Life & Technology

Clip courtesy of the Today Show

Had a good time with Cameron this morning on the Today Show discussing handy websites that are free, and can help you in your day-to-day lives.

First up is Windows Live Movie Maker, which allows people to make and edit their movies from videos and pictures they have taken. You can add effects, titles and music to the photos. Microsoft says it is easy to use, and after having a little go it myself, I agree with their assessment – it takes you through the various steps in an easy, orderly fashion. For more information you can go to www.windowslive.com.au.

Meebee is a new site invented by an Australian entrepreneur, who saw a gap in the market for busy people who always seem to never find time to catch up with friends or have a busy calendar. Meebee will sync your calendar with a friends, so you can find some time to catch up. You send your friend a time and a date you would like to meet via Meebee. If your friend agrees on the time and place, you calendar is updated so you both have a time and place. This is especially useful for people who have friends that are constantly in meetings or on their mobile phone. For more info go to www.meebee.com

Finally there is Google Wave, which is very similar to an instant messaging service, but a whole lot more, according to Google. As well as having instant convos, you can include somebody new on the conversation at any stage. If there are four or five of you on a wave at one time, you can still interact individually with people by excluding others from certain parts of the conversation. There are a heap of other features with google wave that I’m sure you’ll find handy. For more info go to wave.google.com.

I’m off to CES 2010 in Las Vegas this week, so I’ll be sending back reports about what to expect in the consumer electronics space over the next year.

Clip courtesy of the The Today Show

Had a good yarn to Leila McKinnon on the Today Show about my predictions for the coming year.

2010 will be the year of the 3D television. And I’m not talking the silly cardboard cut out glasses either, but well-framed plastic glasses. Also some vendors are managing to do with the glasses altogether.

I also said that I thought watchphones might take off. This is not as sure a prediction as 3D television, because these watches can be expensive. LG brought one out last year that was in excess of $2,000, but I would expect the prices to come down. I can see the technology becoming popular with people how hate carrying around baggage – a mobile phone, keys, iPod etc.

2010 is almost here and with the New Year means CES in Las Vegas on January 4. This is one of the biggest events in my calendar, and one where I get to check out all the latest technologies that will be rolled out over the next year.

What I really like about the event is that you have no idea what is going to be sprung on you. Last year a couple of interesting highlights were OLED technology for televisions and the LG watchphone, which has since made its consumer debut.

What is going to be big next year? Wireless and 3D televisions are my guess, but I also think there will be a surprise or two, once the convention doors open.

So check out my blog from the week of January 5 through to January 11 and I’ll give you updates of the latest gear coming out of the consumer electronics space. I for one am expecting big things this year and look forward to touching base with you in the New Year.