Here are some things you’re not likely to see this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but would be nice if we did…

10. Free Kindle book download when you purchase a physical book through Amazon. Touchscreen and color screen Kindle with the capability of using a Stylus like pen to highlight and write notes in the margins.

9. Kindle notes and highlights syncing with Evernote.  Also, Livescribe Pen syncing with Evernote.

8. Livescribe Pen with a quality and smooth roller ball pen tip instead of the cheap ball point. It’s an expensive pen – I’d like a good writing experience please.

7. 3D TV’s and Monitors that don’t require glasses.  There must be a way. Let’s make it happen.

6. 3D Wii Nintendo video games. Wow, that’s going to be cool!

5. Pleo available for $50. A Pleo relative – a lifelike and indestructible robotic dog that will play and entertain my real dog.

4. Large OLED networked digital frame to display photographic art that turns off automatically at bedtime when the lights are turned off.

3. iTablet connectivity with a new Apple TV, and Apple TV available with a monthly subscription for unlimited viewing instead of nickel and diming me with every download. Also, Slingbox functionality, so I can view media on the iTablet while traveling.

2. Got to plug Boxee. Boxee’s big play should be to offer live TV (goodbye Comcast). It’s in the networks’ interest to expand access to live content, so make it happen Fred Wilson.

1. A ruggedized and waterproof iphone or nexus one phone with much slimmer form factor with directional sound (and mic) capabilities, a technology that concentrates acoustic sound into a narrow beam that can be projected, so I don’t have to mess with bluetooth accessories.

What are your short-term technology wishes?

I’ve been thinking a bit about rules lately.  These thoughts are still developing – would appreciate any feedback.  In a civil society, there have to have some rules, or else there would be anarchy, but rules should be effective and not destructive.  How do you create rules that represent the wishes of the vast majority of people?  If the people really had any power in the governing process, don’t you think there might be a more effective balance between risk and convenience, to improve the overall experience of passing through airport security by not having to remove your shoes, for instance?  We’re the only country in the world that requires folks to remove their shoes at airport security…  What would happen if we had radical open sourced and transparent rule making?  A giant “Wikipedia meets digg” for regulation. Do you think then we would have a 1,200 page healthcare plan that nobody understands?

[previous related post - government 2.0 here.]

Some would say that the regulatory authorities failed the American people by not effectively regulating the financial industry, which led to our current financial crisis.  But, if we have too many rules (like Sarbanes Oxley) the regulation can stifle innovation.  What if we simply let the irresponsible players fail, and allowed some of the smaller players that actually acted responsibly to pick up the slack, and reap the rewards of their prudent behavior?

Wouldn’t the risk of institutional failure and personal bankruptcy be a more effective deterrence of irresponsibility, than regulation, and the promise of bailouts, if you take irresponsible risks and fail (again)?

I witnessed a passenger attempting to board a plane yesterday, who had an abnormally small purse, and an abnormally small carry-on. But, she had a 3rd “carry on,” a zip locked bag with her diabetic medication.  The gate agent told her she could not carry three bags on, and had to stuff her meds into her carry on, even though overall she had far less less luggage than most people. The diabetic medication didn’t fit in her small bag, and the gate agent told her firmly, “Mam, you’re going to have to make it fit.” That’s a ridiculous example of rules gone awry.

Our regulatory environment should also reflect the natural principles of diversity and resilience.  I guess that’s a topic for another post.

And, a yet a 3rd future post about what Thomas Edison said: “There ain’t no rules around here. We’re trying to accomplish something.”

Finally, when can personal judgment trump “the rules?”

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

showroom and museum and manufacturing facility in the heart of downtown Dresden.

Thanks, Jim.

I liked this swivel bottle cap, which is obviously reused, especially in light of this TED video showing how conventional bottle caps pollute our oceans.

I wonder if the Wall Street Institute still has the cachet it once had?

iPhone post from buenos aires

Michael Arrington has announced the specs of the second prototype of the CrunchPad.

I wonder if the real innovation here is the process by which the product is being developed.

To use Sam Savage’s analogy (doesn’t quite work perfectly in this case but close enough): The CrunchPad is a lightbulb, but the process by which it was created is like electricity that can potentially power many light bulbs.

Basically, Michael is using the reach and power of the TechCrunch platform, to inexpensively crowd source the development of the product (like Cambrian House, but more effectively?)

California passed the high speed rail initiative this November, which will have a total price tag in excess of $40 billion. The project won’t be completed until 2020. Meanwhile, it looks like the state of California is headed towards bankruptcy.

I propose here that by 2020 the high speed train will be obsolete, because we will have self-driving cars that are also emissions free. Highway efficiency will be greatly enhanced (traffic jams will be of a bygone era), accidents will be virtually eliminated, and the vehicles will move as fast as the high speed train on Highway 5, the main highway running between San Diego and Sacramento.

And, vehicles will be able to be rented on-demand from your mobile device (the rental vehicle will drive itself to you!). Wouldn’t you rather travel comfortably in a private, high speed pod car equipped with a big screen television and a minibar, than on a crowded train that runs on a schedule?

And, the solution is a bottom up solution vs. a massive public expenditure, which is a concept I hope we don’t lose sight of in the era of hundred billion dollar bailouts and “stimulus” plans.

I am updating this post as a result of a great question by Melissa in comments, who doesn’t think the technology will be real by 2020.  But, the technology for self-driving or robotic cars already exists. The DARPA Grand Challenge showed a robotic car successfully navigate an urban setting. Also, have you seen the parking assist feature on a Lexus LS 460? Basically, the car takes over and parallel parks for you. Also, the Lexus has pre-collision assistance, so the car will apply the brakes automatically, if you are unsafely approaching a car or other obstacle ahead.  See previous post here on Sharkride. So, I believe within 11 years there’s no question this technology will be perfected, and commercialized, and you will be able to sit back and watch the news or read a kindle from the comforts of your speeding pod car.

check out this video I captured at the Cape Town aquarium!

Kwak is an incredible Belgium beer that’s brewed by Monks, and was favored by the coach-driven in the 19th Century. At Den Anker in Cape Town, it’s even served in the traditional bowl shaped glass, which was designed to minimize spillage, while riding in a coach. The glasses are difficult and expensive to replace, so the bar tender insists that you remove your left shoe as a deposit for the glass. The shoe is placed in a basket and hoisted to the rafters of the ceiling until you’re done!