GRE @ CES 2010 - Part 2 of 3

PSR-110 Race Scanner

The working model was red in color as you can see by the attached photo. In regards to the dual display, the "2-Digit Sub-Display" is a top mounted LCD display for showing the car number. That allows the car number information to be visible from the top of the unit while attached to your belt. On the left side are two racing headphone connections (A and B). This allows two individuals to listen together (and talk to each other via the intercom feature when using racing headsets with microphones). In addition the right side has a phone/pc-if connection as well as the power connection. When a cell phone is connected, the answer (phone button) can be pushed and you can use your cell phone by talking through the racing headset (via the A connection only). As mentioned before this unit is UHF only, it also does not have an external speaker, and is focused on being a dedicated race fan scanner. The unit has V-Scanner like ability to easily recall the programming for each of the "Big Race Categories" (Champ Car, ARCA RE/MAX, Indy Racing, Craftsman Truck, Busch Series, and Nextel Cup). These groups are all preprogrammed and adjustable. The unit offers flexibility for scanning by CAR number, a FAV button for favorite cars, and direct access for the MRN frequency. The scanner is powered by three AA batteries.

The race scanner market may be bigger here than some folks think. About 1 in 10 attendees at these big race markets may have a scanner, at a large NASCAR race with 250,000 folks there, that could mean around 25,000 people with scanners in the crowd. Folks are looking for preprogrammed units and easy to use models with alpha tags and car number information for an easy and flexible scanning experience. GRE also indicated that they will have an agreement with a track side scanner rental company for updating programming for these models at the race. Again look for this model's availability in June 2010 if not sooner.

[Part 2 of 3]

GRE @ CES 2010 - Part 1 of 3

Below is a summary of my discussion with Wayne Wilson and Raj Gounder of GRE America from CES 2010. GRE announced their new PSR-700 EZ Scan-SD (iScan equivalent model) as well as a new GRE branded PSR-110 Race Scanner at the show. I'll cover some more details regarding the specifics for these two new models, then get into some general discussion items as well as cover additional questions folks wanted to know.

PSR-700 EZ Scan-SD

As for differences compared to the Radio Shack iScan branded model, this unit will not only be black in color, but also has a hard rubberized casing in place of a traditional solid plastic casing. The keypad has been redesigned and optimized for one handed operation (which was not a consideration with the original Radio Shack iScan version). The largest functional difference is the inclusion of V-Scanners which will allow one to save up to 200 different scanner configurations (scan list combinations and settings) for easy recall. Also are the various GRE versus Radio Shack specific branding elements as Don had mentioned ("Spectrum Sweeper" versus "Signal Stalker").

The reason why GRE has released analog-only models first (RS PRO-107 and GRE PSR-700) is due to the fact that the analog trunking market currently outsells digital trunking on an order of 5 to 2. As Don had mentioned, a majority of activity and frequencies are still analog in the global scanner market, and hence a majority of people are still just looking for analog models. See the General Discussion section for some additional comments on my part in regards to the analog/digital trend. GRE did indicate that a digital version is "a year away", is in development, and is the highest priority for delivery. These initial analog iScan/EZ-Scan models will be a good proving ground for this latest form factor.

The photo of the PSR-700 that I captured was not of a working unit, but a production prototype of how the scanner and casing will be produced. They did have a GRECOM branded piece of iScan looking hardware that was running the new PSR-700 EZ Scan firmware. It is interesting to see that everything for these scanners runs off the SD card, including all of the scanner firmware/software as well as holding all of the programming information. This should provide for a good future with the ability to essentially update most functionality via firmware/software upgrades. It will be great to see this SD card functionality on other future GRE models--especially the higher tier and full function type models like the PSR-500/600 form factors.

While this line of models using the new iScan/EZ-Scan form factor is focused heavily on being preprogrammed and easy to use, this new form factor, and these new models are also just the latest step. It will be great to see some of the technologies introduced with these specific models eventually move across the entire scanner line.

GRE indicated to look to June 2010 for first availability of the PSR-700 model and that the unit will have a price point similar to that of the Radio Shack PRO-107.

[Part 1 of 3]

2010 CES Friday Agenda

2010 CES Friday Agenda:

Have a handful of sessions and a couple of keynotes that I'd like to attend. Also have time scheduled with GRE America regarding new Scanning Receiver models announced.

2010 CES Thursday Recap

2010 CES Thursday Recap:

Went to the State of the CE Industry and Opening Keynote address this morning. Good insight into innovation, and interesting information from the Ford In Car Experience and the SYNC system user interface demonstrations.

Attended two of today's Tech Policy Summit sessions including "Making Nationwide Deployment and Adoption of Broadband a Reality" and "The Spectrum Grab and Innovation". The first session was more of a pleasant discussion, while the second session had some interesting conflict between broadcast and commercial interests, and debate as to whether a true spectrum crisis is indeed looming.

Spent some time on the conference floor--this space is huge. Was able to briefly swing by the GRE America booth, sent a picture via TwitPic. Have since posted some more information on Radio Reference regarding the newly released GRECOM branded models the PSR-700 "EZ Scan-SD" and the PSR-110 Race Scanner.

Was at the Intel keynote. Interesting comments from Paul Otellini regarding computing power. The first Intel 4004 micro-processor from 40 years ago with 2000 transistors was compared to the processors released today with billions of transitions that are running 5000 times faster and costing 100,000 times less. He mentioned if automobile companies innovated like Intel, cars would drive at 470,000 mph using 100,000 mpg and cost 3 cents.

Some additional general comments. 3D is all the hype, but still not that exciting looking for me, everything I've seen still looks like a bunch of 2D layers at fixed distances and doesn't approximate the reality of actual depth perception all that well. Proprietary app stores are on the rise and popping up everywhere (Ford, Intel, etc), but there is some promise of interaction and multi and cross platform support (i.e. interact with an Apple iPhone app via your Ford/Microsoft SYNC system). And personal and mobile computing will take a more prevalent place in the world, be ever more aware, and more available when at home and on the go, especially with all the new netbooks, tablets, smart phones and smart home technologies.

2010 CES Thursday Agenda

2010 CES Thursday Agenda

First full day of the show. Will try to make it to the two keynotes today, plus I have a few sessions on my calendar. Will also explore some other general interest areas and exhibitors.

Be sure to follow me on twitter @jpryor223 for updates through out the day.

2010 CES Wednesday Recap

2010 CES Wednesday Recap:

Took a stroll down the strip and tossed $10 in the slot machines of 20 different casinos. Was able to hold my ground on the first half and first 10 casinos, but no luck on the second half. The best pull was at ARIA, with last $1 left, I hit the 3rd highest progressive for a $78 payout.

Got my CES badge holder and went to the pre keynote address at the Hilton Center featuring Microsoft's Steve Ballmer. Very interesting topics and technology demos, all with a distinct Microsoft slant though.

Hotel WIFI/Internet coverage is spotty at best, so most of my blogging activities will be limited to basic recaps and upcoming agendas for now.

2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES)

I will be attending the 2010 CES later this week in Las Vegas. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to cover the show from both a professional perspective as well as check out things from a hobbyist, enthusiast and personal perspective. While not being occupied by topics related to my day job, I plan to check out a variety of exhibitors and other interesting sessions. I'll also be sure to slide by the GRE booth, I suspect that there won't be much more for display than what they had at the Dayton Hamvention. But maybe they'll have an future iScan digital prototype or other GRE branded models.

The following are my primary objectives during my CES/Las Vegas trip:

1) Digital Health Summit (ces info) (website) - Cover the Digital Health Summit, in relation to my day job as a Business Analyst in a health care information company. We are simplifying the business of health care and connecting and empowering consumers to manage their health in a ever more consumer-based health care space. Looking for disruptive technologies and tracking the emerging markets of the rapidly evolving digital health care industry.
2) Tech Policy Summit (ces info) - Attend the Tech Policy Summit with interesting sessions like "Making Nationwide Deployment and Adoption of Broadband a Reality", "The Spectrum Grab and Innovation", and "Inside the FCC's Communications Agenda". These sessions will likely offer interesting discussions regarding our ever growing and connected wireless communications world and may have ramifications for Amateur Radio and other spectrum uses.
3) GRE America (ces booth) (website) - Represent the Radio Reference community, answer questions and provide general coverage related to the GRE scanner product line.
4) General Interest - Explore other exhibitors and sessions of general consumer electronics interest.
5) "#20casinos" Challenge - Travel the Las Vegas strip, hitting a total of 20 of the largest Casinos in the world in 10 Hours (or less) and gambling a total of $200 bucks at said casinos. Part of my Wednesday free day and a special project that will likely have heavy Twitter and TwitPic coverage. Look here and on Twitter this Wednesday for more information.

I've primarily be covering objectives number 2 through 5 both here and via Twitter.

Stay tuned to this blog for a preview of my daily CES agenda and nightly summary and recap information. Follow me on Twitter @jpryor223 for real time updates and TwitPic images through out each day. And keep track of my position on APRS.fi via my KC8NNO-12 APRS-enabled location tracking Smart Phone.

Jeff KC8NNO