The International Consumer Electronics Show is a
technology trade show which is not open to the public and is meant to show off
new products and prototypes. Its attendees are there to show off their wares to
potential buyers which include retail stores and websites, not the general
public. The CES has introduced popular electronics such as the Blu-ray Disc
(2003), Microsoft XBOX (2001), and HDTV (1998). Despite the event’s media
attention, its most hyped products do not have a connection with real world
sales success. Just take a look at the 3D HDTV, which was introduced in 2009. Similarly,
most of the Ultrabook announcements at
CES 2012 may fall on deaf ears in the marketplace. This, however, doesn’t stop manufacturers
from coming up with innovative products meant to capture potential buyers.
Notable products at this year’s CES include…
Razer Project Fiona
Do you want a supped up iPad made specifically for
gaming? The Fiona is your answer. The tablet gaming device features a Core i7
processor, two physical controllers, and a 10.1-inch touch screen. Razer
is betting that hard core PC gamers will be attracted to a tablet device that
is just as powerful as their large PC hardware. The Project Fiona tablet will likely
cost less than $1,000 and will probably be released at the end of 2012.
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga
What do you get when you combine the ease of use of
a touchpad with the physical buttons on a keyboard? The Yoga, which run a
Windows 8 OS and a brilliant 13.1 in. touchscreen with a 360 degree hinge. The
only downside to this new design is that the keyboard is left unprotected when
you use the Yoga in touchscreen mode.
Samsung 55in Super OLED Smart TV
OLED’s have been around for years now, but only in small
sizes. Samsung unveiled its large 55in OLED TV which is brighter and has a
wider field of view than non-OLED televisions. The only problem with OLED
technology is that it is incredibly expensive. However, unlike 3D TV’s, OLED
has a chance of becoming standard one day.
If you’re looking for some “revolutionary” product,
don’t expect to find it at the CES. Manufacturers at the CES are there to sell
product, not make news. Imagine Apple announcing the launch of the iPhone 4S at
the CES. It would make no sense because their message would be drowned out by
competing manufacturers. Regardless, some of the products you see, such
as Samsung’s Smart OLED, may become sales successes.
