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Article Excerpts (Click Title For Full Story), Product Information (Company Press Releases), Online Multimedia Reports and Commentary from high tech trade shows, conferences and the web.
Last week, NBC Universal, the official show Broadcast Partner, lanuched their CES 2008 blog by showcasing the multi-faceted booth that will highlight a wide range of digital programming produced by its television, cable and motion picture properties.
Nearly 300 brands will be represented in the Central Hall booth (#12533) that will "include 290 web sites, 61 presentation tapes, 18 downloadable pieces of content, 14 interactive sizzle reels on what's called the iWall" and a live blogging station.
“The collaborative relationship between consumer technology and the content industry remains stronger than ever, as consumers crave their content and entertainment across multiple platforms, whether it’s in the living room, in the car or on the go,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO for the Consumer Electronics Association®, owner and producer of the International CES in an October press release. “With major content exhibitors, a keynote address from Comcast’s Brian Roberts, Digital Hollywood and dozens of other educational conference sessions and several exciting content attractions, the 2008 International CES is the year’s must-attend event for Hollywood and the content community.”
The booth has been designed to include two studios for live broadcasting by NBC Nightly News, the Today Show, CNBC, MSNBC, Access Hollywood, Telemundo, NBC News Channel. Show Programing Schedule.
Yesterday, on The DigitalReporter Show Pat Meier-Johnson, founder of Lunch@Piero’s, an invite only press event that is held during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, talks about the sponsors scheduled for the one-on-one technology showcase.
Lunch@Piero’s welcomes bloggers and traditional media to enjoy a fantastic Italian meal and cutting edge technology.
Steve 'Chippy' Paine, a promoter of UMPCs, demos the WiBrain, a pocketable XP-PC, that uses a VIA (a Lunch@Piero's Sponsor) processor. I will be using this unit during the show for broadcasting and interacting with a global audience while roaming the 1.8 million square feet of exhibit floor space, attending press conferences, after show parties and of course Lunch@Piero's.
One of the top Smart Cycle consumer complaints is that the stationary plastic tot exercise toy operates on batteries. D. Monty "SkyGator" posted the below "How To Hook Up An AC Adapter To A Smart Cycle" on the Amazon consumer feedback forum.
I bought this product for my 5 year old for Christmas. I also hope my soon to be 3 year old will use it at some point. My son played with it for 3 straight hours when he got it. He preferred it over anything else he got for Christmas. Obviously the 3 major positives are the bike's reasonable price, educational games and its physical fitness benefit.
There is however one major flaw with the bike. The new batteries (Duracell) we used went dead after one day. The following day same story, although he may have left it on when he stop using it. I could foresee this getting expensive, so I decided to hook it up to an A/C adapter.
It is fairly simple to do this. Knowing how to use a drill, a screw driver and basic soldering skill is all that is required.
I went to radio shack for the power adapter (6 volt 800 amps) and size N panel mount DC power jack. I also used a little wire I had around from an old A/C adapter I didn't use any more. This all cost about $26.00 plus tax.
The first thing to do is seperate the two halves of the exterior body.
This includes removing the two base stands. After removing all the screws the body easily comes apart.
Then remove the battery compartment cover and any batteries.
Using a drill create a hole big enough to attach the power jack into the battery compartment cover then another smaller hole in the top of the battery compartment to pass the spare wire through.
Attach the power jack then solder the wire to it and then to the connectors on the outside of the battery compartment.
I connected the positive lead to the tip of the power jack as is my preference, however, since the adapter connector can switch polarity this really doesn't matter.
Just remember whether the power jacks tip is connected to the positve or negative lead.
Then I screwed everything back together and gave it a try.
I didn't realize the bike had to be completely connected to start up, so I was a little concerned that it didn't immediately start when I plugged it into the outlet. However once it was connected to the TV it started right away.
My son has been riding for the last two hours with no problems. I hope this helps.
Today at 10am (PST), on The DigitalReporter Show Pat Meier-Johnson, founder of Lunch@Piero’s, will be talking about what is on the 2008 CES tech menu. Lunch@Piero’s welcomes bloggers and traditional media to enjoy a fantastic Italian meal and cutting edge technology.
An intro to Lunch@Piero's (www.lunchat.com), the invitation-only event during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas where the news media meet technology innovators and get hands-on experience with new consumer electronics products. (January 2007)
For the second year, Seagate is sponsoring Bloghaus, press room for bloggers, at the Bellagio during CES. This video showcases a couple of last years attendees. More BlogHaus Info
Members of the Parnassus Group Steve Broback (photo), Teresa Valdez-Klein and Jason Preston talk to Jack Olmsted, i4U News, on The DigitalReporter Show about the Consumer Electronics Show “It Won’t Stay in Vegas” blogger party, Tuesday, January 8 in Las Vegas at the Atomic Testing Museum.
If you are a blogger who covers consumer electronics and are CES bound, send an email with a link to your site to teresa [at] blogbusinesssummit [dot] com.
VIA Technologies will be showcasing the ultra mobile Wibrain B1 PC during CES 2008 at Lunch@piero's. The handheld 1.15 pounds, Wi-Fi enabled XP-PC uses a 1024 x 600 resolution 4.8-inch WSVGA touchscreen and features a cool pop-up camera/mic. The Taipei, Taiwan based company has hired Santa to promote the new pocket device. See video below:
UberPulse posted an off-the-cuff speech on YouTube that Carlos Montalvo, HP VP of Marketing - Managed Home Business, gave at a pre-CES NDA briefing reception in HP's Cupertino SmartHome a couple of weeks ago.
If inflated pricing is an indicator of a holiday hit, then the $89 Fisher-Price Smart Cycle has got to top the list. An e-Bay seller at Shaw AFB, SC has priced the tot toy with four games at $300! (Click above photo for full size)
Toddler Catherine riding her Smart Cycle for the first time.
Amazon Consumer Feedback
I gave everything a 5 just that I could post. I haven't used the toy yet.
I just bought this toy this morning at Target for 89.99. I came on this website to make sure I got a better deal. Looks like I did and since most people come to this site hoping to catch a bargain I thought I would save some people the money. Sorry to those of you that are trying to sell it but $200 is double what the stores are charging. The cartridges were only $20. - Denika Rucker
The Fisher-Price Smart Cycle Learning Game System is a multi-colored plastic stationary bike that hooks up to a television and allows children (3-6 years old, 200lb max) to steer through vitural worlds learning their numbers, letters and shapes and playing games. The edutainment exergaming toy operates on 4 "D" batteries (not included), has changeable software modules ($20/each) and is available at Wal-Mart, Toys 'R Us, Target, KB Toys and Costco for between $84-$99.99. Today, Winter ToyLand is selling the Smart Cycle for $197.88 through Amazon.com!
"The Smart Cycle is an intriguing example of combining movement with learning " states Melinda Pongray, Educational Therapist with Sisiutl Center for Learning in Port Townsend, "Movement is integral to developing cognition. I've used movement activities with children to address a variety of learning difficulties. Products that incorporate learning with movement are a step in the right direction."
Terri Gruca, an award-winning anchor/reporter for WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, MN, produced a video report that shows bike assembly and a 3-year old testing it out for the first time. Watch Video
Consumer Complaints:
- the pedals fall off. the treads get stipped from the base of the bike and the pedals can not be replaced. (hint: use a metal bonding glue when screwing in the pedals to weld them in forever.) - most of the games do not use the pedals. tots just sit and play games. - the batteries run out to fast (hint: invest in a set of rechargeable batteries....like Sanyo eneloop's - they are giving away "D" converters that allow AA batteries to be used.) - two bikes can not be hooked up together so that two can play side-by-side - the software modules do not have a "save mode", so kids have to start at the beginning of every session - the handle bars are not adjustable
Typical Consumers Feedback:
This was a gift for my 5 year old son and he absolutely loves it. In the short time we have had it we have seen a real improvement in his ability to count and also with letter identification. It also allows him to learn with out having to sit still (which has been a real struggle for him) since he gets to pedal the bike. I would recommend this product to every parent of a preschool aged child. Its easy to use easy to assemble and hours of educational fun. - SkinzyB, Gillette Wyoming (Walmart Online)
We thought for many months about buying this toy/ game/ activity. We came to the decision to purchase it after seeing it in action in stores and various online videos.
Our son took the Smart Cycle very quickly. He had never pedaled anything well and within twenty four hours his coordination had excelled to master level. His hand eye coordination adjusted quickly as well. He has been moving a computer mouse for many months already, but his use of the handlebars and joystick was impressive.
When I read the review that mentioned the machine crashing I was a bit worried. And then it happened. Or we thought. It isn't that the machine crashed but the cartridge slot is in a poor location. If our son is cycling and his foot slips, it can and has knocked the cartridge loose enough so the game stops. If the machine were redesigned to have the cartridge slot placed elsewhere where a foot can't kick it, then I think it would be a better overall.
We are extremely pleased about our son's enjoyment of the game, making it an excellent learning exercise and gateway to even more physical activity. - AliciaC., Chattanooga, TN (Amazon.com)
Hopefully, the success of the Smart Cycle this holiday season will incourage big business to step up their investment in creating compelling exercise/learning/play products for all age groups.
Let me know what your toddler's experience is with The Smart Cycle Learning Game System.
Toy Wishes magazine selected the Smart Cycle as their "Favorite Preschool Toy" for 2007.
On Monday, I will be talking with Steve Broback, the founder of the Blog Business Summit and the CES Bloggers Party. If you have the time, stop on by and join the discussion via - webcam, phone, GoogleTalk or IM chat. The live show will be available as a podcast through iTunes or the DigitalReporter Blog.
powered by ODEO Jack Olmsted, i4U News DigitalReporter, and Steve Broback, CES Bloggers.com and founder of the Blog Business Summit, talked with Tara Dunion, Director, Communications CEA and the International CES, through NowLive.com about the 2008 CES show in January.
Tara Dunion, Director Event Communications, Consumer Electronics Show, will discuss the new Blogger Lounges, Straight Talk blog, RFID badges and anwser questions from the NowLive audience.
On Friday morning at 10am (PST), Jack Olmsted, i4U News Correspondent/Vloger, will interview HydraBrush founder Bill Dendiu on The DigitalReporter Show, a multimedia talk show. The interview begins a weekly on-line broadcast series that will feature bloggers, journalists, analysts and vendors attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January.
A podcast of all sessions are available on the DigitalReporter NowLive profile page for 60 days.
Nikki Inderlied, i4U News Entertainment Journalist, learns about HydraBrush at Showstoppers, an after hours press event. CES 2007.
If you are interested in being on the show, let us know.
This year at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Sands Expo and Convention Center new media reporters can process CES news stories at Blogger Lounges. Tomorrow we will find out what services will be available in the new facilities.
Members of the Parnassus Group Steve Broback (photo), Teresa Valdez-Klein and Jason Preston talk to Jack Olmsted, i4U News, on 
Tara Dunion, Director Event Communications, Consumer Electronics Show, will discuss the new Blogger Lounges, 
