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TCL completes the no-glasses 3D trifecta at CES
Add one more piece of tech to your glasses vs. glassless 3D display battlemap, as TCL was showing off this autostereoscopic display in an odd reflective frame at its CES booth. Around the corner from a conventional RealD shutter glasses setup, it whipped through several animated 3D renderings similar to those from Alioscopy and Magnetic3D. The frame made it hard to tell but it seemed to have a little less pop than the competition, with slightly better clarity. All the glassless displays we saw this year used similar lenticular lens technology applied to 1080p HDTV screens to achieve their affect, with mostly similar results, with so many players, there should be plenty of billboards and in-store opportunities for you to get a look yourself soon enough. %Gallery-82710%
Microvision laser projection gun hands-on
You didn't think CES was over, did you? Saving a true gamer's delight for last, we went along to meet with Microvision's reps today and were introduced to its PicoP laser projector and gun gaming peripheral. The projection tech employed here is unique, as each pixel (848 x 480 resolution) is itself an RGB laser reflecting off a mirror which flips 60 times a second. What that results in is a permanently focused projection, no matter how much you wiggle, jiggle or maneuver the projector. The whole thing fits within 6cc and was designed to be embedded into phones. We snapped a few pics of the standalone projector and then moved on to the rifle gaming controller. Come along after the break to check out our hell-raising skills on video, as well as some more in-depth impressions of the hardware. %Gallery-82625%
OLED becomes art, your bank account becomes empty (video)
We're still on the cusp of an OLED revolution for home entertainment -- or at least we're still holding out hope that we are. We'd planned on having big-screen displays by now but we're instead still dealing with tiny ones along with a never-ending series of concepts. This latest use, spotted at last week's CES, adds a little artistic flair to the technology, staggering a series of displays and synchronizing the video across them to create some lovely results. We're not really into the whole lacquered boat look, but the fan-like array of displays is quite interesting to say the least. As is the cost: from $100 all the way up to $100,000. You could buy a lot of XEL-1 TVs for that money. Video after the break.
Magnetic3D glasses-free 3D eyes-on
We didn't get a chance to check out the whole line of Magnetic3D autostereoscopic displays, but a trip to the International Gateway got us a quick glance of this challenger to Alioscopy. It claims up to 9 viewing angles, an improvement over Alioscopy's 8, plus support for compressed MPEG-4 video and a smaller video player, key for the digital signage market these displays compete in. We did detect a bit more "pop" from greater distances and angles than competing tech, but unfortunately what we didn't see was any indication this technology is any closer to being ready for regular TV watching. The 3D film over the demo 1080p LCD still drops the resolution somewhat and makes 2D viewing a messy blur, so for the time being, these displays popping out ads from streetcorners or slot machines will have to do. %Gallery-82620%
LG Magic Motion gesture control HDTV remote hands-on
Packed in with LG's new top of the line LCD, the 3D capable, LED backlit LE9500 is a new RF remote that users wave, Wii-style, to operate the onscreen menus. There's also a standard IR remote for universal remote compatibility and the very necessary lazy bastards who don't want to lift their arms to change the channel compatibility. Check out a quick demo from the CES show floor after the break. %Gallery-82618%
AirStash wireless SD card reader hands-on
Just as CES is wrapping up, we managed to get some hands-on time with the AirStash wireless SD card reader, which is targeted at iPhone OS devices (but does work with other WiFi-enabled devices). Like many of the mysterious products from Vegas we have no price, release date or battery life, but what we do know now is that it's indeed very light (1.5 ounces), fits nicely in our hands and supports up to 32GB SDHC cards. As for wireless connection the AirStash acts as a WiFi 802.11b/g access point -- a cunning way to dodge the Apple dock connector license fees or the lack of Bluetooth profiles. Sadly, the prototype wasn't working properly due to "some RF interference," but as you can see above, the AirStash is accessed via a browser (UI design not final). Sure, this would mean you'd lose Internet connection via WiFi, but if the AirStash is cheap enough, then we'll live with it. Let's hope they hurry up with the release, though. %Gallery-82619%
Crapgadget Crapdown, CES 2010: the best of the worst
It's that time of the year again, where we round up all the gadgets we found on the CES show floor that help us to reset our gauge for bad ideas and hardware. Following in 2009's footsteps, there seemed to be much less crap this year than before. Still, we're here to recognize those souls who strive harder than most to hit that point of mediocrity -- pick your favorite below, then rest easy knowing that you live in a world that accepts the existence of all kinds of products, no matter how miserable. %Gallery-82654% The nominees Crapgadget CES, round 1: Polar bear TV Crapgadget CES, round 2: The Phubby (wrist-on) Crapgadget CES, round 3: Moneual's $45K HTPC Crapgadget CES, round 4: The Fingerist Crapgadget CES, round 5: Gimme Tunes Crapgadget CES, round 6: Goscam China's Body-worn DV for Police %Poll-39884%
LG's 55-inch 3DTV is 3D (photo) ready too
Taking 3D pictures with Fujifilm's 3D point and shoot is pretty easy -- even if ultimately unsatisfying -- but if you need a place to display them, LG has that covered. Tucked away in its booth was a demo of "the world's first 3D camera compatible HDTV" dutifully taking SD-card stored snaps and putting them on the big screen. Not an entirely complex process, but we figure if a better reviewed 3D camera makes it to market, you might appreciate picking up the right HDTV for the job. %Gallery-82626%
It was Vegas, baby -- Engadget departs CES 2010
Can you believe it? Another CES has come and gone -- and the crew of Engadget was there to capture all the highs and the lows. If you haven't been keeping track of things, this year was an insanely jam-packed frenzy of gadgety goodness. Our team bounced between the towering monuments to 3D TV, a boatload of smartbooks, netbooks, and tablets, an unexpected deluge of "superphones" and smartphones, and the requisite helping of crazy Crapgadgets and mountains of new laptops with the style and grace of a ballerina on opening night. Of course, we captured all of that madness on the pages (and pages, and pages) of Engadget, blowing it out with our biggest CES showing ever and putting a bunch of our new redesign elements into play to get news to you guys faster. But like all awesome things, they must come to an end, and after a week in Las Vegas, everyone is definitely ready to truck it on home. We wanted to leave our readers with a taste of what CES was like for us (including some awesome video of senior editor Thomas Ricker breaking it down). We also want to shout out a big thank you to you guys and girls for coming to the site every day and making this our biggest and best CES ever. You absolutely rule forever. %Gallery-82624%
First Else hands-on at CES: 'still alive and kicking'
We caught up with Else at CES to check on how they're doing with the First Else since we last saw them back in November. According to CTO Eldad Eilam, the basic functions of the ALP-based phone are finally done and dusted, so now Else will mainly focus on fine-tuning its snazzy visual effects until beta around the end of March. There's no doubt that it's also finalizing plans -- pricing, content distribution, and remote sync service, etc.-- with various partners in the US and Europe. If you happen to be in Asia, then sorry -- apparently Else has no intention to visit you guys just yet, but you might get lucky if you sneak into Sharp's factories in Japan or China. For the rest of us, we shall continuously gaze at our hands-on videos until First Else's expected end-of-Q2 launch -- we've got a new one for you after the break. %Gallery-82627%
'3-point' USB 3.0 hub is self-referential fun and functionality
Admittedly, at first we didn't get it -- the hub (with actually helpful, twisting ports) was about 90 degrees counterclockwise from the pictured position and we couldn't get past the aesthetic similarities to the Dodge Ram logo. That's when the friendly overseer of the Dun Cheng Technology Corp. booth in the CES International Hall twisted both our minds and the hub itself to reveal an intentionally meta moment -- "3-point," as in USB 3.0. Needless to say, we were very amused.
Engadget HD Podcast 172: CES 2010 day 3
We're nearly to the end of the long CES grind and it's starting to show. Still, we made it through and recorded one more 'cast before saying goodbye to Vegas, so be prepared for plenty of impressions of our hands on of many, many TVs, Mediaroom 2.0, just what Disney's Keychest is & is not, IPTV on Blu-ray players and finally a breakdown of the 3D Blu-ray spec.Get the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace[MP3] Download the show (MP3).Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard LawlerProducer: Trent WolbeProgram00:45 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 171 - CES 2010 day 102:55 - VIZIO's new LCDs (and upcoming iPhone remote app) eyes-on 03:35 - VIZIO CES concept designs show a future of ultrawidescreen, ultrathin & wireless HDTVs06:20 - Comcast, Time Warner and Cox are excited about the latest in DLNA 09:42 - Microsoft's Mediaroom 2.0 running on the Xbox 36012:00 - Sezmi plans to change the content industry; hands-on and video14:20 - Monsoon adds streaming and sideloading functions to its placeshifting tech with Volcano17:04 - Disney's KeyChest is not DRM 20:48 - Blu-TV brings interactive IPTV to disc players, starting with the BDP-8323:22 - HQV benchmark disk gets upgraded to 2.0 24:24 - Blu-ray's 3D spec isn't what it could be LISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)LISTEN (OGG)
Favi RIOLED-Q and RIOLED-V pico projectors launched: the future is bright, wireless
Looks like the world's still got appetite for some more pico projectors, as Favi's releasing a pair some time between late February and early March for prices yet unknown. First is the RIOLED-Q (pictured) which sports a pretty 800 x 600 native resolution at 50 lumens -- supposedly the best brightness in class (like the Optoma PK301), along with built-in SD / MMC card reader, battery, three-watt stereo speaker and an ever-so-handy digital keystone correction. Joining the party is the smaller RIOLED-V which is shy about its display specification, but proudly packs a card reader and WiFi to cater its various web apps for YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, Yahoo News, Weather, Email, Internet Radio and web browser. Too bad it doesn't do phone calls. %Gallery-82610%
Engadget Podcast 179: CES 2010 Final Goodbye - 01.10.2010
Goodnight CES! You were cool and had a lot of great technologies this year.Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul MillerProducer: Trent WolbeSong: See You Again [Maximum FX Crushed + Screwed Mode]Hear the podcast04:12 - Inbrics M1 is the thinnest Android slider we've seen, probably everything we ever wanted04:29 - LG GW990 hands-on video06:50 - 3D @ CES14:25 - RED Scarlet and Bomb EVF surprise hands-on!20:05 - Lenovo Skylight hands-on and impressions (video)20:20 - Intel22:00 - E-ink22:55 - Chances of Netflix on Nintendo 'excellent,' says Netflix CEO23:05 - Andy Rubin on multitouch in Android: 'I personally don't like two-handed operations'23:17 - Boxee24:10 - Pixel Qi: The e-Reader story of CES 201033:35 - The Android Army is Rising34:05 - Synaptics Fuse concept hands-on Subscribe to the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)LISTEN (OGG)Contact the podcast1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @futurepaul @reckless @engadget
EverTune challenges Robot Guitar for in-tune supremacy
Gibson's Robot Guitar may have gotten off to a head start, but EverTune is here at CES with an automatic guitar tuner of its own that promises to keep your guitar in tune forever. To do that, EverTune makes use of a simple mechanism that relies on springs to maintain the same amount of tension on each string as the tuner post loosens, which should ensure that your guitar won't go out of tune even while playing (something that other self-tuning guitars can't account for). Unfortunately, EverTune isn't ready to announcing anything about availability (or pricing, for that matter), but it saying it will "soon be available on a wide range of electric guitars," and that it'll also be available as an installation kit through select retailers.
Jelfin ball-shaped mouse hand-on
Some wanted to call the Jelfin ball-shaped mouse a crapgadget, but that was until they wrapped their hands around the spherical mouse. We aren't saying the Jelfin is the best mouse in the world or that it makes you forget about your mouse-woes -- that's if you've even ever had them -- but the gel covered ball is comfortable. At first it was a bit odd to navigate our MacBook Pro 13's desktop with a ball in hand, but we got the hang of it. But while we like the feel of the buttons, which are differentiated with raised gel lines, they don't have enough give and we had to press too hard to double click. We also aren't thrilled that its got a long white USB cord, either. Chances are you'll be better suited by a Logitech for real productivity, but we did enjoy using a ball as a mouse more than we ever could have imagined. %Gallery-82516%
Sideline Cinq USB companion monitor hands-on
We don't normally get adrenalized with LCD monitors, but when they get a dash of that DisplayLink magic then it's another story. Enter the Sideline Cinq -- a 10.1-inch, 1024 x 600 vibrant LCD (with SD card reader) that needs just one USB cable for both data and power, plus it's kosher with both Windows and Mac. Sure, the Cinq looks bulky, but at 15.6 ounces you'd likely need some serious lottery luck for it to cause any damage. There's also a stand to avoid the attachment's sticky tape mess on your machine -- you can go landscape or portrait. The only grumble we have is that it needs a non-glossy option. $249 and the Cinq's yours in Q3, or $199 if you pre-order from Sideline's site. Now, how about three of these for some hardcore flight-sim sessions? %Gallery-82506%
Toshiba introduces DisplayLink-enabled Dynadock V10 USB port replicator
Don't call it a docking station. Toshiba's latest Dynadock is classified as a USB port replicator, but what makes this one a wee bit special is the integrated DisplayLink DL-165 chip that enables 1080p content to flow from a USB port and onto a DVI monitor. Put simply, this device acts just like a typical USB docking station, but with minimal bulk; as for inputs, you'll find four USB 2.0 sockets, a single DVI port, mic in, headphone out, a power port and support for resolutions as high as 1,920 x 1,080. It's available now in Europe for an undisclosed amount, but who knows if it'll ever head Stateside.
HSTi Wireless Media Stick hands-on
Now that HSTi's Wireless Media Stick is official, we decided to drop by its CES booth to see what the deal was. Essentially, these Canadian sticks are WiFi dongles covering 802.11a/b/g/n, but the magic lies in their ability to let your computers appear as one USB mass storage device for devices like gaming consoles, digital frames and hi-fi stereos. You start off by plugging a stick into a PC, install the software (installer pre-loaded on the stick), and once connected to the wireless router you choose which folders to share (which is pretty easy, as we saw). You can do the same with more computers but each will require its own stick. From there onwards, plug in another stick into a device that accepts USB mass storage devices, and you'll be able to wirelessly access all the shared files on the network as if they are on one thumb drive. Pretty sweet, huh? And yes, this thing does in fact do exactly what Infinitec's IUM claims to do. For now, HSTi only promises smooth 720p video streaming and Windows-only compatibility, but a future firmware upgrade should make things even more groovy. You can grab one starting January 15th for $119.99 each -- sooner and cheaper than the IUM, but double that figure as you'll need at least two to get things going. Still, it doesn't hurt as much if you think of it as a thumb drive of up to one terabyte (and two in the near future). Update: Whoops! We've just been told that only one stick is necessary -- use the stick to run the configuration wizard on the PCs, then plug it into a media device for use. %Gallery-82524%
MSI Projector PC proof-of-concept in the flesh
MSI is sure in a conceptual mood at this year's the CES, and one of the odder combinations was this Projector PC. The unit pumps HD video onto a wall at about the quality of a mini projector (though certainly a step above a pico), but for convenience's sake it has a PC and DVD drive built right in. MSI plans to pair it with a wireless mouse and keyboard for living room use, but we're still not sure we see a huge advantage over plugging a nettop into a projector -- outside of the novelty factor, of course. Still, no harm in concepts, and this one's at least got a bit of style. %Gallery-82508%
