CES made all the tech headlines this week. Here are some of the highlights:
- This was the year of the tablet at CES, with many companies presenting tablets that they hope will compete favorably against the iPad. Sharp showed off its Galapagos tablet which will arrive mid year with services from major media and content providers. RIM showed a new 4G version of its PlayBook tablet designed to work with Blackberry smartphones. Dell’s Duo utilizes the old convertible tablet design with an attached keyboard that allows the tablet to double as a notebook. Vizio, which made its name selling televisions, showed an 8″ tablet with HD that connects with a Vizio TV. Forrester Research predicts that 2011 will be the year of the tablet, with new Android tablets, and a 2nd generation iPad pushing tablet sales to new heights.
A sea of tablets at CES, but no iPad-killer [Reuters]
Sharp’s Galapagos tablet U.S.-bound later in 2011 [Reuters]
RIM announces 4G PlayBook tablet [Reuters]
Dell’s Duo Has Two Faces: Netbook, Touchscreen Tablet [NewsFactor]
Already Tops on TVs, Vizio Eyes Tablets [NYTimes]
Tablet Sales to Spike in 2011, Forrester Says [NYTimes] - Motorola showed a new smartphone that docks with a keyboard and display to transform into a notebook computer. It’s called the Atrix 4 and will run on AT&T’s 4G LTE network.
AT&T LTE Smartphone Can Dock To Become a Laptop [NewsFactor]
Motorola gadget to make smartphones like computers [Reuters] - Panasonic showed off its Internet-connected Viera Hi-def television, that is controlled by, you guessed it, a Viera tablet PC. The two can be used together or separately.
A Tablet for Panasonic’s Television [NYTimes]
Panasonic readies “smart” TV, tablet thrust [Reuters] - Samsung announced deals its made with Time Warner Cable and Comcast to provide content to its Internet connected televisions, smartphones, and of course, tablet computers.
Cable Channels Over the Internet, on Samsung TVs [NYTimes] - Comcast is rolling out an iPad app that will allow users to stream live TV just as they would on their TVs at home. The software is expected to expand to other platforms and devices.
Comcast rolls out video app for iPad; eyes live TV [Reuters] - AT&T is preparing to lose its exclusive Apple iPhone contract by adding 20 hot smartphones to its lineup. Ralph de la Vega, the chief executive of AT&T mobility, says that the company will be adding a dozen Android phones to its line up in 2011.
AT&T Readies Its Post-iPhone Strategy [NYTimes]
AT&T plans 20 new phones, major Android push [Reuters] - Toshiba is the first to bring glasses-less 3D television to the market, showing prototype 56 inch and 65 inch models at CES. Smaller-size sets are currently being sold in Japan, with bigger-size price tags.
Toshiba Will Offer No-Glasses 3-D TVs with Large Screens [NewsFactor] - Sony announced that it will be providing new programming for an all-3D television network due out in April.
Sony Puts Its Weight Behind 3-D TV [NYTimes] - Samsung is bringing a new line of cheaper 3D TVs to the market in hopes of jump-starting the move to 3D.
Samsung, LG place 3D bets with cheaper TVs [Reuters] - TomTom showed a new line of GPS devices that provide up to the minute traffic information to assist drivers in avoiding traffic jams.
Live Traffic Comes to TomTom [NYTimes] - Sears was at CES showing Internet-connected smart Kenmore appliances. Log on to your stove from the office, and check on a cooking roast. Begin thawing a chicken on your way home from the gym. Have your smartphone notify you if the fridge door is left ajar. One concern regards security. What might a hacker do to your smart appliances? Turn off your fridge? Set your oven to explode?
It’s a Smart Kitchen [NYTimes] - Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer was on hand to talk about new applications for the Kinect. More the 8 million Xbox Kinect motion-sensing systems were sold in its first 60 days. Besides controlling XBox games with body movements, the Kinect will soon allow users to control their media center with voice and motion. The Kinect will also be able to mirror facial expression on on screen avatars allowing for more realistic online interactions. Microsoft also demoed the 2nd generation Surface interface proving that “Microsoft knows how to do touch interfaces.” Ballmer also touted Microsoft’s new partnership with ARM processors, which will allow Windows to be ported to many more mobile devices.
Microsoft Touts Windows ‘Everywhere,’ Hot Kinect Sales [newsFactor]
Microsoft Plans Living Room Takeover With Kinect [NYTimes]
Microsoft links up with ARM in new tablet drive [Reuters]