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January 6, 2010 7:30 PM PST

CES: Mad Catz X65F Flight Stick looks military-grade

by Jeff Bakalar
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(Credit: Mad Catz)

At last year's show, Mad Catz treated us to a series of new controllers, but at CES 2010 we're getting a taste of the first force-sensing flight stick we've seen.

Due out in February, the Saitek Pro Flight X65F Control System is designed specifically to emulate aircraft controls found in modern military fighter jets. While most conventional flight sticks tilt with your movement, the X65F responds solely to pressure while remaining still.

Bundled in with the X65F is a CD loaded with preset control maps for some of the most popular flight simulation games out there. Of course, you can still customize the flight stick to your liking.

This rig is definitely among the most hardcore at the show, so the more casual flight simulator fans may be a bit intimidated by the sheer amount of buttons and knobs. And with a price tag of $400, the X65F surely isn't for the faint of heart.

Originally posted at 2010 CES
January 6, 2010 4:36 PM PST

CES: Nyko Wand + beats Nintendo to the punch

by Jeff Bakalar
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(Credit: Nyko)

LAS VEGAS--Last year we saw the introduction of the Nyko Wand, which allowed for button commands to be sent through the controller's Transport technology. Though promising, we found the Nyko Wand useful only when using it with the company's Action Pak system.

While we had been anticipating that Nintendo would eventually come up with a device that incorporates Wii MotionPlus technology into one single controller, Nyko has beaten Nintendo to the punch with the Wand +.

This is most significant because it eliminates the clunky setup that using the Nintendo-branded products require. The Wand + severely reduces the controller's overall size and should provide for an more comfortable total gaming experience.

(Credit: Nyko)

We hope Nyko introduces a few more useful accessories for the Transport technology in 2010. The Nyko Wand + will go on sale in March for $40.

Originally posted at 2010 CES
January 6, 2010 4:00 PM PST

CES: Look out, Chumby: Here comes the Sony Dash

by David Carnoy
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The Sony Dash is due out in April for $199.99.

(Credit: Sony )

LAS VEGAS--If you've been following Chumby Industries at all, you know the company was more interested in licensing out its Internet mini apps than making actual hardware devices. Yes, there's the recent Chumby One, but it's good to see that Sony's now enlisted Chumby's services to help power its upcoming Dash personal Internet viewer, which arrives this April for $199.99.

The Dash features a 7-inch color touch screen (measured diagonally) and access to more than 1,000 free Internet apps, including news, calendars, weather, sports, social networking and more via your existing home wireless connection. On top of that, you can tap into audio and video content from Sony's Bravia Internet video platform, including YouTube, Pandora Internet radio, Epicurious, Crackle, Livestrong, Blip.tv.

According to Sony, other content includes a Navteq app for traffic updates on a customized route and a Cozi app for simple management and syncing of family calendars. Not surprisingly, Sony Music ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog

Originally posted at 2010 CES
January 6, 2010 3:25 PM PST

CES: 3M updates Pico projector with brighter LED, internal memory

by David Carnoy
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The 3M MPro150 pocket projector is available for pre-order for $395.

(Credit: 3M)

LAS VEGAS--Before leaving for CES, we were about to post a review of 3M's second-generation MPro120 Pico projector. Now, lo and behold, the company has already announced its successor, the MPro150, which includes 1GB internal memory, a micro SD card slot and a USB input for transferring files from a laptop or netbook, allowing you to run entire presentations from the projector itself.

3M says the 5.6-ounce MPro150, which measure just over 5 inches long and fits in a pocket, supports Microsoft Office applications (Word, Power Point and Excel), as well as Adobe PDF, photos and video. The company has also made the LED "lamp" brighter, upping the lumens from 12 to 15.

Like 3M's previous MPro projectors, this one uses LCoS technology (some competing models use DLP) and offers VGA (640 x 480) resolution. The design seems little changed, with a set of tiny stereo speakers on board to provide sound, as well as an integrated flip stand, ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog

Originally posted at 2010 CES
January 6, 2010 2:37 PM PST

CES: Gunnar takes aim at 3D market with collection of stylish 3D glasses

by David Carnoy
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Gunnar is planning a line of 3D glasses based on its current models.

(Credit: Gunnar)

LAS VEGAS--Gunnar Optiks, which makes a line of "digital" glasses that are designed to reduce eyestrain, has announced that it will be offering a collection of 3D glasses enabled with components of its i-AMP lens technology. The company says it will make versions available for the most widely used 3D platforms in gaming and video.

"There have been amazing advances in the delivery of the media, but we see a massive need for someone to address the optics of the eyewear," said Rob Aarnes, Gunnar's president. "Currently most eyewear used in 3D systems is either disposable or of low-quality construction. With our expertise in optics and our commitment to the digital world, we see the opportunity as a natural fit."

The company says it's relying on components of its i-AMP technology to provide the optics. It notes that while typical 3D eyewear is stamped from a flat sheet of plastic, Gunnar lenses are shaped, formed and cut to ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog

Originally posted at 2010 CES
January 6, 2010 2:03 PM PST

CES: Sharp launches two new Netflix-ready Aquos Blu-ray players

by David Carnoy
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Sharp's higher end BD-HP70U carries a list price of $499.99.

(Credit: Sharp)

LAS VEGAS--Sharp trotted out two new Blu-ray players for 2010, the BD-HP70U and BD-HP24U, both of which offer Netflix video streaming. Neither offer any unique new features, but Sharp is touting them as having "cutting-edge" video and audio performance--and energy efficiency.

Both players deliver Full HD 1,920 x 1,080p video resolution at 24 frames per second over HDMI along with lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. As for energy efficiency, Sharp says the the BD-HP70U and BD-HP24U offer a target use of just 14 watts of power in operating mode and 0.4 watt in standby.

The players are designed to be paired with Sharp's new Aquos Full HD LCD TVs. Using the Aquos Pure Mode, the players recognize the connection to an Aquos TV and automatically optimize the picture quality. Sharp says to further improve the image quality, the players incorporate Deep Color, "which extends the maximum number of colors for each color component, reducing ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog

Originally posted at 2010 CES
January 6, 2010 1:33 PM PST

CES: Iomega revamps entire ScreenPlay product line

by Jeff Bakalar
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(Credit: Iomega)

LAS VEGAS--It's quickly becoming clear that one of the trends at CES 2010 is the prevalence of all-in-one media players and networked streamers. While we already got a taste of the Iomega ScreenPlay TV Link back in 2008, the company is debuting three new products that launch the device in a more ambitious direction. All of the products still get content to your TV screen, but now offer much more useful ways of doing so.

The first, the ScreenPlay Director HD Media Player, is directed at consumers who want the ability to get their content via a home network, local storage, or the Internet. The device packs a whopping 1TB of storage and supports an array of video types, including DivX and H.264. A total of three USB ports allow you to hook up any device or external storage. An included remote lets you navigate content right on your screen.

The Ethernet-ready ScreenPlay Director HD Media Player (you'll need an adapter for Wi-Fi) also allows you access to preprogrammed Internet ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog

Originally posted at 2010 CES
January 6, 2010 12:45 PM PST

CES: MVH-P8200 is Pioneer's first mech-free receiver

by Antuan Goodwin
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Pioneer MVH-P8200BT

Pioneer drops the CD drive with its MVH line of receivers.

(Credit: Pioneer)

LAS VEGAS--Pioneer is taking steps into a segment of the car audio market that up until now has been monopolized by Alpine, with its first ever mech-free receivers, the MVH-P8200 and the MVH-P8200BT.

Pioneer MVH-P8200BT

The V in MVH means these receivers can play back video.

(Credit: Pioneer)

Tossing out the often-unused CD drive, the single-DIN MVH-P8200 has no moving parts--hence the designation "mech-free." The receiver was designed to work best with Apple's iPhone and iPod, but it should play back MP3, WMA, and iTunes AAC music files via USB and SD memory card. The USB port is located directly on the front face of the receivers and the SD memory card slot is located behind the removable front face.

In the case of the P8200BT, A2DP Bluetooth stereo audio-streaming and hands-free calling are also added as audio sources. Users can browse their media libraries on the P8200's 3-inch color TFT display using Pioneer's seven-way rotary encoder, which is a knob-joystick-button ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog

Originally posted at 2010 CES
January 6, 2010 11:19 AM PST

CES: Popbox HD hopes to simplify streaming content

by Jeff Bakalar
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(Credit: Gizmodo)

LAS VEGAS--Just announced at CES is Popbox HD, the latest offering from Syabas, the company behind Popcorn Hour. The device can stream digital media from almost any source you can throw at it in addition to offering media from new Internet channels.

With the Popbox, you'll be able to directly receive content from Netflix, Twitter, IMDb, Clicker, FunSpot (gaming), Crunchyroll (Asain entertainment site), and SHOUTcast.

But perhaps the most notable advancement in regard to the Popbox is the device's brand new user interface overhaul. Promising a much more seamless experience, the Popbox goes on sale in March for $130.

(Credit: Gizmodo)

Check out all the specs and details after the jump.... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog

Originally posted at 2010 CES
January 6, 2010 10:14 AM PST

CES: FLO TV to bring live mobile TV to iPhone

by Jim Dalrymple
  • 4 comments

The ways people use their iPhones are almost as diverse as the number of people using the device. Soon, you'll be able to add live TV to that list.

(Credit: Flo TV)

FLO TV and Mophie on Wednesday said at CES that they are partnering to develop a series of products that will bring live TV to the iPhone and iPod Touch. The products are expected to ship in the first half of 2010.

The FLO TV service allows users to tune into mobile broadcasts while on the go. The service boasts many of the largest networks including ABC, Fox, MTV, ESPN, NBC, TLC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, and many others.

The partnership with Mophie puts a FLO TV receiver into the company's iPhone and iPod Touch case products. That gives users protection for the device and built-in access to TV programs.

As mobile users know, video tends to drain the battery of devices much quicker than other uses like browsing the Web or checking e-mail. This is another advantage of the Mophie partnership. ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog

Originally posted at Apple
Jim Dalrymple has followed Apple and the Mac industry for the last 15 years, first as part of MacCentral and then in various positions at Macworld. Jim also writes about the professional audio market, examining the best ways to record music using a Macintosh. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. He currently runs The Loop. You can follow him on Twitter @jdalrymple.

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