CES: Sneak Preview

Dunk tank for protected gadgetry. By Robin Tierney

This week, an estimated 140,000 merchants, marketers, technophiles, investors, analysts, the press and a few celebrities and athletes from around the globe are gathering in Las Vegas for the International Consumer Electronics Show. Produced annually by the Consumer Electronics Association, the annual event kicks off with CES Unveiled at which reporters from all media converge for the three D’s: product debuts, demos and drinks.

Also see: CES 2012: 10 Things to Watch

Here are some items that drew hordes.

Sculpteo app for 3D printing. By Robin Tierney

Sculpteo. 3D Printing Design Maker. This free app turns iPhones into digital chisels. You can design a sculpture or functional object, upload your 3D-model to create the piece, and generate a solid form through 3D printing. Sample pieces included a filigreed model of a human skull.

Nest Learning Thermostat. This smart home device quickly gauges your temperature preferences, keeps your house comfortable, senses when you’re not home and adjusts accordingly, and saves energy and money. The designer, Tony Fadell, previously designed hits for Apple. Handsome and functional at $249.

Parrot Ar Drones

Parrot AR.Drone. It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no, it’s a device that can be used for gaming and taking high-definition aerial videos that can be sent by wifi to any iOS or Android device. It’s controlled by iPhone. Ipad or iPod Touch. About $300.

Lenovo IdeaTab S2 Tablet. This tablet works with Ice Cream Sandwich, which is Android version 4.0. The 10-inch screen has a detachable keyboard, it’s thin, light, includes front- and rear-facing cameras, 64GB of storage, 9 hours battery life and a dual-core Snapdragon 8x60A or 8960. $299 sounds good too.

Acer Aspire 5 product shot

Acer Aspire 5. The thinnest ultrabook of the moment and the weight of Apple’s Air. $1,200.

Case Mates. Photo by R. Tierney

Case-Mate. Expressive new styles, from business boring to delightfully madcap.$25-35.

AudioFly earphones stay put

AudioFly Earphones. A range of performance levels and models that stay in your phone. They stay in your ear. AudioFly from about $30 to high-end PowerBag and other products that charge multiple devices simultaneously through stock colors.

Dexim Visible Green Charger

Dexim’s Smart Visible Green Charger. Did you know that in the U.S., 12% of annual electricity consumption is from electricity that flows through internal and external power adapters? This handy, eco-friendly gadget’s automatic shut-off feature reduces unneeded standby power when your device is not in use up to 85% through its integrated green technology. Plug the charger into a wall socket to save power without unplugging devices. $39.95.

Charge all your devices here. By R. Tierney

Power devices for charging multiple devices at once, custom-fit earphone molding kits.

Speck Kindle cover

E-reader covers. Some with pop-up lights, others such as Speck’s with cheery, sturdy design, such as Speck. $39.95

Next: CES kicks off.

About Robin Tierney

Bicycling, hiking, award-winning writer and photographer who covers active travel, plant-based cuisine and green, aware living. Ethos: vote with your dollars, live in harmony with nature....

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