CES 2009

Keyboards typically don't get the attention they deserve, but perhaps they should. According to Smartfish Technologies and a recent study by the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 28 million Americans suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome or some other repetitive stress injury due to repeated use of computer keyboards.

Smartfish Technologies recognizes the need for a more ergonomic solution and developed the Pro:Motion family of products, starting with the Automatic Moving Keyboard. The researchers at Smartfish found that the static nature of the most commonly used keyboards are the main cause of carpal tunnel, so they partnered up with a design firm to develop an innovative design. The Automatic Moving Keyboard keeps track of your typing activities and trends and periodically repositions the keys as you're typing to allow for a full range of variable motion. These "7 Stages of Comfort" cut down on the discomfort caused by repetition, and Smartfish claims that the user will experience increased productivity as a result.

A robotic keyboard that moves around on you sounds goofy, but the Pro:Motion is so discreet that after awhile, the user won't even notice its motorized movements. The keyboard also features an integrated wrist rest for increased ergonomic comfort. The Smartfish Pro:Motion keyboard is available now for around $130.

LAS VEGAS--You've seen the grainy "night vision" thermal imaging pictures from Baghdad, and now you can see them on the dashboard of passenger cars. At the Consumer Electronics Show, Larry Magid talks with Andrew Teich, the president of Flir Systems, which makes thermal imaging devices for both military and personal automotive use.

See our complete news coverage from CES here

TXT8020, a new messaging phone, spotted at the PCD booth

(Credit: Nicole Lee/CBS Interactive)

PCD didn't have much to show off at CES 2009, but it did give us a brief sneak peek at one of its upcoming texting phones, dubbed the TXT8020 for now. It looks suspiciously like the Verizon Wireless Blitz, but with a swivel screen instead. It is a dual-mode 800/1900 CDMA phone, and it has EV-DO, which the Blitz does not. The display is around 2.2-inches diagonal and supports 260,000 colors.

Features include stereo Bluetooth, a microSD card slot, 1GB flash memory and 1 GB of RAM, text and multimedia messaging, instant messaging, a 1.3-megapixel camera, a speakerphone, voice commands, and e-mail capabilities. Measuring around 4 inches by 2.5 inches by 0.7 inch, the TXT8020 has a pretty roomy keyboard too. Seeing as this looks like a successor to the Blitz, we suspect it'll be available from Verizon Wireless soon.

The G-Fi GPS router is about the size of an iPhone.

(Credit: PosiMotion)

It's the last day of CES, and I ran into an unusual networking device called G-Fi from PosiMotion. It's the first router I've known that doesn't have the ability to share access to the Internet. Instead, it receives the satellite signals and shares the GPS information to any Wi-Fi-enabled device.

According to PosiMotion, other than the lack of support for the Internet, the G-Fi works just like any other wireless router. It allows for creating a Wireless LAN you use to share resources between up to 254 wireless networking computers and devices.

Measuring merely 3.08 inches by 2.91 inches by 0.69 inch and weighing about 2.5 ounces, the router is about the size of an iPhone and is battery operated for up to 4 hours. It can be recharged either via a regular included adapter or via a computer's USB port.

Considering the size and its niche, the G-Fi is a great device for group travelers or those who want to have access to GPS through their computer or other mobile devices, including the iPhone or iPod Touch.

PosiMotion currently has two GPS applications at Apple's App Store for the iPhone and the iPod Touch that you can download and use with the G-Fi for free called G-Spot and G-Park. The company is now developing applications for other platforms including smartphones and personal computers.

The G-Fi is available now for $179, which is rather expensive in my opinion. PosiMotion also offers another version of the G-Fi called G-F VS that doesn't have the GPS capability but just the wireless networking sans Internet, which costs $149.

In the future, the company is contemplating adding the ability to share Internet to the routers. Maybe then, the prices will stop sounding a bit too expensive.

Update (4/19/2009): CNET now has a full review of the Zoom H4n.

I practically squealed when I saw Zoom's new H4n professional handheld audio recorder on display at CES 2009. The $350 recorder was announced just a few days ago with hazy details on when it might hit store shelves, but lo and behold, here it was hanging out in the Samson booth, dressed up with full retail packaging.

To read my first impressions, take a look through our Zoom H4n slide show, fresh from the showfloor of CES 2009.

Zoom H4n pocket handheld recorder

The RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router + DSL Modem DGND3300 from Netgear.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CBS Interactive)

If you sign up for a DSL Internet service, chances are you will be offered a router and modem combo device.

I would normally recommend against this kind of combo deal, as it doesn't provide the flexibility of choosing the right router for the network. That's not to mention that the combo router offered by the service provider tends to be subpar, in both performance and features. It's much more flexible to get just the modem and add a separate wireless router later.

Now I am about to change that mentality with what Netgear introduced at CES this year, the RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router + DSL Modem DGND3300. It's because the router part of the device offers most of what you would look for in any separate router.

The DGND3300 looks basically the same as the WNDR3300 with one exception: instead of a WAN port (that works with cable and DSL modem) it has a telephone port so that you can just plug the phone line right in. According to Netgear, the router features a built-in DSL2+ modem and will work with most DSL services.

The DGND3300 is probably the first router/modem combo device that features concurrent dual-band wireless, meaning it can work in both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequencies at the same time.

Some other features of the DGND3300 include:

• Automatic quality of service
• Eight internal smart antennas
• Wi-Fi protected setup with a push button that allows for quickly adding wireless client to the network
• Automatically upgrades to the latest router firmware
• Convenient on/off switch helps save energy when not in use
• Efficient Energy Star compliant power supply
• Made out of 80 percent recycled materials

The The RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router + DSL Modem DGND3300 seems a good choice when you want to cut down the amount of devices (and wires) in your tight office corner. And for now, it might just be the only solution that doesn't compromise advanced wireless networking features and performance.

The router will be available during the first quarter of the year and will cost about $169.

The back of the router shows its telephone port that takes the place of a WAN port.

(Credit: Netgear)

The C905 has a bright display.

(Credit: Kent German/CBS Interactive)

Though we've known about the Sony Ericsson C905 Cyber-shot for a few months, CES gave us our first opportunity to see it up close and personal. With an 8.1-megapixel camera, it is Sony Ericsson's highest resolution camera phone to date. What's more, it also has many of the same features you'd find on a standalone camera and it offers several ways to get your photos off the phone.

With such a packed feature set we were expecting a rather bulky design. And in that respect the C905 delivered. It's not as big as the Samsung Innov8, but at 4.1 by 1.9 by 1.7 inches and 4.8 ounces it's hardly as slim as the 5-megapixel Sony Ericsson C902. That trade-off is a solid feel in the hand and a sturdy slider mechanism. We also like that tapered ends that give the C905 a streamlined feel. The handset comes in sliver, black, and gold, and the company added a tender rose (aka pink) version at the show.

We like the C905's tapered ends. The camera shutter is on the right spine.

(Credit: Kent German/CBS Interactive)

The display is bright and beautiful with sharp colors and graphics. Sony Ericsson typically succeeds with its displays, and the C905 is no exception. The company also has a history of over-designing its navigation controls, but we were glad to see that the C905 breaks that mold. The square navigation toggle and central OK button are spacious and tactile, as are the other navigation controls that surround it.

Like many camera phones, the C905 resembles a regular camera when viewed from behind. A sliding lens cover hides the camera lens, bright Xenon flash, and a self-portrait mirror. Sliding the cover opens starts the camera automatically. You'll also find comfortable camera ergonomics. When holding the phone horizontally, the side-mounted camera shutter and volume rocker/zoom control are right at your fingertips. We haven't seen the photo quality yet, so we'll have to save that for our full review.

The keypad buttons are relatively flush, which is not a surprise on a slider phone. Yet, the keys are pretty tactile and spacious, with large numbers and a bright backlighting. Fortunately, the memory stick micro slot rests conveniently on the left spine below the memory card slot.

A sliding cover hides the camera lens.

(Credit: Kent German/CBS Interactive)

As we mentioned earlier, the C905 is all about its camera. Besides the 8.1-megapixel resolution you'll also find a solid set of offerings that includes autofocus, geotagging, smile detection, face detection, a self timer, and a digital zoom. Wi-Fi is integrated as well; you can use it to upload videos directly to YouTube. Outside of the camera there's a music player, a speakerphone, stereo Bluetooth, messaging and e-mail, personal organizer applications, mass USB storage, an FM radio, and PC syncing.

At the time of this writing the C905 is available only in Europe for 499 euros or about $682. Sony Ericsson says it will bring an unlocked version of the C905 to the United States in the second quarter of this year. It is quad-band GSM and it supports both Europe and North American 3G bands. We hope to get it in soon for a full review.

The IM502 is a tiny tripod.

(Credit: Kent German/CBS Interactive)

While browsing Sony Ericsson's table at a CES press event, I found this cool little accessory that the company announced in Las Vegas. The IM502 is a compact tripod that attaches to your Cyber-shot handset. You can use it to steady your camera phone when taking a self-portrait or a group shot with the timer. It also will come in handy when you just need to hold the shooter completely still.

At 1.1 inches by 2.3 inches by 0.4 inch, it folds away for convenient storage or for carrying in a pocket or bag. Of course, since it is a Sony Ericsson product it uses a proprietary connection--it attaches to your charger port--but it is compatible with most newer Cyber-shot and Walkman models. On the downside, you may not be able to use it for shots in a vertical orientation (depending on the phone), but I like it just the same.

Intel's WiFi PAN management interface at the CES 2009 demo.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CBS Interactive)

I love my hotel room in Las Vegas. Great view! Very fast Internet access. However, the hotel controls and charges for access to the Internet by IP address. This means I have to keep my iPhone from getting connected unless I want to pay for another connection plan, in addition to the one used for my laptop.

This, however, is going to change next CES thanks to a new Wi-Fi technology that Intel announced this year.

It's called My WiFi and it is a wireless driver and software update to Intel's Centrino 2 processor-based laptops. This software allows the computer's built-in wireless networking chip to create a separate Wi-Fi personal Area Network (PAN). This network allows up to eight other Wi-Fi Certified wireless clients to connect to it, while the computer is still connected to a separate access point, the way any computer with built-in wireless networking does now.

This dual-interface is possible thanks to Intel's 5100 Wi-Fi and Intel's 5300 Wi-Fi Link adapters that can manage both Wireless LAN and Wi-Fi PAN connections at the same time.

The PAN has its own HDCP server and supports Windows' Internet Connection Sharing, meaning that if my laptop is connected to the Internet through the hotel's service, it can share that connection wirelessly with eight other Wi-Fi clients without the knowledge of the hotel.

Sharing the Internet (whether you want to be sneaky as in my above example or not) is, of course, not the only offering of My WiFi. The technology enables users to simultaneously connect their laptops to multiple other peripheral devices, such as printers, photo frames, and cameras without a need for an access point or a wireless router.

Current Wi-Fi laptops can also do this by putting the wireless adapter in ad-hoc mode, but that is very limited. An ad-hoc connection allows a laptop to connect to one wireless device at a time and no access to an access point or wireless router at the same time.

Intel's My WiFi technology supports multiple types of security protocols, including WEP, WPA, and WPA2. It also supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup, a technology that lets you add wireless clients to a network quickly without having to manually entering the encryption key.

The deployment of My WiFi depends on vendors, but you can expect to find this as a free update to any laptop computer that run Intel's Centrino 2 processor by the second quarter of this year.

In the meantime, you can also do this a little less conveniently with an add-in travel router such as the Windy31.

(Credit: Erica Ogg)

As day two of CES 2009 came to a close, The 404 wrapped up the day with a solid audience of tired, dreary-eyed show goers desperate for some much needed entertainment.

Today Brian Tong joins the show to talk about the worst of CES, primarily the men's bathrooms, crying babies, and recycled floor tape. Best of all, we add a new segment to the show called "Sexy Press Release."

Be sure to catch us live again tomorrow from the CNET stage at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

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