The IOGEAR HDMI Control Center.

The device is complete with a wireless keyboard with a built in laser trackball allowing users to easily navigate, switch, and interact with all their HDMI peripherals. For example, the device allows users to quickly switch from a Blu-ray movie to a computer connected to their HDTV, type and send a quick email, then switch back and continue the movie all from the device’s remotes. This is extremely useful for those who work in front of the TV or prefer the ease and organization of a central organized location for work. It may also be the solution for those of us that lack a home office.

The device is simple plug and play with a sleek design and, according to IOGEAR, works with game consoles, set-top boxes, Blu-ray and DVD players and media servers/computers.

“At IOGEAR, we are constantly innovating new technologies to give consumers the easiest and most complete computing and entertainment experience,” said Miranda Su, executive vice president of IOGEAR. “As convergence increases between these two mediums, we strive to offer solutions that efficiently and cost-effectively bridge this gap.”

IOGEAR’s HDMI Control Center is at the 2009 CEDIA Expo in Atlanta, GA right now and until September 13^th at booth 5715.

The full ports are also upward-facing so that you can actually plug things into it without them getting in each other’s way.

“In an increasingly mobile age where laptops are more prevalent, consumers need comprehensive solutions to increase efficiency,” said Miranda Su, executive vice president of IOGEAR.

The 3-Port USB 2.0 Mobile Hub with Built in Mini USB Cable is $13 and well worth it if you need more plugs.

With gamers, audiophiles and every middle-aged man building the “theater room” throwing more and more devices into their entertainment centers — PC’s, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, high-def cable boxes — this little box comes in handy. And it’s got a remote. Sweet.

The GHDMIS4W6 four-port HDMI switch with remote is available now on IOGEAR’s website and other retailers for $90.

The PCPortal also allows users and IT pros to connect to a cluster of machines by interfacing the device with a KVM switch.

“In the event a computer is not functioning properly, users need to be able to access the machine to alleviate the situation, even when on-site assistance is not possible,” said Miranda Su, executive vice president of IOGEAR. “PCPortal’s ability to communicate with distant computers over an Internet connection makes it feasible for individuals to work on their PCs from anywhere, at anytime.”

The PCPortal device features a USB 2.0 Virtual Media Port, IOGEAR said, allowing Windows XP users to attach a USB Flash Drive and use it as if it were plugged into a local USB port. They can then transfer files and stream media between local and remote computers.

Features:

• Control or monitor your home or office PC from literally anywhere in the world via a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet
• Hardware-based solution allows BIOS level control for remote troubleshooting
• Remote access via browser makes it very easy to operate
• Authentication and SSL 128bit encryption guarantees security and protection
• USB 2.0 virtual media port allows file transfer between local and remote computer
• Control multiple computers by connecting to a USB KVM switch
• Firmware upgradeable

The device is now available for $499.95.

It supplies emergency power to nearly any small, portable device, but not in that disposable, one use, drug store special kind of way. The rechargeable lithium polymer battery will fill up your cell phone’s gas tank three times before the GearJuice runs dry.

GearJuice will charge your Blackberry, iPod, iPhone, PDA, Bluetooth headset, cell phone and nearly any low-power device that takes a USB or mini-USB source. The device detects how much juice you gear needs and outputs the correct voltage.

The product can charge itself from any USB device — so you can just plug it into your laptop or desktop computer. It comes with six attachments, including iPod touch and iPhone and mini-USB connectors. Some models come with American and European wall plug adapters, but my model didn’t come with an AC adapter — which I didn’t mind because it’s actually much easier to charge the GearJuice right off my computer.

One small complaint: the GearJuice should have come with two full-size USB dongles. If you’re charging the device off USB, you aren’t left with a spare cable to go right ahead and charge up your cell phone or iPod at the same time. To this effect, GearJuice won’t turn your laptop into a power inverter.

The device itself charges up in a few hours from a dead, empty battery and IOGEAR says it will hold a charge for six months.

There are a variety of specialty adapters you can buy for GearJuice including the full-sized AC adapters and Samsung, LG and Motorola phone packs if — somehow — your phone doesn’t fit any of the included connectors. (When are all cell phones just going to charge and sync via mini-USB?)

Do yourself a favor, don’t throw out or lose the spare connectors. Put them somewhere where they won’t get lost or tossed. You’re probably going to break, lose or replace your cell phone within a year, and you’ll be crawling around trying to find the other connectors.

GearJuice is compact, comes in a soft, velvet carrying bag and priced right at under $30 on most websites. I approve.

Quick hits:

Developer: IOGEAR
Genre: Power
Launch Date: August 10, 2007

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Download facts and specs

Though there are some considerations to make — this isn’t a good idea for an iPod or another portable MP3 device. The way the Audio Transport works is that it lets you plug a set of earbuds/headphones into a Bluetooth receiver. So there are still wires to worry about, and there isn’t really a point to using this for an already portable device, unless you plan on leaving your iPod on a desk or table or somewhere stationary while you walk around the room. Just not sure why you’d do that…

Anyway, the Audio Transport does give you the ability to listen to any audio source from up to 33′ (feet) away, and the sound quality is pretty good, with SRS “Wow” surround sound technology.

If you’re looking for a Bluetooth device, $50 is the average for cell phone solutions. The IOGEAR Audio transport, at the same price, gives you that and the expanded capabilities.

Features:

• Enjoy music wirelessly from Bluetooth-enabled computers, PDA, MP3/CD players, and more
• Maximum wireless range up to 33 ft.(10 meters)
• SRS WOW surround sound technology delivers optimal music listening experience
• Supports MP3-quality stereo sound (frequency response 20Hz – 20 KHz)
• Works with Bluetooth cell phones and allows you to pick up incoming calls even during music playback
• Integrated 5-way headphone control buttons give you quick access to play/pause, track selection*, and volume control
• Comfortable to wear behind-the-neck style
• Convenient built-in rechargeable battery for up to 6 hours play time
• Connect the Bluetooth Audio Transport to your stereo system to wirelessly listen to music stored in your Bluetooth audio devices
• Avoids interference with other wireless devices and does not requires direct line-of-sight
• Class 2 device compliant with Bluetooth 1.2 specifications Headphones Audio

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

As video games and home video units adapt high definition technology, most televisions still only carry one HDMI port while many affordable receivers come with one or two ports. So if you combine your Playstation 3, HD-DVD, high-definition cable/sat television and enough money leftover for an Xbox 360, you’re out of luck in the HDMI department.

“Home entertainment devices continue to come to market with HDMI capabilities, and as our survey illustrates, end users are finding it difficult to support the number of products in their living rooms,” said Miranda Su, vice president of sales and marketing at IOGEAR. “It is important for consumers to experience the high-quality audio and video that HDMI provides, as it enables them to have the richest home-theater system possible.”

According to the email survey, 300 out of the 1,000 respondents only have one HDMI input, while nearly 60 percent surveyed want to simultaneously connect up to four a/vl products to their TVs.

“This presents consumers with a home-theater conundrum, forcing them to either disconnect a device every time they want to access a new one, or not take advantage of the robust HDMI features incorporated in their digital entertainment products. Having multiple interfaces on HDTVs is increasingly vital as more than 600 makers of consumer electronics and PC products worldwide have adopted HDMI1, with products including set-top boxes, DVD players and gaming consoles,” IOGEAR said.

While it’s not common for users to have three or more HDMI devices, more and more consumers require at least two — one for high-definition television and one for a video game or home video (upconverting DVD, Blu-ray or HD-DVD) setup.

The result: look for more and more home theater receivers to include 2+ HDMI ports and added component video inputs too. Remember, HDMI and DVI use the same video interface — and you can buy an adaptor cable to use any DVI device on an HDMI port.