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Bleeding Edge 078: CES 2007 Video: SlingCatcher Profiled by Sling Media

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Broadband, CES, CES 2007, Features, Home Entertainment, Movies, PC / Laptop, Storage, Videocasts, Videos,

Read More | The Bleeding Edge

Gallery: Bleeding Edge 078: CES 2007 Video: SlingCatcher Profiled by Sling Media

Bleeding Edge 077: CES 2007 Video: Hands-on with Ojo Video Phones

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Broadband, Cameras, CES, CES 2007, Features, Smart Home, Videocasts, Videos,

Read More | The Bleeding Edge

Gallery: Bleeding Edge 077: CES 2007 Video: Hands-on with Ojo Video Phones

CES 2007: MediaREADY MC Media Center

Posted by Chris Cardinal Categories: CES, CES 2007, Features, Home Entertainment,

Description MediaREADY showed us their Linux-based MC Media Center. While the face looked a bit like an 80s VCR, complete with old-school, flashing-twelve LCD clock, the concept and software seemed pretty neat. The specs are… just a bit lackluster: 200 GB hard drive, (just) 512 MB RAM, built-in ethernet and wifi, and a whole host of inputs and outputs. It’s able to record DVDs, and has a somewhat decent software set, including VOIP while watching shows, AIM, email, and basic web browsing… But it’s retailing for $899, doesn’t support CableCard, and no matter what, you can bet its interface loses to TiVo.

Ships Q1, $899.

(Edit: The pic shows two units, the top one reversed, if that wasn’t clear.)

Gallery: CES 2007: MediaREADY MC Media Center

CES 2007: LaCie Hub, Alien Flower USB Hub

Posted by Chris Cardinal Categories: CES, CES 2007, Features, Peripherals,

Description LaCie announced, among other things, a peculiar, albeit original USB hub, called simply, Hub. (Hot, we know.) Hub is in the shape of a bomb from Mario 64, used as a flower pot. Each of the flowers (yes, the flower cutouts are included) are a USB 2.0 or FireWire port (4 USB, 2 FireWire). The Hub comes with a USB light and fan, so you can make some use of it (and perhaps give it some purpose) right out of the box.

This is definitely marketed towards perhaps the college-girl-in-a-dorm demo, but a lot of folks might find it brings an organic, other-worldly touch to their desks. $79.99 and available for pre-order, set to ship later this month.

Gallery: CES 2007: LaCie Hub, Alien Flower USB Hub

CES 2007: WildCharge Device Charging Platform

Posted by Chris Cardinal Categories: Smartphones, CES, CES 2007, Features, Peripherals,

Showstoppers brought us something we’ve been dreaming of for a very long time: A pad you can drop all your devices that need a charge onto, without dealing with various wall-warts or cords or cables.

The WildCharger is a pad that works on induction—it’s a very thin pad, and though it requires a bit of modification to your device, (or a device-specific thin-cradle you slide your phone/pda into) the concept is definitely promising. Spills don’t phase it, and you can touch any portion of the pad without having to worry about getting shocked. They even had a modified PSP, which allows you to charge it simply by putting the PSP on the pad—no cradle needed.

The pad will come in a regular and mini sizes and will sell for $100 and $40, respectively, with the added benefit that you don’t use any power when no devices are on the pad. (Modern wall-warts still drain power, even without your cell phone plugged in.)

If they’re able to keep compatible cradles up and cheap at a regular clip, this could be a great solution for the gadget geek with six cell phones. Available first half of this year.

Gallery: CES 2007: WildCharge Device Charging Platform

CES 2007: Hands On With Ambient Devices’ Rain-Sensing Umbrella

Posted by Chris Cardinal Categories: CES, CES 2007, Design, Features, Peripherals,

Description Ambient Devices showed off their rain-sensing umbrella. When it sees rain, snow or sleet in the forecast the handle will pulse blue. The pulses are indicative of the severity, but it’s intended to be subtle and inferred, rather than a documented value.

Some great details: The system operates on a passive long-range radio signal. The umbrella wakes up to check the forecast every 15 minutes, and the battery will last 9 months long on a standard cell battery. The passiveness of the system is brilliant, because it requires absolutely no wifi or internet connectivity whatsoever—coverage is provided almost everywhere in the US for this, and all you have to do is set up your zip code from their web site, once. The umbrella will retail for about $99, and they’re looking for a retail partner, but expect to have one by Q2 this year.

Downsides? I live in Phoenix.