CES2013
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FCC working to expand WiFi spectrum, wants to avoid wireless 'traffic jam'
Ever suffer through the painfully slow bottleneck of public WiFi? Sure you have -- Airports, coffee shops, even your neighbor's unprotected home network are limited by the current WiFi spectrum. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski says it's a problem, and wants to clean up the mess. Speaking with Gary Shaprio at CES, Genachowski revealed that he's been working with the DoD and other Government agencies open up more bandwidth for WiFi. Areas like New York City have an abundance of spectrum set aside for TV licenses, he says, airwaves that could serve the public better for WiFi or cellular networks. "The rest of the world is watching us," he told Shapiro. "We have to get it right... ...we need to have a nationwide, unlicensed, continuous, same-frequency platform for innovation." To do that, the FCC will need to wrench spectrum from the hands of broadcasters, and redistribute it. "We can reorganize it and ensure everybody gets a good share." It's an uphill battle, but one the chairman recognizes as important. "We predict a WiFi traffic jam, and we need to fix it... ...WiFi is such an integral part of our broadband ecosystem, and we need to make sure that we pay it sufficient attention." Check out the rest of Shaprio and Genachowski's dialog in our ongoing liveblog.
Robotex Avatar for Home and Office eyes-on
Unless you have loads of cash at your disposal or work for the federal government, chances are you haven't heard of Robotex. The start-up, featured here at CES 2013's Eureka Alley, specializes in creating automated solutions for a variety of security applications (think: SWAT busts, radiation level monitoring, etc.). Traditionally, these high-end robotic solutions carry a price tag in the tens of thousands, but starting this week, Robotex is targeting the consumer market with its Avatar. Set to retail for $299, the blue tank-like bot links up with iOS devices (an Android version's coming in Q1) via USB to communicate with a companion app over Bluetooth 4.0 for remote monitoring. In its current incarnation, the Avatar doesn't do much apart from offering telepresence -- authenticated by the company's servers -- but the robot has been designed to be open source. To that end an SDK and HDK will be made available allowing tinkerers to craft up their own innovations. Unfortunately, due to the abundance of wireless signals here at the show, Robotex's reps weren't able to get the Avatar up and moving around the floor. But in a typical home environment, users should expect to get up to an hour and a half of "driving" time out of the robot. There's no video of the Avatar in action, so instead, check out the gallery below.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with the EFF's Julie Samuels (update: video embedded)
The topic no one wants to talk about at CES? Yep, it's gonna be a half-hour of frank patent litigation talk with the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Julie Samuels. If you care at all about legal kerfuffles, you're not gonna want to miss this one. January 9, 2013 5:30 PM EST Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here! Update: video embedded
TUAW TV Live: Victor Agreda live from CES 2013
Today we've got a bit of a surprise in store for you -- TUAW editor-in-chief Victor Agreda, Jr. is in Las Vegas this week covering CES, and he'll be joining us for part of the show to talk about what's new, exciting, and different for Apple fans. I'll also have a free Macworld/iWorld iFan pass valued at US$100 to give away to one viewer. You'll just need to be able to make it to San Francisco on your own dime; we're just providing the pass. Still, this is a great opportunity for someone to meet with the TUAW team at Macworld/iWorld, which will take place January 31 - February 2, 2013 at the Moscone Center West in San Francisco, CA. Below, you'll find a Ustream livestream viewer and a chat tool. The chat tool allows you to participate by asking questions or making comments. You'll be watching the show in glorious HD! Prefer using IRC? We're on IRC server chat1.ustream.tv, chat room #tuaw-tv. If you're driving somewhere and would like to watch TUAW TV Live while you're stuck in traffic, please don't -- keep your eyes on the road! However, if someone else is doing the driving, you can watch the show on your iPhone and join the chat by downloading the free Ustream App. It's a universal app and is wonderful on an iPad, both for viewing and participating in the chat. In addition, the live stream and chat will be available through our Facebook page. Just point your browser here to watch the show and chat with other viewers while you're on Facebook. We'll start at about 5 PM ET, so if you're seeing a prerecorded show, be sure to refresh your browser until you see the live stream. For those of you who are not able to join us for the live edition, you'll be able to view it later this evening on our TUAW Video YouTube channel and as part of the TUAW TV Live podcast viewable in iTunes or on any of your Apple devices.
Securfi Almond+ hands-on (video)
Wireless routers aren't the sexiest of gadgets to come across on the CES showfloor, but Securifi's doing its best with the Almond+. The all-white router, an update to last year's OG Almond, still features a 2.8-inch touchscreen, but now supports the 802.11ac standard for high speeds over 5GHz, in addition to Zigbee and Z-Wave for home automated control. That latter bit is a recent addition to the Almond+'s UI interface, allowing users with compatible Zigbee or Z-Wave products to control lights around the house or even monitor and receive notifications (cloud-synced via a free iOS or Android app) when their door is being opened or closed. Around back the innocuously designed device sports one USB 2.0 and five for gigabit ethernet. At present, Securifi intends to launch the Almond+ on Kickstarter for $99 sometime within the next week, so look for it to debut there soon. While you wait, take a look out our gallery below, as well as video demo just after the break.
Sonte switchable film transforms windows into projection screens, works through WiFi (hands-on)
We might have seen digital blinds before, but Sonte's on-window film, deep within is pitched at home-owners rather than business signage. The switchable film is a thin, light layer that can be retro-fitted to existed windows and the company reckons it's so easy that you should even be able to do it yourself. We saw the film used both as a picture display and as a see-through panel that can be made frosted -- as you can see above in our before-and-after. To control how it looks, you'll need to install either the Android or iOS app, where there's controls for multiple smart films. Another use posited was transforming large windows into a projection screen. That extra layer to your windows will also notch up savings on your heating bills too -- at least according to Sonte. The product is still in development, so you won't be able to pick up Sonte's adjustable film yet, but the company looks likely to approach crowdfunding sites to help get its switchable film tech off the ground.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with MakerBot's Bre Pettis (update: video embedded)
Yep, it's a big year from 3D printing, and no company's got a bigger piece of the spotlight than MakerBot. The company used last year's show to announce the release of the first generation Replicator, releasing its successor a few months back. We've asked the company's CEO Bre Pettis back to our stage to discuss the 3D printing revolution. January 9, 2013 5:00 PM EST Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here! Update: video embedded
Live from CES: Gary Shapiro chats with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski
Ever wanted to know more about the inner workings of the FCC? You're in luck, because CEA head honcho Gary Shapiro is sitting down with the man in charge at the FCC, Chairman Julius Genachowski at CES this year to chat about his time with the Commission. Naturally, they'll be talking about broadband, spectrum reform and other hot telco topics, but we're just hoping to hear how the Chairman will rid us of the terrible 10,000 feet. Will he give us any such good news? There's only one way to find out -- stick around as we'll bring their conversation to you live, right here.
Fleksy for Android beta hands-on (video)
You may be familiar with Syntellia's Fleksy -- its predictive touch typing solution has already been available to iOS users since last July. But as we recently learned at CES, the company's gearing up to offer Android and Spanish-language versions. It's not something you'll necessarily see in the Google Play store, however, as we were told the company intends to license the platform out to various Android OEMs. We pressed CEO Kostas Eleftheriou for more details on possible partnerships, but he remained tight-lipped, only assuring us that talks were in progress. So, how does it work? For starters, the Android version offers two keyboard options -- a simple QWERTY-only and one with a space bar -- that can be toggled on or off with a two finger swipe down. Text corrections are also controlled via gesture control, with your seemingly garbled input transformed into the closest possible word match via a right swipe. Users can even browse through a list of suggestions by highlighting text and then swiping up or down. Admittedly, word prediction seemed to fare better for the company's (well-trained) reps than it did for us, but we'll chalk that up to a learning curve. Punctuation is handled by swiping twice to the right and the symbol menu can even be accessed by a swipe up from the right edge of the full keyboard. Since its announcement this week, Fleksy for Android's managed to notch around 5,000 beta testers and Kostas expects that number to continue growing. If you're interested in taking the mobile keyboard alternative for a test drive, we'd recommend you head to the company's site now to sign-up. Otherwise, content yourself with our gallery below and a brief video demo after the break.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Sprint's Trevor Van Norman (update: video embedded)
It's time for a little carrier love. First up is the Now Network, who just happened to take the wraps of its pay-as-you-go service. We'll be speaking with Trevor Van Norman, the carrier's director of product marketing. January 9, 2013 4:30 PM EST Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here! Update: video embedded
Carly Rae Jepsen's line of earbuds and headphone charms eyes-on
Hey, we just saw these, and this is crazy, but here's some headphones, for listening, baby. Update: We've removed the picture at the company's request. Dana Murph threw a wish in the well for this report.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Polaroid's Scott Hardy (update: video embedded)
Polaroid is a company in flux. CEO Scott Hardy made that clear when we sat down with him back at Photokina back in September. Will the iconic camera company be able to reinvent itself in this age of ubiquitous cameraphones and Instagrams? We'll get his take after the break. January 9, 2013 4:00 PM EST Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here! Update: video embedded
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Chrysler's Marios Zenios, VP of Uconnect (update: video embedded)
It's a wild a crazy world out there when it comes to in-car-entertainment and this year at CES 2013 one company came out a little bit ahead of the pack. Uconnect just won AOL Auto's Technology Of The Year award, and we'll be talking to Chrysler's Marios Zenios, VP of Uconnect on the Engadget stage and the company's latest ICE technology. January 9, 2013 3:30 PM EST Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here! Update: video embedded [Photo Credit: WardsAuto]
Engadget Podcast 323: CES 2013 Day 1 - 01.09.2013
All good things come to those who wait, and sometimes to those who don't. At CES pretty much no one waits for anything. Which is good, because it means we can get the latest tech news to you the moment it's announced. That's not to say the event is without surprises, and there are a few of those right here on the first official Engadget CES podcast. Listen in below. Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater Producer: James Trew Hear the podcast
Agawi and Marvell team up to bring cloud-based gaming to Android set-top boxes
It's like a match made in heaven. Agawi and Marvell have partnered up to combine a cloud-based gaming platform with the equipment that powers many popular Google TV devices. Together, both companies will offer a white-label Android gaming solution to OEMs, internet and cable providers, game publishers and retailers. As a result, we may see a number of smart TV devices begin cropping up that support Agawi's CloudPlay gaming service. Whether this solution poses a legitimate threat to the console business remains to be seen, but we're going to scour the floor at CES to bring you a demo of the system in action. In the meantime, full PR follows the break.
Matias updates the Tactile Pro to version 4, announces Mini Tactile Pro keyboard, we go hands-on (video)
We've written a few love-notes about Matias' mechanical keyboards before, which is why its CEO had to take out a restraining order. But even the threat of legal action couldn't prevent us from sharing the news that the company has updated its coveted Tactile Pro and swelled the range to include the Mini Tactile Pro. Both units come with a three-port USB 2.0 hub, while the portable version now has a secondary connector cable that you can keep stowed in your laptop bag for satisfyingly noisy typing on the go. The flagship will cost $150 and is available today, while its dinky equivalent will be available later this month for $130. Interested in learning more? Join us down town after the break.
Synaptics Sensa grip-sensing tablet concept hands-on
Synaptics may have designs on becoming a keyboard company, but at heart, it's a touch and sensor company. It's realized that as tablet bezels get smaller, the greater the chance you'll suffer unintended touches from the meaty parts of your paw. We've just spent time at a behind-closed-doors demonstration of Sensa, a grip-sending tablet that can work out which hand is you're using to hold the device and therefore ignore its commands. Interested? We called it a read more link for a reason.
Engadget HD Podcast 331 - CES special show 1 01.09.13
Richard and Ben take on the first day's news from CES, and it's all got a bit of an HD angle to it. Not surprising since there's lots of HD. Super HD, Ultra HD... whatever HD, it's here at CES. Such is the flow of consumer electronics exhibitions. Get stuck in below to hear all about it, and more. Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc) Producer: James Trew (@itstrew) Hear the podcast
NVIDIA's Tegra 4 reference tablet hands-on at CES 2013 (video)
During our on-stage broadcast with NVIDIA, while we got another look at Project Shield, we were also surprised by the appearance of NVIDIA's new Tegra 4 reference tablet. Previously out of reach over at the chipmaker's CES space, we got to exclusively handle it and play some Riptide GP 2 (another first). The device -- which won't ever make its way to consumers -- was incredibly light, while the 16:9 11-inch display beamed out Android 4.2. There's a raft of ports for developers to meddle with, including micro-USB, HDMI and storage expansion, as well as some indentations for docks and fixtures. In our hands, it's unerringly light -- and the NVIDIA guys seemed pretty proud when we mentioned that. Performance on the game and basic navigations was unsurprisingly very slick -- the game we tried was developed specifically for NVIDIA's new mobile chip. However, we weren't able to steal a glance at the web browser or other functionality, but we're likely to see and hear a lot more next month at Mobile World Congress. After the break, we've got some playtime with Riptide 2 and a video tour of the device. %Gallery-175577% Note: In the video, we mention that the device is running Ice Cream Sandwich, but it's actually running Jelly Bean. Apologies for the error.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with ARM's Simon Segars (update: video embedded)
Want to know more about what goes into that smartphone you're carrying around all the time? This one's worth checking out. We'll be sitting down with Simon Segars, the president of ARM Inc. about the technologies that power many of our mobile devices. January 9, 2013 2:30 PM EST Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here! Update: video embedded
