CES Las Vegas 2008 - Powered by PodTech.net

Cool New Tools From Belkin

Michael Johnson — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:37:56 +0000

I’ve always loved the little devices that Belkin makes, especially for frugal geeks like myself.

In an earlier podcast with the Frag Dolls, we covered Belkin’s new game controller, and this time, Belkin’s Robert Naugle shows some of the other gadgets they’re releasing; like the Podcast Studio, which takes advantage of the iPod Voice Memo feature, and gives you stereo mics gain control, pro mic inputs and more, the N1 Vision, a smart router with sensible readouts and computerless setup, a Network USB Hub, and Flywire, their wireless HD transmitter. Check out these gag-a-widget-thing-a-mabobbs, announced at CES 2008 in Las Vegas.

Tags: belkin, ces 2008, gadget, ipod, CES, Robert Naugle, Voice Memo, Frag Dolls, BlogHaus, N1 Vision, Flywire

CES 2008: Do You Do DivX?

Michael Johnson — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:15:13 +0000

On the floor of CES 2008 in Las Vegas, PodTech’s Michael Johnson speaks with Bruce Lidl, PR Manager, DivX, Inc. about DivX. In this podcast, we’ll found out about the oft-cited but little understood codec: what it is, and how it is an increasingly used format for online, and in home video and audio entertainment.

Tags: Bruce Lidl, ces, bloghaus, cesbloghaus, DivX

CNET’s Needleman on His Views of Traditional Versus New Media

Jennifer Jones — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 07:28:18 +0000

Marketing Voices caught CNET’s Rafe Needleman at the PodTech BlogHaus at CES in January. In a candid conversation, Needleman shares his thoughts on how he views “traditional” versus new media. Jones and Needleman discuss the frustration of journalists who wish many of the bloggers had more academic training and knowledge.

Tags: CES, BlogHaus, CESBlogHaus, CNET, journalism, Marketing Voices, Rafe Needleman

The Reboot: CES 2008

Rio Pesino — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:01:55 +0000

The Consumer Electronics Show usually isn’t a big show for gamers, but this year’s event was expected to be different. CES dedicated more show floor space for its Gaming Showcase and there were even rumors that Microsoft’s Bill Gates would reveal a new version of the Xbox 360 at the event. Instead, gamers who attended CES were disappointed with no announcement of a new 360 and a Gaming Showcase that was lacking in video games. However, there were some major gaming annoucements made at CES. Sony used the event to promote new Playstation Portable applications and show off its most creative game yet, while Microsoft unveiled several new Games for Windows, including Turning Point: Fall of Liberty, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures and Space Siege. Texas Instruments also showed off its DualView technology, which could change the face of gaming forever. In this episode of The Reboot, host Rio Pesino gives you his take on what stood out at CES.

Tags: Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, Bill Gates, CES, BlogHaus, CESBlogHaus, DualView, Games for Windows, Gaming, Microsoft, Playstation Portable, PSP, Skype, Sony, Space Siege, Texas Instruments, Turning Point: Fall of Liberty, Xbox 360

Microsoft’s Xbox Live Blogger from CES

Robert Scoble — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:47:31 +0000

Larry Hryb is one of Microsoft’s most famous bloggers. He works on the Xbox Live team and visited the CES BlogHaus to talk about what he’s seeing.

Tags: Larry Hryb, Microsoft, Xbox Live, CES, BlogHaus, CESBlogHaus

Retrevo Gang: Report from CES, Part II

Robert Scoble — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:40:47 +0000

Andrew Eisner, head geek from Retrevo, the consumer electronics search engine, and Fred Davis, who helped start Wired Magazine, among other things, sit down for the second of two fun reports from the Consumer Electronics Show 2008 in Las Vegas.

Tags: Andrew Eisner, Retrevo, Fred Davis, Wired Magazine, CES, BlogHaus, CESBlogHaus

Cool new 3D search interface from CES 2008

Robert Scoble — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:31:16 +0000

One of the coolest things I saw at CES was SpaceTime.com, which brings us a 3D view of search and browsing. It is something you have to see to appreciate and Eddie Bakhash, CEO, gives us a great demo.

Tags: SpaceTime.com, 3D, Eddie Bakhash, CES, BlogHaus, CESBlogHaus

A little treat: my first girlfriend

Robert Scoble — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:17:28 +0000

While at the BlogHaus at CES 2008 I had a little surprise: my first girlfriend from high school showed up. I hadn’t seen her since 1983. She’s now director of marketing at Plantronics, and we have a fun chat about high school back in the 1980s with Fred Davis, the guy who helped start Wired Magazine, among other things. Fun conversation and a little personal too boot!

Tags: Fred Davis, Wired Magazine, CES, BlogHaus, CESBlogHaus, Robert Scoble’s Girlfriend

Intel at CES 2008: Go Off and Do Something Wonderful

Jason Lopez — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:00:03 +0000

In his CES keynote, Intel CEO and President Paul Otellini introduced the concept of virtual Smash Mouth, and with a nod to the slew of Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) on view on the massive CES show floor, as well as the newer, more powerful laptops and gaming systems on display, he made clear the significance of Intel’s 45 nanometer transistor technology. The bottom line, from Otellini’s keynote: “The Internet is going to come to us.” (more…)

Tags: Intel, Paul Otellini, Smash Mouth, Mobile Internet Devices, MIDs, CES, gaming systems, 45 nanometer

Turn your cell phone into a wifi phone

Robert Scoble — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:42:20 +0000

We met Nitzan Shaer, COO of Mobivox, on the floor of the Consumer Electronics Show, where he showed us his service that can be used to make very low-cost calls (often free) around the world from your cell phone.

Tags: Nitzan Shaer, Mobivox, CES, BlogHaus, CESBlogHaus

FragDolls kick boys’ behinds at CES

Robert Scoble — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:33:29 +0000

We sit down with Morgan Romine, aka Rhoulette, one of the leaders of an all-girl-gaming team named “FragDolls” with Fred Davis, one of the founders of Wired Magazine, among other things. We discover why none of the boys have been able to beat this team at CES 2008 in a fun discussion.

Tags: Morgan Romine, Rhoulette, FragDolls, Fred Davis, Wired Magazine, CES, BlogHaus, CESBlogHaus

In the BlogHaus with Seagate’s CEO

Robert Scoble — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:28:34 +0000

We met up with Seagate’s CEO, Bill Watkins, while hanging out in the CES BlogHaus that Seagate sponsored. Lots of fun and we get insights into what storage trends are coming at us in 2008.

Tags: seagate, bill watkins, ces, bloghaus, cesbloghaus

Mobile Internet Devices Make a Splash at CES 2008

Catherine Girardeau — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:00:25 +0000

Intel continues to develop smaller and smaller microprocessors, and to fit them into elegant platforms to run just about any kind of computer, from sophisticated server arrays to a brand-new class of ultra-portable devices, known as Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs). MIDs created some genuine buzz at CES 2008 in Las Vegas. Intel’s MID bar at the show was packed with consumers eager to get their hands on these ultra-portable devices, which Intel said combine performance, battery life and wireless connectivity to deliver the “full Internet in your pocket”. Adding everything you can do on your laptop or desktop to lifestyle features, like cameras, messaging, music and video-sharing, the seven brand-new MIDs at the Intel show will be manufactured by various Intel partners and are slated to hit the market by mid-2008. Intel MIDs are powered by the latest in Intel technology in a platform codenamed Menlow, based on a 45-nanometer microprocessor known as Silverthorn and a chipset codenamed Poulsbo. The Menlow platform will deliver state-of-the-art performance to an impressive variety of ultra-small devices, from iPhone-like touchscreen models from Aigo and Clarion, to devices resembling PDAs with slide-out keyboards, to some combination of the two, such as the Samsung, Toshiba, and Lenovo MIDs.

PodTech spoke with Warner Crocker, of GottaBeMobile.com, who posted his own report on the sixth iteration of Samsung’s Q1 Ultra Premium UMPC, (which features Intel technology), as well as Kevin C. Tofel, of jkontherun.com, which also covered Intel’s MID display in a post from the CES show floor.

Tags: Intel, microprocessors, server arrays, Mobile Internet Devices, MIDs, Menlow, 45-nanometer, Silverthorn, chipset, Poulsbo, Warner Crocker, Kevin C. Tofel

MacWorld 2008 and CES 2009: Steve Jobs’ Keynote Address Previews

Kevin Edwards — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:00:06 +0000

PodTech’s Jason Lopez and Kevin Edwards roamed the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show floor where it seems Apple rules–in certain product categories–without even being there. In this 18 minute podcast Kevin and Jason check out a few of the many products made for iPods/iPhones and talk about Apple at CES 2009 in anticipation of the MacWorld Keynote Address next week.

Also, Kevin spews his Mac-cult inspired thoughts on Steve Jobs delivering the keynote at CES 2009

See the Flickr photo set for this podcast.

Tags: Jason Lopez, Kevin Edwards, CES 2008, CES 2009, Consumer Electronics Show, Apple, iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, CES, MacWorld, Steve Jobs, Keynote

Tour of AMD’s booth at CES 2008

Robert Scoble — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:57:27 +0000

Here Stephen DiFranco, VP of Sales and Marketing at AMD, gives us a tour around AMD’s booth and shows us several trends that one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies is seeing.

(more…)

Tags: Stephen DiFranco, AMD, semiconductor

Retrevo Gang: Report from CES, Part I

Robert Scoble — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:45:40 +0000

Andrew Eisner, head geek from Retrevo, the consumer electronics search engine, and Fred Davis, who helped start Wired Magazine, among other things, sit down for the first of two fun reports from the [tag]Consumer Electronics Show 2008[/tags] in Las Vegas.

Tags: Andrew Eisner, Retrevo, Fred Davis, Wired Magazine, CES, BlogHaus, CESBlogHaus

Wireless Charging with Powercast

Brad Baldwin — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:02:27 +0000

Powercast’s chief inventor and CEO John Shearer is pitching manufacturers on a wireless vision: a world where gadgets and devices are powered and charged without all the hassle of wires. The Powercast Wireless Power Platform includes a Power Caster and a Power Harvester. The Power Harvesters are attached to something like an iPod or cell phone and can draw power from Power Casters by bringing the device within close proximity. Powercast was shown off at CES 2007 and now in 2008 they have added more wattage. Hopefully for those of us who hate packing chargers and attaching wires, Powercast will find partners that can leverage their platform.

Tags: CES, John Shearer, Powercast, wireless, CESBlogHaus, BlogHaus

Jamming with Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker

Brad Baldwin — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:49:29 +0000

Know one of those guys who is always acting like he’s strumming the air guitar while listening to music? Well then this $29.99 toy is the perfect gift, the Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker.

Not only is George a sales guy working the CES floor, he’s also an accomplished air guitarist capable of riffing just like Tony Iommi or Eddie Van Halen. The Air Guitar Rocker comes with 10 tracks that are loaded on a cartridge — certainly a model to support expansion for new genres or additional songs. Take the special pick and wave it in front of the Air Guitar Rocker’s Flying V belt buckle and out screams the distorted guitars. Match your strumming to the correct tempo, and you’ll play a perfect “More Than A Feeling” solo, just like Boston’s Barry Gooudreau.

Tags: Air Guitar Rocker, Brad Baldwin, CES, Guitar Hero, Jada Toys, music

CES 2008 Recap: Microsoft adds ABC and MGM to Xbox Live

Rio Pesino — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:39:04 +0000

Rumors were circulating that Microsoft’s Bill Gates would unveil a new version of the Xbox 360 during his final keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, Gates and Robbie Bach, the president of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division, announced a new deal with Disney/ABC and MGM to bring new content to Xbox Live. MGM movies expected to become available on XBL include The Terminator, Platoon, Silence Of The Lambs, and Rain Man. Disney-ABC is expected to add popular shows such as High School Musical, Lost, and Desperate Housewives to the service. In this episode of The Reboot, Gates and Bach reveal the increasing popularity of the Xbox and also rock on with Velvet Revolver’s guitarist Slash on Guitar Hero.

Tags: Microsoft, Bill Gates, Xbox 360, final keynote, Consumer Electronics Show, Robbie Bach, Xbox Live, The Reboot, Guitar Hero

Cyrstal Clear Calls with ClearOne

Brad Baldwin — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 09:42:46 +0000

ClearOne, a Salt Lake City-based company, holds a majority of the global market share in the professional audio conferencing systems category. It should come as no surprise that their conference phone products for the desktop and individuals wouldn’t include significant technology enhancements that set them apart from the “el’cheapo” models you see on eBay. With full-duplexing, noise canceling, noise reduction, high-quality microphones and industrial design to enhance a voice, ClearOne products pack the best in audio technology.

Brad Baldwin learns about ClearOne from Kurt Olsen during the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Olsen shows off the Chat 50, which lets the mobile executive place calls via her cellphone or plug into a laptop via USB for Skype or softphone use.

Tags: audio, Cellphone, CES, ClearOne, conference call, Skype, softphone, bloghaus

GM’s Rick Wagoner at CES

Matt Kelly — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:50:05 +0000

During CES, GM’s Chairman Rick Wagoner spoke with a group of bloggers and journalists.

Tags: CES, GM, Rick Wagoner

Pack a 62 Inch Monitor in Your Briefcase

Brad Baldwin — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:44:36 +0000

When you hit the road and can’t squeeze your 62 inch monitor into your briefcase, you may want to reach for your Vuzix iWear. So if you’re watching a movie on your laptop or iPod or looking to join multiple friends in a first-person shooter game, Vuzix delivers a big experience with a mobile form factor. For gamers, the glasses-like displays will provide video, audio, microphone and even 3D sensors that allow you to move an on-screen character’s field of view by moving your head.

Paul Travers, CEO of Vuzix, talks with Brad Baldwin from the show floor of 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) about the products and the awards they have received.

Specs for the Techie:
- Virtual 62” screen viewed from 9-feet
- Advanced Video Frame Buffers, allowing for up to four 62 inch virtual screens
- iWear 3D Enabled for automatic 2D/3D control as well as field sequential 3D video files
- Twin high-resolution 640×480 (920,000 pixels) LCD displays
- Flicker free 3D video support for most field sequential 3D video files
- 32-degree field of view
- 24-bit true color (16 million colors)
- 60 Hz progressive scan update rate
- Removable, integrated speakers
- AccuTilt viewer with 15 degrees of angle
- Console Video Splitter with NTSC, Component & HDMI video in and out.

Tags: CES, BlogHaus, Display, iWear, Paul Travers, Vuzix, Wearables

BlogHaus and CES 2008: A Flying Success

Michael Johnson — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:41:48 +0000

The final stretch for CES revealed bleary eyes from late night parties, cheers for Scoble as he appeared on CNBC, and a rocking good time at BlogHaus. In this installment we get to see rapping about memory chips, amazing flat panel TVs , new technologies for wireless home entertainment from Belkin, and the final results from Intel’s green screen booth. Thanks to all who participated and made it a success: Karl and Jimmy of the Bellagio bar staff, Maryam Scoble, Margie, and all the others who staffed the Bloghaus door, Valerie Cunningham of PodTech for being Valerie, San Key Sa for great camerawork, Mogulus for streaming, and special shout outs to John Aguilar of PodTech and Elizabeth Wallis for organizing the whole crazy ball of wax, Faisal Quadri, and Ken for the amazing bandwidth, Kevin Edwards and MK for keeping the content flowing, to John Furrier for creating the concept, and to Seagate for sponsorship. See you next year! Safe flights home to all.

ScobleWatcher: All Scoble All the Time (but in Less Time)

Tom Foremski — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:44:39 +0000

Next week I’m launching ScobleWatcher.com - the ten minutes of Robert Scoble you need to see each day

Robert is an extraordinary and tireless media producing machine. He would run 24/7 if he could, and he sometimes does.

Here are a couple of days of Robert at CES2008 in Las Vegas and the PodTech BlogHaus, (which was a great place to hang out…)

The Reboot: One-on-One with the Frag Dolls at CES

Rio Pesino — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:03:03 +0000

The Frag Dolls are showing off their gaming skills at CES 2008 and paid a visit to The Reboot. In this episode, host Rio Pesino has a Q-and-A session with Frag Dolls member Roulette at the PodTech Bloghaus. She gives her thoughts on what stood out at CES, Skype on the Playstation Portable, the success of Xbox Live and why Rock Band is better than Guitar Hero.

Tags: BlogHaus, CES, CES 2008 Las Vegas, Frag Dolls, Guitar Hero, Playstation Portable, Rock Band, Roulette, Skype, The Reboot, Xbox Live