The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) took place Jan. 7-10, 2010.  This annual event, held in Las Vegas, is produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), a trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry. The CEA represents more than 2,000 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of consumer electronics products.

The results of the 2009 ABA Legal Technology Survey Report revealed that lawyers increasingly use and rely upon portable hardware devices to communicate and work (read the survey excerpt “Don't Fence Me In” that discusses these findings).  A number of the innovations launched at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show are portable.  Below is a selection of gadgetry featured at the 2010 edition of Consumer Electronics Show.

Cell Phones

·         Motorola demonstrated its Android-powered Backflip phone.  The unique design allows you to place the phone on a tabletop so you can type on it like a laptop computer.

·         Verizon Wireless and Palm, Inc. announced the Jan. 25 availability of Palm^® Pre^™ Plus and Palm Pixi^™ Plus, along with the Palm webOS software.  PreCentral.net, a community of Palm fans and experts offers a review of this development.

·         The Sonim XP-1 "tough phone" adheres to the Mil-Spec military standards required for all gear used by the U.S. armed forces.  Its display screen is made of Gorilla Glass, a toughened glass made by Corning. The XP-1 weighs a mere 4.5 ounces and it comes with a three-year warranty. It will work with any GSM carrier.

Computing and Connectivity

·         The Lenovo IdeaPad U1 hybrid notebook is a single PC that becomes two devices; a full-function, 3.8 pound Windows 7 netbook, with a screen that detaches completely as its own separately powered 1.6 pound touch screen computing device for mobile Internet. This device should be available summer 2010 for $999.

·         The Sprint Overdrive extends your mobile broadband experience to any Wi-Fi enabled device and allows you to connect any five Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously. It's available on January 10 for $100 (after a $50 mail-in rebate) with a two-year contract.

·         Callpod's Chargepod is a 6-way charging device that allows you to charge multiple cell phones, PDAs, headsets, and most other mobile electronics with a single power cord. Pricing starts at $39.95.

·         Dual Electronics unveiled a cradle for the iPod Touch at CES that provides GPS navigation capability, a rechargeable battery and car windshield mount.  Sign up at the website for product availability and pricing.

E-readers

·         Plastic Logic launched the QUE, its long-awaited, big-screen (10.7 in.) e-book reader.  Designed to provide a premium business reading experience, the 4GB version with Wi-fi access and a 35,000 document capacity will cost $649. A 16GB, $799 version adds a 3G connection via the AT&T data network.

·         Samsung introduced the Samsung E6, its first e-book reader for the US market.  The device has a six-inch screen, and a bigger sibling, the E101, reputed to boast a 10-inch screen. The readers are expected to launch in spring 2010 at $399 and $699 respectively.

·         Skiff (formerly FirstPaper) in partnership with Sprint PCS previewed the Skiff Reader.  Measuring 11.5" (diagonally) with a resolution of 1200 x 1600 pixels, this reader is targeted to the professional market.  Pricing and availability to be announced.