Gear Diary » CES http://www.geardiary.com Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:30:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 ioSafe Shocks Us Again at CES 2012http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/29/iosafe-shocks-us-again-at-ces-2012/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/29/iosafe-shocks-us-again-at-ces-2012/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:00:51 +0000 Thomas R. Hall http://www.geardiary.com/?p=181374   ioSafe is known for keeping your data SAFE. How safe? Well, first we took the initiative to burn and water-soak a drive, and the data was still recoverable. Then, starting with CES 2010, ioSafe decided to show everyone that their drives are capable of withstanding burning, soaking, dropping, and crushing. In 2011, we upped the ante again and took shots (yes, using a gun) at an ioSafe drive, and the data saved on the ioSafe drive came out unscathed. Well, we wondered what they would do next and, at CES 2012,  we found out. Honestly, what we saw shocked us ... Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/29/iosafe-shocks-us-again-at-ces-2012/feed/ 0 Case-Mate iPhone 4S Case Rundown- a Video Lookhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/26/case-mate-iphone-4s-case-rundown-a-video-look/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/26/case-mate-iphone-4s-case-rundown-a-video-look/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:26 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=180700 Carly is loving the Case-Mate Phantom. Judie stole the first Case-Mate DIY iPhone case with the words "I'm on a Deadline" and is still using it (although her iPhone isn't seeing much use right now). The bottom line is this, when it comes to cases for the iPhone 4S Case-Mate has a great lineup this year. Here's a video look at some of them and then more detailed descriptions of each. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/26/case-mate-iphone-4s-case-rundown-a-video-look/feed/ 0 Make Your iPhone 4S Case mykase with Bodyguardz New Case Offeringhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/26/make-your-iphone-4s-case-mykase-with-bodyguardz-new-case-offering/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/26/make-your-iphone-4s-case-mykase-with-bodyguardz-new-case-offering/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:45:08 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=180713 Bodyguardz has come up with a great way to change-up and/or customize your iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S case in seconds. The mykase line offers a base case in black or white as well as interchangeable back plates that can reflect your mood or dress. They'll even be rolling out an easy-to-use engine for making your own customized back plate. It is pretty ingenious and definitely worth a look. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/26/make-your-iphone-4s-case-mykase-with-bodyguardz-new-case-offering/feed/ 0 The Droid Motorola RAZR MAXX and Droid 4 Were Worth a Look, but They Didn’t Steal the Showhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/22/the-droid-motorola-razr-maxx-and-droid-4-were-worth-a-look-but-they-didnt-steal-the-show/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/22/the-droid-motorola-razr-maxx-and-droid-4-were-worth-a-look-but-they-didnt-steal-the-show/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:00:27 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=179962 Motorola stole the show last year at CES 2011. The Moto Xoom and the Atrix with its web top keyboard dock... oh my! They were pretty amazing to see. Francis and I even had a chance to remote log into my iMac in New Jersey using the Atrix smartphone as the "computer" powering the remote access. Sadly, the actual experience of using the Xoom and the Atrix left a good deal to be desired. Judie, Thomas and I all bought one; we all returned them. Judie and I visited Motorola again this year at CES 2012, and while they didn't blow us away, the two smartphones we did see were pretty impressive in their own right. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/22/the-droid-motorola-razr-maxx-and-droid-4-were-worth-a-look-but-they-didnt-steal-the-show/feed/ 8 A Visit with Gear4, and a Look at Their Current and Upcoming Prodcutshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/22/a-visit-with-gear4-and-a-look-at-their-current-and-upcoming-prodcuts/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/22/a-visit-with-gear4-and-a-look-at-their-current-and-upcoming-prodcuts/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:00:27 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=179859 Judie and I had a chance to visit with Gear4 in their suite at the Wynn. We've seen some of the company's products in the past, but I don't think that either of us realized how extensive their portfolio is. And it is going to get even larger in 2012. Needless to say, we came away impressed. Here's a rundown on the company and their current lineup ... Geardiary ces2012 gear4 014 Gear4 wants to "make things that are simple, enhance your life and are a pleasure to use." While all of that is highly subjective from what we saw they are doing everything possible to be true to their mission. Their docks look good, appear easy to use and, best of all, they sound excellent. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/22/a-visit-with-gear4-and-a-look-at-their-current-and-upcoming-prodcuts/feed/ 0 JawBone JamBox: Out Since 2010 but Still Awesome- A Gear Diary Video Lookhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/20/jawbone-jambox-out-since-2010-but-still-awesome-a-gear-diary-video-look/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/20/jawbone-jambox-out-since-2010-but-still-awesome-a-gear-diary-video-look/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:00:01 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=179795 IMG 6713 1

The JawBone JamBox was released in November of 2010. Yes, that's almost a year and half ago... ancient by today's tech standards. So you might be wondering why we're covering it NOW. The reason is simple: although it was released almost a year and a half ago the JamBox is still the best portable Bluetooth speaker on the market and, thanks to updates and additional apps for it the speaker just keeps getting better and better. Thomas was quick to buy one when it was first released but I held back and only got one a few months ago. I wish I hadn't waited because it really is an incredible little device. I like it so much in fact that I purchased one for Elana to use when she is training clients. Oh, and there is another reason we shot the video now... it was the first time since I got JamBox-ified that Thomas and I were together. So here's a quick video of Thomas and me talking about the device and why it's become one of our favorite gadgets. Yes November of 2010 was quite a while ago but this is one piece of gear that isn't even close to becoming long in the tooth. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/20/jawbone-jambox-out-since-2010-but-still-awesome-a-gear-diary-video-look/feed/ 0 Sony Bloggie Live at Hoover Dam, a Video Demohttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/20/sony-bloggie-live-at-hoover-dam-a-video-demo/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/20/sony-bloggie-live-at-hoover-dam-a-video-demo/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:00:29 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=179773

Image taken with the Bloggie Live

Judie received a Bloggie Live video recorder last week at CES and we brought it along with us to take some images and video while at Hoover Dam. As the video demonstrates, this diminutive Bloggie Live takes some amazing video and is incredibly easy to use. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/20/sony-bloggie-live-at-hoover-dam-a-video-demo/feed/ 0 Buffalo Laughs at Your WiFi-N Router Capabilities, Doubles Down on Current Speedshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/18/buffalo-laughs-at-your-wifi-n-router-capabilities-doubles-down-on-current-speeds/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/18/buffalo-laughs-at-your-wifi-n-router-capabilities-doubles-down-on-current-speeds/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:00:59 +0000 Francis Scardino http://www.geardiary.com/?p=179411

 

realtime throughput of their prototype AC routers on a large flat screen TV

I really don't know many (if any) people these days NOT running a WiFi network at home. Most Internet Service Providers (ISP) now provide a WiFi router or router/modem combo when you sign up for service. WiFi-N has pretty much become the standard over the past few years, with speeds capable of up to 150Mb/s and in almost all current electronics. The next standards have been announced and are called 802.11ac, which pretty much more than doubles WiFi-N on it's best day. If you have no idea what I'm talking about then pretty much what I am saying is Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/18/buffalo-laughs-at-your-wifi-n-router-capabilities-doubles-down-on-current-speeds/feed/ 0 Thomas Takes On the Wrapsol Non-Slip Grip Padhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/15/thomas-takes-on-the-wrapsol-non-slip-grip-pad/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/15/thomas-takes-on-the-wrapsol-non-slip-grip-pad/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:50 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=179224 Every now and then you come across a product that, despite liking the company that produces it, you cannot help but wonder, "Why?" That's certainly the case with the Wrapsol non-slip grip pad. The product is designed for large tablets and adheres to the back of a tablet. From there its sole purpose is to allow the tablet to stay in position more easily when rested on, for example, your thigh. Don't get us wrong…. the product actually works as promised but we cannot help but think it is an idea searching for an application. I don't know of anyone who has ever been using their iPad and thought, "I wish I could have this stick to my thigh or arm without my having to hold it…" And then there is the biggest issue with it: even if it did fill a real need the product is not something you can remove and reuse. That means once you attach it to your tablet you cannot use a case.

Wrapsol Grip Pad Features:

  • Non-slip tactilla™ material
  • 100% Polyurethane
  • Micro-textured finish
  • 8.25 x 3.75-inch material size for Apple iPad 2 and similar size devices
  • Installs in an instant
  • Made in USA
  • MSRP $14.95
We used it a bit and came away scratching our heads. That did not, however, prevent us from creating a video look and having a little fun so without further ado we present to you "Thomas and the Tablet"... Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/15/thomas-takes-on-the-wrapsol-non-slip-grip-pad/feed/ 10 Seagate Showcases Speed, Updates and Innovationhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/15/seagate-showcases-speed-updates-and-innovation/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/15/seagate-showcases-speed-updates-and-innovation/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:00:56 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=179152 We had a chance to sit down with Seagate earlier this week, and we liked what we saw. Geardiary seagate ces 004 We were glad to see an update to the GoFlex Satellite we had reviewed some months ago, we saw a product that is not yet shipping (but we WANT NOW), and we took some time to see the speed boost that Seagate's Momentus XT Hybrid Hard drive offers as compared to a traditional spinning platter. Here's a look. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/15/seagate-showcases-speed-updates-and-innovation/feed/ 2 First Look at the myCharge Portable Power Bank 6000http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/first-look-at-the-mycharge-portable-power-bank-6000/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/first-look-at-the-mycharge-portable-power-bank-6000/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:59:22 +0000 Thomas R. Hall http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178954

Things are winding down at CES 2012, which was nice for Francis and me, as we were able to walk around more freely due to less traffic and spend more quality time with some vendors. Luckily for us, we were able to stop by and visit our friends from myCharge and PowerBag. We have reviewed the PowerBag Messenger and PowerBag Backpack in the past, and Dan mentioned how useful a PowerBag can be. They also have a great brand called myCharge, which is a set of portable batteries for recharging mobile devices, including iOS and Android devices.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The team at myCharge was nice enough to provide Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/first-look-at-the-mycharge-portable-power-bank-6000/feed/ 0 Victorinox Puts 1 TB of Swiss Storage in Your Pockethttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/victorinox-puts-1-tb-of-swiss-storage-in-your-pocket/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/victorinox-puts-1-tb-of-swiss-storage-in-your-pocket/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:45:53 +0000 Francis Scardino http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178961

This past week I did not see too much earth shattering news regarding USB flash drives at CES. I had a chance to swing by the Victorinox booth to check out their 2012 product offerings. The only real highlight on their storage front was their Swiss Army-inspired USB stick. This was the first USB 3.0 flash device that I've seen built into a small thumb stick form factor, and who better to build it than Victorinox. They had a few prototypes on display with a "later this year" promised release date and price. The build quality,  high capacity, and speed put this drive right on my 2012 "want list". In usual Victorinox
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/victorinox-puts-1-tb-of-swiss-storage-in-your-pocket/feed/ 0 FashionWare Fashion Show And Gear Diary Is Therehttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/fashionware-fashion-show-and-gear-diary-is-there/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/fashionware-fashion-show-and-gear-diary-is-there/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:53:05 +0000 Michael Anderson http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178802

Last night at CES featured the Fashionware Fashion Show which featured a showcase of wearable technologies including solar powered backpacks, sophisticated mobile phones and netbooks, and fashion powered by light or movement, climate changing gear, and more. Here is their description of the show:
FashionWare captures the excitment of the new wearable and sensor-based technologies combined with style and sophistication. Our approach is to mix the traditional fashion show runway with education about how high tech is transforming fashion. Targeting fashion afficionados and technologists,some of the outfits are future-tense and some are available today. The outfits are accessorized by some of the most future thinking companies in the industry: makers of
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/13/fashionware-fashion-show-and-gear-diary-is-there/feed/ 1 IcePan Ice Cream: Made in a Pan Right Before Your Eyeshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/12/icepan-ice-cream-made-in-a-pan-right-before-your-eyes/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/12/icepan-ice-cream-made-in-a-pan-right-before-your-eyes/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:00:42 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178784 On the way back from a meeting at the Wynn Hotel we passed by a small kiosk for IcePan. IcePan is ice cream that is made right in front of you while you watch. It is never put into an ice-cream maker but, instead, is made using a pan kept at 35 degrees below zero. (Yeah, it is cold.) We shot a video of it being made so, without further ado… I scream, you scream, we all scream for IcePan Cream. (Yeah, I went there.) Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/12/icepan-ice-cream-made-in-a-pan-right-before-your-eyes/feed/ 1 Mimoco Announces Mimomicro USB Readershttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/mimoco-announces-mimomicro-usb-readers/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/mimoco-announces-mimomicro-usb-readers/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:30:15 +0000 Carly Z http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178665 Try saying Mimoco announces Mimomicro five times fast, and when you're done admire how cute these are! Sure, you can use a boring USB card reader, but how much better is it to transfer data from your microSD through Darth Vader, Wonder Woman or Batman? From Mimoco:
(Las Vegas, January 10, 2012) — Mimoco (www.mimoco.com), renowned makers of the MIMOBOT® line of character-based designer USB flash drives, has unveiled a new product line of fashionable personal data storage devices called MIMOMICRO™. The MIMOMICRO™ product line can best be described as a smaller, more versatile evolution of the MIMOBOT® collection. Not only can MIMOMICRO™ be used as a USB flash drive with interchangeable microSD memory
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/mimoco-announces-mimomicro-usb-readers/feed/ 0 iLuv Adds to Their Product Line for CEShttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/iluv-adds-to-their-product-line-for-ces/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/iluv-adds-to-their-product-line-for-ces/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:30:57 +0000 Douglas Moran http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178567 iLuv makes accessory-type gear.  Cases for you phones and tablets; earphones; power adaptors; audio docks; stuff like that there.  And like most tech companies, they have some new items that they are waving in front of our collective noses at CES, like:
  • A Kindle audio dock
  • New cables with charge and sync features
  • New Mac adaptors and cables
  • New charging solutions for your favorite gadget
I don't know what kind of gear you have, of course, nor what kinds of accessories you may need for said gear.  But suffice to say, you probably need something, right?  A new case for your iPad; power converters for your laptop; screen protectors; something Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/iluv-adds-to-their-product-line-for-ces/feed/ 0 CES: Liquid Image Announces HD Video Snow Goggles And Mountable Sports Camerashttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/ces-liquid-image-announces-hd-video-snow-goggles-and-mountable-sports-cameras/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/ces-liquid-image-announces-hd-video-snow-goggles-and-mountable-sports-cameras/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:00:17 +0000 Travis Ehrlich http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178408

The only thing bigger today than extreme sports, is extreme sports videos. The internet is full of amazing video footage of talented and sometimes crazy people hitting the big trick or conquering a huge slope. We seem to have begun to video everything we do and it often produces some pretty entertaining footage. Myself and several buddies have begun filming our deer and turkey hunts, editing them into full episode, high definition presentations of our adventures. In fact, the ability to film my own hunts is something I have struggled with using my current set up. Dragging a tripod by myself out to a tree stand or ground blind is not always possible while

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/ces-liquid-image-announces-hd-video-snow-goggles-and-mountable-sports-cameras/feed/ 0 Adobe Debuts Photoshop Lightroom 4 Public Beta on Adobe Labshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/adobe-debuts-photoshop-lightroom-4-public-beta-on-adobe-labs/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/adobe-debuts-photoshop-lightroom-4-public-beta-on-adobe-labs/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:00:45 +0000 Michael Anderson http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178343

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom provides a powerful set of tools with a singular focus: making our photos look amazing. In the past Adobe has opened up their 'lab' and allowed early access to in-development tools to a limited audience. Now Adobe is opening up their Lightroom 4 beta to EVERYONE! It is a great opportunity to get a peek at the upcoming version of one of the most powerful photo editors available. Here are some of the new features:
Lightroom 4 beta is a major software update adding a broad range of new capabilities based on feedback provided by the photography community. All new basic tonal adjustment controls extract the entire dynamic
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/adobe-debuts-photoshop-lightroom-4-public-beta-on-adobe-labs/feed/ 0 G5 Brings Even More iPhone, iPad and Kindle Fire Games This January!http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/g5-brings-even-more-iphone-ipad-and-kindle-fire-games-this-january/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/g5-brings-even-more-iphone-ipad-and-kindle-fire-games-this-january/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:30:36 +0000 Michael Anderson http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178341

I am finishing up my review of The Magician's Handbook right now, and just published my review of Special Enquiry Detail for the Mac, which would make a pretty solid release month for most game companies - but G5 is just warming up! I noted earlier the upcoming release of Letters from Nowhere (look for my review soon after release) ... but there is much more! G5 has loaded up January with new games, ports to the Kindle Fire and other releases. Here is some of what is coming this month:
Award winning casual games publisher G5 Entertainment is starting off strong in the 2012, with an exciting
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/g5-brings-even-more-iphone-ipad-and-kindle-fire-games-this-january/feed/ 0 Innovative Live Advertising from Lenovohttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/innovative-live-advertising-from-lenovo/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/innovative-live-advertising-from-lenovo/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:20:04 +0000 Thomas R. Hall http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178534 20120111-100421.jpg Well this is a bit different... I have seen other forms of live advertising in the past, but Lenovo just took it to a new level. We have all heard of blazing fast computers and internet speeds, but what about typing on top of a car? 20120111-100432.jpg Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/innovative-live-advertising-from-lenovo/feed/ 1 iBike POWERHOUSE Brings a Complete Fitness System to the iPod Touch and iPhonehttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/ibike-powerhouse-brings-a-complete-fitness-system-to-the-ipod-touch-and-iphone/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/ibike-powerhouse-brings-a-complete-fitness-system-to-the-ipod-touch-and-iphone/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:10:20 +0000 Thomas R. Hall http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178452

I don't know about you, but for me, trying to get into and keep on a fitness plan is difficult. Unless you have motivation, it can be difficult to keep with it. Personally, one way I have found that works to keep motivated is to have a training partner, or use statistics to track my progress. Well, the iBike POWERHOUSE does both! The iBike POWERHOUSE is a fitness tool which combines an iPhone 3G/3GS/4/4S or an iPod Touch with a hardware device which:
  • A weather-proof / shock resistant patented smart case and sensors
  • The iBike POWERHOUSE app
  • Goal-specific plans developed by world-class fitness expert Hunter Allen
You simply start Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/ibike-powerhouse-brings-a-complete-fitness-system-to-the-ipod-touch-and-iphone/feed/ 0 DTS Displays Their Audio Chops at CEShttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/dts-displays-their-audio-chops-at-ces/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/dts-displays-their-audio-chops-at-ces/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:00:31 +0000 Douglas Moran http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178361 I have been known to disparage networking hardware and software as "Internet plumbing."  When it's all working right, it's down there, out of sight, providing the pipes and keeping flow going and whatnot, and it's not particularly exciting to me.  But just because a tech is "under the hood", doesn't mean it's not important. And in that same vein are the audio techs that DTS provides which, while under the surface of a lot of things you enjoy, are (ahem) under the surface of a lot of things you enjoy, if you know what I mean.  Like gaming, and TV, and home theater, and whatnot.  Here's what they say:
·         Building on DTS’ Blu-ray legacy
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/dts-displays-their-audio-chops-at-ces/feed/ 0 Hillcrest Labs Unveils Next-Generation Portfolio of Motion Control Software and Productshttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/hillcrest-labs-unveils-next-generation-portfolio-of-motion-control-software-and-products/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/hillcrest-labs-unveils-next-generation-portfolio-of-motion-control-software-and-products/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:45:16 +0000 Douglas Moran http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178381 So there you are, standing in your living room waving your arms around with your Wii controlled gripped tightly in your hot little fist.  Amazing how that works, isn't it?  And there are a whole plethora of products out there that use motion-activated technology--which I personally think is one of the coolest innovations in tech in the last little while.  Hillcrest is one of the companies that has specialized in this area and, like a lot of other companies (I know, you're shocked!) they're showing off their stuff at CES:
For customers who need the most flexibility, the new Freespace MotionEngineTM provides a fully featured motion software stack that simplifies integration of inertial and
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/hillcrest-labs-unveils-next-generation-portfolio-of-motion-control-software-and-products/feed/ 0 Here’s an Original Use for the BenQ GP2http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/heres-an-original-use-for-the-benq-gp2/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/heres-an-original-use-for-the-benq-gp2/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:22:55 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178384

While visiting with Texas Instruments DLP PICO, we discovered that they had a familiar product -- the BenQ GP2 -- set up to do something we thought was pretty mind blowing ...

Click here to view the embedded video.

So you set an iPhone in the BenQ's cradle, and then you can use another iPhone or an iPod touch (connected by WiFi) as a gaming remote control, with the action being displayed on the wall for everyone to see. That's a pretty cool and offbeat use for what might otherwise seem like a very straightforward piece of equipment. What do Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/11/heres-an-original-use-for-the-benq-gp2/feed/ 0 Fitbit Announces New Fitbit Aria Wifi Scalehttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/fitbit-announces-new-fitbit-aria-wifi-scale/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/fitbit-announces-new-fitbit-aria-wifi-scale/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:30:10 +0000 Carly Z http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178288

Dan and Judie may be facing off to see if the Fitbit truly reigns supreme at CES, but Fitbit isn't stopping with just your everyday activities. They're also announcing a new scale that syncs over wifi right to your Fitbit account! One of the toughest things about losing weight and keeping track is actually doing the data entry and work. Fitbit is aiming to make it as easy as possible for you! From their blog:
We’re excited to let you be among the first to learn about our newest product — the Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale.  Aria will accurately track your weight, % body fat, and BMI over time and sync your
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/fitbit-announces-new-fitbit-aria-wifi-scale/feed/ 0 Embarrasment for Intel After Faking Ultrabook Gaming Demohttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/embarrasment-for-intel-after-faking-ultrabook-gaming-demo/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/embarrasment-for-intel-after-faking-ultrabook-gaming-demo/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:00:20 +0000 Michael Anderson http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178259

We've seen it all at CES - vapor-products, stuff we won't see for months (if ever), dummy products as show-pieces, and more. Now Intel - with the demo for their 'bet the farm on it' Ultrabooks ... got caught faking a demo when the VLC control panel showed up a few times as shown above. The executive on stage tried to play it off, but the credibility of the entire show was lost. Check out the video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Since the demo - more to the point since being CAUGHT - Intel has admitted that the demo was a video done for 'expediency'. Um ... yeah. Not exactly a vote of confidence when Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/embarrasment-for-intel-after-faking-ultrabook-gaming-demo/feed/ 4 DLP Pico Engine Powers a Smartphone Projector: From the CES Floorhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/dlp-pico-engine-powers-a-smartphone-projector-from-the-ces-floor/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/dlp-pico-engine-powers-a-smartphone-projector-from-the-ces-floor/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:51:31 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178283 20120110-154844.jpg

Here's another implementation of TI's DLP PICO chip... This smartphone is also a projector. This "embedded Pico smartphone" is not yet on the market but it may very well be the direction the market is going. (This post and many more being brought to you from CES-stay tuned to Gear Diary for more great coverage all week!) Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/dlp-pico-engine-powers-a-smartphone-projector-from-the-ces-floor/feed/ 0 DLP Pico Engine Powers World’s Smallest Standalone Projector: From the CES Floorhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/dlp-pico-engine-powers-worlds-smallest-standalone-projector-from-the-ces-floor/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/dlp-pico-engine-powers-worlds-smallest-standalone-projector-from-the-ces-floor/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:40:46 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178272 20120110-153742.jpg

See the device sitting in between the two iPhones? That's actually the world's smallest standalone projector. It is tiny but the picture is great. The product isn't out yet but it is coming... And soon. And it is powered by Texas Industries DLP Pico chip. It is amazing! (This post and many more being brought to you from CES-stay tuned to Gear Diary for more great coverage all week!) Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/dlp-pico-engine-powers-worlds-smallest-standalone-projector-from-the-ces-floor/feed/ 0 Velocomp Introduces iBike Powerhouse for iPhone/iPod Touchhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/velocomp-introduces-ibike-powerhouse-for-iphoneipod-touch/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/velocomp-introduces-ibike-powerhouse-for-iphoneipod-touch/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:15:53 +0000 Chris Chamberlain http://www.geardiary.com/?p=177946 Since I am one of Gear Diary's cooking and kitchen gadget reviewers and also write about food for a few other publications, it's all I can do to keep myself anywhere near fighting weight. One of my favorite exercise regimens as part of the battle of the bulge is cycling, both on the road and in the gym. So that's why I was excited to see the latest announcement from Velocomp that they have developed an iOS-based cycling computer that interfaces with iPhones and iPods. I usually ride with my iPhone anyway, for safety on the road and for entertainment indoors, so this integration is welcomed. Combined with a wireless speed/cadence sensor on your bicycle, the iBike Powerhouse system tracks your progress and creates goal-oriented cycling plans for your individual fitness level. Here's the rest of the information from their product release announcement today at CES in Las Vegas: Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/velocomp-introduces-ibike-powerhouse-for-iphoneipod-touch/feed/ 0 HP Introduces ENVY 14 Spectre With Glass Cover Designhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/hp-introduces-envy-14-spectre-with-glass-cover-design/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/hp-introduces-envy-14-spectre-with-glass-cover-design/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:00:15 +0000 Michael Anderson http://www.geardiary.com/?p=178148

There are some who have already declared this the 'year of the Ultrabook'. So what is an Ultrabook? Think a Macbook Air ... but by PC makers and running Windows. Basically it is a solid-performance ultraportable that eliminates internal optical disks and makes for a thin and light experience with mega-fast boot and wake times and battery life that challenges tablets. What most probably didn't expect was that HP would walk into CES with a 'premium Ultrabook' with some stunning design features ... and a price to go along with it! Here are some details from HP:
Tough yet beautiful, the HP ENVY 14 Spectre uses lightweight, scratch-resistant glass
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/01/10/hp-introduces-envy-14-spectre-with-glass-cover-design/feed/ 0