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Live from the Engadget CES Stage: Eye-Fi co-founder Ziv Gillat
Eye-Fi has been making our cameras more connected for several years now. We'll speak with the card-makers co-founder Ziv Gillat about the company's push toward broader adoption. January 10, 2014 5:00:00 PM EST
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: Broadcom VP Rahul Patel
Get ready to talk chips and the internet of things with Broadcom VP Rahul Patel. January 10, 2014 4:30:00 PM EST
StickNFind reveals its vision for the future of retail
Those little StickNFind Bluetooth stickers are back for another CES, and this time out, they've got even grander ambitions than helping your locate your lost keys. Founder Jimmy Buchheim swung by our CES stage this week to show off plans for retail applications. The idea is pretty simple, really: Put the company's Beacon offerings all over your retail location, and you can tell who's looking at what and for how long. How's that for targeted marketing? The store can create an app with a map, which will help the shopper locate specific items in the store and, naturally, serve up coupons and such based on tracked shopping habits. The company is showing off a slew of different-sized Beacons (as you can see in the palm of my hand above), with ranges up to 0.6 mile and batteries that last as long as nine years. Buchheim told us that the company is talking with retail partners with regards to rollouts, but wouldn't spill the beans about who might be interested.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: ThinkGeek VP Ty Liotta
After last year's shenanigans, we naturally wanted to get ThinkGeek's Ty Liotta on stage. What better way to help wind down the final day of CES than with a grab bag of weird and wonderful tech toys? January 10, 2014 4:00:00 PM EST
Engadget Eurocast 051 - CES Edition - 1.9.14
After nearly a week of gadget overload, the Eurocast crew and ringleader Daniel Cooper let their hair down for a casual -- and occasionally creepy -- chat about CES, Las Vegas and Pepperami. Slashgear's Chris Davies joins the fun, too, and uncovers his secret passion: slashfiction. Amidst random tangential talk, the team each take a turn to share their Best and Worst of the event. Joseph Volpe uncovers the secret of inter-hall transit and Jamie Rigg discusses his tour antics and real-world tests of flexible smartphones. This podcast is more fun than a barrel full of monkeys -- although not so different -- so get to clicking at the streaming links below. Hosts: Dan Cooper, Mat Smith, James Trew, Jamie Rigg Guest: Chris Davies / Slashgear Producer: Jon Turi Hear the Podcast:
EyeLock Myris is a USB eye scanner offering security that's unique to you
When it comes to unique passcodes, it doesn't get much more secure that an eye scan. Thanks to EyeLock's Myris, you'll be able to create super complex passwords that you won't have to remember -- using a USB-powered add-on to authenticate your identity instead. Myris is about the size of a makeup compact and is cloaked in a blue cloth exterior. On the backside, there's the camera that's lined with a light ring, changing color to indicate where you are in the scanning process. It starts light blue, then changes to dark blue at the start before finally showing green when it's complete. Once connected to the aforementioned port on your laptop or PC, the device takes a scan of your eyes to set up its defenses with the help of a companion app. That capture takes about 15 seconds while moving the camera toward the eyes from arm's length and then backing it away. In the process, Myris snaps a whole library of images before converting them to a video-based template unique to up to five users. The software allows the setup of those insane passwords and manages profiles in order to complete the configuration. When using the gadget to unlock the item of choice, Myris completes its scan in less than a second. There is a bit of a learning curve in terms of how to best hold the device so it can do its thing, but we were able to get the hang of it after a couple of tries. Instead of happening on the computer it's tethered to, authentication happens on the device in a specific sequence of events. The company says this will keep identities secure in the event of theft or loss. In terms of security, the peripheral supports AES 256-bit encryption while working with Windows, Mac OS X and Chrome OS to lock down things like email, online banking, internet VPNs, workstations and more. Myris is set to arrive sometime this spring and we're told that the price tag will be under $300. What's more, the future implications for cramming this security into laptops and desktop machines may make the most compelling case for EyeLock's tech. For now, jump past the break for a quick demo of how it works.
MediaTek's wireless display solution beams video to TV, sets your mobile screen free (video)
While Miracast wireless display mode is now available on many Android devices, it is both loved and loathed -- loved by those who want just wireless screen mirroring, and loathed by those who want to keep doing other things on the smaller screen. If you belong to the latter group, then MediaTek's got your back. At CES, the Taiwanese chip designer showed off its solution that lets you beam video content to a Miracast-enabled display, without having to give up your mobile display for your other tasks -- be it internet browsing, emailing or even gaming. See for yourself in our video after the break. A company rep told us that in order to take advantage of this solution, app developers would need to use MediaTek's upcoming API to enable this feature. There's no word on when consumers will get to use this at home, but given that MediaTek's shipped more than 200 million smartphone processors last year, we're pretty sure that developers will want a share of this piping-hot pie.
Microsoft's Xbox head isn't worried about Steam Machines and Oculus Rift; he's excited
Two of the biggest stories at CES 2014 involve gaming, and neither involves the big three entrenched console makers (Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo). Oculus VR's latest prototype, dubbed "Crystal Cove," and Valve's Steam Machines initiative are overshadowing even Sony's big PlayStation Now news, to say nothing of curved displays and wearable whatevers. Despite that overshadowing, Xbox Chief Product Officer Marc Whitten isn't too worried about either -- in fact, he's really excited about both and what they mean for the larger game industry he loves. "This is literally the most golden of golden ages that I've ever seen around gaming," Whitten told us in an interview this week at CES 2014. "I think this is what makes gaming great. And you love seeing the passion of seeing someone like Palmer [Luckey] and those guys at Oculus. And seeing someone like John Carmack get on and really be focused on it is great. I don't know how it could be anything but good." He didn't say whether or not dev kits are with Microsoft, but he's used the headset and likes what he's seen. Moreover, he isn't worried about it cannibalizing Xbox One sales. "It's just gonna increase the surface area, and I think that's an incredible thing," Whitten said. Valve's Steam Machines initiative is another story.
Engadget Podcast 378 - CES Day Three - 1.9.14
Brian Heater and crew take to a champagne-soaked stage following the Best of CES 2014 awards presentation to run through the winners and exchange witty banter about the world of CES this year. Terrence recounts his head bashing experience earlier in the day, Christopher Trout sends out an invitiation to drinks back at his and Michael Gorman expounds on the return of webOS. Join us for a surprisingly down-to-earth and informative episode -- with short bursts of mayhem -- of the Engadget Podcast, conveniently located at the streaming links below. Host: Brian Heater Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
Live from the Engadget Stage: Consumer Electronics Association CEO Gary Shapiro
Who better to wrap up the big stories and trends with than Gary Shapiro? The CEA's president/CEO will be joining us on-stage to discuss the week that was. January 10, 2014 1:30:00 PM EST
Live from the Engadget Stage: Solidoodle CEO Sam Cervantes
In a show full of 3D printers, Solidoodle sets itself apart in one key area: affordability. The company has offered up a series of sub-$1,000 models, including, most recently, the Solidoodle 4, introduced a few months ago. January 10, 2014 1:00:00 PM EST
Live from the Engadget Stage: Misfit Wearables CEO Sonny Vu
If CES 2014 is the year of the wearable (hint: of course it is), then Misfits Wearables' time has come. The company's Shine device is a beautiful fitness tracker -- something you wouldn't be embarrassed to wear on your person. January 10, 2014 12:30:00 PM EST
Testing Reebok's Checklight head impact monitor with a human punching bag
Last year Reebok showed up to CES with the Checklight, a head-impact sensor developed in collaboration with mc10. Problem was, the company didn't really have a way to demo the preproduction version of its G-force sensor. They simply slipped it into a black skullcap and let the press take photos. But, in the interim, it's come to market, offering protection to athletes young and old, for a reasonably affordable $149. This year, the companies came fully prepared with a pair of boxing gloves and some headgear. Naturally, being the masochist I am, I invited anyone who was interested to join me at the Reebok booth on the show floor where they would get to punch me in the face. The response was alarmingly enthusiastic.Not wanting to disappoint, I dutifully donned the black skullcap, with the sensor's blinking display hanging behind my head. Then it was just a matter of removing the glasses, putting on the foam headgear and accepting that I'd brought this on myself. To the Checklight's testament, it appears to work quite well. After taking a surprisingly strong blow from one of the many editors lined up to take a swing, the rotational and directional sensors inside triggered an alert that perhaps my coworker had gotten a little too enthusiastic. The light at the back flashed yellow to indicate that I absorbed a moderate impact. After assuring everyone that I was ok, we continued with the demonstration. But, had the light flashed red, the hands-on (fists-on?) would have been quickly called to a close. While red doesn't mean you have a concussion, it does indicate that you've taken a particularly hard hit and should get checked out. For more of this Engadget editor getting punched in the head, check out the video after the break.
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MMObility: CES highlights for mobile gaming enthusiasts
Most years, I am unimpressed by CES, the Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas. Sure, I watch the feeds and keep an eye on the latest bits of technical glitter that pop out of the event, but generally I find 4K televisions that cost thousands of dollars to be about as exciting as a bag of dead hamsters. I don't care about the next wave of supercomputers, and I certainly have no interest in technically advanced cars that mostly innovate on ways to make people spend money. What excites me about almost any trade show is the stuff you find in the corners of the show room: the smaller booths, the indie developers or the hints of up-and-coming tech that will eventually make our lives easier and more fun. And of course, I'm always excited to see tech that might bring mobile MMOs to the place they deserve to be, a place in our everyday lives. CES is exciting to me because it shows the potential and possibly inexpensive future of tech. Thanks to Engadget, one of our sister sites, I was able to get more than an eyeful of neat mobile tech!
CES 2014, Day 4: Top five must-see stories you must see
CES may almost be over, but there's still plenty to talk about at the Las Vegas Convention Center. We learned why Microsoft's presence at CES may be subtler these days, and that GoPro's obsession for extreme sports has found a home on Xbox Live. We also saw Fleksy bang out emails on a smartwatch and had our faces digitally rearranged by a Kinect-equipped makeover machine -- but that's nothing compared to what we've hidden past the jump. Read on for a look behind the show, technology and awards that define CES 2014, day 4.
Hands-on with the Garmin Dash Cam
Garmin rolled into this year's CES with a ton of stuff, including a brand new camera which can be mounted on your windshield. Dubbed Dash Cam, the device can take WVGA, 720p or 1080p video, and the idea is to have it capture footage of daily drives and use that as evidence in case of an accident -- "It is fully automated and gives drivers peace of mind knowing any events that might occur will be captured," Garmin says. The Dash Cam, which features a 2.3-inch display, also comes with a built-in microphone, microSD card slot and a GPS receiver that makes it possible to have time-stamps and geo-tags on all recordings. After spending a bit of time using it, we can safely say it performs well and does exactly what it's meant to; unfortunately we weren't able to test it on the road, but the menus and settings are straightforward enough for any driver to use practically. While we can certainly see more than one use for Garmin's Dash Cam (read: monitor your teenager's driving habits), its starting price of $220 might end up being a bit too steep for some. Either way, there's a gallery past the jump for you to enjoy, so take a look and let us know what you think.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: The Engadget Eurocast
Join Dan Cooper and the usual gang of European Engadget editors as they put a bow on the second to last day of CES 2014. Hijinks, most assuredly, will ensue. January 9, 2014 11:00:00 PM EST
Toshiba's high-res 3,840 x 2,160 laptop should arrive mid-year
And just like that, 2K screens are old news. While other companies announce laptops with 2,560 x 1,440 screens, Toshiba is doing the competition one better: the outfit is showing off a notebook with a 15.6-inch, 3,840 x 2,160 display. Dubbed the Satellite P50t, the laptop has a screen density of 282 pixels per inch, which, as you can imagine, means some onscreen objects are going to be very, very small (check out that still photo of Windows Media Player in our gallery to see what we're talking about). Other than that lack of optimized apps -- a problem for every high-res notebook -- the screen is quite nice, with good color reproduction and decent viewing angles. As for the rest of the specs, we don't know much, expect that it will have a mix of Core i5/i7 processors (whether that means Haswell or Intel's fifth-generation chips is a question for another day). We suppose all will be revealed when this finally goes on sale -- sometime "mid-year," says Toshiba. For now, enjoy the hands-on photos.
will.i.am on changing the world one 3D printer at a time
We were skeptical, too. The trend of gadget manufacturers putting rockstars on the payroll in figurehead "creative director" roles has gotten a bit out of hand in recent years. Again, if Alicia Keys and BlackBerry taught us anything, it's that all the piano playing in the world can't help right the ship of a struggling hardware manufacturer. After chatting with will.i.am high atop the 3D Systems booth in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, we'll say this: he's a passionate guy. The Black Eyed Peas member's excitement is palpable as he speaks about emerging technologies and their potential roles in education and sustainability. He freely admits that he's not really equipped to break down the technology behind the 3D printer company's more complex offerings, but he's got some grand visions with regards to the part he might play in helping making the technology more accessible and broadly appealing for a mainstream audience. Check out the full video interview just after the break.
ION's Road Warrior Bluetooth speaker won't fit in your bag, costs $399 (hands-on)
ION Audio took to CES 2014 to reveal a number of new products, and the Road Warrior was among them. In typical trade show fashion, we thought it was only appropriate to stop by the company's booth to check out its not-so-portable Bluetooth speaker. As you can imagine, this thing is big and extremely loud -- we were playing Lorde at about half the maximum volume and walked away hugely impressed at the amount of noise it can push out. It wasn't exactly surprising given its 200-watt power and two 10-inch woofers, but the Road Warrior can definitely turn your tailgate party into one for the ages. ION Audio told us that the model being shown is a prototype, with the final retail version said to feature a thinner body and built-in kickstand. Priced at $399, the Road Warrior won't be shipping until June, though you can catch an early glimpse of it in our gallery after the break.
