The CES 2009 Gadget Parade Begins

The 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show is now formally open, but we gathered this collection of innovative CES gadgets ahead of time for your viewing pleasure.

Yardena Arar and Tim Moynihan, PC World

TriSpecs Bluetooth Sunglasses

CES Unveiled, a media event held Tuesday that showcases winners of the CES Innovations awards, proved that this annual gadgetfest continues to be a launching pad. We saw everything from a Bluetooth headset that looks like a big earring to an Internet tablet that helps hearing-impaired users stay in touch.

The couple above may look like they're in a Ray-Ban ad, but their sunglasses are actually geeky to the max. TriSpecs glasses connect to your phone or other mobile device via Bluetooth, then let you listen to music or talk on the phone via discreet earbuds and mic (can you even see those on the models' glasses?). The people at the TriSpecs booth say their product (which starts at $199 and zooms upward if you want, say, prescription lenses) delivers high-end audio quality while seamlessly transferring you from music to calls on the paired cell phone.

(You may also enjoy this CES slide show on new robots announced this week at CES 2009.)