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[Uno Venova]

First thing I thought when I saw the touchpad next to the keyboard was Apple, it's clear who they took that from. People do not like admitting when Apple heavily influences people.

 

[Raistlin]

First thing I thought when I saw the touchpad next to the keyboard was Apple, it's clear who they took that from. People do not like admitting when Apple heavily influences people.

Just like Apple people do not like admitting when others do things better. It's not a one way street.

 

[MontTrain]

Just like Apple people do not like admitting when others do things better. It's not a one way street.

Is there a better all in one that an iMac?

A better ultra portable than a MacBook Air?

A better tablet than an iPad?

There is a reason the CES floor will be flooded with knock offs from countless manufacturers as everyone else tries to 1up Apple

 

[Raistlin]

AND

HERE

WE

GO

 

[Herpes Reasons]

Where's my wacom news?

 

[MontTrain]

AND

HERE

WE

GO

It's completely off topic from CES gear and I know how these things shake out. It's just that people think companies design things in a bubble and aren't influenced by others especially whoever is the leader in that segment of the market.

 

[Cipherr]

AND

HERE

WE

GO

You guys deserve it for even engaging Rezuth and Mont in the first place. Especially Rezuth, guy wears his bias on his sleeve.

The latest innovation from Roku CEO Anthony Wood and his squad? After reducing the size of its players to a mere hockey puck, it has now managed to fit all the necessary hardware into this tiny dongle, that plugs into the HDMI port of MHL-compatible HDTVs. Mobile High-Definition Link ports, were intended for users to hook up their mobile phones simply for control and charging all-in-one, but also powers this unit which packs WiFi and all into one tiny package and can even be controlled by the TV's remote. Now, HDTV manufacturers can build TVs that function as dumb displays without it, but become smart TVs featuring the Roku experience we've become accustomed to just by plugging one in. The other benefit? No more obsolete smart TV hardware when the updates stop flowing. While Roku has a decent track record in this regard, if you ever need a more powerful unit, it's a lot simpler to swap out a simple dongle (expect a good/better/best pattern for functions like gaming, etc., following the player line) to add features than changing an entire HDTV.

Best Buy's Insignia-branded line is the first scheduled to take advantage with pack-ins when the stick debuts in the second half of the year, although it will work with TVs from other manufacturers (Samsung, Toshiba, etc.) that meet the spec, but we don't figure the big boys will be willing to sacrifice their existing smart TV platforms very quickly. We're told the price (it will be available both as a standalone and pack-in) should be in a similar range to current Roku players, which the company also announced it has shipped 2.5 million of to date. Check after the break for the press release and pics showing how it fits in an HDTV.

There are no words for the bolded. TV is reaaaaaaaally changing.

It's completely off topic from CES gear

Its good that you realize that at least.

 

[Synth_floyd]

With stuff like Roku, I think cable tv has officially jumped the shark. I wonder how many years until individual cable stations will offer themselves on Roku-type devices for a couple of bucks a month and finally making a la carte cable a reality.

 

[RubxQub]

Random question: How come now that Roku is a dongle instead of a box it's dramatically changing the game?

 

[1-D_FTW]

With stuff like Roku, I think cable tv has officially jumped the shark. I wonder how many years until individual cable stations will offer themselves on Roku-type devices for a couple of bucks a month and finally making a la carte cable a reality.

Unfortunately, the cable providers tend to own a lot of stations. So if they team up, they can withhold a ton of content.

Then there's the fact many people get internet through cable modems. Bandwidth caps prevent that future further.

There's a reason consumers have not gotten what the want in this direction, and it's because cable companies have a pretty good monopoly that's holding it off.

 

[kehs]

Random question: How come now that Roku is a dongle instead of a box it's dramatically changing the game?

Its hidden....duh

 

[tedtropy]

With stuff like Roku, I think cable tv has officially jumped the shark. I wonder how many years until individual cable stations will offer themselves on Roku-type devices for a couple of bucks a month and finally making a la carte cable a reality.

There's many more moneyhats yet to be passed before anything remotely along those lines happen...

 

[Ken Masters]

Its not even out but comes with Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread.
wat.

welcome to Android fragmentation

 

[kehs]

Is there a better all in one that an iMac?

A better ultra portable than a MacBook Air?

A better tablet than an iPad?

There is a reason the CES floor will be flooded with knock offs from countless manufacturers as everyone else tries to 1up Apple

Yes, yes, and the ipad isn't a tablet, it's a big itouch.

 

[Jill Sandwich]

I just follow CES to see how much Apple-chasing there is. Boy is it shameless this year!

Is there a better all in one that an iMac?

A better ultra portable than a MacBook Air?

A better tablet than an iPad?

There is a reason the CES floor will be flooded with knock offs from countless manufacturers as everyone else tries to 1up Apple

The answers to the above all depend upon which side of the fence you're on.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

With stuff like Roku, I think cable tv has officially jumped the shark. I wonder how many years until individual cable stations will offer themselves on Roku-type devices for a couple of bucks a month and finally making a la carte cable a reality.

Sports will make sure that never ever happens.

 

[Raistlin]

You guys deserve it for even engaging Rezuth and Mont in the first place. Especially Rezuth, guy wears his bias on his sleeve.

Yeah sorry ... I don't normally follow the Apple/PC war threads, so I'm not aware of who are lieutenants in the army.

There are no words for the bolded. TV is reaaaaaaaally changing.

Yep. Fully updatable smart TV HW is an awesome direction to move in.

With stuff like Roku, I think cable tv has officially jumped the shark. I wonder how many years until individual cable stations will offer themselves on Roku-type devices for a couple of bucks a month and finally making a la carte cable a reality.

The next step for cable is the replacement for cablecard. It will allow essentially any company to make set-top boxes and DVR's that will fully integrate on-demand, DVR, and whatever else they want into one UI. Basically it's what Google would like to do ... but the hardware just ain't there yet.

 

[Technosteve]

when is the Microsoft Keynote? That's going to be the highlight of the show.

 

[Synth_floyd]

Unfortunately, the cable providers tend to own a lot of stations. So if they team up, they can withhold a ton of content.

Then there's the fact many people get internet through cable modems. Bandwidth caps prevent that future further.

There's a reason consumers have not gotten what the want in this direction, and it's because cable companies have a pretty good monopoly that's holding it off.

That sucks. But wouldn't they want to increase the number of people watching the channels so they can make more money with commercials? Once these Roku-type devices hit a critical mass I would think that they wouldn't mind charging $1 or $3 a month per channel. I mean you're still going to be getting the regular channel with the commercials and all.

 

[RubxQub]

Sports will make sure that never ever happens.

You can already subscribe to MLB, NHL and NBA on the AppleTV to watch live and previous games as an annual package. With the recent rumors of Apple looking into the Soccer thing overseas, it sounds like they're trying to get sports more than anything else!

Not saying they'd be able to pull off something like the NFL, but it doesn't seem too far fetched to think you'll be able to get most or all of your sports through these things live.

...now the absolutely batshit prices is something else to discuss entirely.

 

[Power Glove]

when is the Microsoft Keynote? That's going to be the highlight of the show.

The OP is the highlight of this thread.

And yes, it's going to be excite.

 

[giga]

You can already subscribe to MLB, NHL and NBA on the AppleTV to watch live and previous games as an annual package. With the recent rumors of Apple looking into the Soccer thing overseas, it sounds like they're trying to get sports more than anything else!

Not saying they'd be able to pull off something like the NFL, but it doesn't seem too far fetched to think you'll be able to get most or all of your sports through these things live.

...now the absolutely batshit prices is something else to discuss entirely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_League_Pass#Blackout_restrictions

Still not there yet.

 

[Synth_floyd]

You can still get 90% of the NFL games on regular, free TV (if they're local).

 

[Tuck]

Yes, yes, and the ipad isn't a tablet, it's a big itouch.

smh.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

You can already subscribe to MLB, NHL and NBA on the AppleTV to watch live and previous games as an annual package. With the recent rumors of Apple looking into the Soccer thing overseas, it sounds like they're trying to get sports more than anything else!

Not saying they'd be able to pull off something like the NFL, but it doesn't seem too far fetched to think you'll be able to get most or all of your sports through these things live.

...now the absolutely batshit prices is something else to discuss entirely.

The NFL is actually the only professional sports league in the US which is still broadcast free over-the-air by local TV stations. The NFL makes a shitload of money despite being free to watch, unlike all other sports in the US which require you to subscribe to cable TV.

 

[subrock]

Yes, yes, and the ipad isn't a tablet, it's a big itouch.

Expertly done

 

[Dizzan]

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/lenovos-ideatab-s2-10-joins-the-tablet-transformation-gang-pa/

This wouldn't be the first time for Lenovo to release a tablet-plus-keyboard combo, though the illusive IdeaPad U1 Hybrid was merely adding Windows to the updated LePad via the keyboard dock. That said, Lenovo's freshly-announced IdeaTab S2 10" is a full package dedicated to Android 4.0, and it sports a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon 8x60A or 8960. Compared to the ASUS Transformer Prime and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, this 10-inch IdeaTab comes close to or even beats them with a 0.34-inch (8.69mm) thickness and a 1.27-pound (580 grams) weight -- certainly much better than its Chinese counterpart, the LePad S2010. Other features include a 1,280 x 800 LED-backlit IPS display, 3G with call support, 1GB LPDDR2 RAM, SSD of up to 64GB, HDMI Micro connection and front (1.3MP) and rear (5MP with autofocus) cameras. As for battery life, the tablet alone can keep cranking for up to 9 hours, and sliding it into the keyboard dock gets you an additional 9 hours plus two USB 2.0 ports, a multitouch trackpad and an SDHC card reader. No word on availability or pricing yet, so we'll keep poking Lenovo until we hear something.

Update: We now have hands-on photos and video -- the latter after the break, as usual. Something interesting we spotted was the grid-like LeLauncher, which consists of square-shaped widgets that expand to bigger widgets or launch the relevant apps. Lenovo's folks also mentioned that compared to the ASUS Transformer series, the S2's "clam dock" slot hinge is designed in such a way that makes it easier to snap the tablet onto it, and we agree with them.

 

[Bad_Boy]

Seems like Acer & Lenovo are really gunning for Asus.

 

[kehs]

Seems like Acer & Lenovo are really gunning for Asus.

Don't you mean gunning for apple?

 

[Bad_Boy]

Don't you mean gunning for apple?

Well yeah, in a way they all are.

But I just noticed..

Asus releases super thin ultrabook, and a quad core transformer tablet.

Acer announces quad core tablet, and a thin ultrabook. Lenovo announces transformer tablet.

 

[NomarTyme]

Seems like Acer & Lenovo are really gunning for Asus.

Looking forward to the Nokia tablet!

 

[Dizzan]

I'm looking forward to the rumoured google tablet and also to see if Samsung announce their rumoured new galaxy tab.

I'm excited.

 

[Deleted member 8095]

Well yeah, in a way they all are.

But I just noticed..

Asus releases super thin ultrabook, and a quad core transformer tablet.

Acer announces quad core tablet, and a thin ultrabook. Lenovo announces transformer tablet.

Just wait until they name their tablet the GoBot: Leader 1.

 

[Solid warrior]

I heard they're making android TVs. I'll definitely buy one.

 

[Dizzan]

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/hands-on-toshibas-55-inch-4k-glasses-free-3dtv/

Hands-on Toshiba's 55-inch 4K glasses-free 3DTV

You remember that Toshiba glassess free 4K 3DTV we told you about? Well, we got a chance to catch up with it at a Toshiba CES event and we're happy to say it doesn't suck. Not only is the 4k mode down right breathtaking, but the autostereoscopic 3D technology has come a long, long way since we saw a demo of a prototype last year. Up to nine people can enjoy 3D on the local dimming 55-inch LED 3DTV, but the optimal number is four or less. There is an almost invisible camera in the base of the set that tracks your face and there can be circles and arrows displayed on screen that help you move to the absolute best spot -- wish all TVs made it so easy to find the sweet spot. On display was a production model for outside the US, but our slightly different version is expected in Q1 2012 for more than most have ever paid for a TV (~$10k).

 

[rezuth]

Anyone know if the dongle is suppose to be released internationally and if its going to be cheaper?

 

[clav]

Link to watch CES keynote tomorrow: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/

Starts at 6:30 PST.

 

[NomarTyme]

Link to watch CES keynote tomorrow: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/

Balmer better be reaching for a Xbox Portable!

 

[Ninja Scooter]

You can already subscribe to MLB, NHL and NBA on the AppleTV to watch live and previous games as an annual package. With the recent rumors of Apple looking into the Soccer thing overseas, it sounds like they're trying to get sports more than anything else!

Not saying they'd be able to pull off something like the NFL, but it doesn't seem too far fetched to think you'll be able to get most or all of your sports through these things live.

...now the absolutely batshit prices is something else to discuss entirely.

yeah but once you start subscribing to everything aren't you going to reach cable pricing anyway? That's where my skepticism comes from. Everyone is still going to want their piece of the pie.

 

[GTP_Daverytimes]

Is there a better all in one that an iMac?

A better ultra portable than a MacBook Air?

A better tablet than an iPad?

There is a reason the CES floor will be flooded with knock offs from countless manufacturers as everyone else tries to 1up Apple

Don't go their son, you are just begging to be slammed.

 

[Synth_floyd]

Does MS ever announce really big things at the CES keynote? I know the original Xbox was announced at one but other than that...?

 

[Windu]

Does MS ever announce really big things at the CES keynote? I know the original Xbox was announced at one but other than that...?

not lately. I wouldn't expect much. I'm sure they will show a new build of Windows 8 and talk a little bit about Windows Phone but nothing really big.

 

[Synth_floyd]

A lot of the new ultrabooks look interesting but without ivy bridge and universal usb 3.0 support there's not much to get excited over yet.

 

[Sarcasm]

Don't you mean gunning for apple?

Apple has a transformer?

If your talking about the tablet + bluetooth KB not same thing, even though Apple didn't invent those either.

And heh Macbook air.

Any news on new screen tech for cellphones/tablet?

 

[Ninja Scooter]

A lot of the new ultrabooks look interesting but without ivy bridge and universal usb 3.0 support there's not much to get excited over yet.

leave Beyonce's daughter out of this.

 

[kehs]

Apple has a transformer?

If your talking about the tablet + bluetooth KB not same thing, even though Apple didn't invent those either.

And heh Macbook air.

Any news on new screen tech for cellphones/tablet?

People keep saying CES is just a "chasing apple expo".

 

[Divvy]

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/lenovos-ideatab-s2-10-joins-the-tablet-transformation-gang-pa/

No, digitizer? RAGE!

RAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

[RubxQub]

Link to watch CES keynote tomorrow: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/

Starts at 6:30 PST.

I'll put this in the OP, thanks clav

 

[SSGMUN10000]

WTF at all the apple talk/comparisons. Do people actually think that that CES is an apple-chasing event? Never heard of that before. Sorry I know its off-topic but that really is blowing my mind.

 

[bigtroyjon]

10 Years later, tech fans sure to be dazzled at CES.
Interesting article from the Seattle Times tech reporter, a look back at the prediction of 5 emerging technologies from the 2002 CES. Article goes a little deeper on each one.
1."Bringing consumers broadband access."
2."Electronic entertainment/games."
3."The Digital Home Theater."
4."Wireless technology."
5."Consumer-electronics fashion."