The Giz Wiz goes to Toy Fair to play with --- well, toys!

Here's more info on the great gadgets & gizmos I found at CES 2011, plus a link to see the spot from air.

Here's the CES spot as it appeared on World News Now:

http://tinyurl.com/4sszqr5

The most innovative technology I discovered at CES 2011.

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 

A compact speaker system at a compact price.

At CES quite a few manufacturers introduced portable speaker systems as more and more people carry their music files with them. At Show Stoppers, Pure Acoustics launched their own wireless, ultra-portable speaker: the HipBox. (Pure Acoustics is known for building high-end speaker systems and this certainly is their smallest entry ever!) The HipBox is a smart looking, pleasant sounding and ultra-portable speaker. You can connect the HipBox to any device, from smartphones to iPads and iPhones, and of course, any mp3 player via the headphone jack. With dual inputs, it can even play music or podcasts stored on USB flash drives or SD cards. The HipBox weighs less than nine ounces, so you can share your music and podcasts (know of any good podcasts??) anywhere: at home, the park, the beach, etc. This gizmo would also be good as a speaker for laptops or desktop PC’s. The company says the built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery can also be used to recharge a dead smart phone if necessary. Fully charged, it offers about four hours of portable playtime. At the show, I saw two models. One had an FM radio and a small LCD screen that displayed the radio station frequencies. The other model, without FM, had slightly larger speakers and to my ear, sounded better. On the company website they only show the unit without FM. For now maybe they decided to just go with the one that sounds better. HipBox is available in four designer colors and retails at an affordable $39.95. 

www.myhipbox.com 

Travel with a lot of gadgets that need to be kept charged? Read on!

From i.Sound comes Power Max 8000. iSound says this is the only back up power supply you will ever again need while on the road. One thing’s for sure, with its compact design and 8000mAH battery, you’ll certainly be able to keep up the charge on multiple devices. Unlike other battery/charging device, this one offers 5 USB ports. This allows you to charge and power almost all your small USB powered devices. (iPods, cell phones, PDA’s, etc.) It can even charge the iPad -- see note below. (Of course it won't recharge a laptop which requires a LOT of charging power!)  The included USB to mini and micro USB cable means you don't have to carry around cables for each device. An LED indicator with four lights lets you know how much power is remaining from 25% to 100%. And there’s yet one more thing! A flashlight’s built in to help you in the dark. The one drawback of this device is that the 100 / 240V AC / DC adapter is not built-in, but it is included. My guess it would have made the unit way bigger and heavier! However, with the large capacity of the battery, you won’t be carrying the AC charger around much. On short trips, you can just charge the Power Max 8000 before you home and forget about bring the adapter.. MSRP $79.99. But do a web search for discounts. iSound also offers a 16,000 mAH version with MSRP of $129.99. Again, discount should be available.

http://www.isound.net/shop-by-type/accessories/i-sound-portable-power-8000-mah.html

Update on February 1, 2011 by The Giz Wiz

The folks at iSound assure me that the PowerMax 8000 (and PowerMax 16000) will indeed charge the iPad. On air I said it wouldn't. It seems the iPad isn't listed as a device to charge on one part of their website, but is listed on another. But they personally emailed me to make sure I knew both units would charge an iPad, and I'm happy to pass that info on.

Dick De

Old Toy Technology Meets New High Tech Gadgets.

Now, the Worlds Favorite Drawing Toy, (they sold 150 million of them!) the Etch A Sketch, meets up much newer gadgets from Apple. Yes the iPhone, iPod Touch and the iPad have come together in the form of Headcase’s officially licensed Etch A Sketch cases.  Celebrate Etch A Sketch’s 50th anniversary and fool everyone in the office into thinking you bought an electronic Etch A Sketch.  These cases are more than just great fun and cool looking gadgets!  They’re designed to protect and enhance your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.  Made of impact resistant plastic, they’ll protect your device as a hard case should. Strategically placed windows allow for easy use of all your iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch switches, ports, and buttons.  Yes, they’re just a touch on the pricey side, but I bet some of that price has to go to Ohio Art in order to have a license to use the Etch A sketch branding. iPad case: $39.99 iPhone or iTouch versions $24.99.

www.getaheadcase.com