Consumer Electronics Show 2009:A round-up of the show's best gadgets
1. Nvidia GeForce 3D Vision
Nvidia’s 3D system for PCs generated the “wow!” factor at CES this year. When paired with certain LCD screens, home theatre TVs or projectors from Samsung, LG, Mitsubishi and others, the Nvidia can add an extra dimension to PC content – games, movies or digital photographs.
Unlike previous generations of 3D, it creates a realistic depth of field so you feel like you are looking into another world through the screen. 3D images that look this good actually justify the wearing of shades indoors.
2. MyVu Crystal
iPods, mobile phones and portable games systems can now all play video but the screen sizes make watching less than pleasurable.
Enter the MyVu crystal, a pair of lightweight sunglasses with a pair of screens built in to each lens which delivers 640x480 resolution DVD quality viewing as well as noise cancelling earphones. Ideal for travelling as the experience is private and immersive but your peripheral vision is maintained.
3. NComputing X550
Want a PC for less than $100? Through the use of some clever virtualisation software and rugged hardware, NComputing allows you to take a standard $400 desktop PC and create 10 new virtual PCs. Even with the purchase of screens, keyboards and mice for the 10 additional machines, the X550 system still drives the price per PC down to two figures.
Set to revolutionise PC deployment in the education and government sectors.
4. Dakim Brain Fitness
The highlight of the Silvers Summit at CES, which featured technology for older people, was Dakim’s Brain Fitness, a touchscreen PC which provides a range of multimedia games that keep the user engaged and hopefully stave off the onset of dementia. Based on medical research, the system is already used in over 200 nursing homes in the US and a home use version goes on sale in April for $2,500.
5. Flatwire
As anyone who has tried to run audio, data or coaxial cables around the home and hide them afterwards will tell you, the job is a pain. Enter a clever little company called Flatwire which has a range of paper-thin cables (although three or four inches wide) which can be stuck to the wall and then painted or papered over.
6. Palm Pre
Palm’s (last?) throw of the dice to make itself a real smartphone player left me a bit cold but given the amount of “iPhone killer” coverage it got, it would be churlish not to mention it.
A 320x480 touchscreen is complemented by a slide-out keyboard and features you would expect like WiFi, 8GBytes storage and 3 megapixel camera. It goes on sale in the US in a couple of months.
7. Gracenote CarStars
Gracenote, best known for an online database that automatically identifies music you load to your PC, showcased a personalised in- car entertainment system. Choose a music star who, based on your existing collection, will create playlists for you that you can interact with using voice commands. Built-in GPS means your chosen artist will suggest their favourite beach tunes when you’re on the coast or something laid back while you are on a scenic drive. Expect CarStars built into cars that ship late next year.
8. Sony CyberShot DSC-G3
Sony was so proud of the first CyberShot to include WiFi and a web browser that rather than reveal it at the eve-of-CES press conference, Sony chairman Sir Howard Stringer pulled it out of the hat at his keynote. The idea is that images from the 10-megapixel camera can be easily be uploaded to the web or viewed on compatible Sony gear like Bravia TVs or VAIO laptops.
9. Panasonic’s 3D full HD plasma
This was the hottest ticket at CES as people queued up for a ticket to see Panasonic’s concept of a high definition 3D television set up – even press credentials couldn’t bump you up the queue. Using a 103” plasma TV and a Blu-ray player Panasonic showed off some of Hollywood’s latest forays into 3D and recent sports action with jaw-dropping results.
10. Powermat
Wouldn’t it be great if you could charge all your electronic devices simply by placing them on a mat which in turn is connected to the mains? That’s the promise of Powermat which was showing off its technology to a select few at CES. Each device being charged requires an additional case, which is the downside, but this is definitely a technology to watch.
