CrunchGear

As you can see, the packaging is consumer friendly, steering away from typical tech-spec language found on most backup drives. Plus, the drives use Memeo’s software for backing up and syncing your files.

There was also the FreeAgent Go (80GB, 120GB, 160GB) priced from $129.99 to $189.99 and FreeAgent Go Small (12GB, $139.99 ) that use USB to give you mobile access to “your computing environment.” This includes software for managing your Web favorites, passwords and settings, IM, e-mail, contacts and digital files.

Next stop was speaker-company Altec Lansing. Fortunately they didn’t have too much going on, but there were a handful of items worth mentioning. Altec is making a big push into headphones, selling “upgrades” for those looking to replace the buds included with their digital audio player. Headset-manufacturer Plantronics is the parent company for Altec, so this makes good sense. They’ve also taken over retail distribution of a couple sets of Ultimate Ears headphones that sell for $129.95 and $89.95.

The back of the unit holds a 4-inch side-firing subwoofer to go with the 3-inch neodymium speakers. Truthfully it was so loud on the LVCC floor, I couldn’t tell how they sounded, but I’m sure they’ll show up in a CompUSA or Best Buy for you to check out. Mostly, it was just a nice design.

Again, it was too loud at the show to really tell how the sound was, but I’m hoping to get my hands on a set to test them out. At least they look decent.

It’s now going on 1 p.m. and I’m headed back to the bowels of the South Hall to check out stuff from dreamGEAR/i.Sound and ION Audio.

Apple’s iPod Hi-Fi) with a built-in DVD player. It’s perfect for someone looking to boost the sound of a bedroom TV and adding an iPod dock and DVD player in the process.

ION Audio. Owned by Numark, ION is the more consumery end of the business and makes among other things USB turntables that let you dump your vinyl onto your computer without having to hassle with pre-amps and all manner of other nonsense. Just put a record on, plug in to your PC and play.

iPA03 portable PA system (with iPod dock, of course) and a giant wall/garage door/bed sheet and you’ve got yourself a mobile movie theater. If you’re interested in listening to or creating digital music at all, keep an eye on ION in 2007.

Finally, it’s nearly 3 p.m. and I’m getting off the LVCC floor for a suite meeting with iRiver.