Image Gallery: Mobile gadgets and gear at CES 2008
The REDFLY Windows Mobile Companion was probably the most interesting piece of mobile tech I saw at Digital Experience!
The 80-key keyboard is small and compact, but seems to be quite usable and is MUCH better than trying to enter lots of data on a small screen.
The Parrot RK8200 is a Bluetooth car kit that has a removable faceplate that reveals a compartment where you can store your USB flash drive or iPod and connect it directly to your car stereo. It looks like Parrot is trying to get rid of CDs in cars.
Here is a shot of the Parrot RK8200 with the faceplate installed and covering the connected MP3-compatible device. These units will ship in early 2008.
Here you can see a 3D view of Las Vegas on the iPAQ 310. Watching the unit move through the city is impressive and gives you a real feel for what is actually happening as you drive your car.
The iPAQ 310 is based on Windows CE and supports other functionality such as MP3 playing and Contacts. The 600 MHz processor and beautiful 4.3 inch touch screen makes this a compelling navigation device.
I was given an HP iPAQ CES Navigation kit that contained an HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion to evaluate for the blog. Look for a full review after a couple of weeks of testing and trials.
The HP CES Navigation kit contained more than the HP iPAQ 310, including some essential travel items, slim alarm lock, HP backpack, and more.
The LG Voyager felt very solid in my hand and I liked the ability to switch between a touch display and a full QWERTY configuration.
Part of my quest at CES is to find the best Bluetooth headset, including a Bluetooth stereo A2DP model to use when working out on the elliptical machine. Feel free to send me any suggestions you may have as I continue my hunt.
The Dash express navigation device is built on the Neo platform from FIC, the parent company of OpenMoko. OpenMoko is the Linux-based mobile phone.
Last year all I saw was a plastic shell of the NEO 1973 and this year there was actually a working model to try out. A version for the public will be launching soon too.
The home screen of the OpenMoko NEO 1973 shows a large clock with application icons along the bottom of the display.
The BlueAnt Z9 is a completely voice-controlled Bluetooth headset. For example, with your voice you can pair the device with your phone and more.
The BlueAnt Z9 is available now for a retail price of US$129.
This non-Tablet Lenovo X61 is much sleeker than I thought and is a very compelling mobile device.
A close up shot of the keyboard on the compact X61 laptop.
The super sleek Lenovo F11 laptop has some very cool design elements like the red color, etched top, custom fan openings, and more. The display is also flush with no bezel and looks slick.
The device will come with a red or black top and both will have the etched designs.
The openings are cool and add a touch of uniqueness to the device.
The buttons have some flair and design as you slide your finger across the top of the keyboard.
The Tablet version of the Lenovo X61 is a bit larger, but is still quite portable and a compelling device.
There are a few modules available at launch, such as a display, digital camera, GPS, and accelerometer. There are 81 modules under consideration and with the fully hackable nature of the hardware more modules will probably be coming from the public.
The Bug Labs modules are plug and play and are a mobile geek's playground. There are some reduced prices now for early adopters as well.
Garmin has several GPS devices available and the higher end models have integrated MSN Direct service.
Since the last time I evaluated the Garmin GPS units the functionality of MSN Direct has been improved to provide a better service to customers.
I listened to a comparison audio file of the EtyBlue vs the Jawbone and was AMAZED by the audio quality of the EtyBlue. I plan to evaluate this headset and try to see if the audio quality is as awesome as I heard in the audio comparison test.
The EtyBlue has a removable boom and can be used with or without the boom. Audio quality was MUCH better with the boom and the boom seemed well implemented.
It seems like Streets & Trips, but this GPS module and software allows you to geotag your photos (using time tag syncing) and upload them to various sites like Google Maps.
There are very few dedicated PDAs left in the market, but Pharos continues to make them with integrated GPS receivers. There is also a model with GSM phone functionality that actually has T-Mobile as a partner.
The Archos 605 WiFi felt great in my hand and seems to be a high quality device. The theme of Archos is Surf-Stream-Download-Record and they make some slick players.
The cradle allows you to connect to your television. Archos also announced their new Archos TV+.