Author: Katherine Hannaford
CES 2007: Atlantic's GameSeal waterproof portable gaming cases
Maybe not the prettiest game case we’ve ever seen, but perhaps the most practical, Atlantic’s GameSeal has impressed the DS-users amongst us with its waterproof capabilities. They’ve added two new items to their GameKeeper range, for both the DS (old-school and Lite), and Sony’s PSP, both available for just $39.95. What’s exciting us is that unlike other cases, Atlantic’s can fit pretty much the kitchen and bathroom sink, with space for 10 UMDs, two Memory Stick Duos and charger for the PSP case, and in the DS’s instance, there’s space for 12 DS cartridges, 16 GBA games, and a muchly-needed charger. Now, if only they made a holographic one, with lasers…
CES 2007: Pioneer's cheap-as-chips single CD player lines
Perhaps not of interest to us London-dwelling public-transport using folk, those who rely on their cars for transport will be pleased to note that Pioneer, the leaders in in-car audio, have announced a new line of video, navigation, and audio products which will hopefully be affordable for all. Featuring two new audio/video players, 14 car stereos, and a couple of in-dash navigation systems, there’s something that will suit every form of commuter. The new single-CD player lines start at just $100, and work alongside your mobile phone, so when it rings, the stereo will instantly mute, allowing the call to be easily answered. The players have XM/Sirius support on all models, and are compatible with all music devices available, through USB connectivity, Bluetooth compatibility, Direct iPod control, and auxiliary inputs.
CES 2007: Katherine Hannaford's Daily Diary
For every technology journalist, CES is ‘a very ominous assignment – with overtones of extreme personal danger‘, usually involving running around like a pantyless, coked-up Britney Spears following an inevitable divorce announcement, hyped up on whatever caffienated goods you can get your pasty RSI-ridden hands on, taking a quick harassed perve on whatever plastic treats were to be lusted after for the next 12 months. ‘Free lunch, final wisdom, total coverage…Why not? I tell you, my man, this is the American Dream in action! We’d be fools not to ride this strange torpedo all the way out to the end!‘ Of course, the lure of Krispy Kreme, $9.99 buffets, fruit machines, and scantily-clad waitresses passing ’round every form of lethal concoction known to man was a mighty distraction, but being five able-bodied technology journalists who hadn’t yet succombed to the temptation of lounging around our Mothers’ basements, twiddling our thumbs on the latest Halo mission, we were guaranteed to succeed in bringing our readers top notch, hyper-speed reports on the latest in consumer electronics – or were we?
CES 2007: ZOMG!!1!!!1!!! Celebrity lookalikes handing out press releases!
Not only do we get free food, drinks, and shelter from the harsh winds of the Nevada desert, we also get to mingle with the creme de la creme of ‘sleb lookalikes. At CES Unveiled yesterday, we were greeted with Michael Jackson, Little Richard, and Cher lookalikes, handing out press releases. At least, we think it was a Cher lookalike – could’ve been Diana Ross or even Beyonce for all we knew, in our hungover stupor. Plus we’re pretty sure she was a drag queen, rendering that one observation almost useless. But, as you can see, Whacko Jacko and ol’ Richard were gagging for it, you’ll be pleased to note. Yep, I still have it, *blows on fingernails*
CES 2007: ZVOX's 425 wall-mount single-cabinet surround sound system
There’s no use in having all these fancy-schmanzy HDTVs if you don’t have adequate speakers for your home cinema get-up. Enter ZVOX, who are showing off the World’s first full-range single-cabinet wall-mountable surround sound system, the 425. It’s only 5 inches deep, so unlike the predecessor the 325, it’s quite slim, but has the added oomph of combining five speakers, a powerful amplifier, two subwoofers, and finally ZVOX’s exclusive PhaseCue circuitry, allowing for ‘remarkable, three-dimensional virtual surround sound effects’. It measures just 37”w x 7”h x 5”d, an amazing feat for something so powerful, and will be available around Summer 2007 for approximately $599.99.
ZVOX’s Audio
CES 2007: Scosche's IPNRFC RF iPod remote
Ignore the attractive hand for a moment, and focus on the piece of kit the faceless chap is clutching proudly there – it’s the brand spankin’ new RF remote for iPods. Apparently Scosche, the creators of yet another iPod accessory are asking their consumers ‘where do you take your music?’ The happy little consumers responded by claiming to use them in the home, car, and bizarrely, during extreme sports. My own iPod is quivering at the thought. Scosche have released several remotes prior to the launch of this ‘freestyle’ line, updating it with an ‘unprecedented’ 150 feet of wireless range, and the ability to act like the Invisible Man and travel through walls. The IPNRFC can join your copious collection of iPod skins and fuzzy cases for just $69.95. Bet you can’t wait to be able to skip through ‘Fastlove’ when listening to George (if only he batted for my team) Michael’s ‘Twenty Five’ whilst on the john!
CES 2007: Emerson's DVD/iPod Microphone Converter
You only have to look at the photos of the Shiny Media Christmas party held at Lucky Voice in London to see just how much we get into our karaoke, so with news today that Emerson have launched a new microphone converter to work with DVDs and iPods made us all a tad bit overexcited. Priced at just $29.95, you can connect the converter to any DVD player or video-capable MP3 player – for instance iPods, allowing your own crooning to blend with whatever tunes you have clogging up your iPod. You can also pick up a ‘Rockin’ Party’ 16 song DVD to sing along to if you are one of the fortunate unfortunate souls who haven’t yet succombed to Steve Jobs’s persuasive ways.
CES 2007: Norcent's Plasma HD Televisions
Admittedly the name Norcent doesn’t ring a bell with me, and when I was telling this to their representative at CES Unveiled today, he wasn’t surprised. Although their plasma HD televisions are amazingly well-priced (the 42″ PT-4246HD shown here is just $1,199), due to their shortlived status (they launched their own consumer brand in 2001), they’ve been unable to compete with huge brand such as Sony and Samsung who have really impressed the HD market. Although not sold in the European market, and with no plans to do so any time soon, they’re available in Walmart and Circuit City throughout America. From what I saw today, there were no discernable differences between Norcent HD and Sony for instance, it’s simply the unknown brand-name which is letting them down. You have to start somewhere, folks.
