Gadgets Galore: Big and small, CES offered impressive electronics products

Kirk Baird

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003 | 8:22 a.m.

Editor's note: Following is the first of a two-part series in Accent centered on the latest trends from the Consumer Electronics Show, held last week at Las Vegas Convention Center. On Thursday we take a look at upgrades in audio technology.

For high-tech junkies, the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is as close to nirvana as it gets:

The Las Vegas Convention Center filled to capacity with booth after booth of the latest and greatest in the world of audio, video, electronics and assorted gadgets.

The four-day international event, held annually at the Las Vegas Convention Center, concluded Sunday with more than 115,000 gadget-minded buyers and sellers in attendance.

Of the 2,283 exhibitors at the show, it's usually the big boys Sony, Pioneer, Microsoft, Intel, among others who get most of the press, while the Mom-and-Pop vendors, such as Can You Imagine, often go unnoticed.

Can You Imagine was created by Steve Zuloff. Growing up, Zuloff's family was too poor to afford toys.

So nearly 40 years ago he began making toys of his own, and eventually began selling them.

Based near Los Angeles, his Can You Imagine company sells more than 200 of his inventions, what he calls "toys for adults."

From miniature air-hockey tables to a chime that relies on water droplets to make music, Zuloff's creations are diversions to amaze the child in every adult.

"Magic is popular because when you don't understand how something works, you want it," Zuloff said. "I design toys to mystify you."

Some of the booth's standout products include:

And for fans of the fountains at Bellagio, Can You Imagine offers a desktop version. The Water Ballet features 25 jets of water that shoot into the air in either 16 programmed schemes or in random fashion. The jets can also respond to sound, such as a favorite CD. The Water Ballet sells for $119.

Some of the Can You Imagine products can be found at Wal-Mart and Spencer Gifts. For more information: cyi.net.

Below are some of the other techno-highlights at CES:

Pioneer unveiled several nifty high-tech gadgets. The Air Navi is a global-positioning device that provides real-time, or "live," information on the world around you. (Hypothetically, if Interstate 215 is stacked up, Air Navi will not only tell you to avoid the freeway, but will automatically redirect you to a faster route.) Unfortunately for Las Vegas commuters, the Air Navi is available only in Japan for the foreseeable future, due to its method of digital communication.

Also from Pioneer is the Digital Sound Projector (DSP), a thin rectangle, roughly the same height as a standard 27-inch TV, that features 254 independent speakers within its frames. (Think of the DSP as a large host cell with more than 200 smaller cells living inside.) Beyond its cool look, is its remarkable sound. The DSP bounces sounds emanating from its speakers around the room like sonar. The result is the replication of five speakers, or what you'd find in a standard home theater, from one speaker. The technology is very new and very pricey -- about $40,000. Still, Popular Mechanics thought enough of its potential to award the DSP best in design and innovation for this year's CES. Look for the DSP to be available at high-end audio stores by summer.

Watchmaker Fossil has teamed with Microsoft to create the SPOT (Smart Personal Object Technology) Watch. Although it resembles a standard wristwatch in appearance, the SPOT Watch contains a chip that gives it immediate access to news, weather, sports, stock quotes and instant messaging from a low bandwidth stream of data over the FM radio spectrum. Similar watches will be available from Citizen and Finland's Suunto. The SPOT Watch should hit stores in the fall, with a price ranging from $100 to $1,000, depending on the manufacturer.

Chipmaker Intel is working with several electronics firms, including Sonic Blue, Viewsonic and Samsung, to develop the Personal Media Player (PMP). The prototype device is so new, in fact, its original title of Personal Video Player was still on the large sign over its display. The PMP is a handheld device, about the size of a GameBoy Advanced, and can store and play both audio and video files from its 20-gig hard drive. Later versions of the unit might include a DVD drive, as well as the ability to play games. Although a price has yet to be made public, look for the PMP to arrive in time for the Holidays.

Auto-brand Jeep has lent its name and logo to a line of portable high-end boom boxes. For $500 or $600, depending on the model, the portable unit features a 4-inch color monitor, DVD player, AM-FM radio, built-in flashlight, compass, emergency flasher, thermometer and audible mosquito repeller. Both models will be available this fall at jeep.com or Sharper Image. Also from Jeep this summer is the Jeep Emergency Road Kit, with a radio, lantern, flashlight, jumper cables, tire gauge, emergency street reflectors and a "send help" dashboard sign. This "piece of mind" retails for $100.

Finally, ZAP (Zero Air Pollution), a California-based electric vehicle company, has the answer to any gas crunch: electronic cars. While not a new invention -- electric cars have been around since the 1800s -- Zap has modernized the atmosphere-friendly engine with a new line of electric cars. The first vehicle resembles a stylish golf cart and tops out around 35 mph. The price is $9,000 to $12,000 -- depending on the vehicle. ZAP is also developing a freeway-capable model. The LUV, or light utility vehicle, can reach speeds up to 75 mph and go 200 miles before a recharging from any household outlet. "You could drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles with a one-hour stop for lunch to recharge," ZAP spokesman Alex Cambell said. The LUV should be available this year for $25,000.