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We've been hearing about Android 3.0 Honeycomb for a while now, the build of Android that would be designed with tablets in mind. Now, Google shows off it's latest version during CES, and it does appear that the UI has been redesigned in some major ways--it now fits especially well on the larger screen. Google posted a video showcasing some of the new design, which looks very different from what we've grown used to in the Android world.

Gallery: Google shows off Android 3.0


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intel core 2 sandy bridge

Intel has announced the details of its next generation CPU at CES, the Sandy Bridge Core processor. Basically, it's the next generation Core series of CPUs that will soon power a large amount of desktops and laptops. Some of the features include better energy performance, providing better battery life, and improved 3D graphics. One of the perhaps most impressive change is how much better the integrated graphics will be. Previously, a system that does not have a dedicated graphics card, but instead relies on Intel's integrated graphics, could simply not play any recent 3D game. According to some early reports, that may no longer be the case. Intel also claims "content creation is up to 42 percent faster and gaming up to 50 percent faster." Like previous chips, the new Sandy Bridge will be available as i3, i5 and i7. A big thank you to Sears from bringing out the Blue Blogger Crew to CES.

Read More | CNET

Gallery: Intel debuts next generation Core processors at CES


pioneer in-car social networking

As part of their CES presentation, Pioneer, a company used to making audio and electronic equipment for cars, announced their plans to integrate Twitter, Facebook and Pandora deeper into their devices. This will lead to your dashboard being connected directly to your social feeds. Pioneer says that it believes smartphones don't do the job because of their small screens, plus the fact that they require a driver's full attention. The new devices from Pioneer will read tweets and status updates directly to the user. The company will bring 9 different models in 2011 starting at $150.

Read More | Mashable

Gallery: Pioneer brings Twitter, Facebook, Pandora integration to your car


tablet sales us

According to a new study by Forrester Research, the US sale of tablets, whether it's the iPad, Android or others, will more than double in 2011. The trend will keep going up, until more than one third of Americans own one by 2015. Their previous figures were much more conservative, and the outlook is likely to change again in the future. Still, this is probably closer to reality, as the iPad showed us that people really do want tablets, as long as the software and hardware are well executed. While the iPad will dominate at least for the foreseeable future, most device makers have already jumped on the bandwagon (you'll see proof of this at CES this week.) By 2015, the yearly amount of units sold should reach 44 millions.

Read More | Forrester

Gallery: US tablet sales will more than double this year


samsung SH100

Fresh out of CES 2011, Samsung has announced their new SH100 point and shoot camera. What's so special about this one? Well, the main advantage here is the built-in Wi-Fi with DLNA support. This allows you to send images and videos to friends and web services (Facebook, YouTube, Picasa, Photobucket) directly from the camera itself without having to sync to a computer first. Speaking of syncing, the SH100 can also use it's Wi-Fi signal to wirelessly and automatically sync to a computer on the same network, eliminating the need for a cable. The DLNA let's you wirelessly display images and videos to a television right from the camera as well.

Even better, if you have a Samsung Galaxy S Android smartphone, you can use that device as a remote control for the camera. It will act as a remote viewfinder with shutter control at the very least. It's got a 14.2 megapixel sensor and 4.7-23.5mm lens which is nothing to write home about, but hey, for all this thing can do it's priced at just $200. That must mean we should be seeing more of this type of stuff just built-in to cameras this year (we hope!)

Gallery: Samsung SH100 Wi-Fi enabled point and shoot digital camera


CES 2011It's the beginning of a new year, and in the technology world, that means it's time for CES. We'll be hitting Vegas this week to cover the biggest consumar electronics show in these here United States later this week, where we expect to bring you a ton of breaking news. CES is where consumer electronics manufacturers shows off their upcoming wares for the year, and it gives a general idea of where the industry is going (for the records, we expect tablets to be pretty big this year.)

For CES, we'll be part of the Sears Blue Blogger Crew, and we'll be working as part of a team of other technology experts as we aim to give you an in-depth look at the sights and sounds of the event:

  • Jenna Hatfield, lead blogger at Stop, Drop and Blog; newspaper photographer and BlogHer contributing editor.
  • Kris Cain, Kris Cain, lead blogger for LittleTechGirl, Tech Editor on Mom Blog Magazine, Host of Tech Talk After Dark on MomTV, editor and writer for the National Apple Gear and Chicago Tech Gear sections on Examiner.com. 
  • Andru Edwards, Editor-in-Chief of Gear Live (that's me!)
  • Kelly Clay, a veteran blogger, works for Lockergnome, where she breaks news and analyzes trends in the tech industry. She currently lives in Seattle.
  • Barbara Rozgonyi, founder of the Chicago chapter of the Social Media Club, reports on ways to grow business and build brands through her blog, WiredPRWorks.

Be sure to check Gear Live this week for all the latest CES news. In addition, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or go old-school with our RSS feed.

Big thank you to Sears for covering our travel costs and expenses for this years Consumer Electronics Show.

Gallery: It’s CES 2011 week, and we’ll be there to cover all the highlights!


tablet ces 2011

This time last year, the tech world was holding its collective breath for the "slate" device Apple was heavily rumored to be releasing. A few weeks after CES, we had the Apple iPad, and a new product category with a clear leader was officially born. Since then, it feels like someone poured water on the tablet category or fed it after midnight. The sheer multitude of tablets seems to multiply like gremlins, and many of the products are equipped with operating systems that have a few gremlins of their own. CES 2011, nonetheless, will be remembered as the opening bell for the year of the tablet. Thus far, only two true contenders, Apple's iPad and Samsung's Android-based Galaxy Tab, have emerged as viable, enviable tablets. In about a week, that will all change…maybe.

Click to continue reading Tablets set to take the stage at CES 2011

Gallery: Tablets set to take the stage at CES 2011


 

HTC thunderbolt

Verizon Wireless is set to unveil a half-dozen 4G LTE smartphones at next week's Consumer Electronics Show. Will the first device it shows off be the HTC Thunderbolt?

Droid Life on Tuesday posted photos of the HTC Thunderbolt, which it says will be Verizon's first 4G LTE device. The site didn't have any details on specs except to note that it looks a lot like the Desire HD. The device features a kickstand and Google branding.

Verizon said it has no comment.

Click to continue reading HTC Thunderbolt to be first Verizon 4G LTE smartphone?

Gallery: HTC Thunderbolt to be first Verizon 4G LTE smartphone?


Vizio XVT3D650SV 3D HDTV

At 65 inches, the Vizio XVT3D650SV 3D HDTV is the largest TV Vizio has ever released. Vizio is also calling its Theater 3D technology the best out there:

Theater 3D is up to 50% brighter, has one half of the visual crosstalk distortion, handles fast action motion without blurring images, has a wider horizontal viewing angle and has none of the annoying flickering of Active Shutter 3D that may cause eye strain.

If that doesn't have you sold, then you'll be pleased to know that the TV comes with four pairs of 3D glasses for an entire family, as well as built-in dual-band Wi-Fi and Vizio Apps such as Amazon Video On Demand, Netflix, and Vudu. 

Look for it this month at Costco, Sam’s Club, and online for a steep $3,499.99.

Gallery: Vizio XVT3D650SV 3D HDTV doesn’t require active-shutter glasses


microsoft tablet ces

Microsoft, along with various hardware partners, entered the tablet market a decade ago, but it was never a big success for them. Now that the iPad has taken off, and with Android tablets also looking strong this Christmas, the New York Times has an exclusive report saying that Microsoft is about to release a series of new tablets at CES early next year. According to inside sources, Steve Ballmer will introduce devices from Samsung, Dell and others, and try to get Microsoft back in the race. However, unlike the iPad and Android tablets, they will run Windows 7 or 8, a full desktop OS, and include a slide out keyboard.

Of course the fact that they will run a full OS brings questions like how much battery life they will have. Also, some of the marketing points will be for people to "work on Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint while doing work”. This seems very similar to what the UMPC and previous Windows tablets were about, and it seems like a repeat of previous attempts--including last year at CES where Ballmer announced their new tablet initiative.

Read More | New York Times

Gallery: Microsoft to announce new tablets at CES 2011?


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