2010 CES

Matt Howard, a software entrepreneur, developed ZoomSafer following an incident when he almost killed a 9-year-old boy because he was texting while driving. He knew that if it happened to him, it could happen to anyone.

(Credit: ZoomSafer)

Howard, along with co-founders Mike Costello and Mike Riemer, gathered $1 million in venture capital to launch preventative mobile software, called ZoomSafer. When the car has passed 10 mph, ZoomSafer disables the keyboard on the phone and replies to calls or texts with a message letting them know the driver is on the road.

Big deal; why not switch the phone to airplane mode or turn it off instead?

Howard explains that many mobile users like him have an aching need to stay in touch and be connected, regardless of the situation. It's probably the reason why distracted driving results in 40,000 fatalities a year, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

So instead of completely disconnecting from the world, users have the option of selecting three priority contacts. When these people text or e-mail, ... Read more

Can you imagine placing your cellphone on a Starbucks table and seeing it charge instantly?

Gainesville, Fla.-based WiPower (pronounced "y"-power) is manufacturing wireless-charging technology that could potentially facilitate just that.

WiPower's charging mat can power up to four devices at once, regardless of their position.

(Credit: JustinCumming.com)

Ryan Tseng founded WiPower after he realized how burdening it is to travel with bundles of chargers.

His frustration resulted in WiPower's wireless power transmitter, a mouse pad-like device that connects to a wall with one cord. Devices with an integrated power receiver placed upon the mat start charging immediately.

The product uses inductive coupling, a technology electric toothbrushes have used for years now, mostly because it shields their components from water. Earlier this year, Palm introduced its Touchstone charger, which uses this technology.

WiPower's charging mat simultaneously powers multiple devices in any position with different power requirements. For example, a digital camera requires much more power than an iPod Shuffle, but both can be charged with a WiPower.

"WiPower realized that ... Read more

The Pre: the king of CES 2009.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

With the tech industry's biggest gadget bonanza less than a month away, we're already thinking of what will go down in Las Vegas for cell phones and smartphones. Though mobile is just a small part of the Consumer Electronics Show, the category has won a lot of attention over the last two years. Just consider that the Palm Pre swept CES in 2009 and went on to win the Best of CES Award. And with the Macworld Expo no longer competing for the wireless world's attention in early January, we expect that phones will fill a big and visible role at the 2010 show.

Android
Google Android was supposed to feature prominently at the 2009 CES, but the show came and went without an Android handset announcement. In 2010, however, we expect that Android will be everywhere in Sin City. After a steady flow of new Android phones since September, we see no reason why the deluge won't continue. And
... Read more

In addition to letting loose a string of expletives, those who have lost a phone or been a victim of phone thievery have probably reacted with the following: "Nooooo! My contacts!"

(Credit: Tenbu Technologies)

Mobile innovator Tenbu Technologies has come up with Nio, a Bluetooth security tag that links to any of your belongings. If your laptop, phone, keys, or even child move out of range, an alarm sounds.

The gadget has the potential to save your items and the valuable information they carry, like contacts.

How exactly does it work? Attach Nio to your keys, laptop bag, or other belonging you need to secure. The tag is linked to your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone running the Nio software. Once you step out of the predefined security zone, an alarm is triggered.

The lowest security zone setting will let you wander about 65 feet before the alarm goes off. High security restricts movement to only a few feet away. This could be useful if you're traveling by plane and are worried that you might doze ... Read more

(Credit: Easy Energy)

Outdoorsy types are sure to love mobile solar chargers, but what about those who rarely see sunlight? (No, we're not referring to "Twilight.")

Easy Energy will launch the YoGen, a mobile charger that solely relies on hand power. The pocket-size charger lets you generates energy by repeatedly pulling a ripcord, similar to the way a lawnmower is started.

YoGen Max generates energy through a foot pedal.

(Credit: Easy Energy)

The Las Vegas-based company created this product as a part of its mission to "satisfy the enormous worldwide demand for practical, compact, 'green energy producing' manpowered chargers." Easy Energy is also in the process of launching YoGen Max, a laptop charger that lets you generate energy by continually pressing a foot pedal.

Similar technology can be credited to Baylis, a company that created a wind-up MP3 player in 2008.

Preorders can be placed at the YoGen store and will ship within the next month. The $40 charger is available in black or clear, but you'll have to choose between Apple and ... Read more

This Roamobi handset is smaller than a credit card.

(Credit: Roamobi)

Correction at 10:01 a.m. PDT December 7: VMSP licenses will be sold at $41,200.

How will demand for mobile technology play out in developing countries? Mike Kellett and Joe Morgan are tackling this issue as they prepare to launch their global mobile platform at CES 2010.

Although their joint venture, IP2, isn't the first company to address the need for low-cost international cellular service, it's taking a different approach. "We have a system that doesn't depend on government intervention," says Mike Kellett, co-founder of IP2, based in the U.K.

IP2 will launch a cellular service based on the concept of VMSP, or virtual mobile service provider. Anyone can start a VMSP and sell services and handsets. Usually, a license to operate as a local mobile service provider can cost up to $5 million, but IP2 will be selling VMSP licenses for only $41,200.

The handsets provided by IP2, which are smaller than a credit card, will ... Read more