For those who've been wondering what Altec Lansing's got up its sleeves for this year, we stopped by its CES booth to check out its forthcoming range of speakers and iPod docks. Most notably, a few of the new models bear the same ID as the Octiv Duo, featuring a curved face with a central ridge running lengthwise across the speakers. Come Spring, European folks will get to pick up the VS2721 2.1 system and the VS2720 2.0 kit, with the former besting its predecessor -- the trapezium-shaped VS2621 -- with a wired remote for volume, tone, and mute controls. Meanwhile, US buyers will still be seeing the current VS2620 and VS2621 desktop speakers instead of the aforementioned twosome, but they'll also have the BXR1321 budget 2.1 system sporting the new ID, as well as the BXR1320 USB-powered 2.0 speakers. More after the break.
In the portable category, Altec showed us the mean-looking Orbit USB Stereo which, as the name says for itself, is powered by USB. When not in use, you can stow away the feet and then twist the aluminum speakers together into one long tube, with the cables conveniently housed within. Next up we saw the inMotion Air (with no relation to Apple's AirPlay technology) portable Bluetooth speaker box, and while we couldn't test it properly at the noisy booth, its CSR Bluetooth apt-X support means its sound quality is likely to be better than most other Bluetooth speakers, provided that the audio source is also apt-X enabled. If you want a longer reception range (up to 300 feet), you can also use the bundled USB dongle for your computer. Naturally, we'll let you know how the Air fares once we've given it a proper go.
Last but not least, we have the Octiv 650 iPod dock that looks very much like an enlarged version of the Octiv Duo sans a second dock. Killer features include a nested subwoofer and video component out sockets to go with your TV, along with a new iOS app called Music Mood that offers not only a customizable 7-band graphic equaliser, but also an ambient sound and visual generator (think of those virtual fireplaces and forests that you can get on DVDs). Expect to see this speaker dock on the shelves in a couple of months.
Looks like VLC's role as champion of open-source legal rights is no more -- rather than lawyer up, Apple's taken the easy way out, and simply removing the VLC media player from the App Store. Rémi Denis-Courmont -- the VideoLAN developer who originally sued to have it removed -- reports that an Apple attorney informed him that the company had complied with his takedown request, and pulled the app accordingly -- which likely puts the kibosh on other potential VLC ports as well. If you think about it, the open-source community may have just planted the first brick in a walled garden of its own.
Skullcandy is hitting CES with a characteristically bold claim: its new Fix in-ear headphones are touted as the first to never fall out of your ears, irrespective of the intensity of your physical activity. We've matched them up against the Yurbuds Ironman Series, a rather larger pair of in-ear speakers, which makes the exact same claim. Both companies have patented their particular technology and both claim to be the one and only true solution. Obviously targeting runners, vigorous exercisers and discreet headbangers, they're priced at $70 for Skullcandy's Fix and $50 for the Yurbuds Ironmans. We've had a pair of each to play around with for a few hours here and sound quality is generally satisfactory on both. The Ironmans are much punchier in the bass range and offer significantly better sound isolation -- a lot of external noise leaks in through the Fix's seal, but the oversized Ironman buds netralize the vast majority of it. Both sets feel comfortable in the ear and shouldn't cause any grief if you opt to wear them for prolonged jogs outdoors ... or impromptu indoor moshing sessions.
Android getting ported to the iPhone may be old news by now, but Android 2.3 (a.k.a. Gingerbread) getting ported to the iPhone? Well, that's something... new, if entirely expected. As before, it's the iPhone 3G doing the honors, and the port is still based on the iDroid project, which means you can hang onto iOS in a dual-boot configuration so you won't be left in the cold when the less-than-stable port decides not to cooperate. And, yes, this once again means that the iPhone has gotten the latest version of Android before many Android devices have. Head on past the break for a video.
Novatel Wireless just keeps pumping out the MiFis, and this year's CES offerings didn't disappoint with both a WiMAX and an LTE version on offer. So first up is the Sprint WiMAX version of the MiFi that replaces the previous MiFi 2200 with a tenfold increase in speed -- of course there is an asterisk next to that figure -- an external electronic ink display for signal strength, battery, and number of connected devices, and the balance of the features pretty much jibe with what we've already seen in the past. Verizon's 4510L LTE MiFi -- the faster and larger of the two -- packs the same e-ink display tech, LTE download speeds between 5 and 12 Mbps, and upload rates from 2 to 5 Mbps. No mention of battery life on either of these capable little toys, but if we had to guess we'd recommend you drag along a charger wherever your roaming may take you.
With the announcement of three new Windows 7-based tablets, Netbook Navigator has made a splash in the already flooded world of tablets here at CES 2011. Netbook Navigator showed off the NAV7, NAV9 and the NAV10i for us on the CES show floor, check past the break for all of the details.
NAV7 Slate PC: The new tablet is running either Intel's Atom 1.3GHz Z515 or the upgraded 1.6 GHz Z530 processors on a 7-inch multitouch LCD screen. The NAV7 tablet also has a touchpad and pair of mouse buttons on the rear of the device. At just 1.7lbs and 0.7-inches thick, makes it one of the slimmer tablets we've seen this side of CES. Shared throughout the lineup are solid state drives, with your pick of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB capacities, there's up to 2GB of RAM, a 1.3 megapixel front facing webcam, 802.11n WiFi capabilities, Bluetooth 2.1 and optional 3G connectivity through a sim card slot.
NAV9 Slate PC: The NAV9 has a new rugged 8.9-inch multitouch low-pressure resistive LCD display. Under the hood you will find a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor and another USB port bringing the grand total to three. There is also a miniSD card slot for expansion.
NAV10i Slate PC: The largest of the three, the NAV10i Slate PC has a 10.1-inch capacitive multitouch LCD display and 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 processor. Netbook Navigator chose to only include two USB ports and in place of the miniSD card slot is a microSD card slot. At a whopping 0.6-inches thick, the NAV10i is even thinner than its smaller younger brother, the NAV7. While only still in its prototype form the NAV10i seemed pretty fit and finished.
The three Netbook Navigator NAV series Windows 7 Slate PCs left a mildly good taste on our tablet tastebuds. The UI was slick and responsive, the hardware had a good solid feel to it; although we weren't a big fan of cheap and tacky hardware buttons on the NAV10i and the gimmicky-small touchpad on the NAV7. With the proper backing from of the big players, Netbook Navigation may have something going for them with these three new tablets.
Samsung made a lot of noise about its first-party Smart TV initiative yesterday, so we had to stop by and check things out -- especially that new WiFi-based RMC30D Smart Touch Remote, which comes bundled with all new 8000-series TVs and above. (It also works with the 7000 series, but you have to buy it separately.) Unfortunately, things weren't working so well -- tons of WiFi interference in the area made control hard to do, and the system itself was a confusing UI nightmare made worse by the remote's slow resistive touchscreen. Oh, and did we mention that the remote itself is a straight-up iPhone 3G KIRF? Because yeah -- it is. Things were slightly improved when we loaded up the soon-to-be-released Android control app on a nearby Fascinate, but that didn't fix the essential issues with the UI -- it's very much just a picture of a regular remote drawn on the screen, which rarely works well on a touchscreen device. Don't just take our word for it -- check the video after the break.
It's not exactly what we'd call a easy jailbreak, seeing as how it requires a soldering iron, a NAND format procedure, and a Logitech Revue that's never even been powered on, but it looks like it is possible to root a Google TV box after all. GTVHacker has a thirteen-step walkthrough to cracking the Logitech Revue -- and physically crack the case you must -- after which point custom firmware can let it download, install and run apps from Android Market and bypass pesky television network blockages. Risky? Definitely. Worth it? Depends on howpatient you are.
Among tons of generic GPS devices at its booth, Garmin had the new GTU 10 GPS locator out for the world to see on the CES floor. If you need a refresher, this little tracker connects to AT&T's network and and lets you keep tabs on anything you choose to hook it onto. The signage showed the compact locator on a dog collar, though there's also a carabiner attachment so you can attach it to pretty much anything. We spotted the tracking app running on a Galaxy Tab, so it looks like Android support is definitely on the table -- we're still in the dark on compatibility with other mobile operating systems. Other than that there's not much to say, but feel free to peruse our shots of the discreet black blob in our gallery below.
Own a first generation MacBook Air? If you're perfectly fine with hanging onto it for awhile, Other World Computing is now offering a tempting upgrade in the storage department. The newly announced Mercury Aura Pro is promised to deliver up to 275MB/sec, which equates to right around 3x faster than the factory SSD on 2008 - 2009 MacBook Air models. It's said to be the first SandForce-based SSD available for those machines, with 60GB, 120GB, 240GB and 480GB models available. The foursome is available today for $199.99, $299.99, $579.99 and $TBA. Curious, but true.
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OWC ANNOUNCES INDUSTRY'S FIRST SANDFORCE PROCESSOR SOLID STATE DRIVE (SSD) FOR 2008-2009 MACBOOK AIR AT CES
Mercury Aura Pro MBA Delivers up to 275MB/s data rates for up to 41X Faster Performance than Factory Hard Drive, over 3X Faster Performance than Factory SSD, and up to 20% Faster Speed than 2010 MacBook Air Factory SSD
January 5, 2011, Las Vegas, NV -- Other World Computing (OWC®) http://www.macsales.com, a leading zero emissions Mac® and PC technology company, announced today its new Mercury Aura™ Pro MBA Solid State Drive (SSD) line, the first high performance SandForce® processor based SSD available for all 2008-2009 Apple MacBook Air models. Announced today at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, this new product introduction establishes OWC as the most comprehensive U.S. manufacturer of industry leading SandForce processor based SSDs, with OWC Mercury Pro brand SSD models available for nearly every Mac and PC produced over the past decade. OWC will be demonstrating the new Mercury Aura Pro MBA and other first-to-market OWC Mercury Pro SSDs at CES Booth #3935, LVCC, North Hall.
Available In Four Models: 60GB, 120GB, 240GB, and 480GB with 4X Higher Capacity than Factory SSD
With data rates of up to 275MB/s, the OWC Mercury Aura Pro MBA offers owners of 2008-2009 MacBook Air models up to 41X faster performance than the original factory hard drive, over 3X faster performance than the factory installed SSD, and 20% faster than even the latest 2010 MacBook Air models. Plus, with four models to choose from: 60GB, 120GB, 240GB, and 480GB, the OWC Mercury Aura Pro MBA provides up to 4X the storage capacity compared to the factory optional 128GB SSD and nearly 2X more storage capacity than the largest SSD offered in 2010 MacBook Air models.
Ordinary SSDs offer fast read/write performance during initial use, but then experience significant write speed degradation over repeated usage. Independent simulation tests by leading drive performance experts (see: http://macperformanceguide.com/SSD-RealWorld.html) confirm that OWC Mercury Pro brand SSDs ultra-efficient "Block Management & Wear Leveling" technologies eliminate virtually any reduction in data transfer speeds over heavy long term usage, without the dependency on less effective OS TRIM management.
Higher RAID-Like Data Protection - Up To 100X
The OWC Mercury Aura Pro MBA also utilizes SandForce DuraClass™ technology, which provides up to 100X higher data protection than ordinary SSDs and leading enterprise class hard disk drives. By combining the highest level of Error Correction Code (ECC) and SandForce RAISE™ (Redundant Array of Independent Silicon Elements) technology along with 7% over provisioning, the Mercury Aura Pro MBA provides RAID-like data protection and reliability without the loss of transfer speed due to parity.
Shootout Proves it: OWC Offers "Better than New" Performance
Based on OWC's popular Mercury Extreme SSD "shootout" video series, OWC has created new videos demonstrating how much faster an OWC Mercury Aura Pro MBA equipped 2008-2009 MacBook Air 1.83GHz model is versus much faster processor based machines, including a 2010 MacBook Pro i7. To view the side-by-side comparison videos, visit: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/internal_storage/Aura_SSD.
"One of OWC's core missions is to help consumers maximize their technology investment," said Larry O'Connor, Founder and CEO, OWC. "By offering faster performance and higher capacity than provided by 2010 models, the Mercury Aura Pro MBA SSD enables 2008-2009 MacBook Air owners to experience better than new performance at a significantly lower cost than a new machine."
Four Models Starting At $199.99
The new OWC Mercury Aura Pro MBA is available immediately in four models compatible with all 13.3" 2008-2009 MacBook Air models:
· 60GB Mercury Aura Pro MBA with 7% over provisioning & three year warranty - $199.99 · 120GB Mercury Aura Pro MBA with 7% over provisioning & three year warranty - $299.99 · 240GB Mercury Aura Pro MBA with 7% over provisioning & three year warranty - $579.99 · 480GB Mercury Aura Pro MBA with 7% over provisioning & three year warranty - $TBA
For more information on the OWC Mercury Aura Pro MBA line, including reseller inquires, visit: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Aura_Pro_MBA. For more information on the complete OWC Mercury Pro SSD line, visit: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/
OWC Mercury Pro at CES: Unveiling More Industry-First SSD Model Lines for Most Comprehensive SSD Line For Macs And PCs
In addition to the Mercury Aura Pro MBA line of first SSDs available on the market for 2008-2009 MacBook Air computers, OWC is also unveiling other industry-first Mercury Pro SSD model lines at the CES show:
• OWC Mercury Aura Pro Express - the first SSD available for all 2010 Apple MacBook Air models.
• OWC Mercury Aura Pro 1.8" - the first and fastest SandForce processor based SSD available for netbooks, subnotebook, and other computers that utilize an internal 1.8" sized SATA drive.
• OWC Mercury Extreme™ Pro Legacy Edition - the first and fastest SandForce® processor based IDE/ATA SSD available for pre-Intel® PowerPC® based Macs, PCs, and other desktop/tower computers.
• OWC Mercury Legacy™ Pro - the first and fastest SandForce processor based IDE/ATA SSD available for pre-Intel PowerPC based Mac notebooks, PCs, and other notebook/laptop computers.
Typically there are two ways to go with home automation solutions built around gateways: cheap but labor intensive DIY solutions using off-the-shelf products, or expensive professionally installed solutions using proprietary technologies. Somfy's Tahoma Total Home Automation gateway fits somewhere in between. Tahoma supports Somfy's own RTS communication protocol to control Somfy's own line of window coverings in addition to Z-Wave for pretty much everything else. Unlike solutions like Vera from Mi Casa Verde, Tahoma must be professionally installed. The company partnered with Cooper Wiring, Evolve, and Leviton to optimize device integrity while remaining (mostly) true to the Z-Wave protocol. From there the end user is free to move about the automation cabin in order to customize scenes to their liking. We had the chance to see it in action here at CES and came away impressed with both the browser-based user interface and iOS app. Look for it to launch in Q2. Until then, we've got video.
Ambidextrous, capacitive, programmable, open source, five simultaneous touch inputs. The Misa Digital Kitara has quite the laundry list of goodies to boast about, but we couldn't let it slide through CES without getting our fingers on it and exploring for ourselves. The first thing that strikes you about this guitar-shaped synthesizer is its weight distribution -- it's no heavier than a good electric guitar, but a lot more of that weight is contained within its neck -- and the second will inevitably be its lightning-quick response to touch. Misa tells us latency is less than 5 milliseconds and it felt like it.
There are two main modes of operation: a string mode, as seen above, and a ball mode allowing for even more adjustability. Both modes can then be further tweaked by choosing between the red and blue setting, with the former allowing for the performance of hammer-ons. Sliding your finger around the 8-inch touchscreen can do all sorts of wonderful things as well, such as altering pitch, tempo and volume, while those fearful of having no tactile feedback in string mode can apply a clear sheet over the screen that has tiny little ridges where the strings would usually reside. We say "usually," because you'll be able to configure the distance between the imaginary strings for yourself. The Kitara runs an open source Linux OS, which will be updatable via USB and is already compatible with Mac, PC and, naturally, Linux machines. It also has more than a hundred sound presets and we've been promised the option to customize them and create new ones by playing around with the algorithms in the future.
The black Kitara is made out of good old plastic (but it's made very well) and costs $849 whereas the silver one you see in the gallery below is constructed out of a single block of aluminum and will set buyers back $2,899. Pre-orders are going on now through Misa Digital's online store and shipping is set to start on April 3. Video follows below.
Do you ever find yourself yearning for an intense fragging session but your roommate is watching last night's episode of The Jersey Shore on the DVR, leaving you to wonder why you hooked your Xbox to main room TV? Well, Actiontec has created MyWireless TV for just such occasions in order to keep both you and your roommate happy. MyWireless TV is a wireless HDMI transmitter that allows you to stream 1080p video from most any source over 802.11n WiFi to multiple displays (as long as said displays are connected to a MyWireless TV adapter). The system works using Cavium Networks WiVu technology, which is a video streaming protocol that is fully compatible with H.264 encoding, HDCP 2.0 encryption, Dolby surround sound, and can stream 3D video. Of particular interest to gamers is the fact that the system has an alleged sub 20ms latency from source to screen at a claimed range of 150 feet, which gives it quite the leg up on its WirelessHD competition. The set comes with one transmitter and one receiver at a rumored $200 hit to your wallet when (if?) it goes on sale later this year.
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Actiontec's MyWirelessTV™ Line of Wireless HDMI Adapters Features Cavium's PureVu™ Processors for Dynamic, Low-Latency Performance
style="text-align: center;">Leveraging Cavium's WiVu™ Wireless Display Technology, Actiontec's New Adapters Enable Full 3D HD Video Transmission Over Standard Wi-Fi
CES Unveiled 2011 CES Unveiled 2011:Cavium Networks, Inc.
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cavium Networks (NASDAQ:CAVM), a leading provider of semiconductor products that enable intelligent processing for networking, communications and the digital home, today announced that Actiontec Electronics' new line of wireless HDMI adapters feature Cavium's PureVu™ video processors and WiVu™ wireless display technology. Known as MyWirelessTV™, this new product line from Actiontec enables pristine 1080p HD video transmission throughout the home with virtually no latency, thanks to Cavium's industry leading Super Low Latency™ (SLL) technology. With these new HDMI adapters, consumers will be able to view 2D and 3D HD content from any HDMI source on any display anywhere in the home wirelessly.
"We are very pleased with Actiontec's decision to select our PureVu video processors for its MyWirelessTV family of wireless HDMI adapters" "When we were developing these new HDMI adapters, we chose to partner with Cavium because their team shares our vision of building innovative and differentiated products that provide the performance and ease of use that consumers demand," said Dean Chang, president and CEO at Actiontec Electronics. "Cavium demonstrated a strong commitment to accelerating our development of this product. Their team's commitment and dependability, has been an important element in this release, particularly because we're launching directly into the consumer space where time-to-market, quality, pricing and performance determine success."
Each MyWirelessTV kit consists of a transmitter and a receiver HDMI adapter. By simply connecting the transmitter device to any HDMI source, such as a Blu-Ray player, A/V receiver, STB or even a PC, users can transmit the content from that source over standard Wi-Fi and view it on any display that has a MyWirelessTV HDMI receiver adapter connected to it. Users can expand this network to include other HDMI sources and displays by simply adding more transmit or receive adapters. WiVu's ultra low compression latency, along with its unique video quality of service features enable this transmission to be provided in a multi-room environment and a fully interactive fashion.
"We are very pleased with Actiontec's decision to select our PureVu video processors for its MyWirelessTV family of wireless HDMI adapters," said Manoj Gujral, VP and GM of Cavium's Broadband and Consumer division. "Cavium's standards-based WiVu technology contains all the necessary components to address the quality, security, scalability, and cost requirements of the emerging and rapidly growing home video distribution market."
Afraid that your hybrid or full electric vehicle will be dead after a few years? Well, we recently saw how rapid-recharging has a minimal impact on the longevity of a car's batteries, even after 1,500 iterations. Now we have some more good news: Consumer Reports decided to do a re-test a 2002 Prius, with 206,000 on the clock, and found that it delivered 46.3mpg, compared to 48.6 in the original test with a new car. Lower? Yes, but not bad for 206,000 miles. Not that bad at all. Full test results, including performance figures, are on the other end of the source link.
A WiDi adapter, but only for music? It's true. Up until now, Intel's Wireless Display technology has been marketed as a means for transmitting video wirelessly from a PC to an HDTV, but apparently it's good for audio, too. Logitech has chosen CES 2011 to launch the box you see above, the Wireless Speaker Adapter for Intel WiDi-enabled laptops. The idea is fairly simple: place the box near your sound system, and connect it up via a 3.5mm auxiliary jack or using standard analog RCA jacks. From there, you can launch the WiDi software on your laptop, nail the 'Connect' button and watch as your PC pairs up with your speakers. If you aren't equipped to handle WiDi, there's a similar box, but for Bluetooth. Both are expected to ship in the US and Europe this May for $29.99 apiece.
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Logitech to Deliver Adapter to Wirelessly Connect Your Laptop Audio to Your Speakers
Logitech Expands Audio Family with Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter for Intel WiDi Enabled Laptops
2011 International CES
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To turn your favorite speakers into a wireless sound system, today Logitech (SIX:LOGN) (NASDAQ:LOGI) introduced the Logitech® Wireless Speaker Adapter for Intel® WiDi-enabled laptops. Now built into a wide range of current laptops from all the major manufacturers and expected soon on select netbooks, Intel® Wireless Display (or Intel WiDi) lets you quickly connect your laptop audio to your existing stereo speakers via Wi-Fi.
"Now thanks to Intel WiDi and the Logitech Wireless Adapter for Intel WiDi-enabled laptops, it's easy to turn up the volume while you're listening to Pandora® or watching a YouTube® video. And you can do it with the speaker system you already own."
"Intel's WiDi technology is quickly proliferating in the marketplace," said Mark Schneider, vice president and general manager Logitech's audio business unit. "Now thanks to Intel WiDi and the Logitech Wireless Adapter for Intel WiDi-enabled laptops, it's easy to turn up the volume while you're listening to Pandora® or watching a YouTube® video. And you can do it with the speaker system you already own."
The Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter uses WiDi wireless connectivity to stream audio from your Intel WiDi-enabled laptop to your favorite speakers. You'll enjoy better sound quality than you can get from built-in laptop speakers. And your laptop stays portable, so you have the freedom to move around with it.
"With Logitech as a worldwide leader in PC speakers, we're excited they are bringing an audio adapter for Intel WiDi-enabled devices to market," said Kerry Forell, Intel Product Line Manager for Intel WiDi. "Intel WiDi is built into more than 50 laptop models from more than 12 leading PC OEMs today, and we expect additional momentum with our 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ processor-based laptops, as well as the expansion into the Intel® Atom™ processor-based netbook market in 2011. The Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter for Intel WiDi-enabled laptops presents a tremendous opportunity for Intel to help customers extend the PC audio experience to a higher-fidelity home speaker system."
Intel Wireless Display software is easy to set up and use. Simply plug the Logitech adapter into your speakers using the included standard analog RCA or 3.5 mm jacks, launch the Intel® WiDi software on your laptop, push "Connect" on your laptop and adapter, and your Intel WiDi-enabled laptop will automatically pair with your speakers.
Wireless Speaker Adapter for Bluetooth Audio Devices
Logitech also unveiled a wireless sound system for your smartphone or tablet with the introduction of the Logitech® Wireless Speaker Adapter for Bluetooth® audio devices. To stream music or other audio from your smartphone or tablet to your favorite speakers, the new Wireless Speaker Adapter for Bluetooth audio devices uses Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Bluetooth software makes it easy to set up and use. And you can attach your speakers using the included standard analog RCA or 3.5 mm jacks.
Both new Logitech wireless speaker adapters are small enough to be discreetly hidden away in your living room, bedroom or kitchen.
Pricing and Availability
The Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter for Intel WiDi-enabled laptops and the Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter for Bluetooth audio devices are expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in May for a suggested retail price of $29.99 (U.S.) respectively.
The SD Association took the opportunity to introduce the UHS-II standard here at CES, but Kingston's doing its best to just make the most of the protocols that are available in the here and now. The outfit has just introduced its latest range of SDHC cards, the USH-I UltimateXX, which is set to ship later this month and be perfectly backwards compatible with Class 4, 6 and 10 equipment. We're told that it'll hit read rates of 60MB/sec and write rates of 35MB/sec, with pricing set for $69.99 (8GB), $179.99 (16GB) and $349.99 (32GB). In related news, the outfit's also launching its DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 USB flash drive, and it has plans to launch an entry-level flash drive in "late Q2 / early Q3." Head on past the break for the full skinny.
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Kingston Digital Announces USB 3.0 Product Roadmap for 2011
· USB 3.0 Flash Drives Aimed at Enthusiasts, Prosumers and Consumers · Family to Include High Performance and Smaller, Lower Cost Solutions to
Meet All Consumer Needs
International CES 2011, Las Vegas, NV & Fountain Valley, CA -- January 5, 2011-- Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, is boosting support for USB 3.0 in 2011 by revealing its roadmap at International CES 2011. Kingston® will develop a comprehensive suite of USB 3.0 Flash drive solutions to meet the needs of users of all levels as the technology becomes more widely accepted.
"We have already seen the successful adoption of our DataTraveler® Ultimate 3.0 and HyperX® MAX 3.0 External drive amongst early adopters demanding faster data transfer rates in portable form factors," said Andrew Ewing, Flash drive business manager, Kingston. "As USB 3.0 technology grows and more platforms and computers support the USB 3.0 standard, we recognize the need to develop different solutions to address various target markets and help drive adoption."
For enthusiasts and power users, Kingston will release its fastest USB 3.0 drive to date. The DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 will serve as the flagship model and be part of the HyperXperience™ line, a family of high-performance Kingston Flash products that will include SSDs, USBs and cards, to complement HyperX enthusiast memory modules.
In September 2010, Kingston released the DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 (DTU30), its first USB 3.0 Flash drive using a SATA bridge chip to attain high data transfer rates. As single-chip controllers become available, Kingston will release a second generation of the DTU30, available in 16-, 32- and 64GB capacities. Single-chip controllers allow for better USB 3.0 compatibility and speed. Users will benefit from increased performance and lower costs in the next generation DTU30.
As more PCs ship with USB 3.0 capability later this year, particularly in late Q2/early Q3, Kingston will also launch an entry-level Flash drive to go with these systems. It will be aimed squarely at consumers with a lower capacity and price point to help drive mainstream adoption.
For more information visit www.kingston.com.
About Kingston Digital, Inc.
Kingston Digital, Inc. ("KDI") is the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the world's largest independent manufacturer of memory products. Established in 2008, KDI is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, USA. For more information, please visit www.kingston.com or call 800-337-8410. ___________________ Kingston Digital Announces SDHC UHS-I UltimateXX
· Data Transfer Rate up to 60MB/sec. Read and 35MB/Sec. Write · Designed to SD Association UHS-I Speed Class Specifications · Available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB Capacities
International CES 2011 Las Vegas, NV and Fountain Valley, CA -- January 5, 2011 -- Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the SDHC UHS-I UltimateXX memory cards. The highest speed class available today, the UltimateXX meets standards set by the Secure Digital Association for next-level performance in SD card technology.
Shipping later this month, Kingston's UltimateXX memory cards are ideal for the serious photographer or videographer. Photographers will appreciate the ability to easily capture sequential shots that were once a challenge due to the speed limitations of memory. The UltimateXX also makes it easy to capture HD video. The performance of SDHC UHS-I memory card is optimized when paired with a UHS-I device, although the card is backwards compatible with Class 4, 6 and 10 equipment.
"Kingston is pleased to be one of the first manufacturers to offer SDHC UHS-I memory cards to our customers," said Mike Kuppinger, Flash card product manager, Kingston®. "Being a member of the SD Association enhances our ability to bring new technology to market. As the devices that support SDHC UHS-I become prevalent, our UltimateXX cards are at the ready."
Kingston's UltimateXX line meets the SD Association standards for the UHS-I speed class with speeds up to 60MB/sec. read and 35MB/sec. write. At this performance level, the write speed of SDHC UHS-I memory cards is more than three times as fast as SDHC Class 10 cards. The UltimateXX product line will offer capacities of 8GB, 16GB and 32GB.
Kingston SDHC UHS-1 UltimateXX Features and Specifications:
· Performance: 233x – up to 60MB/sec. read, and 35MB/sec. write · Fast: ultra high-speed bus I (UHS-I) · Compliant: with the SD Card Association specification version 3.01 · Secure: built-in write-protect switch prevents accidental data loss · Compatible: with SDHC and SDXC host devices, not compatible with standard SD-enabled devices/readers
· Reliable: lifetime warranty · Simple: as easy as plug-and-play · Capacities*: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB · Dimensions: 0.94" x 1.25" x 0.08" (24mm x 32mm x 2.1mm) · Weight: 0.09oz (2.5g) · Storage Temperatures: -40° F to 185° F (-40° C to 85° C) · Operating Temperatures: -13° F to 185° F (-25° C to 85° C) · Voltage: 3.3V · File Format: FAT32
* Some of the listed capacity on a Flash storage device is used for formatting and other functions and thus is not available for data storage. As such, the actual available capacity for data storage is less than what is listed on the products. For more information, go to Kingston's Flash Guide at kingston.com/flash_memory_guide.
IK Multimedia, the same dudes and dudettes responsible for the downright hilarious iKlip, seem to be on somewhat of a hot streak. This week, the company's hitting back with the iRig iMic, hailed as the first handheld condenser microphone for the iPhone. The image above truly explains it all -- it's designed to plug directly into your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, and so long as you've got a recording app of choice, you'll be capturing your vocals in no time flat. The obvious next step is to run everything through the T-Pain app, but for those who'd rather roll more naturally, IK's VocaLive effects processor is tossed in gratis. Pricing details are being kept under wraps for reasons unknown, but let's be honest -- you're buying one even if it means losing two arms and a leg.
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IK Multimedia announces iRig Mic: the first handheld microphone for iPhone.
Quality vocal and audio recordings anywhere for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
January 2011, Modena, Italy – IK Multimedia is proud to announce iRig™ Mic: the first handheld quality condenser microphone for iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad® - designed for all vocal and mobile sound needs.
iRig Mic is ideal for the singer, vocalist and songwriter on the move, but also perfect for recording speeches, instruments, performances or any other sound sources in the studio, on stage or in the field.
The iRig Mic features a highly unidirectional electret-condenser microphone capsule that provides quality recording, in both close mic and long distance mic conditions, and real-time monitoring with its dual mini-jack connector.
A three-level gain switch makes it instantly adjustable for any sound pressure condition - from soft speaking to loud playing. Its familiar form is perfect for handheld performance, plus it can be mounted on any mic stand leaving the iOS device free for app operation. Its rugged metal body is road-ready for the mobile musician.
iRig Mic also comes* with VocaLive free, IK's new real time effects processor app suite for the singer and vocalist, iRig Recorder, the new IK free audio recording app and AmpliTube Free, the best selling app for guitar players and songwriters. iRig Mic also works with a multitude of other vocal and audio recording or processing apps for the iOS platform.
iRig Mic features:
· Ideal for all vocal applications from singing to speech · Great for all types of sound recording or processing in music or any other audio application · Quality electret-condenser unidirectional capsule · Dual mini-jack connector allows real-time monitoring on headphones, speakers, mixers and PAs · Rugged, durable metal housing · Easy to set-up for any sound source · Can be handheld or placed on a standard mic stand · Comes with apps for singers, speakers and songwriters · Can be used with a multitude of other apps · Compatible with any iPhone, iPod touch (with mic input) and iPad
• Ideal for singers and vocalists Singers and vocalists will find the iRig Mic to be their ideal companion for capturing their voice in high fidelity for real-time audio processing during live performances or recording sessions. The iRig Mic electret-condenser capsule with accurate unidirectional pattern and excellent ability to handle high audio pressure levels ensures high-quality, crisp, clean vocal reproduction - even in noisy environments - with no distortion, even with the widest range of volume dynamics.
• Suitable for all types of sound recording Musicians will love the versatility of iRig Mic for recording and accurately reproducing their acoustic instruments, amplified instruments or even their band performances and concerts. Non-musicians will have an indispensable tool for recording high quality podcasts, speeches, lessons, interviews, video soundtracks or any other source that can be recorded on the go with their mobile device.
• Real time monitoring The iRig Mic dual in/out mini-jack connector allows you to monitor your recordings in real time without disconnecting the mic from your from your iPhone/iPod or iPad. Its stereo mini-jack output can be easily connected to traditional headphones and ear buds or line input to mixers, powered speakers, amplifiers and PA systems.
• Easy to set-up and operate The three level gain switch (for low, medium and high sound pressure sources) make setting up iRig Mic a breeze, while its familiar shape allows to comfortably hold it with one hand or position it on any standard microphone stand. Its mini-jack connector and 2m/6.5 ft. cable make it easy to record any sound source while keeping the iPhone or iPad at a convenient distance for app operation.
• Includes apps for singers, songwriters, speakers For singers and vocalists, the new VocaLive free app included* with iRig Mic offers for the first time a mobile suite of real-time effects dedicated to live vocal processing. Vocalists can add effects like choir harmonizer, pitch correction, vocal doubler, de-esser and more, together with advanced sing-along and recording features. The included* AmpliTube free app is the perfect companion for songwriters and features real-time guitar and bass effects, recording and mastering capabilities. The included* iRig Recorder is IK's new app for quick audio recording and processing - so easy to operate that it can be used by everybody, including non-musicians.
• Can be used with a multitude of apps iRig Mic can be used with any other app that uses the microphone input of the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad for audio input.
These include a wide range of music apps for audio recording, processing, and sing-along for both professional music creation and for personal entertainment - video, multimedia and gaming apps, plus thousands more.
Acer didn't just land in Vegas with Iconia tablets galore -- it brought along its new Liquid Mini and BeTouch E210 Froyo smartphones. The 3.2-inch Liquid Mini is the most interesting of the two, and like its larger older brothers, it's made of a black glossy plastic, which is bound to pick up more fingerprints than Sherlock Holmes. It will be actually be available in quite a number of hues, but Acer only had the black one on display. Still it's one cute phone, and with a 600MHz Qualcomm 7227 processor, 512MB of memory, and a 5 megapixel cam it's bound to fill Acer's mid-range smartphone offering quite nicely. That said, the unit we saw hanging around Acer's private suites wasn't working all that well -- in fact, it rebooted itself twice. This one was running Acer's own software layer on top of 2.2; the BeTouch E210 seemed to be running stock Froyo. Speaking of the BeTouch, it's a lot like the E130 with its BlackBerry-like form factor and awesome physical keyboard, except the E210 has been slimmed down and upgraded to that aforementioned 600MHz Qualcomm CPU. The E310 on display was working much better than the Liquid and while it wasn't blazing fast, it kept up with our scrolling and navigating in and out of menus. No word on US availability, but they should be hitting the UK market sometime soon. Hit the break for some beauty shots.
And here we were worried that Funai's takeover of the US arm would lead to a falloff. Whatever its name or corporate structure, Philips has brought plenty of US-bound heat to CES 2011, with none bigger than the news that we will see the company's sweet 3D-capable 21:9ultrawidescreen HDTV on this side of the Atlantic in the second half of 2011. Today it also announced plans for a Blu-ray player with wireless HDMI, the world's first (meaning you'll probably need a dongle on any TV to use it until compatible displays arrive later in the year) but no surprise for an outfit that's been pushing HD streaming for some time. On a similar front its MediaConnect app on new TVs and Blu-ray players will let it stream anything playing on a PC to the TV screen WiDi-style (video embedded after the break.)
Speaking of various streaming support, it's spread NetTV support (with built in WiFi N by default) across many of its 2011 models, and thanks to the inclusion of ActiveVideo's CloudTV, support for YouTube Leanback, Facebook and more can be easily added later on. If that's not enough, the company was also demoing an Android TV (like RCA, not Google TV.) In the hazy light of CES it all seemed pretty impressive, especially the 21:9 HDTV running 3D movie trailers even if it's been available in Europe for some time already.
We went hands-on with Iogear's wireless HD system last year at CES, and now we've managed to do the same with a prototype of the boutique brand's new GW3DKIT 3D wireless streamer. The kit consists of a 3D transmitter and receiver that each feature four HDMI inputs as well as one component, composite, VGA, and USB input. Each box also features one HDMI and USB output. Together the system is designed to stream full 1080p 60Hz HD video / 5.1 audio along with 3D content over WiFi (802.11n) from as far as 100 feet away with supposedly little latency or wireless interference. Iogear says to expect the system sometime in Q1 of 2011, and no official pricing is available yet, but we've been told it would be around $499 by Iogear's CES booth staff. If everything performs as advertised, it sounds like a great solution for you home theater minimalists out there who prefer components out of sight. We'll reserve official judgment though until we can go eyes-on with some extended tested. For more information, be sure to check out the full PR after the break.
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IOGEAR Wireless 3D Media Kit Streams a Tidal Wave of Content One device to stream Full HD, 3D and digital audio content from up to six A/V devices as well as USB keyboard and mouse integration make the Wireless 3D Media Kit a hub of digital home activity. Las Vegas, NV – International CES 2011 – January 6-9 – Central Hall #13427 – At the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show, IOGEAR today announces the Wireless 3D Media Kit (GW3DKIT), the company's first device to wirelessly stream HD audio/video and offer 3D support up to 100 feet away. Six different A/V devices can be connected and stashed away for discrete, uninhibited performance.
Leveraging its own integrated private Wi-Fi (802.11n), the IOGEAR™ Wireless 3D Media Kit broadcasts with almost no latency and no interference from nearby wireless routers. Content can be streamed to a total of four wireless 3D receivers simplifying the process of setting up multi-room or multi-display environments with additional freedom to install displays in non-traditional locations without worrying about line-of sight placement. The Wireless 3D Media Kit consists of a wireless 3D transmitter and wireless 3D receiver with various connectors including HDMI®, Component, Composite, VGA, and USB. Users can connect a Blu-ray player, DVR/Set-top Box, DVD player, Media Server, computer or even a VCR and stream the content 100 feet through the air.
A USB port on the GW3DKIT can serve as a wireless keyboard /mouse connection allowing mobile control of a home theater PC or laptop within the 100 foot 3D receiver radius. Full access to stored videos, photos and music or management of online social media or work content is a breeze when combined with an IOGEAR wireless keyboard.[1]
"There is growing interest in 3D as major display manufacturers continue developing the technology to be more affordable and compelling," says Bill Nguyen, senior marketing manager for IOGEAR. "Our Wireless 3D Media Kit serves a complementary role that allows consumers to experience 3D, HD or standard definition content with more ease than ever before."
Additional features of the IOGEAR Wireless 3D Media Kit (GW3DKIT) include:
* Supports Full HD 1080P 60Hz, 3D content and 5.1 channel audio * Inputs: 4 HDMI, 1 Composite, 1 VGA with adapter for Component, 1 USB * Outputs: 1 HDMI, 1 USB * Use with HD and non-HD devices * Built-in IR allows user control of hidden source devices * No software or driver installation necessary
The GW3DKIT Wireless 3D Media Kit will ship in Q1 2011, pricing will be announced soon.
For more information on IOGEAR and its connectivity solutions, please visit: iogear.com. Follow IOGEAR on Twitter, the company blog, and become a fan on Facebook for additional industry, company and product details.
It may look vaguely like an accessory to a late-80s PC that's sprouted antennas, but Hauppauge's new "Broadway" live TV streamer does have a few more modern tricks up its sleeve: it can stream live TV to your iPhone or iPad. That can be done over WiFi in your house or over the internet anywhere else, and the device packs a multi-format receiver that can tune in both digital cable TV channels and ATSC over-the-air broadcast channels (or analog TV, for that matter), which are all conveniently compressed for streaming. Alongside it, Hauppauge has also rolled out its new dual-format WinTV-Aero-m USB receiver for PCs (pictured after the break), which will let you receive Mobile Digital TV broadcasts designed for mobile TV reception, as well as high definition ATSC digital TV broadcasts. Look for it to be available soon for $69, while the Broadway streamer will be available in "about six weeks" for $199.
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Hauppauge Introduces a New Way to Watch Live TV on an Apple iPad or iPhone
With "Broadway", You Can Watch Local News, Sports Events or any other Live TV Programs, in your Home or Anywhere in the World on an Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch
2011 International CES
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--2011 International CES, Booth C9542: Hauppauge Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAUP), the world's leading developer and manufacturer of TV tuner products for personal computers, has announced a new live TV streamer for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Called "Broadway", this new stand alone "box" from Hauppauge's PCTV Systems division allows live TV to be watched on an Apple device in the home through a WiFi connection, or anywhere in the world via an Internet connection.
Broadway can be used in the home, for example, to watch a football game or a news program on your iPad. Your iPad will display a list of Broadway provided TV channels from your cable TV network, and once you have chosen a TV channel, touching the iPad screen with your finger will prompt the live TV program to fill the entire screen.
If you travel and have an Internet connection on your iPhone or iPad, you can watch live TV from your home anywhere in the world. Broadway connects to your home network router and transmits the TV signal through your network router over the Internet to your Apple device.
Hauppauge's WinTV Extend software provides the same capabilities as Broadway, but requires a PC to operate. Broadway is completely stand alone, and is low power so it is always ready to send live TV to your Apple device. Broadway works with any standard home wired or 802.11g or 802.11n wireless router.
One of the key technologies within Broadway is a high-quality, high definition H.264 video compressor, which can take TV programs from clear QAM digital cable TV or ATSC over-the-air TV and "shrink" these programs into a form which can be displayed on an Apple device. Broadway also has a built-in multi-format TV receiver which can tune to digital cable TV channels and ATSC over-the-air broadcast TV channels, and then compress those TV channels and rebroadcast them over both WiFi and the Internet so that the TV programs can be watched on an Apple device. In addition to HD TV, Broadway can also receive and convert analog TV into a form which can be watched on Apple devices.
Broadway is stand alone, and simply needs a TV source (a cable TV connection or a TV antenna) and a connection to a home network router in order to send live TV anywhere in the world where a Apple device has a connection to the Internet.
Broadway will have a suggested retail price of $199 and will be available in North America in about six weeks.
Hauppauge Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAUP) is a leading developer and manufacturer of digital TV and data broadcast receiver products for personal computers. Through its Hauppauge Computer Works, Inc., PCTV Systems Sarl and Hauppauge Digital Europe subsidiaries, the company designs and develops digital video boards for TV-in-a-window, digital video editing and video conferencing. The Company is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York, with R&D offices in New York, Braunschweig, Germany and Taipei, administrative offices in New York, Singapore, Taiwan, Ireland and Luxembourg, and sales offices in Germany, London, Paris, The Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Singapore and California. The Company's Internet web site can be found at http://www.hauppauge.com. Hauppauge and WinTV are registered trademarks of Hauppauge Computer Works, Inc. Other product or service names herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
Hauppauge Launches New Dual Format Mobile Digital TV Receiver, with Integrated TV Antenna
WinTV-Aero-m can Receive the New Mobile Digital TV broadcasts Promoted by the OMVC, Plus Current over-the-air High Definition ATSC Broadcasts
2011 International CES
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--2011 International CES, Booth C9542: Hauppauge Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAUP), the world's leading developer and manufacturer of TV tuner products for personal computers, has launched its latest digital TV receiver, the WinTV-Aero-m. WinTV-Aero-m is used to watch live, over-the-air, digital TV on a PC-based laptop or netbook.
Live TV received by WinTV-Aero-m can be watched in a window, so you can work on your laptop or netbook while watching uninterrupted live TV. Simply plug WinTV-Aero-m into the USB port on a Windows based laptop or netbook, extend the antenna, and scan for over-the-air TV channels being broadcast in your area. In a few minutes you will be watching live over-the-air digital TV on your laptop or netbook screen.
There are two types of over-the-air digital TV being broadcast in the U.S.; the Mobile Digital TV broadcasts which are designed for mobile TV reception such as in a car or a train, and the high definition ATSC digital TV broadcasts, which typically are received from a fixed location such as a coffee shop or in a home. The WinTV-Aero-m can receive both types of broadcasts, and therefore is a universal digital TV receiver for the U.S.
Mobile Digital TV broadcasts are relatively new in the United States, having just started in 2010. But a consortium of TV broadcasters, called the Mobile Content Venture, intends to roll out Mobile Digital TV to 20 U.S. markets in 2011. Since the WinTV-Aero-m can also receive ATSC broadcasts which have been broadcasted since 1999, a user who purchases the WinTV-Aero-m has made a future proof purchase. If they are not in an area which can receive Mobile Digital TV today, they can still watch ATSC broadcasts from a fixed location and then watch Mobile Digital TV on their netbook while they travel once those broadcasts become available.
If a viewer is watching high definition ATSC broadcasts, TV can be displayed full screen giving a TV watching experience equal to that from the best HD TV sets.
WinTV-Aero-m will have a MSRP of $69 and will be available through consumer electronics retailers throughout the U.S. A picture of the WinTV-Aero-m can be found here:
Hauppauge Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAUP) is a leading developer and manufacturer of digital TV and data broadcast receiver products for personal computers. Through its Hauppauge Computer Works, Inc., PCTV Systems Sarl and Hauppauge Digital Europe subsidiaries, the company designs and develops digital video boards for TV-in-a-window, digital video editing and video conferencing. The Company is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York, with R&D offices in New York, Braunschweig, Germany and Taipei, administrative offices in New York, Singapore, Taiwan, Ireland and Luxembourg, and sales offices in Germany, London, Paris, The Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Singapore and California. The Company's Internet web site can be found at http://www.hauppauge.com. Hauppauge and WinTV are registered trademarks of Hauppauge Computer Works, Inc. Other product or service names herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
Chemistry is a subject we don't usually delve to deeply into here at Engadget, but this year is a special year for the science, marking the International Year of Chemistry. This event, which was made official by the United Nations, seeks to bring worldwide attention to the achievements in the field of chemistry which have contributed the welfare of humankind. Sponsored by 23 nations and various organizations, including the American Chemical Society, it includes the very interesting 365: Chemistry for Life calendar, which marks nearly every day of the year with a significant development in chemistry, such as January 8th, which commemorates Aircraft De-icers, which we are very, very grateful for. Hit up the source links to check out the full calendar.
Last year Hughes Telematics had the Mercedes mbrace iPhone app on display, providing some OnStar-like functionality like locking your car remotely, unlocking your car remotely, and even getting navigation to your car for those times when you park way out in the lot and can't find it again when you're suffering from post-shopping marathon mental lethargy. Now there's a new version coming, getting submitted to Apple at the end of the month for a February release, and it adds a suite of new navigation features. Full details after the break.
Basically the app helps to bring some of the in-car mbrace functionality to the app, notably navigation-related. In the car -- if you're an mbrace subscriber -- you can hit a button and speak to a text-to-speech system or an actual human being, with the winner sending your destination to the car. With the upcoming version of the app you'll be able to do the same, searching for POIs, contacts, or just entering a specific address, but without having to talk.
But, the coolest part is a feature called Drive2Friend. Enter in your pal's mobile number and the app will fire off a text message to them with your name and a message indicating that you're trying to find them. If the friend agrees their location is sent back to the car and you get directions, like, right there, even if they're clubbin' it up. We're told it uses cellular triangulation and that only a TXT is delivered, so it'll work with nearly any phone that's come along since the dawn of text messaging.
Again, the app is due in the App Store by February and naturally you'll need to be an mbrace subscriber. The current going rate for that is $280 for six months, but there is occasionally some wiggle room there depending on what sort of packages your local dealer may or may not be offering.
Don't quote us on this, but we've got a feeling that remotes will be more than just remotes by the time 2012 rolls around. HDTV companies have been slyly adding motion support to their remotes here at CES, and with PrimeSense's technology going over so well in the Kinect, there's an obvious next-step when looking at TV control. Movea -- the company responsible for the Gyration Air Mouse and Air Mouse iOS app -- has just teamed up with Sunrex here at CES, with the newly formed relationship expecting to yield new kit based on the former's MotionIC platform and SmartMotion technology. We're told to expect the first products to be available in Q1 of this year, with the SmartMotion Air Mini Keyboard remote and SmartMotion Air Mouse being named in particular. The former includes a full four-row QWERTY keyboard and relies on 2.4GHz wireless technology, but no images, pricing and availability details are available just yet.
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Movea and Sunrex Partner to Develop Series of Motion-Based Peripherals for IPTV WEBWIRE – Wednesday, January 05, 2011
SmartMotionTM Air Mini-Keyboard and Air MouseTM Based on Movea's MotionICTM Platform, Available Q1 2011
MILPITAS, Calif., January 5, 2011 – Movea, the pioneer in motion-sensing and motion-control technologies for business communications, home entertainment and computer peripherals, today announced a technology partnership with Sunrex Technology, the world's leading laptop keyboard manufacturer, at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Together, the companies will actively develop and jointly promote products based on Movea's MotionIC platform and SmartMotion technology. The first resulting products from this partnership will be showcased at CES for availability in Q1 2011.
"Consumption of web-based, digital content through the TV is growing rapidly and a heightened level of interaction is necessitated by the sophisticated media experiences offered by today's IPTV services. Remote controls need to adapt to these improvements and offer new ways of interaction," said Sam Guilaumé, CEO of Movea. "Partnering with Sunrex, one of the world's leading ODM's, will enable us to deliver innovative IPTV products like the SmartMotion Air Mini Keyboard remote and SmartMotion Air Mouse.
The SmartMotion Air Mini Keyboard includes a full four-row QWERTY keypad in a Smartphone sized form factor, and uses 2.4GHz RF technology for reliable, long range data communications that don't suffer from the line-of-site restrictions of old fashioned infrared (IR) remotes. The SmartMotion Air Mouse makes enjoying a rich digital entertainment experience as simple and intuitive to navigate on a TV as it is on a computer; controlling movies, music, games and applications with a flick of the wrist.
"Building on Movea's MotionIC platform will help Sunrex reduce time-to-market for next generation, motion-controlled accessories," said Jason Hsu, General Manager at Sunrex Technology. "Combined with our expertise in vertical integration and high quality, high volume production, Movea's MotionIC will enable OEM's and Service Providers to satisfy a growing demand for Motion Intelligence™ in the IPTV and Connected TV markets.
The MotionIC platform allows partners to rapidly integrate up to nine axes of motion control into their product solutions while optimizing the cost and performance of their solutions through a flexible combination of: chips, chipsets, firmware, software APIs, developer kits and IP licensing.
About Movea Movea is a leading provider of motion processing chips, software, firmware, and IP for the Consumer Electronics industry. Movea's unique motion processing capabilities enable customers and partners to quickly add motion intelligence to their products, meaning reduced risk, cost, and Time-to-Market for delivering compelling new motion-based features that create more end-user value. Movea has a global reach with headquarters in Grenoble, France, a U.S. subsidiary in Silicon Valley, California, as well as technology partners, manufacturing partners and distributors around the world. Movea also owns the Gyration brand of consumer electronics products; makers of the original Air Mouse. Further information about Movea can be found at www.movea.com.
About Sunrex Sunrex Technology Corp. (Sunrex) is a leading global company in input device manufacturing. Integrating its core technologies, Sunrex offers high-quality and cost-competitive products to customers. Since 1983, Sunrex Technology Corporation started to provide quality keyboards and electronic manufacturing services (EMS) for our customers. In 2002, the group went one step further, Sunrex and JME merged. With this joint power, Sunrex keep on expanding its market. For the time being, we have positioned ourselves as an ODM/OEM manufacturer. We commit ourselves to contributing our best efforts in accomplishing customers' demand. Further information about Sunrex can be found at www.sunrex.com.tw
Looked at your stash of USB 3.0 cables lately? Chances are that each and every one of 'em are three meters or shorter, and there's good reason for that. Signal degradation over long distances is a problem that the world at large has been dealing with since the early days of human life, but somehow or another, Icron Technologies has figured out how to bend physics. The company has just announced a partnership with Intersil Corporation, and the two are linking up in order to produce a 20 meter USB 3.0 cable. Reportedly, it'll deliver a full 5Gbps of USB 3.0 throughput over the full 20 meters, but there's no mention of a price. Rest assured, it'll be far more than you're prepared to pay.
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Icron and Intersil to Demonstrate Industry's First 20-Meter USB 3.0
Extension Cable at CES 2011
Icron and Intersil's Joint Development Delivers Longest USB 3.0 Cable for Fast Growing Home, Office and Industrial Markets
BURNABY, British Columbia and Milpitas, CA – January 5, 2011 Icron Technologies (TSX Venture: IT), providers of high performance video and USB extension solutions, and Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: ISIL), today announced they will be demonstrating their jointly-developed, industry's first 20-meter USB 3.0 extension cable designed for home connectivity, digital signage, medical imaging and industrial automation applications at CES 2011 (Icron booth: South Hall 1 Lower Level 20560).
Icron and Intersil jointly developed the 20-meter USB 3.0 high-performance extension cable that delivers full 5Gbps of USB 3.0 throughput over 20 meters - well beyond the 3 meter cables currently available in the market today. Key to achieving such high performance levels is Intersil's Q:Active™ analog signal processing IC running 5Gbps data rate while extending the reach of USB 3.0 superspeed signals. Additionally, the cable incorporates Icron's LionsGate IC, featuring ExtremeUSB® technology, which enables extending signals for all USB 1.1/2.0 devices over the entire 20-meter length of the cable.
The 20-meter USB 3.0 extension cable is fully compatible with USB 1.1, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 devices. Unique features of the 20-meter USB 3.0 extension cable include support for USB 3.0 at 5Gbps, USB 2.0 at 480Mbps and USB 1.1 at 12Mbps. It also powers remote devices with 5V/150mA power, supports USB hubs and is bus-powered from the host PC (no external power supply required).
"USB is the most successful computer peripheral interface in the world with over 10 billion devices shipped in the market to date," said Huibert Verhoeven, Vice President and General Manager, High-Speed Products Group at Intersil. "Icron and Intersil's new 20-meter USB 3.0 cable development shows how consumers can have ultimate flexibility in deploying new USB 3.0 devices wherever they want without distance limitations."
"By combining two best of breed technologies, Intersil's Q:Active technology and Icron's ExtremeUSB® technology, we were able to jointly develop an extended reach USB cable that not only is the industry's first and supports new and legacy USB devices, but also serves the different markets and applications in the home and office." said Robert Haefling, CEO at Icron Technologies.
Applications of the 20-meter USB 3.0 extension cable include:
* Remote video terminals with touch screens * Remote external hard drives * iPod/Smartphone synching stations * High-definition security cameras * Multi-room USB audio systems * Industrial and medical machine control
Availability The 20-meter USB 3.0 extension cable is currently sampling to key OEMs. For more information, please visit www.icron.com/USB 3.0. Intersil's Q:Active technology is showcased at http://www.intersil.com/activecables/.
About Icron Technologies Corp. Icron Technologies (TSX-V:IT) is an innovative leader in the development and manufacturing of high performance video and USB extension solutions for commercial and industrial markets worldwide. Icron's patented ExtremeUSB® technology extends PC Video and USB devices over many media types including Cat 5, Fiber, Wireless, DisplayPort, Coax, Powerline, and over a corporate LAN. Icron's extension products are deployed in a wide range of applications such as digital home connectivity, industrial automation, medical imaging, aerospace, interactive digital signage, remote desktop extension, security and surveillance, enterprise computing, isolated USB, and point-of-sale markets, or anywhere where a PC needs to be remotely located from a display or peripheral device.
Quietly, in-car infotainment systems have progressed greatly here at CES 2011. What started a few years back with the integration of SYNC into Ford vehicles has blossomed into an industry-wide obsession, and now two of the biggest names that work behind the scenes are joining up to better integrate mobiles (and applications) with vehicle entertainment systems. Jungo and RealVNC's newfound bond has resulted in a CEA-approved solution to make that kind of magic happen, and it's one that just so happens to support Terminal Mode. The combined Automotive Connectivity middleware will enable a car's head unit to automatically detect, access and control mobile devices in the vehicle and display their content on the screen in the dashboard. The design combines VNC (remote access and control) technology from RealVNC with Jungo's tech, featuring device connectivity, media and network management, USB and Bluetooth protocol stacks. Hard to say when automakers will grab hold of this stuff and start offering it from the factory, but if we know anything about progress in the automotive industry, we'd say we're still a year or so out.
Remember those all-night Mario Kart DS and Advance Wars marathons? Looking to recreate the magic with the 3DS? Bring a wall charger. Nintendo's just unveiled its best-case scenario figures for the 3DS' battery life, and compared with its predecessors, it ain't pretty. The official numbers are three to five hours playing per game, or five to eight if playing an older DS title (and up to three hours 30 minutes to fully recharge). So... three to eight hours under the most ideal circumstances. Let's look at the family album: the DS is 10 to 14 hours, DS Lite 15 to 19 hours, DSi 9 to 14 hours, and DSi XL 13 to 17 hours (all figures also from Nintendo). Can't say we're entirely surprised; Haus of Mario Chief Satoru Iwata's own words back in October were "it is inevitable that Nintendo 3DS will be a device which requires more frequent recharging than Nintendo DS." Think of it as an extension of the warning label. You can never be too careful, you know.
AMD's Fusion APU has had its coming out party here at CES, and already companies are champing at the bit to offer updated systems with the E-350 embedded within. Zotac's offering up a revised version of its Zbox HTPC this week, with the AD03 boasting an all-too-familiar exterior, a slot-loading Blu-ray drive and the aforesaid 1.6GHz E-350 APU. There's also an AMD Radeon HD 6310 GPU, a pair of DDR3-1066 RAM slots, room for a 2.5" SATA 6Gbps hard drive, a USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 sockets, an optical audio port, HDMI / DVI outputs (a VGA adapter is included as well), Gigabit Ethernet, support for Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio bitstreaming, 802.11n WiFi, a 6-in-1 card reader and a bundled copy of Cyberlink's PowerDVD software. The "Plus" version of the system actually ships with 2GB of DDR3 memory and a 250GB 5400RPM hard drive, whereas the standard version leaves it up to you to fill those voids. Mum's the word on pricing, but we suspect it'll be loosed on the universe soon.
New ZOTAC® ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 series powered by the AMD E-350 APU platform deliver perfect CPU and GPU synergy
HONG KONG – Jan. 04, 2011 – ZOTAC® International, a leading innovator and the world's largest channel manufacturer of graphics cards, motherboards and mini-PCs, today supercharges energy-efficient computing with the new ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 series powered by the AMD E-350 APU platform. The ZOTAC® ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 series combines discrete-class graphics processing with a dual processor cores for the perfect synergy of CPU and GPU that delivers a perfect digital media experience with unprecedented energy-efficiency.
AMD Radeon™ HD 6310 discrete-class graphics processing takes charge of all digital media processing tasks to enable the ZOTAC® ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 series to deliver stunning Blu-ray and smooth streaming high-definition video playback. The ZOTAC® ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 series is a potent casual gaming platform capable of rendering stunning 3D visuals with Microsoft® DirectX® 11 technology.
"The AMD E-350 APU platform combined with our ZBOX Blu-ray form factor is a phenomenal small form factor solution. The snappy day-to-day performance and superb high-definition video and DirectX® 11 3D capabilities makes the ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 perfect for users that crave energy-efficiency without sacrificing premium features and capabilities," said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC® International.
Enhanced audio output capabilities deliver superior audio quality and features with the ZOTAC® ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 series. The ZOTAC® ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 series can send raw lossless (bitstream) audio formats – Dolby® TrueHD™ and DTS-HD™ Master Audio – via HDMI to digital home theatre receivers for flawless high-definition audio that matches the high-definition video capabilities.
An integrated slot-load Blu-ray drive enables the ZOTAC® ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 series to read Blu-ray media, read and write DVD and CD media for compatibility with all available forms of optical media. Dual network connectivity options lets the ZOTAC® ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 connect to home networks at speeds up to 300 Mb/s wirelessly or up to 1000 Mb/s via Ethernet for lightning-fast transfer speeds with or without wires.
The ZOTAC® ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 packs class-leading expansion capabilities inside a slim chassis and provides support for a 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD, two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots, mini-PCI express, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and eSATA expansion capabilities – ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 Plus models include 2GB of DDR3 memory and a 250GB HDD preinstalled. It's time to play with the ZOTAC® ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 series.
General details • ZOTAC® Supercharges Energy-Efficient Computing • AMD E-350 APU platform o 1.6 GHz, dual-core • AMD Radeon™ HD 6310 graphics processor o 80 unified shaders o Engine clock: 500 MHz • ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 o 2 x DDR3-1066 SO-DIMM slots o Support 1 x 2.5-inch SATA 6.0 Gb/s HDD/SSD • ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 Plus o 2GB DDR3 o 250GB 5400RPM HDD • SuperSpeed USB 3.0 technology • 1 Mini-PCI Express expansion slot • Slot-load Blu-ray drive o 4x Blu-ray read o 8x DVD / 24x CD read/write • HDMI, DVI-I and VGA (with included adapter) outputs • AMD UVD technology(hardware accelerated H.264, VC-1, decode) • Dolby® TrueHD™ & DTS-HD™: Master Audio bitstream ready • Cyberlink PowerDVD w/ Blu-ray playback • Gigabit Ethernet • Onboard 802.11n WiFi (300Mb/s)
We're not sure if we can top the excitement of a power outage tonight (in fact, we hope we don't), but what we can do is talk about the second official day of CES and whine about being hungry for around an hour. How does that sound? It all kicks off at 8PM PST / 11PM EST, livestream and chat are after the break, like always.
We just made our way to the LG booth here at the Consumer Electronics Show and found this multifaceted gizmo that the company is dubbing the Scanner Mouse. It does exactly what you think -- works as a mouse and scanner. You might recall something similar from back in the day, but LG is looking to commercialize the idea. The bottom of the rodent has a clear (glass or plastic sheet, we're not sure) packed with five LEDs for the camera to see the image being reflected off of the mirror inside. To kickstart the scanning process on a Widows or Mac machine, you simply press the scan button and huzzah -- the software will activate and display the area the scanner is hovering over. Thanks to the dual lasers found on the top and bottom of the underside, you can actually rotate the mouse in any direction and it'll pick up whatever it's looking at -- it'll even translate copy on a page into editable text within a document editor. It also functions as a proper mouse (duh!), featuring a scroll wheel as well as left, right and back buttons. The software, in case you were wondering, couldn't be any simpler to use. Formats such as JPEG, TIFF, PDF and PNG are exportable to your favorite social networks, and you've got basic editing functions to make your scans just right. Head on past the break to see an in-action demo.
After hearing about Mitsubishi's 92-inch DLP we just had to get our eyes on it and sure enough, we spotted models lurking around CES, along with the 155-inch display made up of OLED panels. There's not much to say about the DLP that we didn't cover during our 3D roundup, it's just bigger, with other changes and details still TBA -- we're waiting for 'em to cross the 100-inch mark -- while the OLED seemed suited to its potential purpose of lighting up stadiums and other similar areas, with rather impressive viewing angles although the seams in the panels were quite apparent up close.
Ah, the Verizon iPhone. In our bizarre careers as tech journalists, if there's one question we've heard more than "When is Verizon getting the iPhone?" we can't think of it. Also, outside the original rumors for the iPhone and iPad, we can't think of another product so heavily teased by those in the know and those not in the know -- though mostly by those not in the know.
But then we heard Verizon is having a little get together on Tuesday, which is particularly odd timing because Verizon has a huge presence and a large amount of announcements at this year's CES. Rumors of the event being a Verizon iPhone announce immediately flared up, but there were still reservations: Apple usually announces its own products at its own corporate campus -- why would Verizon be doing the honors in NY?
That's when the Wall Street Journal swooped in with a confirmation: the Verizon iPhone will be announced on Tuesday, and WSJ's All Things D even thinks Steve Jobs will be there. So, who is this fly-by-night "Wall Street Journal" publication we speak of? They have one of the best track track records on Apple rumors in the business, and they've been leading the Verizon iPhone predictions from day one. Follow after the break as we talk it out.
Back in March the WSJ said that there would be a new iPhone in the summer (not much of a stretch), and that an additional Verizon iPhone would go into production in September. After the iPhone 4 happened, new Verizon rumors started in earnest, with Bloomberg's crack financial reporters and Apple pundit John Gruber independently citing a January launch date. Then the WSJ followed up in October with some harder facts: again, the VZW iPhone would be in mass production before the end of the year and launch early next year. WSJ also claimed the phone would be running a CDMA chipset from Qualcomm -- and we've heard similar rumblings from good sources (something that previously seemed unlikely, and a knock against imminent Verizon iPhone potential). The WSJ also said there's a separate brand-new iPhone in the works as well, which would presumably launch in the summer once again, another thing that we've heard around the campfire (and which appeals to our common sense).
Yesterday we saw tweaked iPhone 4 parts with slightly different internals and an altered antenna configuration, adding considerable fuel to the fire -- which intensified further when YouTube pulled the video of the parts, presumably due to a "copyright claim from Apple, Inc."
That leads us to today. WSJ has confidently confirmed an iPhone launch at Verizon's announced Tuesday event, and considering their track record we have no reason to doubt them.
The biggest question right now seems to be whether or not the Verizon iPhone will have LTE. Obviously, Verizon has launched its LTE network in a big way, with plenty of upcoming devices, but it sounds out of character for Apple to jump on so early -- they famously went with EDGE for the original iPhone, despite 3G being a rather mature tech on AT&T at that point. Of course, Qualcomm makes a Gobi chipset that has LTE along with EV-DO backwards compatibility, and there is a SIM slot in those parts photos (LTE requires a SIM, EV-DO doesn't). It will probably remain a mystery until Tuesday, but our money is on no LTE -- there's always the iPhone 5 launch in the summer to offer an LTE upgradeportunity. Overall we're probably looking at an iPhone 4 that runs on Verizon, nothing fancier for now. Rumor has it that the phone will begin to ship in February, after this January announce.
Speaking of, a word of warning: in your rush to buy a Verizon iPhone, you might be locking yourself into a contract you'll be dying to break when the iPhone 5 launches in the summer. Apple typically keeps its product cycles at around a year to avoid this sort of regret, but a Verizon iPhone launching in the middle of the iPhone 4's lifespan really throws a wrench into those proceedings. Oh, and speaking of contracts, Verizon is about to up its early upgrade policy to 20 months instead of the typical 12 (as in, you have to wait 20 months to get a new fully subsidized phone), so if you recently got a phone on Verizon you might have a bit of a wait before you get a cheap upgrade to the iPhone.
Things may have been looking bleak for Microsoft's upcoming version of Windows Home Server, dubbed "Vail," when HP announced that it was dropping the OS in favor of WebOS last month, but Microsoft has now given it a boost of confidence that should put any rumors of its death to rest. The company is showing off an add-in for Vail that will let you manage alerts on your Windows Phone 7 phone, access media stored on your home server, and in turn send pictures stored on your phone to your server (but not other media, apparently). Still no firm word on a release, but Microsoft says it will available "soon." Hit up the source link below for Microsoft's complete walkthrough of the app.
MSI's new tablets felt like prototypes, but the device pictured above is truly far out -- it's the MSI Butterfly, one of several whimsical concepts the company teased about a week ago. We actually ducked into MSI's booth right before it covered the whole display with a giant plexiglass box and got some reasonable snapshots, but nothing remotely resembling a proper hands-on, so you'll have to make do with the gallery below and whatever dreams may come.
When the Philips' 56-inch 21:9 3D TV was released in Europe with no US ship date in sight, darkness fell over our home theater world. Then, Vizio announced its own 21:9 3D TV and we knew it was all going to be ok. They say when it rains it pours though, and now it's looking like JVC will release its own 50-inch 21:9 full HD 3D TV in the US sometime in the third quarter of 2011. Other details are scarce, but JVC's talkative CES booth attendant also mentioned the TV might be sold in varying sizes and might feature internet connectivity. The possibility of internet connectivity was also supported by a few screens teasing an integrated information bar, which appeared on the left-hand side of the screen without blocking HD content. Needless to say, we'll be keeping a close eye on this TV as more news emerges, and in the meantime bide our time dreaming of the ultra-wide CinemaScope-style movies we could be viewing in late 2011. Oh and if you're curious that's JVC's newly-announced TH-BC3 soundbar positioned right below it carrying a sweet paper iPhone 4.
Clearwire's talking more about some of the glorious numbers it's seeing as it drives around the greater Phoenix area testing its trial LTE network, and we think one specific quote pretty much sums it up: "this isn't your grandfather's LTE." That statement was made in comparing Clearwire's results -- bumping up against 90Mbps in some configurations -- to the 5 to 12Mbps that Verizon is quoting for its first-gen commercial LTE network, though they're quick to note in the same breath that Clear's test is on an unloaded network without a deluge of users all trying to stream professional sports games in HD at the same time. What does that all mean for Clear's existing WiMAX deployment? The company's as noncommittal on the subject as ever, saying only that WiMAX continues to be "best for the customer" today but that "potentially in the future that could be WiMAX and LTE." Needless to say, though, they're taking the LTE option pretty seriously if they're dumping serious cash into testing it out and publishing the results. Follow the break for Clear's teaser footage -- wouldn't you like access to this action?
It's always a shame we don't have more time to play with every gadget at monstrous trade shows, and that goes double for cameras. So while we can't give you more in-depth discussion on the image and video quality, we will say that Samsung's NX11's inclusion of the i-Function lens is a decided victory. For those who don't know, it's a special lens with a ring and i-Fn button you can use to manually adjust various settings (exposure, ISO, shutter speed, etc.), and it works like a charm. Looking at pictures of a picture-taking device is some form of awesome, right? Right.
Currently the only way to feed your 3DTV full HD 3D (1080p per eye) is to watch a Blu-ray disc, which is great and all unless you're a sports fan, than not so much. Motorola and others have been working on ways to deliver Full HD 3D via typical broadcast delivery avenues -- yes, we also want to know what happened to 1080p60 2D -- but at the CES Bloggers Lounge Verizon and Panasonic were demoing said 3D format over a Verizon FiOS TV lab setup. The press release and embedded video (after the break) were short on details, but Verizon did tell us that it takes twice the throughput of 1080p 2D -- which isn't actually the case, but what do you expect when you don't get to talk to the engineers? We assume the demo is using H.264 Multiview Video Coding like Blu-ray uses -- especially since the demo was on a Panasonic Blu-ray player -- but many in the industry question this codec's application in the broadcast world since ESPN claims that its backwards compatibility with 2D isn't as valuable as Dolby and Sensio's way of encoding full HD 3D, which are more efficient. We're very skeptical that this demo will actually amount to any foreseeable measurable benefits to consumers, but are reassured that both companies like 3D enough to spend the time to get together and make a demo happen.
Update: Verizon PR responded and confirmed that the demo is using the same format as 3D Blu-ray; H.264 Multiview Video Coding.
Show full PR text
Panasonic and Verizon Demonstrate an Industry-First at the International Consumer Electronics Show: Full HD 3D Video Over Verizon's FiOS All-Fiber-Optic Network
NEW YORK – Full-resolution high-definition 3D transmission via a premium TV service provider became a reality at this year's 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show. Verizon and Panasonic, a leader in Full HD 3D technology, are streaming Full HD 3D, currently the highest-possible resolution of 3D video, via Verizon's 100 percent fiber-optic FiOS TV service.
The first-of-its-kind demonstration (in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center Room S228) was made possible through a technical collaboration between the two companies, with content streaming over Verizon's future-proof network to a Panasonic Blu-ray 3D player. Engineers from both companies worked closely to co-develop the required network, software and user-interface enhancements that make Full HD 3D possible over the bandwidth-rich FiOS service.
"We're proud of our work with Verizon to develop this Full HD 3D streaming capability," said EisukeTsuyuzaki, chief technology officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "Panasonic has always believed that the best way to view 3D is via a Full HD, 1080p resolution image, but until now the only option available has been on Blu-ray DiscTM media. Over Verizon's high-bandwidth FiOS network, we've now shown that this kind of innovation can be accomplished by a premium television service like FiOS as well."
Unlike some competing technologies, Full HD 3D transmissions preserve the complete 1080p picture resolution that consumers have come to expect from their HDTVs. Other solutions degrade the 3D image, typically reducing resolution by half. In a demonstration at the Verizon-sponsored Blogger Lounge, FiOS engineers showed a selection of 3D content streaming to a Panasonic Full HD Blu-ray 3D DiscTM player at a bit rate of up to 18 Mbps (megabits per second) -- double the bit rate currently used by most cable providers.
Tony Melone, chief technology officer for Verizon, said, "Delivering full-resolution 3D content is a natural fit for Verizon's FiOS network. Built with the future in mind, FiOS was designed with the bandwidth headroom to grow along with consumer demand for the latest technologies. Verizon continues to deliver the future of TV and is once again redefining the consumer's at home-entertainment experience."
Last year, Verizon televised the first National Football League game in 3D, the New York Giants versus the New England Patriots, as well as the first Major League Baseball games in 3D, between the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners.
Verizon continues to drive the future of TV, with more than 140 HD channels and next-generation interactive services like social networking, DVR management via broadband or mobile phone, and an interactive media guide.
We haven't heard a ton of talk about net neutrality here at CES, but the issue has now cropped up in a fairly big way across the pond -- British Telecom's wholesale division has just rolled out a service it calls "Content Connect," which basically allows ISPs relying on BT's network to charge content providers like YouTube for high-speed delivery of video within the UK. That naturally means that anyone who doesn't pay will have to deal with slower video delivery, which would in a very real sense create a two-tier internet. For its part, BT insists that it "supports the concept of net neutrality," and it says that the new service will actually speed up download speeds even for those that don't pay up, as it would ease network congestion. All which, of course, echoes some of the core arguments we've been hearing for years now, and won't likely stop hearing anytime soon.
The SD Association took the opportunity to introduce the UHS-II standard here at CES, but Kingston's doing its best to just make the most of the protocols that are available in the here and now. The outfit has just introduced its latest range of SDHC cards, the USH-I UltimateXX, which is set to ship later this month and be perfectly backwards compatible with Class 4, 6 and 10 equipment. We're told that it'll hit read rates of 60MB/sec and write rates of 35MB/sec, with pricing set for $69.99 (8GB), $179.99 (16GB) and $349.99 (32GB). In related news, the outfit's also launching its DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 USB flash drive, and it has plans to launch an entry-level flash drive in "late Q2 / early Q3." Head on past the break for the full skinny. 
We went hands-on with Iogear's wireless HD system last year at CES, and now we've managed to do the same with a prototype of the boutique brand's new GW3DKIT 3D wireless streamer. The kit consists of a 3D transmitter and receiver that each feature four HDMI inputs as well as one component, composite, VGA, and USB input. Each box also features one HDMI and USB output. Together the system is designed to stream full 1080p 60Hz HD video / 5.1 audio along with 3D content over WiFi (802.11n) from as far as 100 feet away with supposedly little latency or wireless interference. Iogear says to expect the system sometime in Q1 of 2011, and no official pricing is available yet, but we've been told it would be around $499 by Iogear's CES booth staff. If everything performs as advertised, it sounds like a great solution for you home theater minimalists out there who prefer components out of sight. We'll reserve official judgment though until we can go eyes-on with some extended tested. For more information, be sure to check out the full PR after the break. 
Don't quote us on this, but we've got a feeling that remotes will be more than just remotes by the time 2012 rolls around. HDTV companies have been slyly adding motion support to their remotes here at CES, and with PrimeSense's technology going over so well in the Kinect, there's an obvious next-step when looking at TV control. Movea -- the company responsible for the Gyration Air Mouse and Air Mouse iOS app -- has just teamed up with Sunrex here at CES, with the newly formed relationship expecting to yield new kit based on the former's MotionIC platform and SmartMotion technology. We're told to expect the first products to be available in Q1 of this year, with the SmartMotion Air Mini Keyboard remote and SmartMotion Air Mouse being named in particular. The former includes a full four-row QWERTY keyboard and relies on 2.4GHz wireless technology, but no images, pricing and availability details are available just yet. 
Looked at your stash of USB 3.0 cables lately? Chances are that each and every one of 'em are three meters or shorter, and there's good reason for that. Signal degradation over long distances is a problem that the world at large has been dealing with since the early days of human life, but somehow or another, Icron Technologies has figured out how to bend physics. The company has just announced a partnership with Intersil Corporation, and the two are linking up in order to produce a 20 meter USB 3.0 cable. Reportedly, it'll deliver a full 5Gbps of USB 3.0 throughput over the full 20 meters, but there's no mention of a price. Rest assured, it'll be far more than you're prepared to pay. 
We haven't heard a ton of talk about net neutrality here at CES, but the issue has now cropped up in a fairly big way across the pond -- British Telecom's wholesale division has just rolled out a service it calls "Content Connect," which basically allows ISPs relying on BT's network to charge content providers like YouTube for high-speed delivery of video within the UK. That naturally means that anyone who doesn't pay will have to deal with slower video delivery, which would in a very real sense create a two-tier internet. For its part, BT insists that it "supports the concept of net neutrality," and it says that the new service will actually speed up download speeds even for those that don't pay up, as it would ease network congestion. All which, of course, echoes some of the core arguments we've been hearing for years now, and won't likely stop hearing anytime soon. 
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