Even as reports come in that CES 2010 won’t be as big as CES 2009 or CES 2008, an exception to the size reductions is coming from an unlikely direction.   The Apple iPod .   The CES  iLounge, sponsored by the website iLounge, will feature a large number of Apple products and accessories.   The plans are to exhibit in a very big way at this year’s CES.

According to a report much earlier this year by Mark Harris at TechRadar, Apple is not only abandoning MacWorld  Expo but they are allocating massive space to showcase products at CES 2010 in Las Vegas in January.   The iLounge exhibit at CES  had 18,000 square feet as of the article’s publication in January.

“Leading Apple developers and retailers are excited to have such an outstanding stage at the 2010 International CES,”

“Whether they’re showing off iPod accessories, iPhone applications, or the latest and coolest new Mac products, they know that they’ll find the world’s largest audience at this great new pavilion.”

Historically Apple has had a very limited presence at CES events, tending to make a big splash at MacWorld instead.    It’s not clear why the big change this year and it seems odd for Apple to abandon one of their most prominent venues, but in the fast pace world of computing loyalties can change almost as fast as the technologies.

3G Ipod, CES, CES10, apple, computers, conferences apple iLounge ipod CES, CES 2010, CES Las Vegas, macworld

Midland GXT900vp4

Product Review: High Power, but unexpectedly  cuts off chatter boxes. 

By John R. Ghysels, Special to Technology-Report.com

On paper, these Midland GXT900 Walkie Talkies should be the finest, most powerful Walkie Talkies made. In fact, they exceed the features and power of most commercial sets selling for much more. Sadly, in actual performance, they have a fatal flaw that impairs their performance in the field. 

Note that radios like these with digital (DCS) and analog “privacy codes” (CTCSS) would make them a good choice for Disneyland, Las Vegas, (such as during CES) and other public, RF soaked hotspots, where other users can interfere on the regular channels.  This particular model also allows the user to switch in regular AA cells for the rechargable battery pack, which is a real help when you drain your batteries or forget to top off your rechargeables before a trip.

2 way radio: Safety and Fun

These are great safety tools too. The author knows from experience that more families and groups should use them outdoors. Rangers appreciate smart campers and hikers that bring them, and some backpacking groups now require them. Someone getting ‘lost’ from a group is a common reason for search and rescue.

Fatal Flaw:

2 way radio is way fun on the road, and powerful radios really help get beyond the limitations of the basic toys sold in most stores. However, in the final review, the engineering flaw of these Midland radios keeps Tech-Report from offering it’s coveted “recommended” rating.  It seems that in their haste to hit the price point, Midland did not build the radio to withstand the “high power” setting for more than a few seconds. The unit overheats internally and quickly and quietly shuts off your signal about about 5 seconds, leaving your listeners baffled and frustrated.  This can be solved by setting the radios to the mid-power setting (about 2 watts), but what fun is that!? (Max is 4 watts). In any case, TechGhy thinks that Cobra outperforms Midland radios in field tests anyway, in both transmit and reciever performance. 

Let’s see if Midland corrects this error in the High Power setting in future models.

John Ghysels, 11/15/2008

2 Way Radio, CES, Uncategorized, Walkie Talkies, gadgets, search and rescue, technology CES Las Vegas, Family Radios, FRS, GMRS, Most Powerful Walkie Talkies, two-way radio, Walkie Talkies