CES 2008

The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) connects the world with innovation and technological breakthroughs. With more than four decades of success, International CES was launched again during January in the fine city of Las Vegas. The largest annual tradeshow of its kind, International CES was a huge success again this year, showcasing the best of the best electronic gadgets and products. We proudly present the highlights of this techno-paradise.

International CES showcases the ultimate ‘digital home’ buzzing with all kinds of gizmos, gadgets and devices most us can only dream of owning. With more than 140,000 people attending and roughly 2,000 exhibitors, the show has been a big success with techies and non-techies alike.
Participants representing the USA, Canada, Mexico and more than 140 other countries with manufacturers, retailers, content providers and creators, broadband developers, wireless carriers, cable and satellite TV providers, installers, engineers, corporate buyers, government leaders, financial analysts and media from around the world all on board. The global aura defined the conference-cum-exhibition as one of the industry’s most successful – and most innovative – events of the year.

Everyone was talkng about the farewell speech given by Bill Gates announcing his retirement!

Tech Talk

A multitude of conferences and keynote addresses were presented by high profile industry names like such as Gates, Paul Otellini, Brian Roberts, and many more, while experts presented special sessions with flair, giving hot tips and inside news of the technological innovations and industry trends.

The keynote addresses outlined trends and technological innovations. Brian Roberts became the first cable industry executive to deliver a keynote address at the CES. Other notable industry execs included Rick Wagoner of General Motors, Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Toshihiro Sakamoto, president of Panasonic AVC Networks, and Jerry Yang of Yahoo.

Yang spoke on how the world is evolving and how technology would need to cope with the ever-changing demands of consumers. He explained how the world is becoming ‘interoperable’ and social along with being mobile, unveiling the Yahoo Go 3.0 mobile for an inside view of the extent of “mobility” the world could achieve.

Kevin Martin and Gary Shapiro discussed various issues regarding digital television transition, cable compatibility, spectrum, broadband and other matters critical to the consumer electronics industry.

Other conferences included an action-packed and gossip-filled session on the hottest trends in technological gadgets in demand for the
holiday season.

Among the discussion sessions was one on emerging countries relating to advancing development through technology investments. Various solutions and ideas were presented to help countries gain emergence and importance in the technological arena.

The new face of electronics in the US was discovered on YouTube and MySpace, while Mock Elections held at MySpace and You Choose at YouTube examined the emerging trend of how US presidential candiates have been changing their tactics to gain votes.

Green Machines

Over the years CES has gone green trying to portray and instill the importance of environmental friendliness and protection. It’s not just a trendy fad anymore – these day, companies really do need to walk the walk as well as just talking the talk.

A Go-Green session looked at the importance of recycling electronics, along with recommendations on how this could be achieved.

Another super session discussed how global convergence of digital content, services, and products is giving consumers increasingly seamless access to communication, information and entertainment. Policy formulation in such a scenario is not only important but imminent given the warp speed of technological innovation.

A number of products were launched during the show and others simply made their presence felt. The
ones that caught the media’s attention were:

• Self-driving vehicles by US auto giant General Motors (see the report on the next page)
• Largest plasma TV by Panasonic
• Digital media technology and design by Samsung
• New entertainment products
by Logitech

Self driving vehicles – a dream turning to reality

General Motors may not be the pioneer of a future where vehicles would drive and park themselves, but it certainly is trying its best to turn the dream into reality. GM has been working on developing vehicles that can drive and park without a driver. GM believes that problems like traffic congestion would be eliminated since unlike drivers, cars will not be emotionally distraught about getting the best parking space. They would just navigate from the narrowest of spaces without the emotional turmoil of bumping anywhere! Currently, several outlets including GM, technology companies, university engineers and others are working on various self-driving options. Energy would be saved and emissions would be reduced, more like a dream come true for the world. The car has been nicknamed “The Boss” and has been developed by the Carnegie Mellon University’s racing team. It was unveiled in November 2007 during the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Urban Challenge. It was presented again by CEO Rick Wagoner in the Electronics Show and has made waves in the industry.

“A vision for a petroleum-free future of luxury transportation,” was the promise. GM also unveiled a new Cadillac that does not need any petroleum to run. Dubbed as the ultimate luxury, Cadillac Provac uses a lithium ion battery, allowing the engine to emit water through its driving mechanism, providing more power and performance. In the words of Cadillac general manager, Jim Taylor: “Cadillac, at its very essence, is about premium luxury, design and technology, so it’s fitting that Cadillac would be propelled by the most elegant solution. This signals Cadillac’s intent to lead the industry with alternative-fuel technology.”

This is a historical feat in the life of Cadillacs. The look and feel of the car remains the same, sophisticated and sleek, but powered on hydrogen and with only water as emission. With extra features including a solar panel and enhanced aerodynamics, the new Cadillac Provac is the development of a new chapter in the history of cars.

The largest plasma TV screen in the industry

Showcased by Panasonic, the 150-inch plasma HDTV is the new boss in the industry and the largest too. The same company also displayed the ultra thin 50-inch plasma screen TV and unveiled a portable digital video recorder (DVR), the first of its kinds in the industry.

Electronic paper

LG has been a leading innovator in technology and debuted its high-resolution flexible and coloured electronic paper, equivalent to an A4 sheet. The new e-paper shows remarkable improvement on its ancestors, which had limited colour display and resolution. The new product is perfect for applications in high end multimedia, having the ability to display about 17 million colours and a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels. On top of the innovations already made by LG with this e-paper, it is also energy-efficient, using power only where there is a change of image. Above all of this, the display can be as thin as 300 micrometers.

According to In-Jae Chung, LG’s chief technology officer and executive vice president: “Our new 14.3-inch flexible colour display is almost A4 size, but you can roll it up and take it with you. The reflective foil substrate is as easy to read as a printed sheet of paper and can be used in a number of applications like electronic textbooks and smart ID cards, where picture quality is as important as durability and portability.”

Picturesque world of Panasonic

Panasonic revealed its Limux DMC L10 ,a strongly built, exceptional quality DSLR camera with amazing features – including control of noise in the pictures taken, Live View for viewing pictures with free angle screen, and auto focus with contrast recognition – making a sensational camera for the photo geeks out there. The camera appeals to the senses of professionals and amateurs alike, due to its user friendliness and ability to capture amazing high quality pictures.

IPod Touch – a sensation of its own

iPod Touch has been revealed by Apple, a fully equipped high tech media player with interesting features like internet connectivity, wi-fi, and options like playing YouTube videos. iPod Touch uses a touch screen which is exceptionally user-friendly, along with a web browser, agenda, clock and calculator, contacts and other applications representing a phenomenon that represents a lifestyle more than just a product.

Maestro by Magellan

Magellan is one of the fastest growing GPS brands and has launched its Maestro Elite 3270 which has some of the best features for vehicular navigation. It has a seamless and smooth touch panel that makes it a sensitive and superior performer in the GPS industry. “Portable auto navigation has easily been one of the best-selling categories this holiday season, underscoring how GPS adoption is growing rapidly among mass consumers,” said Nelson Chan, president and CEO of Magellan. “With the Magellan Maestro Elite 3270’s flat-panel screens, Magellan is driving the next level of consumer demand for elegant, fully featured compact navigation solutions. The complete set of features, its elegant design, ease of use and exclusive AAA TourBook and Roadside Assistance make GPS a pleasure to use, with a style that people simply desire.”

Samsung goes Mobile

With the world going instant and mobile, Samsung revealed its G600, an ultra phone with a five mega pixel camera, three times optical zoom, and all other features that put it among the world’s best digital cameras. Mobile phones are creating waves with their enhanced features, making them more of a lifestyle and way of life than simply a phone. Samsung has included a fully functional media player and a 2 GB microSD memory card, creating a complete multimedia, multi-pleasure, instrument.

Nokia goes candid

You will not need to carry a camera, video camera, phone, laptop and memory stick if you had the Nokia N82! An epitome of multimedia excellence, this phone is a true jack of all trades featuring:

• 5-megapixel Carl Zeiss Tessar optics
• 20x digital zoom
• Xenon flash
• On-device photo editing
• 100MB internal memory
• MicroSD memory card slot
• 2GB microSD card standard in sales package

Like other phones of the N series, N82 has created waves in the multimedia industry due to its wide range of devices converged in the phone including photo editing. Who would even need a computer with a phone like the N82?