Solid state drives emerging as better (but not cheaper) storage

There are several key factors one looks for when buying a new computer, especially a laptop: Faster, lighter, less energy, less noise.

Well, just making the switch from hard disk drive to solid state drive will accomplish all of that at once.

HP announced last week that by mid-February it planned to have the industry’s first business desktop PC with an SSD available for $1,258, although the press release doesn’t say how big the drive will be. Searching around, it looks like it’ll be 16GB; small, but plenty enough for a business workstation.

According to SanDisk, who had solid state drives up to 72GB at CES 2008, SSDs have no seek or latency time and can speed up OS boot and application launches by up to 2 times. Without moving parts it also uses far less power than a standard hard drive, makes no noise, generates far less heat, is more durable, weighs less and can be a lot smaller. It improves on the hard disk drive in every way.

So what’s the catch? Right now it’s the price. Although the numbers are going down, a 32GB SSD will still be around $1,000, with no pricing information available for larger sizes yet. Storage size is the other issue; those who’ve installed a terabyte or larger in their system will likely scoff at going back to under 100GB, especially at the current prices.

An interesting compromise is found in SanDisk’s Vaulter Disk, a PCIe flash-based card that works to speed up frequently used applications without actually replacing the hard drive. It’ll be at a lower cost than a full SSD, while allowing users to still have a larger hard drive. It obviously won’t have all the benefits of an SSD, since the HDD will still be needed, but it’ll act as a bridge between the two technologies.

As memory cards continue to grow in storage space while dropping in price, expect solid state drives to follow suit.

Corinex GameNet turns electrical outlets into wireless ports

By Aaron Burkhart

One of the more practically interesting technologies I saw at CES 2008 was the Corinex GameNet system, which creates a secure wireless network connection using the electrical wiring already in the home. The power-line network is supposed to be faster, more secure and easier to set up than a traditional wireless network and will work on any device with an Ethernet port. Hooking up to the power-line net is as easy as plugging the device to the adapter which connects through any power outlet.

If a home doesn’t already have a wireless network in place, it’s the easiest way to connect devices without running a long Ethernet cord to the nearest available socket, which can be few and far between compared to power outlets. Even with a wireless network in place, a power-line network is more internally secure, since the information is transmitted through the home’s power-lines, which aren’t freely hackable like LAN, WAN, or WiFi. In fact, there might even be some advantages to switching to a power-line network over a wireless one. Data rates are can go up to 200 Mbps, although home power use can affect performance, but the Corinex system has filters to eliminate most noise and interference. Having a power-line network connected to a wireless network would give the best of both worlds.

I’d love to demo one in my own home, but for now I can report that the system worked as advertised at the show, connecting two Xbox 360s even through the show floor’s patchy electrical connections, even as other demonstrators trying to show off wireless devices that day had trouble connecting to the show’s wireless signal. For more information, How Stuff Works has a pretty simple explanation, although outdated to the technology Corinex is using, in which case you can just go to www.corinex.com.

Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD at CES 2008: Sometimes a picture can speak volumes

Today is airport travel day, so this post will be short and let the images do the talking. With the high-def wars heating up with Warner Bros.’ Blu-Ray exclusivity news, one only has to look to the show floor to guage industry interest. The booths were close by each other, and it was like this every day:

Maybe it was just better booth placement, but everyone who saw the Blu-Ray display had to stop and just watch for a while.

New displays at CES 2008: A thousand words will have to do…

… because no pictures can possibly do justice to the visual display products shown on the CES show floor. It would be like showing the pictures of the first color televisions, but taken with black and white cameras and shown on black and white TV sets; it has to be seen to be understood.

Three different areas took TVs and displays beyond the current level: the higher contrast in the new OLEDs, the smoother 120+ Hz refresh rates, and good ol’ 3D imaging.

Sony’s OLED TV display had the now-on-sale 11-inch models and the prototype 27-inch model. While the thinness of the screens (only 3mm on the 11-inch models) were what first caught my attention in the press release, even more impressive in person is the 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, meaning the absolute deepest blacks (OLEDs aren’t backlit, unlike LCDs, so black pixels are simply turned off) and brighter vibrant colors that stay that way from any viewing angle. The refresh rate was also remarkable, with no blur of any kind. The 11-inch model sells for around $2,500 but many videophiles will be willing to pay for quality over size. There were also a lot of100-inch or larger TVs being showcased, by a wide range of companies, so size apparently matters somewhat, but when OLEDs go down in price they’ll definitely have my attention.

TVs with refresh rates of 120Hz (and Texas Instrument’s 240Hz) are another area that can’t be seen on normal screens, since 60Hz is the standard. Higher rates mean smoother pictures and less blur, although for now upconverting methods would have to be used to even see a difference from normal programs. Quite frankly, I didn’t really see that much of a difference (the human eye can only process information so fast) but if the cost isn’t much more than standard, it would be worth looking for higher refresh rates before buying an HDTV for those who haven’t upgraded yet.

While 3D has been around for awhile, the new polarizing method (replacing the less-focused and headache-inducing blue and red method) is being incorporated into more monitors (including some of the wearable models previewed yesterday), but the catch is that movies and player have to contain and transmit the extra information correctly, so going fully 3D will be some years down the road. However, more movies, like Superman Returns and the latest Harry Potter, are now being shown in IMAX 3D, which means it will be easier to convert these movies to a good-quality home 3D experience. Also, at Zalman’s 3D convertible LCD monitor booth, they showed that computer games like World of Warcraft (which automatically contain 3D information) can be quickly made into 3D. So games that use 2D textures to simulate depth will still be flat in those areas, but all the objects themselves will look like they’re at the proper depth.

These displays must be seen in person to be truly appreciated, so I’m sure high-end retailers will be showing them off soon.

-By Aaron Burkhart

CES 2008: comparing video glasses (or whatever they’re called)

By Aaron Burkhart

My pace the remaining days was a little slower (tip for future CES goers: start building leg endurance a few months before show time) but there was still plenty to see, so I limped through the next several days with purpose. In this spotlight, I compare the latest in video eyeware (or personal mobile viewer or head-mounted display or whatever each company calls the concept before a term catches on).

I found at least six different companies selling video eyewear, not a new concept but making a comeback thanks to all the mobile video players. The six I tried are the i-Vue, the Argo, the TDVisor, the Lumus Video Eyeglasses, the Vuzix iWear, and the MyVu personal media viewer.

The TDvisor tried to pass itself off as for gaming but its quality is as if the technology can from five years ago – bulky with a fairly good quality display. It has 3D capability, but it never quite came into focus for me. In the TDvisor’s defense, it’s being positioned as a medical/military/education technology also, where I think it’s strength will be; I doubt it will win over consumers after seeing the rest of the videowear.

The Lumus looks like a pair of 3D glasses found in a modern IMAX theater, and (while not the most stylish look) it’s the only video eyeglasses that work as regular sunglasses when the screen is turned off. In fact, the screen is displayed on the lens so that it can still be seen through, allowing wearers to keep full awareness of their environment while using it. Besides videos, using a heads-up display on the glasses would work great when connected to a phone with a GPS map function or other information. You might think that’s a distraction, but probably less so than having to glance down every few seconds trying to read a Blackberry while walking.

The picture quality on the remaining four was equally sharp and clear, appearing as though watching a large-screen TV, with the iWear and Argo supporting removable blinders. The iWear was the only system to incorporate the audio into the arms of the visor, all the others have earbuds that either come off the frame or are simply your own. It’s disadvantage is that there are separate models for each application (gaming/TV, PC, or mobile), with the gaming model featuring the ability to share one input to multiple visors and choose what part of the screen each display sees – great for an in-home gaming match instead of a split screen although you’d have to have three other friends with a pair of iWears (can the industry please hire marketing people that can go beyond the iNaming trend?).

Speaking of marketing, Myvu has the rest of them soundly beat with it’s young and hip campaign and stylish designs. They’re also designed to sit lower on the nose so that it’s almost like bifocal lenses, allowing one to maintain a degree of situational awareness. Three models are available: Edge (very sleek), Shades (pictured, which has a sunglass material extending over the top of the screen), and Crystal (the newest and highest quality picture, due out this spring, with a translucent amber lens/screen). The price on most of the other brands runs at $300+ while most of the Myvu models are supposed to retail for $199.

The Argo has a range of models, but the basic $199 model has lower resolution than the other brands and models. The high-end version is 3D enabled and comes with a screenless portable DVD player, in the $400 range. The 3D was clear while watching a 3D encoded “Meet the Robinsons” and it comes with a bunch of other goodies, like a travel case and adapters. A negative is that the bug-eye design makes the Argo glasses front heavy and can slip fairly easily.

The i-Vue (no photo) is only in the $250 range (although I couldn’t get a price on the upcoming high-end version), but nothing else really stands out about it. It’s got an OK design and a good picture. It’s very middle-of-the-road without any glaring faults or spectacular features.

So, with the best looking models, the best marketing, and the lowest price, Myvu is my favorite of the bunch. Special runner-up goes to Lumus who has a great product but should’ve added some style to its R&D budget.

CES 2008 day one: focus on interactivity

Despite months of preparation, there’s no good way to tackle 1.7 million net square feet of floor space spread between two convention centers and two hotels. It’s a bit overwhelming, but here’s today’s standouts:

There wasn’t a full press kit available for it, but Art.lebedev Studios was showing off an OLED keyboard, meaning every key was a display and could change icons, colors, display photos in each key and more. This is where a web connected camera is needed, as the press room computers I have to use don’t have a memory card slot to get at all the pictures and video I took today; but go to http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/demo/ for the official demo until I can upload the media I took. UPDATE: Here it is in person.

Several new interface devices were shown such as 3DV System’s ZCam. Similar to an advanced version of the PlayStation EyeToy, the ZCam has functions beyond gaming, as its gesture recognition software can control a wide variety of applications (similar to the interface Tom Cruise uses in Minority Report).

Sandio’s 3D mouse has two gaming-style analog sticks on the sides of the mouse’ combined with the standard movements, full X, Y and Z axis control over tilt, rotation and zoom are easily achieved. It’s fairly intuitive to use, and I was rotating a floating cube like a pro in no time. Besides better gaming control over movement, it has 16 programmable buttons and on-the-fly DPI switching for similar or less cost than Microsoft and Logitech’s gaming mice. Plus, the 3D control translates to all sorts of 3D applications, like animation, CAD or whatever. Just having so many mappable buttons would even simplify using common functions in programs like Word.

TN Game’s force-feedback gaming vest (which has been out for a while) and helmet provide another level of interactivity, using air compression to simulate hits to certain parts of the body when playing compatible games. It has a pretty small list of compatible games so far, and, unless it really catches on, support for the vest and helmet will remain low, which will keep them as only novelties for the hardest of hardcore gamers.

Electric Spin’s new Golf Launchpad model is a wireless golf sensor compatible with EA Sports’ Tiger Woods PGA Tour golf games, on all platforms, as well as Hot Shots Golf and it’s own swing analysing program. Unlike playing the game with a controller or keyboard, since you play using real clubs on the Golf Launchpad, you can actually go from newbie to golf pro without ever stepping on an actual course (and without embarrassing yourself in front of others as my poor swinging did). It also makes it easier to play golf in places where outdoor conditions aren’t always ideal (such as Alaska).

While I tried to look at consumer-ready products, 3M’s mobile projector technology caught my eye. Barely bigger than a adult male’s thumb, the projector can be put into any mobile device (like a camera phone, presentation pen or iPod add-on) allowing it to project its media onto any surface or screen. The prototype demo model could project a clear image even in normal lighting conditions and I was told that in a dark room the projection size could be 60″ or more. Although 3M reps couldn’t release any details, they said that there is a lot of interest in the technology and a device incorporating the mobile projector may even be released this spring.

A quick rundown of what else I saw:

Zagg’s Invisible Shied, a whole-device protective skin that’s virtually unscrachable and bubble free during application, without affecting touch sensitivity for touch sensitive devices;

A 48 GB Compact Flash memory card, the same physical size as any other CF card.

Ambient Devices’ 7-Day Forecaster that looks like a simple LCD clock – but instead of just time, can show weather, sports scores, stocks or whatever; a zero-click solution to information that’s always relevant without having to look it up on a computer each time.

V-Dimension’s solar-powered backpack and laptop case; well, the bag charges the device inside, so it’s not technically solar-powered itself, but you get the idea.

Standing lamps for the home that are also wireless speakers, again, with the info in the pictures. (this will all be updated once I get that info, so check back later).

Lauren Nelson, Miss America 2007, was also at the display area for children’s products and learning tools, teaching kids about Internet safety.

Other celebrities were supposed to be at various places during the show, but I was too busy to go looking for them.

Sony Press Conference at CES 2008

It was standing room only at Sony’s CES press conference, and the electronics giant announced new models and innovations in its products as well as several new product lines and partnerships.

Quick highlights (which will all be expanded on when I see everything firsthand during my booth tour Wednesday:

New advancements in Bravia TVs (with new wirless conection products), Walkman video phones (and the stylish new z555 designer phone) Handycam HD hybrids (with 8 GB internal memory, 3′ DVD and memory card storage options, and under-$200 internal Blu-Ray drives for PCs.

New products:

Sir Howard Stringer, chairman and CEO of Sony corporation, personally introduced the OLED (organic light emitting diode) television, an 11-inch screen that’s only 3mm thin with a 27-inch prototype on the show floor starting tomorrow.

Rolly, a small egg-shaped music player that spins and moves to the beat of the music either downloaded to it or streamed through bluetooth; cute, with more appeal than other ;”dancing” MP3 players;

Mylo, a PSPish mobile device that seems like an iTouch competitor;

Other prototypes, like a screen that has four times the pixels of full HD will be shown at the show as well.

New partnerships with Ford, McDonald’s, and CBS Interactive were announced as well. Continued expansion of Blu-Ray was highlighted also, with recent news of Warner Bros. going exclusive to Blu-Ray being seen as another step to growing its already 2 to 1 lead over HD-DVD.

Once I get on the show floor and see everything in person, there will be much more to report., with photos.

CEA industy forecast; CES Unveiled

Steve Koenig and Shawn DuBravac, CEA analysts, gave their presentation on the state of the consumer electronics industry Saturday. They saw four overall trends for this year: the “going to 11″ approach instead of stopping at 10 (pushing products to be one notch better as consumers demand more and adapt to new technologies faster); the 360 degree solution approach (combining content, services and devices in innovative new ways, such as digital cameras that can wirelessly download to a computer or upload to a photo sharing site); evolving distribution methods for content (getting the songs and videos from the PC, iPod, etc. to effortlessly connect to the home theater system); and redefining mobility (as content, GPS capabilities and more functionality are demanded of mobile devices, which are hardly just phones anymore).

They also said that even though there might be an economic slowdown or slump in other areas, that shouldn’t affect the consumer electronics sector, as consumers seem to be slowing in buying homes and other household purchases (like appliances, commonly called “white goods”) but putting that money into consumer electronics purchases. That also explains why companies like Maytag will be incorporating more features like digital photos on the door to replace the refrigerator magnet, showing more of the 360 degree solution trend.

Shortly after, hundreds of media representatives lined up to enter the CES Unveiled showroom to preview some of the innovative new products that will be at the CES. Some of the showings were more innovative than others, and I picked a few standouts:

Both the InternetVue by Addlogix and the Moxi by Digeo went with the concept of evolving distribution, wirelessly transferring content throughout the home. The InternetVue is a wireless receiver that takes PC content to any display it’s hooked to, whether playing downloaded movies from laptop to TV or slideshows from laptop to projector. With one of these hooked up in a classroom, students with laptops giving presentations could simply transmit from their seats when it’s their turn without any cabling or network hassles.

The Moxi Multi-Room HD DMR takes the 360 degree approach to content and distribution, acting as a digital video recorder, cable box replacement, DVD player and wireless distribution point, accessing digital media on a PC or using a Moxi Mate to share programs between different rooms in the home from one source. It can also be connected to an external hard drive for more capacity. While the Moxi’s capabilities can be done with a couple of properly-equipped and networked computers, it’s a simple out-of-the-box solution for the average consumer.

A lot of the products showcased were about simplicity, such as the design of Kreative Power’s Powramid surge protector. It’s nothing new technology-wise at all, but its innovation is all in the shape and form. It might not get an immediate “wow” reaction, but its space-saving design, widely-spaced outlets, hold-down knob for easy plug removal and its safety switch cover combine to make it a product with a lot of value.

Yoggie Security System’s Gatekeeper Pico was named the “Best of Innovations 2008 – Computer Accessories” for CES by combining user-friendly simplicity with lots of benefits. It’s a USB-sized mini computer that acts as an all-in-one security solution for PCs, with firewall, anti-virus and spyware protection and more. By taking all the security functions to a separate computer, it allows it to act before your computer is ever affected, and can’t be corrupted by any programs that would bother Windows. It updates itself (without annoying reminders) for a “set it and forget it” security solution. Best of all, by taking all the security off the computer, all those performance-eating software applications can be removed, increasing the PC’s speed. Having had several viruses (I hate Brontok) slip through my defences recently, I can appreciate the value of having an independent watchdog monitoring my system.

Iqua’s purely solar-powered Bluetooth headset was interesting, as was SanDisk’s solid-state drive laptops, but more on those later, since more announcements on those fronts are anticipated later in the show.