Day 3: Focus on tech policy and year's hottest products

LAS VEGAS USA: Candid insight from US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin and predictions for the year’s hottest products were the highlights of Day Three at the 2009 International CES. Produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the 2009 International CES, the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology, runs through today in Las Vegas, Nevada.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin joined CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro for a one-on-one discussion addressing Chairman Martin’s tenure at the FCC. The two discussed a variety of issues including the upcoming digital television transition. Martin said that Congress should clear up the accounting issues with the NTIA coupon system so additional coupons for converter boxes can be issued.

He stated, "If the coupon problem can be fixed without changing the date, we should do that." Chairman Martin expressed concern that changing the date could cause consumer confusion because the industry and government have spent a considerable amount of time and energy on ensuring consumer awareness of the February 17 transition date.

Chairman Martin noted that since his tenure in 2005, he has had few regrets including the length of time it took to approve the merger of Sirius and XM Satellite Radio. He stated that since both companies were facing financial problems, the merger was inevitable and the companies face competition from other music providers.

For the second year in a row, Eye-Fi claimed the prize in the ninth annual Last Gadget Standing SuperSession sponsored by NetShelter. This fast-paced session featured live demos from Eye-Fi, Bug Labs, ClickFree, HeartMath, Pure Digital, LiveScribe, MSI, Motorola, T-Mobile and WowWee.

Winning the audience vote, the Eye-Fi video card allows users to wirelessly upload videos, and even share videos in real time, over the Internet. Winning the online vote at www.lastgadgetstanding.com was the emWave Personal Stress Reliever by HeartMath, a portable biofeedback tool that lets users learn to manage their response to stress.