By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Philips Canada hosted a press event featuring their latest products in a number of consumer segments . Taking up an entire floor of the Thompson Hotel in downtown Toronto, we got to try out some of their electronics devices, see their new coffeemakers, LED lights and bulbs as well other solutions.
Philips showed off their assortment of grooming and hair trimming gadgets including their high-end SensoTouch line of waterproof shavers which can work with gels and shaving cream. We were also showed a variety of trimmers, some for sculpting beards and for giving oneself a hair-cut or a trim. We asked if these can be used on pets and were told that they were only for humans. Philips also makes grooming gadgets designed for children which aren't a loud as the ones used by adults.
We were quite delighted to see Philips Saeco Xelsis line of espressomakers. Here we saw technology as applied to home appliances. The Saeco Xelsis coffeeemakers range in size and price but which all guarantee the perfect cup of coffee. Newer models come in September and range in price from $1,500 to the all-automatic and touch-based Xelsis Digital ID which can brew six-person specific types of coffee for up to six specific persons and all you need i a fingerprint. The top of the line Xelsis costs $3,099.99 but it is like having your own personal barista.
Other interesting products from Philips include a portable Blu-Ray player. The PB9001 ($299) will have a three battery life and can play Blu-Ray, standard DVD as well as Hi-speed USB 2.0 devices. It also has a unique feature where the video will resume from the last part it left off in the event of a power outage.
Philips also showed off a variety of speaker docks for iOS devices. The Fidelio Docking speakers don't just serve as 30w speakers for iPhones and iPod Touches, they can also interface directly with a number of apps that add features such as clocks, weather and alarm functionality.