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CES 2004: Digitizing entertainment

Technology companies large and small descend on Las Vegas as competition for a piece of the digital living room heats up.

8 min read
Technology companies large and small descend on Las Vegas as competition for a piece of the digital living room heats up.

latest coverage

Congressional leaders promise action on tech issues
Federal lawmakers are ready to help the technology industry solve its problems--at least some of them.
Jan. 10, 2004

CNET CES coverageSenator wants VoIP to be regulation free
U.S. Sen. John Sununu says he's preparing legislation to keep broadband telephone service providers from being "smothered by state and federal regulators."
Jan. 10, 2004

Routers, phones dialing in VoIP
Major device manufacturers are planning to incorporate Net phone calling technology into their modems and cordless phones, another sign of the growing popularity of this cheaper version of telephone calling.
Jan. 10, 2004

It came from CES!
reporter's notebook The back alleys of the giant trade show in Las Vegas offer up a wealth of inventive gadgets to satisfying needs you probably never recognized.
Jan. 10, 2004

Wi-Fi gear makers make home connections
Wi-Fi gear makers introduce new products that will allow home stereos and DVD players to connect to and playback digital media stored on other devices connected to wireless networks.
Jan. 10, 2004

Push into living room is a gamble
news analysis PC companies are in Las Vegas touting their consumer electronics strategies, but entering a market marked by commoditization and rapidly falling prices may not provide salvation.
Jan. 9, 2004

IBM, Real forge digital media deal
The companies are aligning digital media technologies to create a system for content owners to sell their assets electronically, in a partnership to rival a common foe: Microsoft.
Jan. 9, 2004

And now, a TV that prints still photos
Epson introduces a line of televisions that can display still photos and also produce high-quality prints.
The New York Times
Jan. 9, 2004

Broadcom to give wireless networks zip
The company says 802.11g networks will accelerate to 125mbps, paving which could create new opportunities to route high-bandwidth media.
Jan. 9, 2004

TiVo debuts new wares, predicts healthy 2004
The TV recording company unveils new products and services, including a method for shifting saved programs to a home computer, to help continue growth of its video-recording service.
Jan. 9, 2004

Video loses its chains
news.commentary This year, the vision of video throughout and beyond the home took a big step forward. And Microsoft and the PC industry--not traditional electronics brands--stole the show.
Jan. 9, 2004

Intel's future: That's home entertainment
President Paul Otellini maps out the chipmaker's strategy for getting into home electronics, with entertainment PCs, digital cameras and televisions all part of the plan.
Jan. 8, 2004

Fiorina calls for defense of digital rights
HP's chief executive declares open season on digital piracy, while also announcing new entertainment products that HP hopes will help make its digital entertainment strategy a reality.
Jan. 8, 2004

AMD, Intel put antivirus tech into chips
The companies plan to soon release technology that will allow processors to stop many computer attacks before they occur.
Jan. 8, 2004

Microsoft gets verbal about voice app
The company outlines its strategy for expanding the capabilities and distribution of its Voice Command software, a program that lets people control handheld devices via spoken instructions.
Jan. 8, 2004

MSN to include eBay personalized data
For the first time, the online auctioneer will offer access to personalized content via Microsoft's MSN Web portal.
Jan. 8, 2004

Gateway TVs win starring role in Vegas
The PC maker will supply 7,000 TVs to developer Wynn Resorts for a new hotel, a deal that bolsters Gateway's relatively new effort to change itself into a consumer electronics brand.
Jan. 8, 2004 Philips, Visa advance wireless pay cards
The companies detail plans to further develop an emerging wireless technology that aims to let shoppers pay everywhere they want to pay--without opening their wallets.
Jan. 8, 2004 Panasonic gives 'life' to its game plan
The electronics maker's president says that "lifestream" is the name of his company's strategy for making products better suited to consumers' needs.
Jan. 8, 2004 Dell to expand printer line in 2004
The PC maker plans to work with Fuji Xerox, Kodak and Samsung to increase the number of printing devices it offers. Analysts say to look out for color laser printers.
Jan. 8, 2004 Gates shows PC-TV connection
update Microsoft's chairman shows new technology for connecting Windows Media Center PCs to TV sets and Xbox game consoles during his CES keynote address.
Jan. 8, 2004

Intel throws down the TV gauntlet
update The chip giant is making an integral component for expensive televisions--but analysts say it could be a tough uphill climb.
Jan. 8, 2004

LG leaps into Blu-ray for high-definition TV
The Korean electronics giant unveils a recorder that combines the blue-laser optical disc format with digital video recording, part of a slew of high-definition TV releases at the CES show.
Jan. 8, 2004

Sony unveils music store, gadgets at CES
The company unveils a slew of new gadgets and throws its hat into the ring for music download services as part of ongoing efforts to meld its content and electronics businesses.
Jan. 7, 2004

Flat-panel sets to enhance Samsung visibility
Thin, rich and well-connected--vital qualities for young social strivers--may well also be the defining factors for new products at the Consumer Electronics Show.
The New York Times
Jan. 8, 2004

Philips broadcasts Internet-ready TV
The Dutch electronics maker unveils a television set with a wireless connection to the Internet and PCs that lets it play music and view pictures and video from the Web or computers.
Jan. 8, 2004

SanDisk beefs up Memory Stick Pro
The removable flash memory maker is doubling the capacity of Memory Stick Pro cards and expects pricing to fall more in line with competing Secure Digital cards.
Jan. 8, 2004

eMachines' winter desktops cozy up to customers
The low-price computer maker is hoping that its offer of four faster desktops will help chase away the winter blues.
Jan. 8, 2004

Gates: Convergence is for real
newsmaker Microsoft's chairman says digital pieces are finally falling into place to realize one of the tech industry's longest-sought grails.
Jan. 7, 2004

Microsoft unveils new MSN
update Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates presents a new version of MSN.com and demonstrates a new online video service during his keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Jan. 7, 2004

Toshiba to go from zero to 300,000 in minidrives
For now, the Japanese giant has only prototypes of its mini hard drive, but the company hopes to be making 200,000 to 300,000 by the end of the year, executives say.
Jan. 7, 2004

Real offers new tech, song store
The multimedia company overhauls its audio and video software that supports others' products--even Apple's iTunes songs.
Jan. 7, 2004

previous coverage

Hard drive summons up memory power
Western Digital introduces a plug-in hard drive that reads eight memory card types, a sign that the external drive market is heating up.
Jan. 6, 2004

Companies stack PC games in console boxes
A group of electronics companies is working on a game console that will play most popular PC titles, with plans for the first device to be unveiled this week at CES.
Jan. 6, 2004

Can Motorola crack flat-screen TVs?
The cell phone giant is ready to make the leap into selling flat-screen TVs, but may find it tough to get a foothold with so many big players moving into the market.
Jan. 6, 2004

Microsoft previews digital TV update
A group of electronics companies is working on a game console that will play most popular PC titles, with plans for the first device to be unveiled this week at CES.
Jan. 6, 2004

Cable wiring seen as key to the digital home
Vendors and service providers are developing standards to use old coaxial cable to create home networks.
Jan. 5, 2004

Computing giants to debut new gear at CES
The annual Consumer Electronics Show will feature new gadgets from Microsoft, HP and others.
Jan. 5, 2004

Remote workers under the microscope
A wireless networking trade group plans to open an observation lab in a Texas mall to collect data on remote workers that could help companies develop new products.
Dec. 17, 2004


Technology companies large and small descend on Las Vegas as competition for a piece of the digital living room heats up.

latest coverage

Congressional leaders promise action on tech issues
Federal lawmakers are ready to help the technology industry solve its problems--at least some of them.
Jan. 10, 2004

CNET CES coverageSenator wants VoIP to be regulation free
U.S. Sen. John Sununu says he's preparing legislation to keep broadband telephone service providers from being "smothered by state and federal regulators."
Jan. 10, 2004

Routers, phones dialing in VoIP
Major device manufacturers are planning to incorporate Net phone calling technology into their modems and cordless phones, another sign of the growing popularity of this cheaper version of telephone calling.
Jan. 10, 2004

It came from CES!
reporter's notebook The back alleys of the giant trade show in Las Vegas offer up a wealth of inventive gadgets to satisfying needs you probably never recognized.
Jan. 10, 2004

Wi-Fi gear makers make home connections
Wi-Fi gear makers introduce new products that will allow home stereos and DVD players to connect to and playback digital media stored on other devices connected to wireless networks.
Jan. 10, 2004

Push into living room is a gamble
news analysis PC companies are in Las Vegas touting their consumer electronics strategies, but entering a market marked by commoditization and rapidly falling prices may not provide salvation.
Jan. 9, 2004

IBM, Real forge digital media deal
The companies are aligning digital media technologies to create a system for content owners to sell their assets electronically, in a partnership to rival a common foe: Microsoft.
Jan. 9, 2004

And now, a TV that prints still photos
Epson introduces a line of televisions that can display still photos and also produce high-quality prints.
The New York Times
Jan. 9, 2004

Broadcom to give wireless networks zip
The company says 802.11g networks will accelerate to 125mbps, paving which could create new opportunities to route high-bandwidth media.
Jan. 9, 2004

TiVo debuts new wares, predicts healthy 2004
The TV recording company unveils new products and services, including a method for shifting saved programs to a home computer, to help continue growth of its video-recording service.
Jan. 9, 2004

Video loses its chains
news.commentary This year, the vision of video throughout and beyond the home took a big step forward. And Microsoft and the PC industry--not traditional electronics brands--stole the show.
Jan. 9, 2004

Intel's future: That's home entertainment
President Paul Otellini maps out the chipmaker's strategy for getting into home electronics, with entertainment PCs, digital cameras and televisions all part of the plan.
Jan. 8, 2004

Fiorina calls for defense of digital rights
HP's chief executive declares open season on digital piracy, while also announcing new entertainment products that HP hopes will help make its digital entertainment strategy a reality.
Jan. 8, 2004

AMD, Intel put antivirus tech into chips
The companies plan to soon release technology that will allow processors to stop many computer attacks before they occur.
Jan. 8, 2004

Microsoft gets verbal about voice app
The company outlines its strategy for expanding the capabilities and distribution of its Voice Command software, a program that lets people control handheld devices via spoken instructions.
Jan. 8, 2004

MSN to include eBay personalized data
For the first time, the online auctioneer will offer access to personalized content via Microsoft's MSN Web portal.
Jan. 8, 2004

Gateway TVs win starring role in Vegas
The PC maker will supply 7,000 TVs to developer Wynn Resorts for a new hotel, a deal that bolsters Gateway's relatively new effort to change itself into a consumer electronics brand.
Jan. 8, 2004 Philips, Visa advance wireless pay cards
The companies detail plans to further develop an emerging wireless technology that aims to let shoppers pay everywhere they want to pay--without opening their wallets.
Jan. 8, 2004 Panasonic gives 'life' to its game plan
The electronics maker's president says that "lifestream" is the name of his company's strategy for making products better suited to consumers' needs.
Jan. 8, 2004 Dell to expand printer line in 2004
The PC maker plans to work with Fuji Xerox, Kodak and Samsung to increase the number of printing devices it offers. Analysts say to look out for color laser printers.
Jan. 8, 2004 Gates shows PC-TV connection
update Microsoft's chairman shows new technology for connecting Windows Media Center PCs to TV sets and Xbox game consoles during his CES keynote address.
Jan. 8, 2004

Intel throws down the TV gauntlet
update The chip giant is making an integral component for expensive televisions--but analysts say it could be a tough uphill climb.
Jan. 8, 2004

LG leaps into Blu-ray for high-definition TV
The Korean electronics giant unveils a recorder that combines the blue-laser optical disc format with digital video recording, part of a slew of high-definition TV releases at the CES show.
Jan. 8, 2004

Sony unveils music store, gadgets at CES
The company unveils a slew of new gadgets and throws its hat into the ring for music download services as part of ongoing efforts to meld its content and electronics businesses.
Jan. 7, 2004

Flat-panel sets to enhance Samsung visibility
Thin, rich and well-connected--vital qualities for young social strivers--may well also be the defining factors for new products at the Consumer Electronics Show.
The New York Times
Jan. 8, 2004

Philips broadcasts Internet-ready TV
The Dutch electronics maker unveils a television set with a wireless connection to the Internet and PCs that lets it play music and view pictures and video from the Web or computers.
Jan. 8, 2004

SanDisk beefs up Memory Stick Pro
The removable flash memory maker is doubling the capacity of Memory Stick Pro cards and expects pricing to fall more in line with competing Secure Digital cards.
Jan. 8, 2004

eMachines' winter desktops cozy up to customers
The low-price computer maker is hoping that its offer of four faster desktops will help chase away the winter blues.
Jan. 8, 2004

Gates: Convergence is for real
newsmaker Microsoft's chairman says digital pieces are finally falling into place to realize one of the tech industry's longest-sought grails.
Jan. 7, 2004

Microsoft unveils new MSN
update Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates presents a new version of MSN.com and demonstrates a new online video service during his keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Jan. 7, 2004

Toshiba to go from zero to 300,000 in minidrives
For now, the Japanese giant has only prototypes of its mini hard drive, but the company hopes to be making 200,000 to 300,000 by the end of the year, executives say.
Jan. 7, 2004

Real offers new tech, song store
The multimedia company overhauls its audio and video software that supports others' products--even Apple's iTunes songs.
Jan. 7, 2004

previous coverage

Hard drive summons up memory power
Western Digital introduces a plug-in hard drive that reads eight memory card types, a sign that the external drive market is heating up.
Jan. 6, 2004

Companies stack PC games in console boxes
A group of electronics companies is working on a game console that will play most popular PC titles, with plans for the first device to be unveiled this week at CES.
Jan. 6, 2004

Can Motorola crack flat-screen TVs?
The cell phone giant is ready to make the leap into selling flat-screen TVs, but may find it tough to get a foothold with so many big players moving into the market.
Jan. 6, 2004

Microsoft previews digital TV update
A group of electronics companies is working on a game console that will play most popular PC titles, with plans for the first device to be unveiled this week at CES.
Jan. 6, 2004

Cable wiring seen as key to the digital home
Vendors and service providers are developing standards to use old coaxial cable to create home networks.
Jan. 5, 2004

Computing giants to debut new gear at CES
The annual Consumer Electronics Show will feature new gadgets from Microsoft, HP and others.
Jan. 5, 2004

Remote workers under the microscope
A wireless networking trade group plans to open an observation lab in a Texas mall to collect data on remote workers that could help companies develop new products.
Dec. 17, 2004