Best of the CES 2010 pt 1

[ part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 ]

3D TV

“To 3D TV or not to 3D TV” that is the burning question at CES 2010. The overwhelming theme or movement at CES 2010 was 3D TVs.

Basically, if you do not presently own a 3D TV, someone from Samsung, LG, Sharp, Panasonic, Sony or Toshiba will sneak into your home and switch out your old set with a new 3D TV. I mean there is going to be a full-court press by all the major TV manufacturers and big retail chains to really make good on their promise to deliver on the elusive 3D viewing experience.

What I was most impressed at was not the fact that we will get 3D TVs that can show a Blu-Ray 3D Avatar DVD, but rather we will get 3D TV’s like Samsung’s 3D LED 8000 TV that will actually convert 2D channels or 2D content into 3D format. The 2D to 3D video footage is not as great as true 3D produced content. But there was a distinguishable expanded depth and 3D look to what I was watching. And I can only assume that at CES 2011 and beyond the 2D to 3D conversion technology will be even better.

Also, the 3D glasses I used at many of the top brands were sleek and comfortable. Consumers will probably not want to watch every TV show wearing glasses, but they will want to watch 3D films, 3D sporting events, 3D concerts, 3D travel shows and 3D channels. So wearing 3D glasses might seem a hassle to some skeptics, but it will easily become the norm as 3D TV programs and 3D DVDs become more readily available in the years to come.

The 3D experience is just around the corner for most of our household devices. And just in case you still don't believe me, check out the following facts about market penetration forecast of 3D technology.

Fun facts about 3D technology (source DisplaySearch):

• Shipments of television sets that are 3D-ready will escalate dramatically, from 1.2 million units this year to 64 million in 2018, according to new figures released by DisplaySearch.
• 3D-ready monitors will grow from 40K units (0.02% penetration) in 2009 to 10 million (3.6% penetration) in 2018.
• 3D notebook PCs are forecast to grow from 66K units (0.04% penetration) in 2009 to 17.7 million (3.2% penetration) in 2018.
• Mobile phones will be the largest 3D display application on a unit shipment basis in 2018, with 71 million units with 3D capability.
• The largest screen size category for 3D display shipments will be 1-4.x”, due to demand from mobile phone and digital camera/camcorder applications. The second largest size range will be 40-49”, due to TV, public display and 40+ monitor applications.
• LCD will be the primary display technology used for 3D displays, as a result of its wide range of display applications ranging from small mobile phones to large public displays and TVs.
• Eyewear will be necessary for most 3D applications for many years to come, due to the limitations of auto-stereoscopic (no glasses) technologies.
• DisplaySearch forecasts there will be more than 7,000 new 3D cinema screens installed in 2010 and an additional 9,000 in 2011.

Web-enabled TV

After 3D TV I would say a close runner up to the most hyped up topic at CES 2010 are Web-Enabled TVs.

There is a growing base of highly savvy media consumers, call them Millennials or Generation X & Y, that have given up cable TV or do not want to sign up to cable or satellite service. This brave band of digital entertainment buyers only want to watch their TV programs off the Internet. And the electronic companies that can most effectively deliver the best and easiest way to see the Internet on a TV are going to be beyond rich.

I was particularly impressed with the iGUGU’s solutions, which are being touted as the “missing link” between PCs and TVs. iGUGU’s Gamecore and InterneTV systems basically beams the PC video with a wireless USB mid-range set up or a 50 foot VGA cable long range set up. Once the PC Video is on the TV one can use software and an array of large wireless-keypad enabled controller to manage your games or access the Web.

I personally was less concerned with the PC gaming aspect of the iGUGU Gamecore than with its ability to easily surf the Web and watch lots of HD online videos on a TV.

Fun facts about Web-enabled TV:

• DisplaySearch is predicting big things for Web-enabled TVs: sales will hit 70 million units by 2012, a significant boost from the 15 million sold last year.

Kempler & Strauss W Phonewatch

Normally when I walk past an exhibitor bragging about his new digital phone watch I roll my eyes with a lot of skepticism. But I was pleasantly surprised to check out Kempler & Strauss W PhoneWatch which had a cool digital interface that when pressed showed touch screen icons that brought up all your mobile applications and functions.

But what hands down made my jaw drop to the floor was the Phonewatch’s built-in video camera. One could wear the watch, walk up to someone and record your conversation without them knowing.

I also liked the built-in MP3 player. This watch does it all. How could one misplace their cell phone when it is strapped to his/her wrist? And it plays video, so it is really a TV watch as well. What's more, the PhoneWatch is very affordable at $199 price and is unlocked so one can change to whatever mobile carrier you like the most or can afford.

Fun facts about the W PhoneWatch:

• It incorporates a GSM phone that supports the 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHz bands
• Its 1.5-inch TFT LCD micro-touch touchscreen features a screen resolution of 128 x 128 and displays 260,000 colors
• The watch measures a mere 57 x 45 x 18mm and weighs only 2.5 ounces
• Fully compatible with Bluetooth v2.0 headset and hands-free devices, the W PhoneWatch incorporates a still camera that captures JPEG images at resolutions up to 640 x 480. The integrated video camera captures video in MPEG 4 (AVI) format at a resolution of 128 x 104
• It supports video playback of MPEG4 files and music files including MP3, WMA, WAV, and AMR
• The W PhoneWatch feature set includes: phonebook, SMS, call history, MP3 player, video player, video recorder, camera, utilities, games, and a file manager
• The multiple-language interface includes support for English, French, Russian, Arabic, German, and Italian
• The W PhoneWatch, which can be charged by USB or via the included battery charger, provides up to 150 minutes talk time, up to 150 minutes of music playback, and up to 100 hours of standby time
• It has a noise-canceling mic.

[ part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 ]