CES

CES 2011: Next version of Windows to run on ARM processors

Microsoft Windows logoMicrosoft announced that the next version of Windows will soon run on ARM processors, in addition of course to x86 chips from Intel and AMD.

So what’s an ARM processor anyway? Developed and licensed to other chip makers by ARM Holdings, it’s the most commonly used CPU in smartphones and tablets.

Get the picture now? Microsoft wants to make sure it doesn’t get left in the dust by the likes of Android, Symbian, iOS and the like.

[Microsoft press release]

CES 2011: Motorola drops Atrix 4G phone for AT&T, along with Laptop Dock


Motorola has an interesting new product that looks like a laptop, but it really isn’t. It’s actually a dock for their new ATRIX 4G HSPA+ phone which will run Android 2.2 (Froyo) and work on AT&T’s mobile network.

Back to this dock, it’s really just a full laptop keyboard and trackpad with a dock in the back for the phone. What’s the point? Simply to make using your phone for longer periods more comfortable. Take a look at this video.

CES 2011 kicks off in Las Vegas

Another year has flown by, and CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) is upon us once more. It remains to be seen what the huge announcement or gadget will be, if in fact one stands out. Lots of folks were hoping for an iPhone to appear on Verizon, but that doesn’t look likely in the next few days.

Other than that, stay tuned for the most important CES 2011 stories!

CES 2010: Gunnar Optiks Shows Off Stylish 3D Glasses

The big thing at CES this year was 3D, and Gunnar Optiks unveiled a line of stylish 3D glasses. We previously reviewed Gunnar Optiks glasses from last year’s CES, and it seems the company is only getting bigger. Although the 3D glasses aren’t available yet, Gunnar also showed off its MLG branded glasses.

Gunnar’s non-3D high performance glasses are targeted towards gamers and people who spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen. They claim to reduce eye strain, improve vision clarity, and even prevent dry eyes. So how can they do this? …

CES 2010: Blio eReader is Free Software-Only Reader – Why It May Be Important

While we were inundated with hardware eReaders at CES, Blio took an intermediate step and made a (free) software eReader than can run on laptops, netbooks, desktops, tablets and even iPhones and iPods.

blio bookstoreDesigned in part by inventor Ray Kurzweil, the Blio is a free piece of software that you can download for your Windows machine, and that opens up and displays eBooks in full-color with options such as 3D page turning, text only mode for smaller displays, read aloud (text-to-speech), and note annotation. The Blio reader also supports audio, video and interactive media when embedded eBooks.

Blio will also be accompanied by the Blio Bookstore allowing you to add titles to your own virtual personal library that is accessible regardless of where you are or what device you’re on. The Blio Bookstore boasts over 1.2 million titles which they claim is more than any other eBookstore.

Blio reminds me a great deal of Zinio‘s excellent software reader for their electronic magazines.

Our Take
I think they’re onto something here, as well as multi-screen eReader manufacturers like Spring Design (Alex) and enTourage (eDGe), because want fewer devices, not more. Of course, peoples’ needs differ, so in my case when I travel I’m never without my laptop, so I would much rather my laptop be able to read eBooks. Blio fits the bill here.

On the other hand, my laptop is still a tad bit heavy and warm to hold open in bed, but I’m always wanting to surf the Web, but doing so in grayscale isn’t as satisfying which is why I feel those dual-screen readers are appealing and have potential. In the end, it does boil down to your own personal preferences, and you may still elect to walk around with both a laptop/netbook and a thin eReader.

CES 2010: Monsoon’s Volcano Box is Audio-Video Swiss Army Knife – DVR, Placeshifter, Internet TV and More

HAVA maker, Monsoon Multimedia, is still in the gadget game and in particular, the multimedia multi-function types located right at the heart of your AV rig. At CES, they announced and demoed their latest device, the Volcano, which does a slew of things. Sling should be prying this open soon with a microscope close behind.

monsoon multimedia volcano box

The sleek-looking Volcano is an HD device that placeshifts (a la the Slingbox) your live TV or other prerecorded video over the Internet, a DVR, Internet TV (YouTube and CinemaNow for now, but think Boxee and Netflix in future), Apps like Facebook and Twitter, can act as a home media streamer, and can pull videos for export to external media.

USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed) is Fast! What to Expect and When

usb 3.0 superspeed logoAlthough the specs for USB 3.0 were nailed down in late 2008, production of devices that support or run USB 3.0 have really only now started showing up. Here’s a bit of insight as to what you can expect in the next 2 years.

At CES, a few manufacturers showed off their USB 3.0 wares. In particular, a few like Gigabyte and Asus have motherboards with USB 3.0 ports, while laptop makers HP, Asus and others joined the party, and of course external hard-drive makers like Western Digital and Seagate had their new gadgets with USB 3.0.

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