CES 2011: The beginning of a new decade!
Ah yes! The beginning of a new decade! It promises to be a Happy New Year, with a kick-start to the year being provided by the largest gadget and gizmo event - CES 2011.
Every year CES kicks off in January and showcases a wide array of gadgets, which will subsequently be launched during the year. This year, CES will take place from 6th to 9th January, as always in the sinful city of Las Vegas. So before the event takes flight, here's our list of expectations from the event.
1. Tablet Paradise!
The past decade closed with a big bang called the iPad. 7.5 million iPads were sold in the first six months of the launch of the device. While few came close to the success of the iPad such as the Dell Streak and the Samsung Galaxy Tab, few others like the ViewSonic ViewPad 10 couldn't come even close.
So CES 2011 will definitely be the stage to show off some iPad killers (we hope!). This may just become a reality, as the powerful minds at Google have been hard at work perfecting Honeycomb to take on the iOS. A powerhouse of hardware manufacturers are all gearing up to support Google's OS, the likes of which include Acer, Archos, Asus, Dell, LG, Motorola, MSI, Notion Ink, Samsung, Toshiba, and ViewSonic.
Apart from Android powered tablets, we will also get a chance to take a closer look at RIM's PlayBook and HP's PalmPad Tablet. The PalmPad Tablet is expected to have a 10-inch screen and will run on webOS 2.5.1. Other expected features of the device include 4G connectivity, HDMI out and USB 3.0 support.
Another add-on to the package is the addition of Dual Core processors making their mark in the tablets. This will not only give the devices better processing power but will make them better at multitasking. However, we do hope that with all this hardware upgrade, the battery life is not compromised. One of the biggest disappointments of 2010 was powerful hardware with horrible battery life.
Another company that needs special mentions here is Microsoft. Ballmer, where in the world are those HP slates powered by Windows 7? We have all waited for year since the last CES, for these! Now, rumour mills are hard at work, that we might get a glimpse of Windows 8 running on tablets at this year's CES.
But the silent star among the tablets could be Motorola. The company has launched a device which they claim will be the iPad killer. The Honeycomb (Android 3.0) powered device will pack in a 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 chipset and will have a 10.1-inch screen. The device is called the Xoom and boasts of features such as 4G connectivity (Which will be made available via an update in Q2 of the year), 1280 x 800 resolution, a 5 megapixel camera, 720p video recording and 1080p video playback, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, 802.11n WiFi, and 32GB of onboard storage. The battery is capable of 10 hours of video playback. The device is expected to launch in Q1 of 2011.
2. One core ain't enough!
Apple's A4 chip and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 1GHz processor, both were the highlights of mobile computing especially in smartphones. Even though we have seen some outstanding performance by Google's Nexus S, which runs on a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, we are quite confident that the dual core processor will be christened in the smartphone in 2011.
Major hype is being built around NIVIDA's Tegra 2 chipset with 3D accelerator that will help give 1080p output on portable devices (mainly tablets). LG's Optimus 2X is one of the smartphones which boasts of being one of the first smartphones to have the Tegra 2 chip inside it (how does the battery life fare I wonder?).
3. My smartphone; my gaming machine!
Ever since the advent of the iPhone and the iPod Touch, the portable gaming market has been threatened. Sony has finally done what it should have done years ago, integrate its handheld gaming device with a smartphone. The PSP phone may finally be revealed at this year's CES, to put all rumors to rest. The device is expected to run on Gingerbread. Hmmm this may just get interesting. Watch out Apple! There's going be a new kid on the block.
Windows Phone 7 too is expected to receive some major updates at CES. We are presuming one of them to be related to the XBOX Live functionality. Details are awaited!
4. 3D or Duh! D
3D was big at CES 2010 but we all got the feeling that the technology was being pushed down our throats (the same like mom used to do with caster oil)! Alas! We aren't kids and the technology didn't really enter our homes. Will 3D TVs be the center of attraction this year as well?Will we finally see some concrete progress in terms of 3D minus the glasses? Contact lenses, perhaps!
Well that's all the predictions we have for this year's CES. Stay tuned, to all our daily roundups from the world's largest technology show.
Every year CES kicks off in January and showcases a wide array of gadgets, which will subsequently be launched during the year. This year, CES will take place from 6th to 9th January, as always in the sinful city of Las Vegas. So before the event takes flight, here's our list of expectations from the event.
1. Tablet Paradise!
The past decade closed with a big bang called the iPad. 7.5 million iPads were sold in the first six months of the launch of the device. While few came close to the success of the iPad such as the Dell Streak and the Samsung Galaxy Tab, few others like the ViewSonic ViewPad 10 couldn't come even close.
So CES 2011 will definitely be the stage to show off some iPad killers (we hope!). This may just become a reality, as the powerful minds at Google have been hard at work perfecting Honeycomb to take on the iOS. A powerhouse of hardware manufacturers are all gearing up to support Google's OS, the likes of which include Acer, Archos, Asus, Dell, LG, Motorola, MSI, Notion Ink, Samsung, Toshiba, and ViewSonic.
Apart from Android powered tablets, we will also get a chance to take a closer look at RIM's PlayBook and HP's PalmPad Tablet. The PalmPad Tablet is expected to have a 10-inch screen and will run on webOS 2.5.1. Other expected features of the device include 4G connectivity, HDMI out and USB 3.0 support.
Another add-on to the package is the addition of Dual Core processors making their mark in the tablets. This will not only give the devices better processing power but will make them better at multitasking. However, we do hope that with all this hardware upgrade, the battery life is not compromised. One of the biggest disappointments of 2010 was powerful hardware with horrible battery life.
Another company that needs special mentions here is Microsoft. Ballmer, where in the world are those HP slates powered by Windows 7? We have all waited for year since the last CES, for these! Now, rumour mills are hard at work, that we might get a glimpse of Windows 8 running on tablets at this year's CES.
But the silent star among the tablets could be Motorola. The company has launched a device which they claim will be the iPad killer. The Honeycomb (Android 3.0) powered device will pack in a 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 chipset and will have a 10.1-inch screen. The device is called the Xoom and boasts of features such as 4G connectivity (Which will be made available via an update in Q2 of the year), 1280 x 800 resolution, a 5 megapixel camera, 720p video recording and 1080p video playback, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, 802.11n WiFi, and 32GB of onboard storage. The battery is capable of 10 hours of video playback. The device is expected to launch in Q1 of 2011.
2. One core ain't enough!
Apple's A4 chip and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 1GHz processor, both were the highlights of mobile computing especially in smartphones. Even though we have seen some outstanding performance by Google's Nexus S, which runs on a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, we are quite confident that the dual core processor will be christened in the smartphone in 2011.
Major hype is being built around NIVIDA's Tegra 2 chipset with 3D accelerator that will help give 1080p output on portable devices (mainly tablets). LG's Optimus 2X is one of the smartphones which boasts of being one of the first smartphones to have the Tegra 2 chip inside it (how does the battery life fare I wonder?).
3. My smartphone; my gaming machine!
Ever since the advent of the iPhone and the iPod Touch, the portable gaming market has been threatened. Sony has finally done what it should have done years ago, integrate its handheld gaming device with a smartphone. The PSP phone may finally be revealed at this year's CES, to put all rumors to rest. The device is expected to run on Gingerbread. Hmmm this may just get interesting. Watch out Apple! There's going be a new kid on the block.
Windows Phone 7 too is expected to receive some major updates at CES. We are presuming one of them to be related to the XBOX Live functionality. Details are awaited!
4. 3D or Duh! D
3D was big at CES 2010 but we all got the feeling that the technology was being pushed down our throats (the same like mom used to do with caster oil)! Alas! We aren't kids and the technology didn't really enter our homes. Will 3D TVs be the center of attraction this year as well?Will we finally see some concrete progress in terms of 3D minus the glasses? Contact lenses, perhaps!
Well that's all the predictions we have for this year's CES. Stay tuned, to all our daily roundups from the world's largest technology show.
Dell unveils Android tablet, smartphone
US computer giant Dell has announced plans to launch a new touchscreen tablet computer and a smartphone powered by Google's Android software.
Dell unveiled the new phone, the Venue, and the tablet, the Streak 7, at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, which draws tens of thousands of buyers and sellers from around the globe to Las Vegas.
Dell launched a smartphone late last year with Microsoft, using the US software giant's Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system, but it opted for Google's free Android platform for the latest device.
Dell said the new Streak 7 tablet has a seven-inch (17.8-centimeter) screen, slightly larger than the display on the first Streak the company released last year.
Dell said the Streak 7 is designed for the faster Internet speeds of US wireless carrier T-Mobile's 4G network.
"With its dual-core processor, seven-inch multi-touch screen and dual cameras, the new Dell Streak 7 tablet takes full advantage of the unrivaled power of T-Mobile's 4G network," said John Thode, vice president of Dell's Mobility Product Group.
The Streak 7, which Dell said will be available in the coming weeks, is one of dozens of touchscreen tablet computers being launched at CES as electronics manufacturers seek to match Apple's success with its iPad.
Dell unveiled the new phone, the Venue, and the tablet, the Streak 7, at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, which draws tens of thousands of buyers and sellers from around the globe to Las Vegas.
Dell launched a smartphone late last year with Microsoft, using the US software giant's Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system, but it opted for Google's free Android platform for the latest device.
Dell said the new Streak 7 tablet has a seven-inch (17.8-centimeter) screen, slightly larger than the display on the first Streak the company released last year.
Dell said the Streak 7 is designed for the faster Internet speeds of US wireless carrier T-Mobile's 4G network.
"With its dual-core processor, seven-inch multi-touch screen and dual cameras, the new Dell Streak 7 tablet takes full advantage of the unrivaled power of T-Mobile's 4G network," said John Thode, vice president of Dell's Mobility Product Group.
The Streak 7, which Dell said will be available in the coming weeks, is one of dozens of touchscreen tablet computers being launched at CES as electronics manufacturers seek to match Apple's success with its iPad.
Cable Channels Over the Internet, on Samsung TVs
Samsung made a strong push for its Internet-connected televisions on Thursday, announcing new deals with several companies to provide content on its televisions, smartphones and tablet computers.
Executives from Time Warner Cable and Comcast joined Boo-Keun Yoon, Samsung s president and general manager of visual displays, on stage during his keynote presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show here, and discussed plans to bring live programming to Samsung s Internet-connected televisions and tablets without the need for a set-top box.
Time Warner Cable said it would allow customers to access its full lineup of live channels on Samsung Internet-connected televisions in 2011. It said it would eventually bring the same access to tablets, though it did not give any specifics on timing. Comcast expanded on plans it announced earlier this week to bring live television viewing to tablets, by allowing it on televisions as well.
We re radically changing the way our customers interact with their televisions, said Brian Roberts, the chief executive of Comcast.
Samsung also announced a partnership with Hulu, the Internet television company, that will bring Hulu s paid service to Samsung s Android smartphones. And Mr. Yoon said Samsung s connected televisions would support video that uses Adobe Flash.
Television manufacturers are increasingly focused on Internet-connected televisions, but media companies have been hesitant at times to allow their content to be viewed in ways other than on traditional cable or broadcast television. Analysts have said that the lack of standard TV content on the Internet would remain a barrier to mainstream adoption until media companies became more comfortable with the idea.
Mr. Yoon also said there was still work to do on the ease of use of Internet televisions. He described Samsung s overall strategy for Internet-connected television as one that extended to the company s smartphones, tablets and even cameras. Through a cloud-based system, he said, consumers will be able to move content from device to device.
But the main focus of this platform, Mr. Yoon said, would remain in the living room.
TV will once again become the dominant and central piece of technology in human life, he said. Smart TV is where everything is converging.
Executives from Time Warner Cable and Comcast joined Boo-Keun Yoon, Samsung s president and general manager of visual displays, on stage during his keynote presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show here, and discussed plans to bring live programming to Samsung s Internet-connected televisions and tablets without the need for a set-top box.
Time Warner Cable said it would allow customers to access its full lineup of live channels on Samsung Internet-connected televisions in 2011. It said it would eventually bring the same access to tablets, though it did not give any specifics on timing. Comcast expanded on plans it announced earlier this week to bring live television viewing to tablets, by allowing it on televisions as well.
We re radically changing the way our customers interact with their televisions, said Brian Roberts, the chief executive of Comcast.
Samsung also announced a partnership with Hulu, the Internet television company, that will bring Hulu s paid service to Samsung s Android smartphones. And Mr. Yoon said Samsung s connected televisions would support video that uses Adobe Flash.
Television manufacturers are increasingly focused on Internet-connected televisions, but media companies have been hesitant at times to allow their content to be viewed in ways other than on traditional cable or broadcast television. Analysts have said that the lack of standard TV content on the Internet would remain a barrier to mainstream adoption until media companies became more comfortable with the idea.
Mr. Yoon also said there was still work to do on the ease of use of Internet televisions. He described Samsung s overall strategy for Internet-connected television as one that extended to the company s smartphones, tablets and even cameras. Through a cloud-based system, he said, consumers will be able to move content from device to device.
But the main focus of this platform, Mr. Yoon said, would remain in the living room.
TV will once again become the dominant and central piece of technology in human life, he said. Smart TV is where everything is converging.
Motorola unveils tablet computer, the Xoom
US telecom maker Motorola Mobility has jumped into the bustling tablet computer market with a touchscreen device powered by "Honeycomb," the latest version of Google's Android software.
Sanjay Jha, the chief executive of Motorola Mobility, also presented three new Android-powered touchscreen smartphones to reporters on the eve of the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
Motorola Mobility's hotly awaited tablet computer, the "Xoom," will be available in the first quarter of the year, Jha said.
With a 10.1-inch (25.6-centimeter) screen, the Xoom is about the same size as Apple's iPad, which hit stores in April and has other leading technology companies around the world scrambling to catch up.
More than 100 firms are expected to unveil tablet computers at CES, which officially opens on Thursday and features more than 2,600 exhibitors of the latest gadgets.
Jha said the Xoom will be the first tablet computer to hit stores featuring Android 3.0, or Honeycomb, an operating system developed with tablets in mind instead of smartphones.
"It's been designed ground up for the tablet, the user interface, the whole interaction," Jha said. "It has multi-tasking capability."
"All of these things, I think, deliver an experience which make Android 3.0 on our tablet probably in my opinion the most competitive product in the marketplace," he said.
Jha pointed out several features on the Xoom that the iPad does not have including front- and rear-facing cameras and the ability to play Adobe Flash video software, which is banned from the Apple device.
He said the first Xooms to hit the market will feature 3G connectivity to the Internet through US carrier Verizon Wireless. A 4G Xoom will come out later in the year and 3G versions can be upgraded to 4G.
Jha also unveiled three new smartphones, the Atrix 4G, available through US telecom giant AT&T in the first quarter of the year, the Cliq 2 and the Droid Bionic.
A laptop dock for the Atrix 4G allows a user to connect the phone to a computer monitor and surf the Web using a full Firefox desktop browser.
The Cliq 2, available through Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile in the United States from January 19, features a slide-out keyboard and was described as a device offering "business-ready features and robust entertainment options."
The Bionic Droid, which will be available in the second quarter of the year, is designed specifically for Verizon's 4G network, which was launched in December and currently covers about one-third of the US population.
It offers mobile Internet speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G and will, for example, allow high-quality streaming of television shows.
Chief executive Jha rolled out the new products here a day after the Illinois-based Motorola split into two companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions.
Motorola Mobility will focus on mobility, the Internet and computing markets while Motorola Solutions will target next-generation communications solutions to government, public safety and enterprise customers.
Sanjay Jha, the chief executive of Motorola Mobility, also presented three new Android-powered touchscreen smartphones to reporters on the eve of the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
Motorola Mobility's hotly awaited tablet computer, the "Xoom," will be available in the first quarter of the year, Jha said.
With a 10.1-inch (25.6-centimeter) screen, the Xoom is about the same size as Apple's iPad, which hit stores in April and has other leading technology companies around the world scrambling to catch up.
More than 100 firms are expected to unveil tablet computers at CES, which officially opens on Thursday and features more than 2,600 exhibitors of the latest gadgets.
Jha said the Xoom will be the first tablet computer to hit stores featuring Android 3.0, or Honeycomb, an operating system developed with tablets in mind instead of smartphones.
"It's been designed ground up for the tablet, the user interface, the whole interaction," Jha said. "It has multi-tasking capability."
"All of these things, I think, deliver an experience which make Android 3.0 on our tablet probably in my opinion the most competitive product in the marketplace," he said.
Jha pointed out several features on the Xoom that the iPad does not have including front- and rear-facing cameras and the ability to play Adobe Flash video software, which is banned from the Apple device.
He said the first Xooms to hit the market will feature 3G connectivity to the Internet through US carrier Verizon Wireless. A 4G Xoom will come out later in the year and 3G versions can be upgraded to 4G.
Jha also unveiled three new smartphones, the Atrix 4G, available through US telecom giant AT&T in the first quarter of the year, the Cliq 2 and the Droid Bionic.
A laptop dock for the Atrix 4G allows a user to connect the phone to a computer monitor and surf the Web using a full Firefox desktop browser.
The Cliq 2, available through Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile in the United States from January 19, features a slide-out keyboard and was described as a device offering "business-ready features and robust entertainment options."
The Bionic Droid, which will be available in the second quarter of the year, is designed specifically for Verizon's 4G network, which was launched in December and currently covers about one-third of the US population.
It offers mobile Internet speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G and will, for example, allow high-quality streaming of television shows.
Chief executive Jha rolled out the new products here a day after the Illinois-based Motorola split into two companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions.
Motorola Mobility will focus on mobility, the Internet and computing markets while Motorola Solutions will target next-generation communications solutions to government, public safety and enterprise customers.
Sony stays loyal to 3D at CES gadget fest
Japanese electronics titan Sony is raising its bet that the future of home entertainment is 3D, as it unveils home video and photo gear in the format.
Internet connectivity, 3D, and content streamed online were main themes as Sony showed off its latest TVs, cameras, and more during a press event on the eve of the opening of the Consumer Electronics (CES) show Thursday in Las Vegas.
"Sony has the knowledge, vision, assets and conviction to redefine television," said Sony chief executive Sir Howard Stringer.
"We are shaking up the television landscape and we will win."
Sony expanded its Bravia TV line-up with an array of new 3D models and internet-connected models.
Stringer said that Sony Entertainment film studio was pitching in major 3D films such as "The Green Hornet" slated to hit theaters this month and upcoming sequels to "Spider-Man" and "Men In Black."
Sony also has a Qriocity -- pronounced "curiosity" - service that streams hit films on-demand to Internet-linked Bravia TVs.
A Qriocity-powered Music Unlimited service that hosts songs in the Internet "cloud" launched in Britain and Ireland in December and will expand to the United States, Canada and Europe by the end of March, according to Sony.
The Japanese giant intends to capitalize on its diversity and size by delivering films and music across a host of Internet-linked devices including Blu-Ray disc players, PlayStation 3 video game consoles, Bravia televisions, and Vaio personal computers.
Sony devoted a section of its display area at CES to its Google TVs that use the California Internet star's technology to merge the Internet and traditional broadcasting.
Sony also unveiled new Xperia smartphones based on the latest Android mobile operating system backed by Google.
Nearly 180 million people watch Internet television each month and more than 65 million Internet-enabled sets will ship this year, according to industry forecasts and statistics cited by Sony.
"The next big transformation is on us; the marriage between television sets and the Internet," Stringer said. "It is clear that consumers are ready for it."
Sony will add more 3D movies, video, games, and a 3Net 3D television channel to "further cement" its position in the market, according to Stringer.
The company introduced digital and still cameras for people to "personalize" the 3D experience by making their own pictures or videos in the format.
Sony also provided glimpses at prototypes of future products including "Headman" 3D headsets that can be worn like wrap-around eyeglasses but provide a theater style viewing experience.
The company is also working on a Blu-ray player that lets viewers see 3D films without the need for special glasses.
"We are showing these prototypes to provide you a glimpse into the future," said Sony executive deputy president Hiroshi Yoshioka.
"We want you to know they are on the Sony radar," he continued. "Sony is fully committed to bringing a 3D experience from every angle."
3D television sets were a major theme at last year's CES, but they haven't proven to be hot sellers.
Analysts contend that people haven't been motivated to buy 3D TVs due to a dearth of content for such sets and the need to buy and keep track of special glasses for viewing.
Internet connectivity, 3D, and content streamed online were main themes as Sony showed off its latest TVs, cameras, and more during a press event on the eve of the opening of the Consumer Electronics (CES) show Thursday in Las Vegas.
"Sony has the knowledge, vision, assets and conviction to redefine television," said Sony chief executive Sir Howard Stringer.
"We are shaking up the television landscape and we will win."
Sony expanded its Bravia TV line-up with an array of new 3D models and internet-connected models.
Stringer said that Sony Entertainment film studio was pitching in major 3D films such as "The Green Hornet" slated to hit theaters this month and upcoming sequels to "Spider-Man" and "Men In Black."
Sony also has a Qriocity -- pronounced "curiosity" - service that streams hit films on-demand to Internet-linked Bravia TVs.
A Qriocity-powered Music Unlimited service that hosts songs in the Internet "cloud" launched in Britain and Ireland in December and will expand to the United States, Canada and Europe by the end of March, according to Sony.
The Japanese giant intends to capitalize on its diversity and size by delivering films and music across a host of Internet-linked devices including Blu-Ray disc players, PlayStation 3 video game consoles, Bravia televisions, and Vaio personal computers.
Sony devoted a section of its display area at CES to its Google TVs that use the California Internet star's technology to merge the Internet and traditional broadcasting.
Sony also unveiled new Xperia smartphones based on the latest Android mobile operating system backed by Google.
Nearly 180 million people watch Internet television each month and more than 65 million Internet-enabled sets will ship this year, according to industry forecasts and statistics cited by Sony.
"The next big transformation is on us; the marriage between television sets and the Internet," Stringer said. "It is clear that consumers are ready for it."
Sony will add more 3D movies, video, games, and a 3Net 3D television channel to "further cement" its position in the market, according to Stringer.
The company introduced digital and still cameras for people to "personalize" the 3D experience by making their own pictures or videos in the format.
Sony also provided glimpses at prototypes of future products including "Headman" 3D headsets that can be worn like wrap-around eyeglasses but provide a theater style viewing experience.
The company is also working on a Blu-ray player that lets viewers see 3D films without the need for special glasses.
"We are showing these prototypes to provide you a glimpse into the future," said Sony executive deputy president Hiroshi Yoshioka.
"We want you to know they are on the Sony radar," he continued. "Sony is fully committed to bringing a 3D experience from every angle."
3D television sets were a major theme at last year's CES, but they haven't proven to be hot sellers.
Analysts contend that people haven't been motivated to buy 3D TVs due to a dearth of content for such sets and the need to buy and keep track of special glasses for viewing.
Greenpeace ranks 'greenest' electronics
Environmental group Greenpeace handed out grades Thursday to what it said were the world's "greenest" consumer electronics makers, as the annual gadget industry trade show opened here on Thursday.
Greenpeace released an update to its "Green Electronics Survey" at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which brings together the world's leading manufacturers of computers, mobile phones, televisions and other devices.
The Greenpeace product survey evaluated the "greenest" desktop computers, notebook computers, netbook computers, computer monitors, mobile phones, smartphones and televisions available in the first quarter of 2011.
"Our survey shows that electronics manufacturers have made demonstrable progress over the past few years by producing products that are free of the worst toxic chemicals, more energy efficient and more easily taken back for reuse or recycling," said Renee Blanchard, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner.
"Major brands are responding to consumer demand for greener gadgets, and we expect them to continue to innovate and make all their products, and not just a niche few, with these higher green standards," Blanchard said in a statement.
"The next challenge for the industry is to design green products that last longer and can be repaired rather than replaced every few years," Blanchard said.
Greenpeace said 21 leading electronics companies were invited to take part in the survey. Most agreed but Apple and Philips were among the companies which declined to participate, the environmental group said.
Greenpeace ranked the products according to various criteria including energy efficiency, product lifespan and energy used in production.
The VW-247H-HF computer monitor made by Asus scored the highest with 7.5 points on a 10 point scale and the Taiwan-based company had another winner in the notebook computer category with its Asus UL30A.
The TM8172 from Taiwan's Acer was the top-ranked netbook computer and the HP Compaq 6005 Pro was the leading desktop computer.
The LC-52SE1 from Japan's Sharp was the leader in the television category.
The Sony Ericcson Aspen rang up the highest score in the smartphone ranks and Samsung's GT-S75550 came out on top in the mobile phone space.
Other companies submitting products included Dell, Fujitsu, HCL, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Research In Motion, Toshiba and Wipro.
Greenpeace released an update to its "Green Electronics Survey" at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which brings together the world's leading manufacturers of computers, mobile phones, televisions and other devices.
The Greenpeace product survey evaluated the "greenest" desktop computers, notebook computers, netbook computers, computer monitors, mobile phones, smartphones and televisions available in the first quarter of 2011.
"Our survey shows that electronics manufacturers have made demonstrable progress over the past few years by producing products that are free of the worst toxic chemicals, more energy efficient and more easily taken back for reuse or recycling," said Renee Blanchard, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner.
"Major brands are responding to consumer demand for greener gadgets, and we expect them to continue to innovate and make all their products, and not just a niche few, with these higher green standards," Blanchard said in a statement.
"The next challenge for the industry is to design green products that last longer and can be repaired rather than replaced every few years," Blanchard said.
Greenpeace said 21 leading electronics companies were invited to take part in the survey. Most agreed but Apple and Philips were among the companies which declined to participate, the environmental group said.
Greenpeace ranked the products according to various criteria including energy efficiency, product lifespan and energy used in production.
The VW-247H-HF computer monitor made by Asus scored the highest with 7.5 points on a 10 point scale and the Taiwan-based company had another winner in the notebook computer category with its Asus UL30A.
The TM8172 from Taiwan's Acer was the top-ranked netbook computer and the HP Compaq 6005 Pro was the leading desktop computer.
The LC-52SE1 from Japan's Sharp was the leader in the television category.
The Sony Ericcson Aspen rang up the highest score in the smartphone ranks and Samsung's GT-S75550 came out on top in the mobile phone space.
Other companies submitting products included Dell, Fujitsu, HCL, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Research In Motion, Toshiba and Wipro.
Microsoft's answer to the iPad is still in pieces
Instead of unveiling an elegant response to the iPad, Microsoft came to the tech industry's premier gadget show with a collection of exposed computer guts.
Microsoft's biggest news was that the next version of Windows would run on the style of cell phone chips that power the iPad and other tablets today. It proved it with a series of demonstrations on half-built computers; on the monitors hooked up to those machines, the software was indistinguishable from the current Windows 7.
Microsoft's missing tablet served as a reminder that the world's largest software maker remains years from a serious entry into this new category of devices. It also raised more doubts about whether Microsoft Corp. will ever be able to grab a meaningful piece of this fast-growing segment. If it can't, Microsoft Corp.'s dominance of personal computers may become increasingly irrelevant as people embrace ever-sleeker portable devices.
CEO Steve Ballmer mostly lingered on what went right last year when he gave the company's customary keynote on the eve of the International Consumer Electronics Show on Wednesday. He had his share to boast about. Xbox 360 and the Kinect motion-sensing controller that's racked up more than $1 billion in sales in just two months, a ground-up overhaul of the Windows smart-phone software and rapid adoption of Windows 7 on PCs are all legitimate successes.
Still, it's hard for anyone to applaud Microsoft without noting the threats posed by the growing popularity of Apple Inc.'s iPad. It's also hard to see Windows as a tablet contender amid an onslaught of new tablets running Google Inc.'s Android software, which has already helped turn mobile phones into mini-computers.
Those concerns have been weighing on Microsoft stock, which has hovered around the $20 to $30 range for the past decade. Apple, on the other hand, has seen its share price more than triple since the first iPhone was announced in early 2007. Last year, Apple's market capitalization surpassed Microsoft's, making Apple the second-largest U.S. public company after Exxon Mobil Corp.
Microsoft has not been absent from the tablet discussion Windows tablets have been around for years, but the devices never caught on with the mainstream. At last year's gadget show, Ballmer demonstrated a sleek "slate" from Hewlett-Packard Co. that runs Windows 7, and today there are several iPad-esque tablets that use Microsoft's operating system.
But those gadgets have none of the iPad's cachet, and Microsoft has done little to market them. And it's the upcoming Honeycomb version of Android, Google's first to be designed specifically for tablets, that is seen as the best shot to challenge Apple.
Many analysts and design experts say Windows 7 is doomed to fail as a tablet system because it was created with the keyboard and mouse in mind. At best, said technology industry analyst Rob Enderle, Windows 7 tablets are a stopgap measure while Microsoft pushes ahead on what will likely be called Windows 8.
Microsoft declined to make Ballmer available for an interview Thursday. Given the rudimentary proof-of-concept work Microsoft demonstrated Wednesday, and the difficulty of the task of building a multi-platform operating system, analysts don't expect a new Windows to arrive for at least another two years. Microsoft moved late in part because it didn't take tablets seriously.
"Remember, we just had the netbook scare," Enderle said in an interview. Netbooks, a class of cheap, under-powered laptops that at first ran versions of the free, open-source Linux operating system, were heralded as the end to Windows' domination. But Windows soon edged out Linux on netbooks; shortly thereafter, consumers realized the devices weren't good for such tasks as watching online video. The phase passed so quickly that when the industry moved on to tablets, Microsoft expected to see the same progression, Enderle said.
The factor Microsoft apparently failed to take into consideration was Apple, which scoffed at netbooks but took the tablet very seriously. When the iPad launched, Apple's design and marketing savvy tipped tablets into the mainstream.
"Now, they recognize that they've got a problem," Enderle said.
In the near term, worrying about Microsoft crumbling at Apple's feet seems overblown despite its stagnant stock. After all, the software maker has for years handily fended off challenges to its cash cows, Windows and Office, from the likes of Google and Apple.
The company, with more than $40 billion in cash on its balance sheet, can afford to slog from behind in areas such as search and smart phones. Its earnings rose 29 percent and revenue grew 7 percent in its last fiscal year that ended in June, while most other companies were foundering in the global recession.
Microsoft's dividends are generous and steady. Ballmer frequently draws criticism from the media but wins high praise from analysts and large shareholders for delivering quarter after quarter of strong results that just about any other CEO would envy.
But some analysts fear that missing the tablet boat might make a lethal crack in Microsoft's complete dominance in the PC market.
Wells Fargo Securities analyst Jason Maynard said he worries that even though Microsoft still generates the bulk of its wealth from corporate spending on technology, consumers are starting to have more sway in deciding the kinds of devices that make it into the workplace.
This trend, Maynard said, could become the "Trojan horse" that Apple needs to increase Mac sales to businesses, or that Google needs to chip away at Microsoft's hold on e-mail and desktop software.
When Microsoft changes direction, it must weigh the affect its moves will have on more than a billion Windows PC users. Roger Kay, founder of the research group Endpoint Technologies Associates, said this hobbled Microsoft's tablet planning. It can't afford to repeat the pattern when the next hot device trend lands.
"It's clear Microsoft has to become more nimble," Kay said. "It may be able to recover from this tablet debacle, but this won't do for business as usual."
Microsoft's biggest news was that the next version of Windows would run on the style of cell phone chips that power the iPad and other tablets today. It proved it with a series of demonstrations on half-built computers; on the monitors hooked up to those machines, the software was indistinguishable from the current Windows 7.
Microsoft's missing tablet served as a reminder that the world's largest software maker remains years from a serious entry into this new category of devices. It also raised more doubts about whether Microsoft Corp. will ever be able to grab a meaningful piece of this fast-growing segment. If it can't, Microsoft Corp.'s dominance of personal computers may become increasingly irrelevant as people embrace ever-sleeker portable devices.
CEO Steve Ballmer mostly lingered on what went right last year when he gave the company's customary keynote on the eve of the International Consumer Electronics Show on Wednesday. He had his share to boast about. Xbox 360 and the Kinect motion-sensing controller that's racked up more than $1 billion in sales in just two months, a ground-up overhaul of the Windows smart-phone software and rapid adoption of Windows 7 on PCs are all legitimate successes.
Still, it's hard for anyone to applaud Microsoft without noting the threats posed by the growing popularity of Apple Inc.'s iPad. It's also hard to see Windows as a tablet contender amid an onslaught of new tablets running Google Inc.'s Android software, which has already helped turn mobile phones into mini-computers.
Those concerns have been weighing on Microsoft stock, which has hovered around the $20 to $30 range for the past decade. Apple, on the other hand, has seen its share price more than triple since the first iPhone was announced in early 2007. Last year, Apple's market capitalization surpassed Microsoft's, making Apple the second-largest U.S. public company after Exxon Mobil Corp.
Microsoft has not been absent from the tablet discussion Windows tablets have been around for years, but the devices never caught on with the mainstream. At last year's gadget show, Ballmer demonstrated a sleek "slate" from Hewlett-Packard Co. that runs Windows 7, and today there are several iPad-esque tablets that use Microsoft's operating system.
But those gadgets have none of the iPad's cachet, and Microsoft has done little to market them. And it's the upcoming Honeycomb version of Android, Google's first to be designed specifically for tablets, that is seen as the best shot to challenge Apple.
Many analysts and design experts say Windows 7 is doomed to fail as a tablet system because it was created with the keyboard and mouse in mind. At best, said technology industry analyst Rob Enderle, Windows 7 tablets are a stopgap measure while Microsoft pushes ahead on what will likely be called Windows 8.
Microsoft declined to make Ballmer available for an interview Thursday. Given the rudimentary proof-of-concept work Microsoft demonstrated Wednesday, and the difficulty of the task of building a multi-platform operating system, analysts don't expect a new Windows to arrive for at least another two years. Microsoft moved late in part because it didn't take tablets seriously.
"Remember, we just had the netbook scare," Enderle said in an interview. Netbooks, a class of cheap, under-powered laptops that at first ran versions of the free, open-source Linux operating system, were heralded as the end to Windows' domination. But Windows soon edged out Linux on netbooks; shortly thereafter, consumers realized the devices weren't good for such tasks as watching online video. The phase passed so quickly that when the industry moved on to tablets, Microsoft expected to see the same progression, Enderle said.
The factor Microsoft apparently failed to take into consideration was Apple, which scoffed at netbooks but took the tablet very seriously. When the iPad launched, Apple's design and marketing savvy tipped tablets into the mainstream.
"Now, they recognize that they've got a problem," Enderle said.
In the near term, worrying about Microsoft crumbling at Apple's feet seems overblown despite its stagnant stock. After all, the software maker has for years handily fended off challenges to its cash cows, Windows and Office, from the likes of Google and Apple.
The company, with more than $40 billion in cash on its balance sheet, can afford to slog from behind in areas such as search and smart phones. Its earnings rose 29 percent and revenue grew 7 percent in its last fiscal year that ended in June, while most other companies were foundering in the global recession.
Microsoft's dividends are generous and steady. Ballmer frequently draws criticism from the media but wins high praise from analysts and large shareholders for delivering quarter after quarter of strong results that just about any other CEO would envy.
But some analysts fear that missing the tablet boat might make a lethal crack in Microsoft's complete dominance in the PC market.
Wells Fargo Securities analyst Jason Maynard said he worries that even though Microsoft still generates the bulk of its wealth from corporate spending on technology, consumers are starting to have more sway in deciding the kinds of devices that make it into the workplace.
This trend, Maynard said, could become the "Trojan horse" that Apple needs to increase Mac sales to businesses, or that Google needs to chip away at Microsoft's hold on e-mail and desktop software.
When Microsoft changes direction, it must weigh the affect its moves will have on more than a billion Windows PC users. Roger Kay, founder of the research group Endpoint Technologies Associates, said this hobbled Microsoft's tablet planning. It can't afford to repeat the pattern when the next hot device trend lands.
"It's clear Microsoft has to become more nimble," Kay said. "It may be able to recover from this tablet debacle, but this won't do for business as usual."
There’s too many stuff to mention, so that’ why All We Like brings you ten of the gadgets and technologies that the industry players have promised (or hinted) to be present this January.
1. Philips uWand 3D Pointer
The Philips uWand 3D pointer aims to eliminate all those button clutter on your home entertainment system with its 3D gesture-control technology.
2. Xpand Universal 3D Glasses and Monster Cable 3D Glasses
With 3D HDTV all the rage, Xpand and Monster Cable have come out with a universal 3D shutter glass that promises to work with almost all of the 3D-capable TVs on the market today.
3. Bracketron MobileDock Dashboard Suction Mount
If you’re searching for a way to make your smartphone or any hand-held device a dashboard centerpiece without the hassle, then the Bracketron MobileDock Dashboard Suction Mount is what you need.
4. Winegard Cio Mobile Digital TV
Looking for a portable TV? Then the Winegard Cio Mobile Digital TV is for you! This portable, multi-standard media player comes with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, and supports iPod, CD, DVD, MP3, SD, and other card media formats.
5. Mashed Pixel Surc
When a universal remote control is not enough, why not give the Mashed Pixel Surc a hand? It is a case that turns your smartphone into a universal and highly customizable remote control.
6. Jade Live Broadcaster
The Jade Live Broadcaster is a Wi-Fi enabled, live broadcasting camera that can send HD and standard definition streams in a wide range of resolution. Now, you can have your own live streaming Internet Webcast.
7. Kanex XD
If you’re still indecisive on whether to get an iMac or a 720p HDTV, then the Kanex XD might be what you need. It can turn your iMac to a high-definition screen, and enables you to plug-in your Blu-ray or DVD player, PS3, Xbox 360, or digital set-top box.
8. Universal Wireless ElectroHub
If you want to charge your devices without the cords, wires and special cases, then the ElectroHub is just the right stuff for you.
9. ViewSonic Glasses-Free 3D Photo Frame
The year 2011 is definitely for glasses-free 3D display. Taking the lead is ViewSonic’s glasses-free 3D photo frame. It promises to display images in perfect 3D without the glasses.
10. PocketBook Mirasol E-reader
PocketBook promised to showcase an e-reader that features a Qualcomm Mirasol full-color display that is based on reflective technology.
Tablets at CES 2011: Honeycomb, Windows 7, and all the rest
By Joanna Stern 
posted Jan 8th 2011 5:00PM
posted Jan 8th 2011 5:00PM
You'll also note that we've denoted our favorites in bold, so pay closer attention to those and make sure to click through to hear why they've impressed us so much. Enjoy!
| TABLET | PLATFORM | SIZE | NOTES | AVAIL./$ | |
 | Acer Iconia Tab A500 | Android 3.0 | 10-inch | Tegra 2, Verizon LTE, dual cameras | April |
 | Acer Iconia Windows 7 tablet | 10.1-inch | AMD Fusion APU, keyboard dock | $550 | |
 | Aluratek Cinepad | Android 2.2 | 10-inch | Borders application pre-loaded | February / $300 |
 | AOC Breeze | Android 2.1 | 8-inch | Rockchip processor, 1.1 pounds | January / $200 |
 | ASUS Eee Pad MeMo | Android 3.0 | 7-inch | Dual-core Qualcomm processor, includes a capacitive stylus | June / $499 |
 | ASUS Eee Pad Transformer | Android 3.0 | 10-inch | Tegra 2, IPS display, keyboard dock included | April / $400 - $700 |
 | Asus EEE Slate EP121 | Windows 7 | 12-inch | Intel Core i5, IPS display, wacom digitizer | January / $1000 |
 | ASUS EeePad Slider | Android 3.0 | 10-inch | Tegra 2, IPS display, slide out keyboard | May / $500 - $800 |
 | BlackBerry PlayBook | QNX | 7-inch | Very attractive UI, dual-core 1GHz ARM A9 CPU | Q1 (Sprint 4G Summer) |
 | Dell Streak 10 | Android | 10-inch | --- | --- |
 | Dell Streak 7 | Android 2.2 | 7-inch | Tegra 2, T-Mobile 4G, Dell Stage UI | January |
 | eFun Nextbook Next4 and Next6 | Android 2.2 | 7-inch & 10-inch | 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, Borders Books apps | Q1 / $350, $300 |
 | Fujitsu Windows 7 tablet | Windows 7 | N/A | Intel Oak Trail Atom Z670, removable battery | Q2 2011 |
 | Kno (single and dual-screen) | Linux | 14-inch | Dual screens, meant for students, includes stylus | Invite only now / $599, $899 |
 | Lenovo LePad | Android 2.2 | 10-inch | 1.3GHz Snapdragon, Lenovo UI, U1 dock available separately | Q2 for US market |
 | Lenovo Windows 7 Slate | Windows 7 | 10-inch | Intel Oak Trail, active digitizer with stylus | --- |
 | Motion Computing CL900 | Windows 7 | 10-inch | Oak Trail processor, Gorilla Glass, active digitizer with stylus | Q2 2011, less than $1,000 |
 | Motorola Xoom | Android 3.0 | 10-inch | Tegra 2, LTE, dual cameras (rear shoots 720p) | Q1 / 4G in Q2 |
 | MSI WindPad 100A | Android 2.2 | 10-inch | ARM Cortex A8, 1GB of RAM | --- |
 | MSI WindPad 100W | Windows 7 | 10-inch | 1.66GHz Atom Z530 CPU, 32GB SSD, 2GB RAM | Q1 / $499 |
 | NEC Cloud communicator LT-W | Android 2.1 | 7-inch | Two 7-inch resistive touchscreens, stylus included | --- |
 | Netbook Navigator Nav 7, Nav 9, Nav 10 | Windows 7 | 7-inch, 9-inch & 10-inch | Intel Atom processors, touchpad on backside | Q1 / $599 for the NAV9 and $699 for NAV7 & NAV10i |
 | Notion Ink Adam | Android 2.3 | 10-inch | Tegra 2, Pixel Qi display, Eden UI | Janurary / Starting at $449 |
 | OpenPeak OpenTablet 10 | Android | 10-inch | Transflective screen, Gorilla Glass, dual cameras | --- |
 | Panasonic Viera Tablet | Android | 4-inch, 7-inch, 10-inch | Viera Connect, not much else revealed | --- |
 | Pandigital Multimedia Novel | Android 2.1 | 9-inch | No Android Market, OS not upgradeable | $214 |
 | Razer Switchblade | Windows 7 | 7-inch | Oak Trail processor, all about gaming | --- |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab WiFi version | Android 2.2 | 7-inch | Hummingbird processor, Gorilla Glass display, dual cameras | Q1 2011 |
 | Samsung Sliding PC 7 | Windows 7 | 10-inch | Intel Oak Trail processor, slide out keyboard, Samsung Touch Launcher UI | May / $699 |
 | T-Mobile G-Slate | Android 3.0 | 10-inch | T-Mobile 4G, made by LG | --- |
 | Toshiba unnamed Tablet | Android 3.0 | 10-inch | Tegra 2, dual cameras, removable battery | Q2 |
 | Velocity Micro Cruz tablets | Android 2.2 or 2.3 | 7-inch, 8-inch & 10-inch | Tegra 2, dual cameras | --- |
 | Viliv X10 | Android 2.3 | 10.2-inch | ARM Cortex A8, over 10 hours of battery life promised | --- |
 | Viliv X7 | Android 2.3 | 7-inch | ARM Cortex A8, SIM card slot | March |
 | Viliv X70 | Windows 7 | 7-inch | Intel Oak Trail processor, optical trackpad, split software keyboard | April |
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