Seldom unseen yet ubiquitous at CES are batteries. Last year Panasonic debuted its Oxyride non-rechargeable batteries. This year was Sanyo's turn to deliver an improvement on nickel-metal hydride batteries. Its new Eneloop batteries come fully charged, meaning you don't have to charge them for hours before using them.
This is the most hard-driving Consumer Electronics Show in history. Once limited to computers, hard-disk drives, or simply hard drives, now inhabit a wide array of audio and video components.
Photos by Tony Cordoza Great sound used to mean opting for speakers in generic rectangular boxes, while curvy, stylish designs had all the hi-fi credibility of a Blue Light Special boombox. No longer.
Photos by Tony Cordoza In the movie Kate & Leopold, Leopold (Hugh Jackman) finds himself vaulted from the 19th century into the early 21st century. Given the fascination this time traveler shows with new technology, the three home theater speaker systems here would certainly have raised his eyebrows.
The first day of the International CES ended on a colorful note at a Sharp press conference on the convention floor in front of scores of its LCD TVs. The company arrayed rows and rows of its flat-screen TVs, from 13 to 37 inches - a total of 286 displays - as the focus of its space.
For viewers who want more programming choice than is available off the air but not the expense of cable or satellite, USDTV offers a unique alternative. It leases unused secondary digital channels, often from religious broadcasters, and provides over-the-air pay TV.
Nintendo superstar Mario the plumber gazes appreciatively at the new Game Boy Advance-compatible version of Visteon's Dockable Family Entertainment System.