Thin, smart and transparent.
These are the attributes of gadgets that stood out at last week’s International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Thousands of products were showcased at the annual tech-fest, with many already in the market and others slated for release soon. Some were prototypes that may never reach consumers.
A look at some notables:
Thin is in
Ultrabooks entered the show with the most buzz, and they didn’t disappoint. At less than an inch thick and weighing 2 pounds to 3 pounds, ultrabook laptops are as dazzling to look at as they are to actually hold and use.
They will eliminate the need for bulky laptops that weigh more than 5 pounds and can be a pain to lug around. Manufacturers showed they can pack the same type of computing muscle and functionality into a super-thin and lightweight form factor without attaching a hefty price premium. Some models are selling for less than $1,000.
Lenovo’s IdeaPad Yoga turned heads with its 360-degree flip-and-fold design. I also was drawn to Dell’s XPS 13 ultrabook, which combines the XPS line’s traditionally rugged look with newfound thinness. The Yoga is slated for release in the second half of this year starting at $1,200. The XPS will be available by the end of February starting at $1,000.
The ultra-thin LG 55EM9600 55-inch OLED TV won CNET’s “Best of Show.” The 4-millimeter-thick TV set has features such as Internet and passive 3-D capabilities. It is slated for release in the second half of 2012.
Smart watches
They’re actually wearable mini-computers that can be attached to a watch strap. One such device from Silicon Valley-based WIMM Labs was a finalist for the show’s annual Last Gadget Standing competition. The Android- based WIMM One runs micro-apps and games similar to the programs found on smartphones. Some features are more convenient to have on the watch than on a phone, such as the calendar program. When an appointment alert beeps, you just simply look on the watch for details rather than pull out your phone.
I used an app on the WIMM One to pay for a Starbucks coffee, and the Dick Tracy-type move amazed the baristas, with one remarking that it was “a mind-blowing experience” accepting my payment.
Motorola’s MOTOACTV is a similar device geared toward fitness buffs.
The downside to moving many of the functions typically found on a smartphone to your watch is battery life — you have to charge the smart watch daily just like a phone. The pricing on wearable mini-computers is around $200 to $300.
Transparency
Samsung’s Transparent Smart Window is a giant touchscreen that can be installed in the place of a traditional window. The touchscreen display includes digital blinds that open and close with a swipe of the finger, and an array of apps. You can watch videos, read tweets and perform other functions typically assigned to a tablet computer.
Haier’s transparent OLED TV is an eye-catching set, producing a nice picture while offering the futuristic see-through capability. But unlike Samsung’s window display, which could be handy for a home office or kitchen, Haier’s transparent TV doesn’t appear to have a spot in the house and may be geared toward commercial use. Both products were showcased as prototypes, so no word yet on availability or pricing.
Other standouts
The much-anticipated Nintendo Wii U console adds a second screen to gaming with a remote control that features a 6-inch touchscreen display. The possibilities to leverage the second screen seem endless. Nintendo demonstrated a battle game in which the smaller display shows the player’s location while the TV screen shows the aim of the player’s weapon. Another cool demo featured panoramic view, with the controller’s screen displaying an alternative view based on the player’s physical movements with the controller.
The new system will be released in the second half of 2012 and will be backward compatible with its Wii predecessor. Pricing wasn’t available.
The Samsung Galaxy Note tries to revive two failed features of smartphones — the 5-inch screen and the stylus. It may succeed by including software that leverages the features, such as a scribble app that allows users to sketch and draw as though the phone were a paper notepad. As with pen and paper, the darkness of the stylus stroke changes with the pressure placed on the touchscreen.
The Galaxy Note will be released “soon” from AT&T and will be 4G LTE capable.
Finally, Sony’s Tablet P is a foldable tablet that features dual 5.5-inch touchscreens. When opened, the screens work together, offering a display that’s comparable to Sony’s full-sized Tablet S. When folded, the Tablet P fits easily in a pocket. It weighs less than 1 pound and runs Android’s Honeycomb operating system. Sony didn’t disclose release details.
Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209, avuong@denverpost.com or twitter.com/andyvuong
