new twist on video modulation, enabling whole-house video distribution and control over the home's existing coax network. The system works with cheap splitters that may already be in place, no settop box is required for the remote TVs, and there are no added fees for any content subscription services.

Most importantly, the solution comes fully configured for out-of-the box operation. Just plug the BOCS Xtender into the cable system, and connect up to three sources to it.

Everything is color-coded in the BOCS environment. The red, green and blue components correspond with the colored buttons on the RF universal remote, as well as the IR outputs on BOCS Xtender for controlling the sources.

Default channels for BOCS modulation are 14 (red), 96 (blue) and 98 (green) – which are typically avoided by cable systems – but the channels can be changed by an integrator.

Obviously, the customer need not remember the channel numbers to get to their TiVo boxes and surveillance cameras. They simply need to memorize the associated color. While in the bedroom, press the green button, for example, and you're in control of your PVR.

You won't get HD resolutions – content is distributed at 480i – but at least you'll have an easy way to access sources from secondary rooms in the home. BOCS is working on a solution for HD distribution.

The Xtender can be situated anywhere in the home that has a cable outlet. Integrators can stack two boxes to operate up to six sources.

How is BOCS Different from ZeeVee, MOCA, etc.?

Is BOCS any different from similar products on the market? For example, how is it different from decades-old video modulation schemes?

"We are on the third generation of in-home channel creation technology," says David Feller, chief marketing officer for BOCS. "Unlike other potential options, we require no new wiring and we do not require the consumer to give up any channels they currently enjoy. "

Feller points out that older modulator technology knocks out between two and 20 channels of analog/digital programming including HD.

"We've figured out a way to use FM frequencies that no one else has figured out," he says. "This is brand new to the industry."

Then there is the excellent video distribution protocol from the Multimedia Over Coax Alliance (MOCA), but you need an adapter at every TV location and a low-pass filter at the head-end. Plus, there is no established user interface for controlling the connected devices.

The user experience is a key BOCS innovation, the company says.

"There is nothing new to learn," says Feller. "Literally, you punch a BOCS button once and you already know how to use the system."

He adds that the BOCS solution works seamlessly with third-party control systems.

BOCS will face stiff competition from newcomer ZeeVee, which also offers a retrofittable solution for distributing video over the home's existing coax cables – no settop boxes required for the remote TV locations.

ZeeVee's ZvBox media streamer connects to the monitor output of a computer and turns it into an HDTV channel called Zv. From any TV in the house, users can watch Internet TV, video-on-demand and other Web-based content.

Sell it with a Media Center PC and the customer need not invest in Media Center Extenders for every TV. They have full access from the Zv channel. In fact, users can even access DVDs that are played on the connected PC – something that you can't do with Media Center Extenders.

BOCS's Feller isn't fazed.

"ZeeVee is very PC-centric," he says. "It extends the PC monitor to the rest of the house."

Retail cost for one BOCS hub and Super Combiner is $399 and a three-room kit retails for $599.

[Mike Ungerman]

Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale





Balanzza's Digital Luggage Scale

This is a great gadget for travelers. It was especially for me at CES this year as I accumulated hand-outs, swag, and other bring backs from the show. I had no idea, sitting in my hotel room, if my bags were going to be overweight or not. Luckily, at the Last Gadget Standing, press conference, I won a Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale in the first trivia question during one of the breaks. How did I ever do without one of these?

It's very simple to use. Under the hand shown on the left, in the center of the back of the device, is a strap hooked to the strain gauge inside. You merely wrap the strap around the handle of your luggage after turning on the scale, and lift it up. In about a second, you'll hear a beep and the weight is locked in. You can view the weight in pounds or kilograms.

We had a box that we had picked up at the convention center as a 3rd on board baggage article. To weigh it, we used the small, lightweight luggage cart that we had with us, weighing it first, and then putting the box on the cart, weighing the total and subtracting the two. Everything was within limits, but had we not had this device, we would not have known until we arrived at the airport with the possible delays of having to buy another suitcase for a potential overage.

There are two models (The new The BZ-200 on the left and the original BZ-100 on the right:





Both sell for $24.95 at Balanzza's online store. A check on Google's shopping search site found it discounted to $16.25, so check around before purchasing.

[Mike Ungerman]

Best of CES Awards

Best of CES and People's Voice Award

Since 2006, CNET has presented the Best of CES Awards, given to the top product in 10 categories as well as one coveted Best in Show award. See the gadgets that topped out list for this year, and find out the People's Voice winner, decided by more than 10,000 member votes.

http://ces.cnet.com/best-of-ces/

[Mike Ungerman]

PC to PC File Transfer For Dummies

It seems that the "For Dummies" brand is everywhere. So it came as no surprise when I came across this USB gadget at CES that is branded similarly. As one would suspect, it's a very simple matter to connect it to two computers and transfer files back and forth with ease. No software is required; the device contains software that runs on both computers shortly after it is plugged in.

Here's a picture of the display on my desktop computer showing my notebook's Pictures folder on the top and my desktop's My Pictures folder on the bottom.



I was in the process of transferring my pictures from CES from the notebook to the desktop, so I just dragged and dropped the folders I wanted from the top frame to the bottom and 10 seconds later, 51mb of pictures were copied.

By comparison, my notebook was also on a wireless network with my desktop, so I duplicated the transfer using Windows Explorer. The same folders took 45 seconds to transfer, and that over a 100mbs network.

Here are the stats:

Drag-n-Drop to transfer files

• Software displays the contents of both PCs
• Transfer speeds up to 25 Mb/sec
• Use for old PC to new PC migration, PC to PC file transfers or data back-ups
• Free technical support

Plug it in - screen displays contents of both PCs

• Built-in software automatically loads and runs itself within seconds
• USB 2.0 (1.1 compatible)
• Move files between most Windows® computers
• Retractable cables

Minimum Requirements

• Windows 98SE*, ME, 2000, XP or Vista
• Processor: 166 Mhz or above
• Memory: 128 MB or higher
• USB 2.0 or 1.1 port interface
• 3 MB hard drive space

Specifications

• Standard USB A-type plug
• Extended cable length: 32 inches
• LED indicator flashes while transferring
• USB powered
• 1 year warranty

Retail price is $39.95 plus shipping from https://www.filetransferfordummies.com/cart-address.asp , but using Google's shopping link and searching on "PC to PC File Transfer for Dummies", I got a range of prices starting from $19 and up, so shop wisely.

[Mike Ungerman]

Here's a great reference with all sorts of links to CES information. You can watch the keynote addresses, follow the CEA blogs, and read about many of the gadgets announced this year:

2009 International CES puts latest tech center stage

Featuring 2,700 exhibitors, including 300 joining the fold for the first time, this year's International CES featured new innovations, the biggest press announcements, powerful keynotes, product demos and more as far as the eye could see. Missed a moment? Check out our Twitter feed for the play by play.