Gaga for gadgets: visions of your tech geek future from the International Consumer Electronics Show.

AuthorPeterson, Eric
PositionQ1 TECH REPORT

The annual orgy of gadgetry known as the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas brings in more than 100,000 attendees and 2,500 exhibitors from all over the world, showcasing everything from audiophile-oriented stereo systems to the latest and greatest in holography. In between are scads of innovative products. Here's our top dozen must-have gadgets at this year's CES.

ALBUM

Users can load about 40,000 digital photos onto the handsomely designed ALBUM ($149), a dedicated portable photo viewer you can connect directly to your camera. Available since 2009, the device's postcard-sized screen is protected by a sleek leather case that doubles as a stand for slideshows. Intuitive to use and weighing about the same as a fresh apple, the ALBUM is compatible with any USB device and has 4 gigabytes of internal memory--which can be increased to 20 gigabytes with an additional memory card--and three hours of power with each battery charge.

Made by ALBUMteam Ltd./ALBUMteam Inc., Czech Republic/ San Francisco, www.albumteam.com.

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FLO TV

For people on the go, FLO TV is to television what the iPod is to music. The handheld device uses a previously unutilized chunk of UHF spectrum to deliver high-quality video from broadcast networks without downloading or streaming. You can scroll between CNN, CBS, Comedy Central and ESPN with the flick of a fingertip, listen on built-in speakers or earbuds, and record programs on 4GB hard drive. The gadget retails for about $250, and there is also a monthly service fee of about $15 for the programming.

Made by FLO TV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc., San Diego, www.flotv.com.

SHOWWX LASER PICO PROJECTOR

A potential game-changer for business presentations, the plug-and-play SHOWWX Laser Pico Projector is a USB projector that's the size of an iPod. The heart of the machine is an ultra-miniature laser projector that produces colorful, high-contrast, always-in-focus images ranging in size from 6 inches to 9 feet. The product is slated for launch this year with an estimated retail price of $400 to $500.

Made by Microvision Inc., Redmond, Wash., www.microvision.com.

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INADA CUBE AND DOCTOR'S CHOICE MASSAGE CHAIRS

With its USA HQ in Boulder, Japan's Inada is the Rolls-Royce of the Shiatsu massage chair market. The company made the world's first automatic massage chairs in 1962 and has been at the forefront of the...

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