Consumer Electronics Show has gadgets galore
BY ROBERT EVATT World Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
1/08/13 at 7:25 AM
Read about the Consumer Electronics Show and find past tech product reviews from the World’s Robert Evatt.
Related Story: New and unique gadgets at CES
LAS VEGAS - The 2013 edition of the largest tech show in the world kicked off with a teaser of the best to come.
Solar chargers, speakers, weather radios, wireless accessories, medical devices, toys and much more were on display at the Consumer Electronics Show's Unveiled event, held Sunday night at the Mandalay Bay casino in Las Vegas.
Every company invited to display at the relatively small gathering were given awards for innovation by the Consumer Electronics Association, the organizing entity for CES.
These companies, both gigantic and tiny, were chosen from the thousands that will display their wares during the main part of CES, which begins Tuesday in the Las Vegas Convention Center.
George Sadler, a representative for the iGrip line of smartphone and tablet grips, said winning an innovation award from the CEA can be a huge boost for a startup.
"There's a lot of recognition and clout that comes with this," said Sadler, a 30-year veteran of the show.
Although the innovation awards were spread over a wide variety of categories, two of the most notable new products were focused on cars.
Chevrolet representatives demonstrated the company's new MyLink system, a touchscreen panel for controlling media functions that also connects wirelessly with smartphones.
In addition to sporting a strong visual component for voice-activated dialing and music controls, vehicles equipped with MyLink also will have a button on the steering wheel dedicated to Siri, the voice-activated assistant built into newer iPhones.
MyLink includes an app called TuneIn, which allows the vehicle to play more than 70,000 radio stations from across the planet.
Also at the event, Delphi and Verizon Wireless announced a partnership on a device that adds smartphone controls and tracking to any vehicle.
Vehicle Diagnostics by Delphi will allow motorists to remotely lock, unlock or start the car from nearby or remote locations.
The device also uses GPS to locate the car, and it can be set to send text alerts if the car is detected to go over a certain speed or leave specified locations.
Vehicle Diagnostics plugs into the diagnostics port of most cars that have been manufactured in the last 16 years. A price hasn't been specified, and the service will carry a monthly fee through Verizon.
On Twitter: @RobertEvatt
Original Print Headline: Technology teasers
Robert Evatt 918-581-8447
robert.evatt@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
A smartphone continues to operate while submerged in a tank Sunday at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. HzO Inc. has developed a polymer that protects phones from liquids. See the details about this and other products on E2. ROBERT EVATT / Tulsa World
A spectator stops to take a photograph of a Sharp Corp. television on display Sunday at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. DAVID PAUL MORRIS / Bloomberg
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