The annual Consumer Electronics Show is a showcase for innovative products, here now or coming. Here’s a glimpse from the 2011 CES of a few that will become available shortly:

Skype, the face-to-face video Internet PC chat tool, will go mobile on your 4G LTE (long term evolution) smartphone using Verizon’s rapidly-expanding 4G LTE network. Your smartphone will need a front-facing camera to take advantage of the video capabilities. Skype also announced a business version of video conferencing, where up to nine video callers can be displayed simultaneously on screen.

Netgear will roll out a Universal WiFi range extender, a small, wall plugin box that out of the box will detect your home WiFi wireless signal and retransmit it. The device is designed to fill in those dead zones in your home wireless network. We are among the many users eagerly looking forward to this much-needed device.

A wealth of iPhone apps were displayed including apps to:

Monitor, log and graph your blood pressure and display the results on your iPhone.

Control your home automation system for lights, heating and A/C, window shades, security system and more.

Remote control your home audio/video system.

Control a toy helicopter including its onboard camera (spy-cam anyone)?

Sony debuts its 3D Blu-ray player and a consumer level 3D HandyCam video camcorder. Sony also is working in conjunction with Google TV to have video streaming in its Sony-Ericsson mobile phones.

Sonamba is a Well-being Monitoring System especially designed for seniors living independently. Ultrasonic and audio sensors log the daily pattern of the individual’s activities; if unusual activity or lack of activity occurs, Sonamba sends status alerts to caregivers. The system includes an emergency response pendant, medication reminders, communication features and games.

Oregon Scientific introduced a simple wrist heart rate monitor, the Tap-on Elite Heart Rate Monitor. Just tap the watch face, and it displays your heart rate; no complicated button pushes to wade through, as in most other monitors. Also included is a hydration alarm and modes for jogging, running and cycling.

Kodak previewed a 3D printer that uses the anaglyphic technique (left eye image one color, right eye image a different color, common colors are red and blue) for printing a picture that appears 3D when viewed with red/blue eyeglasses. Kodak also introduced a companion 3D point and shoot digital camera.

Viewsonic announced a 10.1" tablet computer, the "VPAD 10", that can be booted in either Windows or the Android operating system for maximum flexibility. Features include WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, a webcam, two USB ports and an SD memory card slot.

Motorola announced the Xoom 10.1" tablet with its super smooth Honeycomb Android operating system, front and rear facing cameras, dual core super-fast processor, camcorder and more.

These products sound worth the wait. Stay tuned.