LAS VEGAS – The world’s premier consumer electronics show wouldn’t be complete without the fanciful and outlandish: A smart oven preserved and cooked meals based on remote commands, while a 102-inch plasma TV – taller than the 8-foot walls in many homes – inspired ooohs and aaahs from couch potatoes.
But manufacturers at this year’s gadgetfest that ends Sunday generally took a more modest approach.
They eschewed the flamboyant and futuristic in favor of relatively affordable devices that will debut within weeks, not years.
Universal remote controls, hand-held computers, digital camcorders, MP3 players and TVs that can be programmed from cell phones help users stay plugged in to a world of digital music, video, games, television and Internet.
“We’re encouraged by the real-world products at affordable price points this year,” said Mike George, chief marketing officer at Dell Inc. “We’re finally moving from hype to reality.”
Among the interesting gizmos on display at the show:
* The NevoSL universal remote control from Universal Electronics Inc. Even Microsoft Corp.’s chairman, Bill Gates, complained Wednesday that consumers are bogged down with too many remotes for TVs, DVDs, VCRs and stereos.
UE’s device, expected to debut in the second quarter for about $800, can control all home theater and stereo equipment.
* A gaming-video-music console called Gizmondo by Tiger Telematics Inc. It fits in your pocket and can play games, send text messages, snap photos and perform other digital feats, but it doesn’t act as a cell phone.
Launched in the United Kingdom in October for $420, Gizmondo will be available in the United States within three months.
* Ojo personal video phone from Motorola Inc. It will begin shipping in early spring for about $700 and features video at 30 frames per second and virtually no latency. The phone can make calls over the Internet and will require a broadband connection.
Unlimited domestic and international video calls will cost about $14.95 a month, making it ideal for far-flung grandparents and small business owners who can’t afford to travel.
* Everio camcorder and digital still camera from JVC. Although it debuted in November at $1,100, the Everio still had buzz because it’s the first to use a removable, 4-gigabyte Hitachi microdrive – similar to the iPod’s, though it pops out.
* A surround-sound gaming chair and audio system from HotSeat Inc. Inventor Jay LeBoff, an amateur race-car driver, got the idea for his HotSeat Solo when he first played his children’s Xbox games but yearned for the feel of a real car seat.
The grippy leather chair comes complete with cup holder and subwoofer. LeBoff will begin shipping online orders for the $399 contraption in April, and, if all goes well, it may be in stores by August.
* Z800 3D Visor by eMagin Corp. The 10-year-old company built the organic light-emitting diode microdisplay for military and medical use, and this spring will begin selling the goggles and headset to consumers – particularly gamers – for about $900.
Pop a game or movie into your PC, strap on the glasses and get flooded with 2.8 million pixels, the equivalent of a 105-inch television screen viewed from 12 feet. High-speed head tracking enables a 360-degree view.
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