Information taken from Press Release

Under the theme “Explore More,” Mio Technology is presenting an array of new devices including its latest car and PDA navigation systems, concept products and GPS PDA phones for the worldwide market, along with new technology spun from the company’s partnerships with Tele Atlas and SiRF Technology.

Mio Technology will also demonstrate its new family of “Move” devices, as well as its new MioMore Online connected service. Additionally, Mio Technology has finalized its merger with Navman, bringing that company’s navigation software and content expertise under the same roof as Mio Technology’s innovative hardware. Attendees familiar with Mio Technology’s brand may notice another change at the show – the company will be presenting its refreshed corporate identity for the first time, designed to reflect the company’s expanding product and service portfolio.

“CES gives us an opportunity to showcase our full range of unique GPS devices available in stores now, but also gives visitors a look into the future of the market and what they may see on shelves in the coming months,” said Samuel Wang, president, Mio Technology Corporation. “We’ve shown consumers and the competition that we are here to stay and now we’re taking our brand to the next level by showcasing new products, new partnerships and a new look for the company.”

New Technologies: SiRF InstantFix II™ and Tele Atlas™ 3D Maps Mio Technology is also providing a glimpse at two new innovations in conjunction with booth partners Tele Atlas and SiRF Technology. SiRFInstantFix II™ positioning technology enables users to enjoy afaster time-to-first-GPS-fix.

The company is now delivering devices that feature this technology to customers in Asia and Europe with plans to offer it in a number of North American products in 2008. The newest 3-D European map content from Tele Atlas sports life-like 3-D representations of major landmarks so users can navigate European cities with an unparalleled sense of realism. Mio Technology continues to gauge consumer interest in 3-D map content, including landmarks and city maps, in all
regions and will respond accordingly.

As you know We have given away a Mio c320 and hope to be giving away another unit in the near future. if you didn’t get a chance to check out the show make sure to visit the Mio-tech website for their entire line of GPS products.

New information has been released attempting to debunk the claims made by the Financial Times that Paramount was poised to drop Toshiba’s HD-DVD format. According to the article published on the Bloomberg.com website a spokeswoman for Paramount Brenda Ciccone, said in an e-mail “Paramount’s current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format,”

Toshiba, the leading promoter of the HD DVD format for high- definition video discs, fell in Tokyo trading after the Financial Times reported Paramount is poised to adopt Sony Corp.’s Blu-ray format instead. After speaking with Matthew Garrahan who reported the story for The Financial Times and reading the story again he only stated they were “poised” to drop the format. That’s not saying they will or won’t contrary to what I have seen on some websites and news reports.

The contract between the two companies is understood to have a clause in its contract with the HD-DVD pioneers that would allow it to switch sides in the event of Warner backing Blu-ray.

More information to come as the story develops.

Link to the Bloomberg Story:

http://www.bloomberg.com/

Link to Financial Times article:

http://www.ft.com

The International 200 CES is by far the best gadget show around and of course you know that. You can find anything and everything, but how would you like to make your own? Well my little friend now you can make anything your little heart can think of from photo to GPS unit thanks to the people from Bug Labs.

Picture an open source hardware platform that allows you to hack to your hearts content. The “BugBase” allows you to do just that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured above is the foundation of your BUG device and hold on because here’s what you get:

• A fully programmable and “hackable” Linux computer, equipped with a fast CPU, 128MB RAM
• Built-in WiFi
• A rechargeable battery
• USB, Ethernet, and a small LCD with button controls.

It also has a tripod mount for ease of use I suppose. You get all this gadget goodness for $299.00 not including the modules. The java based software if free from the Buglabs.net website. The modules sold separately start at $69 and only go up to $99. a reasonable cost for a unit you can use to build just about anything you can imagine.

The BUGbase houses four connectors for users to combine any assortment of BUGmodules to create their ultimate gadget. Ever wanted to do GPS photo blogging? Then snap on the GPS module and the photo module and write the program to make it work. The software seems to be easy enough for the novice coder to pick up on and start programming away.

The Modules & Base

BJ normally wouldn’t get this excited about something like this but this product is truly something special and has the potential to change the way we look at home brew in the future. Look for something more from Buglab’s in the upcoming weeks, and make sure to visit their website.

Okay I was just able to hear the sound quality of this amazing speaker firsthand (Actually over the phone from one of my people on the ground at 2008 CES) and it’s amazing! We have already contacted Kicker about doing a giveaway so please don’t wait until the last minute to join the site. The zK500 is going to be priced around $350 when it officially launches in March.  Now that may be March 2009 but that has not been confirmed.  From what I’ve heard it’s worth the price and the wait.

One of KICKER’S most powerful MP3 docking stations on the market, the “zKICK” lets you get more out of your MP3 player than ever before. Bass and treble adjustment allow users to enjoy their music the way they want. The big, bumping speakers, five-inch woofers, and 40-watt stereo amplifiers deliver the kind of crisp, powerful sound you expect from a KICKER product. KICKER’s patent-pending six-inch square reflex subwoofer delivers a dynamic bass response unmatched by other MP3 docking stations.
Equipped for any setting, the zK500 includes a credit-card-size infrared remote, allowing you to navigate with ease through the stereo system menu. The innovative remote lets you adjust the stereo system’s bass, treble, and auxiliary-in options, as well as the Zune menu directories. Select standby mode to continue charging your MP3 player even when it’s powered down.
A minijack input also lets you connect additional media to the stereo system, including other MP3 and compact-disc players, as well as desktop and laptop computers, or satellite radio. With adapters fit for all Zune models, the zK500 delivers a complete entertainment experience.

Thanks to the guys at cliczune.com for the great photo. My human onsite only had him crappy camera phone.

Ok they look a little funny… Well they look a lot funny but they are really interesting and who doesn’t want to roll around on automatic skates. Remember back in the early 80′tys after school watching The Jetson’s and thinking how cool it would be if you were Elroy? Well this is your chance to flex your inner Jetson and roll around your town or office.

I guess this opens up the question of fitness and health in the future. I’ve noticed that humans are fatter than ever and it’s only getting worse. Do you hairless monkey’s really need something to schlep you back and forth from place to place when walking would be so much better for you. I don’t know but outside of that the iShoe totally rocks! We are in the process of talking with them about a givaway following CES so look out for some people mover goodness.