My pick for the “best of CES”. (Recorded live at Showstoppers in Vegas.)

Monday, January 17, Netcast 1266 

Yes, there were an estimated 80 new digital tablets/pads at the CES, thousands of new iPod/iPhone accessories, thin and thinner TV's, some boasting 3D and hundreds of new cell phones. But here’s a gadget that’s like nothing we've seen before and a really exciting break-through. I’m talking about Pixel Optics emPower! If you wear glasses, you’ll want to know about these amazing specs. Once they’re officially launched starting Spring 2011, for the first time, emPower! eyeglass wearers will be able to control how they see when wearing these multifocal eyeglasses. Almost like magic, emPower! allows the wearer have their near or far eyeglass prescription present when needed - automatically. Because there’s an accelerometer built into the eyeglass frame, the glasses can shift to your reading prescription when you tilt your head down toward a book or newspaper. (The wear chooses “manual” or “automatic” mode.) These are the world’s first and only electronic focusing eyewear. emPower! focuses faster than the blink of an eye, without moving parts and without making a sound. Unlike today’s fixed optical power multifocal eyeglasses that control the wear’s vision, emPower! enables the wearer to be in control of their vision. The folks at emPower! told me the glasses have been under development for twelve years. Panasonic developed the electronics, which are so tiny they’re hidden in the frame along with the battery. To charge the battery in the frame, just lay them on the included induction charger overnight. The actual price will depend on your prescription. But the company said they’ll run about 30% higher than normal prescription glasses. Very exciting, space-age stuff! I have to say this again: looking at the glasses you would never suspect all or any of that technology is inside. There’s not a hint of electronics or wiring anywhere that the naked eye can see. For more additional information and a demo, check out company website:

http://pixeloptics.com/pages/electronic_eyewear.html 

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1266