CES

Where’s Barnes and Noble? Not Taking Advantage of CES!

I spent a great deal of time before and during CES checking out the exhibitor list and deciding what companies I wanted to visit. While I didn’t think they were doing anything special, I did note that Barnes and Noble was on the exhibitor list, and made a mental note to drop by and see what they had to say. Apparently, though, B&N is here in their traditional, not technological, capacity. They are here solely to sell Gary Shapiro’s “Ninja Innovation” title (Gary is head of CEA, the company behind CES). No display NOOKs. Not even a brochure. At CES….


spnKiX Rocket Skates… Rock

Skates go high-tech with the spnKiX Rocket Skates. We saw a woman wearing them on the show floor. They looked neat enough, but then she started moving! Yup, the spnKiX are motorized. More than that, the spnKiX come with a remote control. Now you have a new way to trip, fall and break your leg. Better still, it will cost you just $699 for the privilege. Learn more here.


Braven BRV-1 Speaker Encounters the Water Torture Test

We’ve reviewed the Braven 600 previously and, yesterday, we spent some hands-on time with the BRV-1. The speaker is rugged, water-resistant, and “built for the outdoors”. 10 hours of playtime thanks to the 1200mAh battery means you’ll get plant of time to listen to tunes on the 5W speakers. And because the BRV-1 is “protected from rainfall, water jets, and water splashing”. It is not, hover, intended to be submersed completely in water. We put the speaker to the test. There’s much more to learn about the $169.99 speaker and that can be accomplished here on the Braven site.


Griffin’s Crayola Light Marker, Impresses at CES 2013

Take one iPad with front-facing camera, one specialty stylus designed to look like a Crayola crayon, and one kid. Mix them together with some special tech sauce and what do you get? The Crayola Light Marker from Griffin. Here’s a video look at the new offering from Griffin. The Crayola Light Marker from Griffin features: Digital marker and free downloadable app for iPad Light Marker uses invisible light to play games and create on your iPad screen without touching it Fun in the dark with free downloadable Light Marker App – 6 activities and and hours of fun. Light Marker…


Rap Pacs Bring Lightweight Protection From The Elements

Company: Rap Pacs Products on Display: Rap Pacs makes cases for the iPad, Kindle, NOOK and other 7in tablets, and various smartphones. Their cases are recycled yoga material with marine-grade plastic pouches to hold devices and provide some protection from the elements. What Caught Our Eye: The iPad and tablet cases were especially interesting, as they offer some protection from sand, water, and other potential dangers without being bulky or requiring the device to be sealed tighter than the Pentagon. While these are not intended to be ultra rugged, they did demo that you could drop an iPad and feel…


Stay Connected With ConnecteDevice’s COOKOO Watch

ConnecteDevice Ltd, an unpronounceable global tech company, has just announced the worldwide launch of its COOKOO™ connected watches. These designer devices combine standard analog movement with a connected digital display to keep people updated to the happenings on their iOS smartphones. Incoming and missed calls, Facebook notifications, calendar reminder, and more can be mapped to the watch and displayed digitally. Even better, the COOKOO line doesn’t require regular charging. So how does it work? Users must first download the COOKOO App™ (available on the App Store). People can then pick and choose which updates they want to receive on their…


Boost Your Smartphone Volume With Smartsound Case

Company: SmartSound Case Products on Display: Cases for the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung Galaxy Note that have a kickstand that doubles as a channel to naturally amplify sounds without needing a separate powered speaker. Also includes a reflective flash ring for brighter photos.   What Caught Our Eye: The cases were very light, and the combination of sound channel and kickstand makes the phones very stable while on display. It was too noisy to test the sound quality, but the build and style looked great!


Golla Bags Can Outfit Your Mobile Arsenal!

Company: Golla Bags Products on Display: Golla is at CES with everything from simple phone pouches to device-specific form fitting cases. They also have an extensive line of larger bags, as well as camera pouches and even headphones. What Caught Our Eye: I love Golla bags, and have used their pouches for cameras and other small devices over the years. They are tough, extremely well made, and come in all sorts of cool designs. They have some great cases for the iPhone and iPad (shocking, I know) but they also have expanded their device specific lines to include Samsung, and…


IK Multimedia Introduces the iRig HD Guitar Interface

It is hard to believe it has been more than two and a half years since Travis reviewed the original iRig here at Gear Diary. In that time iRig has become THE standard for interfacing your guitar with your iOS device regardless of the apps you were using. Well, now at CES IK Multimedia has taken the next step in iRig development, introducing the iRig HD that goes beyond simple Lightning Connector compatibility to deliver a true high-def experience. “iRig HD features superior digital audio quality, and offers a premium 24-bit A/D converter for a crystal clear digital signal that’s…


Audi to Include Tegra-Powered Infotainment Systems in Select Vehicles This Year

If you are an Audi enthusiast and in the market for a new Audi, you are in for a treat. Audi today announced they would be including the MMX computing module based on the NVIDIA Tegra Visual Computing Module in select models starting in 2013. This latest iteration of the Audi MIB will enhance Audi connect, permitting the live updating of satellite imagery for both Google Earth and Google Map Street View.  Audi drivers with the new NVIDIA Tegra hardware will be able to see 360° street panoramas as well as pull up real-time gas prices, the latest weather forecasts…


United Healthcare Shows Their Techy Side

Company: United Healthcare Products on Display: Not everything UHC had was directed at consumers, but even the doctor-facing technology is a boon for the patients. They have ideas and systems for every aspect of the insurance and healthcare experience, from prescription drugs to estimated costs.   What Caught Our Eye: One of the areas United Healthcare is focusing on is education for everyone, not just UHC customers. They’ve launched a website (UHCTV) with tons of original content to help people learn exercises, healthier eating techniques, and offers the chance for users to ask their experts questions about the various subjects….


Gaiam Gets In The Case Game

Company: Gaiam Yoga, working with Allsop Products on Display: Gaiam and Allsop have a line of yoga inspired iPhone and iPad cases and headphones coming out in late May/early June. What Caught Our Eye: The cases all uses Gaiam’s earthy style, with designs reminiscent of a yoga mat. Materials are recycled, wood, and other organic styles. Definitely the kind of case you could throw on your iPhone so it blends in at yoga class!


Boogie Board Introduces 2 New LCD eWriter Models at CES

You know about the Boogie Board, right?  It’s basically an LCD notepad that can be reused as many times as you need.  It’s great for leaving a note for your husband, wife, or the kids, or maybe jotting down a phone number at the office.  I know I go through tons of little notepads that I keep next to my phone in my office just taking little notes.  This saves all that paper, plus, all your friends or coworkers would be totally jealous of you.  What’s really cool is that these babies use zero power.  Zero.  They use Reflex No…


yurbuds Focus Limited Edition Earbuds Look Great, Sound Great and Stay in Place

We’ve been fans of yurbuds earbuds since first seeing them at CES 2011. The earbuds have a special design that lets you wear them comfortably for extended periods and, thanks to their unusual design, the earbuds stay in place even when you are doing flips off the wall. Case in point… The company has once again upped their game. The Focus Limited Edition ($99.99) and Inspire Limited Edition ($99.99) step up the fashion aspect of the earbuds by switching to a sharp black/red color. The result is a line that looks sleeker than ever. Yes, sport earphones can now be…


Samsung GALAXY Camera Gets Pictured at CES 2013

At this point, it’s pretty much trite to say that the best camera is the one you have with you, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. And as the cameras in phones have improved, the saying has become even truer.  Here at CES 2013 Judie and I have large cameras; she is carrying a Cannon G11 and I have my Canon T3i, but we are also making good use of our iPhones for photos and pictures. Yes; the iPhone 5 is a phone that takes great pictures. Samsung had a different idea. Sure; they put great cameras in phones,…


Gear Diary’s CES 2013 Taxi Confessions Part 1

My first year at CES was 2009. The economy was in the tank and, as a result, the event was relatively small and scaled back. Most of the action took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center with a few scattered meetings in a handful of hotel suites. Not so this year. While the Convention Center is hopping CES has also taken over the Convention Center next to the Mandalay Bay and more meetings that ever are taking place in hotel suites. As a result Judie and I are spending more time in taxis than ever. Our first cab ride…


Android Mobile Musicians Rejoice – IK Multimedia Accessories Now Work on Android!

IK Multimedia is coming to Android full force this year at CES! Having just announced iRig Recorder for Android, they have opened the possibilities for mobile music-making on the platform. But just having an app isn’t good enough, you need ways to get your music into the app – so now IK Multimedia has announced the compatibility of several of their accessories with Android and iRig Recorder, including the iRig MIC, iRig MIC Cast, and iRig PRE. All of those products will work well in tandem with the just announced iRig Recorder for Android, the easy-to-use recording and editing IK Multimedia app. A couple…


IK Multimedia Brings Mobile Music to Android with iRig Recorder

For me, one of the deciding negatives regarding Android has been the lack of a low-latency core audio system as is found in iOS. And while that hasn’t been solved at a system level, talented developers such of products such as FL Studio have been working on their own solutions. Now IK Multimedia takes the lead! Today at CES IK Multimedia announced iRig Recorder for Android, which allows high-definition, low-latency audio recording. The app also has plenty of built-in tools for editing and exporting your sounds, and will support IK Multimedia accessories such as iRig MIC, iRig MIC Cast and…


Linksys Introduces New 802.11ac Routers at CES 2013

I’ve always been a big fan of Linksys over the years for making reliable routers for the home.  Even though the next iteration of WiFi, 802.11ac, is still being finalized, this isn’t stopping Linksys from introducing three new routers based on a draft of the new standard.  This is similar to how the previous generation, 802.11N was introduced so it’s no surprise to me that they’d want to get the jump on the new standard. The top of the line Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router AC 1750 HD Video Pro, EA6700 has the power user in mind.  It promises speeds up to 1300…


unu – Tablet, Game Controller, Smart TV Dock in One, Unveiled at CES

Coming a long way from the public’s first glimpse at the device, the unu tablet has been debuted at CES.  The device, called “snakebyte eins” during its production and development, has been given a new name and a warm welcome in sunny Las Vegas at CES this year.  A pre-release version of the device is playable on the conference floor throughout CES. According to the company, Snakebyte, unu is completely different from all Android-based gaming platforms currently available to the public.  And I would have to agree.  unu comes with a docking station, gaming controller, and an air mouse, which…


The Monster Products Press Conference

This morning Monster welcomed us with a list of speakers and special guests that ran the gamut of popular sports stars to other easily recognizable names. I heard a guy joke behind me, in the line as we waited to enter, that it seemed more like an awards show than a press conference. Perhaps… Noel Lee, the Head Monster, came out on a tricked out Segway (gold rims and a flame-job!), saying this was going to be the most exciting press conference we’d attend all day. With much enthusiasm, he said they’d be introducing a new line of mobility products,…