Just-wrapped CES had optmism on display, with San Diego presence

LAS VEGAS — Executives of the world’s largest technology companies, exhibitors and attendees at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas oozed optimism that this would be a turnaround year for the industry and the economy in general.

Excitement about the future of all things that connect people at home, on the job, and around the world energized attendees eager to hear from the top names in innovation.

From Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s pre-show keynote address to San Diego-based Qualcomm chairman and CEO Dr. Paul Jacobs’ showcase of products and partnerships with the best and brightest in consumer electronics, the applause was loud and enthusiastic.

The four-day confab, which wrapped Sunday, also featured the products and services of more than 30 San Diego area companies representing various segments of the industry.

Many of those companies won top awards and recognition from the show and its partners. Some are household names; others are known only to industry insiders, but all have one thing in common: talented visionaries whose products can improve people’s lives.

San Diego-based companies were among nearly 600 organizations exhibiting at CES.

Smartbooks a big draw

Smartbooks were one of the hottest items and Qualcomm is at the forefront of the development of the devices, which are a cross between a laptop and a smartphone.

Jacobs unveiled a Lenovo Skylight smartbook during his keynote address. The Skylight is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor and features a 3G network, WiFi and Bluetooth.

Jacobs said more than 170 companies use his company’s technology, thanks to Qualcomm’s unique approach to licensing. “Ideas that make a difference can literally change the world,” he said.

“Mobile Internet has changed from a ’sit-down’ experience to a ‘carry-along’ experience,” said Jacobs. To add to that experience, he said a new “very cool” mobile application called SWAGG will be available for the next holiday season.

SWAGG will enable users to conduct transactions on the go, including checking on rewards points and purchasing gift cards.

Dr. Eric Topol, director of San Diego’s West Wireless Health Institute, gave an on-stage demonstration of how Qualcomm’s wireless technology can help make health care more affordable and easier for consumers.

Topol wore a tiny echocardiagram machine that tracked his heart’s vital signs and showed the heart beating on-screen. Similar devices are used for sonagrams to track developing fetuses. The information is easily sent to doctors and other health care professionals.

Jacobs announced that his company is expanding its relationship with mobile audio and video giant Audiovox, which enables Qualcomm’s FLO TV live mobile television service in vehicles.

In addition to FLO TV’s availability on selected AT&T and Verizon mobile devices, it will soon be available on some iPhone and iPod Touch devices, said Jacobs.

Optimistic outlook

Consumer Electronics Association president and CEO Gary Shapiro said innovation can drive the economy forward through its positive impact on consumers’ lives.

“Our future is bright because we are innovators. We are seeing more innovation at this show than at any show in our [30-year] history,” said Shapiro.

“In case anybody missed it, 2009 really was a year of unprecedented economic turbulence,” Microsoft’s Ballmer shouted to a packed house at the Las Vegas Convention Center. “But the thing that excited me about 2009 was that this industry–our industry–really stayed focused… we really did make an ongoing impact on the lives of people around the world.”

“From the largest screen in the living room to the smallest screen in our pocket, more than ever, we are delivering experiences that people want,” said Ballmer.

“Technology plays a very powerful role in the world and we can use technology for the benefit of society and the planet,” said Ballmer. He said technology could help with AIDS research and empower people to make better health care decisions.

Ballmer’s flashy video and graphics presentation on three huge screens extolled the virtues of Microsoft products, from Windows 7 to HALO Reach, which will be available for XBox in the fall. Gamers will also enjoy a “Back to the Future”-style experience with enhanced early arcade games.

Adding to the optimistic tone of the show: preliminary registration figures from CES indicate more than 120,000 people attended the show this year, compared to about 113,000 last year.

Attendees from all over the world checked out more than 2,500 exhibits (including a record 330+ new exhibitors), more than 20,000 new products, and more than 250 conference sessions.

The hottest product buzz centered around 3D TVs, smartbooks (a combination of a laptop and a smart phone), e-readers and green technology.

However, exhibitors also attracted crowds with cutting edge web-enabled TV, in-vehicle technology, live mobile TV, HD radio, interactive music products, home theatre furniture, wireless speakers, and accessories galore.

Celebrity factor

One of the more unusual and unexpected exhibits was from Victorinox (the Swiss Army Knife company). The knives on display were much more than the well-known knife, nail file and toothpick variety.

The newest twist on the Swiss Army Knife, the Presentation Master, has a USB flash drive with portable data storage, secure data encryption technology that can only be accessed by fingerprint recognition, Bluetooth remote control for computers and a laser pointer.

But don’t worry–the knife still has a knife, nail file, screwdriver, scissors and a key ring.

Exhibitors vied for the attention of potential customers with models handing out prizes, loud music, action-packed videos, and tricked-out vehicles with fluorescent paint jobs. Some exhibitors handed out swag, but candy and take-home freebies weren’t as plentiful as in the past.

And of course what would any show be without celebrities? Hot pop star Lady Gaga, Polaroid’s new creative director, made quite a splash. Hundreds of people lined up to see NCIS’ tech expert Pauley Perrette (not in her television outfits, just street clothes). Other celebrity sightings: rocker Tommy Lee, author James Patterson, comic book pioneer Stan Lee, NBA legend James Worthy, Dr. Dre, Drew Carey, P. Diddy, Bette Midler and CBS sportscaster James Brown.

You definitely feel like a kid in a candy store, not knowing which way to turn with all the distractions.

In addition to exhibits and sessions, attendees could see emerging products at 21 Tech Zones throughout the CES show floor, including Digital Health, Kids @ Play, Lifestyle Gadgets, Mommy Tech, Netbooks, Robotics, Safe Driver, and Silvers Summit (for baby boomers and seniors).

CES also hosted the Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards for the fourth year in a row, where comedian Jerry Lewis was honored for his humanitarian projects.

San Diego in the spotlight

Spring Valley’s TV Ears was profiled in the CNET Countdown to CES: 30 Days of Innovation, which highlights young, innovative companies that are new to the show.

TV Ears is a lightweight, ergonomic wireless headset that allows a hearing-impaired person to watch television at a higher volume without disturbing others in the same room. The product targets seniors, but could be used by younger people with hearing problems as well.

A transmitter is plugged into the back of the television, satellite box or cable box, sends the sound wirelessly to the headset. The user can adjust volume and tone on the headset. TV Ears can be used with any television.

“TV Ears has brought a lot of people back together and it’s a beautiful thing,” said CEO George Dennis, who said he was inspired by his father’s hearing problems.

The headset uses light to transmit the sound quickly, so the sound and picture are synchronized. TV Ears uses “voice clarifying circuitry” to clarify dialogue and amplify whispers on television shows.

Vista’s Directed Electronics was honored with a CES Best of Innovations 2010 Design & Engineering award for its Viper SmartStart, an app that lets users start a vehicle remotely from virtually anywhere through an iPhone, iPod or BlackBerry.

“Depending on the installation, users can also lock and unlock the doors, pop the trunk, find their car in a parking lot, or arm their security system,” said Directed Executive vice president Mike Simmons. “Users can even control multiple cars from one iPhone. It’s a simple, elegant way for iPhone users to enjoy year-round comfort and control of their vehicle.”

To activate their account, users need to download the free app for and have the system professionally installed in their vehicle. Both can be done at the installing dealer’s location.

An employee demonstrated how the system works by starting a vehicle parked in Vista from an iPhone on the show floor in Las Vegas. The company says unlike keyfob-style remote controls with limited range, Viper SmartStart has a virtually unlimited range.

An official with Evertek Computer Corporation in Oceanside said the wholesale distributor of new, used and refurbished computers and consumer electronics had a very good show.

“We love coming to CES. We’ve made great contacts,” said director of marketing Peter Green. “CES is about generating leads.”

“Every year, our sales and purchasing teams get the opportunity to reach out, connect and expand our business relationships at CES,” said president Scott Kusel.

Green said unlike many other businesses, Evertek has thrived in the bad economy. He said 2009 was the 20-year-old company’s most successful year. “People are interested in good products with a low price. We do business in 210 different countries.”

Evertek has a 160,000 sq. ft. warehouse with 210 employees, all based in Oceanside.

UltraLast Batteries received a 2010 CES Innovations award for its UltraLast Green EverydaRechargeables batteries, which the company calls “the green alternative to throwaway batteries for all household devices.”

UltraLast senior vice president and general manager Mark Dockser said there’s no need to charge batteries before use — they come charged in the package and remain charged for up to one year.

“There’s a lot more support for green products than in the past. It’s perfectly timed for this tough economy,” said Dockser. “You’re not sacrificing performance. I can save money and do the right thing. The real bonus here is you don’t have to change your behavior much.”

One UltraLast Green AA battery, which can be charged about 500 times, could replace up to 1,000 disposable batteries, said Dockser. He said the batteries are perfect for low-drain devices such as TV remotes, clocks and wireless mice.

UltraLast has solar chargers that harness the power of the sun and with USB connections included in the packages, other devices including phones and computers can be charged.

A “lunar charger” charges batteries overnight and also serves as a night light. It flashes while charging batteries, then has a solid green light when batteries are fully charged.

The company’s “Power Punch” batteries have extra voltage for gaming and other high-drain uses. “They’re like a shot of caffeine,” said Dockser.

Mira Mesa-based Entropic Communications provides silicon and software technologies to some of the world’s top cable, telecommunications and satellite service providers for connected home networking and entertainment.

Entropic’s technology is used in devices including satellite dishes and set-top boxes for Motorola, Cisco, DirectTV and Dish Network, along with Verizon Fios, said Vinay Gokhale, senior vice president of marketing and business development.

“More and more so with the macro trend, TVs are being connected — to do that, you need our services,” said Gokhale. He said Entropic was a pioneer in the in-home technology field.

“[CES] is a really great venue for a lot of impromptu meetings for financial companies and suppliers,” he said. “This year is a smaller show, but for us it’s a little bit better.”

Joyce Thorne is an SDNN contributing writer.

Tags: 2010 CES, CES, consumer electronics show, Directed Electronics, Evertek, microsoft, Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm, SDNN, Steve Ballmer, TV Ears, UltraLast Batteries

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