CES

#ces09 : tikitag Links Real World to Online Applications

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Released in early October 2008, tikitag attempts to bring the online and offline world together by tagging real world object which, when scanned, will run an online application. Scanning involves touching the real-life item to a Near Field Communications (NFC) RFID scanner hooked to your computer which then executes an event on your computer such as dialing a number in Skype or loading a URL.

tikitag runs the Application Correlation Server (ACS) that provides remote tag management via web-interface allowing users to create associations of the appropriate actions with the RFID tag. tikitag includes an open platform via API (web services using SOAP and REST) for 3rd party application developers and geeks.

tikitag opens up NFC technology via an application platform that is available to consumers and businesses who are interested in using, sharing and creating NFC applications. The core element tikitag manages is the network-based Application Correlation Server, which monitors and launches the right actions in the right context whenever an NFC tag is touched with an NFC device.

The first demographic of users for tikitag were R&D companies interested in RFID but has spread to the geeky consumer over the holiday season. I wouldn’t mind playing with tikitag, but after a couple of weeks my interest would wain. The value for consumers will be in families where geeks can setup their non-techie family members to automate techie tasks such as calling a family member via Skype. tikitag will probably see more success with commercial applications such as tagging badges at a conference, but at least consumers can play with NFC RFID technology starting at $50 for a reader and 10 tags. Additional tags are $30 / 25 tags.

#CES09: Dish 922 HD DVR with SlingBox embedded

Audio/Video, Home Theater, Books, Music and Movies, CES, Gizmo of the Day, Networking & Internet / By /

Excellent – this is what we want to see – more convergence of media devices. Following the purchase of Sling Media by EchoStar, the 2 have worked together to come up with a Dish Networks receiver that essentially embeds a Slingbox. They’re calling it a SlingLoaded player, but the bottom line is that you now get place-shifting built into your DVR and Satellite TV receiver. Nice.

The 922 is a sleek looking box with a 1 TB drive for up to 1000 hours of storage (in SD), can support 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480i, and 480p formats, and has a new touchpad remote control that has half as many buttons as a standard remote control, and that can function as a universal remote. Of course, it includes all of the SlingBox features and be controlled via the Web using SlingGuide.

#CES09: Dlink’s All In One Router and More

Cameras and Photo, CES, Computers, Networking & Internet / By /

Dlink has announced the Xtreme N Storage Router. This router is touted as a “All In One” router and comes in an impressive little package sporting a small picture frame, wireless N router, 4 1GB ethernet ports, SATA drive bay, and 2 USB ports for hard drive or print sharing. The router allows users to share and view as well as backup data such as music, video and photos on your network. There is even a built-in FTP server allowing you to share and access the files over the Internet. This will be available for around $300.

Also being shown was a 2-bay Network Video Recorder (NVR) supporting all D-Link cameras. You can remotely manage and view cameras connected on your network using various recording methods included scheduled or motion capture. The NVR supports 2 SATA drives in RAID 0 or 1 format. Two cameras were being shown including a pan and tilt for $299 and another camera that support N wireless or wired for $179 and $149 respectively.

For consumers, Dlink now provides a Network Storage Enclosure supporting iSCSI in RAID 0, 1 Standard and JBOD Support. You can transfer files over the Internet using ftp with SSL encryption.

Finally, a couple not-ready-for-production products were displayed including a SideStage 7″ USB LCD Monitor and an Ethernet to Coax Adapter. No pricing or availability were given for those products.

#CES09: Gunnar Optiks Digital Performance Eyewear – reduce eyestrain from computer use

CES, Computers, Gaming & Toys, Miscellaneous / By /

Gunnar Optiks has rolled out a line of eyewear products for computer users who spend a great deal of time in front of a screen. These Digital Performance glasses were designed to reduce the eyestrain that many users experience, as well as the eye drying that occurs due to the lack of blinking. There are well-known syndromes associated with excessive computer and even handheld screen use: Digital Eye Fatigue (DEF) or Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

Gunnar incorporates a number of technologies into their glasses that help with these issues: 1. diAMIX lens material, 2. i-Fi anti-reflective lens coatings, 3. iONik lens tints and 4. fRACTYL lens geometry that curves the lens to actually reduce the amount of lost eye moisture. You can find a great deal more in-depth information on the various technologies at Gunnar’s site.

The glasses are very light, and while they take a little getting used to, just one look through them and you immediately see the difference in the crispness of the on-screen images. We plan to test these out for longer periods and write a review. Stay tuned.

There are close to 20 different models, with the main difference being the cosmetic styles; the lenses are all the same. Prices range from $99 to $199. You can get them directly from Gunnar, from Amazon and other e-tailers as well as in over 200 optical retailers.

#CES09: Phanfare – Photo/Video Sharing Service

Cameras and Photo, CES / By /

While Phanfare has been around for a couple years, Andrew Erlichson was showing off Phanfare Photon which turns your iPhone into a wireless digital camera storing images on your Phanfare account. The iPhone application also supports full album viewing and management experience on the iPhone.

Phanfare allows users to upload from a camera, iPhone, the web or your favorite desktop organizer (soon to include Picasa on a Mac). You can then share your photos and videos on an iPhone, Phanfare’s full-screen slideshows, print to books, cards and DVDs or your monitor could become a picture frame. Phanfare even has a Facebook applications that allows you to show your photos and video albums to your Facebook friends.

Finally, utilizing your Phanfare account you have safe and secure online storage of your video and photos, album security and privacy, fullsize archival originals. Phanfare uses Amazon’s S3 storage and provides free storage up to 1GB and unlimited storage at $54.95 per year.

CES 2009: Dlink’s All In One Router and More

CES, Computers, Networking & Internet / By /

Dlink has announced the Xtreme N Storage Router. This router is touted as a “All In One” router and comes in an impressive little package sporting a small picture frame, wireless N router, 4 1GB ethernet ports, SATA drive bay, and 2 USB ports for hard drive or print sharing. The router allows users to share and view as well as backup data such as music, video and photos on your network. There is even a built-in FTP server allowing you to share and access the files over the Internet. This will be available for around $300.

Also being shown was a 2-bay Network Video Recorder (NVR) supporting all D-Link cameras. You can remotely manage and view cameras connected on your network using various recording methods included scheduled or motion capture. The NVR supports 2 SATA drives in RAID 0 or 1 format. Two cameras were being shown including a pan and tilt for $299 and another camera that support N wireless or wired for $179 and $149 respectively.

For consumers, Dlink now provides a Network Storage Enclosure supporting iSCSI in RAID 0, 1 Standard and JBOD Support. You can transfer files over the Internet using ftp with SSL encryption.

Finally, a couple not-ready-for-production products were displayed including a SideStage 7″ USB LCD Monitor and an Ethernet to Coax Adapter. No pricing or availability were given for those products.

CES 2009: Hyperspace – Instant On Computing Environment

CES, Computers / By /

Hyperspace by Phoenix Technologies Ltd (the BIOS folks) was represented at Digital Experience and the Geeks received a demo. Hyperspace provides instant-on/instant-off capabilities to use a limited number of “purpose-driven” applications including immediate access to the Internet (web browser), calendar, e-mail and a couple extra small apps.

“Stop waiting for Windows to boot or worrying about finding the best wireless connection. Instant-on computing with HyperSpace transforms the mobile experience by providing cell phone-like connectivity, ease-of-use and efficiency for key applications,” said Woody Hobbs, president and CEO of Phoenix Technologies. “In less than a few seconds, you’re up and running – browsing the Internet, emailing, instant messaging, and using other important applications. There’s no more waiting for Windows to boot or worrying about finding the best wireless connection. And by utilizing the power of virtualization technology, HyperSpace can run side-by-side with Windows Vista® on certain systems, making your computer far more power efficient, secure and frustration-free.”

Besides providing instant-on/instant-off computing, Hyperspace provides smart connectivity that activates the best network source (wired then wireless), longer battery life of 25%-35%, security due to a private operating system and applications can only be updated or added if approved and owner or audited by Phoenix and Phoenix mentions uptime as an additional benefit in case Vista fails.

The HyperSpace instant-on/instant-off experience for the consumer is immediately available for download in two versions at www.hyperspace.com. HyperSpace Hybridâ„¢ is available for $59.95 annual license or $149.95 for three years and allows the user to toggle back and forth between the two operating system environments reducing batter consumption by more than 25% when in the HyperSpace environment. HyperSpace Dualâ„¢ is available at $39.95 annual license or $99.95 for three years and is designed for both Windows Vista and Windows XP systems that do not have virtualization enabled at the chipset level by Intel and AMD. The difference between Dual and Hybrid is that Dual user can only being in one environment at a time (either Windows or HyperSpace).

While interesting if you want to be on the web within 10 seconds of boot, the Geeks have opted not to install this software…

#CES09: Hyperspace – Instant On Computing Environment

CES, Computers / By /

Hyperspace by Phoenix Technologies Ltd (the BIOS folks) was represented at Digital Experience and the Geeks received a demo.  Hyperspace provides instant-on/instant-off capabilities to use a limited number of “purpose-driven” applications including immediate access to the Internet (web browser), calendar, e-mail and a couple extra small apps. 

Besides providing instant-on/instant-off computing, Hyperspace provides smart connectivity that activates the best network source (wired then wireless), longer battery life of 25%-35%, security due to a private operating system and applications can only be updated or added if approved and owner or audited by Phoenix and Phoenix mentions uptime as an additional benefit in case Vista fails.

The HyperSpace instant-on/instant-off experience for the consumer is immediately available for download in two versions at www.hyperspace.com.  HyperSpace Hybridâ„¢ is available for $59.95 annual license or $149.95 for three years and allows the user to toggle back and forth between the two operating system environments reducing batter consumption by more than 25% when in the HyperSpace environment.  HyperSpace Dualâ„¢ is available at $39.95 annual license or $99.95 for three years and is designed for both Windows Vista and Windows XP systems that do not have virtualization enabled at the chipset level by Intel and AMD.  The difference between Dual and Hybrid is that Dual  user can only being in one environment at a time (either Windows or HyperSpace).

While an interesting concept if you want to be on the web within 10 seconds of boot, the Geeks have opted not to install this software…

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