ShowStoppers NewsDesk

To help reporters, editors, columnists, industry and financial analysts plan for ShowStoppers @ CES 2008, here is a list of companies sponsoring the press event.

Brief news summaries from companies that supply this information will begin posting 2 Jan. 2008.

Accell Corp.
Aerielle Inc.
Alcatel-Lucent und ICO
Allworx Corp.
Ambient Devices
AMD
Animusic
Archos
AutoNet Mobile
AVerMedia Technologies Inc.
Avnera Corporation
Axentra Corp.
Battery-Biz
Becker
BeerTender
Big Stage Entertainment
BlueAnt Wireless
Bluetooth SIG
Broadclip Inc.
Bsecure Technologies
Buffalo Technology USA Inc.
Bug Labs
C. Crane Co. Inc.
CarShield
Check Point Software Technologies
CMS Products
College Fanz Inc.
Com One
Corsair Memory
CyberDefender Corp.
D & 0 Direct
Dane Elec Memory Corp.
DataRobotics
deCarta
Delta 7 Sports
Digital Foci
Digital Lifestyle Outfitters
Diskeeper Corp.
DisplayLink
D-Link Systems Inc.
DRD Systems Inc. / VideoReDo
Dynapoint Inc. X-Gene
eAgency
eJamming
Etymotic Research Inc.
FLIR Systems
Ford Motor Company
Garmin International
Gateway, Inc.
Gracenote
Griffin Technology
Grisoft
HAI (Home Automation Inc.)
Hoover's
Intellinet Network Solutions
Iolo Technologies
Iomega Corp.
Jada Toys Inc.
Jakks Pacific
Kingston Technology
LaCie
LapLink Software / Absolute Software
LaserShield Systems Inc.
Lenovo Group Ltd.
Luxim Corp.
Magellan
Magna Donnelly Corp.
Maxthon Lmtd.
Memeo Inc.
Microsoft
Mint.com
Mitek Corp.
Mobile Complete, Inc.
Mobivox
Motionbox
Neuros Technology
Newell Rubbermaid (Cardscan, Dymo, Endicia, mimio)
Opera Software
Otter Products LLC
Owlink Technology Inc.
Paragon Software
Parrot
Peiker Acustic Inc.
Pharos Science & Applications Inc.
Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions USA Inc.
Photodex Corporation
Planet Waves
PlanetWide Games
Planon System Solutions Inc.
Portrait Displays Inc.
Pure Networks
Quartics Inc.
Rattlebox
Realease Ltd
Retrevo
Ricoh Corporation
Roland Corp. US
Siber Systems / RoboForm
SimulScribe
SingleClick Systems
Sirius Satellite Radio
Skype
Slacker
Smarter Agent
Smith Micro Software Inc
Sony Electronics Inc.
Spectra Merchandising Intl. Inc.
SPX Service Solutions
Step Communications / Step Labs
Sunbelt Software Inc.
Support.com
TasteBook
TechForward
Tekkeon Inc.
Teleflip Inc.
THX Ltd.
Trendnet
US Music Corp.
Vamoose Products
VIA Technologies
Virtuu USA
WowWee Ltd.
Xantrex Technology Inc.
Zoho
Zoombak LLC
Zpower Inc.
Zyxel Communications

At Showstoppers, Otter Products LLC features two series of protective technology cases for iPods and iPhones.

The Armor™ Series is ready for any adventure no matter what Mother Nature brings! This fully rugged line of interactive cases safeguards from rain, dust, dirt, drops and other mishaps. Ideal for active lifestyles, the Armor™ series protects devices so you can take your technology virtually anywhere, rain or shine! These cases are water-proof up to depths of 3 feet!

The Defender™ Series is a new, distinct line of semi-rugged, slim fit cases that offers complete user interaction in an attractive look and feel. Cases shield from dust, dirt and drops in a thin yet protective design. Great for people on-the-go and those looking to defend their device without added bulk! All surfaces of the device are covered, but OtterBox Defender™ Series cases are not fully water-proof.

Both series fit the 3rd generation nano, classic, touch and iPhone.

FlyTunes™ gives iPhone users an improved Satellite Radio–like music experience

BroadClip previews its new music service for cell phone and iPod users at ShowStoppers.

By wrapping BroadClip’s sophisticated search, streaming, and personalization technologies around Internet Radio’s 20,000+ channels, FlyTunes improves on existing satellite radio services in several ways:

• FlyTunes works with iPhones, iPods, and media-capable cell phones already in the pockets of hundreds of millions of users. There is no new hardware to buy, charge or learn.

• With a sophisticated user interface that hides the complexity of Internet Radio, FlyTunes begins playing the music you want within 90 seconds of installing it.

• FlyTunes allows you to “personalize” the music channels you listen to. Your music experience gets better each time you use it.

• FlyTunes works equally well with or without wireless connectivity. You can listen to FlyTunes anywhere, anytime you want, including planes, trains, wilderness camping trips, on the space shuttle, anywhere!

Com One's Phoenix Wi-Fi Radio has been getting rave reviews based on the limited units available to media in 2007. Inventory is now flowing freely and firmware has been upgraded to enhance stream quality, add Snooze and Sleep functions to the alarm clock radio, and to make the user interface much friendlier when customizing your personal device.

This cutting edge portable radio comes preloaded with about 400 radio stations, grouped by genre, country, and city. If you can't find your favorites, simply log on to the web interface, register your serial number to drag-and-drop from the database of 7000+ stations. Still can't find your favorite? Add the IP address and then you can access any station or podcast as long as it's got a viable stream.

Preset buttons allow you to listen to your most-frequently selected stations with the push of a button. No need to use your computer anymore to listen to a world of choices. Plus you can send the audio output to your hi-end speakers or home entertainment system with either analog connection or Bluetooth adapters from Com One. Visit www.wifi-radio.biz to get started. Just $249 MSRP.

BlueAnt Wireless launches its latest and most innovative Bluetooth Headset – the BlueAnt V1. The world’s first voice controlled Bluetooth headset, the BlueAnt V1 is destined to appeal to those looking for something a little more sophisticated from their Bluetooth device.

The BlueAnt V1 Voice Controlled Headset allows users to easily control most functions of their headset using the revolutionary ‘BlueGenie™ Voice Interface’. Talk to it – and it will talk to you. Ask it for assistance – and it will assist you in getting the right command. This headset eliminates the combinations of button pushes, button holds and flashing lights synonymous with advanced Bluetooth devices. One activation button provides you with total control of the V1’s entire function menu system via an easy to use voice interface.

The ‘BlueGenie™ Voice Interface*’ uses advanced Voice Recognition and Voice Synthesis technology to allow users to easily control the functions of their headset using their voice rather than multiple button presses.

The V1 also incorporates dual microphones allowing for BlueAnt’s patented Voice Isolation Technology™’, a revolutionary proprietary Digital Signal Processor (DSP) software solution. Voice Isolation Technology™ uses advanced techniques to separate the user’s voice signal from all other sounds, enhancing and isolating all frequencies that affect voices coming into and out of the headset resulting in outstanding environmental noise reduction, echo cancellation and wind noise protection.

At ShowStoppers, Avnera Corporation announces several new products featuring its breakthrough semiconductor chip technology -- a low-cost, high-quality, easy-to-use wireless audio solution for consumer products such as speakers, headphones and headsets. Avnera’s technology, which was first unveiled in the fall of 2007, delivers uncompressed CD-quality sound, solves the interference problems that have plagued wireless audio for decades and is plug-and-play – no drivers to install or system configuration required.

In October 2007, Avnera announced three products containing Avnera chips on shelves as well as additional designs in the works from Audioengine, Acoustic Research, Best Buy, iHome and Polycom. Just 11 weeks later, Avnera is thrilled to announce the availability of several more Avnera-based products.

Avnera’s innovation is its entirely new approach to wireless audio technology with the development of a real-time streaming transmission technology designed specifically for music. Avnera incorporates six sound quality innovations that reconstruct corrupted packets when they arrive -- rather than re-sending the packets -- improve signal reception and virtually eliminate interference. AvneraAudio-based products are also easy to use - you plug them in and they work – no software installation, no profiles.

Animusic videos show off the latest digital technology like no other content. The intricate details and realistic rendering freezes people in their tracks as they stop and stare in awe.

Stop by to witness Animusic first hand at the 2008 CES ShowStoppers. This cutting edge company has top-selling DVDs – over 500,000 to date – and has just announced a new title for distribution in Japan.

NY Times writer David Pogue says Animusic’s “blend of music, visuals, humor and science is so new and so brilliant, it triggered feelings of fascination, laughter, amazement--and, yes, wonder."

Big tech companies Intel, HP, and TI show Animusic in HD to show off displays, projectors and video processing hardware. ATI created a unique screensaver that lets you control camera angles while an animation plays.

Animusic uses proprietary software to produce their “virtual concerts”, leading some to call them Pixar for the music world.

Accell introduces at ShowStoppers the latest in their line of HDMI signal distribution products. Products include a 4x8 HDMI Switch, 4x2 HDMI Switch and a 4x1 HDMI 1.3a High-Speed Switch. There is much excitement surrounding the Accell UltraAV 4x8 HDMI Switch since it features an industry-leading four HDMI inputs and eight HDMI outputs. This latest addition to Accell’s product line offers outstanding versatility for commercial, multi-display environments—including retail stores, bars, and restaurants. If support for additional displays is required, the 4x8 Switch can be cascaded using a total of 3 switches. This configuration is capable of delivering full high-definition 1080p audio/video support to up to 22 displays. Priced at just $299 MSRP, the UltraAV 4-8 Switch makes HDMI distribution affordable. CES Booth location: South Hall 2 #26534

ARCHOS will wow ShowStoppers attendees this year with two new high-tech devices that will satisfy all of your mobile and home entertainment needs.

The highly-anticipated ARCHOS 705 WiFi has the largest touch-screen of any portable media player on the market (7 inches!) and boasts two high-capacity options (80GB and 160GB ) to store up to 200 DVD-quality movies, 1 million photos or about 100,000 songs. The 705 WiFi also records TV directly to the player, downloads movies wirelessly and streams your media files from the computer to the TV. The WiFi capabilities of the player also let you surf the Web, check email, watch YouTube videos, play Flash games and use Opera Widgets right at your fingertips.

ARCHOS frees your entertainment with the ARCHOS TV+, the industry’s only standalone WiFi DVR that will serve as your home and mobile entertainment hub, storing hundreds of hours of video on the 250GB hard drive. The ARCHOS TV+ not only records TV, but also surfs the Web, downloads movies wirelessly, streams media files from the computer to the TV, and transfers your content directly to portable devices in a matter of minutes.

The ARCHOS 705 WiFi and TV+ feature the fastest, easiest way to access and enjoy your entire digital media library in the home and beyond. We look forward to showing you the new products at ShowStoppers!

At ShowStoppers CES 2008, Digital Foci Inc. launches its new line of “Image Moments” digital photo frames and “Pocket Album OLED Series,” ranging from as large as 15-inches for a beautiful home décor to as small as 1.5-inches for the ultimate in portability.

“Image Moments 15” features a 15-inch high-resolution XGA (1024x768) digital LCD screen with 16.2 million colors and a high contrast ratio of 700:1. “Image Moments 8” features an 8-inch high-resolution 800x600 digital LCD screen with 500:1 contrast ratio. Both models feature the unique proprietary Adapter Ring design that supports limitless custom framing options -- even your own custom frame. The frames also feature an interchangeable mat with 3 color selections; a hinged memory card door to hide the cards from view for an elegant finish; and many advanced features including EXIF auto-rotate function, folder structure for selective playback, and playlist capability.

“Image Moments 6” displays photos on its 5.7-inch (640x480) digital LCD screen with the highest pixel density available on the market for superior image clarity and detail as compared to similarly-sized digital frames. The frame also features the next generation LCD with LED backlight technology, which provides deeper color pallet reproduction over CCFL, and is environmentally friendly with a mercury-free, lower power design.

Digital Foci is also debuting the “Pocket Album OLED Series” at Showstoppers. The series includes the “Pocket Album Deluxe OLED 2.8” 2.8-inch (320x240) photo viewer with wrist strap holding 2,000 photos and the “Pocket Album OLED 1.5,” a digital keychain with a 1.5-inch screen holding 120 photos. Both photo viewers let you carry your photo moments with you everywhere you go to view and share on high-quality OLED screens.

29 years ago in 1978, I envisioned sports on television 24/7...8,760 hours of sports a year. That vision became ESPN.

50 years in sports has taught me one thing - without sports fans, a game is just a game. Without fans, the massive college football stadiums would never sell out, coaches and players would never earn multi-million dollar contracts and the sports apparel business would be just another struggling small business. Yes, you, the sports fan, make it all happen - your passion, your enthusiasm, your involvement makes all the difference.

The College Fanz Sports Network is for college sports fans at over 1,300 colleges and universities to have their say – their input into this frenzied world of sports in America and around the world. This network was created just for fans. Come join us in building the best place for college fans in the universe.

Bill Rasmussen
Founder, ESPN 1978
Founder, College Fanz 2007

As a pioneer in home and business networking, D-Link has changed the way broadband consumers keep their home networks and families safe from the many dangers and security threats that can come from the Internet. D-Link now offers managed security services with their popular Wireless N router line, designed to accommodate the growing needs of the home broadband network.

At the heart of the new Securespot 2.0 services is an industry first – a unique, graphical, web-based security console that communicates with the router and networked home devices. Setting up and managing security for the connected home is faster, easier and more effective than the old way of loading and managing separate, bulky security and parental controls packages on each PC.

The graphical web console discovers and protects new devices as the network grows — guest computers, media centers, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP, and other CE networked devices. Unique to other software or hardware solutions, Securespot 2.0 Services protect at both the network and computer layers, replacing the need for separate solutions. The hardware-based firewall, parental controls, reporting and SMS alert features protects all devices in the network with multiple Web 2.0 lists that are updated in real-time. When a computer is added to the network, the console detects and loads a very thin client application (including the McAfee™ Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware engine) that protects computers from malware, ID theft and pop ups both within the network and while on the road.

Neuros Technology is at ShowStoppers to show off the latest developments with its Neuros OSD digital video organizer and discuss what’s next. The Neuros OSD, which is already available at Fry’s, Microcenter and major e-tailers, allows users to consolidate all of their DVDs, VHS tapes, home movies and TV shows into a single box. This content can then be easily accessed with a single remote from the comfort of the couch or transferred to portable devices (such as laptops, video iPods, iPhones, and Smartphones) for on-the-go enjoyment.

The Neuros OSD is relentlessly enhanced with considerable help from the company’s worldwide community of open source developers and now includes geek features such as a YouTube browser to easily access and play the entire YouTube video library on a TV; the ability to remotely schedule timed recordings of live TV; wirelessly control its audio player to enjoy digitally stored music on a stereo; and a photo viewer to watch digital slide shows on a TV. These and future enhancements are made available to consumers via free downloadable upgrades.

Neuros top management will also be available at the show to discuss the challenges and benefits of incorporating open source development in CE hardware and the company’s new Unlocked Media DRM-free logo campaign.

Imagine an outdoor living space filled with the full, rich sound of a dynamic flat-panel speaker system that seamlessly integrates into your surroundings.

At Showstoppers, Magna Donnelly subsidiary Marcato™ unveils its Outdoor Sound + Solar Light System, a first-of-its-kind product that brings your deck or patio to life with a combination of first-class sound and subtle solar lighting. The system features durable, weatherproof Sound + Solar Light Towers and a 100 watt subwoofer. At 28 watts each, two omni-directional Sound + Solar Light Towers produce a wide dispersion of clear, dynamic sound, wherever you are in relation to the tower.

Easily integrated into a home’s outdoor living space, the Outdoor Sound + Solar Light System will transform any outdoor environment, making it a perfect location to entertain friends and family. And because the system was designed to be low-maintenance and durable, it can resist the toughest of weather conditions, including cold and rain.

Motionbox (www.motionbox.com) is the web site that is making it easy for consumers to upload, mix, and share their personal videos. The recent launch of the Motionbox Premium Membership is just $29.99/year. Premium Members are able to enjoy all the benefits of the free membership and gain the ability to safely store and manage their entire video library with unlimited uploads and capacity.

As a means of providing members with more ways to “consume” their videos beyond the screen of a personal computer, the premium service also enables TV-quality downloads that can be transferred and viewed on portable devices such as iPods and in living rooms on Apple TVs.

Motionbooks, the first video-based hard-good product, makes sharing videos even more enjoyable by allowing members to create customized flipbooks. Users can select a video from their video folder and simply highlight a 15 second clip from the frame selector. Each frame from this clip is printed in high-quality images and exported into a 3.5” x 2” Motionbook, for only $8.99 each.

At CES Showstoppers, Mint.com (www.mint.com), the easy and intelligent way for people to manage their money online, will announce new features to make personal finance even more refreshing for its more than 100,000 users. The revolutionary technology behind Mint.com is its two patent-pending technologies that automatically classify transactions and then finds unique savings opportunities for users. This allows Mint.com to do almost everything automatically in a way that other personal finance management software programs don’t. And Mint is free.

Aaron Patzer started Mint.com out of frustration in November, 2005 when he just wanted to create a rough budget for his holiday spending -- and found it was too time-consuming to get that done using his desktop software. Because he was planning for gifts and travel expenses, and thinking ahead to the New Year, he wanted to see what he was spending and saving in a typical month. But after spending several hours trying to get his records up to date, he began to wonder why there wasn’t a program that could do this for him automatically, so he set to work creating one. The breakthrough product launched as "Best in Show" at TechCrunch 40 in September, 2007.

Designed to be virtually effortless for the user, Mint.com money management takes less than five minutes to set up. Users register anonymously using only a valid email address and Mint does the rest, securely downloading transaction data from more than 3,500 banks, credit unions and credit card providers on a daily basis. Users never need to import or sync data. Mint applies proprietary algorithms to compile and categorize transactions, providing a unified view of all account activity; alerting users to unusual activity, low balances, bank fees and charges and upcoming bills; and giving users personalized suggestions for significant savings opportunities.

At ShowStoppers, iolo technologies will demo an updated version of its award-winning System Mechanic utility software.

The number one-selling PC tune-up software, System Mechanic automatically checks, diagnoses and repairs the entire system, fixing errors and slowdowns and cleaning out clutter – so PCs operate smoothly, reliably, and up to 300% faster.

The new update for 2008 features a radically redesigned interface, with a more intuitive, ergonomic layout; as well as more robust system tune-up, repair, and maintenance options. In addition, this new version offers key upgrades, including a disk defragmentation tool which can defrag drives up to 70% faster than before, and up to thirty times faster than the standard Windows defragmenter.

Providing free secure Web access to business customers and other visitors is no longer an expensive, time-consuming or risky proposition for corporate meeting rooms or small-to-midsize business (SMB) vertical market applications. With the award-winning GuestGate™ HotSpot Gateway from INTELLINET NETWORK SOLUTIONS, host networks and guest computers are fully protected from intrusion — at a fraction of the cost compared to other solutions. GuestGate works seamlessly with Wireless Access Points, routers or LAN switches to instantly provide any type of business what they need to securely deliver complimentary Web access on their premises.

- Protects company’s private network and guest computers from prying eyes while providing visitors free, instant access to the Internet
- Eliminates the wait and intrusion of IT configuring laptops
- Plug-and-Play installation
- Complete peace of mind for only $249 (MSRP)

GuestGate vertical markets include corporate meeting rooms (GuestGate allows visitors instant Internet access with no wait for IT configuration of their PC, PLUS the company’s private network data is not accessible), hotels/B&Bs, education and training facilities, food and beverage establishments, doctor/dentist waiting rooms, banks, country clubs, law enforcement offices, automotive service centers, government agencies, airports, bus stations, and more.

Reseller channel trade media has begun to report on GuestGate, as it’s sold exclusively through partners, but technology journalists will get their first exposure to this breakthrough solution at ShowStoppers @ CES 2008.

GuestGate has also gained state/local acclaim as the product was recently named “Innovation of the Year” by the Tampa Bay Technology Forum ― the region’s most prominent technology industry association, representing over 400 technology and business firms, investors, government agencies, educational institutions, and economic development organizations comprising Tampa Bay's technology ecosystem.

HAI (Home Automation, Inc.), a leader in promoting energy efficiency within the home environment for over 20 years, delivers new ways for homeowners to reduce energy consumption while maximizing comfort.

With the Omnistat2, HAI introduces a product that allows the user to easily define schedules and monitor their consumption to maximize energy savings as well as comfort. The Omnistat2 is a 7-day programmable communicating thermostat designed to precisely control the temperature and humidity within the home. Using advanced digital technology it actually "learns" a home's heating and cooling patterns and adjusts controls to maximize both the HVAC's efficiency and the occupant's comfort. Omnistat2 is an Innovations 2008 Design and Engineering Award honoree in the Home Appliances product category.

Snap-Link Mobile puts total control of all home functions in the palm of your hand! Simply click on the HAI logo that appears on your phone/PDA and you have instant access to your Snap-Link home control page. From there you can: Conveniently control individual lights, turn off all lights in the home or room, dim lights or adjust preset lighting scenes; View real time video of surveillance cameras - see your front door, pool, boat dock, etc. (requires appropriate cellular provider plan and cameras.); Conserve energy by adjusting heating and cooling and view
humidity and outdoor temperatures; Arm or disarm the alarm, view a security log to monitor
activity of housekeepers, nannies, etc.; Control your Whole Home Audio system. Select music source and adjust volume levels in individual rooms or the whole house.

The OmniTouch 5.7 allows control of lights and small appliances, security and temperature settings, pool and spa temperatures, ventilation, decorative lighting, Whole Home Audio Systems, surveillance video, and other items linked to an HAI Home Control system. In addition it features a larger 5.7 inch LCD display using TFT technology for rich colors and improved viewing angles. It displays video full screen (Touchscreen Hub and Encoder necessary for video), has a speaker instead of a beeper, and has a built-in USB drive connector to allow easy firmware updates. HAI OmniTouch 5.7 is an Innovations 2008 Design and Engineering Award honoree in the Integrated Home Systems product category.

At ShowStoppers, AVG sneak previews AVG 8.0, the latest version of its internet security suite scheduled for release in February. AVG 8.0 offers a completely new multi-threaded scanning engine that combines anti-virus and anti-spyware while retaining the product’s signature small footprint and scanning efficiency. A whole new layer of protection has been added in the form of safe searching and safe surfing protection using the LinkScanner technology acquired through the recent purchase of Exploit Prevention Labs. Other new additions include rootkit detection, basic security for MSN and ICQ instant messaging, and detection of malware-infected files on websites.

At a time when Internet-based exploits and viruses are running wild and cybercriminals are lurking behind fatal attractions like invisible fake video downloads on fan sites and MySpace pages, AVG is there to protect users whenever they go online.

With more than 62 million active users around the world, AVG has a huge pool of user-generated research to draw on and its global research team, led by industry veteran Roger Thompson, offers the Internet’s most effective neighborhood watch program. Learn more about Roger’s work in his blog at http://explabs.blogspot.com/

Ford Motor Company parks at ShowStoppers to demo Ford SYNC and to showcase key partnerships and further advancements in consumer-oriented, in-vehicle electronics.

“Our goal is to deliver the smart, connected in-car experience that customers today demand,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. “Ford is answering the call with the best technology solutions from companies like Microsoft and SIRIUS, connecting customers with mobile devices, important information they need on the road and bringing the experience to life with the latest in navigation technology and branded audio.”

Press attending ShowStoppers will have the opportunity to see one Ford Motor Company vehicle and technologies developed jointly with key suppliers, including Dolby, Gracenote, Microsoft, SIRIUS, Sony Electronics and THX.

FLIR Systems, the world leader in commercial thermal imaging solutions, has four infrared cameras at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show that make black-and-white TV video from heat, not light. The VSR-6 provides nighttime home security without intrusive and expensive security lights. The Navigator II lets boaters see other vessels, outcroppings of land, and hazards to navigation at night and in bad weather. With PathFindIR, drivers can see 5-times farther at night than with their high beams. The EVS3 Enhanced Vision System lets pilots see runways and taxiways at night. FLIR -- we're changing the way people see at night.

Consumer response to the first USB-based network display products to hit the market this last year has been so great, that DisplayLink wants to show the rest of the world how easy and productive it can be to add and use multiple displays for expanded visual workspace..

The company is staging a multi-pronged promotion at CES that includes a three-person “walking demo” that will patrol the CES badge registration in South Hall, allowing attendees to see that it’s as “easy as USB” to connect two extra displays to a PC or laptop. The walking demo will also stop at the DisplayLink booth at Showstoppers, and interested media can stop by for a DisplayLink-powered USB Graphics Adapter (UGA).

New USB-based display products – including UGAs, universal notebook docks, and 22” displays – will also be announced by consumer electronics heavyweights such as Kensington, LG, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony and others.

Get Duracell® Portable Power Products and Say Good-bye to Mobile Mishaps

Has your laptop lost power before you finished your presentation? Did your portable DVD player quit before Marlin found Nemo? Was your favourite song interrupted because your Mp3 lost power? Xantrex will showcase its line of Duracell® branded portable power products at Showstoppers 2008 – products that power popular CE products such as laptops, Mp3 players, cell/smart phones, digital cameras, gps systems and more, so mobile consumers can stay entertained and productive anytime, anywhere.

Duracell® PowerSource Mobile 100
It’s the only standalone power source for ALL your mobile electronics. Get up to two hours of extended run time for your laptop. When you’re on a plane or vehicle or in the backyard, you can finish that important presentation, or watch your favorite movie on your portable DVD player. The Duracell® PowerSource Mobile 100 gives your iPod® hours of play time; your cell phone days of standby power; and days of standby power to a BlackBerry®. This sleek, lightweight power source is rechargeable and fits neatly in your laptop bag. MSRP: $139.99

Duracell® Pocket Inverter
Power consumer electronics in your car with the Duracell® Pocket Inverter – the market’s smallest inverter! The Duracell® Pocket Inverter converts 12-volt battery power from a vehicle’s DC socket into AC household power. Charge or operate a laptop, cell phone, iPod®, BlackBerry®, or a portable DVD player in the backseat for your child. Couldn’t be easier or more convenient! Available in two models. MSRP: $29.99 (100 watt model) and $39.99 (175 watt model).

Duracell® Powerpack 300
Power consumer electronics when you’re at the beach, camping or in the backyard with the Duracell® Powerpack 300. Operate consumer electronics, appliances, small TVs, radios and cordless phones and stay entertained and productive. It’s also perfect for roadside emergencies. With 300 watts of AC power, an LED flashlight, a built-in air compressor, and jumper cables, the Duracell Powerpack 300 provides portable power when you need it most. MSRP: $99.99

OWLink Technology, a leading provider of innovative technology that transmits high definition digital video, audio and control signals over a single transparent DLI™ Fiber Optic link, demonstrates the company’s award winning HD Digital Light Link FO2850 at ShowStoppers. OWLink’s HD Digital Light Link FO2850 was selected as the Best of Innovations, Design and Engineering Award winner for CES 2008.

OWLink’s transparent DLI™ Fiber optic cable enables home users to place their video and audio equipment in the most convenient location in the home without opening walls, ceilings or floors to run cable. By deploying a simple A/V switch, one set of source devices can be accessed by multiple displays throughout the home. Each display can access different video and audio source devices, making it possible to watch the game on high-definition television while listening to music from the stereo system. OWLink’s products transmit uncompressed video/audio and comply with Studio-approved HDCP content protection technologies.

At Showstoppers, Otter Products LLC demos hip, sleek cases for the Blackberry® Pearl™ and Curve™. These slim-fit designs provide everyday BlackBerry users with three layers of protection and complete user interaction with phone, keypad and camera right through the case. Protect from drops, dust, dirt and impact while on-the-go. An included belt clip offers convenient carrying.

Magellan will debut new additions to its popular RoadMate series of entry-level vehicle navigation units, including the first 4.3-inch widescreen units from Magellan at this price point

One of the GPS industry’s flagship auto navigation products, the Magellan RoadMate series delivers “turn it on and go” functionality in an ultra-slim, pocket-sized form factor. The new RoadMate 1200 and RoadMate 1400 series of GPS units being previewed in Las Vegas represent the next generation of the RoadMate brand. With attractive retail pricing that begins at just $229, the Magellan RoadMate is ideal for drivers new to the GPS category or for parents to give to their younger drivers.

The new RoadMate 1400 series features a widescreen, 4.3-inch anti-glare touch screen with a simple, intuitive user interface designed for fast input, and come preloaded with Navteq road maps. Upgraded RoadMate 1200 and 1400 series units add text-to-speech, additional points of interest to total more than 6 million, and a fully integrated traffic feature that displays traffic incidents along the driver’s route, suggests alternative routes when “fastest time” to destination is selected, and recalculates the expected arrival time based on the monitored traffic

At ShowStoppers, eJamming Inc. showcasing the eJamming® system -- a social networking website for musicians and music lovers integrated with a real-time collaboration software client that enables musicians to make music with others online in real time. eJamming fills the void that has kept musicians from the online revolution that has connected most other people. To collaborate online, musicians need high-quality audio streaming, real-time connectivity and most importantly - synchrony.

eJamming AUDiiO -- the breakthrough, downloadable software application -- addresses all these needs and leaps over significant technological hurdles, allowing musicians to create and collaborate on full fidelity audio and digital (MIDI) music tracks over the Internet - in real time and in complete synchrony. Importantly, musicians can use eJamming AUDiiO as a real-time Virtual Recording Studio to record with musicians halfway around the world with near zero-latency when recording new tracks - and everyone hears the new track synchronized to all previously-recorded tracks (which are better than CD-quality 48kHz wav files).

eJamming will also sneak peek its soon-to-be-available eJamming®JamCast, which promises to revolutionize live performance by taking it online. Accessible to anyone around the globe with a Web-enabled device, be it a desktop PC, a laptop, ultra-light notebook computer, cell phone or one of the new class of portable products known as Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), JamCast connects musicians with their fans anywhere, any time.

eJamming will be featured in the Intel Keynote immediately prior to ShowStoppers. Be sure to stop by and meet eJamming's co-founders, Gail Kantor and Alan Jay Glueckman, who will show you a demo of eJamming AUDiiO in action and are available for interviews.

Initial sales reservations have started for the much publicized Arantix by Delta 7 Sports. The new Arantix was recently unveiled late 2007. Extreme and unique visual appeal, the Arantix is the only bike in the world featuring patented IsoTruss carbon fiber and Kevlar spider web-like open lattice tube designs ultimately creating a very strong and light frame.

Limited production of only 200 frames world wide for 2008 with initial deliveries expected Spring 2008. Orders for the custom, hand-built Arantix Mountain Bike, at prices starting at $11,995 (USD), and the company only plans to build/deliver 200 bikes in 2008. Each complete Arantix Mountain Bike has an option of choosing Shimano or SRAM components. Individuals interested in custom-building their own mountain bike, can also order an Arantix Mountain Bike frame by itself from Delta 7 Sports for $6,995 (USD).

At ShowStoppers, unlock the answers to office efficiency with new products from Newell Rubbermaid’s Technology Group -- including Dymo, Cardscan, mimio and Endicia. Stop by and discover why Newell Rubbermaid makes office tasks like mailing, shipping, labeling, filing, sharing and organizing information easier than ever for SOHO and SMBs. Newell Rubbermaid Technology: Smart Solutions for Smart Businesses.

Are you curious to know what CES predicts as next year’s hot technologies? CES 2008 will include a session called “The Top 10 Technologies You've Never Heard Of” in which they'll unveil their top picks for what consumers will soon flock to buy and what the big market drivers will be next year. Among the panelists for this CES session is Dr. Ross Dueber, President and CEO of ZPower, Inc., a provider of silver-zinc, rechargeable battery technology for portable electronics.

When it comes to performance, safety and environmental advantages, ZPower has a powerful story to tell at CES 2008. These silver-zinc, rechargeable batteries offer up to 40% more energy density than traditional lithium-ion batteries. They have a safe, non-flammable chemistry. And they are environmentally green. The primary elements used to produce the batteries can be recycled and re-used. The company plans to offer incentives so consumers can save money by recycling the batteries. ZPower was selected in September by AlwaysOn as one of the “GoingGreen 100 Top Private Companies” in the Energy Storage category for 2007. ZPower is currently working with leading manufacturers of notebook computers, cell phones, and smart phones to incorporate silver-zinc technology in next-generation products. The company will begin high volume production of ZPower™ batteries in mid 2008.

At ShowStoppers, Zoho demos Zoho Notebook, one of PC World's 25 Most Innovative Product Awards winners for 2008. Zoho Notebook is one of offerings from the broad Zoho Suite of collaborative online productivity applications. With over 15 applications, Zoho Suite offers online office applications including word processor, spreadsheet, presentation along with many other online applications like Mail, Creator and business applications like CRM, Project Management, Web Conferencing Apps, etc.

Zoho continues to raise the bar in the online productivity and collaboration market with relentless upgrades and enhancements to its suite of online productivity and collaboration applications. Zoho’s dedication to helping people harness the advantages inherent to the Web — mobility, collaboration, productivity and cost-efficiencies — is the driving force behind the industry’s broadest, most feature-rich online suite. Recent application upgrades include:

- Zoho Show 2.0 gains a rich, Ajax-based user interface to 50+ default themes; shapes and symbols support; extensive editing support for text, images, bullets, etc.; clip art support; Zoho Meeting and Zoho Chat integration; and many more.

- Zoho Writer offline support lets users read and write documents while online or offline. Pagination support, header/footer support, and spell checker in 43 languages have also been added.

- Zoho Sheet adds sidebar and batch operations, auto-fill, auto-suggest, duplicate sheet, multi-language support and several more features.

- Zoho Creator Mobile version gives users access to their private and shared Zoho Creator applications from their mobile phones and devices.

- Zoho Notebook adds linking support, including links back to content sources, a new hand tool, improved books navigation, scheme support, and more.

After heralding in the age of Fashioneering, IceRage premiers its chic line of fashionable peripherals at Showstoppers with the Pocket Mouse and the Ultimate Pocket Mouse.

Users can forget about the frumpy look and feel of everyday mass produced devices and indulge in sumptuous slim line designs, an attractive array of colors, and state of the art materials.

IceRage™ has employed innovative engineering, fashion inspired designs with cutting-edge technology to create products of exceptional quality and originality that are colorful, sleek and sexy . . . bar none.

Vamoose Products announces its entry into the consumer odor elimination market with new products and consumer product packaging.

Vamoose®, a tar and nicotine eliminator made up of an environmentally friendly formulation patented and trademarked as Novexium®, has been available to commercial clients for years and will now be available in consumer packaged and scented pump spray bottles.

Initially available as a spray treatment, in Leather, New Car and Fresh scents in 4, 16 and 32 ounce recyclable pump sprays and an environmentally friendly one gallon refill, future products will include carpet treatments, stain removers and other odor elimination products.

TRENDnet launches the networking industry’s first 300Mbps Wireless Easy-N-Upgrader at Showstoppers -- and demos new Powerline, award winning Wireless and Internet Security Camera products.

First to Market Product: 300Mbps Wireless Easy-N-Upgrader (TEW-637AP)

Want seamless Internet access from anywhere in your home? Don’t throw your old, perfectly functioning, wireless g router into a landfill. Help the environment by upgrading your existing router to high speed Wireless N with TRENDnet’s 300Mbps Wireless Easy-N-Upgrader (model TEW-637AP). The cute and compact 300Mbps Wireless Easy-N-Upgrader is made with lower levels of lead and chromium thereby reducing its environmental impact. Connect the 300Mbps Wireless Easy-N-Upgrader to your existing router and enjoy 12 times the speed and 6 times the coverage of your existing wireless network.

200Mbps Powerline AV Fast Ethernet Adapter (TPL-302E)

Enjoy high speed networking from any electrical outlet in your house with TRENDnet’s 200Mbps Powerline AV Fast Ethernet Adapter. It features an Intelon chipset, 128 bit AES encryption and an easy installation process.

At Showstoppers, Tekkeon debuts NavDock™ Home Media Center with On-TV Navigation for iPod. With NavDock, users can navigate iPod through on-TV menus to play videos, photos and music on a TV. Users browse directly through iPod menus, so finding and playing music and videos is easy. And the 16-button remote is used to adjust or mute volume, shuffle, repeat or skip songs, fast forward or rewind through music or videos, and view lyrics. The remote offers a five-way navigation pad and quick keys that jump directly to the Music, Videos, Photos, or Settings menus.

NavDock can be completely customized. The language, menu color scheme and navigation speed can be changed to fit a user's taste. This new dock even provides access to the iPod equalizer settings, and displays full-size album art.

Tekkeon also "sneak-peeks" its new external laptop battery with auto-detection. The myPower ALL MP3700 is universal so it connects to a wide range of laptops and other mobile devices. The auto-detect feature automatically determines the voltage required by the laptop, and locks the MP3700 output accordingly.

Paying it Forward – Making Consumers Comfortable to Get the Latest Gear

At CES this year, vendors and retailers will launch tens of thousands of groundbreaking consumer electronic products, making previous state-of-the-art gear instantly obsolete – and much less expensive. Why should consumers pony up the cash to purchase these new products, when common logic says to wait for lower prices or the next upgrade? What’s more, recent research shows many consumer electronics markets are getting saturated, with sales growth rates flattening.

How can retailers and CE vendors encourage more people to join the extreme early adopters to take the plunge on cutting-edge, top-dollar goods?

What if an electronics store or online outlet could give consumers a guaranteed trade-in amount for the latest new digital camera, flatscreen, or computer? A company called TechForward is doing just that, with Guaranteed Buyback™ service that allows tech consumers to buy now – and trade up later. Much like the automotive industry, TechForward promises consumers a temporary ownership model for a wide range of new devices, allowing people to buy the latest, greatest techno-gear knowing they can easily upgrade any time over the next two years to stay ahead of the curve.

How can TechForward do this? How are they getting 12 percent uptake at retail for this high-margin, point of sale upgrade service? What patent-pending predictive intelligence is behind this revolutionary retail approach to CE? What new devices can be purchased this way? How are re-purchased devices sold effectively through secondary markets or recycled responsibly?

At ShowStoppers, Microsoft demonstrates Popfly, a Silverlight-based tool for exploring your creativity. Popfly is the fun and easy way to build and share mashups, gadgets, and Web pages. It’s made up of online visual tools for building Web pages and mashups and a social network where you can host, share, rate, comment and even remix creations from other Popfly users.

Creating a new mashup is as simple as selecting a few blocks, dragging them onto the Popfly creator, and wiring them together. In just a matter of minutes you can customize the classic asteroids game, display pictures of Radiohead over a map of concert locations, and create an image carousel of your Facebook friends.

Once you’ve got your mashup, you can easily share it with friends, embed it in your personal homepage, and even add it to your Facebook profile. Like what someone else has built? Rip it and make it your own!

At Showstoppers, TasteBook demonstrates its new web service, which allows you to organize and share online recipes as well as create hardcover personal cookbooks. Now anyone who loves to cook or simply loves food can easily create stunning cookbooks filled with the highest quality recipes in minutes.

With more than 25,000 recipes from Epicurious as well as custom recipe collections curated by top cookbook authors and the editors at Epicurious, TasteBook gives you access to the best recipes available anywhere. Completely customizable with a wide selection of high-quality cover art, TasteBook makes it fun and easy to create keepsake-quality cookbooks for yourself and others.

At Showstoppers, support.com (a remote tech service) celebrates the anniversary of its first year and will be on-hand to discuss findings from their first annual call center issues report.

support.com found the majority of consumer tech issues in 2007 fell into three categories: virus and spyware issues (27 percent), tune-ups (31 percent) and simple quick fixes (32 percent) according to its review. In addition, support.com found that consumers struggled with Microsoft Vista, accounting for 10 percent of calls.

On a more interesting note, the review findings also indicate increased consumer demand for tech support in dealing with social networking and virtual game play.

Whether actually in the market for a new home or just curious about what’s for sale in the area, Smarter Agent can deliver that information instantly to your cell phone in one-click using the company’s new GPS Homes for Sale application. The company, who invented and patented the mobile location-aware real estate search, is introducing their latest innovation at ShowStoppers: Mobile GPS Homes for Sale search.

Smarter Agent combines GPS technology, already embedded in 55% of all cell phones, with up to the minute and accurate home sale information obtained from the country’s top brokerage firms including their multiple listing data feeds. The returned information includes details such as sale price, taxes, beds/baths, square footage, interior and exterior property descriptions—even pictures! A MapQuest map shows the user where they are in relation to the homes. And a button reading “Call to See” routes the user directly to a Realtor™ who can show the home.

How is all of this possible? Homes for Sale is a national application, allowing users in major metropolitan areas, as well as the surrounding regions, to search for homes using their cell phones. Smarter Agent has partnered with premier brokerages across the country, such as Prudential California Realty in Northern California and Nevada, Real Estate One in Michigan, Luxury Realty Group in Las Vegas, Prudential Fox & Roach in Philadelphia, Weichert in New Jersey, Real Living in Ohio, Prudential Network in Jacksonville and Prudential Douglas Elliman in New York City, creating the most convenient and comprehensive search tool on the market.

Rattlebox offers a whole new way to interact and connect online. With Rattlebox, users can manipulate and customize professionally produced videos to express themselves in a way that has never before been possible. Rattlebox is not another site hosting user generated content posted by amateurs, nor is it your typical cheesy e-card site.

Rattlebox puts a vast library of professionally produced video into the hands of the masses to personalize and then share online via e-mail, IM or social networking sites. And it’s free. It is the i-generation's answer to e-cards, providing a new way to communicate for every occasion or mood. From birthdays to holidays to party invitations or just to share random thoughts and sentiments, Rattlebox has content appropriate for every conceivable situation. The video on Rattlebox is edgy and outrageous, produced and edited specifically to appeal to the tastes and sensibilities of the 18-to-34-year-old demographic. As one blogger put it – these are “video cards guys won’t be embarrassed to send.” The videos can be sent as-is, using the existing text (created by successful film and television writers) or they can be completely customized to serve any individual's needs in any circumstance.

If you have something to say to someone, Rattlebox provides an imaginative, visually inventive, potentially provocative, and always unique way to express yourself.

At this year’s Showstoppers media event at CES, Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions (PLDS) Corp., a joint venture between Royal Philips Electronics and Lite-On IT Corporation will exhibit several new Optical Disc Drives (ODD) and Digital Photo Frames under Lite-On IT’s consumer electronics brand, cenOmax.

On the ODD side, PLDS will showcase several new Lite-On Blu-ray devices including its second generation Blu-ray Disc (BD) Triple Writer. The DH-4B1S 4x BD writer’s fast write times provides consumers with an attractive and powerful tool for archiving large files, photographs and HD videos onto a single disc for safe keeping and years of enjoyment. The Blu-ray Triple writer has a suggested list price of $499. PLDS will also show two new Lite-On Blu-ray readers (BD-ROM) – an internal and external model -- which serve as the ideal all-in-one disc reading devices for most popular media formats including Blu-ray Disc, DVD and CD discs. The DH-4O1S (internal) and DX-4O1S (external) Blu-ray BD-ROM have suggested list prices of $199.99 and $299.00, respectively.

Lite-On is also expanding its 20X DVD writer portfolio with an external drive that incorporates LightScribe disc labeling technology, and patented SmartWrite features. The DX-20A3H is based entirely on Lite-On’s award-winning external Blu-ray triple writer which recently won the prestigious RedDot Design Award in Europe. In addition, Lite-On will launch a new, super-slim external DVD writer at Showstoppers. The DX-8A1H measures a mere 5.3 (W) x 0.8 (H) x 5.3 (D)-inches, making it the perfect travel companion for business travelers and students.

The cenOmax F7024B 7-inch digital photo frame is a beautifully-designed photo frame with playback features that make it ideal for the home, office, college dorms or for traveling executives. It includes four (4) interchangeable frame inserts to match the style and décor of any room -- and any season of the year and incorporates the Auto Rotate feature which automatically rotates images for proper viewing, whether the frame is positioned vertically or horizontally. The built-in alarm clock and calendar option make it an ideal travel companion for students and executives.

With BLUETOUCHmusic®, the car door is open to the Apple iPhone. The multimedia system from PEIKER acustic and ALAC supports all of the cult favorite cell phone’s functions. From telephony to music – all of the features can be operated conveniently and confidently via touch screen and voice. And naturally, thanks to BLUETOUCHmusic, it is also possible to operate any available iPod model conveniently in the car.

Universality and ongoing optimization are the terms that best describe BLUETOUCHmusic. And rightly so: Free software updates published regularly on the homepage ensure that this development is always up to date. Its USB connection makes it all possible, enabling not only compatibility with the latest mobile phones, but also the integration of a whole spectrum of new functions. So it comes as no surprise that BLUETOUCHmusic® is one of the first multimedia systems to fully support the Apple iPhone®. Users can talk on the telephone conveniently via Bluetooth®, and thanks to the new software, rapid telephone book downloads via SyncML are now also possible. Another new feature is the telephone book search function. Any entry in the entire address book of the mobile phone that is hooked up can be found quickly. Depending on the mobile phone, a pop-up screen also indicates when a new SMS message has been received.

And yet the factor for which BLUETOUCHmusic® is most popular is its music function: Users can play their favorite songs in MP3 format directly from USB sticks or SD cards. Those who prefer their music the old-fashioned way can connect their music sources using a 3.5-millimeter stereo jack. And the Bluetooth® A2DP profile makes it possible to transmit songs directly and wirelessly from the mobile to the car’s own stereo system.

BLUETOUCHmusic® makes pulses quicken, particularly among fans of the Apple iPod®. All of the current models, including the new iPhone®, fit the specially developed interface. Once the device is connected, the user can use the touch screen or voice commands to browse titles, artists, albums, and playlists. The iPod® or iPhone® also charges at the same time. With features like this, you can feel right at home even in your car.

At Showstoppers@ CES 2008, Paragon Software (Smart Handheld Device Divisions) unveils the latest translation and dictionary additions for its best-in-class SlovoEd collection of bilingual and monolingual dictionaries for mobile devices and PCs. The company showcases SlovoEd dictionary beta version for Mac OS and launches a new Website ( http://www.slovoed.com), dedicated exclusively to dictionary software, to help its customers to get the additional translation functionality directly off the Web.

Big Stage sneak previews breakthrough technology that allows users to easily create and integrate a life-like 3-D avatar of themselves into everything from famous movie scenes, TV shows and video games, to music videos, short video clips, virtual worlds, still images, user-generated content, instant messages, e-mails, social networks and more – instantly. Big Stage will launch to consumers in the second quarter of 2008.

At Showstoppers@ CES 2008, Paragon Software@ (Storage Solutions Division) demonstrates several innovative products:

• NEW! Paragon Partition Manager 9 – Now the easiest and safest partitioning tool available!
• Breaking News! Paragon Software enables Mac to read AND WRITE files to Windows file system! – Introducing Paragon NTFS for Mac OS X
• New Backup Strategy for a small business! – Presenting Paragon Drive Backup Server Express 2008 for Windows Servers
• Introducing the tools that every consumer needs to completely manage their PCs -- New Paragon Hard Disk Manager 2008 Suite helps users to protect, maintain and manage their PC.

Everything You Need To Hook Up Your HDTV in One Simple Package

Planet Waves, a division of D’Addario & Company - well known throughout the world for exceptional musical instrument accessories – is introducing a new line of DIY Home Theater Connection kits for the consumer market. Available in three different configurations, the new Planet Waves Home Theater DIY kits are perfect for the consumer market given its ease of use. It is as simple as cutting the cable to length, applying the appropriate connector and fastening the set screw to secure the connection. There is even a tester provided so that consumers can test every cable to ensure proper termination. It may sound too good to be true, but it really is as easy as Cut, Twist & Screw!

Widely recognized in the custom installation business by integrators, custom retailers and distributors as an innovative solution for custom length cabling, Planet Waves offers installers and consumers a sonically pure and quick cable making solution with reusable connectors. No cable stripping is required and affixing the Planet Waves connector to its matched, high-definition coaxial cable, requires only a push-on to the cable and turning the gold grounding screw. No special tools are required and the process is easily repeatable and identical for all connections.

All three kits feature 24 carat gold-plated contacts, sleek black chrome finish, extra color coding rings to indicate applications, and an extra set of screws.

The EyeClops™ Bionic Eye topped virtually every Retailer and Media Hot Toy and Holiday Gift list in 2007 -- and for 2008, JAKKS Pacific (NASDAQ: JAKK) adds awesome new features and accessories to the award-winning product line, including portability, a multi-focus lens and a way to capture and save each exciting discovery – debuting exclusively at ShowStoppers CES!