CES 2010: The Widget Most Poor That I Saw On The Show Floor

January 13, 2010

One of a series of planned posts from the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show…

In past years’ coverage, I’ve mocked those silly microdisplay-inclusive glasses that, while they might make their owners feel like they’re characters in Neuromancer or Snow Crash, in reality make them look like dorks. This year, I saw something even dorkier. Behold the TV Hat:

Here’s a promotional video clip:

In-between the two eye-holes is a pouch for holding a video-capable portable multimedia player such as an iPhone, a recent-generation iPod, or a Microsoft Zune. An included magnifying lens in-between it and your eyes is intended to improve your viewing experience. Check out the ad copy I snagged from a CES promotional magazine (bolded emphasis is mine):

TV Hat personal theater brings the future of MP3 TV to a convenient personal space. Start streaming content in absolute privacy today.

Hands free, battery free, comfortable and just plain awesome, TV Hat looks a little weird, but as soon as you try it you’ll love it! Great for gamers, sports enthusiasts, movie buffs, road warriors or for a time-out in the office viewing episodes you missed. Record your own videos without glare in complete sun, a must for anyone wanting more freedom.

My take: you’ll guarantee more freedom simply by putting this thing on your head, because nobody else will want to be seen with you. And all this for…

…only $19.95 plus shipping and handling. Available in hat or visor styles and five colors.

Like I said before, absolute junk. What sort of person would buy this thing? And perhaps more baffling, what sort of person would invest in a company like this?

Sigh.

Posted by Brian Dipert on January 13, 2010 | Comments (3)

January 14, 2010

In response to: CES 2010: The Widget Most Poor That I Saw On The Show Floor
Brian Dipert commented:

Dear Folly first, With apologies to Shakespeare for the alteration, "The reader doth protest too much, methinks". And anyway, where did I say whether or not I'd personally tried it?

January 14, 2010

In response to: CES 2010: The Widget Most Poor That I Saw On The Show Floor
Folly first commented:

I notice you have not tried it, you just make fun of it because you think it looks dumb. I am sure people said the same about cars and telephones. I guess you are more concerned with how other's perceive you rather than your own values.

January 13, 2010

In response to: CES 2010: The Widget Most Poor That I Saw On The Show Floor
Meredith Poor commented:

"What sort of person would buy this thing?" Wasn't there a saying: "Never overestimate the taste of Americans". "And perhaps more baffling, what sort of person would invest in a company like this?" In one context it's a mystery, since in economic terms this is a fat target for competitors if it is successful. Apple's iCap is only moments away from running these guys into oblivion. However, VCs did a lot of stupid stuff, and they're still alive to spend another day.

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