Hasta La Ideas

Most notable for their high-tech toys and innovative electronics, Paris-based Parrot takes a step off the beaten path with Flower Power, a sensor-driven gardening gadget that aims to help thumbs stay green on the go. Resembling a plastic plant stock, the small indoor/outdoor device gathers soil information and uses…

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Mercedes’ augmented-reality design concept goes gestural

While augmented reality interfaces have had their moment on smartphones, the automobile windshield is a potentially more useful place to overlay contextual information. Mercedes’ Dynamic and Intuitive Control Experience (DICE) offers a look at how the manufacturer envisions getting everything from traffic data to information about passing landmarks. The concept ditches buttons and touch screens in favor of gesture-based controls that communicate information while driving. At CES, convention-goers were able to get a feel for the system in a virtual reality cube set up by Mercedes. While the concept might seem far off, in another hall at CES display manufacturers were showing their first prototypes of clear glass screens capable of full LED display—the missing link to making a concept like this real.

In an apparent nod to science fiction, pointing to a passing building brings up a short description along with the option to save the location to your favorite places. Mercedes is quick to push the social media angle, demonstrating how friend updates can be displayed for quick reference while driving. This being an in-car system, media playback takes a large part with browsing and song selection enabled.

While making a system like this real clearly requires balancing the need to avoid driver distraction, DICE shows the awesome potential of augmented reality in the years to come. Check out the newly released video to see DICE in action.

Seven new products to enhance home living

While most of our CES coverage has gone to the latest tech advancements for your wrist or camera, we’ve also set aside an assortment of our favorite accessories for improving life at home. From heated toilet seats with retractable bidet spouts to energy saving outlets, the following are seven home product highlights from the 2012 CES.

For many Americans, the lawn is a highly visible extension of one’s personality. Mohzy’s Petal solar lights blend into the surrounding nature with a pop of clean design. The little green fixtures recharge daily, going on automatically at dusk and deactivating at dawn. The Petal light comes in two sizes and will be available in the coming months.

Fitbit’s Aria smart scale allows you to accurately track your weight, body fat percentage and BMI. Small electrodes in the surface glass send safe signals through the body to precisely measure your body’s fat and lean mass. Aria also uses wi-fi, so users can track their progress online, or with the iPhone app, with graphs and tools to help reach their goals. Pre-order is now available from Fitbit for $130.

Another bathroom accessory that caught our eye was the Swash, an “advanced bidet seat” to add a bit of luxury to your throne. The eco-friendly Swash features a heated seat, automatic lid, retractable bidet with heated water and customizable settings. And yes, it also has a dryer option. The Swash sells for between $180-$600.

Disguised as a digital photo frame, the Sonamba is a well-being status monitor and communication center for senior citizens. The touch-screen device offers medication reminders in easy-to-read text with email options and a personalized emergency response system. Plus, it actually shuffles through digital photos when not in use. The Sonamba is available for $550 with a monthly data plan for web-based access.

To cut down on the massive amounts of energy wasted by unused appliances left plugged in, Modlet automatically shuts on and off on schedule and wirelessly sends status reports to your computer to help monitor appliance efficiency. Modlet starts at $50 for the home model and includes software for graphing and tracking your energy use.

As the most intriguing design piece of the lot, Leon Speakers’ Trithon Reyn TVblends old-world aesthetics with the latest television technology. Accented wtih genuine python skin, the rich walnut, steel and brass tripod TV makes a strong statement standing more than eight feet tall.

For a considerably lighter-hearted home accessory, the Solarbulb turns discarded water bottles into renewable lights. The solar-powered bulb screws onto most bottles to offer a fixed level of LED light. The curious little light fixture is not yet available, but should be expected in the months to come.

Seven new accessories for high-end cameras

As lovers of all things photographic we were excited to see what CES 2012 would offer the DSLR community. We saw a lot of great gear and accessories to enhance photographers’ experience and support them in the field. Below are seven picks of some of our favorite DSLR gear we saw in Vegas this year.

Any pro knows that a camera body is only as good as the glass you attach to it, and anyone with a high-end collection of prime or zoom lenses will understand the need to properly protect their investment. Beta Shell has been making hardcore carrying cases for a while but their new 5 Series presents the lightest, biggest and toughest versions yet. Waterproof and shock resistant, these ABS polymer cases come in a variety of sizes, and now include “Fit & Trim” kits so you can customize the interior to protect anything from a lens to a full camera body. In addition to being impressively tough the cases are also surprisingly affordable. Grab the series from the Beta Shell online store from $59-$88.

The Unleashed D200+ from Foolography marked another CES find. The tiny unit attaches to your camera and can wirelessly link with a GPS receiver to automatically geo-tag the photos from your DSLR. While the current lineup is primarily targeted toward Nikons, we hope to see broader brand coverage in the future. This definitely makes a handy tool to have on the fly to keep track of all the wonderful places you’ll go, especially if you are already shooting outdoors and tend to track your movements via GPS. Check their site for compatibility and to purchase for €167.23

Continuing their line of custom-built camera accessories, which started with the C-Loop, CustomSLR launched the M-Plate, a crowd-funded project to offer users greater functionality for tripod mounting. The M-Plate is a multi-purpose tripod mount that works with both the Manfrotto RC2 and Arca Swiss tripod systems. The piece can also be adapted to fit almost any tripod without requiring you to remove your C-Loop or similar bottom-mounted strap system—freeing you to use both systems simultaneously. The M-Plate is the jumping-off point for what promises to be an entire modular system from CustomSLR that will include other photo and hand-held video accessories. The M-Plate is currently only available to backers of their Kickstarter project, but keep your eyes open for an upcoming public release.

BlackRapid has released the DR-2 double strap, a thinner, lighter version of their original dual camera system. Made from ballistic-quality nylon, the clip-able carrier lets you rock two DSLRs simultaneously, or it can be separated into two different camera straps. Perfect for the on-the-go photographer who doesn’t have time to swap lenses for the perfect shot, this system lets you stay locked and loaded for any situation. Snag the unisex double strap from BlackRapid’s site for $129.95

Remember slides? Many might say no, but we still hold a certain affection for the classic imaging media. On the other hand, figuring out how to digitize them before they get lost or ruined can be a problem. The Slidesnap Pro is a new product that lets you bring your old slides into the digital era with your DSLR camera. The system can snap a photo of a slide every two seconds and claims to process over 14,400 slides in an eight-hour day. For more information and pricing on this speedy converter head to the product website.

For anyone who wants to toy with the life of their DSLR in the spirit of adventure and experimentation, check out the HPQ-2 from Rotor Concept. This four-bladed DSLR helicopter promises to lift up to three pounds off the ground for some soaring aerial video footage. While the package lacks a way to monitor your shots or control focus, it would still be a fun tool to try out with an auto-focus camcorder, or just for some experimental flying footage. Find it at the Rotor Concept site for $1,795.

Another interesting accessory we spotted was Vanguard‘s line of hiking-inspired camera gear. The Kinray series looks like a pretty standard hiking pack, but inside is designed to keep your camera gear safe and organized. An easy way to blend in with the other trail blazers, these bags combine all the internal storage you expect from a solid camera carrier with the handy technical details of your favorite day pack. Check out the variety of sizes and purchase from Vanguard’s online store.

Five add-ons to raise your level of mobile photography

While running around the labrynth of CES last week we noticed more than a couple standouts in the category of iPhone photography. From snap-on fisheyes and tripod-compatible add-ons to an app that sends physical post cards with the swipe of a finger, the following are five iPhone photo accessories that bring a new level of sophistication to cameraphone photography.

To improve upon the already-impressive HD video capabilities of the iPhone 4S, the Pico Flex Dolly allows the user to mount their device to shoot smooth tracking and panning shots. The pared-down roller sets up in 30 seconds, allowing you to conveniently add some cinematic magic to your next cat video. The comprehensive kit, which includes a friction arm, shark clip and carrying case in addition to the dolly, sells for $100 while the stand-alone dolly goes for $70 from Amazon.

Perfect for travelers, Postcard on the Run is a new app that allows users to send physical postcards with snapshots from their phone and a personalized message. For around $2 via credit card or Paypal, the app takes care of postage and mailing with a few swipes and taps. Plus, you can add a GPS location and, even, a special smell.

The latest from Liquid Image is the Apex Series of goggles with a built-in HD camera. Features include an adjustable 1080p camera and GPS that connect to your phone via wi-fi, which allows for the phone to act as a viewfinder for the googles to review footage. Although the exact released date has not been announced, the Apex Series is expected to retail for $400. Keep an eye out in the coming months for more info.

For more variety than Instagram’s filters can offer, the Olloclip for iPhone equips the camera to shoot in one of three modes—fisheye, wide angle and macro. The little gadget slips over the camera corner of your phone to produce the desired effect with its respective lens. Unlike the multitude of other removable lens adaptors, the Olloclip slides on and off without adhesives or magnets. Olloclip is available online for $70.

For a steadier shot or focused zoom we’re liking the Mosy Mount, a tripod-mountable adapter that offers stability without being too clunky. The Mosy Mount works with bost iPhones and Android devices, as well as with most tablets. Available online for $15.