by Daniel P. Dern
Now in its second day, CES 2010 continues to offer exciting new eBook technology. For example, Que.com's new Que weighs less than a pound, is unbelievably thin and has a screen the size of letter paper. The downsides: it's still just black and white, and costs over $600.
Even though groundbreaking tablet PCs are stealing the headlines, HP, Lenovo, Fujitsu and others had exciting traditional notebooks, netbooks and desktops on display. On the ultraportable side, there are the new ThinkPad X100e professional-grade entry ultraportable and the touchscreen-enabled S10-3 IdeaPad netbook. HP's new 5102 business class has a nearly full-sized keyboard, is less than an inch thick and under 2-1/3 pound, and offers an optional touch-enabled screen and carry handle. HP's stylish new consumer netbook, the HP Mini 210, starts at $299.
New computers always bring new peripherals with them, and 2010 is no different. LiteOn's stylish, light-weight USB 8x external writer clocks in at the lightweight price of $49. Kingston Technologies has the solution for the high cost of reliable solid-state memory, with its new 30GB V30 upgrade kit in the $30 to $109 range.
CES doesn't just feature the best in new technology. There are also plenty of great accessories to make using the gear that much easier.
Targus introduced stylish wear-and-weather resistant bags for business and consumers. For travelers, the new 90-watt Premium Charger (MSRP $139, available in February) can charge a phone or other low-powered mobile device, sports power tips for a variety of notebooks and devices, and has a separate charger for use with auto or boat power outlets. In addition, Targus's "Tips For Life" offers power tips for new devices free.
Other new power products spotted at CES2010 include wireless chargers, using a charging mat from Energizer, Duracell, Pure Energy, PowerMat and others, and slip the charging back or adapter on your device. Energizer also introduced a "smart" charger for AAs and AAAs with an LCD that shows charging state, so you know how full a battery is if you don't have eight hours to charge it fully.
Fair-weather travelers can get eco-friendly energy with solar chargers like Energizer's mobile-device-oriented equipment and Wagan's 13-watt portable ($78 wholesale), which can charge a laptop up in about three (sunny) hours.
On the software front, Intuit's TurboTax SnapTax lets you file from your iPhone. Then lay back and turn your iPhone into a universal remote for your TV with L5 Technology's $49.95 L5 Remote. For even more cool apps, GetJar.com's Absolutely Everything offers over 50,000 apps for the gamut of platforms.
A lot of apps let you add a second phone line to your iPhone or BlackBerry — a good way to separate business from pleasure, but only Line2 (Line2.com) lets you do this for both inbound and outbound calls.
Finally, Kodak's new PlaySport (MSRP $149.95, available April) offers a waterproof pocket-sized video camera, good up to 10 feet down. Also from Kodak: affordable pocket cameras including the 12-megapixel M580 with 8x optical zoom (MSRP $199.95).
Daniel Dern (www.dern.com) is a freelance technology/business writer based in the Boston area.
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