While CES is obviously the main focus, there are a few other smaller, more focused events that go on at the same time to take advantage of such a large gathering of companies and press. An example of one of those is Pepcom’s Digital Experience, they are calling this year’s event a technology tailgate. We didn’t pack up our grill and foam fingers, but we did bring our cameras and enough Red Bull and soda to power us through the event before heading off to Kingston’s Party. With more than 200 companies exhibiting and a few long time friends we wanted to visit, we had more than enough to keep us busy.
Written by: Adam and Wes
Pictures by: Adam and Wes
Being the first time we have ever been to Digital Experience, we didn’t really know what to expect. When we got to the Grand Ballroom at the MGM we were a little taken back with the crowd waiting to get through registration to get in. After pushing through the lines we ended up in the appropriate line for our last names with one of the guys from Hot Hardware. He clued us into the fact that the entire event has food spreads down most of the isles as well as drinks and free booze all over as well. This finally explains the amount of people who wanted to get in!
Once we were in we started slowly working our way around checking out what everyone had to offer. We did stop and visit with a few companies that we have worked with in the past.
Trendnet should be no stranger to the LanOC community. The LAN itself is constructed of several Trendnet gigabit switches, literally providing us the means to frag one another. Zak Wood fit a quick tour of their offerings in 2013 (we’ll be sitting down with Zak later this week for a breakfast meeting, expect more indepth coverage soon!). Zak was showing off an upcoming router that features both the new Wireless AC (draft of course) and also Wireless N 450. Combining todays fastest tech with the soon to be released wireless AC might make someones next router a little more future proof. Powerline networking will also see some remodeling, creating small, thinner, and more aesthetic options.
With Kingston being all the buzz right now with their 1TB flash drive being introduced we had to pay them a visit at their booth, although we also have a meeting coming up later in the week as well. One thing that I took from the quick run through was the price mentioned on Reddit and Engadget today ($1700) was not correct, but they didn’t give us a price as well. I’m sure we will see prices soon though.
The world had maybe six hours to digest the news that Steam announced a partnership with Xi3 Corporation to provide a “new development stage product is designed specifically to support both Steam® and its Big Picture™ mode for residential and LAN party computer gaming on larger high-def screens”, sparking rumors of the beginning of the fabled “Steam box”. We stopped by their exhibit, amongst many like-minded press, for any information they were able to provide. Unfortunately, it wasn’t much. We do know that it is code-named ‘Piston’, and will feature specifications similar to their current modular computer 7 series. So far it seems the the modular rumor to be true.
While making our rounds we visited the Slimport booth and had a chance to check out what the new technology is all about. Seeing that the Nexus 4 that Wes recently picked up is supported, we left with two samples to test out back at the hotel. Stay tuned soon to check out what Slimport is all about, when paired up with the SteelSeries Free wireless controller, we are wondering if we might be able to turn your powerful smartphone into a portable gaming system. (insert evil smile here)
