Tech Blog

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Not every Future Shop blogger was able to get to CES this year, and I'm one of them. But that doesn't mean we can't watch all the announcements, news releases, coverage and awards out of 'Vegas this week -- and yes, being a bit of a tech-head, that's what I've been doing.

Here are a few of the cool devices and toys that caught my attention whilst stationed in the Great White North.

Computing Hardware

• Asus eeePC Keyboard -Yep, this puppy is basically a netbook squeezed inside a full sized keyboard, wyith a custom touch-screen monitor slapped on the side. I like displays on my keyboard (says the guy with a Logitech G15/v2).
• Clickfree backup announcements -My favourite Canadian hardware backup company has a few new devices and utilities coming out in the next few months - including a network edition of the Transformer USB backup cable system.
• Lenovo hybrid notebook / tablet - either of these devices would make my day Slate/Tablet computers, with real keyboards.
  

Media devices

• D-link - Boxee Box - I run a media centre at home, and Boxee is one of the apps I use. This device is a stand-alone D-link system, with the Boxee app native. Very slick, stylish, and I can't wait to test it either!
• Skype in the TV: Various manufacturers are embedding Skype in their newest TV linups. This is cool for video phone calls, but think how cool it would be for Voice when playing console games..without special hardware / software on the console.

Mobile
Freeloader Pico - solar regarging station - Looks like a sweet solution to charging your devices when there're no power supplies around. And from the various write-ups I've seen, a fairly robust unit too.

Dual's Complete GPS Navigation Solution for iPod touch - This would be a fairly cool little device.  Take your iPod Touch, add a cradle / back to it. Launch Safari, and you've got a custom GPS device - just like the 3G iPhones.

Photography
Polaroid - revives instant film - Being a Polaroid fan from way back, this one hits a nostalga note with me.

Polaroid - signs Lady Gaga as Creative Director - Not a product, but rather a product direction decision. Given her obvious sense of style, I can't wait to see how her design sense impacts Polaroid's products over the next few years.

Must have NOW

I'd be remiss if I didn't touch on the coolest gadget at the show - Parrot AR.Drone iPhone controlled RC helicopter. This little sucker has a camera and wireless controls, so you get a 'pilot's eye view' of the device as it zooms around.