The flood of CES email has been overwhelming the last couple of days with product announcements, media pitches, and pleas for booth visits and interviews. However, my favorite pitch of the lot didn’t come to my inbox, but my mailbox. A long, flat envelope arrived with the words, “Photos - Do Not Bend” on the front. When I opened it up, a family photo stared back at me on top of half a dozen other prints. Not my family, mind you- though I did spend a moment trying to place the models as long-lost cousins on my mother’s side. No, this was a photo of a pretend family with a note slipped underneath. The note said, “OOPS! Not Your Photos?” Then it advised me to stop by the Noritsu booth at CES to pick up a free print of any digital photo of my own - 8×10 or 10×36 panorama - and learn more about the company’s retail inkjet photo printer. Cute.

I’m unfortunately still skeptical of photo printers - more because of the cost of photo paper than the quality of the printing. However, if I can get myself over to the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, I’ll definitely stop by Noritsu. And pick up my free print. (more…)

I’ve lost track of how many times ReplayTV has switched hands. And today they’ve ended up under DirecTV’s wing for who knows what purpose. Replay had abandoned the hardware DVR market, though they still have subscribers, and they’ve been making a play for the PC software DVR market. A small fish in a small pond.

So far, this is all we know:

Japan’s D&M Holdings Inc said on Thursday it had sold its ReplayTV business, which develops software for digital video recorders, to DirecTV of the United States for an undisclosed sum.

Perhaps DTV will put out a release and clue us in to their intentions. Until then, we’ll just have to speculate… I suppose it’s possible they could (think about) using the ReplayTV interface on their satellite DVRs, re-enter the stand-alone hardware business, or (most likely) just hang onto Replay’s patent portfolio for a rainy day (when/if their do-not-sue deal with TiVo expires in 2010). Or to prevent that rainy day. (more…)

Sony may not be winning with gamers, and lags rival Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE Marketplace in the race to own the living room media hub. But they’re not sitting still either: Word came earlier this year that Sony intends to offer Playstation 3 video downloads, and that day has nearly arrived… in Japan.

According to Variety, Sony will launch its on-demand HD service for the PS3 - in Japan only - early next year. Sadder than the restriction to Japan, however, is the content that will be available at launch. The service will start with car-racing videos and a “BBC car documentary,” all meant to drive interest in Sony’s “Gran Turismo 5 Prologue” game. As popular as NASCAR is here, I doubt that teensy selection of content would generate much interest in the US. One wonders if the Japanese will find it compelling, and, more importantly, when Sony will expand its content to reach a larger audience. The price for Sony’s video downloads is set to begin at $1.85.

Theoretically, Sony is in prime position to own the home entertainment market given its successful consumer electronics brand and the fact the company has a studio ripe with content. But somehow they haven’t managed to put the pieces all together yet.

Amazon has started a new beta subscription service that lets you set up a routine purchasing schedule for items you regularly buy. Think laundry detergent, cereal, diapers, etc. Although online grocery shopping has never really taken off, this new Amazon service has serious potential.

First, you get a 15% discount on everything - even if you only sign up for one month and one shipment. Second, shipping is free. Third, if anyone has the logistical chops to handle a service like this, it’s Amazon.

I haven’t seen any press coverage of the service to date (unlike Amazon’s Kindle launch), and I’m curious to see how consumers react. If this beats my Costco membership prices for things like paper towels, I’m in. (Thanks, David )

UPDATE: Just saw that Brad Linder covered the news over on Download Squad.

Friends of mine worked an event today in New York with a company called MC Square. MC Square made the gadget blogs a couple of years ago with its brain booster device, but back then the product was only available in Asia. Today the company opened up availability in the US.

How does the gizmo work? It uses rhythmic light and sound (via goggles and earphones) to “improve concentration and memory, increase relaxation and improve sleep.” Most impressively, the device has US studies to back up its claims. According to researchers from Thomas Jefferson University, use of the device correlates with statistically reliable improvement in verbal memory, associative learning, working memory and measure of attention/concentration. Also, the company’s already sold 1.2 million units in Asia, so they’ve gotta be doing something right.

The $399 price tag makes the MC Square gadget a bit pricey for the holiday shopping list, but if you know someone prepping for the SATs (or the LSATs or the MCATs…), this could be the perfect gift. Just make sure you don’t send the wrong message to a loved one. “No, honey, I do think you’re smart… honest!”

Most of the news on Google is (rightfully) focused on the giant’s new mobile phone strategy. However, there’s a story in the AP today (covered by our buds at JKOnTheRun) on a new initiative to bring Google Maps to gas stations. This is utterly brilliant. A few of the gas stations near me have started adding TV screens to their pumps. Since all I usually do when I pump gas is stare at the numbers showing the amount of money I’m pouring away, I think the TVs are a nice improvement. I’m a captive audience, and I’m not complaining.

However, adding in Internet-connected screens with Google Maps on them is actually useful to me. I sadly have no sense of direction, and even with a GPS unit in my car, I like the idea of having something as user friendly and quickly adaptable as Google Maps available at the gas pump. Even if I’m not lost, it’s a nice way to look for a short cut to wherever I’m going. Or just to browse local routes since even after six years I still don’t know a lot of the back roads in my area.

One thing is clear, Google is finding a range of ways to go mobile. And hey, those gas station screens will hit the market in December, long before Google handsets are available. Just in time for holiday travel.

Adam Smith’s invisible hand is at work in the music download world. Apple apparently plans to announce tomorrow that it will drop the price of its DRM-free tunes from $1.29 to $.99. Coming on the heels of Amazon’s launch of its own MP3 store, this sounds like a bit of competitive pressure on the music download king. It was bound to happen. What’s amazing is that it has taken so long.

Also in tomorrow’s announcement, Apple plans to add some indie music labels to its iTunes Plus (DRM-free) service.