CES dominated by new models of 3-D televisions, tablet PCs and upgraded smartphones

LAS VEGAS ― The world’s largest technology tradeshow bore witness to several major technology trends that can be summed up as: 3-D vision and “smart” devices.

Top electronics firms showcased upgraded 3-D televisions that promised to become more comfortable living room features by becoming bigger, yet thinner, and more attractive in design.

LG Electronics wowed the attendees with a mammoth 84-inch 3-D LED TV, while Samsung Electronics showcased a smaller 75-inch model.

Such as was the push for 3-D that Sony chairman Howard Stringer predicted, “In 2011, 3-D becomes personal.” Sony has so far produced everything in the 3-D chain from movies to TVs.

The presence of 3-D TVs appeared to be even greater than that of smart TVs.

Samsung Electronics’ head of visual display Yoon Boo-keun interpreted the 3-D competition as proving that “3-D is now a new way of life.” 

Forecasts on the 3-D TV market are still quite varied, but Display Search recently said it expects the industry to grow to 91 million units by 2014, up from the 3.2 million forecast for this year.

The 3-D range also stirred debate about 3-D eyewear, as firms are aware that some find their glasses clunky and expensive.

Defying the criticism, Samsung and LG ― the booths that drew the second-largest crowd of attendees at the show ― both showcased savvy new eyewear to make 3-D vision a more comfortable experience.

LG’s glasses received particular attention for their new technology involving the Film Patterned Retarder, which drastically reduces side-effects of existing 3-D glasses, such as flickering and crosstalk.

Japan’s Toshiba went a step further, saying it would be commercializing autostereoscopic technology ― 3-D without eyewear ― by the end of this year, despite mounting doubts over how commercially lucrative the technology will be.

“3-D without eyewear is still a long way from development or becoming affordable,” said LG Display CEO Kwon Young-soo at a press conference on the sidelines of the tradeshow.

But there also is lingering doubt in the market about how well consumers would embrace 3-D.

“The consumers have yet to give their nod as to whether they want 3-D in their living rooms or not. Despite that, the companies all want the crowd to catch on,” said Jang Sung-won, an IT researcher at the Samsung Economic Research Institute.

The smart wave was not to be outdone, as seen in the wide assortment of tablet PCs and upgraded smartphones that were on display.

More than 80 types of tablets were introduced, including the G Slate, a tablet running on the Honeycomb operating platform optimized for tablets, manufactured by LG Electronics and distributed by T Mobile.

Other tablets so far run on the Android platforms, which were originally created for smartphones.

Buyers, however, were skeptical of most of the portable PCs.

“Most of the tablet manufacturers seem to have rushed to put their products in the market. Samsung, Panasonic, Toshiba (and others) seemed to be all a little bit slow and underdeveloped,” said Kevin Sawler, a buyer for Glubes AVU, an audio and video supplier.

Sawler said he saw only Apple’s iPad as up to par, saying it has “set the standard and I don’t see anyone else who has reached that standard at the moment.”

He added, however, that as the market moves toward tablets, most will eventually roll out improved devices.

Samsung said it would be unveiling its second tablet in February, while the iPad 2 also is to be released this year.

Faster and slimmer smartphones also were a part of the CES trend, as companies introduced a slew of fourth-generation smartphones based on the Long Term Evolution Standard that promises faster downloads.

Smart appliances, although not as conspicuous as expected, also made their debut at the CES.

Attendees also noted a separate section at the convention center set aside for electric vehicles; Ford’s Alan Mulally unveiled the company’s first electric car at the 2011 International CES with its Ford Focus Electric.

The leaders of Audi and Ford also delivered keynotes, a reflection of the keen interest and significance of the auto sector, according to Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, which runs and owns the CES.

More than 2,700 technology companies across global industries dazzled attendees for this year’s CES.

Around 30,000 international attendees came for the show, with 22 top CEOs participating in the keynotes.

“The 2011 International CES was a phenomenal worldwide event that spanned global industries including technology, automotive and entertainment markets,” said Shapiro. “This global technology gathering featured more innovation, more news, more social media buzz and more international attendance than any other show in CES history.

By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)

(Korea Herald correspondent)