Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Will the Last Gadget Standing Have Wires?

Didn't I tell you that we would need your help? Time for you to voice your opinion on the Last Gadget Standing at the CES event. Ready to begin?

One of the biggest trends we're likely to see at the show is the growing sophistication of the wireless world. Wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and 802.11 spawn new types of gadgets from smart phones to printers and cameras that can bypass the PC.

Here's a look at a few of the wireless products that will take the wireless connection to the next level. Drop me a short answer and let me know which one of these really moves you.

Plantronics' Calisto: Handles VoIP, Landline, and Cellular Calls

The Plantronics Calisto is like buying three phones in one. It combines a wireless Bluetooth headset for VoIP and cellular calls with a DECT 6.0 phone for landline calls ($280).

Eye-Fi: Turn Any Camera Into a Wireless Wonder

This product launched just about a month ago. The Eye-Fi Card is the world's first wireless SD memory card for digital cameras. The Card uses your home Wi-Fi network to create an effortless and convenient way for users to send photographs directly from digital cameras to PCs, Macs, and online photo and social networking sites ($99).

ANYCOM Solar Car-Kit SCK-1: Bluetooth Plus Green Design

ANYCOM's Solar Car-Kit is a Bluetooth car-kit with an added solar panel. Don't chuck your batteries just yet, though. With sufficient sunlight, three hours of charging will provide 30 minutes of talk time, according to the company. Still, it's a start.

IOGEAR's Powerline Audio System lets you listen to music wirelessly throughout your home—even in hard-to-get-to places like outdoors or out in your shed. You'll be able to distribute music from up to three different sources throughout a home by simply plugging the IOGEAR unit into your electric outlet. By using the pre-existing electric lines in your home instead of wireless or radio frequencies, the IOGEAR Powerline Audio System can handle loseless audio without interference from architectural barriers or from other devices. The unit consists of a docking station that allows you to connect iPods, CD players, MP3 players, cell phones, and other audio devices to the dock and transmit sound via the powerlines. Each adapter is plugged directly into a power outlet and then to a pair of external speakers (purchased separately: $329.95).

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