A look at some of the Consumer Electronics Show’s devices and gadgets

Source: Technology Exec

Date :15/01/2008 07:34:52

Following the International Consumer Electronics Show last week, Technology Exec looks at some of the new devices and gadgets to look out for in 2008.

By Rebecca Waters

3D ZCam (pictured)

The new ZCam from Israel-based 3DV systems essentially senses depth in real-time.

Based on the DeepC chipset which embodies the Israel-based company’s core depth sensing technology, the low-cost video camera captures video with depth information at high speed (60 frames per second) and high depth resolution (1-2 cm).

As Jason Bradbury commented, the ZCam Depth Camera could be a Wii Challenger, “(ZCam) is like Wii without Wiimote and Minority Report without gloves.”

Indeed its 3D capture abilities will allow you to play Wii-style without using any controls, recognizing your finger gestures to fire a weapon or manipulate your computer without gloves or any other external device.

This was demonstrated using a boxing demo where your phantom punches would land on your opponent's face or a heavy bag on the screen.

The ZCam which will be priced at less than $100 is scheduled for release towards the end of this year.

The Eye-Fi Card

Sharing photos quickly and easily is made simple by the new Eye-FI Card.

Its straightforward, you go out and take pictures. You return home, turn on your camera and, within 20 to 30 seconds, your images (JPEGs only) begin uploading wirelessly—in full resolution—to your hard drive and any online photo sharing sites including Facebook, Flickr, Fotki and Picasa. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection, a camera that accepts SD cards, and a PC or Mac.

Currently they are only available in the US but should be on sale in Europe later this year.

And something interesting...

‘iTaser’

Dubbed the iTaser, the Taser Music Player Holster combines a Taser stun gun with an MP3 player which can store 1GB of songs, which according to the company: “allows for both personal protection and personal music for people on the go”.

Aimed particularly at women with red, pink and leopard print, the device was indeed one of the oddest to be shown at CES, but will women really prefer the iTAser to their iPOD?

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $161 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry, with a membership of more than 2,200 companies.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International Consumer Electronic Show, with all profits from CES reinvested into CEA's industry services including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.