Clicked : CES2008

The clicker as weapon

Will Femia — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:49:00 GMT

I have some assorted CES links I neglected to share the other day but I'm trying to catch up on my Web reading (that is what Clicked is about after all) so here's a bit of what I clicked.Gizmodo's stunt at CES would almost be funny if the stakes weren't so high. They used some of those universal TV-turner-offers to randomly shut off videos displays at the Consumer Electronics Show. I can understand the urge since there is probably no other more gratuitous display of video screens - imagines millions...(read more)

What I picked

Will Femia — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:53:00 GMT

Welcome to Clicked. If you're not familiar with this blog, usually I post links and descriptions of sites around the Web in an effort to track online trends. But for the next 26 entries I share my picks of what I saw that was interesting at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. The posts stretch across the next three pages so don't stop when you reach the bottom of the page....(read more)

Tough as lace

Will Femia — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:44:00 GMT

For all of my cynicism about the press event after the first day of the show, the exhibitors were not corporate conspirators but interesting and enthusiastic up-and-comers. One of my favorite items of the whole trip was the Arantix bike frame from Delta 7 Sports. It's made of carbon fiber and kevlar but draws its strength from the geometry which they call IsoTruss. This frame is so light, I swear my cell phone is heavier. The rep said the frame itself would retail for 7 grand and a complete bike...(read more)

The rumble down under

Will Femia — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:23:00 GMT

Technologically enhanced furniture was everywhere at CES. Lots of massage chairs and gaming chairs with built in speakers. There was also a segment of interactive chair (more real virtuality) that was meant to make your television viewing more immersive by shaking you with bass notes.The Buttkicker is an external system you can put under the leg of your couch that will rumble you with every explosion and gun shot. I sat in a chair that had the system built in. It was comfortable and kind of fun but...(read more)

The uniter

Will Femia — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:15:00 GMT

Something I've seen as a trend in tech generally is an effort to unite our various toys into a single interface/login/controler/phone number/e-mail address. There were a few examples at the show but one that had an impressively flashy display was the X Lobby. it's really billed as an entertainment system because it can control all of your various media inputs but the screen that caught my eye shows live video of each room in your house and lets you control the temperature and lights. It has a touch...(read more)

Say Cheese

Will Femia — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:04:00 GMT

I mentioned the volume of video cameras being offered at CES in an earlier entry but here are a couple of stand-outs:In case you were curious how they do those "street view" maps, one look at the Tele Atlas truck should answer all of your questions.The shot below is of a subsidiary of GE. I remembered the GE part so I could disclose the relationship (GE owns NBC) but I forgot to note the actual company. That's not the point so much anyway. The point is the extent to which video culture is being pushed...(read more)

Celeb sightings at CES

Will Femia — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:17:00 GMT

The celebrities at CES are a large part of their marketing but I only ran into a few and half the ones I did see were NBC people. Then again, I wasn't really looking for celebrities and I still managed to find a few so that's a pretty good hit rate.There was a massive throng gathered in the LG area with their attention turned toward a large box draped with a red sheet. Wow, I thought, an actual, literal unveiling of something. so I wormed my way closer and waited for the big reveal. Then the marketing...(read more)

Enjoy the surprised change

Will Femia — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:56:00 GMT

Ring mouse! (I have no idea.)Not only did a lot of the attendees have accents (indicating a strong international presence), but some of the presenters barely spoke a word of English. I'm not the kind of person who gets angry over that but it did make for some awkward exchanges.It's a little hard to make out but the shot below is of electronic cigarettes and cigars. I asked the guy what they were for and if they were meant to serve as an aid to quit smoking. I asked the question three times, three...(read more)

Watch list

Will Femia — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:23:00 GMT

The crowd around the LG cell phone watch display was so eager you'd think they actually did something. My own interest wasn't really piqued until the employees started turning away people with cameras. "No photos please, no photos please." I guess because it's a concept product they don't want to spread too many details? -or it was just a game of simple showmanship.Later an NBC colleague named Scott Budman came by to interview an executive about the watches. I pointed out my NBC affiliation...(read more)

Au natural

Will Femia — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:59:00 GMT

You may recall my occasional complaint about the materials used to house electronic devices. Usually, the only time we see wood used in the construction of a gadget is when it's a personal modification or kit. So I was keeping an eye out for alternative materials as I wandered the show and did find a few examples.Wooden frames on digital photo displays were common.Though I don't have a photo, what reminded me of this whole category was seeing a display of USB 2.0 ExecCams. Some are even made in marble....(read more)