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CES 2009
LG entering OLED-TV market
By Darren Quick
02:19 June 19, 2009 PDT
The OLED TV market is ever so slowly heating up with the announcement from LG that it will launch a 15-inch OLED TV in the Korean market at the end of the year. LG first revealed a prototype 15-inch OLED TV at CES 2009 in January where it impressed with the incredible contrast and 0.8mm thin profile that OLED technology provides. Read More
World’s first portable Blu-ray player claims a second first
By Darren Quick
03:16 June 17, 2009 PDT
The Panasonic DMP-B15, the world’s first portable Blu-ray player that first caught our interest at CES 2009, can lay claim to another first. It is also the world’s first Blu-ray player with DivX Certification. DivX compression technology enables over six hours of high-quality DivX video to fit on just one DVD without sacrificing visual quality. So even if your Blu-ray library is a little undersized, you might have to go for the optional 6-hour battery over the standard issue 3-hour job to make the most of your programming options. Read More
Anybots’ QA telepresence robot
By Darren Quick
18:06 February 9, 2009 PST
As a race we humans probably only have a few years to make good use of robots before they become self aware and take over the world, so we need to get in while we can. One of these good uses is through robotic telepresence, which lets a user move and interact with a remote environment through a robotic proxy that serves as the user's eyes and ears and follows their commands. Judging by the impressive show put on at CES 2009 by the QA telepresence robot from California based company Anybots, life-sized robot surrogates are definitely starting to reach a level of technological feasibility that could make rushing to a plane to reach that important meeting a thing of the past. Read More
Panasonic's 3D Full HD TV system
By Darren Quick
22:42 January 28, 2009 PST
With the head of LG Display recently quoted as saying that flat-panel LCD prices have bottomed, the world's electronics manufacturers are looking for the next big thing to keep the coffers ticking over. With a number of companies rolling out various 3D TV technologies over the years, it’s obvious that many think that this will be the next big thing. Panasonic is one such company that has spent a lot of time and money investing in 3DTV. The fruit of its labor: the world’s first 3D Full HD (3DFHD) Plasma Home Theater System. Read More
IOGEAR's new wireless multimedia solution
By Darren Quick
23:14 January 27, 2009 PST
With so many people downloading video content via their PC, IOGEAR have decided to make the process of getting said content from the study to the lounge room a fuss-free, and more importantly, cable-free affair. The company's Wireless USB Audio/Video Kit unveiled at CES 2009 can stream audio and video content from a PC to a monitor or TV with VGA input up to 30 feet away. Read More
Tough new compact among Panasonic's 2009 camcorder offerings
21:04 January 26, 2009 PST
Designed to keep up when your weekend exploits get a little rough, Panasonic's new SDR-SW21 compact camcorder is dustproof, waterproof up to 6.5 feet (in both fresh and salt water) and shockproof enough to sustain a 4-foot drop. Due for release in April at a price of around the USD$400 mark, the SDR-SW21 records to SD/SDHC Memory Cards and includes a 0.6 second quick-start recording feature. Read More
MWV's alternative to clam shell packaging
By Darren Quick
21:04 January 25, 2009 PST
No doubt many readers are still nursing injuries sustained on Christmas morning as they tried to free a new toy or gadget from the impenetrable fortress that is clamshell packaging. Such packaging has even spawned a device specifically designed to combat the finger slicing clear plastic and a number of big name manufacturers including Sony and Microsoft have jumped on the bandwagon to rid the Earth of this unnecessary burden. One of the best alternatives we've seen made an appearance at CES 2009, with MWV packaging showcasing the latest version of its environmentally friendly, paperboard-based Natralock security packaging solution. Read More
The first new Swiss Army soldier knife since 1961
22:16 January 22, 2009 PST
Swiss Army Knives have not been left behind by the advent of modern technology with the inclusion of Flash drives, MP3 players, laser pointers, recently even biometric security into the 200 strong model range to compliment the traditional offerings which began when the first Swiss-developed Soldier Knife arrived back in 1891. These knives are still part of standard kit for the Swiss Army and, following the issue of the first new specification since 1961, Victorinox has produced a new take on an old favorite. Read More
Powcell's green smartphone-charging solution
20:56 January 21, 2009 PST
We live in an era where pocket-sized mobile devices can keep us in touch with almost every corner of the globe, but this golden age of communication can quickly turn sour when your battery dies, and it usually happens when you most need it. To combat this issue there are a smorgasbord of mobile recharging devices now on the market, with our favorites being those that use alternative energy to get the job done like the Solio or HYmini solar/wind charger. Now there's a new kid on the block in the form of Powcell, a charging sleeve for iPhone, iPod Touch and Blackberry Curve that draws on almost any light source to provide a power top-up on the go and reduce your dependence on wall sockets. Read More
Celestron showcases latest handheld digital microscope
18:19 January 20, 2009 PST
A simple to use tool for capturing the fine detail of almost any object from coins, plants and rocks to electronic circuit boards, Celestron's new handheld USB digital microscope provides 10x to 40x and 150x magnification and a 1.3mp digital camera for capturing stills and video. Read More
Bowers & Wilkins announces Panorama soundbar
17:27 January 20, 2009 PST
The company that set a new benchmark for iPod docks with the Zeppelin has made its first foray into the soundbar market with an offering dubbed Panorama. Designed to inject a dose of high-end audio into your flatscreen TV viewing experience, Panorama incorporates Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and six separate, individually amplified speaker channels - two front, two rear, one center and one subwoofer - positioned to reflect sound off walls and create a surround effect that can be tailored to a particular environment from a single enclosure. Read More
The Schlage LiNK remotely-controllable door lock (and the demise of the key)
By Mike Hanlon
12:25 January 19, 2009 PST
January 20, 2009 Locksmithing, one of man’s oldest and most venerable professions, appears set to join the digital convergence mix with the first wirelessly-controlled door lock now on the market. It's also further proof that the device formerly known as the mobile phone will one day become the remote control for much of our lives. Schlage LiNK deadbolts and locks offer consumers the ability to remotely control and monitor access to their home 24/7 with any web-enabled mobile phone or computer. The locks provide keyless entry through 4-digit access codes that can be entered, activated, deleted or disabled on the lock's 11-digit push button keypad or via the Schlage LiNK web portal. This means never having to circulate multiple sets of keys, never needing to stay home to meet the handyman, and the peace of mind of having a listing of which codes (i.e. who?) opened each lock and when for the last 90 days. The $300 starter kits (and subsequently $200 locks) might also be suitable for real estate agents wishing to streamline their ability to show properties. Read More
Cambridge Audio’s Azur 640 Blu-Ray player and Version 2 AV receiver
By Tim LeFevre
03:45 January 19, 2009 PST
On show at CES 09 this year was Cambridge Audio’s latest offering to the Blu-Ray player market, the Azur 640BD. As this is the company's first Blu-Ray offering they’ve released a Version 2 update of their Azur 640R AV Receiver that partners nicely with their new player. Read More
Meade EXT-LS telescope knows where to begin
19:01 January 18, 2009 PST
Telescopes that use computerized navigation to help stargazers find their way around the heavens have been with us for some time, but there's still a problem for the amateur astronomer - knowing where to start. The new Meade EXT-LS telescope makes this task of finding a starting reference point easy by combining a range of technologies including a built in CCD camera, magnetic sensors and GPS to automatically align itself, making it a truly "point-and-shoot" telescope. Read More
Bug Labs' BUG: modular, open-source platform for DIY gadget makers
By Tim Hanlon
11:55 January 17, 2009 PST
While we've heard the term "mashup" apply to music and web services before, we think the hardware mashups that Bug Labs' BUG platform enables have far more to offer. Read More
HeartMath's EmWave Personal Stress Reliever
By Kate Seamer
17:21 January 16, 2009 PST
Here at Gizmag we try to keep our stress levels down, but sometimes a stiff drink and a quick match at Guitar Hero doesn't quite cut it, so we naturally fell in love with HeartMath's emWave Personal Stress Reliever. The emWave PSR is a handheld device that monitors your heart rate and provides feedback that allows you to train yourself to maintain a regular heart rate and breathing rhythm - resulting in reduced stress. We originally covered the emWave PSR when it was first released in 2006 - but at CES 2009, Gizmag's Kate Seamer got a chance to try it out and have a chat with Catherine Calarco from HeartMath. Read More
Toshiba's flagship Regza SV670 series LED-backlit LCD TVs
By Tim Hanlon
11:08 January 16, 2009 PST
We saw more than a few "me too" LCD TVs at CES 2009, so we have to give it to Toshiba for the laundry list of features in their flagship Regza SV670 series, including a few that no-one else has bothered to think of including in a TV - like Dolby Volume, which promises to sort the age-old problem of volume inconsistencies between advertising and programming, or between channels. Read More
Wireless electricity products spark a new industry
By Paul Evans
08:21 January 15, 2009 PST
The promise of wireless electricity has been around for over 100 years but the technology is only just reaching the point of commercial viability. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, half a dozen companies are demonstrating wireless power products that will be on sale as early as April this year to recharge your laptop, iPhone or power tools. Read More
Victorinox announces Presentation Pro business tool
18:25 January 14, 2009 PST
Victorinox used the 2009 CES as the platform for the launch of their new Presentation Pro, a compact Swiss Army Knife that includes a laser pointer, Bluetooth remote control and USB storage of up to 32GB which, in a first for the company, integrates biometric fingerprint security. Read More
It's here! The Pico Projector mobile phone
16:34 January 14, 2009 PST
The advent of handheld Pico Projectors created a buzz throughout 2008 and although they make very useful stand alone devices, we've been eagerly awaiting their integration into mobile phones. We wait no longer. Samsung has produced the first cell phone featuring Texas Instrument's DLP Pico chipset and like the mobile phone camera - which not so long ago was seen as the "latest thing" - we expect to see tiny projectors quickly become a standard addition to mobile phone features. Read More
Sony shows off prototype OLED TVs at CES 2009
By Tim Hanlon
11:01 January 14, 2009 PST
While Sony's XEL-1 OLED TV represents a leap forward in technology, the 11-inch size leaves a lot to be desired for applications like the living room. It won't be long though, as Sony showed off their prototypes for larger OLED TVs including 21-inch and 27-inch models at CES 2009. Don't miss the gallery. Read More
ioSafe Solo: the world's first affordable high capacity disaster proof hard drive
By Mike Hanlon
01:41 January 14, 2009 PST
Ya call that a hard disk? This is a real hard disk - it’ll withstand fires up to 1550 degrees Fahrenheit and can be submersed in salt water for three days and it’ll still protect its precious data. The ioSafe Solo offers disaster protection to a price range that everyone can afford with capacities from 500GB for US$150 through to 1.5TB for US$300 based on the introductory pricing and it’s an enormously compelling proposition if you have data that’s irreplaceable. It isn’t portable, with a weight of 15 pounds and dimensions of 5x7.1x11 inches but it’s just the ticket for that priceless customer database, or the family photo album. Read More
WowWee 's Wi-Fi Spyball
By Emily Clark
20:29 January 13, 2009 PST
A scaled back version of the Rovio Wi-Fi robot webcam, the Spyball from WowWee is a remote controlled, Wi-Fi enabled, transforming robotic ball that allows kids to see what their brother or sister is up to, as well as checking out what’s for dinner in the kitchen – all undetected. Read More
HP unveils 2009 line
By Kyle Sherer
19:48 January 12, 2009 PST
HP released the details of its 09 lineup at CES, outlining new notebooks, a desktop, a gaming keyboard, a server, and a photo printing app for iPhone. Among them, the inch-thick HP Pavilion dv2 weighs less than four pounds and has a high-capacity hard drive of up to 500GB. Read More
Scoshe passPORT solves iPhone / iPod charging needs
By Mike Hanlon
11:32 January 12, 2009 PST
The iPhone 3G and latest iPod models have created problems for Apple fans because their old docking accessories are not able to charge their new purchases. Scosche has a solution which will be on sale this month - the US$40 passPORT has a female pass-through connector that can snap into any iPod universal dock or in-car iPod integration system to support charging for the iPhone 3G, iPod nano 4th generation and iPod touch 2nd generation. Read More
Celeste H Calabro
- July 5, 2009 @ 22:20 UTC
