When exploring a huge show like CES, it’s inevitable that you will discover that not all manufacturers give equal thought to their products. Some will shine with obvious innovation. A great many will barely register above a yawn. And some will leave you shaking your head in disbelief.
Here are just a few that fall into these categories…
I stopped by Sony’s Jeopardy booth at CES to check out the Jeopardy Live mobile game.
Jeopardy Live is a mobile application that allows users at home to play along with the nightly Jeopardy broadcast. Users download and configure the application based on local broadcast service and HD or standard viewing. When the game is launched syncs with the show, fires each question at the mobile user as the contestants select the category and clue. Continue reading “Jeopardy Live gets it right”
It is a classic tale. A once great legend, now down and out, falls for the quirky girl who no one really notices, and with her support, stages a final comeback. No, I’m not talking about a new Hollywood release. I’m talking about Palm’s new smartphone and Sprint.
The Palm “Pre” is the newest smartphone from the company that was one of the pioneers of the PDA age. The handset is initially an exclusive release on the Sprint network, known more for its economical pricing than its sexy handset lineup. Continue reading “Can new Palm Pre compete with iPhone?”
Ubiquitous video to the consumer was the topic of discussion in a Digital Hollywood panel I attended at CES. Rather than focusing on the publishers and media buyers, this panel was manned by those creating and running the infrastructure that allows consumers and marketers to create, optimize, distribute, measure and monetize video.
The group keyed in on IPTV, cable TV and broadband video channels and shared a variety of opinions and insight that will give a sense of the current and future business of internet connected video. Continue reading “CES 2009: The future of video”
What if you could star in famous movies, without ever leaving your home? That is what Yoostar Entertainment Group hopes to deliver to consumers with their recently unveiled Yoostar product. Using green screen technology, the system allows users to star in their favorite movie scenes along with famous actors (and their friends)–then share their performances with friends.
I got an exclusive demo and was impressed with the concept: Continue reading “CES 2009: Yoostar, Guitar Hero for movies?”
The Innovations Design and Engineering Awards program acknowledges the most innovative consumer technologies in 34 product categories from audio accessories to eco-design. Sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), products are judged by a panel of designers, engineers and trade. Honorees are announced in the fall and are featured at the show in a special “Best of” display. Continue reading “CES 2009: Best in health and wellness products”
Yahoo announced this week at CES that its content and widgets would be made available across a variety of new internet connected televisions from the likes of Samsung, Sony, LG and Vizio. Users can enable the widgets by just connecting their TV to the Internet and choose from content providers like Flickr, Showtime, MySpace, eBay and others. See a demo here.
What has got me hot and bothered here at CES in Vegas hasn’t been any booth in particular. It’s more something intangible – something in the air. Literally. I’m talking about WiMAX.
At Microsoft’s booth, I saw amazing media offerings like the polished IPTV of 2009. Next to Microsoft’s section was Intel, showcasing the strength of WiMAX, pulling in over 11 Mbps to their laptops – which is much faster than my home cable connection has ever managed. Both booths have their stories and their products but the real story is in the potential as the two meet. Continue reading “CES 2009: Hooking up in Vegas”
While the Internet is all a buzz with the recently expanded Netflix partnerships, it’s interesting to note that it may be the OEM’s who are opening the door to how television and content are experienced in the home. On the floor of the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, more then ever before we are seeing the aggregation of technology and content solutions convening together to create “living devices.” Continue reading “CES 2009: Living television”
CES 2009 Las Vegas. In a crowded section of the Microsoft booth, show attendees vie for position to get a first glimpse of the soon-to-be-released Windows 7.  Though the list of new features is plentiful, one in particular is sure to become the CE manufacturer’s best friend.
The new feature, dubbed “Device Stage” is a user interface that is automatically launched when a recognized device is attached to the system. The interface provides a brand-customizable set of visual assets and actions contextual to the connected device. Continue reading “CES 2009: Windows 7 gives CE brands a home”
