CES - Gadgets

LAS VEGAS--How often does a journalist fire a real gun in the line of duty? Let me tell you, not often. But that's just what I did today. And no, I wasn't taking an anger management class.

It was just another demo by IoSafe, maker of disaster-proof storage solutions like the IoSafe SoloPro. These are extreme types of devices and, it seems, their maker believes they deserve some over-the-top demonstrations.

For that reason, it's now somewhat of a tradition that IoSafe stages grandiose product demos during CES. The company did a crazy fire and water demo during CES 2009 for the IoSafe Solo and an even crazier one during CES 2010, which included a 35,000-pound excavator, for the Solo SSD.

This year, the demo of the IoSafe Rugged Portable, while smaller in scale, was much louder, literally. It involved firing live rounds to prove just how rugged the Rugged Portable is.

According to Robb Moore, CEO of IoSafe, the Rugged Portable isn't designed to be bulletproof but just to withstand a significant amount of impact. "There are types of bullets that can go through any electronic devices we make," he says. "I believe, however, the Rugged Portable can survive multiple rounds of shotgun. Still, I keep my fingers crossed."… Read more

Editor's note: This post was updated on Feburary 2, 2011 with new information on the G-Slate.

LAS VEGAS--The deluge of tablet news, 4G news, and tablet 4G news just keeps pouring in.

LG and T-Mobile today announced the two companies' long-awaited and oft-rumored tablet running on a Google operating system.

The G-Slate will use Android 3.0, also known as Honeycomb, as its OS. Honeycomb is the forthcoming version of Android that purportedly was developed from the ground up for tablets. The tablet will also make use of T-Mobile's 4G network.

Specs and details:

LAS VEGAS--With the glut of new Sony products unleashed at CES each year, it can be easy to overlook something as tiny and unassuming as earbuds, but the electronics giant's new Studio Monitor Series headphones managed to catch our eye. Included in the line, which is made up of four higher-end models, are two new pairs of EX earbuds.

The less expensive of the two is the MDR-EX600, which is set to retail for $200. These earbuds feature an over-the-ear cable design for a more secure fit and Sony's proprietary multiple-diaphragm speaker design, which prevents unwanted resonance and … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Sony launched its new Studio Monitor Headphone Series today at CES 2011. Among the four models in the line are two fairly stylish over-the-ear headphones with squared-off earcups and brushed metal trims.

The cheaper of the two is the MDR-ZX700, a $120 set that features a closed-back design and thick ear cushions in order to offer passive sound isolation. This model also has 50mm drivers for extra bass response.

At the higher end is the MDR-Z1000. This model, which is set to retail for $500, offers an ultradurable cable that can be detached from the left earcup as well … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Nike and GPS manufacturer TomTom have teamed up to launch a new sport watch to keep track of your runs.

Expected to be available in the U.S. and the U.K. in April 2011, the sleek-looking Nike+ SportWatch GPS includes a shoe sensor that works in conjunction with GPS to collect data while you run. Afterward, you can connect the watch to your computer via the USB connector built into the watch's strap to upload data. In addition, you can log your run data to Nikeplus.com to see the GPS route of your run, set goals, … Read more

Editor's note: This live event has concluded. For a brief rundown of what was announced, check out our summary post here. You can also replay our live blog in the Cover It Live module below.

LAS VEGAS--Sony Chairman and CEO Howard Stringer brought along his pal Taylor Swift this time last year to usher in the company's 3D push. What famous friends will he bring along to CES this year?

We'll find out Wednesday at 5 p.m. PT when the gadgetmaker will host a press conference at its massive booth on the showfloor of CES 2011. … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Owners of Seagate's GoFlex TV: I have some exciting news.

Seagate announced today new firmware for the popular network media player to add support for Pandora and a remote control app for the iPhone/iPod Touch.

While the addition of Pandora is great news for music fans, I personally loved the remote control app after briefly playing with it .

Once loaded, the app turns the iPhone's screen into buttons similar to those of the GoFlex TV's original remote control and you can use the phone to control the player via Wi-Fi.

However, unlike the original remote, … Read more

Adopting the style of a fast-moving Demo conference, Samsung busily showed off a few dozen new products over about 40 minutes at its CES 2011 press conference today, starting with a Wi-Fi-only version of its Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet that will be available early this year (nope, no price yet).

The specs? Nothing unexpected. The Galaxy Tab runs on Android 2.2 (Froyo) and features a 7-inch TFT display with 1,024x600 WSVGA resolution. It weighs 13 ounces and is less than half an inch thick for tossing in a pocket or purse. The Galaxy Tab includes 16GB of internal storage and has microSD expansion for up to 32GB of additional storage. It also has a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera for taking pictures on the go, and a front-facing 1.3-megapixel shooter and camcorder for video chat.

Also getting time on the big stage was the Samsung Infuse 4G, which will be one of the first smartphones in the U.S. to tout Samsung's next-generation Super AMOLED Plus touch screen. That screen claims 50 percent more sub-pixels for better contrast and outdoor visibility. The screen on the Infuse also measures 4.5 inches diagonally, making it one of the largest displays on a smartphone today. The phone will be available through AT&T.

Samsung seems bent on bucking design trends this year, unveiling a number of products with unique style flourishes. John Revie, Samsung senior vice president, took the stage to talk 3D TVs and essentially declared the bezel dead.

The company showed two large HDTVs surrounded by a border that's just two-tenths of an inch wide--practically invisible. The TVs--available in the first half of this year for an as yet unannounced price--will have what's being called a "1-foot connection," meaning any device in range of your TV or computer that's previously registered will automatically connect. A new "search all" feature on smart TVs will make it easier to find content and apps.

Also on the borderless front, Samung execs tried on a pair of superlight 3D glasses that look like rimless sunglasses ("Matrix 3D glasses," as one CNET commenter said during the live blog).

Other Samsung announcements from the press conference and earlier:… Read more

Consumer electronics company E Fun is bumping up its lineup of Android tablets.

Appearing at CES this week, E Fun will be demoing its new Next4, Next5, and Next6 tablets, all with built-in Wi-Fi and access to the Borders e-book store.

Running Android 2.2, the 10.1-inch Next4 will retail for $349.99, while the Android 2.1-equipped 7-inch Next6 will cost consumers $269.99. Both models include 2GB of memory, an SD card slot, a viewer for MP3 files and photos, built-in speakers, 25 pre-loaded books, and a G-sensor accelerometer that reacts when you tilt and move the … Read more