2010 CES (part 1)

This years CES Show was probably a little smaller than last (still over 100,000) people attend this event.

Although a there were a few less vendors, I am told it was not noticeable. I wasn't able to attend this year (too close to holidays and with kids and all I am saving my time for my fav show is EHX in Orlando in March), but I had some help from friends Ian Hendler of Leviton who was on the floor and also Ray Casey (IT Consultant) who attended and checked out the GREEN and other electronics.

The "coolest" item unveiled at this years show, was something by a Bluetooth company called Parrot, which is thier new AR.Drone. This, from someone who played with the AUVS (Autonomous unmannned vehicle society) in college, is pretty exciting. Basically a high-tech remote control helicopter (meaning it can hover in place) with a camera mounted on it that you can watch real-time on your iPhone.

They have at least 2 varieties of WiFi controlled aerial vehicles with tiny cameras you can fly using your iPhone or iTouch device. I think you will also be able to control with other devices and PCs on the same network as well. Pretty cool. No word on price yet. You can see this at thier website;
http://ardrone2.parrot.com/parrot-ar-drone/en/index.html


This years big push was 3D TV, which actually debuted at last years show, with less fanfare. I checked out one of these TVs at that time, these devices still require the glasses. The technology was still being edged out a bit, but it was pretty interesting. Sports were really excellent to watch on a 3D Plasma screen.

The big difference to me in this new 3D technology, was that although the image was in fact 3 dimensional, it was deep as opposed to what you are used to seeing at the movies. In other words, it looked to have and be related more to the depth of objects from you, than them being in your face close. So instead of really popping out at you, the videos I saw, all looked much deeper than even the best HD image. So your football field looked like it almost would from a 50 yard line seat, on the field. Pretty nice. I prefer this over things popping into my face.

I am guessing if you played a 3D movie that was designed to "pop-out" at you, which I find kind of annoying anyway, it would look like the 3D movies most of us have grown up with (mostly dissappointments in theatrics), nonetheless did pop out.

I hear from the grapevine that Plasmas offer a much better 3D image than LCDs can offer at this time, although I am sure that will improve. I couldn't yet get a reason why that is, but will do soon.


I'll report more later as more goodies appear.