2013

Sony debuts new NWZ-270 Walkman Sports MP3 player

LAS VEGAS--Sony isn't showing off a ton of new portable audio products at the show, but one new product it's officially launching here is a new Walkman Sports MP3 player (NWZ-270), a $99.99 waterproof, all-in-one digital music player.

This model is the successor to the W-Series NWZ-W262 Walkman, and it's been upgraded with a lighter design, more intuitive controls, as well as total waterproofing -- yes, you can actually take this one underwater and swim with it.

The NWZ-270 includes 4GB of integrated memory and offers drag-drop DRM-free music file transfers from iTunes for Mac or … Read more

Sony supersizes its ultrabook with Vaio T Series 15

LAS VEGAS--Go big, add touch. Sony's subdued CES formula in a nutshell.

Sony's latest Vaio T Series 15 is a new, larger ultrabook with 1080p, sporting a 10-finger multitouch display. It joins the fray of a seemingly endless run of touch-enabled laptops at this year's CES that continue to be announced with knee-jerk predictability. Sony's also adding a touch-screen option to the Vaio T 14 that's already on sale.

Yes, having touch on a Windows 8 laptop is better than not having touch, but it's hard to get excited at all about its presence … Read more

Sony WX80 gives glimpse into 2013 Cyber-shots to come

LAS VEGAS--Though Sony announced five new Cyber-shot camera models at CES 2013, none of them are jaw-droppers.

However, one of them, the DSC-WX80, does give you a look at some features coming to Sony's higher-end Exmor R CMOS sensor-based cameras this year.

The $199 WX80 is the entry model with an Exmor R sensor, in this case 16 megapixels. That sensor gets you features like multishot shooting modes for improved low-light and backlit photos, 1080/60i AVCHD movie capture, 10fps burst shooting, and high-resolution, 360-degree panoramas.

New for 2013, these models get faster autofocus speeds and improved optical image … Read more

How high can you jump? Measure with Vert

LAS VEGAS--One of the more simple fitness-oriented devices on exhibit here at CES 2013 is Vert, billed as the world's first wearable jump measurement system.

Vert attaches to your waistband, belt, cap, or wherever and calculates how high you jump by using a gyroscope and an accelerometer.

It performs more than 50 simultaneous calculations to calculate height with 96 percent accuracy, according to maker Mayfonk Athletic.

Smaller than a matchbox, the device has an OLED screen showing your altitude in inches. It can send the data to your iOS or Android mobile device via one of two Vert apps, which can track multiple user height records and jumping progress. … Read more

Asus Qube runs Google TV with voice search and motion control

There's not a lot of new Google TV hardware here at CES 2013, but Asus is breathing some new life into the platform with the new Qube.

The boxy Asus Qube runs the latest version of Google TV, which means it features the redesigned PrimeTime guide and improved voice search capabilities. The hardware looks like a cross between a Boxee Box and the Vizio Co-Star, with rectangular edges and a chunky double-sided remote.

It's yet another Google TV box with a bewildering remote covered in buttons, but the Qube supports both motion control and voice search, which should … Read more

Hisense offers smaller UHD TVs

LAS VEGAS--Hisense has unwrapped two new Ultra HD (UHD) TV ranges at this year's CES, the flagship XT900 and the smaller XT880, with a 65-inch XT880 on display during its CES press conference.

The 4K UHDTV XT880 series of 3D and Wi-Fi-enabled Smart TVs will be available in 50-, 58-, and 65-inch sizes.

All of the TVs come with a range of features including Smart TV with onboard Wi-Fi, active 3D with two sets of glasses, and a 240Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the TV features a detachable USB camera for Skype calling, built-in gesture control, and facial recognition.

Pricing … Read more

Toss the brush and throw robot Mirra in your pool

LAS VEGAS--I used to try cleaning my godmother's pool with long, unwieldy nets and hoses, and always gave up in frustration.

iRobot's Mirra 530 would have been a huge help. Now being shown off at CES 2013, it improves upon the company's Verro pool bots.

With its rotating brushes, Mirra is designed to scrub any type of in-ground pool without using the pool's filtration system, a concept aimed at saving energy.

Unlike the $1,099.99 Verro 500 PowerScrub, the $1,299.99 Mirra has wheels instead of treads and a more powerful suction and filtration system. … Read more

Hisense's whopping 110-inch XT900 TV

LAS VEGAS--Ultra HD is the theme of this year's CES, and Chinese brand Hisense has unveiled three new XT900 TVs, including a 110-inch, which will feature this mega-resolution.

Hisense's XT900 TVs will include 65-inch, 84-inch, and 110-inch "precise local dimming" televisions.

All of the TVs come with a range of features including Smart TV with onboard Wi-Fi, active 3D with two sets of glasses, and a 240Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the TV features a detachable USB camera for Skype calling, built-in gesture control, and facial recognition.

Pricing and availability of the three televisions has yet to … Read more

Ford introduces nine new apps for the car at CES 2013

LAS VEGAS--Over the past year, Ford announced a few new apps integrated with its Sync AppLink platform every quarter, bringing the total to 10. At CES 2013, Ford takes a big leap, adding nine apps to the car.

Drivers with Ford models featuring Sync AppLink will be able to use the following nine apps with their car's voice command and dashboard controls.

Wall Street Journal USA Today Kaliki Amazon Cloud Player Aha Radio Rhapsody Greater Media Glympse BeCouply

The newly compatible apps join the existing roster, which includes Pandora, Stitcher, NPR, and Scout navigation.

Ford divides compatible apps into … Read more