Opinion Column from PC Magazine: Free Porn Magic for You!: "My editor, Lance Ulanoff, was shaking his head the other day over the column I had written called 'Free Porn.' The column, written nearly two years ago, was an exercise in propaganda, done to prove that the use of the word 'porn' in a headline would jack up the readership of any column. This was an assertion promoted by my previous online editor, Don Willmott, who revealed the trick to me after looking at years of online stats. He'd used it himself when he needed to pump up his own numbers.
Ulanoff told me that I had to do a follow-up to the 'Free Porn' column since it has consistently been in the top readership list since it was published. 'It's unbelievable,' he said. 'Every month it shows up in the list of top page views. It's never at the top, but it keeps showing up.' Perhaps it's never at the top because it has nothing to do with porn. Just the use of the word is enough to pump up the numbers. Are online readers so drawn to porn that they aggressively seek it out? No wonder the amount of pornographic e-mail come-ons has been slipping. Why bother with spam? Just set up a porn site and the readers will seek you out. "
Monday, January 24, 2005
Saturday, January 22, 2005
RA: Resident Advisor - Jenna used to sell iRiver MP3 player - Forum
RA: Resident Advisor - Jenna used to sell iRiver MP3 player - General Discussion - Forum - DJs, Clubbing, Dance Music News, Reviews, Photos, Interviews and more.
MP3 manufacturer Reigncom, recently described as an 'outstanding firm' by Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, is making waves by using an adult film star in advertising for its new products. Reigncom late last year introduced its portable multimedia player (PMP) onto the U.S. market, hiring U.S. porn starlet Jenna Jameson to appear in advertisements.
Industry sources say it was a pragmatic move. 'One cannot ignore people using the PMP to watch adult material', said one. 'I think they were targeting these customers when we hired a porn actress.'
"Males are the primary target for most digital equipment," said another. "We tried to find an entertainer easily recognized by men, and we selected Jenna Jameson. There was nothing else behind the decision." Company officials said.
Everyone needs a moantone
Engadget
We didn’t say it. Jenna Jameson did. The sultry sex machine of the adult film biz is teaming up with Wicked Wireless to provide Latin American cell phone users with things like boobalicious wallpapers and ringtones that moan (”moantones,” as they call them). Why this hasn’t happened before and why it is happening in Latin America we’re not sure. In Jenna’s words, which are priceless, “We’ll provide [moantones] in the universal language of sexy sighs recognized around the world but with our own personal touch. The technology is way beyond most of us, but the bottom line is that you’ll able to hear the other Jenna’s Web Girls moan and me when your phone starts to ring. We’ll also provide audio content in Spanish plus photos and text features.”
Dvorak Uncensored - Oh this is so sick! If I hear one of these things go off I’m taking the persons phone and stomping it. Jameson, 30, arguably the world’s most successful porn star, doesn’t need more money, that’s for sure. Then again…
MP3 manufacturer Reigncom, recently described as an 'outstanding firm' by Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, is making waves by using an adult film star in advertising for its new products. Reigncom late last year introduced its portable multimedia player (PMP) onto the U.S. market, hiring U.S. porn starlet Jenna Jameson to appear in advertisements.
Industry sources say it was a pragmatic move. 'One cannot ignore people using the PMP to watch adult material', said one. 'I think they were targeting these customers when we hired a porn actress.'
"Males are the primary target for most digital equipment," said another. "We tried to find an entertainer easily recognized by men, and we selected Jenna Jameson. There was nothing else behind the decision." Company officials said.
Everyone needs a moantone
Engadget
We didn’t say it. Jenna Jameson did. The sultry sex machine of the adult film biz is teaming up with Wicked Wireless to provide Latin American cell phone users with things like boobalicious wallpapers and ringtones that moan (”moantones,” as they call them). Why this hasn’t happened before and why it is happening in Latin America we’re not sure. In Jenna’s words, which are priceless, “We’ll provide [moantones] in the universal language of sexy sighs recognized around the world but with our own personal touch. The technology is way beyond most of us, but the bottom line is that you’ll able to hear the other Jenna’s Web Girls moan and me when your phone starts to ring. We’ll also provide audio content in Spanish plus photos and text features.”
Dvorak Uncensored - Oh this is so sick! If I hear one of these things go off I’m taking the persons phone and stomping it. Jameson, 30, arguably the world’s most successful porn star, doesn’t need more money, that’s for sure. Then again…
HoodmanUSA offers anti-glare Screens and Glare Reduction Hoods
HoodmanUSA offers anti-glare Screens and Glare Reduction Hoods
The California State Park Wi-Wi PC users will need a screen hood to fight the sunlight and glare when using the new service.
I picked up a HoodMan hood serveral years ago for working on my laptop at Venice Beach. It is a great product!
Hoods spring into shape when removed from their carry bags requiring no assembly. Slip the hood over the screen and you are ready to go. Spring tension keeps each hood mounted in place. Collapsing in just seconds makes the E2000 Eclipse PowerBook hood (under $30) line convenient and easy to use.
click title for more
The California State Park Wi-Wi PC users will need a screen hood to fight the sunlight and glare when using the new service.
I picked up a HoodMan hood serveral years ago for working on my laptop at Venice Beach. It is a great product!
Hoods spring into shape when removed from their carry bags requiring no assembly. Slip the hood over the screen and you are ready to go. Spring tension keeps each hood mounted in place. Collapsing in just seconds makes the E2000 Eclipse PowerBook hood (under $30) line convenient and easy to use.
click title for more
California Sate Parks and SBC Communications bring wireless high-speed Internet access to 85 state visitors
SBC Communications Inc.: "Through an agreement with California State Parks, SBC companies will be providing wireless high-speed Internet access — better known as Wi-Fi — to the picnic tables, tents, RV spaces and cabins of more than 85 million park visitors every year.
Wi-Fi — short for wireless fidelity — will allow park visitors with wireless-enabled laptop computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to access the Internet at speeds of 50 to 100 times as fast as a dial-up connection.
San Elijo State Beach, located outside of San Diego, is the first state park to offer SBC FreedomLink service. Over the next six months, 84 other California state parks will become SBC Wi-Fi locations, making this the largest Wi-Fi deployment in any park system nationwide.
The California state park locations will be added to the more than 6,000 hot spots that make up the SBC Wi-Fi network, which is one of the nation's largest Wi-Fi networks.
View video (14MB)
Wi-Fi — short for wireless fidelity — will allow park visitors with wireless-enabled laptop computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to access the Internet at speeds of 50 to 100 times as fast as a dial-up connection.
San Elijo State Beach, located outside of San Diego, is the first state park to offer SBC FreedomLink service. Over the next six months, 84 other California state parks will become SBC Wi-Fi locations, making this the largest Wi-Fi deployment in any park system nationwide.
The California state park locations will be added to the more than 6,000 hot spots that make up the SBC Wi-Fi network, which is one of the nation's largest Wi-Fi networks.
View video (14MB)
Friday, January 21, 2005
Michael Powell stepping down as head of FCC
Michael Powell stepping down as head of FCC: "Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael K. Powell, who opposed tight regulation of telecommunications but backed unprecedented fines against broadcast indecency, announced Friday he is resigning.
Powell, who has held the job for four years, said in a statement that he informed President Bush that he would depart in March.
Powell, the son of Secretary of State Colin Powell, who also is leaving the Bush administration, said he had completed a 'bold and aggressive agenda' and looked forward to spending more time with his wife and two sons. "
NOTE: Interesting that Chairman Powell didn't make this announcement during his CES interview with Gary Shapiro, President and CEO the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), two weeks ago.
Powell, who has held the job for four years, said in a statement that he informed President Bush that he would depart in March.
Powell, the son of Secretary of State Colin Powell, who also is leaving the Bush administration, said he had completed a 'bold and aggressive agenda' and looked forward to spending more time with his wife and two sons. "
NOTE: Interesting that Chairman Powell didn't make this announcement during his CES interview with Gary Shapiro, President and CEO the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), two weeks ago.
AtomFilms Blog: Sundance Film Festival
AtomFilms Blog: "After waiting for months, nay -- years, I was finally on my way to Sundance.
I left work ready to embrace the madness of the biggest film festival of the year. I arrived at the airport early, took out my book and patiently waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And after waiting five hours. My flight was cancelled. All flights going into Salt Lake City were cancelled due to fog. "
I left work ready to embrace the madness of the biggest film festival of the year. I arrived at the airport early, took out my book and patiently waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And after waiting five hours. My flight was cancelled. All flights going into Salt Lake City were cancelled due to fog. "
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Lunch@ Sponsors CES January 2005 (Audio)
http://www.patmeier.com/pieros/CES05/Jan2005Lunchat.htmThis year's Lunch@Piero's, an annual vendor showcase for working press during CES, was podCasted by former TechTV personality Chris Pirillo along with producer Jake Ludington and Russell Johnson inventor of the WorldVibrations Radio Station-in-a-Box.
Pat Meier-Johnson , the Producer of Lunch@Events, explains what was there and who Chris interviewed on his show:
Not a party (we have kept our event private and off the party lists) but a true Working Lunch with a manageable professional crowd, we gave sponsors and reporters a smart setting to run demos without pushing and to converse without shouting. I was particularly pleased with this year's sponsors and demos, giving the press a way to see what's inside the finished Take, for example, the wide variety of products using VIA's tiny Mini-ITX mainboards: PCs from Polywell, car PCs from AutoCom, home media servers from Niveus Media and media centers and software from CACMedia/Video Without Boundaries, powerful servers for massive data storage from Capricorn Technologies, and fabulous case mods from Jeffrey Stephenson.
We showcased mindblowing video quality playing on handheld displays made possible through NeoMagic's sophisticated applications chips. SigmaTel showed how their audio chips enable great sound in tiny devices featuring their technology in Oakley MP3 sunglasses among other tiny
devices.
Exhibits included VoIP and Bluetooth devices from VoIP Voice, home networking and routers from ZyXEL with buiilt-in parental control, Techie Toyz and audio and video peripherals from Mad Dog Multimedia, cooling and noise-eliminating PC hardware from Zalman, silent PCs from Hush, beautiful on-screen cable TV guides from Pioneer Digital, and control software from Portait Displays that lets users set display device preferences as easily as adjusting luxury car seat settings. Press got an early glimpse of Sun's new Java desktop and x86 Solaris running on VIA's hardware and right next to them was S3's table showing great 3D graphics technology. There were video on demand systems for thousand+ room hotel developments from Videolocity, wireless community and car systems from CastleTek, and who could forget the putting green and the TeePod solar powered golf kiosk from 4eversports (all using VIA's tiny mainboards)?
Amateur moviemakers saw great possibilities in automatic video production software from muvee. Users saw brand new vistas open up with a CardBus device from VillageTronic that lets multiple displays run off a single laptop. And how about that $498 notebook PC from Linspire?
Listen to the show while surfing the interviewees website.
Pat Meier-Johnson , the Producer of Lunch@Events, explains what was there and who Chris interviewed on his show:
Not a party (we have kept our event private and off the party lists) but a true Working Lunch with a manageable professional crowd, we gave sponsors and reporters a smart setting to run demos without pushing and to converse without shouting. I was particularly pleased with this year's sponsors and demos, giving the press a way to see what's inside the finished Take, for example, the wide variety of products using VIA's tiny Mini-ITX mainboards: PCs from Polywell, car PCs from AutoCom, home media servers from Niveus Media and media centers and software from CACMedia/Video Without Boundaries, powerful servers for massive data storage from Capricorn Technologies, and fabulous case mods from Jeffrey Stephenson.
We showcased mindblowing video quality playing on handheld displays made possible through NeoMagic's sophisticated applications chips. SigmaTel showed how their audio chips enable great sound in tiny devices featuring their technology in Oakley MP3 sunglasses among other tiny
devices.
Exhibits included VoIP and Bluetooth devices from VoIP Voice, home networking and routers from ZyXEL with buiilt-in parental control, Techie Toyz and audio and video peripherals from Mad Dog Multimedia, cooling and noise-eliminating PC hardware from Zalman, silent PCs from Hush, beautiful on-screen cable TV guides from Pioneer Digital, and control software from Portait Displays that lets users set display device preferences as easily as adjusting luxury car seat settings. Press got an early glimpse of Sun's new Java desktop and x86 Solaris running on VIA's hardware and right next to them was S3's table showing great 3D graphics technology. There were video on demand systems for thousand+ room hotel developments from Videolocity, wireless community and car systems from CastleTek, and who could forget the putting green and the TeePod solar powered golf kiosk from 4eversports (all using VIA's tiny mainboards)?
Amateur moviemakers saw great possibilities in automatic video production software from muvee. Users saw brand new vistas open up with a CardBus device from VillageTronic that lets multiple displays run off a single laptop. And how about that $498 notebook PC from Linspire?
Listen to the show while surfing the interviewees website.
Friday, January 14, 2005
MacWorld 2005 in Pictures
MacWorld 2005 in Pictures
Mercedes had two cars on the show floor, showing off their ipod integration. The Mercedes is now officially the world's most expensive iPod Add-on. The iPod goes in the glove box, but the read-out is on the speedometer.
click title for more
Mercedes had two cars on the show floor, showing off their ipod integration. The Mercedes is now officially the world's most expensive iPod Add-on. The iPod goes in the glove box, but the read-out is on the speedometer.
click title for more
Opinion Column from PC Magazine: Top 10 Trends from CES 2005
Opinion Column from PC Magazine: Top 10 Trends from CES 2005: "Every year at the Consumer Electronics Show, I look at hundreds of products and talk to vendors, customers, and journalists about what's hot and what's not. This year, along with all the conversation, I managed a team that posted 135 separate news and analysis stories about the show. As the event coalesced, key themes emerged that will drive the consumer-technology industry now and over the next four or five years. Here are my top ten themes from CES 2005. Unlike David Letterman's lists, though, they're not in any particular order.
5. DVR is a Feature, Not a Product: Back when TiVo and ReplayTV launched, the digital video recorder seemed to be the next big electronics product, after DVD. But over the last five years, hard-drive and flash-based-media recording have become pervasive. DVR is rapidly becoming part of many consumer devices, from satellite radio to set top boxes.
10. Portable Video Players Explode: It's still too early to know whether the audience will adopt them, but the video/photo/music player was a staple of this year's announcements. "
By Jim Louderback
ExtremeTech
NOTE: In my mind, the other 8 themes on Jim's list are just plain common sense. And IF "8. China Is a Major Force" why isn't there any coverage on the Pacific Rim booths?
5. DVR is a Feature, Not a Product: Back when TiVo and ReplayTV launched, the digital video recorder seemed to be the next big electronics product, after DVD. But over the last five years, hard-drive and flash-based-media recording have become pervasive. DVR is rapidly becoming part of many consumer devices, from satellite radio to set top boxes.
10. Portable Video Players Explode: It's still too early to know whether the audience will adopt them, but the video/photo/music player was a staple of this year's announcements. "
By Jim Louderback
ExtremeTech
NOTE: In my mind, the other 8 themes on Jim's list are just plain common sense. And IF "8. China Is a Major Force" why isn't there any coverage on the Pacific Rim booths?
The Audio Revolution: A Look Back at CES 2005
A Look Back at CES 2005: "In the hours I spent making my way back from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last week, I took some time to reflect on the trends of the show and how they may impact your audio-video and home theater systems in the coming year.
My take is that consumers are so HD content starved that if Microsoft can partner with Hollywood and the TV studios to get enough content out in HD, that there will be a strong consumer demand for Media Center PC.
Make no mistake, flat TVs are driving the sales of home theaters across all of North America and prices of flat TVs, especially LCDs were lower at CES."
By Jerry Del Colliano
The Audio Revolution
My take is that consumers are so HD content starved that if Microsoft can partner with Hollywood and the TV studios to get enough content out in HD, that there will be a strong consumer demand for Media Center PC.
Make no mistake, flat TVs are driving the sales of home theaters across all of North America and prices of flat TVs, especially LCDs were lower at CES."
By Jerry Del Colliano
The Audio Revolution
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Things that ... make you go hmm - Marketing at CES on the SPOT ... watch
Things that ... make you go hmm - Marketing at CES on the SPOT ... watch A CES report from David T. - a programmer/blogger:
SPOT watches haven't been something I've been interested in for numerous reasons but I'll give the nod to the mastermind(s) behind the MSN Direct SPOT watch marketing campaign at CES. The idea was simple, as should be for an effective marketing campaign: get folks to wear yellow button with a flashing red light in plain sight and if you are SPOTted at the show by a MSN Direct "ambassador" they will ask you one question. Answer it correctly and score your own SPOT watch with service for a year. click title for more
SPOT watches haven't been something I've been interested in for numerous reasons but I'll give the nod to the mastermind(s) behind the MSN Direct SPOT watch marketing campaign at CES. The idea was simple, as should be for an effective marketing campaign: get folks to wear yellow button with a flashing red light in plain sight and if you are SPOTted at the show by a MSN Direct "ambassador" they will ask you one question. Answer it correctly and score your own SPOT watch with service for a year. click title for more
Turn Your PC Into A PVR - $69.95!
Pinnacle Systems
PCTV Deluxe and take control of your TV!
Watch what you want, when you want, and how you want! With PCTV Deluxe, you can pause live TV shows, skip commercials, zoom in on any part of the screen or create your own instant replays. Simply hook up your cable or antenna to PCTV Deluxe, grab the remote and you’re ready to go. PCTV Deluxe also allows you to record your favorite shows as DVD quality MPEG-2 files, burn them to disc with your CD or DVD burner, and play back on your PC or your set top DVD player.
SRP: $199.99
Now Only $69.99
limited time offer (800) 293-2948
NOTE: I'm trying to find out if the PCTV Deluxe will work with a Mac Mini.
PCTV Deluxe and take control of your TV!
Watch what you want, when you want, and how you want! With PCTV Deluxe, you can pause live TV shows, skip commercials, zoom in on any part of the screen or create your own instant replays. Simply hook up your cable or antenna to PCTV Deluxe, grab the remote and you’re ready to go. PCTV Deluxe also allows you to record your favorite shows as DVD quality MPEG-2 files, burn them to disc with your CD or DVD burner, and play back on your PC or your set top DVD player.
SRP: $199.99
Now Only $69.99
limited time offer (800) 293-2948
NOTE: I'm trying to find out if the PCTV Deluxe will work with a Mac Mini.
VitalSense: Core Body and Skin Temperature Monitoring System
VitalSense: Core Body and Skin Temperature Monitoring System: VitalSense monitors can receive transmissions from multiple miniature, wireless, temperature sensors. Core temperature is sensed by the ingestible Jonah capsule. Dermal temperatures are recorded from hypoallergenic, non-irritating, adhesive dermal patches. Both sensor types are disposable, but designed for multi-day use under demanding physical and environmental conditions. Both types of sensors use low-power radio frequency transmissions to communicate with the Monitor.
Features of this innovative technology include:
- Temperature measurements (other vital signs sensor options under development
- Disposable, telemetric sensors
- Continuous data logging
- Accuracy in extreme conditions
- Accommodation of up to 10 sensors
- Flexible technical design
- Design for research, clinical and ambulatory applications
click title for more information
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
The Laporte Report : MacWorld Rap : Listen to the podCast
The Laporte Report: "Kevin Rose, Patrick Norton, his wife Mrs. Norton, David Prager, Roger Chang and I repaired to the 21st Ammendment after the MacWorld Expo to reflect on what we had seen. "
click title to listen to the podCast and read online comments
click title to listen to the podCast and read online comments
Contour Perfit Mouse - the 'One Size Doesn't Fit All Mouse' just got better!
Contour Perfit Mouse Optical Home Page - the 'One Size Doesn't Fit All Mouse' just got better!: "In many instances, the Perfit Mouse is the only solution for eliminating or reducing hand and wrist discomfort while maintaining a high level of productivity."
Watch Video
Watch Video
Griffin Technology: SmartDeck: Intelligent Cassette Adapter for iPod
Griffin Technology: "SmartDeck allows you to control your iPod using the built in controls of your cassette player. Using patent-pending sensing technology, the SmartDeck (Retail: $25) determines which commands the cassette player sends to the iPod."
Griffin Technology: iTrip Black : FM Transmitter for iPod
Griffin Technology: "The coolest iPod accessory in the world is now available for the coolest iPod in the world - the jet black iPod U2 Special Edition. The iTrip FM transmitter for the iPod can play your music through any FM radio - in your car, at a party - anywhere the mood strikes you and there's a radio.
iTrip is made specifically for the iPod. This gives iTrip advantages over similar devices. For example, with the iTrip, you can have the cleanest possible signal, because you can choose any radio station on the FM dial to tune for the best performance. You do this by 'playing' special station codes directly from the iPod itself. Simple."
iTrip is made specifically for the iPod. This gives iTrip advantages over similar devices. For example, with the iTrip, you can have the cleanest possible signal, because you can choose any radio station on the FM dial to tune for the best performance. You do this by 'playing' special station codes directly from the iPod itself. Simple."
I4U News - MacWorld Expo 2005 Photos
I4U News - MacWorld Expo 2005 Photos: "As reported yesterday I have been at the MacWorld Expo in San Francisco. Besides the iPod Shuffle and the Mac Mini, most of the show floor was full with iPod accessories and software products.
The photo shows the iPod Shuffle wall. Very cool display to give visitors easy access to try the new Apple Flash memory music player.
Take a look at the MacWorld Photo Gallery. "
All Photos shot with the JVC Everio.
The photo shows the iPod Shuffle wall. Very cool display to give visitors easy access to try the new Apple Flash memory music player.
Take a look at the MacWorld Photo Gallery. "
All Photos shot with the JVC Everio.
Z-CoiL Footwear : Doctor Referrals
Z-CoiL Footwear : Doctor Referrals: "We are starting to get more and more doctor referrals. When we first opened our doors, we did several mass mailings to various types of doctors, including podiatrists, neurosurgeons, chiropractors and sports medicine physicians, with little results. I believe that the doctors just threw the information away thinking it was a fad or a hoax.
What we find happening is that patients are going into their doctors after wearing Z-CoiL's and telling them their success stories and also telling them that they no longer need to see them and no longer need their cortisone shots! This is making the doctors take notice of the benefits that Z-CoiL's are providing.
Take one case in particular... we had a podiatrist who started referring maybe one patient every couple of months. I called them his 'hopeless cases', the ones that he had run out of routine treatment for. "
click title to read more
Caesar Snee
Ez-Shoes
San Jose, CA
What we find happening is that patients are going into their doctors after wearing Z-CoiL's and telling them their success stories and also telling them that they no longer need to see them and no longer need their cortisone shots! This is making the doctors take notice of the benefits that Z-CoiL's are providing.
Take one case in particular... we had a podiatrist who started referring maybe one patient every couple of months. I called them his 'hopeless cases', the ones that he had run out of routine treatment for. "
click title to read more
Caesar Snee
Ez-Shoes
San Jose, CA
MacCentral: MWSF: Griffin intros AirClick remote for iPod, Mac
MacCentral: MWSF: Griffin intros AirClick remote for iPod, Mac: "Griffin Technology Inc. on Tuesday announced the AirClick, a remote control compatible with all dock connector iPods, including the iPod mini and the iPod photo. AirClick is also available in a USB version that works with a Mac or PC. It uses RF technology instead of infrared, which enables to work from up to 60 feet away, even when the target isn't in the line of sight or is behind a wall."
NOTE: The Mac Mini PVR. Makes a lot of sense. TIVO has got to be concerned and MSFT is in for another major battle with Apple - this time in the living room - where Apple actually started with the Apple II. The Home Computer shipped with a video out port, but most users 25 years ago bought a $19.95 RF mod so they could use their TV as a monitor. It is to bad that the Mac Mini ships with an out-of-date video graphics card and only 32meg of video ram. Oh, well. Mac Mini II "The Gamer Machine" is probably waiting in the wings.
NOTE: The Mac Mini PVR. Makes a lot of sense. TIVO has got to be concerned and MSFT is in for another major battle with Apple - this time in the living room - where Apple actually started with the Apple II. The Home Computer shipped with a video out port, but most users 25 years ago bought a $19.95 RF mod so they could use their TV as a monitor. It is to bad that the Mac Mini ships with an out-of-date video graphics card and only 32meg of video ram. Oh, well. Mac Mini II "The Gamer Machine" is probably waiting in the wings.
CES: SONY DEMYSTIFIES TECHNOLOGY WITH FREE ONLINE TRAINING COURSES
SONY DEMYSTIFIES TECHNOLOGY WITH FREE ONLINE TRAINING COURSES: "LAS VEGAS (CES, Booth #N109), Jan. 5, 2005 - What is a megapixel? How do I network my products together? What does high definition really mean? There are many levels of consumer questions regarding technology, and today Sony Electronics is officially launching a free online education program aimed at helping consumers sort through the maze of products and technology.
Sony 101, accessible through the Sony Learning Center at the learningcenter or directly at Sony U, offers free online courses to consumers on a variety of technology and industry topics, including digital photography, HDTV, wireless networking and how to protect your data.
Students enrolled in the free Sony 101 program can take expert led 'how to' courses that include four to six lessons, often along with fun quizzes and assignments. The classes are led by award-winning authors, technology leaders, and professionals who are passionate about technology. Shorter, one-lesson courses are also offered, which don't require advance enrollment"
Sony 101, accessible through the Sony Learning Center at the learningcenter or directly at Sony U, offers free online courses to consumers on a variety of technology and industry topics, including digital photography, HDTV, wireless networking and how to protect your data.
Students enrolled in the free Sony 101 program can take expert led 'how to' courses that include four to six lessons, often along with fun quizzes and assignments. The classes are led by award-winning authors, technology leaders, and professionals who are passionate about technology. Shorter, one-lesson courses are also offered, which don't require advance enrollment"
Roxio Showcases Expanded Mac Software Line at Macworld Expo
Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions and producer of the best-selling digital media software in the world, is showcasing its latest solutions for Macintosh users at Macworld 2005. Roxio is presenting demonstrations of its latest product advances and giving attendees in-depth ‘how to' tutorials, as well as offering special pricing on its complete line of products for Mac OS X. Among the solutions featured at the Expo are Toast, Roxio's market-leading CD and DVD burning software, with support for High Definition (HD) content, and Toast with Jam® , which combines Toast 6 Titanium burning software with a rich array of studio-quality audio software. Roxio will also be showing Popcorn™ , the latest addition to its consumer software line, which enables users to copy non-encrypted DVD-Video discs.
Press Release
Press Release
Snoop Dogg : Official Site
Snoop Dogg : Official SiteApple has a link to Snoop Dogg's web site. Very cool promotional and community venue. As if you didn't know, Snooooop's new album is available at iTunes...
Comment:
drop it!!!!
1/8/2005 12:49:48 PM - by Sugar91
well this is so gooooooooooooood!!!!!!!!!
i don't know but pharrell always make me laugh on his type how he "acting" on musicvideos!
i hope you everyone understand what i wrote because i'm really from finland! XDD
drop it like it hot
12/22/2004 1:17:24 AM - by pizzofizzle
men it's real cool listing to that song it got me sticked whenever i heard the song ilove it. snoop is my best rap star, even here in nigeria his is still the people's chioce I LOVE U SNOOP COS U GOT DA BEST
LUV FROM PIZZOFIZZLE LOVING DOGGYFIZZLE GOTTA CHIZZLE AND STAND IN DA MIDDLE WHERE SHE'S ON MY NIZZLE IN DA GIZZLE.
[NIGERIA]
Comment:
drop it!!!!
1/8/2005 12:49:48 PM - by Sugar91
well this is so gooooooooooooood!!!!!!!!!
i don't know but pharrell always make me laugh on his type how he "acting" on musicvideos!
i hope you everyone understand what i wrote because i'm really from finland! XDD
drop it like it hot
12/22/2004 1:17:24 AM - by pizzofizzle
men it's real cool listing to that song it got me sticked whenever i heard the song ilove it. snoop is my best rap star, even here in nigeria his is still the people's chioce I LOVE U SNOOP COS U GOT DA BEST
LUV FROM PIZZOFIZZLE LOVING DOGGYFIZZLE GOTTA CHIZZLE AND STAND IN DA MIDDLE WHERE SHE'S ON MY NIZZLE IN DA GIZZLE.
[NIGERIA]
John C. Dvorak : PC Magazine: CES Photos Redux
Opinion from PC Magazine: CES Photos Redux: "I've been going to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) off and on for over 20 years and have to conclude that it may be the best managed monster trade show in the world. That said, it has also been mostly useless to me. The show is entertaining, but shallow. I get more out of smaller, deeper shows. Thus I try not to spend too much time there. I could never traverse the 1.5 million square feet of the floor space even if I wanted to.
Ironically, this year the CES folks tried their best to minimize the number of bloggers, but many bloggers got in anyway and did fabulous coverage."
Yes, they even had treadmills at the show as if walking the floor isn't enough of a workout.
click title for more
Visit the Dvorak Blog
Ironically, this year the CES folks tried their best to minimize the number of bloggers, but many bloggers got in anyway and did fabulous coverage."
Yes, they even had treadmills at the show as if walking the floor isn't enough of a workout.
click title for more
Visit the Dvorak Blog
Ulead Newsroom - BFG Technologies Includes Ulead Video Editing Software with Asylum Video Cards (Press Release)
Ulead Newsroom - BFG Technologies Includes Ulead Video Editing Software with Asylum Video Cards: Ulead Systems, Inc., a 15-year industry leader in digital imaging, video, and DVD software, today announced that special editions of Ulead® DVD MovieFactory™ 3.5 DVD authoring and VideoStudio™ 8 video editing software are bundled with the new Creative USB Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Video Editor, a complete, hardware-accelerated, professional-quality video capture and sound card solution. Complementing the USB Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Video Editor's true one-step video capture and burn, DVD MovieFactory offers Disc-Direct™ to quickly author video directly to a DVD disc with an interactive DVD menu just like in commercial DVDs.
PC Editors' Choice: Ulead VideoStudio 8
PC Editors' Choice: Ulead VideoStudio 8
MacCentral: MWSF: Elgato, ATI bring EyeTV Wonder to Mac
MacCentral: MWSF: Elgato, ATI bring EyeTV Wonder to Mac: "Elgato Systems and ATI Technologies Inc. on Tuesday announced the EyeTV Wonder USB 2.0, an analog TV tuner for the Macintosh. The EyeTV Wonder 2.0 combines ATI's TV tuner hardware with Elgato's EyeTV software. It will ship at the end of January 2005 for $149."
Comments - 7
Comments - 7
iMovie HD - anyone else's prayers answered?
iMovie HD - anyone else's prayers answered?The key app that has got me so excited is iMovie HD. ...I've been using an HD camera for a while now, an excellent Sony HDR-FX1. Untill recently I was either looking at a serious outlay of cash to get an editing suite together or hacking together some code to get the raw MPEG2-TS off of the camera and then into Final Cut Pro - which I managed thanks to the great folks over at HD for Indies. But no more. Thanks to iMovie HD I can now do most of my editing within iMovie - it's even got most of the tools I need for initial editing...
Russell Miles
Russell Miles
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
TMO at MWSF - Hands On: iPod shuffle || The Mac Observer
TMO at MWSF - Hands On: iPod shuffle || The Mac Observer: "SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- As Apple CEO Steve Jobs finished up his demonstration of the iPod shuffle and announced that 'they are shipping from the factory today,' he casually mentioned that he had heard they were a few at the Apple Store a few blocks away from the Moscone Center.
It came as little surprise to me to find that just minutes later the Apple Store three blocks away was packed with people, most of whom were in line to buy one (or ten) of the new iPod shuffles. Only the 512MB version was available and while they had ample stock while I waited in line for almost half an hour to purchase one--ample, at least, to not have to limit the quantity you could purchase--employees there, who had only learned of the device minutes ago themselves, expected to run out of shuffles quickly. San Francisco is apparently the only place in the country you can get them at the moment (the online Apple Store estimates shipment at one week for the 512MB model, and 1-2 weeks for the 1GB version)."
iPod Shuffle Retail Packaging
It came as little surprise to me to find that just minutes later the Apple Store three blocks away was packed with people, most of whom were in line to buy one (or ten) of the new iPod shuffles. Only the 512MB version was available and while they had ample stock while I waited in line for almost half an hour to purchase one--ample, at least, to not have to limit the quantity you could purchase--employees there, who had only learned of the device minutes ago themselves, expected to run out of shuffles quickly. San Francisco is apparently the only place in the country you can get them at the moment (the online Apple Store estimates shipment at one week for the 512MB model, and 1-2 weeks for the 1GB version)."
iPod Shuffle Retail Packaging
Apple - iLife - iMovie HD - Magic Movie
Apple - iLife - iMovie HD - Magic Movie: "We’re all used to seeing cinematic sleight of hand when we visit the local multiplex. But how would you like to see some pretty amazing magic in your own home? Performed on your Macintosh computer by iMovie HD. We call this particular reality-defying exploit Magic iMovie because, believe it or not, all you have to do is plug in your camcorder and let iMovie automatically create a movie as you watch. Mystified.
It’s About Time
For some projects, you want to take your time: agonize over each transition; tweak titles until they’re perfect.
But for other projects, time is of the essence. If, for example, you’d like to have a complete video of the wedding ceremony in time for the reception, you’re going to have to edit the raw footage with abandon. The same holds true if you’d like to have a highlights film of the soccer team’s amazing final season game ready for the victory party that evening.
That’s why we created Magic iMovie."
It’s About Time
For some projects, you want to take your time: agonize over each transition; tweak titles until they’re perfect.
But for other projects, time is of the essence. If, for example, you’d like to have a complete video of the wedding ceremony in time for the reception, you’re going to have to edit the raw footage with abandon. The same holds true if you’d like to have a highlights film of the soccer team’s amazing final season game ready for the victory party that evening.
That’s why we created Magic iMovie."
MacCentral: MWSF: Apple brings out iLife '05
MacCentral: MWSF: Apple brings out iLife '05: "iLife -- Apple's bundle that includes iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes, iDVD and GarageBand -- received an update as Steve Jobs unveiled iLife '05 during his Tuesday morning keynote at Macworld Conference & Expo San Francisco. The package will be available on Jan. 22 for US$79; all new Macs, including the new Mac mini, will already include it. iTunes 4.7.1, which is also available separately, comes with a single addition -- the AutoFill option that grabs a random mix of tunes for the new iPod shuffle -- but the other applications offer a slate of new features.
iMovie HD picks up support for 720p and 1080i high-definition video and MPEG-4 as well as three new transitions, 10 new video effects and 12 new Skywalker Sound audio effects. In addition, its new Magic iMovie feature automatically imports video and adds titles, transitions and music. iMovie HD also includes a media browser for importing photos and video clips from a digital camera as well as such new editing tools as virtually unlimited undo and the option to save work in progress in a new file, in case you encounter problems with the remaining video." (Click Title For More - CTFM)
Shuffle Life Style
iMovie HD picks up support for 720p and 1080i high-definition video and MPEG-4 as well as three new transitions, 10 new video effects and 12 new Skywalker Sound audio effects. In addition, its new Magic iMovie feature automatically imports video and adds titles, transitions and music. iMovie HD also includes a media browser for importing photos and video clips from a digital camera as well as such new editing tools as virtually unlimited undo and the option to save work in progress in a new file, in case you encounter problems with the remaining video." (Click Title For More - CTFM)
Shuffle Life Style
Gizmodo : Mac mini and iPod Shuffle: Industry Impressions
Gizmodo : Mac mini and iPod Shuffle: Industry Impressions: "'The Mac Mini idea rocks. A cute, inexpensive personal computer complete with all the productivity software a casual user needs, the iLife apps, and the iPod's good looks? Brilliant. With its small size and quiet design, it might make a good addition to the home entertainment center too.
The only thing that wowed me about the iPod Shuffle was the price. The lack of a display kills it for me. Forget putting audio books on it, Podcasts, etc. -- it's pretty much a music only device if you can't pick tracks. Gotta love how they took its most glaring limitation and tried to tout it as its coolest feature.'
- Anonymous former gadget magazine editor who now works at a large software company in Redmond."
click title to read more
The only thing that wowed me about the iPod Shuffle was the price. The lack of a display kills it for me. Forget putting audio books on it, Podcasts, etc. -- it's pretty much a music only device if you can't pick tracks. Gotta love how they took its most glaring limitation and tried to tout it as its coolest feature.'
- Anonymous former gadget magazine editor who now works at a large software company in Redmond."
click title to read more
Gizmodo : iPod Shuffle: First Review
Gizmodo : iPod Shuffle: First Review: "By the way- floods of people were streaming in as I left the Apple store and several employees at the door were handing out shuffles from boxes by the dozens. People were buying 3, 4, 5 of these things at a time. Amazing what a brand can make people do."
Apple - iPod shuffle
Apple - iPod shuffle: "Time to mix things up. Meet iPod shuffle (Photos), the unpredictable new iPod. What will it play next? Can it read your mind? Can it read your moods? Load it up. Put it on. See where it takes you. Choose from pocket-size 512MB or 1G models starting at $99 and surprise yourself."
Plug-and-Playlists
iPod shuffle makes syncing a piece of cake. Cupcake, even. Use the optional Dock to connect to your computer or just plug iPod shuffle directly into a USB port on any computer(4). Then drag and drop individual songs, Autofill your favorite playlists or Autofill your iPod shuffle with a random sampling from your music library. Since iPod shuffle automatically charges while syncing, it stays ready for your next adventure. (QTVR)
Warning
Plug-and-Playlists
iPod shuffle makes syncing a piece of cake. Cupcake, even. Use the optional Dock to connect to your computer or just plug iPod shuffle directly into a USB port on any computer(4). Then drag and drop individual songs, Autofill your favorite playlists or Autofill your iPod shuffle with a random sampling from your music library. Since iPod shuffle automatically charges while syncing, it stays ready for your next adventure. (QTVR)
Warning
- Do not eat iPod shuffle.
- Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings.
MacWorld Feeds
MacMerc has a Live Feed Page, as does MacRumors.
PowerbookCentral has major coverage, too.
Photo Gallery/Reports
Source: http://www.gizmodo.com/
PowerbookCentral has major coverage, too.
Photo Gallery/Reports
Source: http://www.gizmodo.com/
The Laporte Report : IPod Shuffle (T-Mobile Photo Report)
The Laporte Report: I was all ready to order, then I see the battery isn’t removable. WHY OH WHY? I like my little Creative MuVo since I can carry 4 AAA’s, so when one runs out, I have another. I don’t have to keep returning it to a dock to charge. What a fatal mistake. : (
"
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In the cheap seats for Jobs' keynote | News.blog | CNET News.com
In the cheap seats for Jobs' keynote | News.blog | CNET News.com: "Greetings from the only media person voluntarily occupying the spillover room for Steve Jobs' Macworld keynote address. (It has a Wi-Fi connection, and CNET News.com has a fondness for real-time news.)
Faced with an unusually large press turnout for this year's shindig, Apple Computer exiled most of the second-string media--you know, managing editor of the East Kalamazoo Mac User Group newsletter--to a separate room a kilometer or so from where Jobs is talking. There, they get to listen to classics such as 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' before watching the Apple CEO bluster live on a big-screen TV. "
Faced with an unusually large press turnout for this year's shindig, Apple Computer exiled most of the second-string media--you know, managing editor of the East Kalamazoo Mac User Group newsletter--to a separate room a kilometer or so from where Jobs is talking. There, they get to listen to classics such as 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' before watching the Apple CEO bluster live on a big-screen TV. "
Mac Mini demand downs Apple's store briefly | CNET News.com
Mac Mini demand downs Apple's store briefly | CNET News.com: "Minutes after Apple announced its $499 mini Macintosh, the company's Web store was inaccessible to some visitors and slowed to a crawl for others.
'We are busy updating the store for you and will be back within the hour,' a message posted to the Apple Store Web page read as of 11:15 a.m. PST, when it had finally become available.
Apple representatives did not immediately return calls for comment"
'We are busy updating the store for you and will be back within the hour,' a message posted to the Apple Store Web page read as of 11:15 a.m. PST, when it had finally become available.
Apple representatives did not immediately return calls for comment"
Apple unveils $499 PC | Tech News on ZDNet
Apple unveils $499 PC | Tech News on ZDNet: "Jobs also confirmed several other high-profile debuts--including a tiny flash memory iPod--that have been grinding through the Mac rumor mills, prompting the secretive company to sue the alleged source of several information leaks.
Many of the reports turned out to be true, with Jobs beginning the cavalcade of products by announcing the Mac Mini and the flash memory-based iPod.
The Mac Mini is a tiny machine with a processor, hard drive and optical drive--you supply the monitor, mouse and keyboard. Jobs said the package will settle long-standing complaints that Apple extracts too high a premium for its products."
Many of the reports turned out to be true, with Jobs beginning the cavalcade of products by announcing the Mac Mini and the flash memory-based iPod.
The Mac Mini is a tiny machine with a processor, hard drive and optical drive--you supply the monitor, mouse and keyboard. Jobs said the package will settle long-standing complaints that Apple extracts too high a premium for its products."
The Apple Mac Mini - Engadget
The Apple Mac Mini - Engadget - www.engadget.com
So Apple’s got some pics of their new Mac Mini up! But we know you’d rather see ‘em here with all the rest of the gadget goodness, so here you go! Did we mention their site’s down. So, as you can see, it’s got a slot-loading combo drive (DVD/CD-R), DVI & VGA, Ethernet, USB 2.0, Firewire, audio out (but no audio in—this is a big deal!), and is 6 x 6 x 2.5-inches. It will be $499 with a 1.25GHz G4 processor and 40GB hard drive, with a faster version for $599, and should be in stores Jan 22nd.
Click Title For More
Comments:
Posted Jan 11, 2005, 2:23 PM ET by Karl
No audio in isn't a big deal. Lots of recent Macs don't have one. There are USB microphones and various other audio input thingies that use USB or FireWire.
Posted Jan 11, 2005, 2:22 PM ET by Mike Corley
No man, your supposed to use the built in Bluetooth for your keyboard and mouse leaving you all your USB ports open!
So Apple’s got some pics of their new Mac Mini up! But we know you’d rather see ‘em here with all the rest of the gadget goodness, so here you go! Did we mention their site’s down. So, as you can see, it’s got a slot-loading combo drive (DVD/CD-R), DVI & VGA, Ethernet, USB 2.0, Firewire, audio out (but no audio in—this is a big deal!), and is 6 x 6 x 2.5-inches. It will be $499 with a 1.25GHz G4 processor and 40GB hard drive, with a faster version for $599, and should be in stores Jan 22nd.
Click Title For More
Comments:
Posted Jan 11, 2005, 2:23 PM ET by Karl
No audio in isn't a big deal. Lots of recent Macs don't have one. There are USB microphones and various other audio input thingies that use USB or FireWire.
Posted Jan 11, 2005, 2:22 PM ET by Mike Corley
No man, your supposed to use the built in Bluetooth for your keyboard and mouse leaving you all your USB ports open!
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Apple unveils Mini Mac, iPod Shuffle
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: AP - High-Tech: "SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple Computer Inc. chief executive Steve Jobs unveiled a very small $499 computer on Tuesday and a flash memory-based music player called the iPod Shuffle.
The new products seek to make inroads against the traditionally more affordable PC market and against lower-cost competitors to Apple's wildly popular iPod.
The Mini Mac computers, smaller than even some standalone external computer drives, go on sale Jan. 22. They lack a monitor, mouse and keyboard. The 40-gigabyte Mini Mac will cost $499, an 80-gigabyte model $599.
'People who are thinking of switching will have no more excuses,' Jobs said during a keynote speech at Macworld and Expo. 'It's the newest and most affordable Mac ever.'"
The new products seek to make inroads against the traditionally more affordable PC market and against lower-cost competitors to Apple's wildly popular iPod.
The Mini Mac computers, smaller than even some standalone external computer drives, go on sale Jan. 22. They lack a monitor, mouse and keyboard. The 40-gigabyte Mini Mac will cost $499, an 80-gigabyte model $599.
'People who are thinking of switching will have no more excuses,' Jobs said during a keynote speech at Macworld and Expo. 'It's the newest and most affordable Mac ever.'"
Mariner Software: Mariner Software Releases MacJournal 3.0
Mariner Software: "Mariner Software, Inc. developers and publishers of professional and personal software for the writing and creativity markets, today unveiled the release of MacJournal 3.0, its popular journaling application for the Macintosh at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, CA. Version 3.0 introduces several feature additions, as well as many bug fixes. The product is available immediately from the Mariner Software. A partial list of new features in MacJournal 3.0 includes:
- Nested journals
- Manual sorting of entries
- Wiki links
- Sort Lines, Change Case, Remove Line Breaks. New text clean-up options
- Copy As HTML. The same functionality found in exporting to HTML
- Full Screen. View menu item, toolbar item, and the F8 key all bring the text area of the window full screen so you can concentrate just on the text, or make a presentation
- Menu item reorganization
- Blogger and LiveJournal sheets will respect the system settings for Web proxy
- Plus much more..."
- Nested journals
- Manual sorting of entries
- Wiki links
- Sort Lines, Change Case, Remove Line Breaks. New text clean-up options
- Copy As HTML. The same functionality found in exporting to HTML
- Full Screen. View menu item, toolbar item, and the F8 key all bring the text area of the window full screen so you can concentrate just on the text, or make a presentation
- Menu item reorganization
- Blogger and LiveJournal sheets will respect the system settings for Web proxy
- Plus much more..."
Addicted to Digital Media - Part II: Behind the Scenes at the CES Bill Gates Keynote
Addicted to Digital Media - Part II: Behind the Scenes at the CES Keynote: "Disclaimer: the following comments are my own based on my own perception of events. Provided as-is and confers no rights]
Wow, things have been so busy here at CES that I'm just getting around to blogging, starting with my promised behind the scenes of the Bill Gates CES 2005 Keynote. I've done a short version and a long version for those who have been emailing, asking me to follow up on my earlier post.
Summary
Wednesday night, Bill Gates hosted the 2005 CES Opening Keynote along with his surprise guest, Late Night's Conan O'Brien. Overall I think things went well, but as can happen with live events with so many variables, there were a couple of technical issues noted by sites like Engadget. The key thing for me that I could have done a better job on-stage pointing out is that despite a small glitch with a remote control (IR) receiver, a single Media Center ran all the Media Center demos and we kept rolling despite the hiccup."
Wow, things have been so busy here at CES that I'm just getting around to blogging, starting with my promised behind the scenes of the Bill Gates CES 2005 Keynote. I've done a short version and a long version for those who have been emailing, asking me to follow up on my earlier post.
Summary
Wednesday night, Bill Gates hosted the 2005 CES Opening Keynote along with his surprise guest, Late Night's Conan O'Brien. Overall I think things went well, but as can happen with live events with so many variables, there were a couple of technical issues noted by sites like Engadget. The key thing for me that I could have done a better job on-stage pointing out is that despite a small glitch with a remote control (IR) receiver, a single Media Center ran all the Media Center demos and we kept rolling despite the hiccup."
Digital Media Thoughts - CES: New Media Center Universal Remotes
Digital Media Thoughts - CES: New Media Center Universal Remotes: "'One of the neater things I saw at CES was the growing ecosystem of cool Universal remote controls for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 PCs and all of your other home theater equipment and beyond.'
Sean Alexander has a quick look at 4 universal remotes he liked from CES 2005. Cost aside, my favorite is the Philips RC9800i Wi-Fi Controller with its cool 'Green Button' on the screen."
Sean Alexander has a quick look at 4 universal remotes he liked from CES 2005. Cost aside, my favorite is the Philips RC9800i Wi-Fi Controller with its cool 'Green Button' on the screen."
Monday, January 10, 2005
New Apple iPods: More Efficient, More Features and Less Expensive
New Apple iPods: More Efficient, More Features and Less Expensive: "The fourth generation Apple iPods operate more efficiently, have more features, and cost less than earlier models.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs talks about the new iPod, and the impact of digital music in a Newsweek interview. 'I was on Madison, and...on every block there was someone with white headphones, and I thought 'Oh my god, it's starting to happen!''
The iPod, the cigarette box-size digital music player has smacked right into the sweet spot where a consumer product becomes something much, much more: an icon, a pet, a status indicator and an indispensable part of one's life, reports Senior Editor Steven Levy in the July 26 Newsweek cover story. To 3 million-plus owners, iPods not only give constant access to their entire collection of songs and CDs, but membership into an implicit society that's transforming the way music will be consumed in the future.
The considerably tweaked fourth-generation iPod that will roll out this week, and it looks a bit different, operates more efficiently, has a few more features and costs less than earlier models."
Apple CEO Steve Jobs talks about the new iPod, and the impact of digital music in a Newsweek interview. 'I was on Madison, and...on every block there was someone with white headphones, and I thought 'Oh my god, it's starting to happen!''
The iPod, the cigarette box-size digital music player has smacked right into the sweet spot where a consumer product becomes something much, much more: an icon, a pet, a status indicator and an indispensable part of one's life, reports Senior Editor Steven Levy in the July 26 Newsweek cover story. To 3 million-plus owners, iPods not only give constant access to their entire collection of songs and CDs, but membership into an implicit society that's transforming the way music will be consumed in the future.
The considerably tweaked fourth-generation iPod that will roll out this week, and it looks a bit different, operates more efficiently, has a few more features and costs less than earlier models."
SignOnSanDiego.com : Technology -- Entrepreneurs pump up couch-potato technology to promote fitness
SignOnSanDiego.com > Technology -- Entrepreneurs pump up couch-potato technology to promote fitness: "LAS VEGAS - Consumer electronics companies commonly cater to couch potatoes by pitching bigger television sets, more mesmerizing video games and remote controls that can even place online orders for pizza.
But a small cadre of entrepreneurs at the world's largest technology exposition hope their gizmos make you work up a sweat.
Company executives insist that 'exergaming' or 'exertainment' - the marriage of physical exercise and video gaming - is becoming a hot new niche, and the most bullish aficionados say it might even help reduce the nation's obesity epidemic.
The four-day International Consumer Electronics Show, which ended Sunday, sponsored its first-ever 'Cardio PlayZone' section for fitness-themed companies.
The PlayZone was tucked into a back corner of a tent outside the main convention center, far from the gargantuan exhibits by Samsung, Sony, Panasonic and other popular brands.
Although scents reminiscent of a gym sometimes wafted out of the zone, the jam-packed area was popular with retailers and analysts. Six exhibitors - many startups new to CES - showed off digital putting greens, optical sensors in miniature dance floors, biofeedback devices and cutting-edge workout contraptions.
But most of the PlayZone devices, often played on PlayStations and Xboxes, didn't feel like exercise at all – exactly what many exertainment companies like to hear.
"The most common question I get is, 'How is this exercise? I just don't see how this is a workout,'" said Abigail Whitting, customer support manager for Kilowatt, which won a CES innovation award. "But it will tone you. It is a workout."
By Rachel Konrad
ASSOCIATED PRESS
But a small cadre of entrepreneurs at the world's largest technology exposition hope their gizmos make you work up a sweat.
Company executives insist that 'exergaming' or 'exertainment' - the marriage of physical exercise and video gaming - is becoming a hot new niche, and the most bullish aficionados say it might even help reduce the nation's obesity epidemic.
The four-day International Consumer Electronics Show, which ended Sunday, sponsored its first-ever 'Cardio PlayZone' section for fitness-themed companies.
The PlayZone was tucked into a back corner of a tent outside the main convention center, far from the gargantuan exhibits by Samsung, Sony, Panasonic and other popular brands.
Although scents reminiscent of a gym sometimes wafted out of the zone, the jam-packed area was popular with retailers and analysts. Six exhibitors - many startups new to CES - showed off digital putting greens, optical sensors in miniature dance floors, biofeedback devices and cutting-edge workout contraptions.
But most of the PlayZone devices, often played on PlayStations and Xboxes, didn't feel like exercise at all – exactly what many exertainment companies like to hear.
"The most common question I get is, 'How is this exercise? I just don't see how this is a workout,'" said Abigail Whitting, customer support manager for Kilowatt, which won a CES innovation award. "But it will tone you. It is a workout."
By Rachel Konrad
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MercuryNews.com | 01/10/2005 | Vegas show has 26 football fields of gadgets
MercuryNews.com | 01/10/2005 | Vegas show has 26 football fields of gadgets: "Over-educated TV remote controls. It wouldn't be CES without the occasional silly product offering the solution to a problem no one has. My nomination for 2005 is the new RCA Acoustic Research ARR1540 universal remote control at $179.
Beyond the usual TV remote features, this model has ``an integrated atomic clock and internal room temperature sensor.'' So if you're watching too much TV in a room that's too cold, you'll know exactly how much time you're wasting down to the millisecond, and you can measure your discomfort in Fahrenheit degrees."
Beyond the usual TV remote features, this model has ``an integrated atomic clock and internal room temperature sensor.'' So if you're watching too much TV in a room that's too cold, you'll know exactly how much time you're wasting down to the millisecond, and you can measure your discomfort in Fahrenheit degrees."
TMO at MWSF - Power Your iPod With Solar Power || The Mac Observer
TMO at MWSF - Power Your iPod With Solar Power The Mac Observer: "SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Better Energy Systems announced Monday Solio, a solar power charging solution for iPods and other portable devices. Consisting of a collapsible array of three solar panels that fits in your pocket, the device connects to your iPod with a cable (see image: click title). The company said it will be introducing the products at this week's Macworld Expo in San Francisco.
Solio weighs 5.8 ounces, is weatherproof, and Better Energy Systems describes it as the size of an average cell phone. Included are adapters to allow Solio to be used with portable devices other than the iPod."
Solio weighs 5.8 ounces, is weatherproof, and Better Energy Systems describes it as the size of an average cell phone. Included are adapters to allow Solio to be used with portable devices other than the iPod."
MacCentral: Apple to delay webcast of Jobs keynote
MacCentral: Apple to delay webcast of Jobs keynote: "On Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM Pacific Time, Apple Computer Inc. CEO Steve Jobs will deliver the keynote address for Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco, Calif. Unlike years past, however, there will be no live webcast of Jobs' keynote speech.
In a statement released this morning, Apple confirmed that it will webcast the keynote -- but doesn't plan to do so until 6:00 PM Pacific Time Tuesday, nine full hours after Jobs' keynote is scheduled to begin. An Apple spokesman contacted by MacCentral was unable to provide any further details about the reason for the delayed Webcast."
In a statement released this morning, Apple confirmed that it will webcast the keynote -- but doesn't plan to do so until 6:00 PM Pacific Time Tuesday, nine full hours after Jobs' keynote is scheduled to begin. An Apple spokesman contacted by MacCentral was unable to provide any further details about the reason for the delayed Webcast."
Midget iPod, budget iMac? The guessing game is on / At Macworld, Apple must sketch out shape of things to come
Midget iPod, budget iMac? The guessing game is on / At Macworld, Apple must sketch out shape of things to come: "Will it be a flash memory iPod for under $200? Or a new Motorola cell phone that can play music from Apple's iTunes Music Store? What about a new, monitor-less iMac for $500? Or its own line of office software?
With Apple Computer's top dog Steve Jobs set to take center stage Tuesday to kick off the Macworld Expo at Moscone Center, the rumor mill has been at a fever pitch among the Apple faithful on what new products he will introduce this time.
The show, which is expected to attract more than 32,000 visitors, has been the stage of choice for Jobs to make splashy announcements about new products.
For example, a year ago, he unveiled the iPod Mini, the colorful smaller sibling of the sleek portable music player that has become a hot seller. Analysts say Apple is selling more of the $249, 4-GB portable music players than the white iPods, which are more expensive but come with bigger storage capacity. "
Matthew Yi, Chronicle Staff Writer
With Apple Computer's top dog Steve Jobs set to take center stage Tuesday to kick off the Macworld Expo at Moscone Center, the rumor mill has been at a fever pitch among the Apple faithful on what new products he will introduce this time.
The show, which is expected to attract more than 32,000 visitors, has been the stage of choice for Jobs to make splashy announcements about new products.
For example, a year ago, he unveiled the iPod Mini, the colorful smaller sibling of the sleek portable music player that has become a hot seller. Analysts say Apple is selling more of the $249, 4-GB portable music players than the white iPods, which are more expensive but come with bigger storage capacity. "
Matthew Yi, Chronicle Staff Writer
PC Magazine: CES 2005 in Review
CES 2005 in Review: "This year at CES, the revolution not only wasn't televised, it didn't happen. With nary a sign of a break-through product, the 2005 version of the Consumer Electronics Show focused on smaller, cheaper, bigger and brighter versions of already-released technologies. We delivered more than 130 stories during the five days of CES, covering everything from Alvarion's mobile WiMax plans to Zensys' Z-Wave technology. Here's a look at what made waves in each category.
I could go on and one, but if you really want to discover the best of CES for yourself, check out our CES special report. And if you just want to peruse the headlines of each of the more than 130 articles we produced, click on our CES 2005 Archive. The number of amazing new products, while not revolutionary, will be enough to impress even the most jaded geek. "
By Jim Louderback, ExtremeTech
I could go on and one, but if you really want to discover the best of CES for yourself, check out our CES special report. And if you just want to peruse the headlines of each of the more than 130 articles we produced, click on our CES 2005 Archive. The number of amazing new products, while not revolutionary, will be enough to impress even the most jaded geek. "
By Jim Louderback, ExtremeTech
USATODAY.com - Apple peels wraps off product plans at Macworld this week
USA Today LAS VEGAS — Apple Computer moves to center stage this week as the tech world shifts its attention from the desert to San Francisco for answers to two big questions: Will Apple introduce its first bargain computer — and a cheap iPod?
At the just-ended Consumer Electronics Show here, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Dell Computer and others touted their vision for driving digital entertainment into the living room. Apple was a no-show. It holds court at its own event — Macworld — which begins in San Francisco Tuesday.
Apple won't comment. But according to the buzz among tech analysts and a host of Internet Apple-watcher sites, Apple plans to announce under-$200 iPods that store songs on internal flash memory, like those used in digital cameras, instead of on a hard drive. The iPod now starts at $249.
A bare bones $499 Mac computer — sans monitor — would be Apple's first entry into the budget camp. Should Apple go through with the move, it would make it competitive with entry-level Windows machines.
By Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY
At the just-ended Consumer Electronics Show here, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Dell Computer and others touted their vision for driving digital entertainment into the living room. Apple was a no-show. It holds court at its own event — Macworld — which begins in San Francisco Tuesday.
Apple won't comment. But according to the buzz among tech analysts and a host of Internet Apple-watcher sites, Apple plans to announce under-$200 iPods that store songs on internal flash memory, like those used in digital cameras, instead of on a hard drive. The iPod now starts at $249.
A bare bones $499 Mac computer — sans monitor — would be Apple's first entry into the budget camp. Should Apple go through with the move, it would make it competitive with entry-level Windows machines.
By Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY
I4U News - New WowWee Robospien Robots at CES 2005 Video
I4U News - New WowWee Robospien Robots at CES 2005 VideoWowWee shows three new robosapien toy robots. In 2005, WowWee will introduce a new taller more functional humanoid robot. The new Robosapien can do situps and other more advanced stunts compared to the currently available Robosapien.
WowWee introduces also the Robo Pet and the Robo Raptor Dinosaur Robot. The Robo Pet Dog robot is able to not fall off the table and can stand up by himself. The Robo Raptor is awesome. The way the robot moves is very real.
Watch the Video of the three new WowWee Robots to see them in action.
Engadget: Article, Video
WowWee introduces also the Robo Pet and the Robo Raptor Dinosaur Robot. The Robo Pet Dog robot is able to not fall off the table and can stand up by himself. The Robo Raptor is awesome. The way the robot moves is very real.
Watch the Video of the three new WowWee Robots to see them in action.
Engadget: Article, Video
Sunday, January 09, 2005
G4techTV - CES 2005
G4techTV - CES 2005 Home Page: "G4techTV multimedia coverage of CES:
Best in Show: Yamaha YSP-1
By Larry Dobrow
The Audio/Video Essentials category spanned a range of brands and products, including everything from a $60 DVD player to an $8,000 home-theater enabled entity that might best be described as a couch on steroids.
The winner, however, was something considerably easier for non-aficionados to wrap their heads around: Yamaha's YSP-1 Digital Sound Projector, a cylindrical speaker designed for simple mounting beneath flat-panel plasma displays. (click title to read more)
Best in Show: Yamaha YSP-1
By Larry Dobrow
The Audio/Video Essentials category spanned a range of brands and products, including everything from a $60 DVD player to an $8,000 home-theater enabled entity that might best be described as a couch on steroids.
The winner, however, was something considerably easier for non-aficionados to wrap their heads around: Yamaha's YSP-1 Digital Sound Projector, a cylindrical speaker designed for simple mounting beneath flat-panel plasma displays. (click title to read more)
New York Post: CES '05: GADGETS A GO-GO
New York Post Online Edition: business:
Powergrid Fitness's Kilowatt Sport
Once upon a time, Nintendo tried to mesh video games and exercise machines with Power Pad — initially dubbed "Family Fun and Fitness."
The concept was simple: jump up and down on a floor mat hooked up to a game console, and your actions were supposedly mimicked in the game. Unfortunately, the concept flopped.
Now U.S. company Powergrid Fitness is revamping the idea with the Kilowatt Sport, which replaces the joystick with a "resistance rod."
The player sits semi-upright, feet apart, and tugs or pushes the rod. The device measures the force rather than the motion of the rod and helps tone muscles.
The device is made to work with PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox games requiring an analog joystick.
The Sport costs $800 yet the more advanced pro version goes for $1,200. At these prices, it would be as healthy, if not much cheaper — free, actually — to go for a jog in Central Park."
(Engadget Video Interview: E3 2004)
Powergrid Fitness's Kilowatt Sport
Once upon a time, Nintendo tried to mesh video games and exercise machines with Power Pad — initially dubbed "Family Fun and Fitness."
The concept was simple: jump up and down on a floor mat hooked up to a game console, and your actions were supposedly mimicked in the game. Unfortunately, the concept flopped.
Now U.S. company Powergrid Fitness is revamping the idea with the Kilowatt Sport, which replaces the joystick with a "resistance rod."
The player sits semi-upright, feet apart, and tugs or pushes the rod. The device measures the force rather than the motion of the rod and helps tone muscles.
The device is made to work with PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox games requiring an analog joystick.
The Sport costs $800 yet the more advanced pro version goes for $1,200. At these prices, it would be as healthy, if not much cheaper — free, actually — to go for a jog in Central Park."
(Engadget Video Interview: E3 2004)
PCWorld.com - Best of CES 2005 in Photos
PCWorld.com - Best of CES 2005 in Photos: "The giant Consumer Electronics Show is coming to a close, but that doesn't mean our coverage is over. We've put together some of the coolest photos to come out of this year's show. Take a look.
And to read our original reports from the show, check out our CES Staff Blog, where our editors are writing about these products and many more.
If you must go outside, but can't leave the music behind, why not snorkle with Oregon Scientific's MP120 MP3 player? You can go underwater with it in up to 3.2 feet deep for up to 30 minutes. It comes in 128MB, 256MB and 512MB capacities, and the company says the battery lasts up to 10 hours. Don't touch the fish!"
click title for more
And to read our original reports from the show, check out our CES Staff Blog, where our editors are writing about these products and many more.
If you must go outside, but can't leave the music behind, why not snorkle with Oregon Scientific's MP120 MP3 player? You can go underwater with it in up to 3.2 feet deep for up to 30 minutes. It comes in 128MB, 256MB and 512MB capacities, and the company says the battery lasts up to 10 hours. Don't touch the fish!"
click title for more
CES photos: View from the floor, day three | CNET News.com
CES photos: View from the floor, day three | CNET News.com:
A prototype of a Kodak modular photo gallery. Discs can be plucked out.
Credit: Michael Kanellos
Related Story: CES 2005: Digitizing entertainment
A prototype of a Kodak modular photo gallery. Discs can be plucked out.
Credit: Michael Kanellos
Related Story: CES 2005: Digitizing entertainment
USATODAY.com - Outlandish gadgets in short supply at show
USATODAY.com - Outlandish gadgets in short supply at show: "But manufacturers at this year's gadgetfest generally took a more modest approach: They eschewed the flamboyant and futuristic in favor of relatively affordable devices that will debut within weeks or months, not years.
Many of the 2,400 exhibitors at the International Consumer Electronics Show this week hawked simple, elegant, sub-$1,000 items meant to enhance consumers' 'digital lifestyles.'
Universal remote controls, hand-held computers, digital camcorders, MP3 players and TVs that can be programmed from cell phones help users stay plugged into a world of digital music, video, games, television and Internet.
'We're encouraged by the real-world products at affordable price points this year,' said Mike George, chief marketing officer at Dell. 'We're finally moving from hype to reality.'
Although the 2005 show is light on breathless enthusiasm, the realism thrills skeptics who have been hearing technologists' gush about the 'wired home' since the mid-1980s.
Many of the 2,400 exhibitors at the International Consumer Electronics Show this week hawked simple, elegant, sub-$1,000 items meant to enhance consumers' 'digital lifestyles.'
Universal remote controls, hand-held computers, digital camcorders, MP3 players and TVs that can be programmed from cell phones help users stay plugged into a world of digital music, video, games, television and Internet.
'We're encouraged by the real-world products at affordable price points this year,' said Mike George, chief marketing officer at Dell. 'We're finally moving from hype to reality.'
Although the 2005 show is light on breathless enthusiasm, the realism thrills skeptics who have been hearing technologists' gush about the 'wired home' since the mid-1980s.
- An embedded microdrive from Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. The 1-inch, half-ounce innovation is 20% smaller than the smallest microdrive now on the market, but it holds double the data — between 8 and 10 gigabytes.
Dubbed "Mikey" for its diminutive size, the drive will debut in the second half of 2005. Consumers can't buy the drive directly; Hitachi is in discussions with cell phone and MP3 manufacturers. (CNET: Hitachi sues maker of tiny drives)
Although realism was the theme of the 2005 show, CES wouldn't be complete without fanciful gizmos, such as the 30-inch "intelligent oven" that can defrost, dehydrate, refrigerate, bake, broil or warm food based on prompts from any Internet-enabled computer or cell phone. TMIO Inc. is taking pre-orders online, but hasn't set prices.
But the newest prototype may never see the light of Best Buy: Like many of the more outrageous products at CES, it was built in part for bragging rights. "
By Joe Cavaretta, AP
BBC NEWS | Technology | Portable media gadgets get moving (Excerpts)
BBC NEWS | Technology | Portable media gadgets get moving: "Pocket-sized devices that let people carry around video and images are set to have a big year in 2005, according to industry experts.
Last year saw the emergence of portable media players, such as the Windows-based Creative Zen portable media player, the Samsung Yepp, the iRiver PMC-100, and the Archos AV400 series among others.
But this year, they are set to get smarter and more connected, to allow people to find more video to watch on them.
Archos launched its latest range of its Linux-based portable media devices at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Friday.
Dubbed the Pocket Media Assistant PMA430 (Engadget Photo Report), it crucially has wi-fi capability built-in for the first time.
'Consumers are showing a great thirst for devices that store all their media in one place for anywhere access,' said Henri Crohas, chief of Archos.
'And now those consumers can stay connected and productive at the same time.'
Archos said the focus for the device is to be the second gadget in people's pockets, after the mobile.
The TiVo To Go service means that US consumers will be able to take any programmes they record on their TiVos and transfer it for free to watch on any of the Windows-based portable media players or smartphones.
It also said it had launched a service with MTV to let people watch Comedy Central, VH1 and Country Music TV on its devices.
And a service is launching with MSN to provide people with shortened versions of news, entertainment and other video on a subscription basis for download via the PC onto the portable devices.
Recent research by Jupiter suggested that people would prefer a device that was dedicated to music.
Only 13% of Europeans wanted to watch video while on the move. More seemed interested in spending their cash on music-only devices.
The possibility is open for non-professional makers of video and audio to take advantage of the growing portable media market to distribute their work."
By Jo Twist
BBC News technology reporter, in Las Vegas
Last year saw the emergence of portable media players, such as the Windows-based Creative Zen portable media player, the Samsung Yepp, the iRiver PMC-100, and the Archos AV400 series among others.
But this year, they are set to get smarter and more connected, to allow people to find more video to watch on them.
Archos launched its latest range of its Linux-based portable media devices at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Friday.
Dubbed the Pocket Media Assistant PMA430 (Engadget Photo Report), it crucially has wi-fi capability built-in for the first time.
'Consumers are showing a great thirst for devices that store all their media in one place for anywhere access,' said Henri Crohas, chief of Archos.
'And now those consumers can stay connected and productive at the same time.'
Archos said the focus for the device is to be the second gadget in people's pockets, after the mobile.
The TiVo To Go service means that US consumers will be able to take any programmes they record on their TiVos and transfer it for free to watch on any of the Windows-based portable media players or smartphones.
It also said it had launched a service with MTV to let people watch Comedy Central, VH1 and Country Music TV on its devices.
And a service is launching with MSN to provide people with shortened versions of news, entertainment and other video on a subscription basis for download via the PC onto the portable devices.
Recent research by Jupiter suggested that people would prefer a device that was dedicated to music.
Only 13% of Europeans wanted to watch video while on the move. More seemed interested in spending their cash on music-only devices.
The possibility is open for non-professional makers of video and audio to take advantage of the growing portable media market to distribute their work."
By Jo Twist
BBC News technology reporter, in Las Vegas
At CES, something for everyone / Latest gizmos unveiled at Las Vegas show span just about all interests
At CES, something for everyone / Latest gizmos unveiled at Las Vegas show span just about all interests: "Las Vegas -- From tone-deaf karaoke lovers to chatty people whose cell phone batteries keep dying, there is help out there.
For those who can't carry a tune, IVL Technologies Ltd.'s On-Key Karaoke System may be the answer. The system includes a wireless microphone that wraps around the ear and turns even a monotone voice into one that's in tune. The device also has a video camera that puts an image of the singer on the television. (CES Press Release)
The system is priced at $199 and comes with 100 songs. Additional songs are available on the firm's Web site (OnKeySongs) for 99 cents per tune. The device will be available this spring.
Gift of gab
Have you ever been left powerless with a dead cell phone? Charge 2 Go offers a lightweight, reusable portable charger that runs on one AA battery or a rechargeable battery. (Press Release)
Once it's plugged in to the phone, users get instant power -- up to three extra hours of talk time. The product, which won the show's Best of Innovations honor in the portable power category, sells for about $20. Now you'll never stop yammering."
Matthew Yi and Benny Evangelista, Chronicle Staff Writers
For those who can't carry a tune, IVL Technologies Ltd.'s On-Key Karaoke System may be the answer. The system includes a wireless microphone that wraps around the ear and turns even a monotone voice into one that's in tune. The device also has a video camera that puts an image of the singer on the television. (CES Press Release)
The system is priced at $199 and comes with 100 songs. Additional songs are available on the firm's Web site (OnKeySongs) for 99 cents per tune. The device will be available this spring.
Gift of gab
Have you ever been left powerless with a dead cell phone? Charge 2 Go offers a lightweight, reusable portable charger that runs on one AA battery or a rechargeable battery. (Press Release)
Once it's plugged in to the phone, users get instant power -- up to three extra hours of talk time. The product, which won the show's Best of Innovations honor in the portable power category, sells for about $20. Now you'll never stop yammering."
Matthew Yi and Benny Evangelista, Chronicle Staff Writers
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Molly Wood's CES Buzz Blog - CNET.com
CES Buzz Blog - CNET.com: "A staple of any good trade show is a phalanx of attractive, invariably blank-faced women delivering the dazzling technical specs of products they've never seen and couldn't identify in a police lineup. The LG booth (Central hall, booth number 8214) is an excellent, if slightly disturbing, example. There, women recite perfectly memorized speeches as though reading an invisible teleprompter, with a truly astonishing lack of affect. It is, in fact, robotic. Really, you simply have to watch the blonde lady, if only for the part where she pauses, cocks her perfectly coiffed head, then says, 'Wow. That sounds awesome.' I can't do it justice. I really think she is a robot. "
Molly Wood
Senior editor
Click Title To Read More
Molly Wood
Senior editor
Click Title To Read More
CES 2005: CNET's CES Backstage Crew - CNET.com - Clare Perretta (Video)
CES 2005: CNET's CES Backstage Crew - CNET.com: "
WHAT I DO: Flower shop manager
WHERE I LIVE: Wallingford, Pennsylvania
OUTSIDE INTERESTS: Artsy movies, gadgets, road trips, fancy restaurants, dive bars, fabulous handbags
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7
I was waiting in line outside the Atlantic City Deli at the Hilton to hear Bill Gates's keynote on Wednesday night. It was loud, and I tried to get the attention of one of the other Backstage crew guys, and a guy ahead of me in line said, 'They could hear [me] all the way back to 40th Street.' (Ha ha, you're sooooo funny, Chuckles.)
Well, after briefly chatting with pop singer and trivia question answer Deborah Gibson, now you really can hear me all the way to 40th Street. Deborah (don't call her Debbie!) is the spokesperson for Leadsinger, a company that makes karaoke machines that keep all the important bits inside the microphone. It just plugs into your TV via RCA inputs, as you would a video game console, and away you go. The base model comes with 300 songs preinstalled, and you can buy extra memory chips with different genres of songs and a wireless mic adapter so you and a friend can duet.
Aside from a new way to torture my friends at parties (and several rainforests' worth of product information sheets), the thing I'm going to take home with me from CES is that there's so much more technology out there than what you or I might ever see in the real world. It almost makes me sad, really, that these awesome cell phones and PDAs and big, sexy, flat-screen TVs will probably never make it to my house. I mean, I was talking with a CNET editor who told me about the 67-inch Samsung DLP that costs 'only $6,000.' Come on! I'm a writer! (Confidential to Samsung: If you want to send one of those babies my way, CNET has my address.)
But even if the hot technology never gets to my house, the experience of visiting CES is one of those things I'll remember for a long time. The booth babes, the lame-ish freebie"
Click Title To Read More
WHAT I DO: Flower shop manager
WHERE I LIVE: Wallingford, Pennsylvania
OUTSIDE INTERESTS: Artsy movies, gadgets, road trips, fancy restaurants, dive bars, fabulous handbags
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7
I was waiting in line outside the Atlantic City Deli at the Hilton to hear Bill Gates's keynote on Wednesday night. It was loud, and I tried to get the attention of one of the other Backstage crew guys, and a guy ahead of me in line said, 'They could hear [me] all the way back to 40th Street.' (Ha ha, you're sooooo funny, Chuckles.)
Well, after briefly chatting with pop singer and trivia question answer Deborah Gibson, now you really can hear me all the way to 40th Street. Deborah (don't call her Debbie!) is the spokesperson for Leadsinger, a company that makes karaoke machines that keep all the important bits inside the microphone. It just plugs into your TV via RCA inputs, as you would a video game console, and away you go. The base model comes with 300 songs preinstalled, and you can buy extra memory chips with different genres of songs and a wireless mic adapter so you and a friend can duet.
Aside from a new way to torture my friends at parties (and several rainforests' worth of product information sheets), the thing I'm going to take home with me from CES is that there's so much more technology out there than what you or I might ever see in the real world. It almost makes me sad, really, that these awesome cell phones and PDAs and big, sexy, flat-screen TVs will probably never make it to my house. I mean, I was talking with a CNET editor who told me about the 67-inch Samsung DLP that costs 'only $6,000.' Come on! I'm a writer! (Confidential to Samsung: If you want to send one of those babies my way, CNET has my address.)
But even if the hot technology never gets to my house, the experience of visiting CES is one of those things I'll remember for a long time. The booth babes, the lame-ish freebie"
Click Title To Read More
BEST OF SHOW: Samsung next-gen, high-res DLP TV is world's largest
Samsung next-gen, high-res DLP TV is world's largest - CNET.com:
"The product: Over the past couple of years, Samsung has built an impressive stable of HDTV products based on DLP microdisplay technology, which offers large screen size in a thin and light cabinet design (compared to CRT rear-projection systems). The company's HLR6768W is both its largest and most advanced model yet, offering a 67-inch screen and 1,080-pixel resolution.
67-inch DLP HDTV monitor
1,920x1,080 resolution
Slim console design
The price: $5,999; available June 2005.
The prospects: Click Title For More
"The product: Over the past couple of years, Samsung has built an impressive stable of HDTV products based on DLP microdisplay technology, which offers large screen size in a thin and light cabinet design (compared to CRT rear-projection systems). The company's HLR6768W is both its largest and most advanced model yet, offering a 67-inch screen and 1,080-pixel resolution.
67-inch DLP HDTV monitor
1,920x1,080 resolution
Slim console design
The price: $5,999; available June 2005.
The prospects: Click Title For More
PCWorld.com - CES 2005: Photos From Day Four
PCWorld.com - CES 2005: Photos From Day Four: "
The Audiovox Shuttle System is a modular collection of mix-and-match LCD/DVD players and docking stations intended for use in cars or other space-challenged environments. The tablet-like displays top out at 10.2 inches; they can be used by themselves, or placed in one of several docking stations, including one for a car, a tabletop station with build-in speakers, and a station designed to be mounted under a kitchen cabinet. The products are due in March."
The Audiovox Shuttle System is a modular collection of mix-and-match LCD/DVD players and docking stations intended for use in cars or other space-challenged environments. The tablet-like displays top out at 10.2 inches; they can be used by themselves, or placed in one of several docking stations, including one for a car, a tabletop station with build-in speakers, and a station designed to be mounted under a kitchen cabinet. The products are due in March."
SignOnSanDiego.com >-- Digital home finally becoming a reality?
SignOnSanDiego.com > Digital home finally becoming a reality?: "LAS VEGAS - Could this be the year that the so-called digital home is ready for prime time?
Soaring sales of digital cameras, cell phones and portable music players have made the emergence of the digital home the mantra of this year's Consumer Electronics Show, which kicked off yesterday in Las Vegas.
Trouble is, the digital revolution has been the theme of this trade show, attended by 120,000 people, for the past three or so years.
By now, most households were expected to be watching high definition digital televisions, recording favorite TV shows on computer hard drives and storing reams of songs and photos on networked computers.
Advertisement
But in reality, the revolution to all things digital has advanced at a trickle rather than a flood, held up concerns over piracy and by technology that was too clumsy or too expensive.
'Convergence has been something like the weather: Everybody talks about it but nobody does much about it,' said Ed Whitacre, chief executive of SBC Communications.
This year, many companies think the digital transformation has more substance than style. Sales of MP3 players tripled last year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. Plasma TV sales jumped 75 percent. Digital camera sales rose 16 percent. "
By Mike Freeman
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Click Title For More
Soaring sales of digital cameras, cell phones and portable music players have made the emergence of the digital home the mantra of this year's Consumer Electronics Show, which kicked off yesterday in Las Vegas.
Trouble is, the digital revolution has been the theme of this trade show, attended by 120,000 people, for the past three or so years.
By now, most households were expected to be watching high definition digital televisions, recording favorite TV shows on computer hard drives and storing reams of songs and photos on networked computers.
Advertisement
But in reality, the revolution to all things digital has advanced at a trickle rather than a flood, held up concerns over piracy and by technology that was too clumsy or too expensive.
'Convergence has been something like the weather: Everybody talks about it but nobody does much about it,' said Ed Whitacre, chief executive of SBC Communications.
This year, many companies think the digital transformation has more substance than style. Sales of MP3 players tripled last year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. Plasma TV sales jumped 75 percent. Digital camera sales rose 16 percent. "
By Mike Freeman
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Click Title For More
AP: TV May Soon Beam From Cell Phone Screens
Newsday.com - Technology: "The screens may be tiny and the batteries overworked, but the wireless industry is bringing TV to a cell phone near you.
With the mammoth International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas as a backdrop, Verizon Wireless detailed a robust multimedia service for mobile phones, promising video, audio and 3-D games custom-designed for the constraints of a handheld device.
The company also announced that 12 additional markets now have access to the high-speed wireless technology required for the new service, and the 20 markets where the network upgrade was launched last year have coverage over a wider area.
The new Verizon offering, along with other multimedia wireless services unveiled at CES in Las Vegas, marks a big step in the industry's push to generate revenue from more than just phone calls.
On Thursday, SmartVideo Technologies Inc. announced deals to deliver live and prerecorded TV programs from ABC News, CNBC, MSNBC and The Weather Channel to cell phones equipped with Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile operating system. The service, priced from $13 to $18 a month, is accessed through a Microsoft Web site featuring other forms of content customized for mobile devices. "
By BRUCE MEYERSON
AP Business Writer
Click Title For More
With the mammoth International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas as a backdrop, Verizon Wireless detailed a robust multimedia service for mobile phones, promising video, audio and 3-D games custom-designed for the constraints of a handheld device.
The company also announced that 12 additional markets now have access to the high-speed wireless technology required for the new service, and the 20 markets where the network upgrade was launched last year have coverage over a wider area.
The new Verizon offering, along with other multimedia wireless services unveiled at CES in Las Vegas, marks a big step in the industry's push to generate revenue from more than just phone calls.
On Thursday, SmartVideo Technologies Inc. announced deals to deliver live and prerecorded TV programs from ABC News, CNBC, MSNBC and The Weather Channel to cell phones equipped with Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile operating system. The service, priced from $13 to $18 a month, is accessed through a Microsoft Web site featuring other forms of content customized for mobile devices. "
By BRUCE MEYERSON
AP Business Writer
Click Title For More
Today @ PC World Blog - Three New Three-CCD Camcorders
Today @ PC World - Three New Three-CCD Camcorders: "Try as I might, I couldn’t find any consumer-level high-definition camcorders on the CES show floor (vendors say that’s “next year’s story”). This year’s “story,” if you ask Panasonic, seems to be compact consumer camcorders with three CCDs. The company introduced three new camcorders with three imagers, and they’re surprisingly inexpensive, and surprisingly small.
The least-expensive three-CCD model, the PV-GS65, costs $599, and takes 1.2-megapixel stills, too. The PV-GS150 costs $699; it adds a Leica lens, 2.3-megapixel stills, USB 2.0 transfers to your computer (for the stills; the camcorder still uses FireWire for video transfers). The PV-GS250 (below) costs $999; it takes 3.1-megapixel stills and adds optical image stabilization (the less expensive models use digital stabilization). The PV-GS400, an older model, is still available; it takes 4-megapixel stills and costs $1400. "
Click Title For More
The least-expensive three-CCD model, the PV-GS65, costs $599, and takes 1.2-megapixel stills, too. The PV-GS150 costs $699; it adds a Leica lens, 2.3-megapixel stills, USB 2.0 transfers to your computer (for the stills; the camcorder still uses FireWire for video transfers). The PV-GS250 (below) costs $999; it takes 3.1-megapixel stills and adds optical image stabilization (the less expensive models use digital stabilization). The PV-GS400, an older model, is still available; it takes 4-megapixel stills and costs $1400. "
Click Title For More
engadget: HP @ CES - Gwen Stefani’s digital camera
Hit the floor here at CES again today and of course we had to find that digital camera Gwen Stefani designed/styled for HP. The camera’s basically just a tricked out version of their 4.1 megapixel HP Photosmart R607 (i.e. they slapped a skin on it) and according to Gwen, is dedicated to the hyper-trendy girls of Harajuku (which is why they put the words “Harajuku Lovers” on the front, get it?).
Comments - Click Title
Comments - Click Title
Friday, January 07, 2005
Macworld UK - CES: Motorola demos Apple iTunes phone
Macworld UK - CES: Motorola demos Apple iTunes phone: "Motorola executive Ron Garriques gave selected CEO attendees a sneak preview of the company's forthcoming iTunes-friendly mobile phone yesterday.
He explained that the unit syncs with a computer and the iTunes Music Store just as iPods do. eWeek claims the device also incorporates an iPod interface for navigating music collections. He warned the phone would be the 'first of many' iTunes-supporting mobiles to ship in 2005.
July 2004 saw Apple and Motorola announce plans to work together on creating such a device, though details at that time were scant. It's anticipated to ship early this year, and may possibly be announced next week at Macworld Expo. "
He explained that the unit syncs with a computer and the iTunes Music Store just as iPods do. eWeek claims the device also incorporates an iPod interface for navigating music collections. He warned the phone would be the 'first of many' iTunes-supporting mobiles to ship in 2005.
July 2004 saw Apple and Motorola announce plans to work together on creating such a device, though details at that time were scant. It's anticipated to ship early this year, and may possibly be announced next week at Macworld Expo. "
USATODAY.com - Show packed with people, toys
USATODAY.com - Show packed with people, toys: View from the booth: Hop-on Wireless lets you travel to Vegas via Webcam. Surely some enterprising gaming company will use the footage for a 2006 release, "Security Guard: Las Vegas." —Beau Dure — Posted at 4:15 p.m. ET
CNET: The Next Best Thing - Best of Show - Annouced Today
The finalistsOf the thousands of gadgets cramming the show floor, these 48 products rose above the fray to become finalists for CNET's Next Big Thing awards, which recognize the most promising new products and technologies. Congratulations to the finalists, and stay tuned for the announcement on Friday, January 7, of the winners in each of 12 categories, plus the overall Best of Show.
ACCESSORIES
Gizmondo portable gaming device with GPS
Nevo SL Universal Wi-Fi Remote
Slingbox personal broadcaster
BURNERS AND STORAGE
Buffalo TeraStation 1-terabyte RAID drive
Buffalo Wireless LinkStation network attached storage
Lexar USB FlashCard in tiny USB card form factor
Maxtor Shared Storage Solution
CAR TECH
Garmin C330 car-mount navigation system
iBiquity digital radio
Pioneer AVIC N2 do-it-all head unit with NavTraffic
RaySat satellite Internet access
CELL PHONES AND HANDHELDS
BenQ P50 smart phone with keyboard
Jabra BT800 Bluetooth headset
LG VX8000 EVDO flip-phone
Samsung A800 2-megapixel camera phone
Samsung SCH-i730 Windows Mobile smart phone
COMPUTERS
Alienware DHS 2 series Media Center PC
ATI TV Wonder Elite combo video/TV tuner card
Intel Sonoma/Alviso next-gen mobile technology
Sharp Actius MC24 thin-and-light notebook
Sony VAIO V series all-in-one LCD TV/PC
DIGITAL PHOTO AND VIDEO
Kodak EasyShare One 4-megapixel camera with Wi-Fi
Samsung SC-X105L extreme camcorder
Sony Cyber Shot DSC-M1 digital camera/camcorder
Sony DCR-DVD7 DVD camcorder
HOME THEATER
LG LRM-519 DVD-R/DVR with Microsoft Windows integration
Philips RC9800i Intelligent universal remote
Toshiba HD-DVD recorder
Yamaha YSP-1 one-speaker virtual surround sound
NETWORKING
2Wire MediaPortal for SBC
Buffalo Wireless Secure Remote Gateway
Linksys Wireless-G router with SRX (speed and range expansion)
PERIPHERALS
Minolta Magicolor 2430DL color laser printer for photos
Samsung SyncMaster 915N monitor
Silex SecurePrint biometric fingerprint printing system
PORTABLE AUDIO AND VIDEO
Archos Portable Media Assistant PMA430
Olympus M:robe 100 MP3 player/camera
Pioneer AirWave XM2Go portable satellite radio
Samsung YH-820 micro-HD MP3 player/photo album
SoniqCast Aireo 2 Wi-Fi MP3 player
SOFTWARE AND SERVICES
Motorola Ojo Personal Video Phone
Orb Networks' Orb digital-media streaming service
Pure Networks' Network Magic home network utility
UTStarcom F1000 with VoIP service from Vonage
TELEVISIONS
Humax LCD TV with built-in TiVo DVD-R
JVC HD-70FH96 70-inch D-ILA rear-projection HDTV
LG DU-30F10 30-inch, thin direct-view HDTV
Samsung HLR-6768W 67-inch DLP HDTV
ACCESSORIES
Gizmondo portable gaming device with GPS
Nevo SL Universal Wi-Fi Remote
Slingbox personal broadcaster
BURNERS AND STORAGE
Buffalo TeraStation 1-terabyte RAID drive
Buffalo Wireless LinkStation network attached storage
Lexar USB FlashCard in tiny USB card form factor
Maxtor Shared Storage Solution
CAR TECH
Garmin C330 car-mount navigation system
iBiquity digital radio
Pioneer AVIC N2 do-it-all head unit with NavTraffic
RaySat satellite Internet access
CELL PHONES AND HANDHELDS
BenQ P50 smart phone with keyboard
Jabra BT800 Bluetooth headset
LG VX8000 EVDO flip-phone
Samsung A800 2-megapixel camera phone
Samsung SCH-i730 Windows Mobile smart phone
COMPUTERS
Alienware DHS 2 series Media Center PC
ATI TV Wonder Elite combo video/TV tuner card
Intel Sonoma/Alviso next-gen mobile technology
Sharp Actius MC24 thin-and-light notebook
Sony VAIO V series all-in-one LCD TV/PC
DIGITAL PHOTO AND VIDEO
Kodak EasyShare One 4-megapixel camera with Wi-Fi
Samsung SC-X105L extreme camcorder
Sony Cyber Shot DSC-M1 digital camera/camcorder
Sony DCR-DVD7 DVD camcorder
HOME THEATER
LG LRM-519 DVD-R/DVR with Microsoft Windows integration
Philips RC9800i Intelligent universal remote
Toshiba HD-DVD recorder
Yamaha YSP-1 one-speaker virtual surround sound
NETWORKING
2Wire MediaPortal for SBC
Buffalo Wireless Secure Remote Gateway
Linksys Wireless-G router with SRX (speed and range expansion)
PERIPHERALS
Minolta Magicolor 2430DL color laser printer for photos
Samsung SyncMaster 915N monitor
Silex SecurePrint biometric fingerprint printing system
PORTABLE AUDIO AND VIDEO
Archos Portable Media Assistant PMA430
Olympus M:robe 100 MP3 player/camera
Pioneer AirWave XM2Go portable satellite radio
Samsung YH-820 micro-HD MP3 player/photo album
SoniqCast Aireo 2 Wi-Fi MP3 player
SOFTWARE AND SERVICES
Motorola Ojo Personal Video Phone
Orb Networks' Orb digital-media streaming service
Pure Networks' Network Magic home network utility
UTStarcom F1000 with VoIP service from Vonage
TELEVISIONS
Humax LCD TV with built-in TiVo DVD-R
JVC HD-70FH96 70-inch D-ILA rear-projection HDTV
LG DU-30F10 30-inch, thin direct-view HDTV
Samsung HLR-6768W 67-inch DLP HDTV
Vote for The Last Gadget Standing at PC Magazine
Vote for The Last Gadget Standing at PC Magazine: "Welcome to the 5th Annual Last Gadget Standing competition. It's a Consumer Electronics Show tradition. And whether you're walking your way through another pair of soles at the Las Vegas Convention Center or surfing the Web in the comfort of your home, this is your chance to play pundit (and possibly win a nifty prize). We want you to cast your vote for the product that's destined to change the shape of the industry in 2005. You can vote here. You'll find all the rules here.
PC Magazine's editors have selected 25 of the most exciting products on the CES show floor; the list, given below, includes a synopsis of what they do. The only qualifications were that the products had to be shipping by mid January, 2005, and that they're cool enough to create a real stir in the market. Now it's up to you to tell us which of these products gets your vote on being the mostly likely to succeed.
This year we'll be voting products off the floor day by day. Here's the schedule: " (Click Title)
PC Magazine's editors have selected 25 of the most exciting products on the CES show floor; the list, given below, includes a synopsis of what they do. The only qualifications were that the products had to be shipping by mid January, 2005, and that they're cool enough to create a real stir in the market. Now it's up to you to tell us which of these products gets your vote on being the mostly likely to succeed.
This year we'll be voting products off the floor day by day. Here's the schedule: " (Click Title)
AP: A look into the 'digital lifestyle'
Boston.com / Business / Personal Technology / A look into the 'digital lifestyle': "And today, Verizon Wireless will detail a new service for mobile phones, one that promises better-quality audio and video -- albeit custom-designed for the constraints of a handheld device. The new Verizon offering, along with other multimedia wireless services unveiled at the show, including one by Orb Networks, marks a big step in the industry's push to generate revenue from more than just phone calls.
Tech recycling: EBay Inc. and Intel Corp. launched a recycling program to motivate Americans to safely dispose of mounting piles of used computers and other electronic gadgets.
US consumers retire or replace 133,000 personal computers a day, according to Gartner Inc. If improperly dumped, PCs can leak toxins into the environment, including lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury.
The effort is centered around a website, at http://ebay.com/rethink, where Americans with unused gadgets can get information on how to get rid of them safely. The site includes a downloadable program that will erase data from hard drives, ensuring that the owners' financial and other data can't be shared. "
Tech recycling: EBay Inc. and Intel Corp. launched a recycling program to motivate Americans to safely dispose of mounting piles of used computers and other electronic gadgets.
US consumers retire or replace 133,000 personal computers a day, according to Gartner Inc. If improperly dumped, PCs can leak toxins into the environment, including lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury.
The effort is centered around a website, at http://ebay.com/rethink, where Americans with unused gadgets can get information on how to get rid of them safely. The site includes a downloadable program that will erase data from hard drives, ensuring that the owners' financial and other data can't be shared. "
Thursday, January 06, 2005
The Swiss Army Knife approach to portable gaming - CNET.com
The Swiss Army Knife approach to portable gaming - CNET.com: "The product: Gizmondo has taken the wraps off an eponymous portable gaming device that's a Swiss Army Knife among handheld consoles. In addition to being an on-the-go gaming platform, the Gizmondo delivers wireless text messaging and e-mail, GPS capabilities, a digital camera, and a portable video player.
The device, which will be available in retail stores this spring, is meant to go head-to-head with the PlayStation Portable and the Nintendo DS. The slickly designed Gizmondo runs on the Microsoft Windows CE.NET 4.2 OS and uses Windows Media Player for playback of digital audio and video. It includes an SD slot for storage.
To maximize gaming capabilities, it features the Nvidia GeForce 3D 4500 graphics solution. Gizmondo says that 12 games will be available at launch; so far, the company has agreements with Electronic Arts, Activision, Sega, and Microsoft."
CNET CES RSS News Feed
CNET CES Video Reports, Articles and Blog
The device, which will be available in retail stores this spring, is meant to go head-to-head with the PlayStation Portable and the Nintendo DS. The slickly designed Gizmondo runs on the Microsoft Windows CE.NET 4.2 OS and uses Windows Media Player for playback of digital audio and video. It includes an SD slot for storage.
To maximize gaming capabilities, it features the Nvidia GeForce 3D 4500 graphics solution. Gizmondo says that 12 games will be available at launch; so far, the company has agreements with Electronic Arts, Activision, Sega, and Microsoft."
CNET CES RSS News Feed
CNET CES Video Reports, Articles and Blog
News - CES Diary: Day One : Marketnews.ca
News - CES Diary: Day One : Marketnews.ca: "Even more than previous years, most of the pre-CES press conferences were long on bluster and short on specifics. For really useful information, one-on-one booth tours with vendors’ representatives are far more useful. In today’s report, I’ll include some information based on booth tours on the opening day of the show, as well as pre-CES conferences.
I’ll cover television in today’s CES diary, and look at DVD, networked entertainment, portable entertainment, 12-volt and other products over the next three days.
High-Def and Flat-Panel
During his characteristically upbeat pre-CES pep talk, Scott Ramirez, Vice-President Marketing for the Television Group of Toshiba America Consumer Products, said the industry was ready to deliver the number-one Christmas wish to half of the North American population last year. In a survey on what people wanted for Christmas, female respondents named “peace and happiness” as their number-one wish. “I can’t give them that,” Ramirez quipped. But he could help males with their dearest wish: a big-screen TV.
“Two words can summarize what’s happening in our industry,” he said. “Shift happens.” Citing CEA projections, Ramirez said LCD would account for 26% of U.S. TV dollar sales in 2008, plasma for 28%, digital rear-projection TV 24% and CRT direct view 22%.
At its exhibit, Sony was showing a stunning 1080p rear projector, the Qualia 006, which will ship in Canada later this month for $17,000. The 70-inch display uses three high-definition SXRD (Silicon Xtral Reflective Display) panels. Even when viewing at extremely close distances, the picture seemed at once incredibly smooth and film-like and incredibly vibrant. Commented Mike Fiddler, Senior Vice-President Home Products for Sony Electronics Inc.: “We believe SXRD will be the Trinitron of the 21st century.”
By Gordon Brockhouse
I’ll cover television in today’s CES diary, and look at DVD, networked entertainment, portable entertainment, 12-volt and other products over the next three days.
High-Def and Flat-Panel
During his characteristically upbeat pre-CES pep talk, Scott Ramirez, Vice-President Marketing for the Television Group of Toshiba America Consumer Products, said the industry was ready to deliver the number-one Christmas wish to half of the North American population last year. In a survey on what people wanted for Christmas, female respondents named “peace and happiness” as their number-one wish. “I can’t give them that,” Ramirez quipped. But he could help males with their dearest wish: a big-screen TV.
“Two words can summarize what’s happening in our industry,” he said. “Shift happens.” Citing CEA projections, Ramirez said LCD would account for 26% of U.S. TV dollar sales in 2008, plasma for 28%, digital rear-projection TV 24% and CRT direct view 22%.
At its exhibit, Sony was showing a stunning 1080p rear projector, the Qualia 006, which will ship in Canada later this month for $17,000. The 70-inch display uses three high-definition SXRD (Silicon Xtral Reflective Display) panels. Even when viewing at extremely close distances, the picture seemed at once incredibly smooth and film-like and incredibly vibrant. Commented Mike Fiddler, Senior Vice-President Home Products for Sony Electronics Inc.: “We believe SXRD will be the Trinitron of the 21st century.”
By Gordon Brockhouse
Stereophile: CES 2005: Day One
Stereophile: CES 2005: Day One: "The Wednesday before the official start of the CES is traditionally a day devoted to press conferences and room set up and today was no different. Many mainstream companies put on dog and pony shows announcing products they think will answer the mass market's thirst for more and better - but a few high-end companies make announcements as well.
Thiel Audio had a press conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center, choosing to publicize its less well-known in-wall, on-wall, and custom-targeted speaker products to a press corps that wasn't all that aware of its high-end credentials. This made for an interesting dynamic for those of us who have known Jim Thiel's designs for many years. "
Thiel Audio had a press conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center, choosing to publicize its less well-known in-wall, on-wall, and custom-targeted speaker products to a press corps that wasn't all that aware of its high-end credentials. This made for an interesting dynamic for those of us who have known Jim Thiel's designs for many years. "
CES annual show showcases the hottest gadgets for 2005 - (Video)
CES annual show showcases the hottest gadgets for 2005 - Jan. 6, 2005: "'(The year) 2005 looks more evolutionary than revolutionary,' said Stephen Baker, technology analyst with market research firm NPD Techworld. 'The cellphones are getting better, the flatscreen TVs are much bigger, DVD and MP3 players are getting faster and digital cameras are getting much cheaper.'
Baker, who is in Las Vegas for the event, said he has gotten a sneak preview of some of the new products that will debut at the show Thursday but hasn't yet seen anything that has 'knocked [his] socks off.'
'What I've noticed are incremental improvements to what's already out there rather than whole new product categories,' he said. "
CNN's Daniel Sieberg reports from Consumer Electronic Show on new the generation of portable music players. (Click Title To Watch Video Clip)
Baker, who is in Las Vegas for the event, said he has gotten a sneak preview of some of the new products that will debut at the show Thursday but hasn't yet seen anything that has 'knocked [his] socks off.'
'What I've noticed are incremental improvements to what's already out there rather than whole new product categories,' he said. "
CNN's Daniel Sieberg reports from Consumer Electronic Show on new the generation of portable music players. (Click Title To Watch Video Clip)
Digital Audio Aims for Mass Market
Digital Audio Aims for Mass Market
Ten thousand songs in your pocket. Millions of tunes on the Internet at your fingertips. And books on tape -- they're going down the path of vinyl records. Welcome to the new world of digital audio.
Though the first portable MP3 player debuted in 1999, most personal music libraries still consist of piles of CDs, and relatively few people listen to digitally recorded radio talk shows and books.
The consumer electronics industry is doing its best to change that, there being serious lucre in prodding people to join the digital audio revolution as long as it's convenient.
At this week's International Consumer Electronics Show, it was impossible to walk more than a few feet in the 1.5-million-square feet of exhibition space without stumbling over a digital audio equipment display.
New products in the category included a music system from upstart Sonos Inc., which lets you play your music all over your home, even different songs in different rooms, and control it all wirelessly from a handheld device.
The Thomson RCA five-disc CD player can automatically convert songs to a compressed digital file format, a process commonly known as ripping, and transfer them onto to a portable MP3 flash player -- all without the usual intervention of a computer.
"As long as this market is dependent on a PC for obtaining content, it'll remain a niche market in our view," said Rich Phipps, a Thomson executive.
By MAY WONG and RACHEL KONRAD,
AP Technology Writers
Ten thousand songs in your pocket. Millions of tunes on the Internet at your fingertips. And books on tape -- they're going down the path of vinyl records. Welcome to the new world of digital audio.
Though the first portable MP3 player debuted in 1999, most personal music libraries still consist of piles of CDs, and relatively few people listen to digitally recorded radio talk shows and books.
The consumer electronics industry is doing its best to change that, there being serious lucre in prodding people to join the digital audio revolution as long as it's convenient.
At this week's International Consumer Electronics Show, it was impossible to walk more than a few feet in the 1.5-million-square feet of exhibition space without stumbling over a digital audio equipment display.
New products in the category included a music system from upstart Sonos Inc., which lets you play your music all over your home, even different songs in different rooms, and control it all wirelessly from a handheld device.
The Thomson RCA five-disc CD player can automatically convert songs to a compressed digital file format, a process commonly known as ripping, and transfer them onto to a portable MP3 flash player -- all without the usual intervention of a computer.
"As long as this market is dependent on a PC for obtaining content, it'll remain a niche market in our view," said Rich Phipps, a Thomson executive.
By MAY WONG and RACHEL KONRAD,
AP Technology Writers
Lunch @ Piero's: The First Live Show
The First Live Show (FYI): "The Chris Pirillo Show is now streaming live from the press Lunch @ Piero's.
The live broadcast from Piero's is on January 6 and January 7 from 11:30-2:30pm.
If you miss the live show, they are available on the Chris Pirillo site - click the title.
Chris is the ex-host of the show "Call for Help" on Tech TV. Check out his blog.
The live broadcast from Piero's is on January 6 and January 7 from 11:30-2:30pm.
If you miss the live show, they are available on the Chris Pirillo site - click the title.
Chris is the ex-host of the show "Call for Help" on Tech TV. Check out his blog.
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