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CES 2008 Adwatch: Best of the worst
From the weird to the shameless, from the unintentionally funny to the downright questionable, we've rounded up some of the best of the worst ad campaigns seen around the show floor at CES 2008.%Gallery-13418% More Best of the Worst CES 2008 booth gimmickery: Best of the worst CES 2008 product names: Best of the worst CES 2008 Crapgadget The fugliest laptop you'll see all day CES 2008: Fugliest headphones awards
RIM's CES 2008 booth tour
No matter where we go, RIM seems to have this same booth style where all the good stuff (the phones, that is) are stuffed in a central nucleus, causing massive crowding. Don't get us wrong, it's entirely possible that's the effect RIM is shooting for, but heaven help us poor journalists try to get a shot of the goods contained within. The Canadian manufacturer didn't have any earth-shattering announcements for the show -- just a couple of new 8130 colors -- so the highlight has to be the giant Pearl that was harassing passers-by. Click on!%Gallery-13411%
New WiDRIVE line includes 2.5-inch support, BitTorrent
We spotted these guys hiding out in a teensy booth at CeBIT back in 2006, but EDS Lab has resurfaced with its WiDRIVE line -- and it's just getting better. The WiFi drive enclosures now come in 1.8-inch (PX-100) and 2.5-inch (DX-225) versions, but now also support a BitTorrent client, RSS podcast subscriptions and a built-in web server. You can connect to the drive using a number of networking standards, including DHCP, WebDav UPnP and Bonjour, but if 802.11b/g speeds aren't good enough for you, you're out of luck: the USB port is for charging only.%Gallery-13421%
MSI brings first Soleus handset to CES
MSI brought the 5608 to CES, a pretty nifty and well specced-out handset that as an added bonus is the first handset we've seen that features the Intrinsyc Soleus OS. While this won't be ready for prime time on our shores for quite some time -- think end of year -- MSI promises GPS, gesture-based touch interface, quad-band GSM / EDGE, 2 megapixel camera, and all driven by a 400 MHz Samsung SC3 CPU. They've got months to finalize thing, so here's hoping they cram some 3G in it by then.
Runco intros ultra-pricey 1080p VX-22i DLP projector
Runco and expensive tend to go hand in hand, so we'd expect nothing less than a five-figure price tag accompanying the firm's new Video Xtreme VX-22i. This 1080p monster features a three-chip DLP design, O-Path technology, CinOptx premium grade lenses, Vivix II video processing, a 4,000:1 contrast ratio, 2,850 ANSI lumens and comes calibrated to ISF standards. As expected, users with a completely stuffed bank account can opt for the CineWide with Autoscope edition ($54,995), but even those who go without the aforementioned option will be forking out $39,995 for the vanilla model. If you've managed to get over the shock, you can place your order now (or pick up a totally more useful BMW / college education / etc.) and expect it to arrive lickety split.
Mustek's CES 2008 'booth tour'
We'll be honest, Mustek -- you're not exactly giving us a lot to work with. First you don't release any PR on your new products, then when we get to the booth, you seem unsure if you've even got new products. Of course, we did manage to find your suspiciously-Sharp-ish Blu-ray player, a new widgetified photo frame, and that lovely iPod dock. Check out our "tour" and see for yourself.%Gallery-13386%
CES 2008 ultimate swag bag giveaway: like a Xmas stocking in January
As you're probably well aware, CES is ground zero for free stuff -- most of which is crappy swag. But there's some good stuff to be had as well, and this year we're proud to present you with the ultimate CES swag bag. Literally bursting at the seams, this bag contains every single free item we've collected throughout the entire show. All in all over 100 items stuffed inside a courtesy HD DVD press backpack (which itself may be a collector's item some day soon), including a Jawbone Bluetooth headset, CoPilot Navigator 9, Spider-Man 3 Blu-ray disc, Tooth Tunes toothbrush, and an iriver Mplayer.All you have to do to throw your hat into the ring is to leave a comment in this post listing your favorite new product introduced in the past few days. Since we want to ship this thing out before we take off tomorrow, entires for this contest will be closed at exactly 12:00PM PT (noon, Pacific) on Friday, January 11th. Make sure you read all the points below before entering, 'cause we'd hate to disqualify anyone from winning this one-of-a-kind CES 2008 souvenir. Leave a comment below. Tell us your favorite new CES gadget. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. That winner will get a bag full of stuff whose value is impossible to determine, but which we doubt is more than $300. Entries can be submitted until Friday, January 11th, 12:00PM PT. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.
Hands-on with Amtek's iTablet T221
While Amtek is a bit short on history in the tablet and UMPC scene, the company seems to be making some pretty sweet moves. The latest from Amtek is this iTablet T221, which we found just as stylish in person as it looks in pictures. The version with the flush display is digitizer (pen) input only, while the white version adds a highly responsive and accurate capacitive touch capability (fingers) -- if sacrificing a bit of the sexy in the process.%Gallery-13392%
No joke: Qualcomm's Snapdragon prototypes don't use Snapdragon
We seriously have no idea what Qualcomm was thinking here, but it turns out that those two so-called "Snapdragon prototypes" being shown at CES this year... wait for it... don't use the Snapdragon platform. Now, that would've been just fine with us had Qualcomm made it clear that they were built using its existing chipsets, but they didn't. Here's the best part: Qualcomm actually contacted us with a minor correction on our original story (they wanted us to point out that their ARM-based cores are highly customized) without bothering to mention that our "Snapdragon-powered" statement was not accurate. Anyway, it turns out that the Anchorage and Fairbanks prototypes are merely meant to demonstrate "examples of what Snapdragon-enabled devices will feature," which begs the question: if the current MSM series chipsets are capable of the same functionality, aren't those probably the wrong features to be demonstrating? That behavior walks a fine line between poorly executed PR and outright deception, Qualcomm, and we'd ask that you not let it happen again.[Thanks, Sascha]
Tru2way TVs at CES 2008
We took a stroll around the CES floor, taking a straw poll on the state of tru2way among TV manufacturers. Our results were mixed -- three exhibitors had tru2way displays and four did not. Follow us after the break on our tour.
Hands-on with the latest TV Guide software (Comcast DVR)
CES is officially over and on the last day we went on the hunt for things we missed, and we got a chance to catch the latest TV Guide tru2way software. TV Guide is the company that makes the user interface for Comcast's -- among others -- set-top boxes. Not only is the latest software designed for tru2way devices, but overall it was really slick. We especially liked the all the new configuration options such as, custom channel lists, custom menus, and different font sizes; -- fit even more data on your 60-inch TV -- but the other new features were cool as well. Like the list of recorded shows with images next to them, or being able to turn off the video preview, different grids, StartOver, and the much improved VOD menus. While we didn't spend enough time with it to know if it stands up to your favorite, (TiVo) we have to say it's a step up from what we've seen from them in the past. But what's really cool is that this software will run on any tru2way HDTV, -- obviously the TV would have to have an integrated DVR for all the functionality -- which we should see hit the streets by the end of 2008. Also, while we were there we asked them about all those old analog TVs that depend on analog signals for TV Guide data, and they explained that they've deployed a solution to this problem years ago and everyone with a digital to analog converter box will have no problem continuing to receive guide data after the analog shutoff.More pics after the break.
Peavey's Riffmaster Guitar is more expensive than your Guitar Hero guitar
Peavey is gutting its regular guitars and inserting Guitar Hero components for its new "Riffmaster" series. In addition including a guitar that probably sounds better than a regular Peavey, the $2,000 kit includes a complete PA system and a floor monitor. Unfortunately, we found the guitar to be a bit heavy for Guitar Hero use, particularly when activating star power, and since the buttons are spaced the distance of regular guitar frets it was pretty hard to play. Not much info on a release, but it's coming soon.
Microsoft CES fashion show flaunts (some) good looking gear
Not content with Apple's design team running circles around the PC world, Microsoft has created a team dedicated to helping OEM manufacturers make their boxes less beige and boring. Ingredients may include: aluminum, leather, carbon fiber and, uhh, cow fur. Microsoft held a fashion show at CES this year to show off the fruits of the PC world's collective efforts, and luckily betanews was there to nab some shots (like the one above). While we're not quite ready to say we're looking forward to more cow fur laptops, recent PC designs like the XPS One give us hope for the future of the beige box.[Thanks, Shyamal]
Pioneer's 9mm-thick KURO plasma caught on video
Just in case an elaborate hands-on with Pioneer's 9mm-thick KURO plasma wasn't enough to satisfy, why not check out a video clip of it wowing crowds at CES? 'Course, we should mention that it looked infinitely better in person, but we're dealing with YouTube here, people. Click on through!
Hands-on with Samsung and Bang & Olufsen's svelte Serenata
We bumped into the Bang & Olufsen Seranata at Samsung and were sure you'd all love it's crazy design. This has been around for a while now, but it was our first opportunity to get our hands on it. First impressions? Impressive! The feel of the handset is total money, hefty, amazing material choices, and that wheel is almost addictive when you spin it. We popped it open and blasted some tunes and the quality really was good for such a small set, though it is definitely form over function here. We want, right now.%Gallery-13385%
PC Gizmo fills IM alerts with rainbows, unicorns, chocolate covered teddy bears
Meet PC Gizmo. Sure, it's a cheapo, USB-interfacing Nabaztag knock-off... but it loves you. Don't make PC Gizmo cry -- let it alert you to IMs, emails, VoIP calls, and its insatiable need for hugs. See PC Gizmo do its thing in the video after the break.
CES 2008: Fugliest headphones awards
These cans are just the ticket for some tunes while hunting. The selection committee had an extremely difficult time arbitrating this one, so if you're affronted by what we've relegated to runners-up after the break be sure to cast your vote.
Hands-on with Altec Lansing's T612 iPhone docking speakers
Yeah, yeah, we know -- another iP** dock -- but this is actually one of the first docking audio speakers approved to work with the iPhone without either dropping into airplane mode or assaulting your ears with janky GSM signal noise (it also docks regular old iPods, of course). To boot, it charges the thing and has incoming call support -- more than slightly mitigated by the fact that you still have to actually remove the phone from the dock to take the call, a drawback the Altec Lansing rep said was because Apple neglected to include support for passing call audio across the docking interface. Still, if you happen to use your iPhone as jukebox at home or work, you can pick up this quite decent-sounding speaker system in February if it's worth $200 to you.
Toshiba's "short-throw" TDP-EW25U projector still requires three feet
It's amazing what a breakthrough does for perception (and competition), eh? Shortly after taking a look at the impressive PLC-XL50 from Sanyo, Toshiba has announced an "extreme short projection" offering of its own. This one, however, requires three whole feet in order to toss up a 60-inch image, which seems sort of ridiculous compared to the three inches needed by the aforementioned Sanyo. To its credit, the TDP-EW25U does boast a higher resolution (1,280 x 800), and it also features a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, DLP technology, 2,600 ANSI lumens, USB / RS-232 ports, integrated 802.11b/g WiFi, VGA, a built-in mono speaker and jacks for audio input. You'll also find password protection and a bundled remote, which may or may not push you to throw down $2,369 to claim one as your own.[Via AboutProjectors]
Intel explains: MID vs. UMPC
Today we had a chance to finally bring to rest the following question: what the hell's the difference between a UMPC and a MID. Fortunately, Dan Monahan, Intel's Global Internet Segment Manager of Ultra Mobility and the man who showed us (and the world) the UMPC for the first time at CeBIT took the time to set us straight. This is how it breaks down.UMPC Business-class device for enterprise users Runs a "heavy" OS like Vista Optimized for office-use applications like Excel, Word, etc. MID Consumer-class lifestyle device Runs a 'lightweight" OS with quick startup like Linux Optimized for things like media playback and web surfing In 2009 (or so) Moorestown-based devices will be classed as MIDs only So there you have it from the man who knows. Now use the term correctly please, especially you dear OEM/ODMs.