Next-generation video games, personal communicators, audio devices, home entertainment systems and other electronic "toys" were showcased last week at an annual extravaganza in a fitting location – Las Vegas. The Consumer Electronics Show, a yearly gathering for merchants and the media, featured 2,700 exhibitors and drew 130,000 visitors who got a preview of items heading to stores.

Attention-getters include an oversize, curved rear-projection screen for gamers that fills the player's field of vision for total-immersion gaming. On the smaller end of the scale are silver ear-bud headphones with silver-colored cables to plug into MP3 players, mobile telephones or other devices.
A portable music breakthrough from Phillips Electronics, called GoGear, is an all-black MP3 player with built-in Bluetooth functionality that lets owners use wireless Bluetooth headphones and also shuttle songs to the device from any Bluetooth-enabled PC. Other attention-earning innovations include wireless home stereo speakers and a seven-inch digital photo frame with an iPod dock in back to allow viewing of images stored there.
Some products mix fashion with technology, such as a laptop computer for women that shuts to resemble a rounded, leather handbag with chrome, titanium and lacquer accents.

Another technology event, the biannual Macworld Conference & Expo, is under way this week in San Francisco to introduce new stuff for Apple Computer customers. Products introduced there include an iPod docking station shaped like a cute ladybug, with wing-shaped mini-speakers that fold out, and PowerDock models that charge two or four iPods and iPhones at the same time.

New from Nintendo: Wii Balance Board will be introduced this spring for use with Wii Fit exercise and stretching-related games, activities and challenges. Also, a wireless Wii Wheel will be part of the upcoming Mario Kart racing game.

Journalist says: "The latest GoGear players do what other players should’ve done ages ago -- use the power of Bluetooth to wirelessly pack songs onto a device. Behind the ball on this one, iPod team?" – David Silverberg, Digital Journal

Manufacturer says: "We designed the Ladybug [iPod dock] for the tween and teen market, but found out mom and dad would like one on their desk." Wayne Ludlum, Vestalife