By David Ponce

So, CES is over. Don’t cry, we’ve done enough of that for all of you over our battered feet and crooked backs in the last few days. Instead, cheer up because here is our super awesome collection of CES booth babes, available for your perusal and more importantly, your vote. Yes, not only can voting elect governments and decide between greasy pizza or nutritious McD’s for the office lunch, but it can now also get you some drool-worthy convention floor swag.

We were able to find 13 beautiful ladies willing to be photographed. But it wasn’t easy. Some were clearly used to this sort of thing while others had to be coaxed and convinced they wouldn’t be sharing space with anyone from the other show (NSFW). Some were easily available for the photo op, while yet others had to be fetched from their resting areas after lengthy discussions with careful executives (*cough*Casio*cough*). We wanted to tell you all this so you’re aware of the effort that goes into something like this. Yeah… It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.

So, now, hit the jump to see the girls, find out what you might win and vote!

1. The Blu:Sens Girl.

2. The Isis Dei Girls.

3. The X-Rocker Vibe Girl (Go ahead and see if you can find a website)

4. The 2XL/Skullcandy Girl.

5. The Creative girl.

6. The Logic Wireless LLC girl.

7. The Casio girl.

8. The Diesel Audio girl.

9. The Tri Spec girl.

10. The JVC girl.

11. The Motevo girl.

12. The Intel girl

13. The OrbitSound girls.

So there you have it, folks. Now, what’s up for grabs and how to win? Read on.

We’re giving away 7.3lbs of showfloor swag. This includes an enormous amount of CES memorabilia: over 30GB’s worth of various flash drives (pre-loaded with press material, lucky you!), an MP3 player, a CES bag given exclusively to the press, a digital luggage scale… Heck, just click on the below picture for a higher resolution version of everything you’re getting.

How to win? Leave a comment voting for your favorite booth babe. Again, don’t spam, or we’ll ban your IP. We’ll pick a random winner from all the entries.

Deadline? We’re leaving the comments open until Wednesday, January 14th, 11:59pm EST.

Who can enter? It’s open to the world. Yes world, you too can get a piece of CES action without having to travel halfway across the planet!

Enjoy!

By David Ponce

We don’t spend all our time at the Convention Center, or inside hotels. No no… we also spend an ungodly amount of time getting to and from these places. Here’s what that looks like.

Got $44k burning a hole in your pocket? Yeah, we bet you do, so that’s why you’ll be one of the first in line for the SC830 from SimCraft. It’s a racing simulator that features three degrees of freedom (roll 40° / pitch 25° / yaw 40°) and “High-fidelity motion actuators and “knuckles” for unsurpassed quick response, and smooth motion curves”. It also seems to come with three LCD screens configured in wraparound fashion, which completely helps to explain the pricetag. If I understood the rep correctly (at first I wasn’t paying attention, having gone to see him to ask him an unrelated stumper), the system will initially work with 18 gaming titles. The website mentions “supported titles” in their documentation, but nowhere can these titles actually be found, so I’m not too sure about this part.

Still, the line waiting to try it out seemed eager enough, and the gamers sufficiently rattled. And again, it’s only $44,000. A bargain in this economic climate.

[ Simcraft ]

By David Ponce

It’s a flash drive with a numeric keypad that contains software for writing a diary. I’d like to think it’ll attract a certain demographic and I’m also under the impression that this demographic is the tween girl. But here’s the thing: I don’t get these girls. I also don’t believe any tween gals read us, but maybe one of you knows one? So help me out. Do you think they’d like the following?

It’s a 1GB flash drive. It’s protected by a secret code that you have to enter on the numeric keypad before you actually plug the drive in. Once plugged, software is launched that lets the user not only write a diary, but do a bunch of things like: read fortune cookies, interpret dreams, help you get inspired to write, etc. The encryption is military grade and the internal chip covered in epoxy, making a physical break-in impossible. It’s $60 and available from a few retailers.

So… If this something tween girls will like, or just toss in a drawer after mom buys it for them excitedly next Christmas?

[ Secret Diary ]

[ Purchase from Amazon (not an affiliate link) ]

By David Ponce

Primitive though it may be, walking is an endeavor still enjoyed by a few. And these sprightly urbanites will soon be able to get something in return for their efforts (you know, aside from good health): gadget-recharging electricity. The nPower PEG (Personal Energy Generator) is a device that harvests the kinetic energy of your walking and turns it into electricity, charging most devices up to 80% with just one hour’s worth of walking. Toss it into a bag along with any USB 2.0 powered device, and it’ll charge as you walk. The rep did not mention whether jumping around spastically would make things go faster.

The nPower PEG in being pre-sold on their website, and will be available in six months for $149. The company hopes that as it gets manufactured in increasingly larger quantities, the price will drop accordingly.

Full press release after the jump.

The power is in you! With the nPower™ PEG, you create power for charging your cell phone, iPod,
and other handheld devices. Just place the lightweight nPower™ PEG in your bag or on your hip,
attach it to your device, and you’ll create energy any time you need it. The PEG works when you are
in motion, so you don’t have to worry about being near a power outlet or running out of a charge
while on the go ever again.
The up and down movement from your walking or running creates kinetic energy. The nPower™
PEG:
 harvests kinetic energy to charge handheld electronic devices at the
same rate as a wall charger, which means most devices reach an 80%
charge with just an hour of walking throughout the day.
 is a green technology that literally allows you to create renewable
energy by walking, thus reducing your personal carbon footprint.
 is compatible with over 90% of handheld electronic devices, including
cell phones, MP3 players, handheld gaming devices, handheld GPS,
digital cameras, and more.
 appeals to consumers as 12% of the general population and 33% of ecofriendly
consumers would ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ purchase according
to recent independent consumer research.
The nPower™ PEG addresses the problem of the world’s increased demand for electricity, and
consumers’ lack of an effective alternative energy option. The initial potential market for the
nPower™ PEG is composed of the 23.2 million Americans who carry handheld mobile electronic
devices and walk for approximately one hour per day. The nPower™ PEG could remove 25.4 million
kilowatts of power from the grid — the collective annual electricity needed to charge 23.2 million cell
phones at 3 watts for one hour per day (approximate amount of power needed annually for 21,000
households).

By David Ponce

Traveling can suck. It’s much more gratifying to sit in your leather throne in your corporate office and order your minions from a distance. Enter QA, from AnyBots, a $30,000 telepresence self-balancing robot that can take you (virtually) to your Singapore child labor camp precocious workforce facility and see how things are going without ever having to leave the comfort of wherever you call home. Once powered up, you log into QA and move it around at will. You face shows up in its chest, your voice is heard through its speakers and more importantly the look of abject subordination is seen (and transmitted back to you, live) on the face of your cowering middle-managers through its soulless camera-eyes. You can make it bend and look around, and even has a laser that you can use to point to things that need to be done.

QA has a battery life of 4 to 6 hours, depending on usage and can move around at speeds of up to 6mph. Currently the company is small and is looking for investors, or any sort of financial help that would allow it to streamline their manufacturing process and drop that kick-in-the-gut $30k price tag.

[ AnyBots ]

By David Ponce

We spent a good portion of Thursday morning listening to HP’s execs talk about their new products with an enthusiasm of near onanistic intensity. Sure, their lineup of laptops, printers and desktops is slick and all, but we here are OhGizmo! tend to stay away from the “Bigger, Faster and Slimmer” school of technological innovation. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to hear HP had been working on an application for the iPhone which allows you to print any pictures you take directly from your phone, on any of HPs WiFi enabled printers connected to your network. We’re not talking revolution here, but it is an added bit of functionality that’s more than welcome on the iPhone.

It will print pictures up to 4″ by 6″, and is available right now from the App store. I saw a demo, and it works just as advertised.

One side note. I’m amused by the fact that HP refers to the “App Store” with quotation marks on their web page. I guess they’re still “getting used” to this whole “iPhone thing”.

[ iPrint Photo (direct download) ]

[ HP's Website ]

By David Ponce

S1 Audio, a new company with no actual product on the market yet (this comes in Q1 ‘09) makes a set of headphones that are interesting for all sorts of reasons. I’ll focus here on two. First, the good (pictured above).

The BudBud headphones feature some really innovative design. They allow you to share your music easily by virtue of the fact that each bud carries… another bud within it. Should your friend want to listen in on your stuff, just detach each of the conjoined buds and hand them over. The device even features separate volume controls. If my memory is correct, this goes for $40 (like a dumbass, I lost my notes. I’ll update later with correct pricing if I’m wrong).

The not so good now. The NxSET series of headphones are meant to wrap around your neck, and project your music up to your ears. Sure, it lets you still hear your environment, reducing your odds of an unpleasant car-face encounter… But they do increase your odds of a fist-face encounter dramatically. Especially if you plan on listening to this on a crowded public transport vehicle. Don’t get me wrong, there definitely is a market for these, I just don’t know that I want to hang with that crowd. Prices vary depending on what options they have, which are all clearly explained in one of the two press releases I’m pasting after the jump.

The BudBud Release (Crappy formatting due to PDF to text clipping issues.)
CES, LAS VEGAS – January 8, 2009 – S1 Audio, makers of innovative MP3 and mobile phone
accessories, today introduced its BudBud dual function earbud series to deliver a unique mobile
communication and audio experience through patented design.
Designed with a focus on comfort, convenience and shareability, BudBud products eliminate the need for
multiple headsets, earphones, splitters and cords when using MP3 players or music-enabled mobile
phones. Each product in the BudBud line provides exceptional comfort for extended wearing periods while
delivering a stylish option to meet consumer demands.
Models include:
• BudBud Solo – The first and only mono communications headset that converts to stereo
earbuds allowing users to forgo an extra set of earbuds and rely on a single device. Using a
patented, ergonomic design, a second earbud is piggy-backed onto the primary bud for dual ear
listening when separated.
• BudBud MP3 – Converts easily from a single pair of earbuds to two complete pairs through a unique
piggy-back design, enabling consumers to conveniently share their music with friends.
• BudBud Mobile – Like the BudBud MP3, BudBud Mobile converts from a single pair to two pairs of
earbuds for playing and sharing media. It also includes a high performance microphone for use with a
mobile phone.
“BudBud products enhance the way people interact with their mobile devices,” said Chris Gantz, CEO of
S1 Audio. “Traditional music and mobile devices require various accessories to fully function, and they
limit our ability to share and socialize. Each BudBud product combines the functionality of these
accessories to eliminate the hassle of extra products and cords while making it easier to share media with
others.”
All BudBud products feature a soft-to-touch comfortable elastomer covering that can be worn for longer
periods of time without the discomfort typically caused by hard case plastic earbuds.

The NxSET Release
S1 AUDIO INTRODUCES NxSET™, A SERIES OF AUDIO ACCESSORIES WORN AROUND THE
NECK
Product Challenges Conventional Headphone Design for Better Comfort and Shareability
CES, LAS VEGAS – January 8, 2009 – S1 Audio, makers of innovative MP3 and mobile phone
accessories, today introduced the complete NxSET product series, featuring a revolutionary, around-theneck
design for better comfort and an easier way to share personal media. The NxSET product series
includes, Music 1 and Music 2 for use with portable music devices, and Mobile 1 and Mobile 2 for use
with mobile phones.
Designed as a sleek and light-weight neckband, NxSET products move the traditional headset to the
shoulders, where two integrated speakers on either side of the device project sound up to the userʼs ears,
providing full fidelity stereo sound and comfort. At higher volumes, NxSET can be placed in a common
area to easily share music or a phone conversation with multiple people.
“The design concept of headphones has remained largely unchanged for the last 50 years, even while our
personal needs and usage has evolved tremendously – style, extended wear, easy sharing and high
mobility are paramount today,” said Chris Gantz, CEO of S1 Audio. “The NxSET platform revitalizes the
idea of social and mobile listening while affording users unparalleled comfort, even through long listening
periods.”
Models include:
• NxSET Music 1 – Includes two high-fidelity speakers that project audio to the ears when worn
around the neck. When the volume is increased, the device can be used as a miniature and
highly portable speaker system.
• NxSET Music 2 – Similar to the Music 1 model with the addition of retractable earbuds for
entirely private listening.
• NxSET Mobile 1 – Designed to work with mobile phones, this model includes a single speaker
and retractable earbud along with high performance microphone to replicate an off-the-head
mobile headset. CSR BlueCore™5 Bluetooth™ technology is incorporated to eliminate the need
for cords.
• NxSET Mobile 2 – Similar to Mobile 1, this device is designed with music-enabled phones in
mind and features two personal speakers where users can switch between stereo phone headset
and listening to streaming stereo functionality without cords, thanks to CSR BlueCore™5
Bluetooth™ technology. The device also includes two retractable earbuds for completely private
listening.
Music 1 and 2 are powered by two AA batteries, while Mobile 1 and 2 feature built-in rechargeable batteries.
NxSET products have an internal audio amplifier to deliver rich bass and clear, crisp middle- and high-range
sound. They also have dual flex points allowing users to customize fit without losing the unique style of the
accessory. All models include on-board volume control, mute and multiple music play/forward functions while
the Mobile versions also include send/end call button. The patented design keeps the userʼs head and ears
“gear free” for a uniquely comfortable audio experience.

[ S1 Audio ]

By David Ponce

Something has got to be said about a useful product that’s able to convincingly double as a “fashion accessory” on the barely-there outfit of a booth babe. Questionable (but not entirely ineffective or unenjoyable) marketing tactics aside, FlatWire makes some amazing products that make me wish I’d have a few large to drop on a home entertainment system. Like the name sort of implies, these guys make flat wires. But I mean, really, really flat. They gave me a sample of 18 gauge electrical wire, and it’s paper thin.

So when you’re wiring pretty much anything in your home (audio equipment, home theater setup, etc.), instead of drilling holes in your walls, knocking down potentially load-bearing studs to get your cables out of view… use flat wires. Stick them on your wall, put a little plaster over them, and paint. No one will ever know they’re there.

You could argue that laying some plaster and painting is almost as labor intensive as drilling holes… but what happens when you’re faced with a brick wall? In any case, it’s nice to have options, and Flat Wire definitely impressed me with their product.

And no, not just because of the booth babe.

Prices vary depending of length and type of cable needed, but of course you’ll be paying a bit of a premium. Nothing outlandish though: 25ft of 18 gauge speaker wires will set you back $38 for instance. Not cheap, but this ain’t no Monster cables.

[ FlatWire ]

P.S. The booth babe didn’t hurt though.

By David Ponce

iGo is known for their line of multi-device chargers. They use an array of interchangeable tips to allow you to charge pretty much anything under the sun. But they do other things as well, and one product that caught my eye is the iGo Green Technology Surge Protector. It’s basically a glorified powerbar with a halfway decent design that won’t look terrible next to your entertainment center. But more importantly, what it does is stop your devices from sucking power when they’re on standby. It features 8 sockets: 4 regular ones, and 4 with the iGo Green Tech. So, lets say you plug your plasma into one of the 4 green ones, when you turn it off, it wont keep on drawing power. In the long run, this can save you a bunch of money, and well, like pretty much everything at CES this year, is Green.

It’s going to cost $69 and be available this summer.

[ iGo's Website ]