New tablet hybrids that moonlight as laptops among the new gadgets unveiled in Las Vegas at Consumer Electronics Show

Several companies revealed innovative new gadgets before the Consumer Electronics Show's official launch tomorrow, including some that get you moving and others that move with you.

Chief among the new arrivals was a world-first tablet computer from Lenovo. The 10.1-inch Ideapad U1 uses Google Android's latest software but also comes with a keyboard base and shell.

When installed inside the shell, the tablet becomes a fully fledged laptop that uses Windows 7 software. Users simply flip a switch to change operating systems.

Lenovo spokesman Matthew Kohut said the tablet hybrid would be released as early as March and cost around $1300.

Also for use on the go, Tremont Electric debuted a handheld electricity generator dubbed the nPower PEG.

The metal gadget looks like a barbell but uses kinetic energy to create an electric charge when held upright or stored in a backpack.

Marketing vice-president Jill LeMieux said walking with the nPower PEG for one minute would deliver an extra minute of music from an iPod Nano, though powering a smartphone required a lot more effort.

``You'd have to walk with this gadget for 15 to 20 minutes to get an extra minute of talk-time from the iPhone, but it's good for use in an emergency,'' she said.

Scuba, ski and mountain bike masks equipped with video cameras were also on show, with Liquid Image revealing the first masks to record full high-definition video.

Liquid Image president Kent Pearson said the new-release Snow Goggles Summit Series eyewear would be available in October for $399 and could also be used to capture still photos while racing down hills.

Car technology also featured prominently in Las Vegas, with Toyota previewing an interactive dashboard screen called Entune that uses your mobile phone to stream internet radio stations, and a car stereo from Parrot called the Asteroid that uses a 3.2-inch screen and internet connection to show off Google Android apps.

Despite the wacky gadget launches, Consumer Electronics Association senior research analyst Ben Arnold predicts tablet computers will capture the most attention at CES this year.

``I wouldn't be surprised if there were 100-plus tablets launched at CES this year,'' he said. ``Tablet sales are set to double in 2011.''