consumers

Telematics. It's one of the hottest terms in the auto industry these days, and just about every carmaker is rushing to offer its own version of the connected car.

At CES today in Las Vegas, it was German automaker Mercedes-Benz's turn to paint its telematics picture, and it did so, unveiling its @yourCommand system.

As the company put it in a release, "The car becomes a mobile-communications center, then enables [the] driver and passengers to access all modern media and services at any time. Uncoupling from the conventional vehicle development cycles is achieved on the one hand … Read more

The "Star Trek" universe may be beloved by millions, but it's entirely fictional. Yet one element of Gene Rodenberry's timeless creation may actually help people with their health care decisions in real life.

The problem faced by millions of people around the world, especially in the third world, and in rural areas of the first world, is that there's not always a doctor around to help figure out what's wrong with you--and sometimes, one isn't even necessary. Sometimes, the right technology could help us determine what's going on in our bodies.

That'… Read more

When Microsoft's mega-hit Kinect motion controller for the Xbox was released in 2010, its closed nature inspired a hefty bounty to hack it and come up with open-source drivers.

But now that Microsoft has released an official version of Kinect for Windows, the team that offered that payout is wondering whether they might have to do it again.

Microsoft eventually realized that there was an insatiable thirst for developing open-source Kinect projects and released a software development kit of its own. But now the folks at open-source hardware purveyors Adafruit are wondering if the new Kinect for Windows platform … Read more

Just because you bring out a superstar like Justin Timberlake doesn't mean anyone is going to care about what you announce.

At the end of a long and droning CES press conference today, Panasonic tried to pull off a little Steve Jobs "One more thing" magic by announcing its partnership with and support for what's being called MySpace TV.

With rock and movie star Timberlake taking the stage to explain the service, the audience laughed at the mere mention of the MySpace name. Still, what the service--and Panasonic--is attempting is ambitious: a truly social integrated TV … Read more

Who needs mirrors?

Not Fujifilm. As expected, at CES today, the digital camera maker unveiled its X-Pro1 mirrorless camera. The X-Pro1, which Fujifilm is aiming at pros like wedding and portrait photographers, features the X-Mount, a Fujinon-XF Lens, an X-Trans CMOS, and a new hybrid viewfinder, explained Kayce Baker, Fujifilm North America's director of marketing. The camera will be shipped in late February.

Fujifilm wouldn't say precisely at CES what the price will be, but Manny Almeida, vice president and general manager for Fujifilm North America, estimated that the body will run around $1,700 and lenses about $650 each.

The camera uses all glass, aspherical, and extra-low dispersion components, as well as a new aperture blade shape. It also has three new lenses: an 18mm f2, a 35mm f1.4, and a 60mm f2.4 macro.… Read more

At CES today, Sharp went big. Really big.

The company said during its press conference this morning that it plans on putting out 17 new TVs this year that are 60-inches or bigger. Leading the pack is its new 80-inch 3D TV, which it will release in April. The TV features a new technology called "3D X-Gen."

All its other new TVs will begin shipping this month.

During the press conference, the company covered a wide variety of technologies, including its new Aquos Board screens, which provide users with collaboration tools that it says are essentially a next-generation, … Read more

Those who have long depended on dusty old whiteboards can get rid of them, Sharp says. At CES here today, the company unveiled its Aquos Board--80-, 70-, or 60-inch screens that offer an all-new "touch solution" and give users new ways to share content.

The Aquos Board gives workers similar high-quality display technology to what they already have at home, and allows for sharing all kinds of content between co-workers. The device can capture notes, and has a connected PC and touch technology.

Users can employ a pen or even use their fingers for marking up displays and sending information to remote workers. The device, which is essentially a huge smart board--not a television--works with Microsoft Windows 7 and Office, and Touchpad applications. … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Sharp unveiled an 80-inch touch screen for digital meetings at its CES 2012 press conference here Monday.

The smart Aquos Board lets professionals draw on the screen, take notes, and save information to PCs. It will come in 60-, 70-, and 80-inch high-resolution screens. It uses Microsoft software.

Sharp also plans to introduce in the next 90 days, 17 new 60-inch-plus TVs and will introduce 4K technology to deliver "natural 3D-like images." A new 80-inch TV model will be available in April. The rest of line starts shipping this month. TVs will also include new 3D technology … Read more

LAS VEGAS--The 2012 Consumer Electronics Show doesn't officially open until Tuesday--after a marathon of press conferences on Monday--but that hasn't stopped a flood of product announcements and leaks in the days leading up to the show.

While many of these products don't have full details--such as the ever-elusive pricing and availability--the 2012 preshow news slate is longer and more impressive than any year I can remember. The two main reasons for that are the late start of the show (sometimes it begins right after New Year's Day; this year it's a week later), and the … Read more