The tents have been put away and the exhibitors have all gone home, but many tech lovers are hoping the effects of the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas will be long-lasting. This year, they just might. Breaking away from the fantastical CES items of the past, most electronics companies chose to unveil smaller, multi-functioning devices that could have more bang for the struggling consumer's buck. As our GPS reviews show, most tech shoppers are looking for all-in-one items to make their lives more efficient and cost effective.
Our favorite items from CES 2009 are practical gadgets with a good chance of selling for reasonable prices. Check out our slideshow of some of the best at CES 2009, or read more about these seven toys below:
Smartphone: Palm Pre
Palm Pre
The industry's favorite debut came from Palm, Inc on day one of CES 2009. The Palm Pre's strongest assets lie in improving the chunkiness and inefficiency of Smartphones of the past -- so well in fact, that CNET awarded the phone its "Best in Show" and "People's Voice" Awards for 2009. The sleek Pre will be available with Sprint service. It has has eight gigabytes of on-board memory and supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS functionality. No word yet on pricing, or when to expect the Pre's release.
Netbook: Sony Lifestyle PC
Overnight, the netbook has become of the most sought-after gadgets, and at this year's CES the fairest of them all was Sony's lifestyle PC. Sony shies away from calling its VAIO VGN-UX180P a netbook, but at 1.4 pounds and one-inch thick, this item's $899 list price is the only thing un-netbook about it. The Lifestyle PC runs on Windows Vista and has a 1.33 GHz Intel processor with a battery that should last up to four hours. The Lifestyle PC also features built-in turn-by-turn GPS technology, and can hold 60 GB worth of your stuff. Unlike some of other white-hot items, the Sony Lifestyle PC is available now and comes in red, green, black and white.
GPS: TomTom GO 740 Live
TomTom GPS was one of the few GPS manufacturers to introduce a new product this year by tapping into the increased connectivity and convenience drivers are looking for. The TomTom GO 740 Live will be the company's first Internet-connected GPS, and will pair some familiar brand features like IQ Routes and Map Share with cutting-edge extras like real-time traffic, fuel price services and local Google searches. But with an expected list price that hovers just under $499, you should keep in mind the GO 740 Live will cost more than the two other Wi-Fi GPS, the TeleNav Shotgun and the now discontinued Dash Express. The 740 Live should be available for purchase by the spring of 2009.
MP3 Player: Iriver P7 PVP
P7 PVP
Iriver isn't as prolific as Apple with digital audio players, but some experts find its products are just as inspired. Plus Iriver's new MP3 portable has a clean design with which iPod lovers can identify. The P7 PVP is controlled by a 4.3-inch, 480 x 272 resolution touchscreen and has a maximum 16 GB of space for holding music, video and photos. It also features an integrated FM tuner for listening to your MP3s in the car. Neither pricing nor an arrival date has been released for the P7 PVP.
Portable Blu-Ray: Portable Panasonic DMP B15
Techies are more impressed with the idea of a portable Blu-ray than with the actual product soon to be released by Panasonic. However, the DMP B15 could be a good investment as it can be used on-the-go or in your home, thanks to an HDMI output that will allow you to plug it into your television set. On the downside, this Blu-ray's battery will only last about three hours, and with its smallish 8.9-inch screen, the benefits of Blu-ray will be less obvious. The DMP B15's pricing and availability is still to be determined.
HD Camcorder: Kodak Zx1 Pocket Camcorder
Even the pocket camera has gone HD. Just in time for CES, Kodak launched its perky Zx1 camcorder, which can record up to 10 hours of 720p HD videos. Available in a variety of colors and selling for just under $150, the Zx1 is weather-resistant and comes with an HDMI cable and two rechargeable AA batteries. You can purchase this new Kodak camera starting in April.
Watch Phone: LG GD910
Your mobile phone probably has a clock, so do you really need a clock that has a mobile phone? According to LG, you do. The LG GD910 Watch Phone was under a glass case at CES 2008 but executives brought the tiny product out to play for this year's show. Reviewers are especially excited with this wristband's intuitive and responsive 1.43-inch color touchscreen, and also praise the device's Bluetooth connectivity and MP3 player. There's no word when the LG GD910 will be sold in the U.S., but insiders predict it will come with AT&T at launch.
| Two Items That Left Us Cold... |
| This year's CES 2009 did have some gadgets with little chance of catching on. First up is the Cell-Mate, an apparatus that Velcros and clips your cell phone around your head to give your hands free mobile service. Honorable mention also goes to the Health e-Cigarette, a rechargeable atomizer that simulates the look and feel of smoking by releasing small doses of nicotine when you inhale, minus the secondhand toxins or smell. |
Check out U.S. News' GPS reviews to learn about the top-selling portable navigation items currently sold. Also check out the best GPS deals page for a heads-up on specials.
It's a confusing time to be shopping for a new car. While there are some incredible deals to be had, many of those incentives are for cars that don't offer a lot of value in the long term.
The U.S. News