HP Brings New Set Of Gadgets For You

including a revamped MediaSmart Receiver, a slim PC, multimedia notebook, storage, and monitors.

MediaSmart Receiver x280N

Hewlett-Packard continues to emphasize both traditional PC technology along with newer, crossover consumer electronics--all of which center around the explosion of media in the home. The latest innovation: The $300 HP MediaSmart Receiver x280N, which streams music, photos, and video from one (or several) Windows systems to any HDTV, in HP's bid for a piece of the digital media adapter pie. This media streaming box works as a Windows Media Center Extender; it also has an HP Pocket Media Drive bay and two USB ports, so you can also store and access content without streaming from a PC. The unit connects via ethernet and 802.11 a/b/g/n; and has HDMI (up to 1080p), component video, and digital audio outputs.

MediaSmart TVs Get Smarter

HP may not be the first name you think of for TVs, but the company is the first with connected TVs. HP has refreshed its MediaSmart TVs: All models are now 1080p, connect via ethernet and 802.11 a/b/g/n, and have built-in extenders for Microsoft's Windows Media Center (you can access multiple online services via this connectivity, including downloading movies from CinemaNow). The included remote control can handle up to four entertainment devices; the TVs now have three HDMI ports. The 42-inch SL4282N will sell for $1900; and the 47-inch SL4782N will sell for $2400.

Data Saver: New MediaVault

The HP MediaVault line gets a much-needed boost with this user-expandable storage system. The mv2100 and mv5100 series are aimed at homes and small businesses, respectively (the former, a two-bay unit, tops out at 500GB; the latter--a multibay unit referred to as the Media Vault Pro--comes in 1TB and 1.5TB versions). The Linux-based network-attached storage devices pack a Marvell processor for improved performance, and both models borrow features from HP's MediaSmart server (such as securely sharing images via Photo WebShare and easily accessing music via iTunes server).

$1000 PC Packs Blu-ray, Too

Not so long ago, Blu-ray Disc playback was a premium feature on a PC. The HP Pavilion Slimline s3330f PC--the most interesting of HP's three PC announcements here at the Consumer Electronics Show-- comes in at under $1000, and delivers a dual-format Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD drive (which might be useful for those of you with HD DVDs lying around). The space-saving s3330f is notably slim--HP says it's a third of the size of an ordinary PC tower. Even so, this model still manages to squeeze in a Pocket Media Drive bay. The unit also comes with a digital TV tuner, plus an Nvidia GeForce 8500 card with HDMI out.

Amped-Up Mobile Graphics

The HP Pavilion HDX series notebook gains a major upgrade: The option of integrating 512 MB Nvidia GeForce 8800M GTS graphics. This top-of-the-line mobile chipset from Nvidia--announced in late November 2007--should provide significantly better frame rates for gameplay, to the point that previously unplayable games may now be enjoyed in a notebook PC (Alienware has already announced it will use this chipset in notebooks due out this quarter). Another first: The HDx now has a 20.1-inch WUXGA XHD Ultra Brightview display. Plus, this model also now supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD.

Monitors Add HDMI

HP's two new monitors, the 22-inch w2207h and the 24-inch w2408h continue the trend towards high-def by adding HDMI connections (in lieu of DVI; VGA remains). Pictured above, the 24-inch w2408h Vivid Color monitor should boast improved image performance over previous models, according to HP.

WowWee's New Robots

From in-home surveillance robots to flying battle bots, WowWee is showing more than 20 new robots at the Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas. Here's a sneak peek at the company's 2008 robot lineup.

Rovio, the Home Survellance Robot

The $300 Rovio has a video camera, microphone, and Wi-Fi capabilities on board. The three-wheeled omnidirectional robot can stream video from its camera to remote locations with a broadband-connected Windows PC or smartphone. The robot is WowWee's first foray into remote home surveillance and "telepresence."

Rovio Recharging

Rovio can maneuver on its own; it doesn't have to be supervised continuously by remote control. The robot stores information about the location of furniture and various objects in the home to avoid collisions, and can cruise around on its own when prompted. It will even retreat to its docking station (pictured here) when it needs to recharge its battery. Rovio is slated to hit stores this fall.

FemiSapien: The Female of the Species

WowWee is also targeting some new robots at women and girls. FemiSapien is a female humanoid robot that dances to music it "hears" via its onboard microphone, and can control other robots in WowWee's lineup. The $100 robot reacts to voice commands and even human touch. It is scheduled for release in late summer.

Tri-Bot Tells Jokes

WowWee's popular Robosapien line moves to the next generation with Tri-Bot, a three-wheeled omnidirectional robot, also scheduled for release in the summer. Tri-Bot boasts animated eyebrows to go along with its joke-telling skills. The $100 robot also has a motion-sensitive remote control that allows the user to steer it simply by tilting the remote.

FlyTech BladeStar Soars (Indoors)

The FlyTech BladeStar is a helicopter-like flying robot that can either be controlled via remote or set to autopilot. Its onboard sensors prevent it from colliding with other objects. Its "Dogfight" accessory allows two BladeStar owners to engage in aerial combat. BladeStar, priced at $50, will be available exclusively at Target starting in February.

Mr. Personality -- Your Robotic Buddy

Boasting a color LCD screen for a face, WowWee's Mr. Personality robot is designed for laughs. It tells jokes, plays games, and you can even update or revamp its personality traits by downloading your selection and loading the changes into Mr. Personality with a USB connection. Priced at $250, Mr. Personality is scheduled to be available this summer.