CES 2013 Kicks Off With Intel Smartphones & Massive TVs

CES 2013 has kicked off with several vendors now setting up to deliver their latest and greatest. The whole idea of CES is that manufacturers such as Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and LG show off their brightest, noisiest and coolest gadgets, and that the press then trumpets these triumphs to a world eager for the latest on OLED 55-inch smart TVs with integrated Ethernet.Last year, for example it was all about Ultrabooks, 3D TVs and TVs that could run apps and connect to the internet. Now it’s about OLED and Ultra High Definition TVs and, above all, connectivity for devices.

When it comes to really big things, nothing is going to beat Samsung’s presence at this show, Their stand is as big as the MCG and their press conference is set to be massive with 5,000 media set to cram into the event.

LG, Sony and Panasonic have the biggest space along with the emerging Chinese brands.

Intel is set to reveal several vendors who will use their new processor technology in smartphones, including two new Motorola models. Samsung is setting up to reveal a series of new products plus a new brand positioning.

Noticeably absent from the show floor is Microsoft; their stand has been taken by Chinese brand Hisense who are set to launch several new products in Australia this year.

This will be the first since time since 1995 in which the head of Microsoft is not presenting a keynote at CES. There is no Bill Gates or Steve Ballmer to make a keynote presentation and are no new Microsoft consumer products. The closest will be a brand new Xbox 760 which is tipped for later this year at the EA Games Show.

It’s almost as if Windows 8 is yesterday’s product. The hot subjects are Android, connectivity and a host of new devices that can deliver content.

Also missing is Apple who after giving up on Macworld now believes their brand is so strong that they don’t need to slum it with the technology riff raff such as Google, Sony, Samsung, LG and Samsung. Another brand that has chosen to give the show a miss is Motorola.

Google is here along with hundreds of Android smartphones and tablets and what used to be Microsoft’s fiefdom, is now turning into Google’s.

A sneak peak inside the LG press conference set up which is this year being held at Mandalay Bay confirms that OLED TVs, Ultra High Definition TVs along with some very smart appliances are set to be revealed. A new range of Optimus smartphones are set to be revealed along with new PC technology and smart vacuum cleaners.

Intel’s Ultrabooks platform hasn’t met the company’s lofty projections, however they are sticking with the technology with several vendors set to launch new Intel powered Ultrabooks.

Most of the new Ultrabooks announced at CES this year will be 14-inch and 15-inch models.

I expect that we will see some unique hinge designs along with a lot of standard convertible and dock able products.
More to follow.