Bill Gates, a.k.a. Rock Star
Bill Gates kicked off the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show, the largest trade show of its kind. Held annually in Las Vegas, the C.E.S. features 2,700 exhibitors and attracts more than 140,000 attendees. Gates, who told the audience it would be his last keynote as head of Microsoft, was joined onstage by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, now of the band Velvet Revolver.
Taking Flight
This “bug”—actually the $125 limited-edition Element Skateboard Vestalife Ladybug—doesn’t fly, but a music fan can always pretend. The Ladybug is a dock for iPods that features flip-out speaker “wings,” a built-in subwoofer, and a digital amplifier. The product will be available in February in both the limited edition and a $110 regular version.
Shutterbugs
Three views of the Exilim Pro EX-F1 camera, which Casio claims is the fastest burst-shooting digital camera, at 60 frames per second. Casio says the camera, which goes on sale in the spring for about $1,000, can also do high-speed video recording at 300 frames per second.
Ray of Light (and Sound)
Annoyed when your Bluetooth headset runs out of juice? Concerned about the environmental impact of too many gadgets that use electricity? Iqua hopes to lure such consumers with its solar-powered Bluetooth headset. The device is already for sale in Europe and goes on sale for about $100 this month in the United States.
Who Needs a TV?
Until recently, laptop users who want to watch TV shows have had to settle for recorded programming. But Pinnacle wants change all that with its new PCTV, which allows users to stream HD on their computers. The product sells for about $130.
Direction Finder
Let's say you've got a unique way of getting to your destination and you want to share your route with friends. What do you do? The people behind the TomTom Go 920 T navigation system hope you use their $600 product to update your map info so others can take advantage of your shortcuts.
It's All in the Box
With a 250-gigabyte hard drive, the Vudu box is designed to allow consumers to download movies and TV shows directly to their television sets with no monthly fees. Rented movies have to be watched within 30 days of a download and have to be finished 24 hours after being started. The device costs about $400.
