The first technologies have been unveiled at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
Waterproof smartphone coatings, diet-aiding armbands and a social network that warns drivers of the latest police speed-traps were all on show.
Microsoft's chief executive Steve Ballmer will present his company's last keynote at the three-day event.
The firm's pullout has led several attendees to speculate if the trade show will be a smaller event in future.
But if that is CES's fate you would not know it from the throng of press, analysts, executives and PRs packed into a huge hotel conference room for the first teaser event - CES Unveiled.
Some 70 companies were selected to take part in the "sneak peak" preview ahead of the show's official launch.
- Among them is Qooq, a French company that has designed a tablet computer for the kitchen. The Linux-based device is splash-proof, is held off the ground by feet that allow spilled liquids to run underneath, and can shrug off temperatures of up to 60C (140F).
- The Chinese computer maker, Lenovo, used the Unveiled event to show off its first take on what it terms a "business class, commercial grade" slimmed down laptop - the ThinkPad T430u.
The CES show is far from being just about new types of computer. In fact much of the technology is based on mixing smartphone apps with other technologies.
- One example is Bodymedia which is showing off the latest version of its health monitoring system. Sculpteo has also unveiled what it claims is the first ever app to turn the shape of a human face into a 3D printed object.
- Perhaps a bit more practical is Escort Live - a social network for motorists. The app communicates via Bluetooth with Escort's existing detectors to record sites where speed cameras have been installed or there are police officers using laser guns or radar equipment.
A total of 2,700 firms will take part, with others - such as the video games company Nintendo and chip designer Arm - holding additional invite-only briefings.
Despite doubts over the event's long-term popularity, there is a lot of competition for attention from the many attendees claiming to offer the tech industry's next big thing.
Waterproof smartphone coatings, diet-aiding armbands and a social network that warns drivers of the latest police speed-traps were all on show.
Microsoft's chief executive Steve Ballmer will present his company's last keynote at the three-day event.
The firm's pullout has led several attendees to speculate if the trade show will be a smaller event in future.
But if that is CES's fate you would not know it from the throng of press, analysts, executives and PRs packed into a huge hotel conference room for the first teaser event - CES Unveiled.
Some 70 companies were selected to take part in the "sneak peak" preview ahead of the show's official launch.
- Among them is Qooq, a French company that has designed a tablet computer for the kitchen. The Linux-based device is splash-proof, is held off the ground by feet that allow spilled liquids to run underneath, and can shrug off temperatures of up to 60C (140F).
- The Chinese computer maker, Lenovo, used the Unveiled event to show off its first take on what it terms a "business class, commercial grade" slimmed down laptop - the ThinkPad T430u.
The CES show is far from being just about new types of computer. In fact much of the technology is based on mixing smartphone apps with other technologies.
- One example is Bodymedia which is showing off the latest version of its health monitoring system. Sculpteo has also unveiled what it claims is the first ever app to turn the shape of a human face into a 3D printed object.
- Perhaps a bit more practical is Escort Live - a social network for motorists. The app communicates via Bluetooth with Escort's existing detectors to record sites where speed cameras have been installed or there are police officers using laser guns or radar equipment.
A total of 2,700 firms will take part, with others - such as the video games company Nintendo and chip designer Arm - holding additional invite-only briefings.
Despite doubts over the event's long-term popularity, there is a lot of competition for attention from the many attendees claiming to offer the tech industry's next big thing.
No comments:
Post a Comment