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Gadget sampler
By DAVE GUSSOW LAS VEGAS -- Gadget clutter is getting some attention from the electronics industry that created all the gadgets in the first place. Expect to see more gadgets that do multiple tasks, and smaller devices as well. We walked a lot of the 1.2-million square feet of space at the Consumer Electronics Show here last week, and here are some of the new and upcoming products that caught our eye: * * * Unplugged: The Storm Shelter is not your ordinary surge protector. In fact, consumers will have to buy the gadget at a yet undetermined price plus pay a monthly subscription of $9.95 for it. The device will unplug up to nine devices connected to it when lightning is in the area. According to Storm Shelter president Dennis Page of Savannah, Ga., the system will use sensors that are part of the Storm Cell Wireless Network. When lightning is detected, a wireless signal is sent to the device. A user can choose to ignore a warning and leave everything plugged in or let the device automatically unplug. Skeptical? The gadget did get recognized for innovation at the show. Page also is aware of the Tampa Bay area's legendary lightning and promises his product will be available here at some point. But we're not among the first four markets he expects to start out with later this year. * * * It does it all: The Origami Mobile Communicator is like a Swiss Army Knife of gadgets: digital camera and camcorder, video conferencing terminal, Net access, e-mail terminal, digital photo frame, MP3 player, smart phone -- all in a funky device with a display that flips up and swivels. The conceptual model demonstrated at the show weighed a couple of pounds, but it's expected to lose weight before it hits the market, maybe by the end of the year, according to National Semiconductor. The early guess on the price is about $700. For the curious, check www.cocom.co.uk for more information. * * * Another handful: Just what we need, another handheld device. Well, the Zaurus SL-5500 from Sharp Electronics is one good-looking gadget with a color screen, fast processor and all the goodies handheld users have come to expect. It will hit the market in the first quarter. * * * From the frying pan: Yes, Tech Times does cooking, in particular the Smart Pan skillet from Digital Cookware (www.digitalcookwareinc.com). The skillet ($90 or $100, depending on size) communicates with the stove so the food is cooked just right. The handle has the tech hardware and readout built in. The only problem is that it doesn't yet have a smart stove to go with it. For all of us using un-smart stoves, the company says it will beep and flash when a particular food hits the right temperature. * * * A snap: Panasonic introduced a new line of digital cameras called Lumix. What's interesting is its partner: German lensmaker Leica. The top of the line model is a 4-megapixel camera that will cost $799 when it hits the market this quarter. For those waiting for more digital camera news, it will come next month in Orlando when most major companies will announce their new offerings at the Photo Marketing Association trade show. * * * Radio wars: Satellite radio is getting a lot of attention as a new technology, but so far it is mostly limited to cars. However, Jensen will roll out a portable boom box for Sirius Satellite Radio later this year. That adds an interesting angle to the competition between Sirius and XM, which is already broadcasting. XM has two Sony models that can be moved from a car to a house but are not portable. Of course, being the second horse out of the gate in a two-horse race would seem to be a disadvantage. But Sirius thinks it can make up for XM's head start. Sirius expects its service to be available in the Tampa Bay area about June.
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From Tech Times
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