Notes from my journey to CES 2012
By Dr. Bob Spencer
I spent four very long days wondering the halls and byways of CES in Las Vegas. I have been traveling to CES since the early 90’s after COMDEX (the Computer Dealers Exposition) went bust. CES has had up years and down years. From 2008-2010 they were pretty much down years. Before the death of COMDEX, CES was largely the venue of automotive electronics, speakers, and home entertainment and appliances. For the past 5-10 years, computer technology has taken over the show. I saw very little in the automotive arena, however there was a lot of stereos, massive TV and video announcements, and new prototype units on display. There were an ungodly number of mobile phone and tablet accessory vendors. I cannot count the number of distributors for cases and the like. More than can possibly survive. I did see growing interest in IPTV, IPCameras, Bluetooth watches, cameras, and so forth. Do some research on Bluetooth 4.0 that is just now rolling out on a number of devices; one of the benefits is very low voltage requirements.
The buzz this year of course was Microsoft pulling out in 2013, and CES tried their best to put a positive face on this, but in reality there were a large number of hardware vendors such as HP, Dell, IBM, Fujitsu, and others who were did not have a public booth at CES at all, and there were ones that did have booths, such as Sony, Toshiba, and others, that showcased computer technology along with TVs, Gaming Devices, smartphones and tablets with little or no differentiation. The age of consumer tech has arrived.
There was a lot of discussion around what was coming, such as Ultrabook designs, ultralight laptops and so forth. There were over a hundred tablet models on display and yet most of the chatter was around the rumor that some Apple employees were wondering around the floor with iPad 3s. Every tablet at the show was being compared to the iPad – it must drive the manufacturer’s nuts!
One of the frustrating things about CES was that many of the devices and the “new” technology is not selling yet. Most of the computer vendors, as well as accessory items manufacturers, repeated the same message – this will be available after March 2012. So, expect a flood of technology in the second quarter of this year. Many haven not set prices yet, and in a few cases they seemed a little doubtful as to exactly when and if the new item would be released.
There was a lot of chatter over Windows 8 – but not from Microsoft so much. In the Microsoft pavilion there was one small area where a speaker (program manager) came out and did a short demonstration and talked about how great Windows 8 would be and then disappear. I spent nearly an hour just walking from booth to booth asking “where’s the Windows 8 tech?” “I want to speak to a developer type!” which I did, but could not find one. Perhaps a number of the Ultrabook and new ultralight laptops are waiting on Windows 8, so mid-year is buying time.
I did walk away feeling that the time has almost arrive for the Android OS devices. The latest version, Ice Cream Sandwich, has many new features, runs faster, is easier on the battery, and shows great promise. Unfortunately, it is not fully available on most hardware yet – so many were just promising Android 4.0, but few were delivering.
It was even surprising how many product developers (vendors) still offer Android 2.2 as the OS, and had made significant changes on their own. So, in reality, there were dozens of different versions of Android and most were proprietary. Think about it.
Samsung seems to be the king of the Android devices, as well at TVs, appliances and competing heavily with them is LG Electronics. There is a lot of new stuff coming from these guys such as OLED very-high res displays, and edge-to-edge technology.
Edge-to-edge is flashy and cool. Many of the vendors were prototyping displays, phones and tablets that were edge-to-edge, which means no bezel. Some are speculating that Apple will soon produce E2E displays for the iPhone and iPad – nothing confirmed.
In the battle of Ultrabooks and Ultra Lights (Thin, light, powerful notebooks – think Mac Air) there were a number of contenders. One of my favorite in the ultra-light class is the Sony VAIO Signature Collection Z Series upgrade due next quarter.
VAIO Signature Collection Z Series - Sony Z Series Laptop; Perhaps the most powerful laptop I ran across. I liked the design and light weight. Note, buy the signature model, i7 chip, higher SSD capacity, RAM and HD display options – generally higher quality. Multiple shells, but I would wait for the Brushed Titanium (Silver) shell due in March/April time frame according to rep. I talked with. Note from the image below that the laptop comes with an external optical disk device that powers DVI and HD external displays and uses internal graphics for higher display to monitors. See specs page, but this is outdated based on the model I saw. Sony spokespersons told me that it would come with dual 64/128/256 SSD as options, but I do not see that on the web page, so will need to verify before I bought.
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Ultrabooks were the talk of CES
In the Ultrabook class, here are a few of the best of breed options. However, check the specs carefully as most of the Ultrabook designs do not include a VGA port, some have USB 3.0 and some have Thunderbolt and Bluetooth 4.0 – some do not!
The HP Envy 14 Spectre (available in February) sports a truly unique black exterior that is actually scratch-resistant glass. The case is 20-mm thin and weighs less than four pounds. The 14-inch HP Radiance Display supports a 1600x900 resolution and comes with Beats Audio and full versions of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premiere Elements. The hardware inside is also formidable: an Intel Core i5 processor, up to 8 GB of RAM and a solid-state drive (SSD) of up to 256 GB. Starting at $1,399.99.
Lenovo's IdeaPad Yoga puts a different spin on the Ultrabook by combining it with a tablet. The Yoga boasts a 13.1-inch and has a 360-degree flip and fold design, which allows the notebook to be converted into a fully-functional touchscreen tablet that can also be used in tent or stand mode. Lenovo says it’s the thinnest convertible Ultrabook around at just 0.67 inches thin, and it weighs just 3.1 pounds. The Yoga comes with Windows 8 and Intel's second-generation Core CPUs and can house up to 8 GB of memory and a 256 GB SSD. Lenovo expects to launch the IdeaPad Yoga sometime in the second half of this year at a starting price of $1,199.
Dell XPS 13 - The newest XPS model comes with a 13.3-inch "near frameless" HD display with a sturdy aluminum frame that measures 18 mm and weighs under three pounds. The XPS 13 comes with Intel's second generation Core processors (i5 or i7), Intel HD 3000 graphics, 4 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of SSD storage. The XPS 13 also comes with Intel's Rapid Start and Smart Connect technologies and nine hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook is due to launch in March starting at $999.
Samsung Series 5 was well received. Samsung has made waves in the notebook space lately with its Series 9 ultra-thin laptop and its Chromebook offerings. Now the vendor has jumped into the Ultrabook market with its Series 5 family. The 13.3-inch Series 5 Ultrabook is less than 18-mm thick and weighs just over three pounds. It comes with an Intel Core i5 mobile processor, 4 GB of memory and up to 500 GB of hard drive capacity. The Series 5 also comes with Samsung's ExpressCache storage technology and FastStart feature for quicker boot and start times. The HD display also comes with Samsung's SuperBright technology for higher visual quality. The Series 5 Ultrabook will be available the end of January starting at an affordable $899.
Asus Zenbook UX21 - Asus' entry for the Ultrabook market boasts longer battery life compared to most other competing models, thanks to Asu's energy-conserving Super Hybrid Engine technology. The 11.6-inch model also comes with instant-on technology that resumes the system in about two seconds, as well as a standby mode that will last up to 10 days. At 0.67 inches at its thickest point, the Zenbook UX21 is one of the thinnest models around. It also comes with Intel's Sandy Bridge Core processors (i3, i5 or i7), up to 4 GB of memory, and up to 256 GB of SSD storage. It also comes packed with plenty of I/O ports like USB 3.0 and micro-HDMI. The Zenbook also comes with Asus' SonicMaster technology for higher quality audio performance. The Zenbook UX21 is currently available for a starting price of $999.
Acer Aspire S5 measures just 15 mm at its thickest point and weighs under three pounds. The 13.3-inch notebook also comes with Acer's Green Instant On technology for fast boot and resume times, and Acer's Always Connect feature, which allows users to users to access media stored in the AcerCloud even when the Ultrabook is in sleep mode. The Aspire S5 also has a hidden "MagicFlip" I/O panel that boasts USB 3.0, HDMI, and Thunderbolt ports, among others. Acer's Ultrabook is powered by Intel Core processors and comes with SSD storage. The Aspire S5 will begin shipping in the second quarter and pricing has not yet been announced.
Intel presented a prototype called the Nikiski, which featured a transparent touchpad panel that runs the length of the keyboard. The see-through panel allows users to interact with a few basic functions while the Ultrabook is closed, such as messaging, calendar items and news feeds. While the Nikiski demo unit was running Windows 7, the Ultrabook had a distinct Windows 8 tile feel to its interface. The reference design also featured Intel's forthcoming "Ivy Bridge" Core mobile processor. Beyond its 20-mm chassis, not much else is known about this mysterious Ultrabook,like which OEM partner will end up actually producing it, or if it will ever be manufactured. But, it was an interesting concept computer.
There were many other models from the likes of Toshiba, Sony and others, but all were pretty much “me too” with very similar look and feel.
When reviewing options, there are a few things to keep in mind to look for.
1. SSD and HHD drives have performance benefits over HDD, such as boot time and response, but the quality varies as does the life span of the drive depending on the type of work you do. You may be interested in SSDFife tool to test your SSD drives on a regular basis.
2. USB 3.0 is faster than 2.0 and is backward compatible. Don’t settle, look for USB 3.0 support.
3. Bluetooth 4.0 is important for appliances such as phones, tablets, headsets, and speakers as it is a low frequency standard that allows for a longer battery life.
4. Thunderbolt technology is a must. Much faster data flow inside the computer and between devices, visit www.thunderbolttechnology.net for detail whitepapers.
a. Thunderbolt was developed by Intel and Apple. Apple released in its equipment in 2011, Windows devices coming 2012. Thunderbolt started its life as Light Peak, which used Fiber, but the high cost of fiber forced Intel to change the standard to use copper, so the name changed to Thunderbolt. Only vendor I found using Light Peak was Sony. Keeping my eye on this one.
· 8GB of RAM is better than 4GB. 256 SSD is better than less. However, with so much of your archived data on an external drive, or in the Cloud, I have had not issues running a 256 SSD this past year. The speed and extended battery life is so worth it.
Stuff that I liked from CES:
The following is some of the interesting products I found. I have not included the basic stuff that has been in all the trades for the past two weeks; why repeat that they have done. Just Google CES 2012 best of show and you can see it all. The items below intrigued me, either for personal use, as real world applications and solutions for my audience or clients.
Ethernet over power options. Homeplug Powerline Alliance made the guts that a number of name brands use to build product. This is Ethernet over your electrical outlets in your home or small office. I Plan to purchase a pair and test out to see how well, and if, it works. I plan to present in seminar as the concept would apply to SMB offices that are in older homes or standalone buildings where wireless and wired are not good, or difficult, options to implement. There are also wireless hub and extender options. Find out more at https://www.homeplug.org/home/.
Coaxial based network as a network wiring option. Following along the same theme, where you have a home or office Wi3 WipNet – Note download video and clip out front end to show middle part in seminar.
Nest Learning Thermostat – includes app for phone or PC. Saves money/energy – pay for itself in less than three years. Use for home or office, control multiple thermostats. www.nest.com. Have to put your name of a list as these are all sold out and waiting for more to come in.
Galaxy Note – Stylist or Touch, notepad and phone in one. New model coming to US mid-year. Pretty pricy, but good option for those who would like a stylist to take notes.
Transparent LCD, LED and OLED displays were demonstrated from a few vendors. When in use the display can be used to view video over a transparent or solid background. How will you use this? Think heads up car displays. BMW was showing this. (Samsung)
Canon ImageFormula P-215 mobile document scanner with built-in Card (plastic) scanner. TWAIN compliant unit may be alternative to Fujitsu Scansnap for CCH users. I could not reach the right person but did make a contact and hoping to talk further with Canon.
Samsung Home Energy Management (HEM) system – Home Energy pump, manages all smart devices Appliances, manageable via Tablet (Samsung tablet shown)
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Sony has a number of tablet options, this one that folds in half can be also be an e-reader was unusual.
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Corning Gorilla Glass 2 – thinner, more powerful for Phones and Tablets. This is what buyers will want for their devices from this point on. Very strong and will promote edge-to-edge technology for all display devices.
Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Getting speakers small enough for the road has been a problem for years. I have tried a number of models both wireless, Bluetooth and tethered. All have had flaws. I was looking real hard at the Jawbone Jambox ($199) and the ???, but now am looking at the Soundmatters foxL Portable Music Speaker. According to the VP of Marketing, the guts manufactured by them is the same as that used by Jawbone. The sound is amazing and very clear. One of the uses I see for this, besides playing music, is phone conferencing off your cell phone. So many people take calls today on their cell phone, I can see putting this on the table (microphone in the unit) and using for a cell phone based conference call. Starts at $199 as well. http://www.amazon.com/Soundmatters-PLATINUM-Special-Portable-AudioQuest/dp/B005T25ZQS/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1326908799&sr=1-2-catcorr. Also of interest, but I have not tested is the Monster ClarityHD Precision Micro Portable Bluetooth Speaker (MBL CLY SPKR BT) at $79.95 from Amazon. Small size is impressive, now I want to hear it.
No Glasses 3D TV was on demonstration from a few vendors, but resolution was not high and quality of picture was low. Novel but not ready for prime time.
Several vendors were showing Watches and accessories to control music and interface with the iPhone. The Bluetooth G-Shock, due in March is pretty cool and worth a look. The Bluetooth 4.0, think low power requirements, is a new add for this appliances that we should see in other appliances after mid-year.
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For those using iPad Nanos, you might select a wrist band from iWatchz, check options at Amazon. I’m Watch, made in Italy is expected to arrive in the U.S. mid-year, price starting at $200 - $15,000, yea, I got the price right. It’s all about the case. Watch the video. This is a fun watch, but unlike the Bluetooth G-Shock that include low-power Bluetooth 4.0, this one does not have Bluetooth. |
Image Sensor Communications Technology was demonstrated from several vendors. Casio, for example is applying the technology to smartphones and cameras. ISC is based on light transmission, good discussion here, and takes fiber to another level as well. Notice the focus on sustainability.
Not a lot of automotive at CES this year, but what was there was Internet Ready with video for everyone. Several adaptations of LED displays and several auto manufacturers were showing all LED heads up displays. The entire driver side dashboard display was a single LED display.
You may wonder why this picture is here. Just because I want one…
The Fujitsu Lifebook SH 771 provides up to 13 hours of battery life and has an optional projector.
Headphones for kids. Several studies have shown that iPods and other music players cause hearing problems and that children have to be cautioned. What shocked me was the earphones for kids from Etymotic, ETY-Kids 4+ $50-$80.
IP Cameras. I was surprised this year when I demonstrated an IP Camera I have set up in my home. I received more inquiries on the topic that any other subject the entire year. The good news was a lot of options were on show at CES from the likes of D-link and others. https://www.dropcam.com/ Dropcam is a little pricy at $149, but easy to setup, manage multiple cameras and use the iPhone or Android app to view the camera from anywhere.
Hi performance DAC iPhone adaptor doubles the life of your iPhone while providing high quality sound. For uses in very noisey places it is often difficult to hear, this device may help. http://venturecraft.jp/gadget_en/gd04.php
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The ultimate phone, perhaps Native Union, http://www.nativeunion.com/us/, has something you will like. Several models, some I did not find yet at their web site or Amazon, support powering both the iPad and iPhone at the same time and connecting to a traditional phone handle. Unique items. |
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Olloclip
Quick-Connect Lens Solution (Fisheye Lens, Macro Lens, Wide-angle Lens)for iPhone 4 / 4S - OC-IPH4-FWM-R - Red – for those who
are constantly taking pictures with their iPhones and would like more
options. Good reviews, played with it and like it. Problem is that the iPhone
would have to come out of its case to attaché. $70 everywhere including Amazon |
HD Digital Tuner Device from www.sillicondust.com, allows you to record and play HD shows from cable or HD over the air on your computer etc. Several options starting at $99 up.
Overdrive Pro Mobile Hotspot Desktop Cradle - $59.99
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The Sprint Overdrive Pro Desktop Cradle provides charging
capabilities, improved indoor 4G mobile broadband performance, and Internet
connectivity for your desktop computer. |
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Not sure this was the year of the robots, but there was a number of them available. This interesting little device/toy (not shipping yet) can be remotely controlled to travel around and take pictures or record video… |
This is one of the better iPad 2 cases I found. From iLuv, the keyboard Velcro’s in and is easily removed.
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There was a lot of good stuff at the iLuv booth. The new line of adaptors was impressive. A number of the new Ultrabooks do not have a VGA or DVI port, so you have to go Display Port, mini-Display port option and will need adaptors to convert to existing projectors, Ethernet networks and so forth. |
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With so many iPhones, and iPads being used in the workplace (medical offices, education, sales, etc.) it is not always convenient to carry the devices by hand or in your pocket, so EKUSA has a few unique solutions. www.ekusa.com – andy@ekusa.com 575 West 3200 South, Logan UT 84321 – 435.753.8448 ext. 39. Andy Arnes, in house sales.
Well, that is my quick synopsis of toys I liked at CES, I will follow many of these this year and let you know how best to apply some of these as solid business technology soluions.
Bob