Utilizing ASTEROID, an Android-based platform introduced last year at CES, Parrot is expanding its range of after-market connectivity solutions designed to integrate Internet functionality to the driving experience.
Devices range from a 3.2-inch dashboard mount model to a 6.2-inch central console replacement. All have wireless remote controls to mount to the steering wheel and are designed to access the Internet through a tethering cell phone or 3G key.
Parrot is currently developing applications to display the versatility of its devices, some of which include speed trap notifications and geolocation.
The company also stresses the open-source nature of ASTEROID and hopes it can be used to expand their app library as time passes. Along with Internet radio applications like Pandora, some of the devices are also capable of providing entertainment by capturing live TV broadcasts.
Parrot hopes to use the central console device as a base to expand to a multiple monitor entertainment system in the future.
Devices are expected to be available later this year, but no pricing has been announced yet.
Henry Ford technical fellow Jim Buchowski said his company plans to continue its pioneering role in the “smart car” space as a means of differentiating its product from those of other manufacturers by “creating new experiences for consumers.”
Ford will continue to take a somewhat platform-independent approach that sees the focus more on software and apps rather than hardware.
“Our approach will continue to be not building the technology into the vehicle, because once you’ve got a 3G modem built-on and 4G comes along, you’re stuck,” Buchowski said.
Initiatives Ford is showcasing at this year’s CES include onboard health monitoring devices that will help drivers with medical issues. Things like back-up cameras that can make it easy for one person to do things like attach a trailer hitch are also a focus.
These are extensions to technologies Ford has rolled out over the past two CES shows. SYNC, which integrates Wi-Fi hotspotting directly into the vehicles, allows the car to seamlessly interface with phones, mobile music devices and navigation systems (including voice commands) and MyFord Touch, which puts controls at the driver’s fingertips.
Ford is utilizing the Windows platform. At present there are more than 3 million vehicles equipped with SYNC.
Where to see it: North Hall, Grand Lobby, Lower Level, 2230
The Samsung SmartCam streams live footage to your smartphone, PC or Mac via a tiny camera and speaker combo.
The plug-and-play 1.3-megapixel webcam does not require any software pre-load (a very popular concept among manufacturers this year).
Features include sound- and motion-activated alerts, two-way talk, messaging, night vision and mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. Up to five viewers can access the feed at once.
Register as many units as you’d like to your personal account, authenticated through Samsung’s WPS-encrypted server.
Set to ship in March at $149 per unit.
Where to see it: Central 12004; Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase, LVCC Grand Lobby
Oregon Scientific is demonstrating its new ATCMini-S Action Video Camera, created to compete in the extreme sports space with wearable cameras such as the GoPro Hero.
The $150 camera is a mere 2.3 ounces and records 720p HD video at 30 fps.
The ATCMini-S is ruggedized with a silicone protective sleeve and waterproof to 65 feet.
The company says it tolerates temperatures 32-104 degrees.
They offer a hard shell helmet mount, handlebar mount and surf mount designed for recording action of extreme sports.
San Francisco-based Toktumi, Inc. — the company behind the Line2 app that provides second phone lines for iOS and Android smartphones — is now debuting a version that works with the iPad.
“It can make calls where AT&T’s signal is weak, like indoors. It can turn an iPod Touch into a full-blown cellphone. And it can ruin the sleep of cellphone executives everywhere,” wrote David Pogue of the original app in The New York Times.
The app uses new numbers or can port over existing local phone numbers. Users can make calls over Wi-Fi or 3G.
It is being marketed as a tool for small businesses that need a second line. It also includes a contact management organizer.
The $9.95 per month fee includes unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada, and unlimited texting (no contract required).
The manufacturer is billing it as a more professional-looking alternative to products like Skype and Google Phone because it uses traditional phone numbers. Also touting it as a “cheap” way to add a second line.
Where to see it: Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase, LVCC Grand Lobby
Wormhole Switch from J5create is a single USB cord that enables Windows and Apple computers to exchange files. There is also a version that connects Windows machines with Android platforms.
No software is required; the cord — priced at $24 to $39 — does it all.
Data transfer rates are USB 2’s standard 4.8 gigabytes per second, “so file size is limited only by the size of the hard drive. You can drag and drop a 1 terabyte file,” a company rep explained.
The Wormhole Station accomplishes the same thing via a docking device that also enables multiple units (like tablets and iPads) to share a keyboard.
Where to see it: Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase, LVCC Grand Lobby
Tobii Technology’s eye-tracking system enables you to control your computer with just a look.
After calibrating on your eyes, the Swedish company’s “gaze interaction” technology moves the cursor to the screen location where you are looking.
However, you still have to press the touchpad or click the mouse to trigger an action.
At CES, the company is demonstrating software connected to Microsoft’s Windows 8 so that attendees can demo its capabilities with games, Word documents and more.
Tobii plans to make the system available to the professional market — CAD, artists, etc. — in a year, and to the consumer market in two years. The company also has medical applications in mind for the technology.
MasterImage 3D is previewing a glasses-free 720p resolution 3D display for a 4.3-inch smartphone, 1280x800p resolution 3D display for a 7-inch tablet, and 1080p resolution 3D display for a 10.1-inch tablet.
The demos use MasterImage 3D’s Cell-Matrix Parallax Barrier proprietary glasses-free 3D display technology with Texas Instruments’ fourth generation OMAP system on a chip and Android 4.0.
Units being shown at CES will run content from MasterImage 3D’s content portal and 3D Media Player, an embedded digital 3D mobile storefront providing MasterImage display partners with streaming 3D content and e-commerce fulfillment.
National Geographic and Red Bull will be with MasterImage to discuss 3D streaming opportunities with OEMs.
Additionally, Verizon Wireless is demoing 1080p 3D streaming over its 4G network to prototype MasterImage 3D display technology.
Samsung’s new inTouch enables wireless Internet connectivity for HDTV sets at 1080p, allowing users to view YouTube, Hulu and other online content in big screen splendor.
The tiny Android device connects to a TV via a single HDMI cable (no software required) and syncs to the home Wi-Fi network.
It features a built-in camera and microphone for multi-user 720p Skype videoconferencing on a grand scale.
Comes with mini keypad that company reps are touting as a much easier browser interface than a remote control.
Expected to ship in March, priced at $199.
SlashGear has a 1-minute video demo from CES Unveiled.
Where to see it: Central 12004; Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase, LVCC Grand Lobby
The global market for consumer electronics will hit $1 trillion in 2012, topping the $983 billion of 2011, predicts research commissioned by the Consumer Electronics Association.
While growth of consumer spending is slowing in developed markets, and actually in decline in Western Europe, the focus for the CE industry has shifted to emerging markets, notably India and China.
Figures from GfK Boutique Research (for the CEA) showed the shift from developed to emerging markets. In 2008, 63 percent or $572 billion was spent in developed regions versus 37 percent in developing markets. By 2012, the comparative figures are 54 percent ($557 billion) versus 46 percent ($482 billion).
“The trend is clearly that developed markets will slip below 50 percent of worldwide spending on CE products in the next few years,” said Steve Koenig, CEA’s director of industry analysis.
The growth of 3D TV was described as “surprising” and an opportunity for the CE industry in 2012. The research suggested that 3D TV grew 9 percent in sales worldwide in 2011, with the highest penetration in China.
At CES, Broadcom will demonstrate system-on-a-chip components to build an Android-based set-top box that would feature DVR functionality from EchoStar and wireless “place-shifting” from Sling Media.
The new system would deliver OTT services alongside cable channels and, according to ReadWriteWeb, “could be the formula behind the phrase, ‘Goodbye, TiVo.'”
STB features expected to be demonstrated at CES: Android-based apps ecosystem enabled through a partnership with Myriad Group (maker of the Alien Vue), 3D environment for graphical on-screen program guides, built-in videoconferencing, interactive supplemental content (“similar to the BD-Live content on Blu-ray movie discs, by way of Adobe AIR for the Digital Home”), the ability to utilize expanded bandwidth to receive up to six simultaneous HD channels, and faster channel changing and scanning ability via a Broadcom standard called FastRTV.
“Existing OTT program services such as Google TV and Roku are already being integrated into Alien Vue; and to that end, Roku today announced its own partnership with premium channel Showtime for a kind of ‘previewing app’ for premium content,” notes RWW.
“Freshmen at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts spent the past semester playing an immersive card game, ‘Reality.’ Participants collected cards hidden across campus that were used as prompts for collaborative storytelling projects,” according to Wired. The school partnered with Ph.D. candidate Jeff Watson to produce the alternate reality game with a focus on media creation.
The game is described as “one part trading card game, one part media creation tool, and one part Web portal.”
“When USC pulled together a team to design ‘Reality,’ they had one goal in mind: to give incoming freshmen the opportunity to collaborate with other students and sharpen their skills before their sophomore year,” explains the article.
Prizes included class recognition, meetings with professionals such as Robert Zemeckis, internship possibilities and more.
A number of students stated the game was a highlight of their freshman year and they are sad to see it go. “I think the game was brilliant because it created an incredible space for experimentation and growth,” explains Allison Tate-Cortese, a Film & Television Production major. “It was brilliant because you felt safe because you can try things that were outside of your comfort zone, but you didn’t have to worry about a grade accompanied with it.”
For those interested in the results, visit the game’s archive of deals, where students explain each project. “Highlights include a special effects-ridden science fiction trailer, a satiric dramatization of students’ experiences with the project, and a game of live-action Minesweeper at IndieCade,” reports Wired.
We have an update to the Samsung Blu-ray news originally reported earlier in the week. The company is expected to demo a 7.1 channel Blu-ray 3D home theater system featuring column speakers with tilting cones that “vertically cascade” audio to the listener.
“Samsung‘s AirPlay-toting Audio Docks aren’t the only home entertainment kit the company has for CES; there’s also a three-strong line-up of home cinema speaker systems, ranging from 7.1-channel lounge-dominators to a slimline 2.1 speaker-bar setup,” reports SlashGear.
Wi-Fi connectivity via Samsung’s home theater system will allow access to Samsung Apps, Facebook and Twitter. According to the post: “Its functionality shared by the Samsung HT-E5500W 3D Blu-ray Home Theater System, a 5.1-channel setup with twin HDMI 1.4a inputs, iPhone/iPod dock, ‘Disc to Digital’ feature for ripping DVDs to digital copies (when the DRM permits it), and upscaling from DVD, streaming or other digital media to 1080p.”
No pricing available yet, but it may be announced in Las Vegas next week.
In its video review of the much anticipated RED Scarlet-X 4K camera, the team at Cinema5D has posted several impressive visual samples that illustrate capabilities of the new camera involving low light shooting and wide dynamic range imagery.
Engadget sums it up: “Native 4K recording? Check. A built-for-war body? You bet. Backordered despite a downright shocking $11,700 price tag? Most certainly. As with RED’s prior products, the Scarlet-X seems to be wowing just about every shooter lucky enough to come into contact with one.”
“The Scarlet-X boasts 4K video recording (4096×2160) at 25FPS, while 3K shooting brings the speed up to 48FPS, 2K can be shot at 60FPS and 1K doubles the speed again to 120FPS,” reports Electronista. “The Super 35-level sensor is also capable of shooting 5K stills at 12FPS continuous capture speed.”
Videos include: 4-minute demo of the camera and its features, 2-minute video shot in low light on the streets of Hollywood, and two additional videos showcasing the camera’s capabilities in various lighting conditions.
The Cinema5D post includes a complete breakdown of accessories used for the tests and a link to an evolving Scarlet-X buyer’s guide.
Utilizing ASTEROID, an Android-based platform introduced last year at CES, Parrot is expanding its range of after-market connectivity solutions designed to integrate Internet functionality to the driving experience.
