New Game World

CES UNVEILED

Even though the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas doesn’t officially open for another day, the meeting rooms are already jam packed with both reporters vying for exclusives and manufacturers trying to be the first to introduce their latest products. Here’s a sampling of interesting gadgets debuting at the press-only event dubbed CES Unveiled:

How fast is your son’s baseball pitch? Did your favorite racecar driver break the sound barrier? Slated to be released for Spring 2010, “Pocket Radar” is sure to help. This palm-sized speed detector makes it easy to compute fast, yet accurate real time measurements of any moving target with a simple push of a button. Simply aim the device at your target, push the button, and an instant digital readout is displayed on the device’s screen. Price: $249.00

Fulton Innovation LLC showed off their “eCoupled” technology tonight, putting the wow back in wireless technology. One product that was particularly interesting was their blender which was retrofitted with the proprietary wireless power technology. When placed on an eCoupled surface, an electromagnetic field is produced between the device and the countertop, making it possible to use the blender without wires, batteries, or any loss of power in the device.

Zomm is a nifty little device that makes it almost impossible to accidentally lose your cell phone. Touting itself as the world’s first Bluetooth wireless leash for mobile phones, the tiny wireless gadget (around the size of a poker chip) sounds an alarm if you walk more than ten meters away from your mobile phone. The device also incorporates call notification with speakerphone, a panic alarm and a feature that lets you call any emergency phone number you program in – all with just a press of one button. Attaching easily to a key chain or an article of clothing, the device is easily recharged via USB and can operate for 3 days without recharging under normal conditions. Available second quarter of 2010.

Flashlights have come a long way in terms of lasting power, but mPower’s “Emergency Illuminator”, featuring a design by Porsche Design Studio, takes the cake. The device features two cylinders: the first contains standard lithium batteries to power the gadget, but the second compartment houses the mPower On Command Reserve battery that can last up to 20 years. When you want to use the reserve battery, simply open the cylinder and twist off the battery cap. The strong light will not only illuminate your surroundings for two hours, but the handy USB connection lets you power a cell phone or other device using either of the flashlight’s batteries. Available March 2010 for $289

Light Blue Objects unveiled a nifty device that uses the company’s Light Touch technology that turns any flat surface into a touch screen. Using Holographic Laser Projection (HLP) technology, the projector can be used to make a 10.1” virtual keyboard on any surface. The technology behind this innovation is Holographic Laser Projection(HLP™) and it creates, says the company, bright, high-quality video images in WVGA resolution.

Parrot has developed the first QuadroCopter to that can be controlled by your iPod Touch or iPhone. Using WiFi technology, the lightweight plane can be moved by simple tilts of your media player. Wind movement or even a barrier like a tree is sensed by the device which becomes like “enemies in a video game,” says the company. All of these elements create what the makers call an Augmented Reality video game.

Oregon Scientific introduced a host of health care and home products sure to brighten up your day. The i.wakeup sunrise clock features a “dawn simulator” that gradually brightens up your room to wake you, without the sounds of the usual droning alarm clock. Price: $129. Also interesting was the 3-D Back Massager, a portable device that lets you have a heated shiatsu session anywhere you go. Price: $199.99.