Hasta La Gadget!

Google’s Project Glass may have made the augmented reality headlines in 2012, but Vuzix’s Smart Glasses M100 is set to be the first wearable on sale in 2013. Packing a full Android-based computer in a headpiece, with an eye-mounted 800 x 480 display and both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, the M100 is at CES 2013 in prototype form, ahead of a launch at “under $500″ later in the year. Read on for our hands-on first impressions.

Vuzix is fitting a lot into its headset, borrowing specs more commonly associated with a smartphone: a 3-axis head tracker is paired with a gyroscope, GPS, and a digital compass, a 720p HD camera, 4GB of onboard storage, and an 8GB memory card. There’s also a companion Android app which can be used as a remote control, with a trackpad for navigating through the M100′s menus, and an app launcher menu.

Unfortunately Vuzix isn’t showing any of those apps right now, only a video clip that runs on a loop. It’s a little disconcerting initially, watching it through one eye – Vuzix will offer both ear hooks and a head-strap arrangement, which can hold the Smart Glasses on either ear depending on which is your dominant eye – but you quickly grow used to the concept, glancing across to see the bright, clear content.

Audio, meanwhile, is loud and surprisingly solid considering it’s coming through one ear only. Physical controls are limited to a trio of buttons across the top edge – for volume up/down and select – as well as a power button. Using the remote app makes more sense, however, as it doesn’t shift or move the eyepiece on your ear; there’s a little flexibility in how the eyepiece is positioned, with an extending arm that can be bent slightly.

Vuzix Smart Glasses M100 hands-on:

Battery life may be the M100′s downfall. Vuzix is quoting up to eight hours of use, though that’s not solid runtime. Instead, the company expects users to turn their Smart Glasses on periodically, using the display sparingly: leave it on full-time, and the M100′s battery will last for more like two hours (or even half that, if you use the handsfree, display, and camera simultaneously).

Still, with Google’s Explorer Edition Glass priced at $1,500, and Vuzix already pushing the AR SDK out the door, the “under $500″ M100 might well find some eager buyers. We’re looking forward to trying out the final results to see how the Smart Glasses hold up to day-to-day use.

Vuzix Smart Glasses M100 hands-on is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Lenovo has brought forth several unique visions in the Windows 8 universe this week with touchscreen prowess and unique hardware abilities such as the wireless touch of the ThinkVision LT1423p, also known as Lenovo’s mobile monitor. What you’re about to see is a brand new way to add touch to the device you’ve already got with a lovely 13.3-inch display with full touch – but don’t be fooled, this is no tablet!

Back in our original ThinkVision LT1423p details post you find that this machine doesn’t yet have a release date other than a basic Q2 2013 window, nor a price, but what we’ve seen thus far makes us want it right this minute – full touch for any machine running Windows 8. This beast is able to work wirelessly via wi-fi direct or wired with a relatively new USB to micro-USB B connection – have a peek at that plug in the gallery for a double-take.

This machine is extremely light for its size, is able to work with or without a connected rechargeable battery, and is presented with Lenovo drivers that work with what the company notes is essentially any PC working with Windows 8. The front is covered with Gorilla Glass, the display is a decent 1600×900 pixels, and the whole package will be another rather unique addition to the Windows 8 environment come this Spring/Summer.

Have a peek at the Lenovo tag to see the rest of the magic the company has revealed this week and be sure to stick around SlashGear’s full CES portal for more CES 2013 than you can possible handle. Also be sure to let us know if you’re planning on working with a mobile touch monitor some time in the future – seem like a real prospect to you?

Lenovo ThinkVision mobile monitor hands-on: touching Windows 8 across the room is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Here at CES we’re already seeing all sorts of interesting products and right out of the gate is a new smart-folk from HAPILABS. Yes we said a smart fork. This connected eating utensil will help you eat right, eat slower, and lose weight. It’s an interesting concept and they’ve got multiple new products here this year. So read on below for a quick video from HAPILABS CEO himself.

To explain it simply, the HAPIfork is a electronic fork that will monitor and help you control your eating habits. Interesting right? Do I want to be bothered while enjoying some Tortilla Soup or Fettuccine Alfredo? They seem to think so. The HAPIfork will give you precise details about your eating style and habits, and will even alert you with an indicator light or a quick vibration when you’re not eating right.

What it comes down to is a touch sensitive smart tip that knows you’re eating, how fast, and if you’re chewing long enough. It won’t know what the users is shoveling in their beautiful faces, but it will certainly still try to help you out. Every time you bring food to your mouth it’s called a “fork serving” and will learn as you eat. Here’s a quick video from HAPILABS CEO Fabrice Boutain:

The HAPIfork will measure how long it takes you between bites, and alert you if you’re eating too fast. The amount of “fork servings” per minute, as well as intervals between each serving. This information is then uploaded via USB or easily over Bluetooth to your personal online dashboard for details and progress. We’ll be learning more about this in the coming days. Do you think a connected “smartfork” is overboard, or do you like the idea? Let us know in the comments.

HAPILABS HAPIfork is a smart-fork to help you lose weight [Hands-on] is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Today at CES 2013 the folks from Liquid Image, known for their popular 1080p HD camera options, have announced an all new HD sports camera. Their Ego Mini is one of the lightest, thinnest, and most versatile 1080p HD WiFi-enabled action-cameras available. For more details and a quick video rundown check it out after the break.

We’ve seen plenty of video camera options from Liquid Image, but the new Ego Mini is nearly half the size of the original LI Ego (link below), which is one of the smallest WiFi enabled full Hd cameras available today. There’s many awesome choices like the GoPro, but none are small enough to go where the new Ego Mini can.

Coming in at just 1.6″ long by 2.0 inches high and less than an inch thick, it truly is one of the smallest HD cams around. From mountainbike frames, Paintball guns, inside of helmet, chest mounts and more Liquid Image has every situation covered and we’ll show a few of many in our video below. Check it out.

Being a WiFi enabled HD camera you can upload videos instantly, or even enjoy watching them in real time on your favorite smartphone or tablet. Shown off here today by Liquid Image was full HD streaming on Android with the Samsung Nexus 10 tablet as seen below. Their app doesn’t as a remote control function for those hard to access cameras mounted under cars, or outside during those fast-paced activities. With more than 4 hours of continuous video capture you’ll be enjoying HD video for hours. IT features a multi-colored LED for recording notification, micro-SD for expanded storage, and charges via mini-USB.

In addition to WiFi and HD video, the Ego Mini features a 12 megapixel camera as well as 60 fps 72op video capture. More details are coming soon so stay tuned.

Liquid Image Ego Mini 1080p HD WiFi action camera hands-on is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Today at CES, Griffin is showing off a new product that shows the efforts of a partnership with Crayola. It’s called the Light Marker, and it’s essentially a laser pointer on steroids. Griffin demoed it for us today, and while it still has its bugs and quirks, we can’t imagine that a whole lot of kids would be disappointed with it.

The Light Marker pen relies entirely on the iPad‘s front-facing camera, and it simply shows a red dot on the iPad’s display that shows where the “cursor” is — think the Wiimote, but not for gaming in particular. The pen and the accompanying app work together to create any kind of drawing that your mind conjures up.

The light marker will cost only $30, and the company is also outing what they call the Digital Activity Center and Color & Play Workstation for $40 and $20, respectively. These should arrive sometime in the spring, and the specialized iPad apps for the Light Marker should arrive later this month for $3.

Griffin Crayola Light Marker hands-on is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.