Home Theater In A Box
Sony surprised CES 2010 goers by announcing a 3D-capable Blu-ray Home-Theater-In-A-Box (HTIB) system. Key features of the Sony BDV-E570 include 5.1 home theater system, built-in Blu-ray player, 1000 watts of total power, Wi-Fi capable using the included USB dongle, access to the Bravia Internet Video platform (includes Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and NPR streaming capability), control using iPhone/iPod Touch, S-Air-ready (requires purchase of S-Air transmitter) and DLNA compatible.
Price - $550 when released in April

The Gaming Netbook
Dell is releasing the Alienware M11x this week. Dell says it will deliver “the graphics power of a 15-inch laptop in an 11-inch form factor.” They also say the M11x will be capable of playing games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which is unheard of for a PC this small and light. The base config includes an Intel Pentium SU4100 1.3GHz processor, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, a 160GB hard drive and Windows 7 Home Premium. Most notable is the new nVidia GeForce GT 335M graphics card with 1GB of graphics memory, which powers the 11.6-inch LED-backlit display.
Price - $799 for the base model (Upgrades include a Core 2 Duo SU7300 CPU for $100 more, 2GB more RAM for an extra $50, 8GB total for $350 extra and a 256GB solid-state drive for a staggering $570 more.)

3D TV
The tech trend that grabbed the most headlines at CES this year was 3D television, with several of the big TV makers (LG, Samsung and Sony, to name a few) unveiling new 3D-capable sets, along with announcements of expanded 3D home video offerings and even a few 3D TV channels. Most of these 3D TVs still require viewers to wear glasses – and there isn’t an industry-wide technology standard in place yet. TVs can do 3D without the glasses – the technology exists, it just needs to be refined. The first model to be put on the market is the Samsung UNC7000 series. You get one right now! It was the least-expensive 3D-compatible TV announced at the CES show. It uses an LED backlight, like most 3D-compatible LCDs. Unlike those of most makers, Samsumg’s models can convert 2D content to 3D.
Price - 40-inch ($1999), 46-inch ($2599), 55-inch ($3299)

ThinkSound Rain & Thunder Headphones
Go green while upgrading your lousy pack-in earphones with ThinkSound Rain & Thunder Headphones ($75-$100). Both pairs of headphones feature wooden bodies sourced from renewable sources, and come in recycled, bleach-free packaging with a cotton carrying pouch that’s sewn from renewable sources. Oh, and they sound good too, thanks to the Rain’s 9mm drivers that offer exceptional clarity, or the aptly-named Thunder’s 10mm drivers tuned to provide thumping bass.
Price - $75-$100

Wireless Gadget Charging
Powermat wireless charging systems unveiled their next-generation of products at CES, vastly broadening the number of gizmos that you’ll be able to wirelessly charge just by slapping them down on the Powermat, while also removing the added battery cover bulk, so that the size and shape of your electronics stay the same (with the exception of the iPhone, which will still require a snap-on case combo). The new Powermat line will be in stores in the coming months.

Sony Alpha DSLR
It might still be in the concept stage, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream about having a Sony Compact Alpha DSLR in our bag or pocket. Powered an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, these compact concepts also offer interchangeable lenses, DSLR-level controls, and full AVCHD video capability for high-quality HD video capture. Expect a fairly hefty price tag if/when these become available.

 

The XL Watch Phone
The XL watch phone is a very advanced piece of wrist wear. It has a built-in speaker that allows you to hear and speak with the caller without a Bluetooth or headset. XL voice recognition allows you to speak the phone number or speak the name from your phone book and it dials it for you. Create text messages by handwriting on screen and it converts it to text or you can tap information on the screen. Could this be any easier? Also, it makes talking and driving a lot safer. For more information, visit www.theinventionofthewatchphone.com.
Price - $300-$389

Asus NX90
The ASUS NX90 is not what people are normally looking for in a laptop in terms of size. It’s quite large with a full-sized keyboard surrounded by polished aluminum. There’s no visible trackpad – just the metal – and you have another trackpad on the right side. The Band & Olufsen heritage is abundantly clear: this is a high end machine. It has audio/video playback with Blu-Ray, speakers built into the sides of the screen that actually overhang like ears on the machine, Intel Quad Core i7, Audio Projection Technology, 1080p display and a ATI HD5870 graphics card. This is more for moving throughout your home rather than taking it out on the go. To stay up to date on the release, visit www.asus.com and click on their global site.
Price - $2499, release TBA.