Best of CTIA Wireless 2008

Best of CTIA Wireless 2008

Details: Category: Trade Show Lists; Written by Rich McComas

CTIA Wireless started out a bit slow this year. We showed up early for some pre-event press gatherings, but didn't find ourselves dumbfounded by a dizzying array of new technologies. However, after digging a bit deeper, we did find a few new technologies that amazed us, including:

Magic Jack VOIP Device - This USB plug-in module costs $20 plus $20 per year for service, and includes a phone number and unlimited calling in the US and Canada. What makes it unique is the portability of the device and the 3 simultaneous ring numbers.
Marisol Displays - A new LCD display technology by Qualcomm for mobile devices, with significantly lower power drain, and much better outdoor visibility.
Walking Hot Spot - Connect up to five laptops or other WiFi devices to the internet via your HTC Windows Mobile or Nokia Symbian Smart Phone.
Samsung Instinct - This iPhone competitor coming soon to the Sprint network has some advanced features that iPhone users WISH they had, including powerful speech command, embedded voice GPS mapping, and use of industry standard expandable memory.
Sound ID 300 - Lightest blue tooth earpiece with best sound quality and dual microphones for background noise removal, made by a company that specializes in hearing aids.

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TECH2 LAKE HOUSE

UPDATE - The exterior of the Technology Lake House is complete and we are now working on interior finishing and electronics. Last year, San Francisco's Channel 7 ABC News ran a special video report on the construction progress of the Technology Lake House, and we expect them back for a follow-up soon. Click HERE for a DLINK Live Video Feed with pan and zoom features (userid=user, no password, daylight hours only).

Ron Rosberg's current project home, the Technology Lake House, is currently under construction on the shores of Clearlake in Northern California. Even though the house is a wireless demo house, we have installed more than seven miles of wires in the walls for dozens of flat panel TVs, speakers, control panels, and sophisticated lighting. So far, more than a dozen technology and fixture manufacturers have agreed to sponsor this project, which has been simmering in Ron's head since he attended the first CES show in New York in 1967. The 7,500 square foot project (plus three existing rustic cabin guest houses) is being built on a five-acre Honeymoon Cove resort with 500 feet of beach directly across from Konocti Harbor Resort. This summer retreat will host technology gatherings annually, inviting Western states home builders, contractors, and technology consultants for a live open house showcasing the latest in home technologies. There is room to park plenty of boats, so plan on coming up for some lake fun after the project is complete. For more info, send email to ronald@usa.net, or call 707-995-2683. To see the latest photos, visit Ron's Flickr gallery.

We are currently looking for products to evaluate in these areas:

Home automation: lighting, security, and entertainment
A/V technology for the 500 SF home theater media demo room

Hot News on Cool New Features: The ENTIRE front of the home is made of 21 sliding NanaWall glass panels that fold into the walls, opening the entire home up to the lake during demo days.