What do a boombox, noise cancelling headphones, car stereos, and personal internet devices all have in common?  You guessed it, they are all among the new technologies announced by Sony today during a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.  Read on for details on all of Sony’s announcements.

DASH Personal Internet Viewer

Designed for use in the household, Sony’s “Dash" is a digital window for any and all personalized information.  The device gives you access to what you want to see, when you want to see it – all with a few swipes of your finger.

Details:

• Features 7-inch capacitive color touch screen
• Offers instant access to over 1,500 “apps,” including popular social networking  sites, news, weather, sports, and more
• Stays continually connected and updates content via a home Wi-Fi connection (no monthly fees necessary)
• Supports internet radio playback
• Provides two viewing angles – flat and upright
• Includes USB slot, headphone/audio input and built-in stereo speakers for outstanding  sound
• Available in April for about $200

Sony CDX-GT700HD Car Stereo

Available in February for about $180

• Sony’s first car stereo with HD Radio tuner built-in
• USB-1 wire connectivity for easy control and charge of any iPod, iPhone or other compatible digital media devices
• iTunes tagging feature allows for quick identification of all metadata, including song title, artist, album etc
• Compatible with all of Sony’s latest audio technologies, including ZAPPIN™, Quick-BrowZer™, Jump Mode, Passenger Control, and DM+ Advanced

Sony DSX-S100 Car Stereo

Available in June for about $150

• “Smart-fit” of iPod/DMP/USB directly into the mechanical flip-down compartment, eliminating dangling wires from your car stereo to iPod
• USB-1 wire connectivity for easy control and charge of any iPod or other compatible digital media devices
• Large, informative 2 line LCD display
• Compatible with all of Sony’s latest audio technologies, including ZAPPIN™, Quick-BrowZer™, Jump Mode, Passenger Control, and DM+ Advanced

Sony XAV-70BT AV Center

Available in April for about $750

• Seven inch WVGA high quality, touch-screen display w/ motorized panel
• Built-in full function Bluetooth technology
• Multi-channel playback with “Center Speaker Organizer” creates virtual 5.1 channel surround sound playback within the car
• Sony’s Advanced Sound Engine (ASE) creates incredible in-car sound environment
• Intuitive, stylish GUI with gesture commands, simple setting menus, easy-touch buttons and more
• “SenseMe” channels analyze music collection of connected DMP and create custom music moods and playlists
  

Sony XAV-V60 AV Center

Available in April for about $500

• 6.1 inch WVGA high quality, touch-screen display w/ slot disc entrance
• Multi-channel playback with “Center Speaker Organizer” creates virtual 5.1 channel surround sound playback within the car
• Sony’s Advanced Sound Engine (ASE) creates incredible in-car sound environment
• Intuitive, stylish GUI with gesture commands, simple setting menus, easy-touch buttons and more
• “SenseMe” channels and moods analyze music collection of a connected DMP and create custom music playlists

Sony TRiK Boombox

Available in April for about $130

• Boombox with four customizable skins included to express individuality
• Users can create their own graphics and skin display
• Made for iPod / Works with iPhone – charge, control and play
• Powerful 60 watts, two-way speaker system for outstanding audio quality
• Auxiliary input for connection to additional MP3 players or PC

Sony MDR-NC300D Digital Noise-Canceling Earbuds

Available in February for about $300

• Digital, high-quality noise-canceling earbuds with 98.4 percent ambient noise reduction
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) noise canceling automatically selects optimal noise cancellation mode based on environment (plane, bus/train, office)
• Convenient volume control and monitor button on controller
• Comfortable “vertical-in-the-ear” style earbuds with seven earbud sizes
• Approximate 20 hours of battery life from one AA battery

Head on over to Phatware Corp.’s website for a 50% discount on all of their software offerings, including  iPhone, Windows Mobile, Smartphone and Windows PC software.  It is not often that Phatware’s whole line-up is discounted, so if you’ve been debating whether or not to purchase one of their cool products like PhatPad or PhatNotes, now is the time to make your move!

Just as a reference, PhatNotes for iPhone is now only $19.97 (regularly $39.95).

Hurry, as the sale runs from now until January 15th!

Read all about the sale here: http://phatware.com/index.php?q=page/show/howtobuy/pocketpc

As announced earlier today and spotlighted on Engadget, Verizon will be launching this new Android 2.1 phone in the Spring.

This is a very cool device with a 3.7-inch (diagonal) widescreen WVGA AMOLED touchscreen, including Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1, as well as A2DP stereo Bluetooth.  I’m really looking forward to the Ogg Vorbis music support, along with MP3 and AAC audio capability.

Check out the official Google Site for all the details here: <Nexus One Website Link>

Right after the holidays, there is another very special weekend known as the CES.  That is the Consumer Electronics Show that is put on every year in January in Las Vegas.  This year it is from Jan. 7 to Jan. 10.  All of the biggest companies bring out their shiny new toys to parade in front of us gadget lovers.  It is one of my dreams to be able to actually attend all of these events.  So, if someone can help me pick the right Powerball lottery numbers, I’d appreciate it.  I feel like before the show starts that anything is possible, maybe even my all-in-one smartphone robot that can do my laundry.  You can never tell who will bring the biggest surprise. 

There is so much going on at the show that its impossible to take in all the of the devices and accessories, so I always have a few areas of particular interest.  Here’s my ‘I can’t wait to suck up every ounce of info’ gadget list:

1 – Android Smartphones

Yes, I have been the Palm girl for some time.  I still use my Centro with its old OS, but its time for something new.  My eye has begun to wonder to the Android platform.  There are plenty of apps, plus with what I have seen and heard about the OS, there is not a big learning curve.  Google Navigation is also a GIANT bonus.  I do love my Navigon GPS, but I do not love paying $80 to update my maps.  Free is a beautiful thing in the realm of big data contracts from carriers.  I do suffer from the classic geek disease of ‘if I wait another couple of months something even better will appear’.  However, I have drawn the line in the sand, and its time to make a decision.  So, I will be surveying what everyone has to offer that will be out on Verizon.  The Nexus One has an early lead, but the game is only beginning.   

2 – eBook Readers

This will be the explosion category this year.  Everyone wants a piece of the Kindle pie, just like everyone wanted a piece of the iPod pie a few years back.  The item I will be keeping my eye out for is innovation.  I have seen a bunch of Kindle clones.  Honestly, if I want to buy something that looks just like a Kindle, I’ll get a Kindle.  First, I want to see if anyone has an affordable color ereader.  I would love to be able to read my comic books on an ereader.  They take up bunches of room around the house.  Second, I am fascinated by the dual eReader and netbook combo.  I think its a fabulous idea.  Plus, I also think there is room in the eReader market for a quality reader that you can highlight and take notes on.  I know the Kindle DX experiment at different colleges has received about a C, so there is an opportunity there. 

3 – Tablets

This is more of just following along with the hype.  Tablets, tablets are going to be the next big thing.  Well, I’d like to see more of them out there, and see if Apple has one up their sleeve.

4 – Creative and Cool Gear Bags

I LOVE BAGS!!!  I just do.  Bags and cases with fun designs just make my heart flutter. 

So, what’s on your CES dream list???  Phones, home theater equipment, car tech, GPS, music, etc.  The sky is the limit!!!  Geeks everywhere rejoice!!!

Barnes & Noble's Nook

Honestly, that’s kind of a silly question.  Who wouldn’t want to win a Nook?  I bet even Amazon’s CEO would want to check it out, or maybe toss it against a wall.  Anyway, how do you get a hold of a Nook of your own?  By participating in Donna Grant’s book release party being held at Bitten By Books.  All of the entry instructions are on the post, and you have until Jan. 11 to get all of your entries in.  Make a New Years resolution to yourself to read more, and start with a brand new Nook.