Samsung has revealed its newest addition to its SGH line of cell phones with the SGH-i780 on the final day of CES. This Windows Mobile-powered device is packed with features with a full QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen. It supports triband GSM/GPRS/EDGE at 900/1800/1900 MHz and single-band UMTS/HSDPA at 2100MHz. The connectivity side passes the test with WiFi of 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. The long-rumored GPS is indeed included, which is fast becoming a standard on high-end smartphones. Another interesting feature is an optical mouse, although no details are available on its utility. The 2.55-inch touchscreen display boasts a resolution of 320×320 pixels.

There is no info on price or availability yet.

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Tags: ces2008, GPS, Samsung, Uncategorized

We already know that Intel had announced its intentions to enter the mobile phone market with its Menlow mobile internet device (MID) platform and is set to bond with Apple for its next-gen iPhone. At CES, Intel realized this statement by putting up some nonworking, full-scale models of an iPhone-esque device and also working prototypes of its UMPCs based on the Menlow platform with 45nm Silverthorne chips.

According to Intel, its MIDs using Silverthorne chips on the Menlow platform can surpass any other device in the same category available currently, while not taxing battery life, thanks to something called Hafnium that prevents energy leaks. They come either with WiMax or 3G to lower costs and increase battery life.

Coming to the iPhone’s twin, this MID looks desirable even though it does not actually do anything now, being just a mockup and all that. The design is similar to that of an iPhone but slightly elongated with emphasis more on screen than buttons. The interface also looks similar although not to a point of infringing Apple’s patents.

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Tags: Apple, ces2008, Intel, iPhone, UMPC, Uncategorized

Evolution Robotics, Inc. has announced its NorthStar 2.0 System, which enables robots to be truly aware of their surroundings and perform tasks completely on their own. WowWee’s Rovio with telepresence is the first lucky bot to be endowed the NorthStar System, which also made its debut at the CES 2008. Telepresence robots are a new breed which allow the owner to check in and make sure everything is okay remotely.

NorthStar is a combination of GPS, RADAR, and autopilot system all working in unison to operate at places like home or office. It enables the Rovio to guide itself around the house autonomously and gives the user complete control over the robot remotely via web or mobile phone with simple “go to” commands. It can also operate in “patrol mode,” where it will monitor specific locations around the house or office with pictures or live video from its built-in camera sent to the owner automatically. When it is low on power, it can find the way back to its charging station from any location in the house and charge itself.

If you think all this convenience comes at a hefty price, you are wrong as its cost is equivalent to 1/100th or 1/1000th of systems used in research and industrial applications.

If you pass by WowWee’s booth at CES, do check the Rovio out in action first hand, with a demonstration of logging on to a Rovio located in Pasadena about 215 miles away and telling it to where to go with just a mouse click and its live broadcast of the surroundings as it is guided autonomously by NorthStar to different locations.

The Rovio will be priced at $299 and will be available in the second half of 2008.

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Tags: ces2008, NorthStar, robots, Uncategorized, WowWee

“Rugged” seems to be the latest word doing the rounds at CES this year. Samsung did it with its Samsung Solid and Sanyo is following suit with the SCP-7050, going a step further to call it “ultra rugged” and “rugged enough to be compliant with military standard 810F for dust, shock, and vibration.”

Although GPS-enabled phones are becoming dime a dozen, the most outstanding feature on this sturdy CDMA phone is its autonomous GPS that allows location data to be captured even if it is taken off the grid. The Java MVM allows the phone to run multiple Java applications simultaneously, ideal for running advanced navigation, tracking, and management applications. It is a perfect phone for people working in mobile field operations such as construction, and other rough environments.

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Tags: Cell Phones, ces2008, Sanyo, Sanyo, SCP-7050

There are plenty more reasons to keep going back to CES. Take the Sennheiser ear-canal CX 6 Travel headphones for example. These swanky headphones are light on size and heavy on sound. Just the perfect pair if you are on the move constantly and take your music everywhere you go. Whiling away those boring hours on a plane or train is no more a dull, tedious experience thanks to this tiny wonder and its dual mono adapter that actually adapts to any media source you throw at it. The included small, medium, and large adapter rings will assist in getting that perfect fit for your unique ears. The 1/8″ jack is compatible not only with media players but also in-flight entertainment systems.

“You can fit the CX 6 Travel in even the smallest of travel bags”, explained Eric Palonen, product manager for Sennheiser’s consumer electronics division. “It’s a genuine, high-end, ear-canal headphone with a powerful bass and detailed sound reproduction. For regular travelers, the CX 6 Travel is an ideal companion.”

A cable clip and hard-shell transport case also accompany the CX 6 Travel headphones.

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Tags: ces2008, Headphones, Sennheiser, Uncategorized

Samsung is exhibiting its 2008 CES Innovations Honoree, the Q1 Ultra Premium UMPC. It is the newest member of Samsung’s successful Q1 Ultra family of UMPCs and is available for viewing at CES currently.

Powered by Intel Core Solo running at a clockspeed of 1.33 GHz and 1GB of DDR2 memory, the Q1 Ultra Premium is targeted at both commercial markets and individuals looking for an ultra-portable solution without the compromise in power and features. The Q1UP-XP runs Windows XP Tablet Edition operating system and has a SideShow-like feature called AVS Now which has a host of multimedia applications giving access to music, video, and snaps without booting up Windows. It is equipped with a touchscreen seven-inch WSVGA LED-backlit LCD with a native resolution of 1024×600. Storage is aplenty with its 80GB 1.8-inch ultra-small HDD and SD/MMC 2-in-1 memory slot. The 300-pixel webcamera and dual microphones make video conferencing and chatting a cinch. An additional 1.3-megapixel camera allows instant images and videos, which can be sent while on the move with no PC intervention. The split QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen make input easy and the integrated 802.11b/g WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR make up its of connectivity options. This powerful ultra-sleek, ultra-portable package weighs in below 2 pounds and is juiced by a 57.7 watt hour L-ion polymer 6-cell battery providing up to 7.5 hours of battery life.

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Tags: ces2008, Samsung, UMPC, Uncategorized

Belkin, renowned for their wide range of connectivity products, is now getting into the bag game with their new F8N057 backpack, on display currently at CES.

The slim F8N057 will be a pleasure to tote around with its extra-padded shoulder straps containing breathable mesh. The plush inner lining ensures that your laptop is protected from scratches all the time. A separate pouch will make sure that your other laptop accessories are not left out of place. The phone compartment on the shoulder strap is another befitting feature.

The backpack comes in a variety of combinations of gray and other exciting colors and can accommodate 15.4-widescreen laptops. Priced at $59.99, it is already available across stores in North America and will hit Asia, Europe, and Australia later.

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Tags: backpacks, belkin, ces2008, Uncategorized

Shogo: World’s First Touch-Screen WiFi-Integrated Digital Picture Frame

Bang & Olufsen Unveils EarSet 3 Stereo Headphone with built-in Microphone

Zoom Tranceiver Model 4355 for iPods and iPhones

JBL On Time 200ID System iPod Dock

Toshiba’s 1.8-in. and 2.5-in. External Hard Drives

Tags: ces2008, Mobile News, Off The Topic

Bogen to Unveil Elegant Digital Imaging Accessories at CES’08

Miracube G320S 3D Displays at CES International 2008

Sony Officially Announces Skype For PSP

The Listing Madness Continues

Tags: ces2008, Mobile News, Off The Topic

The Consumer Electronic Show is rapidly building up to be a spectacular event and MSI is doing its part to keep up. It will showcase a variety of its latest products including portable navigation devices (PND) and multimedia offerings.

According to Micro-Star, its navigation systems will have a wide range of options including a simple entertainment PND, a ruggedized PND for outdoors, and also a GPS-enabled phone. The integrated TMC channel will provide real-time traffic info. The most outstanding feature is an alcohol detector, which will surely be useful to many. The PNDs will be available in sizes of 3.5, 4.3, and 5 inches.

On the multimedia side, MSI will debut its power-efficient MS-5618, a “high-quality media center” with long hours of MP3 playback and a pocket TV with DVB-T/ ATSC tuner for on-the-go television action.

It looks diversification is MSI’s new motto. Be sure to catch their gadgets in action at CES!

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Tags: ces2008, GPS, MSI, Uncategorized

Hitachi 1.5-inch Ultra Thin PDP at CES 2008

Rumor: Microsoft Working On Game For Next Xbox

Media Sciences Clearcase Color Toner Cartridges

‘In the Heat of the Night” 40th Anniversary Edition

Tags: ces2008, Off The Topic

BenQ, known for its wide range of consumer electronic devices, announced its intention to enter the internet tablet realm by unveiling its first mobile internet device at forthcoming CES in Las Vegas.

Although there are no clear specifications, BenQ said in its press release that the new device will have a 4.8 inch touchscreen and will feature wireless technologies such as WiFi and 3.5G. High-speed internet access ensures that user can surf, chat, email, blog, share media, and social network without a hitch. According to BenQ, this mobile internet device consumes less power than a UMPC, ideal for someone who is on the move constantly.

“As a global digital lifestyle solutions leader, BenQ cannot help but see that our users have increasingly sophisticated and complex needs to fulfill their increasingly mobile lifestyle,” Peter Chen, General Manager of Technology Product Center, BenQ Corporation said, “BenQ MID combines the advantages of notebooks and smartphones to satisfy users’ multiple demands in a single device. Not only do we put the familiar PC experience in our users’ hands, they are now allowed to have high-speed internet access, work with a powerful CPU, and enjoy the full screens previously only available on notebooks.”

Keep an eye out for this interesting device at Intel’s MID exhibition arena at Central Hall, booth 7153.

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Tags: BenQ, ces2008, mobile internet devices, Uncategorized

Magellan is getting ready to present the Magellan Maestro Elite 5340+GPRS at the upcoming CES 2008. The Maestro is the first GPS with GPRS facilitating two-way connectivity, which means the users not only get accurate GPS readings but also enjoy up-to-date information about their current location, thanks to its Google Local Search feature. GPRS enables customers to send information directly from any web-connected device to the navigation unit.

The Maestro Elite will come with a hefty price tag of $1299 and will be available starting in March 2008. There will also be an extra charge for GPRS services, which is not yet disclosed.

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Tags: ces, ces 2008, ces2008, gprs, GPS, GPS, Magellan

Garmin has finally revealed its GPS lineup for CES 2008 and there are plenty of options to choose from. One of them is the nüvi 5000, a humongous unit with a 5.2-inch touchscreen display and a host of other interesting features.

Obviously built for larger vehicles, it packs an MP3 player, audiobook player, and some games with more games to come in the future. Music can be loaded via an SD card and the unit is compatible with audible.com for all audiobook needs. Owners will have the ability to subscribe to MSN Direct enabling them to receive up-to-date content about traffic, fuel prices, weather reports, stocks, etc. Another option is the FM Traffic Message Channel, which provides traffic information across the USA and some European countries.

“The nuvi 5000 is ideal for those with larger vehicles that need navigation on a big screen” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “With its easy-to-use interface and route planning features, it puts drivers in total control of the road.”

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Tags: ces2008, Garmin, GPS, GPS, nuvi, sirf

Garmin has finally revealed its GPS lineup for CES 2008 and there are plenty of options to choose from. One of them is the n

Tags: ces2008, Garmin, GPS, GPS, nuvi, sirf

Taking the meaning of the word “portable” to new heights, Turtle Wireless will unleash its new tri-band GSM phone, the TWP-800, which can be worn like a wristwatch. The phone boasts Bluetooth capabilities (including support for stereo), MP3/MP4 playback, a touch screen and WAP/GPRS for network data. It is targeted at the Latin American market starting January 13, 2008.

Other items that will be showcased at the CES 2008 include the Turtle Wireless B-Dazzle, a flashy line of phone and iPod accessories - the whole slew of pouches, protective covers, lanyards and Bluetooth headsets. Designed with the fashion-conscious user in mind, the B-Dazzle lineup includes flashing protective covers in the Snap’N'Flash range.

The Turtle Wireless TWP-800 GSM phone is priced at US $199.95.

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Tags: 2008, Cell Phones, ces, ces2008, gprs, GSM, las vegas, Phone, tri-band, watch