Image © CEA
CES 2010 runs just before the Mobile World Congress, which is a global event specifically for wireless from Feb. 15 to Feb. 18 in Barcelona.
Cell phones and smartphones have played a major part in previous CES shows and won't be slowing down this year. Here are some of the hot wireless items to watch for following CES.
- Washable Cell Phone: Cell phones can be a breeding ground for bacteria, but their worst enemy is likely being dropped in water. The Seal Cell from Seal Shield is said to be the world's first waterproof, dishwasher-safe and antimicrobial cell phone.
The first few models plan to be released for T-Mobile. Thereafter, Seal Shield says it will have washable phones for AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint by April 2010. Prices for the phones aren't yet public.
- Cell Phone Leash: If you've ever lost your cell phone, you know how frustrating, time consuming and expensive it is to start all over with a new one. ZOMM is being called the first "wireless leash" for mobile phones.
ZOMM wireless leash
Image © ZOMM
It goes on your keychain and acts as your cell phone's guardian angel so you don't lose it.
The ZOMM device needs to be in close proximity with your cell phone. If it gets too far away, it will sense the distance and alert you with a loud alarm. The item costs $80.
- Cell Phone Watch: The W Phonewatch from Kempler & Strauss is said to be the world's smallest full-function GSM cell phone watch. It's unlocked so you can use it on any carrier, has a touch screen and features Bluetooth.
Unlike LG's $1,300 watch phone, the W Phonewatch retails for $200. Look for the availability of the W Phonewatch at large retailers such as Best Buy and Target.
- Cell Phone Projector: At CES, LG is spotlighting its Expo smartphone with Windows Mobile.
LG Expo projector phone
Image © LG
Featuring a 1-gigahertz processor, this phone for AT&T can project videos, photos and presentations stored on the phone.
The Expo went on sale on Dec. 7, 2009 for $199 with a two-year AT&T contract after a $100 mail-in rebate. The projector, which attaches to the back of the smartphone, costs an additional $179.
- Local TV Phone: The Tivit from Valups is a device that beams a local TV signal to most mobile phones with Wi-Fi technology, which is becoming more common.
In doing so, the $120 "Mobile DTV" (mobile digital television) device bypasses cell phone carriers. Tivit is said to go on sale this spring.
Comments
No matter what cell you talk of, have you ever considered the elite purchases and the power of the poor purchasing? After all, who brings the cell corporations? The elite, who may request the golden cell made in the pure hide and warranty for life, help desk at the click. Do you seriously think the corporation will survive? No. It is the lower ends like the Apple computer and IBM that had to bring down the computer prices as Micheal Dell opened the doors for , ” Come on buy these from my warehouse” At the factory price. Moreover, who leads now? DELL right. It is the price and the poor who keep these corporations floating. Elite will buy one and that is it then they will have cheaper ones for the house cleaner, drivers, and wives (You will spoil these) Your government is spying on you.
Although in this era of military satellites and closed circuit surveillance cameras that may not come as a big surprise, conspiracy theorists believe there’s a lot more to it. Believers point to the Patriot Act’s broadening of intelligence agencies’ powers to put Americans under surveillance –- without a warrant –- and monitor phone calls and Internet usage as red flags.
But the paranoia, whether justified or not, doesn’t stop there. Fringe groups point to the nationwide high-definition TV conversion upgrade as little more than a pretext to get boxes with government monitoring chips into every living room in the country. Big Brother can spy on you through your iPhone, BlackBerry or cell phone, and that GPS box in your car is a two- way line to the satellite.
I thank you
Firozali A Mulla DBA
Well Firozali, here’s one idea you and many cell phone users may not have considered… pre-paid cell phones are not really trackable because they operate off the major cell phone grids under “pay as you go” terms without contracts.
My favorite prepaid cell phone for 2010 is the StraighTalk from Walmart, which runs on the Verizon network so it has great coverage, according to Consumer Report. But, you pay as you go. $30 a month will include 1000 minutes of talk and text plus 3G data. $45 a month will up the ante to UNLIMITED usage for talk, text and 3G data. And there’s more…
StraighTalk just intruduced the FINESSE smart phone with a touch screen that operates very much like the more expensive types but can shave about $2000 off a two year usage if compared with the venerable iPhone.
Do the math, cut the contract and for those conspiracy theorists like Firozali, get off the grid as you save big bucks!