Computerworld CES2012 News

Is the 'quantified self' movement just a fad?

(Mike Elgan) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The quantified-self movement appears to be going mainstream, but are these people who measure everything they eat and monitor every step they take any happier or healthier than the rest of us?

Elgan: Voice, gestures dominate CES

(Mike Elgan) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

CES 2012 ushered in three new ways that we will interact with our electronics: multitouch, voice and in-the-air gestures.

Windows 8 on ARM: You can look but you can't touch

(James Niccolai) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:30:00 GMT

For a touch-based interface it was awfully hard to get hold of. Microsoft's Windows 8 OS was shown on a handful of prototype ARM-based tablets at this year's CES, but almost no one was allowed to try it out.

Google's Marissa Mayer says more women needed in tech

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:34:00 GMT

Women may have come a long way in the high-tech field in the last 10 years, but there's still room for growth, according to a group of female tech executives who spoke at CES.

Hands on: Sony Xperia Ion smartphone

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:07:00 GMT

Sony showed off its new Xperia Ion smartphone in the middle of its massive booth at CES, drawing attention to its multimedia features and sleek styling.

New Ford Focus Electric comes with smartphone app

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:45:00 GMT

Ford's first all-electric passenger vehicle, the Focus Electric, features a smartphone app that can help drivers keep track of when the car is being charged remotely.

Insecure Android a myth, Motorola exec says

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:18:00 GMT

It's a myth that Android isn't secure and is difficult for IT managers to control, contended a top Motorola Mobile executive in an interview at the Consumer Electronics Show.

For $1000, a chance for tech glory in Vegas

(Jay Alabaster) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:58:00 GMT

"When you've got a lot of angry zombies coming at you, you really don't want to have to look away from the screen..."

Buyers hang on for cheaper, faster Windows 8 ultrabooks

(Agam Shah) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:02:00 GMT

Ultrabooks are attracting admirers at the Consumer Electronics Show, but some attendees are waiting to buy the thin laptops until prices drop and Windows 8 is released later this year.

CES: Coming soon, drones for home and office

pthibodeau@computerworld.com (Patrick Thibodeau) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:38:00 GMT

The Navibot and TeleMe show where robotics could be going.

Forget quad-core tablets; here's a quad-core smartphone

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:22:00 GMT

While some tablet makers are talking up the benefits of quad-core processors in their devices, Fujitsu has put a quad-core chip in a smartphone -- at least for a prototype version on display at CES.

Nvidia shows quad-core tablet prototype running Windows 8

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:25:00 GMT

Nvidia showed tablets using its Tegra 3 quad-core processors at CES, including a developer prototype that was running Windows 8.

At CES, Microsoft sets stage for lower Windows revenue

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:40:00 GMT

Microsoft executives this week hinted at lowered expectations for Windows revenues in the fourth quarter of 2011, citing data from research firms that point to a stall in PC shipments at the end of 2011.

Hands on with Atom-based phones at CES

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:01:00 GMT

Lenovo's K800 smartphone running the Intel Atom processor was put on display at the International Consumer Electronics Show next to a reference design smartphone that could be used by Motorola and other smartphone makers.

Hands-on at CES: Droid Razr Maxx sports big battery

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:41:00 GMT

The new Droid Razr Maxx unveiled by Motorola during CES has a stunningly large battery that's nearly twice as powerful as others on the market.

AMD hopes to take down Intel's ultrabooks on price

(Agam Shah) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:57:00 GMT

Advanced Micro Devices demonstrated its upcoming mobile chips for thin-and-light laptops, which the company said will lead to cheaper but equally speedy alternatives to Intel's expensive ultrabooks.

Justin Bieber, robo-boy, drops in on CES

(Kerry Davis) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:25:00 GMT

Justin Bieber caused a minor scrum on the floor of the Consumer Electronics Show on Wednesday when he stopped by to launch a dancing robot for Vietnamese toy and robotics designer Tosy.

New kinds of products hit Verizon's LTE network

(Nancy Gohring) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:44:00 GMT

Verizon used the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas as an opportunity to show off some of the unique applications and products being developed on its LTE network.

SOPA fight in 'last rounds,' says senator at CES

pthibodeau@computerworld.com (Patrick Thibodeau) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:34:00 GMT

Two lawmakers who are fighting the controversial SOPA and PIPA bills took their case to the world's largest consumer electronics gathering Wednesday.

FCC chairman urges action on spectrum auctions

(Nancy Gohring) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:13:00 GMT

Julius Genachowski, chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, used his time on stage at the Consumer Electronics Show Wednesday to warn that if Congress doesn't let the agency move forward with its plans to free up more wireless spectrum, it risks damaging the economy into the future.

MEMS devices swarm over CES

(James Niccolai) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:57:00 GMT

Smartphones will soon know not only where you are but what floor of a building you're on, thanks to advances in MEMS technology, one of the quiet success stories of the consumer electronics industry.

RIM hopes apps will sell PlayBooks

(Nancy Gohring) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:36:00 GMT

Research In Motion is highlighting the native and Android apps available on its struggling PlayBook at the Consumer Electronics Show as it prepares to launch the first major overhaul of the tablet's software next month.

Top CES products in handy chart format

sharon_machlis@computerworld.com (Sharon Machlis) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:20:00 GMT

From slender smartphones to coffee-table-sized touch screens, all the hot tech products from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

LTE explodes at CES

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:34:00 GMT

LTE has exploded at this week's Consumer Electronics Show, where the three top U.S. wireless carriers and dozens of other vendors are showing off how they plan to use the high-speed technology with new smartphones, tablets and even ATM's.

Intel fights for its future with smartphone deals

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:17:00 GMT

With Intel finally breaking into the burgeoning smartphone market, analysts say the company is moving to defend its turf -- and possibly even its future stability -- against an encroaching competitor.

Silver gloves said to ease cold-weather touchscreen use

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:54:00 GMT

The problem of using smartphone and tablet touchscreens has led to the creation specialized gloves that ease the task and can conduct a person's bioelectricity.

HP takes wraps off 'premium' ultrabook

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:02:00 GMT

HP is hoping to grab the fashionable user with its new ultrabook, the Envy 14 Spectre.

Do mobile devices really need multi-core chips?

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Multi-core processors for tablets and smartphones are being touted by chip maker Nvidia and others at the CES trade show, but some in the industry question their value.

After Microsoft, what next for CES?

(James Niccolai) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:54:00 GMT

Steve Ballmer gave Microsoft's last keynote at CES Monday night, a damp squib that confirmed for some that the software maker has outstayed its welcome. But whether its departure is the beginning of the end for the show depends on whom you ask.

Intel enters smartphone market after uphill battle

(Agam Shah) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:39:00 GMT

Intel on Tuesday announced its first smartphone customers, signaling the arrival of Intel Inside smartphones after years of uphill struggle by the chip maker.

Google's Schmidt says devices, apps need to be friends

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:02:00 GMT

Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt told an audience at CES that the future of technology revolves around connecting all of the electronic devices in our lives.

Golden-i headset computer to run over Verizon's 4G LTE

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:34:00 GMT

Kopin engineers demonstrated at CES a headset computer called the Golden-i for use in public safety and other field workforce applications.

Dell announces XPS 13, its first ultrabook

(Agam Shah) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:30:00 GMT

Dell on Tuesday announced its first ultrabook, the XPS 13, making some noise amid a smaller presence at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas compared to previous years.

Quad-core chips boost tablet price vs. performance battle

pthibodeau@computerworld.com (Patrick Thibodeau) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:45:00 GMT

Attendees at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week are seeing the tablet market splitting in multiple directions as the price and performance battle intensifies.

Qualcomm targets PCs, takes aim at Intel's ultrabooks

(Agam Shah) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:13:00 GMT

Qualcomm wants a piece of the PC market with its upcoming Snapdragon S4 chips as the company looks to jump out of its traditional stronghold market of smartphones and tablets, CEO Paul Jacobs said on Tuesday.

Linux takes on a bigger role at CES

(Katherine Noyes) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:48:00 GMT

The annual Consumer Electronics Show event is always a fun place to learn about the latest new gadgets coming down the pike, but--aside from Google's ubiquitous Android platform--Linux has not typically played a starring role.

iRobot unveils robotic navigator

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:43:00 GMT

Ever wish you had someone to help visitors find their way through your business? Well, iRobot may be developing the robotic guide for you.

Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Note smartphone

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:55:00 GMT

The Samsung Galaxy Note, with the world's largest smartphone screen at 5.3-in, doesn't really feel all that big at all.

For Microsoft's last CES keynote, Ballmer hawks Windows 8, Kinect

(James Niccolai) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:20:00 GMT

Microsoft's motion-sensing Kinect technology will be available for Windows PCs in a few weeks and is destined for a lot more than just gaming, CEO Steve Ballmer said at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas Monday.

AT&T pushes ahead after T-Mobile bid

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 GMT

AT&T dropped its $39 billion bid to buy T-Mobile USA in December, but the company demonstrated that it is still running on all cylinders with announcements at CES of new smartphones, a tablet and new tools for mobile app developers.

Corning readies new Gorilla Glass for 20% thinner screens

(Jay Alabaster) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:38:00 GMT

Corning is shipping samples of an updated version of its popular Gorilla Glass product, that will allow screens to be 20% thinner at the same strength.

HP Spectre ultrabook offers NFC, wireless audio

(Agam Shah) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:52:00 GMT

Hewlett-Packard on Monday announced the Envy 14 Spectre ultrabook, which the PC maker is trying to distinguish from competition with fresh features such as NFC and wireless audio.

Lenovo takes wraps off ultrabook, tablet hybrid

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:51:00 GMT

Lenovo got in on the ultrabook excitement before CES even officially opened, unveiling the IdeaPad Yoga as well as a cloud service and a new desktop PC with a touchscreen.

Samsung plans smart TVs with face recognition, voice and gesture control

(Jay Alabaster) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:38:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics announced a host of new gadgets at the International Consumer Electronics Show on Monday, including smart TVs with face recognition, plus voice and gesture control, and a super-thin ultrabook laptop with a DVD drive.

Nokia unveils Lumia 900 smartphone at CES

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:25:00 GMT

Nokia on Monday unveiled the Lumia 900, its first 4G LTE smartphone, which will run over the AT&T network.

Vizio's new 10-in. tablet to have Intel chip, Android

(Agam Shah) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:43:00 GMT

A new tablet from Vizio will come with Intel's upcoming Atom chip, code-named Medfield, and will run Google's Android operating system, a source with knowledge of the product plans said.

AT&T to sell Android tablet, 5 smartphones on 4G LTE

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:42:00 GMT

AT&T said it will unveil five Android smartphones and one tablet, the Pantech Element, on its 4G LTE network sometime early in the year.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 coming to Verizon

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:41:00 GMT

Samsung and Verizon Wireless announced the Galaxy Tab 7.7 at CES to run on the carrier's 4G LTE network.

Windows ultrabooks: What's Apple response?

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:54:00 GMT

With a glut of 'ultrabook' announcements slated at this week's CES, Apple watchers have one question: How will the Cupertino, Calif. company respond?

Intel shows off hybrids: Ultrabooks that turn into tablets

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:44:00 GMT

Intel is taking on the burgeoning tablet market by working on hybrid ultrabooks that look and act like both laptops and tablets.