In 3 days of walking the floor we saw lots of interesting and exciting products. As discussed throughout these reports the buzz was on 3D and tablets but there was much more. We highlight products which were innovative or different.
Personal Camcorders
Wearable camcorders brought the YouTube opportunity to new levels.
CAM Sports has a line of HD camcorders. One includes a high power LED flashlight for night video in HD. These products are being pitched for “extreme sports.”
Midland Radio Corporation was showing its XTC Series of camcorders which include image stabilization. Other features include:
- •Mounts – Helmet, Helmet Strap, Handlebar and Goggles
- •640 x 480 Standard Definition @30FPS
- •Micro SD Card
- •140˚ Wide Angle Lens
- •2 AAA Batteries
- •4:3 Aspect Ratio
Liquid Image's wearable camcorder
Liquid Image sports camcorders are integrated into goggles (see image at right). It has goggles for:
- Skiing
- Scuba diving
- Swimming
We were impressed with the design.
Murl International had a HD Personal Cam which can be mounted in many ways. It is light enough to be mounted in hats. The back of the camera has a 2” display for review of the video.
One of the most unique personal camcorders was by Looxcie. This is a video camcorder which is attached to a Bluetooth ear piece. The imaging camera comes out in front of the ear piece as it rests on the top of the ear piece. This seems awkward but the demo went very well. Well integrated with the iPhone.
Motion Stabilization for the iPhone
Steadicam has a small hand held camera stabilization platform. Shown mounted as the video camera was an iPhone to allow it to make high quality shake-free videos.
Audio
Intel had an early version of a product tentatively called WiDJ. This sends audio streams from the PC to speakers over WiFi. The software in the PC works like simulating a dual NIC card for WiFi with the second one for audio. There is a small box in front of the speakers which receives the WiFi. Shown in the booth was one from Logitech, Intel’s launch partner. The cost is $30.
Ozaki was showing an extensive line of watches based on the iPod nano.
Gesture Interfaces
Asus announced a developer program for the XtionPRO motion and body movement tracking system. This is to allow developers to create their own applications using the Asus platform.
Pico Projectors
Butterfly was shown a range of projector projects. One of the more interesting is the J02 their Pico-Projector.
Cinemin had an iPad or iPhone docking unit which allowed either to project its image onto a screen with a pico projector. Well integrated.
Phone as a Hub
Gear4 was had the UnityRemote which turns any iPhone or iPad into a universal remote. Can control multiple devices with on screen gestures, there is a separate communicator which does the IR linkage to devices over 360 deg, the App on the device can be personally customized. Pricing is $99.
Moomote showed its VooMote universal remote controller which operates with the iPhone. Claimed to offer 98% coverage of IR controlled devices. No PC is required to configure.
Morphie is offering marketplace a magnetic strip reader for the iPhone 4. This works with the intuit GoPayment app for merchant services.
Keyboard and Mouse
Zagg has the Zaggmate which doubles as a case for the iPad and a Bluetooth keyboard. It was not only at the show but we saw it in use in the press room by many writers. The fit and finish is excellent. Price $99.
ID8Mobile was claiming with its MoGoMouse TM1 to have the world’s thinnest mouse. Use is for with tablets. Supports Bluetooth and it has 3 button control. Size of a credit card. Price $59.99.
Four Door Media had a table full of its Road Mice. These are high quality models of automobiles of many types. The bottom of the car is an optical sensor for the mouse. The hood of the car has a scroll wheel. Cost $40 wireless and $30 wired.
LG showed a scanner mouse which was scanning a map and stitching the images together.
User Interaction
Just Mobile brings a stylist interface to the iPad. It allows painting, for example, to be done on the iPad. Stated to be compatible with most iPad and iPhone applications.
Yifang Digital was promoting its Smart Pen for the Smart Phone. The XN301i clips onto any writing surface which one wants to track the movements of a compatible pen. The pen stores its movements which are later downloaded but real time tracking is also supported via Bluetooth. It was also showing a handwriting tablet using Android.
Ambient Design Ltd had a painting easel set up with an iPad. An artist was using it to paint a portrait. The product is called ArtRage3.
PC
Acer was showing its Iconia dual screen computer. The form factor is that same as a notebook. The second screen is where the keyboard would normally be. When needed, a virtual keyboard pops up on the screen. We were left wondering is this the worst of both worlds?
Tablets
Achos had one of the largest product lines in tablets with 6 units. They have screen sizes of 2.8”, 3.2”, 4.3”, 7” and 10” all running Android. The Archos 28 tablet sells for under $100.
NEC was showcasing its LT-W dual screen Android Cloud Communicator. This looks like a book in form factor. This can be used as a book reader, education and internet browsing. Support for WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G option. It is due to be released in Japan in 2011 and no decision has been made on other countries.
Aluratek had a product line of tablets and eBook readers. There are 3 models of the eBook readers and 1 tablet. The tablet is called Cinepad, is 10.1” and runs currently Android 2.2. There is no GPS and it communicates via WiFi. The price is $299. They described the evolution of Android for tablets as a work in progress. Hopefully Honeycomb, version 3.0 for tablets, would be available in 2011 Q2 but deadlines are a work in progress just like the software.
Creative Labs is promoting its ZiiO tablet (Android). This is focused on its core competency of audio first. There are 7” and 10” versions. The ZiiO will stream to speakers. One can also watch HD TV on the 10’ version.
iTablet was showing its version of the tablet. This company was stressing the role that Windows will play in the market but also concerned about the apparent delays in getting an OS which is fully tablet supportive.
Marvell was showing an extensive line of tablets of companies that use its chips.
Motorola Xoon was being shown in both the Verizon and the Motorola booth. It was not clear this had real software on it. One demonstrator said that it was running a flash demo. Without hands-on evaluation this was vaporware.
Viewsonic had multiple tablets in the booth which included: ViewPad 4 and ViewPad 10. Both Android and Windows 7 supported.
The Blackberry PlayBook demos seemed always packed. Hands-on was possible. Screen seemed small.
Samsung had in the booth, but not accessible to the public, its 7 Series tablets which combine Windows 7 notebook with a tablet. Has a unique keyboard and display implementation.
Navigation
Recon Instruments has taken navigation to a new level with its ReconReady sports goggles. Integrated into the goggles is a HMD that allows for the continuous viewing of information on the display. The operating system is Android and this device will allow for wireless linkage to an Android phone. Apps will be available to support the goggles. The goggles have GPS built in. This allows for navigation and buddy tracking. Video is also supported via the smartphone. Impressive and quality design. Pricing is $299 and $399.
Smartphone
The Samsung Nexus S was tried. This is the first Gingerbread phone. It took several units to try before one worked. We found the navigation clunky – but it may have been the lack of experience with the device. Surprisingly the OLED display did not seem to be much different than the high quality TFT-LCD displays in use on other phones.
Displays
Certainly one of the more unusual products was TV Hat. This looks like a long billed baseball cap. Its pricing is only $29.95. The iPhone, which is the source of the video, is placed in the front of the bill and the lens which does the imaging to the eye. This is called a Personal Theater. Innovative. SKM Industries.
4iiii Visual Intution was showing its Sport-iiiis heads up display for virtually any glasses or sports eyeware. The visual indication is a series of LED light points. Audio output is also provided. The interface is ANT + so that the Sport-iiis interfaces with many of the fitness equipment. It is also compatible with Training Peaks software.
3D displays using LDC TFT panels were everywhere but only Innovision had a display where the objects appeared lifelike. This was described as holographic like and it provided 180 deg viewing. The product is called a holographic messenger. A problem is that the viewing area is confined to a glass enclosure. The image quality was good and can be created from any 3D object file. Show pricing was $3,950 and it normally costs $4,990.
LG had a large display of Touch television displays. This uses a soft tipped pen to interact. For the first time, we have seen such a display as being promoted for the home. Where the software comes is not clear. In the demos the interaction was smooth.
MultiTouch from Finland had a booth with many of its MultiTouch Cells which are based on TFT-LCDs. The advantage of the cell approach is that many cells can be stacked for a large interactive wall. The tracking is claimed to operate up to 120Hz. Well done.
Pioneer was showing a heads up display using a combiner glass for use in automobiles.
Sharp had one of the most compelling displays called iWall. This is a 5 sided room made up of large LCD panels which one could walk into – the demo did not allow one to walk on the panels. The images were such that it looked just like the environment one was entering. Well done.
MobileMonitor Technologies was showing its Monitor2 Go. This is a 15.4” display which costs $279 and interfaces via USB using DisplayLink’s Virtual Display technology.
Imaging
JVC had what they claimed was the first consumer 3D camcorder GS-TD1. The 3D quality was surprisingly good.
Connected TVs
Yahoo had a large booth promoting its connected TV initiative. It was always busy.
AzureWave was showing its Androit TV solution.
LG offered its Smart TV Upgrader which was a small box which makes its televisions internet capable. It is DLNA compatible.
Sony was showing its Internet Powered TV which is powered by Google TV.
Software
Pageonce was showing its app which compiles personal financial information on Android, iPhone and Windows Mobile. The depth of the product was amazing.
Unusual
Thingverse.com had many copies of its MakerBot product. This is a consumer 3D printer which costs $1,225. The printer is about the 12” X 12” X 14”. Plastic costs $10/lb. There were many models in the booth as output examples. This brings new product creation to another level.
Orbotix was showing Sphero which is a rolling ball game. An app runs on the iPhone or iPad which controls a 2” diameter sphere on the floor. The ball can be directed to roll and any direction.
Accessory Workshop had an iPad case attached to a pillow. It seemed to attract a lot of attention.
StoKyo had a product the shape of a miniature VW bus. This is the combination of the vinyl record playing head and audio amplifier. The VW bus runs along the top of the record in circles. From this motion it plays the record. I found it hard to believe but it seemed to work.
Personal
iSkin was showing a fashion line which blended products for carrying iPhones and iPads into one look and feel. This takes fashion and integrates it with what you carry and wear.
BingMyThing was showing fashion iPhone cases. Some include cut-glass from Swarovski and others diamonds.
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