Entertainment Technology Center @ USC

There are several exhibitors showcasing “vibro-tactile” audio experiences at CES, including vibrating earbuds and headphones.  But one of the more interesting is VibeAttire, a vest wired with vibrating motors and a small processor that converts audio signals into vibrations and maps them through the vest.

It was originally designed (in part with support from the National Science Foundation) to provide a music experience for the deaf.

It sounds weird, but it was actually a very cool immersive experience.  We listened to MP3s and watched part of “The Matrix” while wearing the vest, and can imagine a 3D movie or game with it on could be awesome.

And hey, if people are willing to wear the 3D glasses, maybe they wouldn’t mind a vibrating vest…

PacketVideo announced new versions of TwonkyMedia server software, including TwonkyServer Mobile designed specifically for Android handsets.  TwonkyMedia Manager version 1.3 is compatible with more than twice the number of consumer devices than previous releases.  TwonkyMedia solutions are currently available on more than two million CE products for sharing media on devices located throughout the home network.  Now users can now stream media located on Android handsets to other connected products using their phone as a media sharing device.

From HP Netbooks to Apple iPhones the software allows management of large libraries of media and also supports Facebook photos, SHOUTcast radio stations, Flickr photos and a selection of rich video sites.

TwonkyMedia server for Windows XP/Vista, Mac and Linux is currently available for $29.95.

Additionally, TwonkyBeam is free software that lets users stream media directly from a browser to devices around the home.  It emerged from beta and now supports playlists for slide shows and video and music channels and easy software updates.  And with access through a browser plug-in users can now display available media on a personal Web page.

New York-based Tri-Specs, Inc. is touting its TriSpecs sunglasses – “Bluetooth Stereo Fashion Eyeware” – in the North Hall.  The product features dual mics, dual speakers, and is built on STEP Labs’ voice separation acoustic technology.  (According to the rep the noise reduction software is based on the kind of Digital Signal Processing originally developed by DARPA.)

We’ve seen similar devices for playing media in the past, but TriSpecs takes it to the next step by allowing users to switch between voice communication and stereo music with Bluetooth functionality that connects to mobile phones and music players by pushing a button on the glasses.

Where to see it:

• North 931

NetShelter Technology Media has gathered editors of eight popular tech blogs including Geek.com, Slashgear and TGDaily to create a list of the top 10 favorite gadgets on display at this year’s CES.

The 10 finalists will battle it out in the North Hall during Saturday’s 8th Annual Last Gadget Standing supersession where competitors will have four minutes to demo their products.  Robin Raskin, founder of Living in Digital Times, will announce this year’s winner based on audience applause.

The top 10 finalists:

• Eye-Fi Memory Card: Wirelessly upload and share videos in real time, over the Internet.
• Bug Labs: Create your own gadget with modular, programmable electronic units.
• ClickFree: Transforms any hard drive into a automated backup system.
• emWave PSR: Portable biofeedback tool from HeartMath.
• FlipMino HD: World’s smallest HD-quality video camcorder.

• LiveScribe Smart Pulse Pen: Pen-sized computer that records and syncs audio with what you write.
• MSI Wind: Wi-Fi Network Device – first 10″ notebook to feature the new Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor.
• Motorola ZN5: Mobile phone with Kodak imaging innovation.
• T-Mobile G1 Powered by Android: First mobile phone to feature Google’s Android OS offering free email access to Gmail users.
• WowWee: Joebot – a walking, talking, interactive buddy.

Where to see it:

• Saturday, January 10, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
• North Hall, N255-257 

If this year’s CES is any indication, the crossover of content available via the Internet and TV is getting more interesting.

Broadcom and Adobe announced plans yesterday to integrate Adobe’s Flash multimedia platform into Broadcom’s latest digital television and set-top box system-on-a-chip platforms.  Adobe’s Flash is currently used for leading Internet TV sites such as Hulu and Google’s YouTube.

Adobe made a similar announcement this week regarding an agreement with Intel.  The chip giant plans to embed the Flash player into its media-processor chip.

Broadcom also announced that its set-top box system-on-a-chip is being used in 2Wire’s MediaPoint digital media player, the same player Blockbuster publicized last November it would sell as part of its Internet-based on-demand service.

Meanwhile, ActiveVideo Networks has signed a deal with blip.tv to stream traditional TV programming and Web-based content to digital set-top boxes and Web-connected CE devices.

We’ll report more this week on Internet-enabled televisions (including some interesting agreements between Yahoo! and some major CE manufacturers).

Where to see it:

• Broadcom Corporation, South 4 35679MP
• Adobe, North 6716MP
• ActiveVideo Networks, Renaissance 8

In June 2008 miRoamer introduced its media platform for accessing Internet radio stations on portable music players, mobile phones, MP3 players and home theater systems.

This week at CES, miRoamer announced a partnership with Blaupunkt to introduce “the world’s first Internet car radio,” providing access to a diverse selection of Internet radio content through car stereos.  Drivers with new Blaupunkt stereos can now tune in to miRoamer’s tens of thousands of radio stations from around the world.

Where to see it:

• miRoamer, North 5418

And in HD Radio news…

iBiquity Digital, the developer and licenser of HD Radio technology, is highlighting progress in adoption of the technology and the subsequent growing number of new receivers entering the market.

iBiquity Digital reports the number of available receivers is fast approaching 100, nearly double what was on the market during CES last January.  And that’s not all … 11 automakers have announced their backing of HD Radio and some 1,800 U.S. stations are now broadcasting in digital, with more than half featuring HD2 and HD3 multicast channels.

This year’s HD Radio Booth in the LVCC Central Hall features the following:

• HD Radio-ready receivers from Alpine, JVC, Kenwood, Pioneer and Sony.
• New tabletop HD receivers from Acoustic Research, Gigaware, iLuv and Teac.
• New automotive HD receivers from Dual, Jensen Mobile and JVC.
• Home HD Radio receiver lines from iLuv, Coby, Denon, Onkyo/Integra and Yamaha.

Where to see it:

• HD Radio Booth, Central Hall 9034