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CES 2014
Everybody's Talkin' to ivee Sleek
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 10, 2014  |  First Published: Jan 11, 2014
ivee Sleek is a “hands-free, voice-activated, internet-connected assistant for the home that answers questions, obeys commands and controls other internet-connected devices.” ivee Sleek uses the AT&T Speech API powered by the AT&T Watson speech recognition engine to begin the process of turning voice commands or questions into system actions or answers. ivee Sleek has the smarts and the capabilities to understand and answer questions in 33 categories, including time and weather conditions and stock prices. The smart assistant is also able to integrate with Iris from Lowe’s and Staples Connect systems, giving it the ability to control internet-connected devices, such as smart thermostats, motorized locks, security cameras, and smart plugs. Oh, yeah, it’s also a digital clock, too. ivee Sleek is available for pre-order now for $229.99. No subscription fees are required.
CES 2014
DarbeeVision Unveils DVP-5100CIE Video Processor
John Sciacca  |  Jan 10, 2014  |  First Published: Jan 11, 2014
DarbeeVision, manufacturer of the Darblet and the company behind Darbee Visual Presence DVP video enhancement processing, demonstrated the DVP-5100CIE (Custom Installer Edition) which was manufactured with direct input from custom installers. The product features the same terrific depth and clarity processing found in the Oppo BDP-103D and Lumagen Radiance video processor.

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CES 2014
SONTE Film is the James Bond Way to Window Treatments
John Sciacca  |  Jan 10, 2014  |  First Published: Jan 11, 2014
Traditional window treatments – blinds, drapes, curtains – may give you some privacy and block the sun, but they really aren’t that cool. Motorized options from the likes of Lutron and Hunter Douglas certainly raise the high-tech bar and add some remote control capabilities, but even they look like old news when you watch SONTE Film in action.

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CES 2014
BonsaiLight Wants Electronic Devices to Power Themselves (Almost)
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Jan 10, 2014
EcoHarvester is a startup company that uses “green technology” to engineer consumer electronics devices that do not require batteries. Instead, the devices are “human-powered” and rely on power generated by the users’ own movements or micro-kinetic energy. The company’s first product, the BonsaiLight, is a desk/tabletop dimmable LED lamp that comes with a battery-less wireless on/off switch that uses “a razor thin mechanism to capture motion, yielding a significantly larger amount of power-for-size than other battery-free switches…” Because the wireless switch “harvests” the power it needs from the kinetic energy expended when the user turns the switch, it can be mounted anywhere without the need for running new wires. The BonsaiLights will likely incorporate Bluetooth connectivity and other wireless protocols. The company anticipates beginning a Kickstarter campaign within the next several months, with production to begin as soon as possible. Exact pricing of the hardware was not available, although the wireless switches will hopefully sell for under $40 each.
CES 2014
The Peerless-AV Outdoor TV Brings Entertainment To the Extreme
Leslie Shapiro  |  Jan 10, 2014
When wandering around the convention floor gets overwhelming, it’s always interesting to head over to the LVH (aka The Old Las Vegas Hilton) to check out the smaller booths and hospitality suites. It’s quieter, and the food is usually better. That’s where I found Peerless-AV demonstrating their latest product release, the Peerless-AV 47” Ciil Outdoor TV, designed for consumers. They also have a line of commercial products.

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CES 2014
Stick a Fork In It
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Jan 10, 2014
It's Friday. The International CES is winding down. As I pack my bags, I wonder how I'll ever carry on 100 pounds of earbuds and flash drives, as well as all the other flotsam of show coverage. All in all, it was a pretty good show. Some observations....

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CES 2014
Harman Rocks
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jan 10, 2014
Instead of formally exhibiting at the CES this year, Harman International set up shop in a large ballroom at the Hard Rock hotel. When we were there, the place was jumping, despite the relatively remote vernue.
CES 2014
Infinity Reference Series Surround
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jan 10, 2014
The bipolar dual tweeters on the opposing front faces of the Infinity Reference Series surround speaker are said to produce a very uniform front dispersion. The mid/bass driver is mounted on the back, where a metal bracket keeps it spaced out from the wall by a couple of inches.
CES 2014
Infinity Reference Series Center
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jan 10, 2014
Brent Butterworth covers the details on the new Infinity Reference Series below. Here’s a look at the three-way center ($499). Its vertical orientation for the midrange and tweeter is, in my opinion, the only proper way to design a center channel speaker —other than using a speaker identical to the left and right, which can only work if the screen is very high or acoustically transparent, or the system is used for music only with no images.
CES 2014
Lexicon Pre-Pro
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jan 10, 2014
Lexicon’s venerable MC-12 preamp-processor, which has been on the market for over ten years (with important upgrades alinbg the way to accommodate the changing times) is about to be replaced by the MC-14. The latter (April, $10,500) will offer a full complement of inputs and other ports, including HDMI, USB, 7.1-channel analog, Ethernet, RS-232, and a headphone output. It accepts all current consumer sources, and also has a selectable analog bypass for playback. Oddly, however, there is no provision for any form of manual or automatic room compensation.

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