Official CES thread: What is peaking your interest?

piquing

 

I'm definitely interested in the Microsoft keynote tonight. They're supposed to make an announcement relating to the 360. Bunch of rumors ranging from a deal with Netflix (for the XBLM I'd assume), Microsoft licensing the rights to manufacture 360s to other companies (so they can make their own "packages"), and of course the "ultimate" SKU that would include a HD DVD drive (which was denied by MS shortly after the WB announcement IIRC). Even if none of that stuff happens, and the announcement is pretty lame (hey guys, check out this major announcement about a AAA 360 game....GTA IV!), MS usually shows off some pretty cool stuff (guessing the surface stuff will be on display, and we'll get more IPTV-on-360 demos). Probably won't be able to get details on it live though.

As usual, I'm interested in checking out all announcements and products related to Blu-ray and HD DVD. Kind of wish Warner waited until CES to make their announcement just to make things more interesting, but oh well.

I'd like to see more on OLED and TVs using carbon nanotubes, particular anything relating to this type of technology becoming available on store shelves sometime soon.

Anything gaming-related would be awesome, but I try not to expect that much at CES. Those are probably my main interests, but I'll probably be interested in reading about a lot of things at CES.

 

1. yea, i was hoping for the ultimate sku too. now i look like a fool for believing they would release one. i still hold on to my prediction the new wii will feature dvd playback and include rechargeable battery packed wiimotes.

2. what is oled and nanotubes? is oled the led lcd monitors i've heard about? what's the significance of this? why is it better, if it's better?

 

I'm basically interested in that kind of tech because it would lead to cheaper TVs (in the long run), less power consumption, much better picture, smaller TVs (less weight and thinner), etc. Basically an all-around improvement over the technology being used today. There are hurdles for both types of technology though, and I'm worried that it is probably all a pipedream (the technical limits may prevent either one from being mass produced anytime soon if ever...or the patent disputes for that matter).

Wikipedia pages:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oled
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-conduction_electron-emitter_display
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_emission_display

The last two are links to two applications of carbon nanotubes in displays; I usually just lump the two together, although they're not the same.

 

I was all set to attend CES, but I had to drop out at the last minute for personal reasons. Would've been fun.

 

I know we've got a lot of 360 owners and there's supposed to be a big announcement made at the Microsoft presentation, so here's a link to a live feed of the presentation. It starts at 8:30 CST.

http://www.microsoft.com/ces/

 

wow we will actually be able to buy these new OLED displays



$2500

 

I don't get too excited about the latest electronics and I have no clue what CES stands for but, damn, a RC cooler for your beer. That's exciting!!!

 

Are you kidding me???

 

I hope the Brits enjoy there 360 set top boxes.

 

OLED is   t h e     $ h i t.

It stands for Organic Light Emitting Diodes. They based the technology on animals like deep sea fish who can emit light by electrically charging chemicals in their bodies.

With this technology, much thinner screens are possible (thin as a sheet of paper), larger screens are easier to make, and production costs are expected to be much cheaper than either plasma or LCD. It is capable of far superior image quality and contrast levels (curret prototypes are a milltion-to-one!) and life expectancy of the TV is projected to be much better than LCD or Plasma. The chemicals in OLED generate light on their own and therefore don't need a backlight.

What's the catch? It's still in development. OLED has not hit the large TV market yet. Until recently, engineers had problems with the lifespan of the blue channel, but now they've got it worked out.

OLED is already being used in small devices such as cell phones, watches and mp3 players. There is great anticipation for oled to hit the TV world.

I am personally excited for OLED. I wish that I could hold out til it hits the market, but my TV is on its last legs. I think I can hold out one more year, but that's about it.

Here's a couple of great video clips on OLED:
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I thought one of the really cool things I heard about this was the ability to bend the screen...as in roll it up and stuff it into a backpack. The applications of this type of flexibility are endless. Definitely cool stuff.

 

pshhhh. RC beer cooler?

How about a beer-brewing bender!