Cocoon Innovations is about to change how women carry their gadgets. This stylish startup’s selection of sleeves and bags are the nicest I saw at CES and the only ones that come close to being able to hold everything business women carry on a regular basis.

The bags are fashion forward, but what really sets them apart Cocoon Innovations’ bags is the ingenious grid system. Pretty much every other notebook bag I’ve seen has a few pockets and pouches that never seem to fit what I need them to. The grid system is a criss-cross of elastic bands that let you strap down your phone, lipstick, business cards and whatever else you normally toss in your bag.

If you already have a notebook bag you can pick up a Cocoon Innovations portfolio, which starts at just $19. I think the red bag in the video is the nicest bag I saw at the show. I wanted to take it home with me and was surprised that it’s only going to cost $79. Some of the larger leather Cocoon Innovations briefcases will cost up to $290.

Cocoon adds a level of sophistication and style to notebook bags that I haven’t seen before at these price points. The bags will be available at major retailers and at CocoonInnovations.com starting this spring.

Cocoon Innovations: Best Bags of CES 2009 is a post by Amisha from Notebooks.com.

The Shure X2u takes any XLR mic and adapts it to USB. This is perfect for aspiring musicians who need to make professional-quality recordings on their notebooks.

You can plug a pair of headphones ino the X2u so you can hear exactly what you’re recording in real time.

The Shure X2u works on both Macs and PCs.

Here are some FAQ’s from Shure.com:

What is the X2u XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter and how does it work?

The Shure X2u is a modular accessory that connects any XLR microphone (standard electrical

connection) to a computer (Mac or PC) to create better-than-CD quality recordings. With the X2u,

beginning and advanced recording enthusiasts can simply Plug and Play” to experience Shure-quality

digital recording with zero latency monitoring.

What is zero latency monitoring?

The word latency” is another way to say delay. In this case, latency refers to the amount of time it takes

a computer to process a signal. With the X2u, latency refers to the amount of time it takes to convert the

analog signal (your voice) to the digital signal and back again (for playback). When users plug

earphones or headphones into the Shure X2u, they will hear themselves as they sing or talk, rather than

experiencing a delay or echo.

What microphones are compatible with the X2u Adapter?

While it was designed to extend the sleek, beautiful design of Shure’s iconic SM57 and SM58

microphones to portable recording devices, the X2u is compatible with any XLR microphone, including

condenser microphones thanks to the phantom power feature.

Why did Shure decide to make a USB adapter?

For more than 80 years, Shure has been dedicated to developing professional quality audio; the

company recognizes that the rise in user-generated content brings more demand for low cost, digital

recording options. Shure decided to create a microphone adapter to allow users to connect any XLR

microphone to their computer to create better-than-CD quality recordings. The X2u redefines what

musicians and podcasters can do in their own homes and on the go, just as the tape recorder redefined

what artists could produce outside the studio

Shure X2u XLR to USB, Analog to Digital is a post by Jamie from Notebooks.com.

Here’s a quick look at the XPal Power booth at CES 2009. The company makes extended batteries and solar panels for your notebook and other mobile gadgets.

Check them out in this 30-second video:

Learn more and buy direct from XPal

Xpal Power- Extra Power On the Go is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.

The LiveScribe Pulse SmartPen is more computer than pen and Warner from GottaBeMobile picked it as his top choice for Best Gadget of CES 2009. The SmartPen can do math, record notes and translate whatever you write.

I’ve all but given up writing on paper, but this looks like the perfect excuse to pull out a pad of paper. The 2GB LiveScribe Pulse SmartPen costs $199.

Warner Crocker from GBM shot this video of the pen translating written English into spoken Chinese.

via GottaBeMobile

LiveScribe Pulse SmartPen: Now That’s Pen Computing (CES 2009) is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.

The Vuzix Wrap 920AV goggles combine video with the real world. It takes almost any mobile device’s video-out signal and projects what appears to be a 60-inch image onto the real world.

Vuzix CEO Paul Travers gave us a quick demo at CES 2009.

Rochester, NY January 5th, 2009 Vuzix Corporation is thrilled to announce a ground-breaking addition to the video eyewear market: the Wrap 920AV. As the demand for mobile access to digital entertainment and information skyrockets, Vuzix has once again pushed the envelope. This portable big screen solution with Vuzix’ proprietary Quantum optics technology allows for a see-thru” video experience in the form of a functional pair of sunglasses and is upgradeable with optional accessories.

The stylish Wrap 920AV functions with any media playing device with a video output and projects a virtual 60-inch screen, as viewed from 9-feet. The state-of-the-art lens technology also allows users for the first time to view 3D video content while seeing and interacting with the real world. This incredible blend of reality and computer generated content will transform the world of portable video while opening up the consumer to previously impossible location aware” applications. An optional 6-Degree of Freedom tracking sensor and/or Stereo Camera Pair will enable users to upgrade their Wrap 920AV to experience virtual, augmented and mixed reality environments.

The Wrap 920AV will not just change the portable video industry, but how consumers view and interact with information,” said Vuzix CEO Paul Travers. From watching a Civil War video reproduction battle reenactment on the actual battleground to walking through the streets of New York City with an animated virtual tour guide, the possibilities are endless,” added Travers.

As listed in 2008 at the Gartner Emerging Trends and Technologies Roadshow, Augmented Reality promises a paradigm shift in how consumers interact with news, entertainment and information,” said Vuzix Consumer Division Product Manager Ron Haidenger. The Wrap 920AV is the first product at a consumer price point to deliver this game changing technology to the masses,” added Haidenger.

Additionally, Vuzix will be offering low cost optional prescription lens inserts to provide the perfect solution for consumers wearing prescription eyeglasses. A patent pending electronic Inter-Pupillary Distance system enables eye separation adjustment, ensuring that all users will have an optimal viewing experience. Amazingly, the entire system weighs less than 3 ounces.

The Wrap 920AV’s features include:

• Virtual 60-inch screen viewed from 9-feet

• 2D and 3D video formats

• Quantum Optics Technology

• Twin high-resolution AMLCD displays

• Ultra low power electronics

• High-quality noise-isolating and removable comfort fit earphones

• Up to 6 hours of battery life on two AA batteries

• On screen display settings control

• For use with or without eyeglasses

• Optional prescription lens inserts

• Optional Bluetooth 6-Degree of Freedom head tracking system

• Optional USB-powered Stereo Camera Pair

Compatible devices include:

• All iPod/iPhone models with video output

• Portable media players

• Video cameras

• Cellular phones with video output

• Console video game systems

• Digital cameras

• DVD players

• PCs & laptops with S-Video

Vuzix Wrap 920AV (CES 2009) is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.

The Schlage LiNK lock allows you to control access to your home or business from any device with a web browser.

This lock can send you an SMS everytime someone unlocks your door.

We stopped by the Schlage booth at CES 2009 to check it out for ourselves.

Here’s the full press release from Schlage:

SCHLAGE LiNK Door Locks

The first and only wireless-controlled door locks, the Schlage LiNKâ„¢ allows homeowners to remotely control and monitor access to their home 24/7 via its web portal or mobile application. The new Schlage LiNK door locks provide keyless entry through 4-digit codes, which can be entered, activated or disabled via the Schlage LiNK web portal, mobile application or on the lock’s 11-digit push button keypad.

This innovative security system gives homeowners the freedom to never worry about their house keys or the need to circulate keys to family members, friends and service providers like housekeepers and dog walkers.

The locks are designed for easy installation by do-it-yourselfers of all levels and can be used anywhere in the home a traditional lock is being used.

Features:

• E-mail and text message notifications for access code tracking

• 90-day reporting of time/day codes were used

• Utilizes Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology

• Starter kit includes one Schlage LiNK door lock, a Z-Wave Bridge and one wireless compatible light module

• Plug and play simplicity and easy installation in less than 30 minutes

• Available in bright brass, satin nickel and aged bronze

Home Automation Features:

Schlage LiNK door locks are enabled with Z-wave, a wireless technology, providing homeowners the opportunity to control more than 300 other Z-Wave enabled home automation products including lighting, household appliances, climate control, security system devices and health care monitoring.

All Z-Wave products can be monitored and controlled via the Schlage LiNK web portal and mobile application and can also be programmed to work together to create customized settings every time a homeowner enters a four-digit code.

Where to buy:

Check the Where to Buy section of the Schlage website to see the most up to date locations where you can purchase the Schlage LiNK.

Pricing:

There is a monthly $12.99 subscription fee to access the Schlage LiNK web portal for monitoring and access capabilities. Homeowners also receive 100 MB of memory to store IP camera video, if installed with the system.

Schlage LiNK Door Locks (CES 2009) is a post by Jamie from Notebooks.com.

Joanna Stern from Laptop Mag stopped by MSI’s booth at CES 2009 and took a look at the U120H with a touch diplsay. The netbook isn’t scheduled to hit the market anytime soon, but it’s example of how the company’s trying to innovate and improve its netbooks.

Joanna said:

While MSI can’t really tout innovation here, we were still fairly impressed with the responsiveness of the screen. Light taps on the screen were responsive and using a finger to move through Windows XP’s folders and menus was smooth, without having to tap repeatedly. Other than that, there isn’t much else to say about the tablet performance. Check out the video below for a full walk-through of the touch experience.

Check out her article for more and a video of the U120H w/Touchscreen

MSI Wind U120H Touchscreen Gets Examined (CES 2009) is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.

HP iPrint Photo is a cool little application that enables iPhone and iPod Touch owners to print via WiFi to their HP Photosmart printers. You can print any photo that’s on your iPhone onto 4″x6″ photo paper in about 20 seconds. Check out this demo at the HP booth at The Digital Experience.

I downloaded iPrint Photo as soon as I saw this demo to use with my HP Photosmart C6380. I won’t use it too often, but I’m sure it will come in handy.

HP iPrint Photo: Print Wirelessly to Photosmart Printers w/ iPhone & iPod Touch (video demo @ CES 2009) is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.

Freescale and Pegatron are ushering a new generation of netbooks that will combine excellent battery life, good looks and low cost. The two partners are hoping to bring the ARM-based netbook to market within the next few months under the flagship of a major OEM at a retail price of $199 to $299.

When I was invited to this private meeting and told the netbooks would be priced at $199 and $299 I expected to find flimsy plastic prototypes. I was pleasantly surprised by how good they looked and they felt extremely well built. The prototypes have 8.9-inch displays, but they may end up with 10-inch displays. This change could mean an even thinner profile.

They run on Linux, are designed purely as Web devices and will deliver up to eight hours of battery life. These prototypes were much thinner than other netbooks I’ve used, but still manage to have a full compliment of ports.

Details may change by the time this netbook reaches the marketplace, but I’m hoping its overall design stays intact.

I talked to Alain-De Lee, the industrial designer behind this product and he calls his design concept “Mass-tige,” or the idea of bringing prestigous-looking products to the mass market. He previously led design projects for Asus and came up with the look and feel of the Lamborghini special edition notebook.

Low-cost netbooks like these are going to put price pressure on other platforms, such as Intel Atom.

Here’s the official press release from Freescale:

Freescale Semiconductor targets the netbook market

Comprehensive solution based on ARM® technology designed to enable low-power, gigahertz performance netbooks at sub-$200 price points

AUSTIN, Texas Jan. 5, 2009 Freescale Semiconductor enters the fast-growing netbook market with a comprehensive solution designed to enable netbooks that feature 8.9 inch displays, deliver eight hours of battery life between charges and retail at sub-$200 price points.

Based on the new i.MX515 processor featuring ARM Cortexâ„¢-A8 technology, Freescale’s solution includes an impressive lineup of software, components and resources to help OEMs quickly develop and deploy compelling netbook products.

A comprehensive netbook reference design based on the i.MX515 processor is available now. Created in concert with Pegatron, the reference design features the i.MX515 processor, Canonical’s Ubuntu® operating system, a new power management IC from Freescale, the SGTL5000 ultra low-power audio codec and Adobe® Flash® Liteâ„¢ software, Adobe’s Flash Player for mobile phones and devices.

We see a huge opportunity in the netbook market as consumers demand more cost-effective and higher performing solutions,” said Lisa Su, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Networking and Multimedia Group. Our solution for netbooks will enable OEMs to develop compelling products that feature cell phone-like battery life at extremely aggressive price points. We believe the combination of the i.MX515 processor and related enablement solutions will dramatically accelerate the evolution of this exciting new space.”

According to analyst firm ABI Research, consumers are expected to purchase 140 million netbooks in 2013, compared with only 15 million sold in 2008. Often priced between $300 and $400 (USD), netbooks are streamlined, embedded devices that provide more than enough performance for a host of Internet-based activities such as social networking, surfing the Web, using e-mail and other common tasks.

As was evident in the 2008 holiday season, the netbook market has exploded due to consumer demand for affordable and compact devices that allow users to conduct routine tasks like social networking or shopping on the Web,” said Philip Solis, principal analyst at ABI Research. The netbook market is still in its infancy, and it represents a huge market opportunity for companies like Freescale. As advanced platforms for netbooks become increasingly available, price points will drop and the market will expand.”

Unleashing ARM technology for netbook markets

Integrating an ARM Cortex-A8 core and manufactured using 65-nm process technology, Freescale’s new i.MX515 provides up to 2100 Dhrystone MIPS and can scale in performance from 600MHz to 1GHz. Advanced power management features included in the i.MX515 processor, such as a dedicated, hardware-based video acceleration block, allow for extended battery life and eliminate the need for fans or heat sinks.

By incorporating highly integrated devices and low-cost printed circuit boards, the Freescale solution is engineered to keep bill of materials low. In addition, the i.MX515 supports cost efficiency by featuring a memory interface supporting both DDR2 and mobile DDR1. While mobile DDR1 is ideal for the most power sensitive mobile Internet devices, DDR2 is better suited for netbooks as it provides low power at significantly less cost. Although the i.MX515 offers support for both, many competing Cortex-A8 platform options available today only offer mobile DDR1, limiting designers’ options to maximize cost savings.

The i.MX51 is one of the only processors to offer both OpenVG and OpenGL graphics cores, thereby enabling 2D and 3D graphics as well as Flash and SVG for enhanced user experiences. Video created for the Adobe Player is one of the leading video formats on the Internet today. Working with Adobe, Freescale plans to enable the Adobe software to run on the processor’s dedicated OpenVG graphics block, thereby extending battery life and enabling netbook web browsing experiences as rich and responsive as those on traditional PCs.

New netbook power management technology from Freescale

A key component of Freescale’s netbook solution is the new MC13982 power management IC. Integrating a variety of discrete functions into a single device, the MC13982 contributes to reduced size and weight of end products while extending their battery life through innovative power management and control features. The device incorporates a battery charging system, four adjustable buck converters for powering the processor core and memory, two boost converters for LCD backlighting, and RGB LED displays along with serial backlighting drivers for display and keypad.

About Adobe Flash Platform

The Adobe Flash Platform is the de facto standard for delivering breakthrough applications, content and video on the Web. Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Flash Liteâ„¢ are on over 98 percent of connected computers and more than 800 million devices, and deliver more than 80 percent of Web video worldwide, ensuring that content and applications are presented consistently in the format users want. For more information on the Adobe Flash Platform, visit www.adobe.com/flashplatform.

Availability

Freescale’s netbook reference design is available now. The company is currently sampling the i.MX515 processor and MC13982 power management device to tier one netbook customers. Volume production for the i.MX515 device is planned for Q2 2009 to power netbooks designed for the 2009 holiday shopping season.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale is one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies with 2007 sales of $5.7 billion (USD). www.freescale.com

Supporting comments from Freescale partners follow

Adobe: “Freescale’s netbook solution based on the new i.MX51 applications processor is an ideal platform for showcasing the rich graphics and video capabilities that Adobe Flash Platform enables with Flash Lite,” said Danny Winokur, senior director for business development, Platform Business Unit at Adobe. “With the combination of advanced processing intelligence from Freescale and rich Internet experiences delivered by Adobe software, consumers can look forward to compelling new netbook products in 2009 and beyond.”

ARM: Consumer demand for all-day, always-on Internet experiences requires the power-efficiency and performance of the 1GHz Cortex-A8 processor,” said Mike Inglis, executive vice president and general manager for the Processor Division of ARM Limited. With leading edge ARM technology onboard, Freescale’s i.MX515 system-on-chip is an outstanding device that will play a key role in the evolution of the dynamic and fast-growing netbook space.”

Canonical: The increasing uptake of Ubuntu by computer manufacturers demonstrates how it is ideally suited to meet customer expectations for netbooks,” said Canonical’s director of OEM Services, Chris Kenyon. Netbook buyers want small form factor, lightweight devices that offer all day computing, fast access to Web, email and entertainment, and a mobile-oriented user interface. The i.MX515 processor’s onboard graphics and performance and power consumption characteristics make it a great platform to run Ubuntu.”

New Generation of Netbooks: $199 and $299, Eight Hour Battery & Sexy Design is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.

The SD association announced a new specification called SDXC, which has the same form factor as an SD card, but will provide upto 2TB of storage. That’s enough capacity to handle 100 high-def movies or 17,000 high-res images.

No word on when we’ll actually see these 2TB cards or when devices will begin supporting them.

Here’s the full press release from CES 2009:

SDXC SIGNALS NEW GENERATION OF REMOVABLE MEMORY

WITH UP TO 2 TERABYTES OF STORAGE

SDXC Memory Cards Provide Consumers with Massive Storage,

Incredible Speed in Familiar, De Facto Standard

LAS VEGAS CES Booth South 3 #31277 Jan. 7, 2009 The next-generation SDXC (eXtended Capacity) memory card specification, announced today at the 2009 International CES, dramatically improves consumers’ digital lifestyles by providing the portable storage and speed needed to store weeks of high-definition video, years of photo collections and months of music to mobile phones, cameras and camcorders, and other consumer electronic devices. The new SDXC specification provides up to 2 terabytes storage capacity and accelerates SD interface read/write speeds to 104 megabytes per second this year, with a road map to 300 megabytes per second.

The SDXC specification, developed by the SD Association, leapfrogs memory card interface speeds while retaining the world-leading SD interface. Specifications for the open standard will be released in the first quarter of 2009. SDHC, Embedded SD and SDIO specifications will also benefit from the new SD interface speeds.

SDXC combines a higher capacity roadmap with faster transfer speeds as a means to exploit NAND flash memory technology as a compelling choice for portable memory storage and interoperability,” said Joseph Unsworth, research director, NAND Flash Semiconductors, at Gartner. With industry support, SDXC presents manufacturers with the opportunity to kindle consumer demand for more advanced handset features and functionality in consumer electronics behind the ubiquitous SD interface.”

Turning mobile phones into media centers

SDXC allows users to enjoy more from their mobile phones. Larger capacity and faster transfer speeds allow for expanded entertainment and data storage. A 2TB SDXC memory card can store 100 HD movies, 60 hours of HD recording or 17,000 fine-grade photos.

With SDXC, consumers can quickly download higher quality content to their phones, including games, video and music giving consumers a richer media and content experience,” said James Taylor, president of the SD Association. The SD interface already has proven itself valuable in mobile phones. Now, SDXC memory card capabilities will spur further handset sophistication and boost consumer content demand.”

Shooting pictures at the speed of life

SDXC is also the first memory card specification to provide 2TB storage without hindering the high-speed performance necessary for high-end photography. It will provide maximum speeds even when the SDXC specification achieves its maximum 2TB storage capacity.

SDXC is a large-capacity card that can store more than 4,000 RAW images, which is the uncompressed mode professionals use, and 17,000 of the fine-mode most consumers use. That capacity, combined with the exFAT file system, increases movie recording time and reduces starting time to improve photo-capturing opportunities,” said Shigeto Kanda, general manager at Canon. Improvements in interface speed allow further increases in continuous shooting speed and higher resolution movie recordings. As a memory card well suited to small-sized user-friendly digital cameras, the SDXC specification will help consumers realize the full potential of our cameras.”

SDXC will enable camcorders to provide longer, professional level HD video recording with a small form factor.

The SDXC specification uses Microsoft’s exFAT file system to support its large capacity and interoperability in a broad range of PCs, consumer electronics and mobile phones. The exFAT system was designed for increased compatibility with flash media, from portability of data to interoperability with multiple platforms and devices on removable media.

The SD Association is committed to answering and anticipating consumer demand for easy-to-use memory card storage that is interoperable in any device with a matching SD slot,” Taylor said. The SDXC card gives consumers a new, yet familiar, high-performance card that will be used in hundreds of manufacturers’ device offerings.”

SD Association

The SD Association is a global ecosystem of more than 1,100 technology companies charged with setting interoperable SD standards. The association encourages the development of consumer electronic, wireless communication, digital imaging and networking products that utilize market-leading SD technology. The SD standard is the number one choice for consumers and has earned nearly 80 percent of the memory card market with its reliable interoperability and its easy-to-use format. Today, mobile phones, Blu-ray players, HDTVs, audio players, automotive multimedia systems, handheld PCs, cameras and camcorders feature SD interoperability. For more information about SDA or to join, please visit the association’s web site,www.sdcard.org.

via Liliputing

SDXC Cards: Up to 2TB of Storage in Your Camera or Notebook is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.