Ashley gave us his digest of all that was great about CES this year over on TechDigest. We reproduce it here for your viewing pleasure...

While a tablet-saturated CES didn't make for an exactly inspiring 2011 show, there was still more than enough great tech on display to have us looking forward to the year ahead. Leaps forward in 3D display quality were exciting, while dual-core smartphones may prove to be the most exciting development in mobile technology since the advent of the app.

Tech Digest were on the ground at the annual Las Vegas show. Here are our picks of the best gear and announcements from CES 2011.

1: Sony's 3D headset concept

Easily the coolest item we saw at the show, concept or otherwise, was Sony's 3D headset. Fitting over your head like the old-school virtual reality sets, it employed two OLED screens and pseudo-5.1 channel headphone surround to give an effective, personal 3D cinema experience. It's a long way off from hitting stores, but we loved it even at this early stage.

2. LG Optimus 2X smartphone

While the LG Optimus 2X may seem a fairly standard Android handset, it actually sits on the cusp of what is sure to be the next major trend in smartphone technology. The first dual-core smartphone to hit the market, it runs at a blistering pace, swapping between intensive 3D gaming tasks and HD video recording without breaking a sweat. Dual-core is the future, and expect all major manufacturer's flagship handsets to follow suit.

3: ARM chip support for next version of Windows

No video for this one, but a huge CES story nonetheless. While the CES showstoppers inevitably turned out to be the Sony and LG big guns, there's a quiet revolution beginning to spark over at ARM, the UK semiconductor chip suppliers.

That's due to the fact that Microsoft dropped the bombshell that ARM mobile processors will be supported in the next iteration of their operating system, aka Windows 8.

What makes this such a big deal? Windows currently supports x86 silicon processors from the likes of AMD and Intel which, while powerful, are power hungry and noisy. This is significant particular in laptop and netbook computing, where the processors burn through battery power at an often alarming rate.

ARM chips, already making big waves on mobile platforms, are near silent and massively more power efficient. You're talking potentially quadrupled battery life and instant start-up times on devices using both ARM chips and the next Microsoft OS.

It also bodes well for Microsoft's next wave of tablets, which will inevitably house some variant of the Windows 8 platform, which will also benefit from the increased chip efficiency.

4: Motorola Xoom tablet

Motorola's Xoom tablet was easily the best of the 100+ tablets launched at the show. Running Android 3.0 Honeycomb (the first build of the OS to specifically work with the tablet form), the dual-core slate was zippy and packed full of features. 1080P HD video playback, 720p HD recording, 5MP stills, a front-facing camera, 32GB of storage, HDMI output, all housed in a gorgeous 10.1 inch unit. There's even a barometer inside to predict the weather by measuring atmospheric pressure. It's looking pretty special, and will give the inevitable iPad 2 some real competition.

5: Pioneer Network Vision HUD laser car satellite navigation concept

Another concept piece that's still way off from hitting the stores was the Pioneer Network Vision HUD. Sitting on your dashboard, it's a laser projector that syncs with your smartphone to beam data onto the inside of your windscreen. There's the potential for this concept to totally shake up the sat-nav market; imagine having a minimal Google Maps system projected right onto our car windscreen while you drive, alongside social network updates and contact info. Potentially distracting, if developed delicately it could change driving forever.

6: LG ST600 Smart TV Upgrader

Smart or connected TVs were all over the place at CES 2011. If the major manufacturers have there way, every TV in your house will be web-enabled and filled with apps. Thanks to LG, those features wont just be limited to brand spanking new sets either. Their ST600 Smart TV Upgrader connects to any TV with a HDMI port, and instantly turns it into an internet-savvy gogglebox. The best part? LG expect to sell for no more than £100 when it launches in the Spring. Definitely one of our show favourites.

7: Sony's 3D glasses-free autostereoscopic OLED TV

LG impressed back at IFA last year with their 31 inch 3D OLED display, but Sony went one better at CES 2011 by throwing autostereoscopic tech into the mix. Their OLED was vibrant, sharp and had a real sense of depth, without the need for glasses. If 3D is truly going to win over the hearts of the casual gadget fan, Sony are definitely moving the technology in the right direction.

8: Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series laptop/tablet hybrid

Not sure whether you want a laptop or a tablet PC? Get the best of both worlds with the Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series hybrid. The Sliding PC 7 Series solves your problem in that it can be used as a tablet with a touch screen and apps, but also features a sliding keyboard so it can be used as a fully functioning PC. It has a 10 inch screen, runs Windows 7 and has 3G connectivity as an option.

9: Gibson Firebird Z robotic guitar

Robotic guitars aren't exactly brand new, but we couldn't help but become smitten with the Gibson Firebird Z. The veritable axe-powerhouse have put together a very nifty guitar that, on a purely mechanical level is a dream to play. Throw into the mix near limitless built-in combinations of pedals and amp settings, as well as the very cool auto-tuning headstocks and you've got a guitar for the Jetsons age.

10: Angry Birds: Knock on Wood boardgame

A little bit of fun to round the list off. We went hands-on (literally) with the Angry Birds of mobile app fame, as they hit the real world with the Knock on Wood boardgame. It's a bit like Jenga, but with plastic pigs and birds, which will come as no surprise to the millions of fans the game already has.

Like tablets? We got tablets. A hell load of them. Gerald and Ashley have done a round-up of 12 of the tablets released at CES 2011. There are ones that connect to the TV - the Panasonic Viera; there's that Motorola Xoom; the Blackberry Playbook; and one by uh Polaroid. It's not a camera, it's a tablet, honest.

Take a browse through some of these flat touchscreen beauties..

Samsung Windows Sliding 7

Motorola Xoom

Polaroid TC 970

BlackBerry Playbook

eLocity A10 Android tablet

Cella 10inch Android Tablet

Panasonic Viera Tablet

MSI Kidpad

Creative Ziio

Vinci Tablet

Coby Kyros 10

Global Systems iTablet

[via Techdigest]

Well we've all seen the tablets, the men in suits and the 3D dishwashers and suchlike - but CES has another side. A weirdy side.

A side where Hasssidic Jews set up marketing stalls and there is a peanut butter cupcake on a pedestal. We bring you three weird things from CES 2011.

1) Hassidic Jews
Of course there's nothing inherently weird about religious expression, it just comes across as funny in the midst of all those clean-cut techies. The large presence of Hassidic Jews is largely down to B&H Electronics - and is run on those principles.
"Ask how business is going.." the AP reported.. " and you get this: 'Baruch Hashem,' or 'Blessed be God' - meaning, roughly, 'Thanks to God, things are good.'"
[theatlantic.com]

2) Reese's Minis
Unveiled on a spotlit pedestal to a drum roll, this small peanut-butter cupcake isn't actually a piece of technology. But makers Reese say that much technical innovation has gone into making the cupcakes so small. They tell us: "Reese's Minis reflect the best in creative product innovation and 'on-the-go' interfacing with user taste buds. And they solve an important issue for techies, too - their size and unwrapped state makes them ergonomically perfect for one-handed internet surfing or texting."
[via chipchick]

3) Hanging iPad Chairs.
See that picture above, that's what we're talking about. The chairs hang from the ceiling and have little bendable arm with an iPad dock on them. I think that's weird.
[via inquistr]

So there are some weird sideshows at CES. But then again, most corporate presentations are pretty weird too if this account of Samsung's keynote is anything to go by...

"4:12PM Oh, and we found a box of popcorn on our seats -- it's green and marked ZOLL. No, we have no idea what that means.
4:29PM The screens are now an undulating blue cube field. And man -- are they ever undulating."
etcera etera from Engadget's live coverage

Hey this is the tech industry, I guess most of us just are kinda weird.

Watch out Samsung, Apple and HP - there's a new name in tech and it's one of the biggest names in the world. As if the platinum records and global fame weren't enough, Lady Gaga has popped up at CES and busted out a couple of gadgets.

Sure, the printer for mobile phone pictures, some sunglasses with an embedded film camera features and a Polaroid camera won't shake the tech world,. but they will get lots of publicity and probably sell a bunch because you know what, Gaga is even more popular than Steve Jobs. If she made a phone, people would buy that phone regardless of the specs.

Under the "Grey Label by Haus of Gaga," the gadgets include a pair of sunglasses with embedded camera and display, a mobile phone photo printer and a Polaroid camera. Naturally the sunglasses were modelled on a naked gold statue of a woman with nipple Xs. The glasses let you take pictures of what you're looking at, some kind of robot dream.

Just some nice gadgets for a pop star about town. The mobile phone photo printer is a cute idea though. Something I'd genuinely use, if didn't cost a bomb and came out with some cute prints.

We love you GAGA.

See more of our CES 2011 coverage

Shooting in right at the top of the hotly contested tablet PC category, the Motorola Xoom is a tablet to look out for and offers some strong competition to the iPad and the Galaxy Tab.

It's built on top of Google Android's Honeycomb operating system, specially designed for tablets and cuts a

Larger than both the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the iPad the 10.1-inch Xoom from Motorola it also packs a lot of the hardware features that the Apple gadget lacks - cameras for example. It has a 5megapixel back camera with flash, and a front-facing 2megapixel one for video chat. Nice.

It runs on a dual-core 1GHz processor and will ship with a 3G radio for wireless broadband to start, but can be upgraded to 4G Long Term Evolution through a hardware modem swap later this year.

No pricing or dates as yet...

Well if it isn't a new smartphone from Sony Ericsson. The Android powered Arc Experia is a bit of a looker.

Gerald gives it a once-over.

We mentioned this one yesterday, and Gerald's had a hands-on with it. Sony brings 3D filming down to it's consumer Bloggie camera.

Best of all is the circa £160 price tag.

Gerald explains just what a "rear projection TV" is..., the thinking behind this Mitsubishi prototype and gives us his verdict on the whole shebang.

You'll get to watch the trailer for that Yogi Bear movie too...

See all our CES 2011 coverage

There have been a whole bunch of tablets out this CES - what makes this one special? It's a powerful Windows tablet for business users this will retail for about £1000. Gerald gets to the representative from Motion to give him his sales pitch..

See all our CES 2011 coverage

Oh HELLO. It's one of two smooth new smartphones from LG. Pretty nice eh? Apparently it's the slimmest currently available in the world...

LG say:
Providing users with a dramatically brighter 4-inch NOVA display in the world's slimmest 9.2 mm mobile device, LG Optimus Black creates a one-of-a-kind user experience unlike anything before.

Available for the first time in the mobile market, LG Optimus Black's NOVA display is designed to be the brightest, clearest and most readable among mobile screens with 700nits of brightness for optimal visibility.

See more on LG's Optimus Black and other handset the Revolution in our story:
#CES 2011: LG's Revolution will be a 4G speed monster

Want to stick your iPod into The Stig's head and listen to music playing out of his visor? You'll soon be able to. The BBC in conjunction with audio makers Speakal have created two beautiful sets of iPod speakers for the fan girls and boys out there.

Based on Top Gear and Dr Who programmes they will take iPods, iPhones or iPads. The Tardis version connects to your music player over bluetooth.

"Top Gear and Doctor Who have some of the most die hard fans of any program in the world" said CEO David Solomon. "We're proud to offer their fan base these unique and lifelike replicas of their favorite BBC icons" he added.

We like them, but are just waiting to see what the price range is before putting in any orders..

Your trusty family car could soon be just as wired up to the internet as your laptop or mobile as manufacturers seek to get internet connections into cars. It's a hotly tipped area in tech this year.

I'm expecting Apple to bust out an iCar any week now... just think of these new cars as giant mobile phones with wheels that you can sit on.

In the meantime... Harman and Sierra Wireless announced a step forward for car internet at CES in the form of an LTE wireless module that could be fitted into cars and would provide them with high-speed internet. Sort of like a dongle for your car that will let it access the fast LTE internet network.

The module will be called the AirPrime, and will have an open API allowing third parties to write apps for it.

Bring it on!

See all our CES 2011 coverage

A gadget that isn't even actually at CES is causing some of the biggest waves at the tech fair this year. Yes, it's the iPad 2. It won't be coming out for at least a month, and Apple as usual aren't displaying at CES, but a mock-up of the new version of Apple's tablet used to demo an iPad case has got everyone all excited.

A case by Dexim contained an aluminium mock-up of the iPad 2, and the shape of the case hints at some significant changes to the shape of the new iPad. It has a whole load of different stuff going on according to Engadget.. This is what the future looks like..

>>more tapered edges, rather like the iPod Touch
>>slimmer
>>a bigger speaker
>>home button is nearer the bottom edge of the device
>>dent in the top edge of the case suggests a camera

Okay, we don't know how much the case manufacturers know about Apple's plan for Pad 2, but the case manufacturers must be working off something to design their cases around and it could well be that this machined aluminium mock-up is genuinely the shape of the new iPad..

[via Engadget]

by Gerald Lynch, from Vegas

The first snippets of info on two new LG smartphones have hit the CES 2011 floor. The Optimus Black and Revolution are the devices in question, and both are packing some pretty nifty features.

The Optimus Black offers the "power of light" from within an "innovatively slim smartphone with the best display clarity." Slim and sharp then? The specs doing the roundS suggest a 4-inch touchscreen on 9.2mm-thick device, but all other details are being kept tightly under wraps for now.

The LG Revolution looks to push the buttons of mobile web users, being an LTE-connected handset making the most of the American 4G network from Verizon. 4G services have yet to make waves in the UK, but US readers can expect a very speedy browsing experience. Speed of internet access on LTE networks are roughly 2-5x faster than on 3G.

The two new smartphones join the LG Optimus 2X, a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 packing superphone in LG's smartphone assault for 2011. We're hoping to get hands on time with all three devices, so keep checking back to Tech Digest for more news soon.

Via: Techdigest

See all our CES 2011 posts

We knew tablets were coming this year at CES and ASUS - the makers of dinky little netbook the Eee PC - have been quick off the mark in getting their tablets out. Smallest is the handheld 7" Eee Pad MeMo, the Eee Slider and Eee Transformer are both 10.1" and stand out for incorporating QWERTY keyboards like a netbook. The large 12" Eee Slate comes with a stylus and can have a keyboard attached.

The Eee Pad MeMo has a 7 inch capacitive touch screen, runs off the Qualcomm Snapdragon chip that powers many of the fancy smartphones around at the minute and will pack Android Honeycomb - the operating system Google built specially for tablet computers. They say: "featuring HD playback capabilities, mobile gaming, an exciting Web experience and is accompanied by a stylus pen for taking handwritten notes."

We really like the sound of this.

Moving up the size spectrum is the Eee Pad Slider and Eee Pad Transformer at 10.1 inches which both pack NVIDIA chips and also run Android Honeycomb.

They have a Windows 7 device too.. a large 12" inch touchscreen tablet with an Intel i5 processor inside - the sort of chip you'd find in a laptop. This is a bit of a powerhouse tablet, Asus claim that the Eee Slate EP121 is "the most powerful tablet ever introduced" and promise that it allows the user to run a variety of desktop applications on its 64GB SSD drive while offering various data input options ranging from a Wacom Digitizer pen to an included Bluetooth wireless keyboard for ultimate user flexibility.

Jonney Shih, CEO of the Japanese company announced they had picked up eight CES Innovation Awards.

browse through some snaps of the tablets below..

See more: Asus CES website

Apple released the iPad last February, and it took other manufacturers a little while to catch up. Now it looks like they have. CES 2011 promises to kick start the year of the alternative Tablet as manufacturers use the gadget show to bust out a range of iPad rivals powered by the Google Android operating system.

1. iPad lookalikes
- first things first, that flat black rectangular touchscreen look is going to dominate a whole swathe of devices. Though also expect some more innovative designs - flip out keyboards, foldable devices and manufacturers pushing the boundaries at both ends of the size bracket.

2. The works
- the iPad got as much coverage for what it left out as what it included. Omissions from the first iPad included a camera, support for Flash, USB or HDMI ports. An easy way for a manufacturer to get the edge on the iPad is to include these features.

3. An emphasis on range and pricing plans
- one of the weaknesses of Apple's wunder-tablet is that there's only one of them and it's pretty damn expensive. The under $500 market will be hotly competitive, and smart manufacturers will be looking to hammer out contract deals with 3G internet providers to make the devices more appealing to the buyer.

4. Lots of Android tablets but also some on Windows 7 and Linux
- Android's Honeycomb operating system for tablets is getting released early in 2011 and given the apps available on the platform and the track record that Android has, it's no surprise that this is the first choice of platform for manufacturers. Windows 7 will also be putting in a strong bid, after the success of Windows 7 for phones earlier this year. Steve Ballmer from Microsoft is due to deliver a keynote on 5th Jan and we expect some tablet announcements from him.

5. Dual-core processors
- Android's Honeycomb operating system for tablet is rumoured to require dual core processors. This will give tablets some serious speed and processing power.