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BeeWi's Ghost Bee Bluetooth headphones also stream music to your stereo (hands-on)
BeeWi may not be a well-known name in the audio world, but the company's bringing some innovation to the space with its new Bluetooth headphones. Called Ghost Bee, the cans have capacitive buttons on the right earpiece that serve as music and phone call controls. The Ghost Bee also comes with a base station that connects to the headphones via micro-USB and hooks up to any home stereo's 3.5mm audio-in jack. That base station is what really sets the Ghost Bee apart from other wireless headphones on the market. You see, using the free BeeWi iOS or Android companion app, you can dock the headphones and stream both locally and cloud-sourced tunes from your phone wirelessly to the stereo speakers. We got a chance to see the thing in action, and it works quite well. Once you've paired the headphones to your phone, it's simply a matter of spooling up some tunes in the app, and you're good to go -- return the Ghost Bee to its cradle and the music starts coming out of the speakers. Easy peasy. Unfortunately, given the cacophony of the show floor, we can't speak to the sonic quality of the headphones, but the system did work well in our brief time with it. Though its functionality is quite clever, we weren't enamored with the Ghost Bee's glossy plastic exterior. Aside from giving it a smudgy look when handled, the plasticky build lends it a cheap appearance -- not good considering the $180 asking price. The Ghost Bee is set to go on sale in the next month or so at retailers nationwide, so you'll be able to see (and hear) it for yourself soon. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Jamie Rigg contributed to this report.
Masimo iSpO2 hands-on: track your pulse and blood oxygen with your iPhone
Pulse Oximeters are an essential hospital tool and serious athletes rely on them to track the efficiency with which they pump oxygen into their blood stream. Masimo's new iSpO2 puts these rather important health metrics within reach of the consumer by tying the sensor to your favorite iOS device through an app. The device, available now for $249 through Amazon, feeds your blood oxygen level, pulse rate and perfusion index (the rate of blood flow to your finger) to an easy-to-read app. In addition to just large raw numbers, the app also offers a history-tracking graph, along with a confidence rating for the reading -- so you know when the data coming in and out is reliable. The device itself is primarily light soft-touch plastic and rubber, with a slightly glossier clip that goes over your finger. At the opposite end of the device is the standard 30-pin connector for plugging into your old-school iOS devices. Though, frequent upgraders will be happy to hear that Lightning adapters work perfectly fine with the iSpO2. Primarily the monitor is aimed at athletes and aviators who tend to find themselves in unpressurized aircraft. Beyond that, there could be general health applications for those with chronic circulation issues or other blood-related health problems. The sensor even works when under stress from constant movement -- an important feature since Masimo expects runners and hikers are expected actually wear the device when active. For a bit more, check out the gallery below and the video after the break. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Sennheiser's Momentum headphones are back in black at CES
Taking the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach, German audio equipment maker Sennheiser is reintroducing its Momentum headphones in black. Aside from its Batmanesque color scheme, these are the same sleek set of cans that we got up close and personal with at last year's IFA. A lightweight marriage of stainless steel and buttery smooth sheepskin leather, the Momentum Black features a flexible 3.5mm audio jack -- with sexy red accents on the cups, cable and headband stitching -- simple inline audio controls and a built-in microphone for taking phone calls. If you're into expensive toys and are working with Bruce Wayne's budget, these black beauties can be yours this month for $350. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Canopy Sensus case adds backscreen and side touch to iPhones (hands-on)
Canopy promised a whole new world of smartphone control with its Sensus iPhone case in the fall, and we've at last had a chance to gauge how well it works here at CES. If you'll recall, it delivers 10-point touch input across the back and sides that lets apps add interaction without blocking the screen -- think of the PlayStation Vita's back touch and you've got the idea. That theoretically sounds great for gamers, but we'd like to see how well it works outside of a dedicated console. In practice, the case isn't much different in dimensions to a standard protective iPhone case, if a little chunkier along the base. The whole thing locks in to the iPhone 4's connector. although there's still another port to charge through there. The case also has integrated apps attuned for the blind, with Braille entry possible using all those multiple touchpanels. We've got a quick tour of how it all works after the break and you can expect to land this summer, where pricing will be somewhere between $59 and $99. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Mat Smith contributed to this report.
Felt Pulse and Rewind Bluetooth speakers hands-on
We've been seeing Bluetooth speaker after Bluetooth speaker debut as of late, but Felt Audio's $99 rechargeable Pulse is one of the smallest of its kind. It supports Bluetooth for up to 40 feet, and it pairs with enabled devices in about three seconds. Battery life is rated for about eight hours, and the speaker recharges via micro-USB. The controls are intuitive: you can manage calls and change the device's volume via buttons on the side. A clip on the back can be used as a stand for propping the device up during conf calls and the like. Felt also showed off its larger Rewind speaker (also for $99), which adds more functionality in the form of built-in earbuds that retract up to three feet. When we cranked up some tunes on an iPhone, the 9.2mm drivers cranked out enough noise to be heard over the raucous CES showroom floor. Both the Pulse and Rewind can attach to optional cases -- currently only available for the iPhone, iPod and iPad. Both speakers will be available in April, though pre-orders begin in March. Get a closer look in our hands-on gallery. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Joseph Volpe contributed to this report.
Wilson Electronics announces Sleek 4G signal booster with multi-carrier support (update: hands-on!)
If you've ever found yourself on a lone road in the middle of nowhere with zero bars of reception on your phone, it's quite likely that you've entertained the idea of grabbing a signal booster. Wilson Electronics, one of the best known manufacturers of such devices, is introducing its latest Sleek 4G booster at CES. What makes this version different from the models launched just a few months ago? Instead of needing separate boosters for AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, it's now capable of supporting phones, tablets and hotspots on all three, as well as legacy signals for all other US carriers. Head to the press release for more details. Update: We actually had a chance to catch up with Wilson Electronics here at CES Unveiled 2013 and spend some brief time with the Sleek 4G signal booster. For a piece of kit that can take virtually any US wireless frequency (with Nextel and WiMAX as the only exceptions) and amplify it, the Sleek 4G signal booster is a quite unassuming black, plastic accessory. The add-on, which is set to retail for $199, works by plugging into any smartphone via USB -- yes, your phone will have to be on to power it -- and features a switch alongside that port to toggle between AT&T and Verizon's LTE. Considering the ever-growing sizes of smartphones these days, Wilson's seen fit to include three sets of extenders in the box to accommodate whatever handset you happen to sporting. It begins shipping next week, so if you typically have issues with cell reception, this could very well be one (pricey) solution. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Joseph Volpe and Sarah Silbert contributed to this report.
Siemens' waterproof Aquaris hearing aid means rain doesn't need to stop play, we go ears on
Being deaf or hearing impaired may present technological challenges, especially if you are fond of the great outdoors and all the weather-related perils that come with it. Siemens knows this and developed the Aquaris hearing aid, the only one to receive an IP68 rating for continuous submersion underwater (to three feet). It's also dust- and shock-proof, if you're further up the extreme activity lifestyle ladder. It's not just about keeping the elements out, it's also got Bluetooth, meaning wearers can listen to music on smartphones and other devices while underwater. The device itself is what you might imagine a hearing aid to look like, if it was given the sports treatment, which makes it attractive to younger folk, and those of an active disposition. Most importantly, it works impressively well, which was amply shown by the demonstration we were given with the device permanently submerged in water at the booth, streaming its audio to another device. The waterproof functionality doesn't come at the expense of the sound, either, with the Aquaris sporting high-definition sound with 48 channels with high frequency resolution and a 12 kHz frequency range. Given the nature of the device, you'll need to speak with your physician or ENT / otolaryngologist if this sounds like something for you. Available now. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Sean Cooper contributed to this report.
We'll be liveblogging Sony's CES 2013 press conference tomorrow
It wouldn't be CES without a big showing from the folks at Sony. So, what can we expect from the company's event at its Las Vegas Convention Center booth? Cameras? Phones? TVs? Laptops? Tablets? Sony-contracted celebrities hamming it up for an audience of tech bloggers? The answer is mostly like a big "yes" to all of the above. You too can join in on all of the fun at this very link. January 7, 2013 8:00 PM EST
Who should I follow at CES 2013? Engadget editors on Twitter
We know what you're thinking: it's CES week, how can I possibly get bombarded by more tech news over the next couple of days? Great news! We've created a handy-dandy list of our editors. Follow us and you can be sure to have a stream full of gadgety goodness over the next several days -- there's no faster way to get the full Engadget CES experience, 140 characters or so at a time. We also invite you to keep a close eye on #EngadgetCES, which will be our go-to hashtag during the show. And, if Twitter Lists are your thing, you'll find ours here. Oh, and if you're looking for us on Google+, you can find the team and personal accounts right here.
Urban Hello introduces bizarrely attractive home phone via Kickstarter, we go eyes-on
The Kickstarter page for Urban Hello's beautiful, strange home phone may not be live yet, but we've already gotten our hands all over it. The HD voice device is more than looks, though, featuring two OLED screens built into a minimalist aesthetic, intended to simplify the home phone experience. The handset even comes in a handful of colors, "in order to blend in better with the decoration of any interior." A pre-order of $85 will net you one of the very first off the production line -- of course, the Kickstarter has to go live before you can pledge any money. Head past the break for all the specifics, straight from Urban Hello. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Fingers-on with Synaptics' ThinTouch keyboard for Ultrabooks (video)
If you recall, Synaptics is looking to branch out from touchscreens and touchpads and break into a another kind of navigation device: keyboards. The company announced several months ago that it was working on the so-called ThinTouch keyboard, whose slim profile might make it an ideal fit for Ultrabooks and other lightweight laptops. Back when it was first announced, we got to play with small wooden tiles, each of which had a single key affixed to it. More than anything, the idea was to demonstrate the unique key design, in which the buttons move diagonally, as opposed to up and down. That was an interesting exercise, but it obviously wasn't the same as typing away on a full QWERTY layout. Here at CES, though, we finally got our chance to do just that: the company is demoing a full-sized keyboard, which has been retrofitted into an older Lenovo laptop. Follow past the break for some impressions, a demo video and a quick recap of the various features it'll have once it's actually ready for prime time. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Dexim's Music Talking Stylus writes, rocks and listens
Styli? Boring. Sure you can draw and write with the things, but what happens when you want to rock? Reach for Dexim's Music Talking Stylus, naturally. The pen input device communicates via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet, letting you use it to wirelessly listen to music or talk to your pals. The stylus has a built-in volume button and vibration functionality. There's a headphone jack on one end and when you remove the rubber nub, you gain access to its microUSB port for charging when its five-hours of battery life run down. If you're so inclined to purchase such a thing, it'll run you around $80 when it drops in Q2. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Hands-on with Liquid Image's Ego Mini action cam at CES Unveiled
GoPro ain't the only name in the action camera game, and here at CES Unveiled we've just got a look at Liquid Image's latest mountable cam -- the Ego Mini (that's it on the right, pictured next to the first-gen Ego). It shoots 1080p video at 30 fps or 720p at 60 fps, and is WiFi enabled, so you can livestream if hooked up to something with internet access. Obviously it's pretty small and light (as well as waterproof), and we saw it nestled inside a motorbike helmet, and in various mount configurations, like four cams pointing in all directions for 360-degree recording, and two side-by-side for 3D video. In camera mode, it can shoot 12-megapixel stills with a continuous photo-taking mode if you want something in-between full video recording. The Liquid Image app, which has just been released for iOS and will be making its way into the Google Play store at some point in the future, can pair with the cam and solicit the live video view. It can also access data stored on the Ego Mini's microSD card (up to 32GB supported), and upload short clips to social networks. The app also works as a remote control for taking stills and will allow you to change settings on the camera. We saw the app in action briefly, and it worked as described, with only a little lag in the video stream, and pretty good image quality from what we could tell from an iPhone screen. Due to arrive in stores in August 2013, the Ego Mini is expected to cost $200. Check out the PR after the break for more info, and check out the gallery below for our hands-on pics. If you're interested in a more integrated action cam specifically for snowsports, we also took a quick tour of Liquid Image's Apex HD+ goggles (or HD + WiFi depending on your source), which started shipping in November 2012. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Richard Lawler contributed to this report.
HAPILABS introduces HAPIfork (and spoon) smart utensils, brings metrics to your mouthfuls (hands-on)
How smart is your fork? We wager not smart enough. Enter HAPILABS and the HAPIfork which brings your cutlery kicking and screaming into 2013. The basic concept is an eating tool that measures three metrics -- how long you eat for, how long between each mouthful and how many of them you take. It uses the data to give you feedback on your eating habits which can be viewed online via a sports-tracking-style web interface. There is, of course, a brace of companion mobile apps too for Android and iOS, allowing you to track your eating habits on the go. The fork has another trick up its sleeve too, which is that when it thinks you're eating too fast, it'll vibrate when you put it to your lips to let you know to slow down, cowboy. The current model has a USB connection to pipe the info up to the web apps, and there is a Bluetooth-enabled version on the way. The firm let slip that there was also a spoon version (which is effectively a different attachment for same smart innards) in the works. The serious aim here is to get folk to think about how they eat, and there's a 21-day training plan included to get you on the right path. If you want to smarten up your dinner set, it'll cost you $99 for the USB only version which launches in Q2 this year. The Bluetooth unit comes later in 2014. Take a slow bite on the PR after the break. The units themselves feel like weighty travel utensils at first, but don't feel too light or cheap. The brains of the machine are hidden inside, and the end cap is where you'll get access to the USB connection. The handle sheaths are entirely removable for easy cleaning. There is a feedback light at the end which will go green when you're good to eat, and go red (as well as vibrate!) should you be packing the food in too fast. The inclusion of a social gaming element, as well as the rather more sober element of the online metrics remind you that, while this might not be the cheapest fork in the world, there really is every chance it's the happiest. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Sean Cooper contributed to this report.
Eyes-on with Mad Catz' GameSmart cross-platform gaming peripherals
You've already learned all about Mad Catz's latest line of gaming peripherals -- part of its new GameSmart crossplatform Bluetooth initiative -- but now you can get an up-close and personal eyes-on as well. Not only do we have the gallery below, but also a lengthy hands-on video just beyond the break with Mad Catz's own Alex "Big Boy Barry" Verrey. Beware that the gamepad-style controller and the F.R.E.Q. headphones are both prototypes, so if you see some off marks, know that they'll likely be sorted by final production. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Withings new flagship Smart Body Analyzer scale now measures air quality, heart rate (update: hands-on video)
Now that Withings has added a "low-end" model to its connected-scale pantheon, it's time for the flagship model to get a refresh. The company's latest Smart Body Analyzer may look like its predecessor, but now comes with heart rate and air quality monitoring sensors to make sure you're getting enough oxygen. As before, the data is then pumped over WiFi to Withings' website and mobile app, which can be shared as far as your dignity allows. Priced at $150, it'll be arriving at some point in Q1, at which point we can validate our paranoid fantasies about airflow. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Withings goes after Fitbit with its pulse-reading Smart Activity Tracker (update: hands-on video)
Withings' assault on our paunchy bellies doesn't look like it's going to stop, now that the company has launched a portable sleep and activity tracker that's clearly designed to go after the Fitbit Ultra. The Smart Activity Tracker makes some impressive claims, offering pulse monitoring if you push your finger onto the back of the device, calculating calorie consumption and monitoring the quality of your sleep. The 43.3-millimeter device has an OLED touchscreen display and will instantly upload your data to the Withings Health Mate app over Bluetooth Smart, and promises to go a full fortnight without needing a recharge. The company hasn't made any statement as to when it plans to release the unit, or how much it'll cost you, but we're looking forward to putting it through its paces. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
La Crosse 810-163TWR tornado alert radio eyes-on
Live in Tornado Alley? Just generally afraid of being swept away by a cyclone? You may want to cast those eyes in the general direction of the La Crosse 810-163TWR weather alert radio. The walkie-talkie-like device is up to all of the NOAA standards, tuning you in to national weather alerts. You can set an alarm on the gadget that'll turn radio alerts on any time there's a national disaster. New this time out is a devoted tornado button. Click that and it will only trigger when faced with that specific disaster. The device is due out in April and should you around $50. Sadly the unit present here at CES was just a dummy, so if there are any tornadoes in the area, we're all out of luck. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Trakdot Luggage hands-on: find your lost bags
Lost luggage is a seemingly unavoidable inevitability for the frequent traveller. Millions of bags either get left behind, sent to the wrong city or simply disappear completely every year. GlobaTrac has created Trakdot Luggage to give the constant flyer a little more of a sense of security. The palm-sized plastic device slips discreetly into your duffle or suitcase and updates the owner on its location via an app, SMS, email or the Trakdot website. Sadly the apps are not live in Play or the iTunes app store, so we can't tell you much about their functionality, outside of some specialized alerts that are promised, like a notification when your bag hits the claim carrosel. On the site you can set up customized text and email notifications or view location pins via Google Maps. The preproduction box we handled was stunningly light, though we wouldn't be surprised if the device packed on a little weight when the final version hits shelves in March. Rather than rely on battery draining GPS, the Trakdot Luggage relies on a quad-band GSM chip and triangulation, which allows it to last up to two weeks on a fresh pair of AAs, which are generously included in the packaging. The Trakdot luggage will $49.95, though a one time activation fee of $8.99 and an annual service fee of $12.99 will be required to keep it functional. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break for more. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
iHome iDL100G Lightning Dock hands-on
iHome didn't waste any time getting word out about its suite of CES-ready wares last week and here at CES Unveiled 2013, we're getting our first look at the stars of its lineup. Hailed as a first for the company's product line, the iDL100G and the iDL45 are two docks that support Apple's new Lightning port, making them attractive options for owners of the iPhone 5 or refreshed iPad and iPod. The triple-charging dock -- iHome's highest-end model -- retails for $150 and is fairly attractive, though it doesn't match the luxury of the Jony Ive-crafted hardware it's made to service. Up top, there are two Lightning ports to accommodate compatible devices (one dedicated as iPad charging station) and an array of buttons for alarm settings, snooze as well as bedtime, which works with a free iHome+Sleep iOS app. The 3Wx2 speakers aren't the most robust -- we noticed distortion when volume was approaching max -- but it seems serviceable as a Bluetooth-enabled FM tuner or iTunes playlist outpost. It's not currently available, but you can look for it and the lower-end iDL45 dual charging dock to hit retail shelves later this March. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub. Sarah Silbert contributed to this report.
