BostonPocketPC

OK we have seen MOXI at CES several time and we are still waiting for this product to come to fruition. We were promised by Digeo that we would see it this year in many different forms not only as a set top box, but as a software version similar to the ReplayTV software are offered with some Hauppauge cards, and as an extender. A beta was available back in December 2007 for a few of their products, but I never heard back from them. Hopefully these products aren't canceled too.

 

The MoxiMulti-Room HD looks like your standard Media Center set top box with a slot DVD player and a clock on it and it uses a cable card as its tuner.

A stand alone smaller set top box (the small silver box in the picture in the upper left) called the MoxiMate is a bit smaller and provides the same functionality of extending your media to another television over standard video Coax, no network required.

The MoxiMulti Home Cinema is the HD DVR recording device and server of the media to the extender units. It also supports cable card and has a nicer display and more of a stereo component look to it. It's storage can also be expanded via an external hard drive up to 1TB in size.

 

We have been waiting for the nice Moxi UI for a while we really love the HD icons for HD channels and content as well as channel logos for easy recognition of channels and networks. It also has games, stocks, weather, and sports scores accessible as well.

We just hope Digeo brings these to market. They made an announcement right after CES as to their current state of affairs here. Here is a brief excerpt and summary:

As a result of its updated product development direction, Digeo will not release some retail DMR products it had previously announced, including the delayed Moxi Multi-Room HD DMR and the Moxi Home Cinema Edition DMR. Instead, Digeo will focus on its next-generation consumer DMR, which Digeo has been developing at the same time as the cancelled projects. Details about Digeo’s new retail product will be announced later in the year.

We will just have to wait and see...

BlueAnt launched during the CES a couple of new products. One very interesting one is after the succes of the Z9 the new V1. The V1 bluetooth headset is using a new technology from Sensory called the BlueCenie Voice Interface.

 

 

 

The BlueAnt V1 Voice Controlled Headset allows users to easily control most functions of their headset using the revolutionary ‘BlueGenie™ Voice Interface*’ from Sensory, Inc.Talk to it – and it will talk to you. Ask it for assistance –and it will assist you in getting the right command. This headset eliminates the combinations of button pushes, button holds and flashing lights synonymous with advanced Bluetooth devices. One activation button provides you with total control of the V1’s entire function menu system via an easy to use voice interface.

The V1 also incorporates dual microphones allowing for BlueAnt’s patented Voice Isolation Technology™’, a revolutionary proprietary Digital Signal Processor (DSP) software solution.Voice Isolation Technology™ uses advanced techniques to separate theuser’s voice signal from all other sounds,enhancing and isolating all frequencies that affect voices coming into and out of the headset resulting in outstanding environmental noise reduction, echo cancellation and wind noise protection.Fitting into BlueAnt’s premium headset range, the V1 is small and lightweight and clips neatly onto a tie, shirt or jacket when not in use.

 

 Another great new product the have is the Supertooth 3 which is the follow up on the Supertooth light. I wasn't able to get the specifics yet. But don't worry they will come.

 

For motorcyclist they als have a new Blue Ant Interphone wireless headset. And as last they have demonstrated the M1 powerfull Bluetooth speakers.

These BlueAnt M1 gives hardened audiophiles the quality sound they have
been waiting for. Packing a mammoth 28 watts RMS, the BlueAnt M1 Bluetooth Stereo Speaker delivers phenomenal performance in a small stylish form factor. Its’ rich sound provides amazing body and balance to both low end bass heavy music and the subtle tones of an acoustic guitar. It displays the same great naturalness to soft intimate voices as in-your-face vocal
attacks. Today’s music lovers demand quality products and the BlueAnt M1 is engineered to enhance the lower midrange while maintaining crisp and clear high frequencies. Blueant have added an inbuilt powerful subwoofer that utilizes antidistortion circuitry, all of which results in highly detailed reproduction of any music type. Compatible with all A2DP enabled devices, cell phones, PDA’s, PC’s or Macs, the M1 is an easy to carry, take
anywhere device. Being wireless, portable and rechargeable the M1 can be used in the car, on the beach, and even as your homes main stereo system. Additionally you can plug in any MP3 player or iPod and get wired if you want.

 

For more information and all the press releases you can go to :http://www.blueantwireless.com/resources/media2.htm

At one of the press events during the CES. Pieker Acustic was showing of their Bluetouch at the Show Stoppers Event. This carkit has so many options with an easy to use interface. It requires an installation, but onces installed it will be so multifunctional and easy upgradable.

 

With BLUETOUCHmusic, the car door is open for any phone and MP3 player. The multimedia system from PEIKER acustic and ALAC supports all of the cult favorite cell phone’s functions. From telephony to music – all of the features can be operated conveniently and confidently via touch screen and voice.
 
Universality and ongoing optimization are the terms that best describe BLUETOUCHmusic. And rightly so: Free software updates published regularly on the homepage ensure that this development from PEIKER acustic and ALAC is always up to date. Its USB connection makes it all possible, enabling not only compatibility with the latest mobile phones, but also the integration of a whole spectrum of new functions. So it comes as no surprise that BLUETOUCHmusic is one of the first multimedia systems to fully support the Windows Mobile 6 devices and others. Users can talk on the telephone conveniently via Bluetooth, and thanks to the new software, rapid telephone book downloads via SyncML are now also possible. Another new feature is the telephone book search function. Any entry in the entire address book of the mobile phone that is hooked up can be found quickly. Depending on the mobile phone, a pop-up screen also indicates when a new SMS message has been received. Seamless communication is the guiding principle.
 
And yet the factor for which BLUETOUCHmusic is most popular is its music function: Users can play their favorite songs in MP3 format directly from USB sticks or SD cards. Those who prefer their music the old-fashioned way can connect their music sources using a 3.5-millimeter stereo jack. And the Bluetooth A2DP profile (if it is supported by the mobile phone) makes it possible to transmit songs directly and wirelessly to the car’s own stereo system.
 
BLUETOUCHmusic makes pulses quicken, particularly among fans of the Apple iPod. All of the current models, including the new iPhone, fit the specially developed interface. Once the device is connected, the user can use the touch screen or voice commands to browse titles, artists, albums, and playlists. The iPod or iPhone also charges at the same time. With features like this, you can feel right at home even in your car.
 
This is a multimedia car kit that supports almost any possible inputs.

 

For more information you can go to MyBluetouch.com

Aliph was at CES this year in many places, first at the Pepcom Digital Experience Event and as a host of the Concierge Tent at CES. Aliph offered free Jawbones to CES attendees for those that traded in their current headsets to see the difference and how well their technology worked.

   

There was quite a line at the Pepcom event, but we finally made it to the front of the line to hear the difference.

 

We paired up our headsets and could finally communicate amongst ourselves amidst the noisy crowd that gathered clambering to get into the event. Granted Jack Cook paired to someone else's phone and finally got it corrected after stepping away from the crowd of people pairing.

 

While waiting in line we ran into some friends: Mike Temporale from SmartphoneThoughts, Jack Cook from Experience Mobility and Mobility Site, Judy Lipsett and Jerry Raia from GearDiary, and Matt Miller from Geek.com (Joel Evans couldn't make it due to his expanding family- we missed seeing him this year), ZDNet, and The Mobile Tech Roundup.

Back to Aliph, they didn’t come out with any new headsets for CES, but were there to show off their popular Jawbone noise canceling headset. In a program specially made for CES, Aliph allows current owners of Bluetooth headsets the opportunity to switch out their current headset for a new Jawbone free of charge. This offer is available at the concierge desk at the Las Vegas Convention Center so if you are sick of your old headset and are looking try to see if the Jawbone is truly better than your current one you can stop by and see/hear it for yourself. The headsets that are being turned in will be recycled.

  

 

Inside the Concierge tent WILL.I.AM from The Black Eye Peas chats it up with Virginia Jamieson from Aliph. This was the first day and they accepted alot of headsets for free trade-in they had already emptied the bucket 4 times that day. Needless to say around CES there were alot of Aliph Jawbones being worn. :)

   

Also up on stage was Natasha Bedingfield and Pat Monahan of Train entertaining the crowds that gathered for the free beer and some relaxation from the show floor promoting the great work The John Lennon Bus has done over the past year allow children to experience and record music at events all across the country.

More info on the really nice Aliph Jawbones:

Choice of colors:
Available in black, red and silver, Jawbone retails for $119.99 at AT&T, Best Buy
and Apple stores as well as at exclusive boutiques Kirna Zabete in New York and
Colette in Paris and online at www.jawbone.com.

Features/Benefits Overview
You can watch a full demonstration and see Jawbone in action versus real life
noise situations at www.jawbone.com

• Noise Shield -Jawbone’s proprietary technology eliminates
  background noise, even in the harshest of environments.
• Voice Activity Sensor - Determines precisely when you’re speaking to
  separate your voice from background noise.
• Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
  Part of Noise Shield’s continuous optimization of incoming and outgoing audio for clearer
  communication on both ends.
• 30-foot Bluetooth Range Allows for wireless mobility and independence
  from your handset.
• Customize Your Fit A choice of 4 earloops and 4 earbuds ensures
  a comfortable fit for all.
• Ergonomic Binaural Headset Wear the customized headset on your
  preferred ear.
• 6 Hours Talk Time/120 Hours Standby Time/Extended periods of wireless communication
  allowed between calls.

Every year at CES we seem to bump into the dynamic duo of James Kendrick and Kevin Tofel our good friends from JKOnTheRun. This year when we were at the Lunch at Pieros event that is organized by Pat Meier Associates (for us it is one of the must attend events at CES) and we got to witness first hand on how they get their posts live in such a quick fashion.

 

Here is the post they were putting up on the new Everex gPC mini. James is using his HTC Advantage to take pictures and blog about what they are seeing right on the show floor, bringing people a virtual experience of CES live from the show floor. Kevin is verifying the post is live on his iPhone. When he didn't get coverage over AT&T Wireless Edge network, he switched to his Asus EEE PC with Verizon EvDO on a USB stick. His video of his son reviewing the EEPC was also highlighted in the Asus keynote this year at CES! For more on their gear used at CES check out this video.

At CES this year we had a meeting (we actual tried several) with the folks at RicaVision, but we never got to meet up with them due to conflicts in both our schedules. We did however get to see the remote, which is a slight change from the one we saw from last year in the Microsoft booth running Sideshow, making us all say "We likey" and giving us a choice between the Harmony One and the first Sideshow enabled remote on the market for a retail price of $349. We were told that the VAVE 100 is the first of 3 remotes, so more is to come.

 

 

Being a 50 foot IR remote and Bluetooth enabled remote you can control your Media Center PC with real-time album art updates on the remote, great for zone playing. Windows Vista Sideshow also allows for you to view headline news, weather, email , pictures from your computer, as well as play your desired music, get information on current movies in theaters and so much more.

The remote is slated to arrive in February of 2008 and is available for pre-order from their site.

Features

• 2.4 Inch QVGA LCD Display with 240X320 Resolution
• Universal Control up to over 20 Devices as well as Windows Vista PC
• IR Learning Feature with Easy Macro functions
• MCE Green button supported/with 4 media center buttons
• Built-in worldwide IR database with over 1500 brand names for easy device set-up
• IR and Bluetooth with Audio streaming
• Integrated docking cradle with RC6 receiver, Bluetooth transceiver and power charger
• Class 1 Bluetooth with up to 50 Meter Operating Radius
• Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Ion battery
• Scroll key with push select for Easy User Interface
• Backlit buttons for easy viewing
• Volume lock / channel lock
• International Teletext buttons

Bill Gates was interviewed by Nic Fillingham of on10 aka Channel 10, the morning before his last keynote as Chief Architect at Microsoft. The interview takes place in the Windows Press Pavilion which closes its doors except by appointment only. The press and partner tent contains the latest hardware sporting the Windows Vista operating system as well as their Live services. We were privileged as we were last year to visit the tent before the keynote on Sunday.

Most of the equipment in the tent has been seen before by us at a Microsoft event in NYC, except for the new Media Center Extenders from D-Link, HP, Linksys and Samsung as well as the Moneual Imagine PC Media Center PC that was seen at CEDIA back in September 2007. Well, that and a few other things was what we were talking to the product managers about in the background of the interview. See honey, Eric Hicks and I were really at CES and yes I guess I do talk with my hands alot! :)

To watch the video in its entirety check it out here.

For more on10 CES videos head here:

Touring the Windows Vista Pavillion

Bill's Last Day: The CES Keynote video

Robbie Bach @ CES 2008

New MS Surface Apps at CES 2008

Games for Windows at CES 2008

TV Tonic at CES 2008

Gibson Guitars at CES 2008

Zune Social at CES 2008

Enjoy!

At a media lunch on Monday the folks at Yahoo discussed the futures of Yahoo, some new features and services and what grabbed our attention was the introduction of a New Mobile Home Page and Yahoo! Go 3.0. In a series of announcements Yahoo! announced its strategy to enable and serve billions of multiple users by providing services customers, developers, publishers, and advertisers see eye to eye on. 

There were 4 points that they focused on:

1. The developer and publisher allowing them to move their services to the mobile market quickly at a low cost, with little work to provide rich content to hundreds of different devices via the Yahoo! Mobile Developer Platform that allows for Yahoo's popular Widgets to be ported to the mobile platform.

2. Building core indispensable mobile services that can be customized for the individual user like weather, Flight Tracker, Yahoo Answers, and Wikipedia. By visiting beta.m.yahoo.com from select mobile phone browsers, consumers can experience an open and customizable home page where users can personalize their mobile experience like never before.

3. Yahoo plans to setting the gold standard for the best mobile Internet experience across the widest range of devices and wants to be the number one portal for mobile devices ahead of Windows Live and Google. They plan on doing this through its personalized home page which was kind of there in version 2.0, but it is much better in 3.0. They also wan t the make the UI easier and faster for the user to use and of course through the use of Mobile Widgets from what we saw is a winner we just hope that the developers of the popular desktop Widgets that we have come to love will be ported to mobile handsets.

4. Lastly they focused on advertising for publishers to the fast-growing mobile audience. They gotta make some money right?

To check it out you can either head to mobile.yahoo.com and you can text message how to download the latest Yahoo Mobile Go! 3.0 beta to your handset or go to punch in get.go.yahoo.com into your handset's browser.

Logitech - unveiled a few new products at CES unveiled, the first is the Harmony® One advanced universal remote control, marking a significant leap in the evolution of the best-selling line of Harmony remotes. Offering the same one-touch, activity-based control as other Harmony remotes, the Harmony One makes controlling home entertainment even easier with a full-color touch screen, an intuitive button layout and an exceptionally comfortable user-friendly design.

  

Logitech’s research from users and beta testers came up with a 2.2-inch color touch-screen that uses capacitive technology, which responds to tiny electrical charges from the fingertips. Capacitive touch-screen technology is more durable, compared to touch screens that respond to pressure. The color touch screen provides control of any home entertainment device with an infrared receiver, including digital video recorders, high-definition televisions and many household appliances. Logitech wanted to go with an intuitive interface, I know my kids always try to touch the display on my 890 and the small buttons on the 890 were complicated and hard to press. The buttons on the Harmony One also provide individual tactile feedback that makes sense and allows you to use the remote with out even looking at it. The Harmony One remote’s touch screen can also display icons of specified TV stations for quick access to favorite stations.

The product has received the CES 2008 Design and Engineering Award: Best of Innovations in Home-Entertainment Accessories.The latest Harmony remote with touch screen for $249 that takes a step up by removing the square similar buttons on the 890 and bringing a recognizable tactile feel to the buttons. The back of the remote control also sports a larger contact area where the previous models didn't quite fit correctly when first placed. There is also a small magnet to draw the remote into the correct charging position. However dropped from the 890 is RF radio support, the Harmony one only supports IR.

Key Features
• Full-color touch screen gives you easy, one-touch access to entertainment activities.
• Sculpted, backlit buttons are easy to find and allow you to navigate your home-entertainment – even in the dark.
• New design fits comfortably in your hand so you can relax and enjoy your home-entertainment.
• Rechargeable battery means you don’t have to worry about the replacing batteries.
• Replaces up to 15 remotes, reducing clutter in the living room.
• Online database of more than 225,000 devices from more than 5,000 manufacturers
• Smart State Technology® allows the remote to track the power state and input setting of the various components it controls. With this technology, Harmony remote users can effortlessly switch between watching home theater

Harmony also had their popular MX wireless remote gyro-based mouse and a very cool small keyboard for Windows Vista Media Center PCs for $149 called the Logitech diNovo Mini not can it be only used for Media center functions it can also be used as a keyboard and mouse with a cover to protect from accidental key presses in case it gets lost in your couch cushions with your loose change and car keys. The diNovo Mini keyboard features backlighting and an innovative ClickPad, which can be used as a touch pad to point, scroll and click or as a directional pad to navigate menus and make selections. The mini-keyboard uses Bluetooth® 2.0 wireless technology for use from the sofa or anywhere in the living room, the funny thing is that it is PS3 compatible,but not Xbox 360 compatible so you can't use it with your Xbox 360 as an extender. Since it is Bluetooth enabled it can also be used with portable phone handsets, MIDs, Ultra Mobile PCs and Tablet PCs too. :)

Key Features
• Palm-sized mini-keyboard allows people to enjoy all the functions of a full-size keyboard and pointing device in a form factor that fits in the hand.
• Integrated, dual-purpose ClickPad can be used as a touch pad to point, scroll, and click – or as a directional pad to navigate menus and make selections.
• Rechargeable Li-ion batteries last longer than alkaline – up to one month between charges.
• Bluetooth® wireless technology provides long-range wireless control from a range of up to 30 feet (10 meters).
• Backlighting makes text entry and media center navigation effortless, even in low light. Two backlighting modes – one for media center control and one for cursor control.
• Media-remote mode indicates that that the ClickPad is functioning as a D-pad for navigating media and the direction arrows and OK in the center of the pad are backlit in green.
• Cursor mode is best for browsing the Web and using PC applications. The perimeter of the ClickPad glows orange.
• Keyboard keys are always backlit in orange.

Many thoughts are going through my mind after returning from the CES in Las Vegas. But as Steven Hughes here at BostonPocketPC is recapping the show in a few words that says it all.

"Evolutionary but not Revolutionary"

With many things to see nothing was that exciting that would give the vibes. A Lot of the technology out there was put towards new and good uses.

For example:
- Live HD radio captioned for the hearing impaired.
- Live video conferencing for the hearing impaired. Maybe next year they will probably be joining together and the hearing impaired will be able to conference with anyone in any way and it won't be a handicap anymore.

With the technology out there that we always wanted, this was the show where the applications using these technologies were able to catch up before a new technology will replace it and everyone can go back to the drawing board