Among the many cool things Sony is showcasing this year at CES one of the smaller items not to be overlooked is the addition of a new style of Microvault USB flash drive. This new drive has a new “Sony”-style look to it with a flat black finish and a glowing Orange LED section towards the back end letting you know when the drive is connected and active.

The new USB 2.0 compliant Microvault comes in capacities from 1GB up to 16GB but probably the most significant feature of this otherwise uneventful USB drive is the clicking action. The is no cap to protect the USB connection because the connection will actually retract back into the case when the other side is clicked, much like a retractable pen. Clicking it again extends the connection for use in a number of compatible devices. Also, according to Sony, simply removing the flash drive will cause the USB connection to automatically contract. We’re guessing it’s due to friction when pulling out the connection.

Sony is updating its line of α (alpha) DSLRs for consumers by introducing at CES the DSLR-A200. This 10.2-megapixel shooter is set to be priced at around $700 with a DT 18-70mm lens and a 75–300mm f4.5-5.6 lens for about $900.

The Sony DSLR-A200 camera builds upon the DSLR-A100 model. Sony says upgraded features include “a wider, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen for easy playback viewing; a more compact body and an easily-accessible mode dial; an easy-to-use function menu (camera function display); improved noise control for higher quality images; an auto focus speed 1.7x faster than the previous model; improved predictive control performance; quieter shutter sound; automatic pop-up flash; and a battery life indicator that displays the percentage of battery life remaining so you know exactly when to recharge.”

Sony’s Playstation Portable handheld gaming console has been trailing in sales to the Nintendo DS since the DS’s inception, but Sony is a far cry from giving up quite yet. Last month we saw a pretty cool upgrade with the version 3.80 firmware for the PSP which brought internet radio through the systems WiFi connectivity. Now Sony is saying that they are partnering with Ebay’s Skype to bring VoIP Skype phone service to the handheld system.

The new firmware is slated to be available for download to the PSP by the end of January and will add a Skype icon and functionality to the Network portion of the PSP’s menu. When connected to the internet users will then be able to log into Skype, manage contacts, view who’s online and of course make calls through their PSP to other Skype users or other PSP owners with the Skype feature installed. Owners will even be able to create a new Skype account right on the PSP.

I’ve always wanted a DVD changer that holds a massive amount of discs. Mostly because I’m lazy and I want my DVDs to be in one convenient place. With Sony’s DVP-CX995V 400 disc DVD changer, you can have your whole movie library in one convenient location. You won’t have to worry about your discs collecting dust because you left them laying around.

This is an awesome solution for people like me and it’s only $399.95. It’s like a multimedia jukebox for your movies. What with the current Hollywood writer’s strike and all, now would be the time to get one and save yourself some hardcore boredom. I have already seen more game shows this season then I care to admit too.

I was pretty excited just about the streaming radio coming to the PSP in this mornings article on the new PSP and PS3 firmware updates, but this one just keeps getting better. Along with the radio streaming for the PSP and the DIVX and voice changing features of the PS3 Sony snuck in another feature that allows you to play PS1 games remotely on the PSP. The new feature will let you download PS1 games to the PS3 or simply put in a physical PS1 game and stream it to the PSP to play through a Wi-Fi connection from anywhere in the world through Sony’s Remote Play. Now that is pretty cool, and will be even cooler as soon as I can find some PS1 games.

We knew some upgrades were coming for both these devices and today both the PSP 3.80 firmware and the PS3 2.10 firmware upgrades are available for download.

We haven’t seen the PSP 3.80 version available online yet but it is available through the Network Upgrade menu option directly on the PSP bringing streaming internet radio directly to the handheld device. In fact, I’m listening to the ShoutCast player on my PSP while writing this. You’ll need an Wi-Fi internet connection of course, and after installing the update there is a new menu option in the network settings for Internet Radio. Selecting it brings you to an “About” page that shows two different but similar players available for download to your Memory Stick, one from ShoutCast and the other from IceCast, each having 50 genres to choose from once downloaded.

Firmware upgrades for the Sony PSP usually don’t have changes that are incredibly drastic but for some reason I still get pretty excited any time they come out. It’s almost like getting a slightly new gadget each time, even though I still have the older, fat PSP. Anytime I hear of any upgrade on the way I’ll check for it using the utility on the PSP daily, since most of the time I can get it there before it’s officially released.

Version 3.80 however does promise to bring something pretty cool – streaming internet radio. The update will allow the PSP to pick up streams of online radio broadcasts in the same format that it supports such as Shoutcast MP3 streams. The upgrade will also expand its feed-reading capabilities the ability to pick up “photocasts” from RSS feeds. It will also allow users to import OPML feed lists from other feed readers to import the same feeds on the handheld console.

When organic light-emitting diode (OLED) televisions were first put on display people were immediately grabbed by the stunning resolution and bright color capabilities possible. Place an OLED TV beside a plasma or LED TV and the difference is immediate. That is also true if you place the price tag of the OLED beside the plasma/LED. Because OLED technology is still new the price range for these kinds of TVs are astronomical. The first commercial OLED TV is Sony’s XEL-1 and its 11-inch display will set you back about $1,800 if you can find one (they are only available in Japan right now.)

Today the chairman of Sony said that the company will begin to sell OLED televisions in America starting next year. “When you look at OLED, your impulse is to say ‘wow’. We need that reaction from people at Sony … it’s a statement of confidence, that there is a path to somewhere else,” said Howard Stringer at a Sony vision seminar held in Tokyo.

These will definately add some style to your home. At first, these apple remotes seem to be on the silly side, but they are a pretty interesting take on remotes, with some interesting features. This concept device is brought to you by Jason Roebuck. They certainly beat standard remotes as far as being eye pleasing. When in their charging station or cradle, or “bowl” if you like, they’ll blend in with their surroundings.

Each member of the house can have their own personal remote, programmed to their specific likes. Want to lower the volume? The device is motion sensitive. Just rotate it left. Rotate it right to raise the volume. When they are not being used, just sit them in the charging station.

Fans of the new Sony PlayStation Portable who aren’t fans of the gaming device’s battery life will be happy to known Sony wants to address your concerns. The company is getting ready to put out its Sony PSP Extended Life Battery Kit, priced at around $45.

The Sony PSP Extended Life Battery Kit consists of a 2200 mAh battery pack which goes where the current battery is. Since it’s a little bulkier than the current one Sony is including in the kit a custom cover which will match the color of your PSP 2000.

Our favorite dancing egg with built-in speaker, the programmable Rolly is getting a special Christmas Packaging in Japan that preloads six classic Christmas songs, including “Silent Night” and “White Christmas.” Not only do you get Christmas tunes, but it comes with special preset dance routines that will match the music. That’s just how the rolly rolls yo!

It ships on December 19th but can be preordered on December 12th by the Japanese. Looks like it will sell for the equivalent of $386 with 1 Gig of memory, which is just a bit higher then the standard edition.

Sony’s new NW-E013 Walkman is obviously geared toward the ladies and they are sure to be a hit. The design is certainly pretty enough and I imagine that women will find them quite appealing as far as mp3 players go. In fact, the more you look at them, they kind of look like high tech lipstick cases. They have 1-gigabyte of memory and come in sky blue, hot pink, and other girlly colors.

Sony even went so far as to create a set of little carrying cases with straps for these devices. It costs 10,980 yen or $101.52 starting December 19th. Considering what some women pay for shoes alone, I’d say that’s a bargain. It should also be noted that this would be a great Christmas gift that she should absolutely love.

Sony has recently launched the online Playstation Store that allows PSP owners to download games, wallpaper and themes for their PSP. This online service makes a lot of sense for multiple reasons. For one it gives a central place to instantly get games and other things for the PSP online. But for many of us it more importantly could help due away with that goofy UMD media for the PSP games.

Sure the new PSP Slim offered a little bit faster startup time for games but a person still had to load it up and wait a while for the game to start. Also, the spinning of that UMD used up batteries that wouldn’t be the case with a game saved all in memory.

Today Sony has launched some significant updates to the Playstation 3 game console firmware upping it to version 2.00, making it one of the biggest updates seen for the console yet.

Of the handful of updates, the most significant has got to be the “remote power control”. This new feature integrates into the Remote Play functionality of the PSP allowing users to turn on and off their PS3 remotely through their PSP handheld console (provided they have an internet connection) from anywhere in the world. Prior to this, if users wanted to access any of their media through their PSP they would have to leave their PS3 turned on, which could waste a lot of electricity and unnecessary wear on the console. This feature lets users turn on the PS3 remotely, watch or listen to their media and then turn the PS3 off again, all remotely through the internet.

Data storage news just keeps moving forward. Sony has announced that it will release a multi-layer optical disk that can store over 500GB data.

They are working on it now and the holographic recording technology will have seven layers, producing standard-sized disks with the ability to store 500GB of data of any kind, from HD Video to computer data. They expect the holographic disk to be available sometime in the next 3 years. They are using their “Micro-Reflector” method in order to write to seven layers per disk. Memory density per layer is 1.2 GB and the maximum error rate is 4.1 × 10-4.