RetailVision Spring 2009: 25 Hot Retail-Ready Products

Kicking off Monday at the Boca Raton Resort in Boca Raton, Fla., RetailVision Spring 2009 is ready to bring together some of the globe's top retailers. And vendors will be on hand showing off their latest wares that are retail-ready and primed for store shelves and Web placement. Step right up and check out 25 hot products that will be showcased at RetailVision, an event owned by Channelweb.com parent Everything Channel, from April 27 to April 31.

Canson will take the show floor to demonstrate Papershow, the company's new digital writing kit for digital flip-chart work and interactive PowerPoint presentations. Ideal for meetings, conferences and collaborative work, users simply write on the Canson Papershow digital paper and see their notes projected onto a screen via a Bluetooth connection between the digital pen and USB key. The solution lets users add annotations and feedback during PowerPoint presentations and can be saved for circulation.



The Papershow starter kit includes the Papershow Bluetooth digital pen, AAA battery, three ink refills, a Papershow USB stick, an A4 notepad for digital flipchart work and 30 sheets of interactive paper. The kit also adds a three-ring binder for paper storage and a hard case for digital pen, USB and accessory storage.

Seoul, Korea-based Pittasoft will showcase its Pitta 300 series of high-quality next-generation H.264 network security and surveillance cameras. The cameras can be connected, controlled and monitored from a remote location through an IP connection. The series supports H.264 and JPEG compression. The 300 series also uses a CMOS sensor to deliver clear images with low-light sensitivity, allowing video capture in very low light or near dark environments.



The Pitta 300 series, which carriers a $150 retail price, includes the necessary software and is ready to install for remote monitoring of offices, warehouses, shopping malls, retail stores and more.

Smartfish is ready to hit RetailVision with products based on "Motionomics," a marriage of ergonomics and motion to challenge fixed-position solutions.



The Tru-Motion Mouse, a patented wireless mouse, uses a fluid pivoting motion to conform to hand and wrist movements for user comfort. It features patented 3-D movement, an ambidextrous design, optical tracking, a scroll wheel and an aluminum finish.

Billed as an intelligent ergonomic keyboard designed for injury avoidance, Smartfish's Pro-Motion keyboard slowly adapts and adjusts to a user's typing style. Smartfish's proprietary Dynamic Positioning Controller studies usage patterns and makes periodic yet imperceptible adjustments to height, angle and radial position of the device. Designed to eliminate the risks of RSI and carpal tunnel syndrome, the keyboard was designed in collaboration with the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.



The keyboard offers a full layout with number pad, 3-D movement, an auto prompt exercise program, integrated wrist rest, aluminum finish and sensor lights.

iHome will storm RetailVision with a host of audio products for the iPhone and iPod. One, the iP1 Bongiovi Home Audio System, takes both cutting-edge digital audio reproduction and industrial design to heart. This bad boy puts out 100 watts of premium sound through custom designed 4-inch woofers and 1-inch silk dome tweeters, powered by Bongiovi Acoustics' proprietary Digital Power Station processor.

Along with a host of portable and home audio accessories for the Apple iPod and iPhone at RetailVision, iHome will display the iHM77 Portable Rechargeable Multimedia Speakers, which attach magnetically in a capsule shape for portability, then separate and extend for bigger sound. The two amplified speakers feature built-in rechargeable batteries, vacuum bass expansion and USB charging. They come in a protective carrying case.

KROO USA will highlight its Tag Delux Series of high grade nylon netbook cases with soft velveteen lining to prevent scratches and bumps. The series, which carries an MSRP of $24.99, features elastic straps to secure netbooks in place and small pockets for USB drives, SD cards, data cables and chargers. The Tag Delux Series features durable handles and is checkpoint- and eco-friendly. The Tag Delux bags can be used for netbooks up to 10 inches and come in blue, pink, black and red.

Digital Peripheral Solutions will have a host of new gear on hand for retailers at RetailVision under its Q-See product line. Among the hot new products is the H.264 Wi-Fi Network Surveillance Camera. The product offers Wi-Fi remote surveillance in a 0.3 megapixel camera; advanced H.264 compression with 30 frames per second in realtime; 640x480 resolution; and automatic detection of wireless connectivity. The camera can be monitored remotely via a Web browser or supported 3G device. It also records motion images to an SD card and lets users receive e-mail alerts.

Digital Peripheral Solutions also will highlight the Q-See 4 Channel Motion Detection DVR, a device that lets users record at 60/120 frames per second and features motion detection and schedule recording, USB 2.0 for backup and various recording modes.

Got something you want to keep track of? Children, criminals, vehicles, assets? Gilsson Technologies plans to show off the Gilsson AlwaysFind Mini, the world's smallest GPS/GSM tracker. The tiny tracker weighs just 3.25 ounces and measures 2.5 inches by 1.75 inches. It uses an ultrasensitive SiRFStarIII GPS chipset and a GSM module. Using a GPS receiver and a GSM cellular transmitter boosts tracking capabilities, making the device capable of acquiring and locking onto satellite signals in many indoor environments, urban canyons and under dense foliage.

Portable Sound Laboratories will launch the iMainGo2 at RetailVision 2009. The iMainGo2, a portable speaker system for iPods and other MP3 players, features premium titanium high-output stereo speakers, tuned porting for strong bass reproduction and a digital mic amplifier. The speaker system is portable, lightweight and powered by four included AAA batteries. A built-in alarm feature also lets users wake up to music. The iMainGo2 carries an MSRP of $39.95.

Icon will show off a host of laptop bags and carrying cases, chief among them the Icon Checkpoint Easy Backpack. This bag can function as a regular laptop case, but is designed to be "checkpoint-friendly," meaning users can run it through airport X-ray screening without removing their computers. The exterior removable laptop sleeve separates the laptop from the rest of the bag. Additional features include an extra compartment for papers; an organizer section for business cards, pens, PDAs, MP3 players, cell phones and more; interior and exterior storage pockets; and an ergonomic shoulder strap with comfort air mesh. The black nylon back can hold laptops up to 17 inches and measures 11.5 x 18.5 x 7.5 inches.

Retailers will get a chance to "point and shoot" with the Noah DDV-V3 camcorder series, a high-definition line that shoots video in 1,280 x 720p HD resolution at 30 frames per second. It also acts as a still camera. The handheld supports up to 16 GB of external memory and is SDHC compatible.

Take a gander at Mikey, Blue Microphones' CD quality audio recorder for the Apple iPhone or iPod. The compact swivel microphone plugs into an iPhone or iPod and makes it a recording device to capture lectures, voice notes and live music. It also features a built-in speaker for playback.



According to Blue, it's as easy as connecting Mikey to an iPhone or iPod to start recording. It is compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPod 5G, iPod Classic and iPod Nano 2G, 3G and 4G. Mikey has a suggested price of less than $80.

Along with a host of other hot microphones, Blue Microphones will highlight the Snowball. The plug-and-play USB mic requires no drivers and is Mac and PC compatible. It features Blue's dual-capsule design and includes an adjustable mic stand and USB cable. According to Blue, the Snowball mic is perfect for vocals, musical instruments, podcasting, VoIP, voice-recognition software and a host of other functions. The Snowball has a suggested price of less than $100.

As it did last year, Fellowes will be showcasing its line of screen privacy filters for laptop and flat panel monitors. According to Fellowes, the blackout technology darkens monitor side view to prevent prying eyes from reading on-screen data. It also protects screens from dust and scratches, and the antireflective surface reduces screen glare.



At RetailVision 2009, Fellowes will highlight privacy filters ranging from 14 inches to 24 inches for notebooks, laptops, LCDs and flat panels.



Fellowes also is expected to offer retailers a look at its line of Powershred shredders.

Techsport wants cyclists to stay safely tuned into their music while riding. The iBikeConsole is a wireless device that lets cyclists play and change tunes on their iPod Nanos while keeping their hands and eyes on the trail, road or wherever they pedal. The iBikeConsole combines a remote control system with a cycle computer. While listening to music, riders can monitor their speed and trip distance, all displayed on the screens of their Nanos. The system is weatherproof and can be operated with gloves on.



The system also offers an optional NanoSpeaker. The NanoSpeaker is a weatherproof speaker that is mountable on the bike stem with a quick-release system. The speaker eliminates the need for earbuds.



Along with showing off the iBikeConsole for the iPod Nano, Techsport also will showcase a prototype for an iPhone 3G version.

Got memories trapped in old media? Honestech will be offering its VHS to DVD product that lets users move old home movies and videos into new digital formats. The kit features a one-touch mode to let users transfer video tapes to DVD with step-by-step pictorial instructions to guide users through the process.



The solution features scene-editing tools to record movies while trimming out unwanted scenes and adding special effects, titles and chapter points. Captured video can be watched on Sony PSP and Apple iPods, and uploaded directly to YouTube with the auto-publish features. Additionally, HD editing and Blu-ray burning features let users capture video from an HD camcorder, edit the video and burn it to HD video and Blu-ray discs.



The Deluxe version also includes the Vidbox, a USB 2.0 video capture device that provides an all-in-one solution for preserving home videos. No external power is needed, making the Vidbox especially suitable for laptop users. The retail price is $79.99.

Sharper Image will showcase its arsenal of handheld video cameras, among them the HD 900, a 720p HD video camera and 5 megapixel still camera. The HD 900 features a 3-inch touch screen LCD display, three times optical zoom, four times digital zoom and a lithium ion rechargeable battery.

Buslink has a host of products on tap for retailers, one of which is the Slim External Blu-ray ROM/DVD writer. This drive can read Blu-ray discs and write in multiple DVD and CD formats. It can read and play 25-GB and 50-GB discs and supports several other formats. The Blu-ray ROM/DVD writer lists for roughly $250.

The Neat Company will demonstrate its line of NeatReceipts for Mac (shown) and for PCs, a solution that lets users scan and organize receipts, business cards and documents into a searchable digital filing system. The Mac-based solution lets users create expense reports, track spending, convert business cards to address book contacts and create a library of searchable PDF documents. The NeatReceipts for Mac package includes a Neat Mobile Scanner and NeatWorks for Mac Software 2.0.

CAD Professional Microphones is planning to highlight its line of USB microphones, among them the U37 USB Studio Recording Microphone. The USB microphone lets users record studio-quality audio directly to a computer. It's optimized for vocals and instruments, podcasting and recording. The plug-and-play mic is Windows and Mac compatible. The U37 offers a large condenser microphone element; a cardioids pickup pattern to minimize background noise and isolate the main sound source; a -10dB overload-protection switch to minimize distortion; a bass-reduction switch to reduce room noise; and a side-address design typically used by broadcast, TV and recording studios. The mic comes with a 10-foot USB cable and a desktop mic stand.

French company Alerte GPS will feature the G520, a speed camera warning system, similar to a radar detector, that supports a SIM card for over-the-air database updates. The G520 features a 1.8-inch OLED screen with 240 x 160 resolution and the ability to support 262K colors. The solution alerts users of the presence of mobile radar with the optional Real Time Alert service. The device comes with 3 years of automatic updates from its radar database.

IOGear has an arsenal of products to unleash on retailers at RetailVision 2009, among them the Wireless Audio/Video Kit (GUWAVKIT). The kit creates a wire-free entertainment system by streaming audio and video content to any in-room TV up to 30 feet away. The product comprises three adapters: audio for speaker connectivity, video for a TV or monitor and a wireless USB for a PC. It offers 720p HD video streaming and can support resolutions up to 1,600 x 1,200 or 1,680 x 1,050.



According to IOGear, consumers can use the Wireless USB Audio/Video Kit to bridge the gap between their computers and their home entertainment systems by plugging the wireless USB adapter into the PC, connecting the VGA adapter to the TV and the audio adapter to the stereo system. Once everything is hooked up, users can wirelessly stream content from their computers to their televisions. Users also can browse the Web, watch online videos and edit spreadsheets right from the couch.

Falcon Safety will play to gamers at RetailVision, showcasing its family of gaming products that remove dust, clean screens and keep keyboards spic and span. The family includes an LCD/plasma cleaning system, a microfiber screen shammy, antistatic monitor wipes, screen spray, dusters and a host of other cleaning products.