BLURB

I started the day off by visiting with the company that is turning out Windows Mobile devices like Sony did with Palm OS devices a few years back: HTC.

PepperPad3

I then wandered the Sands Expo floor a bit and checked out the PepperPad3 and really like the hardware. I was able to type pretty well on it and it looks like a nice semi-portable media center device. I think the price may be a bit high at US$ 699, though, with devices like the Nokia N800 (see our earlier coverage) and even UMPC devices.

I saw lots of foreign vendors, cables, accessories, and other products from smaller vendors, but didn`t spend too much time on this floor. I did stop and chat with Spotwave (Joel is working on a review of the system) about its system, which is designed to improve the wireless carrier signal strength in your home. The company announced a special CES price of $ 299 (normally $ 399) that is good until January 31.

Skype

I was planning to go over to the Las Vegas Convention Center for lunch, but then saw that Skype was holding a press conference. Since I use Skype for our MobileTechRoundup podcast I wanted to see what the company was announcing.

The reps started off by stating that there are 136 millions users currently signed up for Skype. Skype has a new feature where links in Internet Explorer will allow users to click to call. Skype Unlimited allows you to make Skype Out calls without limit for only $ 29.95 per year, which is half-price ($ 14.95) until January 31. Then Netgear and Philips showed off VoIP phones that combine normal landline service and Skype service in a single handset.

I have been looking at ways to reduce my monthly fees, and now with the Skype Unlimited option I can replace the $ 20 a month I pay for long distance service and use Skype Unlimited instead at a price of less than a single month of standard landline service. I can also reduce my home phone service from $ 30 down to a basic landline and save even more money. With one of these combo phones I don`t see why people would even look at other VoIP services. Am I missing something here?

OQO Model O2

After sitting on a shuttle bus for 30 minutes to go 1.5 miles, I finally arrived at the Lunch at Pieros event, where I actually never even ate any lunch since I wanted to talk with people instead. I was able to get lots more hands-on time with the OQO Model O2 and learned:

    * the keyboard has a nice backlight
    * there are two touch-sensitive scroll areas on the lower right side of the display
    * the device has HDMI output and VGA output, so you could actually run two external monitors at once
    * there is a cool cradle option available
    * Vista runs quite well on it

The more I see it, the more I have the urge to go out and pay $ 2,000 for one.

Six Apart`s Vox blog

I spoke with Six Apart about its new, free Vox blog service, and it looks like a great way to post content and/or aggregate your Flickr and YouTube videos into a single page for people to visit and enjoy. I opened up an account and will have to explore it more when I get some time. There are clients for S60, Windows Mobile, and Palm to upload content directly from your device.

TalkPlus
I had a call with the TalkPlus president about a month ago and then installed and used the beta on my T-Mobile Dash for a short time. Then I got busy and forgot about using the service. However, after talking with the reps directly and seeing what the service can actually do for you, I am re-energized and will be working on a more complete review of the service.

Some of the more compelling features are the extensive voicemail management system, the ability to have your phone numbers all go to a single number using certain rules, the ability to listen to your voicemail via a Web interface, and much more.

OpenMoko Linux phone

I chatted with a guy from OpenMoko, which is getting ready to release an unlocked GSM, Linux, Open Source mobile phone, the OpenMoko, maybe in a month or so. The reps did not have any working models on the floor, but the specs looks pretty good for $ 350. The final specs may change, but they currently include a 2.8-inch (480x640) VGA display, global locate AGPS chip, GPRS (not EDGE), touchscreen interface, microSD slot, two hardware buttons, 1200 mAh battery, 128 MB RAM, and 64 MB NAND flash. The phone will come pre-installed with some software (dialer, contacts, calendar, and application manager), but the rest is up to you to customize from the Open Source community.

Showstoppers event

Showstoppers took place around dinner time, and I was able to swing by and chat with Trolltech (about the Qtopia Greenphone), Otterbox rugged cases, eSnips community site, and ZING regarding its very cool software on the Sansa Connect Wireless Internet MP3 Player. This WiFi-enabled MP3 player goes where the Zune should have gone, with real community sharing and interaction. Check out the press release for all the details and if you get a chance you should check this player out. I may have to get one and connect it with my Yahoo Music! subscription service.

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Even though this will only be my fourth time attending, the show has surprisingly changed considerably in just these few short years. For one, it’s gotten bigger…MUCH bigger. We’ve recently seen an expansion into the Sands and Venetian, with more and more companies opting to head away from the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) to exhibit. Others are booking private hotel suites at places like the Hilton and MGM Grand in an effort to enjoy a more one-on-one, intimate setting. This, however, certainly doesn’t mean a thinning out of the show floor in the LVCC: it will likely remain as jam-packed as ever. If I were to give any recommendations to those attending for the first time, it would be to bring 1) comfortable shoes, and 2) your patience: getting from point A to point B can sometimes be a challenge!

The show officially commences on Monday, January 8, and with tons of new and exciting technologies coming down the pike over the last few months, it’s sure to be as eventful as always.

On the A/V front, both Blu-ray and HD DVD high-definition DVD formats and related products entered the market in full force this past year, duking it out for mass consumer attention. With the recent announcement from LG that it will be developing a dual-format player; and Time Warner planning to reveal a dual-format DVD at the show, there’s sure to be plenty of buzz in this category. When it comes to plasma and LCD, both technologies just keep getting bigger and better every year, and we’re certain to be “wowed” once again in 2007.                  
In computing, Windows Vista is entering the market, and will likely create even more emphasis on the computer as the central hub of digital technologies in the home. People more than even are using their PC to do things like watch movies, download tunes, organize pix, and even monitor security in the home. Of course it’s also useful for work and research! Vista is sure to stir up attention at the show, both in the computing, and compatible devices world. 
 
My prediction is that GPS will be the hot topic in 12V this year at the show. Portable and in-dash GPS receivers are experiencing tremendous growth in North America, and devices like smartphones and PDAs are adding GPS to their list of available functions. This burgeoning category is one definitely worth taking a look at. Also for 12V, portable audio player connectivity will remain strong, including products that let you dock and connect your iPod to the car stereo receiver to play back tunes while on the road. Satellite radio providers are also focusing more strongly on the 12V market, with both players in the field (Sirius and XM) announcing partnership after partnership with various vehicle manufacturers. Given that the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has just given the “okay” for HD Radio to enter Canada, there’s plenty to talk about in the category of in-vehicle entertainment.  
 
As for personal gadgets: if they’ve built it, it will come to CES. From accessories for personal gadgets like cell phones and digital cameras to the latest smartphone models, headphones, and other knick knacks, CES is the place to find the “coolest” gear. My predictions? Bluetooth will be on the mind of every manufacturer in 2007, especially in partnership with gadgets like MP3 players and phones. Of course iPod-related accessories remain at the forefront of this category, and we’re sure to see many an “i-cessory” at the show.  
 
Other technologies worth looking out for: digital picture frames of every type, shape, and size are coming out like wildfire, and gaining the attention of consumers as a neat way to display digital photos in the home. There are sure to be a few of these scattered around. Also grabbing much attention these days is Skype, an online communication service that is slowly but surely changing the face of telephony. The European company has just begun to make waves in North America, and tons of gadgets that work in tandem with it, from headsets to full-fledged Skype phones, are sure to be in abundance. 
 
Sunday, January 7 is known as “press day” at the show, where several top manufacturers hold conferences to announce what’s in store for 2007; while a big press show provides a sneak peek into some new gadgets. Stay tuned!

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INTERNET TELEPHONY editors selected the companies which in their view demonstrate the vision, leadership and attention to detail that are the hallmarks of the prestigious Product of the Year award winners.

"The Product of the Year awards exemplifies the best that this industry has to offer. The companies earning this distinction have demonstrated a commitment to quality and the further development of the IP telephony industry through their contributions. These winners deserve this great honor, and I look forward to seeing other innovative solutions from them as they continue to contribute to the future of VoIP and IP telephony,” stated TMC Editorial Director Greg Galitzine.

“For nine years, INTERNET TELEPHONY has been recognizing the most innovative products by bestowing this prestigious award to the most deserving companies.  Again, we are proud to recognize the greatest achievements in the advancement of VoIP and IP telecommunications technologies in 2006,” said Rich Tehrani, TMC President and Editor-in-Chief of INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine.  “These companies have proven they are committed to quality and excellence while addressing real needs in the marketplace.  We’re proud to honor their hard work and accomplishments.”

About INTERNET TELEPHONY

Since the first issue in February of 1998, INTERNET TELEPHONY is the only magazine dedicated to providing information in IP communications technologies. INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine provides readers with the best information necessary to learn about and purchase the equipment, software, and services. INTERNET TELEPHONY offers rich content from solutions-focused editorial content to reviews on products and services from TMC Labs and Miercom. The only BPA-audited publication that’s 100% dedicated to providing the highest quality content for the IP communications market, INTERNET TELEPHONY has 55,000 dedicated readers.

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