CES Unveiled

CES Unveiled is a CES press event that allows… well, press, to get a preview of some of the hottest items to be on display during CES. With over 80 exhibiting, we were able to check out some interesting products and talk to companies in a slightly less hectic atmosphere than on the actual showfloor come Monday. We have already posted several Spotlight articles covering the most interesting gadgets, doodads and even some really cool software applications. You can check out these articles and much more in our Pre-CES coverage. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to cover each company and product in-depth, so here is our coverage of some of the companies whose products didn’t make it into our Spotlight articles.

Sandisk

Sandisk had a small demonstration set up to showcase their V-Mate video memory card reader. The V-Mate can capture and record analog video content directly to a flash memory card. Recorded videos can then be easily transferred to portable devices such as laptops, portable media players and cell phones. Additionally the V-Mate can schedule recordings based on channel, date and start/stop times. The plug ‘n’ play device needs no drivers and doesn’t even require a PC to operate.

Gaviri Technologies

The Gaviri guys are going to try giving Google a run for the desktop search software. While normally I’d say they didn’t have a chance, but they do seem to have a leg up. Their software will connect to all kinds of devices, spreading across desktops to laptops and PDAs. If they’re any good, I think they’ll get picked up like a cheap YouTube.

Interactive Toy Concepts

Once again Interactive Toy Concepts was back at CES Unveiled buzzing journalists with their impossibly tiny radio controlled helicopters. New to the lineup is the Blade Runner Recon chopper with 2.4 Ghz video camera mounted in the nose. Now spying on your friends and neighbors is more fun than ever. QVGA quality video is displayed live on the 2.2” video screen embedded on the radio controller. An additional USB connection allows for image uploading and memory expansion. On the way for Summer ‘07 is the Blade Runner 4. The next evolution in the Blade Runner series is more stable and nimble than before with an increased range of over 10 meters and it can even perform side to side full body roles. Also keep your eyes open for radio controlled cars, planes and snow mobiles from ITC as well. Interactive Toy Concept choppers are available at Radio Shack, eHobbies and other retailers.

Honda

Honda’s got their Asimo running around frolicking with the press folk, at least on the big-screens they’re showing him off on, which is really just a good example of the halo effect, how doing one seemingly-irrelevant project well can really bolster the image of a company in its entirety.


http://www.thetechlounge.com/article/340/CES+Unveiled/

Spotlight: Belkin TuneStudio

This evening at the Pepcom Digital Experience Belkin introduced the TuneStudio for the 5th gen iPod video. TuneSudio is a 4 channel mixer that allows you to mix and record high quality music and voice directly to an iPod. Users will be able to record up to 4 different audio sources (microphones, instruments, auxillary sound input) to create increased production value tracks. TuneStudio can also be set up as an external USB sound card accepting audio inputs from PC sources and can output to a PC from TuneStudio’s wide array of connector inputs. The full feature list includes:

* Records directly to iPod in 16-bit, 44kHz quality
* Streams audio through built-in USB interface to and from a PC or Mac® computer
* Each channel is equipped with 3-band EQ, pan and level controls
* Phantom-power-enabled XLR inputs provide up to 60 dB of microphone gain
* High-quality stereo compressor with makeup gain enhances audio dynamics and keeps audio levels within recording limits of the iPod
* Features one-knob compression control
* LEDs indicate master audio level, power status, peak indication, compressor activity, and recording status

We can see this unit possibly becoming an ideal set up for podcasters as it is small enough to take out in the field and has a relatively small footprint ideal for a backroom studio. While obviously not a replacement for a full studio set up, DIY recording artists can shuttle audio signals to and from their PCs or Macs (most likely their Macs) via the USB connection. And at an MSRP of $179.99, it is considerably cheaper than renting out a studio. And as it saves your sessions to an iPod, getting your band’s music out onto the interweb doesn’t get much simpler. We’re about as far from studio musicians as can be, but the rows of gain knobs and columns of pretty recording level LEDs impressed us...flashing lights and switches are our weakness. The TuneStudio will be available in the summer of 2007 and will be introduced at the Mac World Expo 07 tomorrow, January 9th.


http://www.thetechlounge.com/article/343/Spotlight+Belkin+TuneStudio/