[Updated: 01.06.10 @ 3:20 pm Pacific]
I’m jealous of all of those who are able to brave the madness of gadget-hungry attendees of CES 2010 (the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show). I was able to secure a blogger press pass at the end of last year, but unfortunately due to changes in my schedule, I was unable to attend this year. Perhaps in 2011 I will attend (fingers crossed). However, just because I’m not at the show doesn’t mean that I can’t cover it. I have been receiving a steady stream of product briefs, press releases and correspondences from various vendors who are exhibiting at the show. I have spent time weeding through all of the emails and trying to determine what trends are popping up.
My plan on covering the show is pretty simple, I will produce a page for each day of the show (to the best of my ability) highlighting announcements or products that particularly grabbed my attention. The page will be continually refreshed over the course of the day as things are announced.
My Initial Thoughts
So, after digging through my various emails and having listen to and read other coverage, here are things that I think will be hot for CES:
- Next Generation Netbooks – we will be witnessing a surge of new types of netbooks being released with faster processors, better displays, new innovations. Watch for announcements from HP, Asus, MSI, Toshiba and Lenovo. I think the price points of new generation netbooks will stay within the $300-$400 range with dual-screen, touch screen and other innovations.
- eBook Readers Abound – I think that there will be several new eBook readers released at the show. The problem here is that for any of these to succeed, there needs to be a solid store behind it.
- 3D HDTV – while I believe that most of the announcements will be full of a wow-factor, I am not sure that the consumer marketplace is really ready for this technology. Having to put a pair of glasses on, sit in an upright position and sit directly in front of your TV is only for a select few consumers. Building the functionality into TVs and BluRay players will be critical though to set the groundwork.
- Wireless – this will be the buzz-word de jour but will encompass many different things: HD video & audio connectors and streaming, components (power, connected peripherals, networking), telephony (connecting various services like VoIP, cellular, social media).
- Home Entertainment & Digital Experience – new HDTVs, audio components, BluRay players and gadgets to allow you to have higher-end, yet less expensive multi-media environments within your home.
- Accessories Galore – I expect to see a lot of accessories coming out, many of which we already have (e.g., iPhone or MP3 player docked speakers), but with new innovative features.
- Tablets – many manufacturers will announce a variety of table/touchscreen based PCs in an effort to downplay Apple’s supposed tablet announcement at the end of January.
- Pico Projectors – these will be HOT this year. I have already reviewed one and am in the process of reviewing another.
Announcements That Got My Attention
Below are some products that got my attention during day one. This list will be updated (new items are at the top):
- new Gunnar Optiks 3D Glasses – I have reviewed Gunnars in the past. It only makes sense that they ride the 3D-TV wave by announcing stylish glasses to go with your 3D-HDTVs. Note, I don’t believe the glasses below are the 3D version, just the style might be ported. The cool thing will be the ability to get them with prescriptions! Price: $90-150
- new Samsung Camcorders – it looks like Samsung did a full refresh of their HD and standard def camcorders. HD ones now sport a backside-illuminated CMOS sensor for better low light filming.
- new Powermat Swappable battery – I did a review of the Powermat a while ago as a wireless charging solution. They have upped their lineup to now work with batteries that replace your existing device’s battery. Will support HTC, Blackberry, Nokia, LC, Samsung, Motorola and Sony Ericsson phones. Price: $40
- Skype Video Calling on TVs – the TV is rapidly becoming the convergent devices with Internet connectivity, media streaming and now Skype’s video calling service. More info.
- 3M MPro150 Pico Projector – this is 3M’s 2nd generation pico projector (I’m on the list supposedly to review one). VGA quality with 1GB internal storage (a must IMHO). Still 15 lumens (not much). Price: $395
- Toshiba BDX3000 Blu-Ray Player – and now it has started, this Blu-Ray is 3D ready. Nice to see all of the online streaming partners available (Netflix, Pandora, etc.). Just need a Toshiba 3D TV to go with it. Price: over $250
- AT&T Android Devices – looks like AT&T will finally add some Android-love to their lineup with devices from Dell (Mini 3), HTC, and Motorola (MOTOBLUR) which should be available in the 1st half of 2010.
- Netgear DUAL WAN Integrated DSL Modem (DGN2200M) – seems to be a cool device that brings all sorts of connectivity into one (DSL modem, Wireless-N router, 3G/4G/WiMax Mobile Broadband for failover. Price: $170 (link)
- HP/Microsoft "Slate" Computer – no real details yet on this, other than Microsoft Steve Ballmer will show off this new device during his keynote. This is Microsoft’s effort to trump the up-coming Apple announcement. Details here.
- Lenovo U1 Hybrid Notebook – 2 PCs in one device w/ dedicated processor and OS for each. Removable multi-touch screen. Priced at under $1000.
- D-Link Boxee Box – delivers movies, TV, music, photos and more via an internet-connected multi-media gadget that connects to you TV. Priced around $200.
- HP TouchSmart tm2 – with a swivel touchscreen and beefed up internals, this looks like a nice tablet-like notebook could be quite interesting. Priced around $1000.
- More to come!
Stay tuned. I will update this post over the day as best I can.
HTD says: Well, I couldn’t be at CES but covering it via the real-time web it pretty cool
