In a previous column we outlined some exciting new products we saw at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas (if you missed the column check our Web site www.norma-tony.com). Here’s a look at more of what we saw:

Zoombak Universal Advanced GPS Locator (www.zoombak.com) is a service that uses GPS and cellular technology to track virtually anything: your car and other vehicles, your children or pet, and more. You just put a small battery operated device in your car, your child’s back pack or your pet’s collar and then log onto zoombak.com to request location information and view a map showing the device’s current location and a log of where it’s been. You can set up a "safe zone;" if the device moves in or out of that zone you receive a notification to that effect. Power off or low battery alerts are provided; service plans include 24/7 live support and unlimited Internet location requests. Plans start at $9.99/month.

EMTEC Gdium Netbook (www.emtech.com) breaks out of the Windows computer mode by using the Linux operating system and open sourced application programs for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, Internet browsing, email, audio/video utilities and more. The computer is compact at 10x7x1.25 inches, 2.6 pounds and sports a 10 inch screen. The most unique aspect of this $400 computer is that the entire operating system and applications programs are housed in a bootable, removable USB key called the G-Key (looks like a thumb drive), so when you remove your key, no trace that you were ever there remains in the computer. The G-Key can be used on another Gdium Netbook, and you can work as if you were on your original computer. Great for convenience and security. Personal and/or application data can be saved on the G-Key or separate USB thumb drives. Available in silver, white and pink.

LV Motors (www.elvmotors.com) showcased their A2B Electric Bicycle ($2700) and E-1600 Electric Scooter ($3000). Each one travels up to 40 miles on a ten cent charge, with top speed of 20 and 40 MPH, respectively. Charging time for the 36 volt single hub motor bicycle is four hours; for the 48 volt dual motor scooter is seven hours. The bicycle can be pedaled if needed; the scooter can’t.

The Brother Quattro 6000D (www.brother-usa.com/quattro) sewing and embroidering machine is a marvel of technology and convenience, packing more than 100 time - saving features such as extra large work space and surround lighting. The coolest feature is a 4.5 x 7 inch LCD display connected to a camera used for precision needle placement or for guiding the machine automatically when sewing along a curve while maintaining a fixed distance from the edge. The display also lets you view and edit patterns that guide embroidering, stopping when you need to change colored thread (which is easy with the automatic needle threading). The same screen can also display the user manual or a video showing directions.

A new high-tech telescope, the Meade ETX-LS Lightswitch, (www.meade.com) makes astronomy fun and easy by automatically aligning itself in reference to its location and setting the time, date and orientation for you, taking out all the work of manual alignment. From here you can decide to let the "Astronomer Inside" guide you on a tour of tonight’s sky; or, use the handheld controller to select from a database of more than 100,000 celestial objects, push the "Go To" button, and the telescope automatically centers on that object. Very cool. A built-in imager can capture a picture of the object for real time viewing on an optional external monitor or on an SD card for later viewing. Advanced coma-free optics display distortion-free clarity of your favorite objects. Audio descriptions of more than 500 objects or multi-media presentations are incorporated in the telescope, along with hundreds of still images.

The new AXAR Media Across-All-Rooms (www.axarmedia.com) is an HD system that consists of a transmitter that takes input from sources such as a set top box, DVR or a Blu-Ray player and securely sends it to receivers connected to HD sets anywhere in the home. Proprietary technology overcomes the problem of walls causing HD signal degradation when using a standard wireless signal. There’s more: the transmitter simultaneously sends standard Wi-Fi and H.264 AVC signals to nearby mobile devices, such as wireless enabled laptops, PDAs and other mobile devices. Easy setup for out-of-the-box use.

Some future developments to watch for:

3D TV. Still requires wearing polarized glasses, but the effect is outstanding. We saw demonstrations of movies and PC games that were light years ahead of the old blue/red glasses type 3D. Disney will be producing all their animated features in 3D and plan on re-releasing Toy Story in 3D as well.

HD Radio (www.hdradio.com) provides a digital radio signal incorporating multiple channels. One channel will provide the broadcast feed and other channels can provide related or independent information such as news about the song being played, weather or stock info. You will need a specialized radio to receive HD radio, and many were introduced at CES; some factory installed for use in cars, as part of hifi systems, as desktop radios or incorporating an iPod dock.

And more GREEN in everything. Stay tuned.