2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES)

We were two of the 140,000 people at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where more than 2,700 exhibitors showed the present and future in technology. Our impressions:

Cell phones are filled with an ever-growing number of capabilities. Your iPhone using the appropriate app (application program) allows you to check your home security system, control a home-wide music or TV system, turn lights on or off, set your heating or A/C--and much more--from anywhere you can get a cellular and/or a WiFi signal. Android phones promise similar capabilities soon.

The Apple iPad was everywhere, running about anything you can imagine. More than 70 other tablet computers were on display too; some available now in a variety of sizes, more coming soon.

Connected televisions are hot. These TVs “connect” to the Internet via a home wireless network or ethernet cable, showing streaming content from some major providers (i.e. Netflix and Pandora), or from your home media server or PC and can include photos, videos and music.

Excitement over 3D-TV has waned a bit, but we did see some new 3D-TV sets, and at least three companies introduced consumer level 3D HD camcorders. We’re not sure about wearing those 3D glasses; the promised glassless sets may help, but we were not impressed with the one we saw.

Other areas showcased products to monitor health and fitness and those designed for seniors and much more. We’ll cover these and more in future blogs. Check back soon.

Cure the Charger Tangle

Living the techno-life surrounds us with a tangle of wires for all our devices that need charging -- individual AC adapters for charging our cell phones, iPods, Bluetooth headsets, MP3 players and other devices. And multiple AC outlets for plugging in those adapters.

We’re using a simple solution: the Chargepod (www.callpod.com, $49.95), a hockey puck-size gadget that’s only 5/8 inches thick and sports six charging ports, all powered by just one AC adapter. Each port can charge any one of more than 3,000 different electronic devices by using a short (three-inch) type-specific adapter cord. The Chargepod came bundled with three adapter cords, one each for the most common electronics, and a certificate for one more free adapter cord of your choice. Additional adapter cords are $9.95.

The Chargepod also comes with a handy nylon zipper storage case, handy for travel and an optional car adapter is available.

Electronic Dictionaries

Electronic dictionaries are a terrific way to look up words--and much more--when you’re away from your computer/phone/PDA. These digital pocket-size devices also usually have other info, such as a thesaurus, translator, vocabulary list, games, and the like.

  

We’re using the Franklin Miriam-Webster Dictionary & Thesaurus (www.franklin.com), as a fun and easy reference source while reading by the fire, in the hammock and the like--you know, those analog times that we need regularly. Now when we run across a word we don’t know, we can  look it up on the spot, quick and easy--without trying to remember it for checking later.

Sharp also has a similar device, but we like the extra the options in the Franklin model we have. We check the biography and geography entries often and play the games while waiting in line. The five-language translation dictionary is very handy for our needs, but we think a bunch of people would like to have one of the four Spanish-English models available. Prices range from $20  to $80 for Franklin or Sharp devices. Both have many models, each with a variety of options, and are great gifts.