Showstoppers at CES 2013
January 8, 2013, ShowStoppers, Las Vegas—This off-show event showcases a number of companies in many product areas. Some of the new companies and new products stood out in the glittering array of new releases. Although not suffering as much as the rest of CES, many of the products were underwhelming. The large number of exhibits require agility, coupled with some sense of skepticism and cynicism, for navigation.
Black & Decker presented the an electric screwdriver that determines force and direction for the drive from motion sensors in the handle. The variable speed and direction information come from a twist of the wrist with a faster twist indicating more force. The screwdriver uses Li-Ion batteries to power the motor.
BodyMedia moves the activity and health tracker to a higher fashion plane. The
wearable multi-sensor device offers a choice of interchangeable jewelry- like faceplates, straps and cuffs for a fashion look. The monitors incorporate temperature, heat flux, galvanic skin response and 3-axis accelerometer sensors to get accurate measurements of calorie burn, exercise intensity and sleep patterns that affect weight as well as health.
BuQu offered an accessory case for iPhones and a separate case is available for Samsung Galaxy S III phones, that mates to a charging station. The case also enables data synchronization while charging, in effect, a wireless USB data and power cable.
Fujitsu introduced their latest document scanner that includes WiFi connectivity to enable direct scan to a smart phones. Another model for desktop machines supplies faster scanning speeds, a new feeding system, an intelligent and customizable Quick Menu, and functionality allowing users to easily scan to cloud-based services such as Evernote, Google Docs, Dropbox, SugarSync and Salesforce.
Mio announced a sports and fitness heart rate monitor that wears like a wrist watch. The BlueTooth monitor transfers data to a smart phone, and the associated app tracks the data over time. Data include workout timers, continuous heart rate display, and both at-a-glance and audible heart rate zone alerts for optimum workout efficiency and effectiveness. ALPHA also tracks last-run statistics including total run time, average heart rate and time spent “in zone” for target heart rate. The wired runner can now check on everything except where he is.
Moos Audio displayed a fairly good set off wireless, self-powered speakers. The speakers use a lossless, bit-accurate transmission of digital audio at up to 24bit/96kHz, and playback of all data rates up to 24bit/192kHz. The speaker systems use a software crossover to minimize phase and cross-over distortion. Other DSP functions work to compensate for housing edges and in-plane speaker alignment. The show units were about the size of a loaf of bread and packaged in shiny red plastic housings on metal stands.
NeuroSky showed off two brain-interface gadgets. Necomimi Brainwave Cat Ears moves according to the user’s mood. When something catches the user’s attention, the ears shoot straight up. When relaxed, the ears droop down. When both highly focused and highly relaxed –or “in the zone” — the ears will wiggle back and forth. The Puzzlebox Orbit is a mind-controlled helicopter. When the user concentrates, the helicopter rises in the air. When the user mentally relaxes, the helicopter returns to the ground.
Private Communications has a personal VPN application for smartphones and tablets. Apps for Win 8 phones and tablets will follow. The app encrypts data going in and out from the device in a public WiFi zone and send the data to a secure, independent site for decrypton and forwarding to the Web.
