Google’s I/O developers conference kicks off tomorrow with a three-hour keynote from the Moscone Center in San Francisco. During the three-day event, the company is expected to announce an update to its Android mobile operating system and an updated version of its 7-inch Nexus 7 tablet (and possibly a new 11-inch model), while there has been speculation that Google may also unveil a new smartphone from Motorola, a new design for Google Maps, new Chrome features and more. Continue reading New Products and Updates: Google I/O Kicks Off Tomorrow

Notable handset makers and telecom carriers are turning to alternative mobile operating systems in an effort to beat Microsoft and Research In Motion to the punch as the next credible challenger to smartphones run by Apple and Google. A range of companies are hoping an alternative platform to market leaders iOS and Android will emerge. Watch for devices running Firefox OS, Tizen, Ubuntu and Sailfish. Continue reading Alternative Mobile Platforms Look to Join Apple and Google

Chip company Qualcomm made its fortune in mobile connectivity, but is pursuing additional initiatives as well. Most recently, it has created an open source mesh-networking platform called AllJoyn, which connects nearby devices to each other instead of connecting each device back to the Internet. Qualcomm plans to announce its plans at the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona this week. Continue reading AllJoyn: Qualcomm Touts Peer-to-Peer Networking Platform

The Home of the Future was a popular theme at World’s Fairs and theme parks. Such a home would include centralized and automated control of appliances, voice commands, picture phones, and the use of computer technology throughout the house. That Home of the Future concept was in evidence throughout CES with connected solutions from companies including Samsung, Technicolor, Qualcomm and AT&T. Continue reading CES 2013: Internet of Everything Starts in the Connected Home

Qualcomm became the first mobile company to open CES Monday night, taking over the prized pre-show keynote spot, previously reserved for Microsoft. The move is symbolic of a new focus on mobile and the company’s efforts to show consumers that its chips power their favorite portable electronics and help make the “Internet of everything” movement possible. Continue reading CES 2013: Qualcomm Takes Over Microsoft’s Pre-Show Keynote

“Born Mobile” was the theme of this year’s pre-show keynote as Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs discussed how his company has been there from the beginning — creating modems, processors and chips that help power smartphones and tablets and connect them to the Web. Qualcomm’s biggest announcement was the company’s new quad-core Snapdragon 800 series of processors, the next step by the company to lead the “mobile generation.” Continue reading CES 2013: Qualcomm CEO Wants to Lead the Mobile Generation

Last year’s Consumer Electronics Show broke attendance records, with more than 156,000 people descending upon Las Vegas. This January, the 2013 show is expected to match last year’s attendance and set a new record in terms of show floor space, with more than 1.85 million square feet of booths and exhibits.

“Every day brings more good news. We are bigger than last year, in terms of our footprint. That’s how we measure the size of the show in the trade-show world,” explains Consumer Electronics Association chief exec Gary Shapiro, who anticipates more than 3,300 exhibitors. “The thing I’m really excited about is the startup area,” notes Shapiro. “We did a deal last year for Eureka Park and we thought we’d have 30 companies. We had 100, and this year we have 140.”

Shapiro expects CES to be packed despite Microsoft’s absence. The company has traditionally given the opening keynote to kick off the show, but will be replaced this year by Paul Jacobs, CEO of mobile chip maker Qualcomm.

“That change is symbolic, as Microsoft represented the PC industry, while Qualcomm generates billions on the strength of smartphone and tablet chip sales,” reports VentureBeat.

Anticipated trends include touchscreen, gesture and sensor tech; wireless wallets; Ultra HD 4K TVs; 3D printing and cloud-based services. This year’s show will also feature an increased presence in terms of digital health, green technology and the automotive industry (including connected cars and electric vehicles).

“Another big draw will be anything connected to Apple,” explains VentureBeat. “Apple employees are coming, but Apple traditionally doesn’t exhibit or speak at CES. But the iLounge section devoted to Apple-related products built by other companies is now going to have 440 companies across 120,000 square feet.”