A look back at the 10 hottest gadgets featured at this weekend's Consumer Electronics Show (2009), as ranked by Compudio Gadget Reviews.
Editor's Note: Out of the thousands of products being showcased, we feel these 10 items reflect either the most innovation or the most promising in leading the next-generation consumer eletronics products. Rankings in no particular order.
Nvidia GeForce 3D Vision
3D vision is not a new concept. However, Nvidia has brought this technology to the next level - gaming!
"A combination of high-tech wireless glasses and advanced software, GeForce 3D Vision automatically transforms hundreds of PC games into full stereoscopic 3D. Just slip on the stylish glasses and pair them with an NVIDIA® GeForce® GPU and a GeForce 3D Vision-Ready display to experience characters and environments come to life on the screen. In addition, you can watch 3D movies and 3D digital photographs in eye popping, crystal-clear quality."
Logitech Harmony 1100 Universal Remote
This 3.5", full colour, touch screen, rechargeable universal remote may indicate the new way of controlling A/V equipment has arrived. Unfortunately, its $500 price tag in a gloomy economy may deter its appeal to the general public for quite some time.
Powermat Wireless Charger
"Powermat is an innovative wireless charging / powering technology that allows users to charge all their electrical devices wirelessly and from a single mat, eliminating the need for multiple cords, adapters and plug strips. Utilizing principles of magnetic induction, Powermat transmits electrical power via an ultra-thin mat (which can also be embedded in, or overlaid on, a surface or wall) to electronic devices placed on it."
While the idea of charging devices wirelessly may seem handy, most devices still need adapters, which defeats the purpose of charging without cords.
Sony's Flexible OLED
Boosting 16.7 million colours, Sony's first flexible OLED display leads way to the next era of displays. Soon, you will see video graphics on places we have never dreamt of, perhaps even on t-shirts and books.
ASUS Eee Keyboard
How does having an entire PC system in your keyboard sound? Weighing less than 2 pounds, the keyboard combines wireless HDMI, Intel-based netbook specs, and a 5" touch screen. The idea is to use the Eee Keyboard in conjunction with a large LCD TV or display, surfing the web and what not. Very neat concept indeed. The keyboard will be going into production this year.
Flatwire 
From Southwire Co., Flatwire is a whole new solution to those ugly wires dangling down your wall-mounted LCD TV. Only paper thin, Flatwire allows the transfer of signals and electricity up to 120V household current. Flatwire can be pasted onto walls and even painted over, creating an illusion of invisible wires.
Linksys by Cisco Conductor DMC350
"Experience your music all around your home – sounding great and at your control, without wires. With built-in speakers, CD player, and color touch control screen, the Conductor / Wireless-N Digital Music Center is designed to let you play and command your digital music wherever you want in your home."
The DMC350, featuring a 7" Touch screen, is an all-in-one music system that transmits wirelessly! Looks very promising.
Razer Mamba Wired/Wireless Gaming Mouse
"The Razer Mamba features gaming grade wireless technology with a hybrid system that enables instant wired/wireless functionality. Coupled with an industry leading 1ms polling rate, it is the fastest performing mouse both on and off the cord. Delivering true wireless freedom, lag-free speed and ergonomic comfort, the Razer Mamba is in a league of its own."
Equipped with with a 5600DPI, 3.5G Laser sensor, and 1000Hz Ultrapolling™ / 1ms response rate, the Razer Mamba is now the most technically advanced mouse on the market, yes even trumping Logitech's soon-to-be-released G9x Gaming Mouse. Razer has dazzled us with its wired/wireless hybrid design.
LG Watch Phone
It's small, but it certainly does its job. The watch phone from LG is probably one of the most talked about devices in CES this year. Measuring only 1.4", the touch-screen watch sports most of the features you would find on your regular cellphone, including audio player and a camera!
Creative Zii
No, this is not another variation of Creative's Zen PMP. No, this is something that will revolutionize the world of computing. What is Creative Zii you ask? In one sentence to sum it all up, Creative Zii is a processor chip developed from stemcell technology that is super powerful, super small, super dynamic (intelligent), and super power efficient. This little gadget is definitely one of the most exciting, if not the most exciting, product unravelling at this year's CES.
Still confused? Check out this video.
For years the audio community has questioned and rumoured Sennheiser's successor to the company's flagship reference headphones - the HD650. Now the rumour has become a reality.
CES 2009, Las Vegas: Sennheiser announced the release of its master-class reference headphones - HD800.
The Sennheiser HD800 will feature:
- Open, circum-aural dynamic stereo headphones
- Natural hearing experience - realistic and natural sound field with minimal resonance
- Biggest transducers ever used in headphones up to today - new innovative dynamic transducer design
- Uncovered earcups for acoustic and stylistic reasons
- Ear pads made of special high-quality Japanese Alcantara
- Metal headband with inner damping element
- Specially tuned symmetrical, impedance matching cable with low capacitance
- Special high precision headphone connectors
The HD800 is listed with a MSRP of $1400.
Want to know how it sounds? Check out the first ever review on this pair of long awaited treasures.
