CES 2013: Windows 8 Strong on Surface Pro, Ships This Month

While Microsoft made a point of not having a CES booth this year, it quietly showcased its new Surface Pro tablet in a private suite. The unit is a full-on computer in a tablet, with an Intel i5 processor, true HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 on a 10.8-inch screen and a complete Windows 8 software suite. It’s due to ship January 26 with a retail price of $899 for 64GB of memory and $999 for a 128GB version. Continue reading CES 2013: Windows 8 Strong on Surface Pro, Ships This Month

CES 2013: RIM Quietly Shows BlackBerry 10 in Suite Demo

Unlike last year, Research In Motion was not an official CES booth exhibitor this time around, but BlackBerry devotees got a sneak peek at the company’s new BlackBerry 10 at the Venetian Hotel. The touchscreen-only device does away with the BlackBerry’s iconic QWERTY keyboard and home button. RIM is set to officially unveil its two new BlackBerry units at a press conference January 30 in New York (originally scheduled for the fourth quarter). Continue reading CES 2013: RIM Quietly Shows BlackBerry 10 in Suite Demo

CES 2013: RCA Wins One for the Nipper with Mobile TV Tab

The debut of the RCA Mobile TV Tablet made CES attendees sit up and take notice. Sporting an 8-inch HD (1024 × 768) screen, the device combines mobile DTV with over-the-air TV reception and doubles as a touch-based Android tablet. Equipped with dual cameras, Wi-Fi and GPS functionality, it is also being touted as the first dual-tuner mobile TV as well as the first integrated unit to feature the Mobile Content Venture consortium’s Dyle mobile TV service. Continue reading CES 2013: RCA Wins One for the Nipper with Mobile TV Tab

CES 2013: Canon Demos its Most Powerful DSLR (VIDEO)

Canon did not announce any major new products at CES, but it was finally showing the production version of its newest DSLR camera, the Canon EOS-1D C. Sharing the same basic chassis and form factor as its flagship still camera, the 1D X, the 1D C features several significant changes to both its hardware and software that are designed to optimize the camera for motion imaging. Perhaps most significantly, the 1D C was one of the only cameras to be found at CES capable of recording full 4K resolution footage to onboard storage media. Continue reading CES 2013: Canon Demos its Most Powerful DSLR (VIDEO)

CES 2013: GoPro Displays Latest Action Sports Camera (VIDEO)

Action sports camera manufacturer GoPro had a significantly larger presence at CES this year than they have had in the past, and they used that space to display their latest camera, the Hero3. Available in three different versions, the Hero3 is a significant upgrade from previous GoPro cameras, and offers a number of technical features that are clearly targeted at making it into a camera that is capable of delivering broadcast-quality footage. Continue reading CES 2013: GoPro Displays Latest Action Sports Camera (VIDEO)

CES 2013: Technicolor Addresses 4K Upscaling, Color Science

There were a large number of Ultra HDTVs unveiled at CES, but HD or Blu-ray played on a 4K display “visually is not an enjoyable experience,” contends Technicolor CEO Frederic Rose. “A lot of manufacturers say ‘don’t worry, we have software that can upgrade what you are watching.’ What we see is that it doesn’t work because the chip technology that is used in the Connected TVs is actually not performing enough for what is required.” Technicolor is suggesting an alternative. Continue reading CES 2013: Technicolor Addresses 4K Upscaling, Color Science

CES 2013: Larry Thorpe Discusses Canon and a 4K Viewpoint

Canon is showing it line of cameras including the EOS-1D C, EOS C100, EOS C300 and EOS C500 (which began shipping last month with a $30,000 list price). It also announced two additional Cinema EOS Primes, a 14mm and 135mm, both slated to ship in the spring. Larry Thorpe, national marketing exec and senior fellow at Canon USA, offered his take on the direction of 4K. Continue reading CES 2013: Larry Thorpe Discusses Canon and a 4K Viewpoint

CES 2013: Toshiba Teams With RED For 4K Ultra HD Demo

Toshiba showed that it is serious about 4K with a range of Ultra HDTVs, including the L9300 series that will be available in 58-, 65- and 84-inch LED models. To demonstrate what native 4K would look like on its displays, the company showed 4K content shot with a RED Epic camera and played from the soon-to-be-released, $1,450 REDRAY 4K Cinema Player. Continue reading CES 2013: Toshiba Teams With RED For 4K Ultra HD Demo

CES 2013: Production Tools for Personal and Professional Use

While the latest new displays and the stunning new tablets and smartphones tend to get the bulk of the attention at CES, in the smaller booths, hidden in the nooks and crannies of the Las Vegas Convention Center, one can find a smattering of simpler, humbler tools that can make life a lot easier for people on working in physical production. Here, we look at some tools for shooting in the field that are all new at this year’s CES, including lights, camera mounts, protective gear and storage options. Continue reading CES 2013: Production Tools for Personal and Professional Use

CES 2013: Where is Next-Gen Brain Wave Technology Headed?

NeuroSky and InteraXon both wowed CES this week with their mind controlled devices and apps, but it will be a while before brain wave technology allows Jedi-like mastery of our electronic world. And, while the technology is in its infancy right now, current systems are being used to familiarize users with the concepts and pave the way for more advanced designs. Despite their similarities, however, the companies are following very different developmental roadmaps. Continue reading CES 2013: Where is Next-Gen Brain Wave Technology Headed?

CES 2013: Biometric Tech Aims to Revolutionize Entertainment

Technicolor debuted its biometric-based content discovery and audience testing project at CES. As it transitions from research endeavor to commercial tool, the question remains, can it become a viable instrument for entertainment and advertising production? It has been successfully tested in Europe and the U.S., but several other companies introduced technology this week that could provide alternatives functionality. Continue reading CES 2013: Biometric Tech Aims to Revolutionize Entertainment

CES 2013: USB Cloud for Customized, Specified Web Viewing

USB Cloud offers small, individually serialized USB keys. When the keys are inserted into a USB socket, it automatically seeks out the USB Cloud registry, which then routes the browser to the webpage that you specify in their registry for that serial number. The Osaka-based firm envisions connecting online stores to physical stores, managing digital content, augmenting direct mail strategies, and more. Continue reading CES 2013: USB Cloud for Customized, Specified Web Viewing

CES 2013: Tactus Rises Above Fourth Wall of Touch Displays

The touchscreen changed the way users could interface with their devices and opened up a new realm of opportunities for software developers. Smartphone manufacturers, and more recently, tablet makers, have been exploiting this technology almost to a fault, lopping off nearly all the physical buttons from their designs, and with it, the physical connection between user and device. Tactus Technology aims to provide both with on-demand, transparent, physical buttons via their dynamic tactile interface. Continue reading CES 2013: Tactus Rises Above Fourth Wall of Touch Displays

CES 2013: Broadcom Introduces UHD Home Gateway and 5G Wi-Fi

Chip manufacturer Broadcom unveiled a number of new technologies at CES, including the first Ultra HDTV home gateway chip, a decoder that will enable 4Kx2K resolution distribution to the home. The company, whose enclosed convention space at the back of South Hall was abuzz with activity, also showcased its first 5G Wi-Fi wireless IPTV set-top box platform, which enables carriers to deliver HDTV programming to more devices, reliably and with greater speed and range. Continue reading CES 2013: Broadcom Introduces UHD Home Gateway and 5G Wi-Fi