CES 2012: Computers and Hardware

LAS VEGAS--There's not much that we know about new Taiwanese laptop maker Inhon, but what we do know should get those who crave a lightweight carbon-fiber ultrabook reaching for their wallets.

The company debuted its first laptops, the InBook 11.6 and InBook 13.3, at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show today. Both are carbon-fiber deals that look like MacBook Airs stuck too long in the dryer. The keyboard layout is nearly identical to the Air's, the back of the lid has an empty black circle where the Apple logo is, and even the feet on the underside … Read more

LAS VEGAS -- D-Link said today at CES 2012 that it fully supports and is ready for the new era of Wi-Fi that's based on the new 802.11ac standard.

This resonates with the announcements of TrendNet, Cisco, Broadcom and other networking vendors. D-Link doesn't have any 802.11ac products to demo or showcase at the show, however.

The 802.11ac standard the upgrade to the existing 802.11n specification (known as wireless N) and is considered to be the wireless standard for the "post-PC era" of data connectivity. This is because over time, the number … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Microsoft had one last shot to go out with a bang at the Consumer Electronics Show today but instead opted to take a victory lap or two.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer did a lot of shouting and talking, but didn't say anything too substantive in his final keynote address at CES. Instead, the company chose to run through a number of its upcoming--but previously announced--projects, from Windows Phone to Windows 8.

The company, however, did say it would bring the Xbox 360 peripheral Kinect to Windows on February 1, and Ballmer said the motion-sensor device has sold 18 … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Microsoft has sung its CES swan song.

The company announced plans last month to walk away from the Consumer Electronics Show after a nearly two-decade involvement with the confab and the organization behind it.

That made tonight's keynote address from Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer the beginning of the end. Microsoft didn't make any major announcements (other than the fact that Kinect is coming to Windows on February 1). But then, the company has said the timing of the annual confab doesn't generally align with its product news milestones, and that's the key reason it'… Read more

LAS VEGAS--Microsoft is leaning heavily on the Kinect to up its cool factor. So much so it plans on bringing the gaming peripheral to Windows on February 1.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said there are more apps being created for the motion sensor, which originally debuted as a gaming peripheral and the Xbox 360's answer to the Nintendo Wii. Ballmer said the Kinect has sold 18 million units.

The Xbox and the Kinect are one of the few successful parts of Microsoft. The Kinect was a particularly hot item during the holiday season.

Microsoft initially positioned it as an … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Toshiba is apparently ready to show off very large and very small tablets at CES.

Though there's no other labeling on the two devices yet, they're clearly marked as 13.3-inch and 5.1-inch tablets--both are unorthodox sizes.

And both are concept Android tablets, a Toshiba spokesperson told CNET.

More later when we find out what makes them tick.

Sony has its eye on cranking up TV screen resolution.

The electronics and entertainment giant kicked off its CES press conference this evening by unveiling a prototype "Crystal LED display" that uses miniature light-emitting diodes in place of pixels. The technology, which uses 6 million LEDs mounted on the front of the display, is superior to LCD and plasma and promises "super contrast and superwide color gamut," Sony CEO Howard Stringer told those assembled.

While Sony has this 55-inch prototype on display at the conference, it is nowhere near production or consumers' hands. (CNET staffers at … Read more

Lenovo launched more than 20 products and demonstrated its Android-based Smart TV at CES today.

Lenovo Smart TV, based on Android 4.0, will offer high-quality video-on-demand, 3D and game support and access to applications.

In a demonstration during a news conference, Liu Jun, senior vice president of Lenovo's Mobile Internet and Digital Home Business Group, showed off different panels with live TV in one and video-on-demand in another. In a third panel was an app store with one-click access to game apps like "Fun Golf" and "Easy Badminton."

More impressive was the voice activated … Read more