CES Unveiled starts the show

I'm an urban child, Brooklyn born and bred, but the initial impression that I always get at CES Unveiled, the first official press event at the CES trade show in Las Vegas, is that of a herd of cattle jostling each other to try to get to the trough first.

I've got to be honest -- I'm no different. Because CES Unveiled happens on Saturday late afternoon, well before the show floor opens on Monday and before the mass of CES attendees have actually shown up, the members of the press don't have a lot more to do than cram into the room at the Venetian and try to spot any possible trends that they can be the first to announce.

While not an expert trend-spotter by any means, I did notice, besides the usual iPod accessories, remote-control toys, and high-level boom boxes, a lot of concern with security -- the security of your home, of your data, or of yourself. One of the most practical devices I saw was the Spot Satellite Messenger, a small (but rather hefty) satellite/GPS device that lets you keep friends and family aware of your whereabouts by allowing them to track where you are using Google Maps. You can also press buttons to send immediate notification that you're okay, to say that you need help but aren't in immediate peril, or to contact an international 911 call center. It's not a bad item for hikers or folks who do a lot of driving in bad weather. The device comes with a list price of $170, with an annual subscription cost of $100 (another $50 for the tracking option).

Another security-related device included SentrySafe, which has partnered with Maxtor to offer what it declares is the "world's first" firesafe/waterproof hard drive -- a Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini hard drive (80GB for $250 or 160GB for $340). The drive is encased in a metal enclosure that, according to the company, will handle heat up to 1550 degrees F for up to 30 minutes, and is fully submersible for up to 24 hours. If the recent flooding in Nevada has got you nervous, this might be a solution.

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Finally, if you simply want to check out what your five-year-old is up to, ask what your guests in the next room want to drink while you're basting the turkey, or simply show off, Wowwee was previewing a new WiFi-enabled robot -- what they call a "robotic Webcam" -- called the Rovio that even non-hobbyists can program and control via their PC or cell phone. The Rovio is a small black device on three wheels that looks somewhat like a miniature of an old-fashioned alien space ship, including an extension that rises out of the top to scout the surroundings. The rep at CES Unveiled kept insisting that there were lots of practical applications for the Rovio, including wandering the house for security purposes, but in my opinion, it's just plain cool.

One more thing: I couldn't not put in a mention of the Underwater Technology Center's UDI (Underwater Digital Interface), a text messaging device that attaches to a diver's wrist and lets them send messages (including an emergency signal) up to 1,000 yards away. At $1,500, not for the casual vacationer, but professionals and diving schools will want to take note.