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Consumer Electronics Show is highlighted more by upgrades than innovations
[January 06, 2006]

Consumer Electronics Show is highlighted more by upgrades than innovations


(St. Petersburg Times (FL) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Jan. 6--LAS VEGAS -- There's a smattering of nifty ideas making the rounds at the annual International Consumer Electronics Show this week. Like a device that uses veins, not eye or finger scans, for identification and a backyard astrology kit that uses GPS to track stars.



But much of the electronic wizardry on display at the giant trade show has a decidedly familiar look: they're simply next-generation products, tweaked and upgraded. In search of bigger plasma TVs? Samsung bragged about an 80-inch giant, until Panasonic one-upped it with a 103-inch doozy. MP3 digital music players? By the bushel.

That won't dissuade consumers from buying. Sales last year totaled about $126-billion, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. And this year should grow to more than $135-billion, a smaller percentage increase but healthy nonetheless.


The scope of the trade show is a testament to that buying power. And with more than 2,500 exhibitors spread out over space the equivalent of 28 football fields, there's bound to be something to interest almost everyone.

Among the interesting items on the horizon are high-definition DVD recorders expected as soon as March.

Here are some highlights from this week's show. Availability and pricing were not always released:

--THINK PINK: Okay, so computers have lost their luster in recent years. Yet, how about a special edition notebook in pink leather? Or one designed with Lamborghini as a partner? That's what ASUS Computer International showed off. Only 50 to 100 of the pink ones will be made. No pricing was available, but the company says the computers should be on the market in the second quarter.

--WORK AND PLAY: Cubicle dwellers, be envious. The Netthrone from EMA, Innovation LLC is a stylish work station, complete with a vibrating and reclining seat, and room for a computer or video game system. It's expected to be available in March for $2,495.

--YOUR BODY, THE JOYSTICK: The Exer-station from Powergrid Fitness (www.exerstation.com) should take the worry out of video games turning players into couch potatoes. It's a seat that makes the player use his body to control the game (and a rep says it works with all games). It's expected to go to market in February at $199.99.

--SEEING DOUBLE: Point-and-shoot digital cameras traditionally have one lens. Kodak breaks the mold with the EasyShare V570 ($399, expected this month). It has two lenses, a wide-angle 23 mm and a 39-177 mm zoom.

--TURN THE (NET) RADIO ON: Infusion showed what it says is the first portable Internet radio ($199, second quarter). The MP3 player-sized device will work at Wi-Fi hot spots and on a home network, playing online radio stations.

--UP IN THE SKY: Backyard astrologers can rejoice. The Celestron SkyScout, called a personal planetarium, uses GPS technology to help identify the stars and constellations.

--GETTING UNDER THE SKIN: Eye and finger scans for identification? Yawn. Fujitsu Computer Products' PalmSecure device uses vein authentication. No price or availability was released.

--POWER TO GO: Road warriors need too many chargers for their mobile gadgets. A number of companies showed off ways to cut the clutter. The Fusion Solar Messenger Bag from Innovus Designs recharges notebook computers with, as the name says, solar power.

The MFUEL line from Blackstone International LTD works with any make of portable gadget and lets people recharge two devices at once. In addition, its Power Bank works as a backup power supply. Prices range from $20 to $349, and they should go on sale soon.

--TWO FOR ONE: Samsung added a 2-megapixel digital camera and speaker to its YP-D1 MP3 player, while Fuji included a few simple video games on one of its new point-and-shoot cameras.

--LAST, BUT NOT LEAST: Any PR pitch that includes "hands-free" and "motorcycles" grabs attention. For those upset by people who drive and talk on a cell phone, you might want to stop reading here. Cardo Systems planned to show off a device that allows motorcyclists "to use cell phones at high-speed driving conditions with little to no wind interference."

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