X

CES 2011: Press day recap (photos)

The real news at CES happens the day before the show actually starts, thanks to a marathon of back-to-back press conferences.

John Falcone
John P. Falcone is the senior director of commerce content at CNET, where he coordinates coverage of the site's buying recommendations alongside the CNET Advice team (where he previously headed the consumer electronics reviews section). He's been a CNET editor since 2003.
John Falcone
ASUS_EeePadTransformer_4.jpg
1 of 14 Asus

Asus tablets: More than meets the eye

It's no longer "press day"--think "press days." Asus kicked off the CES press conference docket on Tuesday, January 4, debuting four new tablets, including the Transformer (shown here), which includes a removable keyboard.
lg_optimus_black.jpg
2 of 14 LG

LG's superthin phone

LG kicked off the CES 2011 press day with a bevy of announcements. The highlight of the mobile news was the Optimus Black. It promises a superbright 4-inch "NOVA display" in a very thin 9.2mm design. In fact, LG claims that it tapers down to 6.0mm to make it the world's thinnest smartphone.

Read more:
Live blog: LG CES 2011 press conference
LW7700_45_L.jpg
3 of 14 LG

'Nano' backlighting for LG TVs

On the TV front, LG's so-called "Nano" TVs (the LW9500 and LW7700 series) offer a unique LED local-dimming backlight solution in an ultrathin form factor.

Read more:
Live blog: LG CES 2011 press conference
XAVB5004_HiRes_1.jpg
4 of 14 Netgear

Netgear speeds things up

Netgear debuted a host of new networking products, including its first 500Mbps four-port power-line kit, the Internet Adapter for Home Theater XAVB5004, a Wi-Fi alternative which offers HD video-friendly bandwidth over your home power lines.
phpQrMgj3intel-6.jpg
5 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Intel unveils Sandy Bridge processors

Intel's Sandy Bridge technology was a long time in coming, but the chip behemoth finally unveiled the full details of its updated CPUs at CES 2010. Officially known as "2nd Generation Intel Core," the new chips aim to boost performance by grafting the graphics processor onto the CPU. It means hardware makers, especially of budget PCs, won't have to implant a separate graphics processor from rivals Advanced Micro Devices or Nvidia.

Read more:
Intel demos second-gen Sandy Bridge CPUs at CES
phpjIEw3c41_NVIDIA_CNET_CES2011.jpg
6 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Nvidia touts Tegra 2 mobile chip, "Project Denver"

While Intel was focusing on its PC chips, Nvidia was all about mobile solutions. Its Tegra 2 processor will be showing up in more mobile phones and tablets, including the LG Optimus 2X. Meanwhile, its Project Denver will build ARM processors for desktops, servers, and supercomputers in collaboration with Microsoft, which is moving its next version of Windows to ARM.
microsoft-press-conference-windows-2.jpg
7 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Microsoft talks next Windows, system-on-a-chip

Not to be outdone, Microsoft had two events on press day. Early in the day, it held a press conference to detail the technical plans for future versions of Windows. The big news: the next version of Windows will support system-on-a-chip (SoC) architectures, including ARM-based systems from partners Nvidia (the aforementioned "Project Denver"), Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments. The goal: more flexibility for Windows to be integrated into more portable post-laptop devices.
phpNzXK9XPicture11.png
8 of 14 Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Microsoft, part deux

Just a few hours later, Microsoft was center stage again. This time, it was CEO Steve Ballmer's keynote address. Ballmer (who appeared briefly as an Xbox avatar) highlighted the Kinect's impressive sales during 2010. There was a smattering of Windows Phone 7 and Microsoft Surface news as well. But the presentation lacked any major new product announcements. Read more:
Microsoft's 2011 CES keynote (live blog)
IMG_0472.jpg
9 of 14 John P. Falcone/CNET

Sharp's bringing Galapagos to America

Sharp's Galapagos tablet/reader has made some waves in Japan, and now the product is bound for the U.S. However, the American version may differ considerably from its Japanese predecessor; Sharp wouldn't yet confirm the CPU, screen size, or even the operating system of the U.S. models. Price was also not mentioned. Look for Galapagos in the second half of 2011.
TRYX_WE_04.jpg
10 of 14 Casio

Casio offers Tryx camera, Bluetooth watch

Two new Casio products caught our eye. The Tryx camera sports one of the more intriguing designs we've seen in a point-and-shoot camera. The high-resolution 3-inch touch-screen LCD can pivot through its frame a full 360 degrees while the screen itself can rotate 270 degrees. And with its built-in orientation sensor you can hold the Tryx in your left or right hand and the picture will right itself.

Meanwhile, the company's Bluetooth watch isn't a phone--but it will talk to your phone, and display some relevant messages. Whether it's enough to satisfy Dick Tracy remains to be seen.
phptDDjUd24_Samsung_CNET_CES2011.jpg
11 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Samsung TVs: All screen, no bezel

Samsung crammed enough products into its press conference to stock a trade show of its own. Among the highlights: the company's newest TVs boast superthin bezels, effectively appearing as all screen. And the Galaxy Tab--the only real iPad contender to date--is coming in a Wi-Fi-only model, for those who don't want to get tied to a cellular data plan.
VIERA_Connect_Gaming_Screen_1.png
12 of 14 Panasonic

Panasonic doubles down on 3D TV, video streaming

Panasonic's press conference had a little bit of everything--in three dimensions. In addition to second-generation 3D TVs, many of the company's cameras, camcorders, and home theater products had a 3D angle as well. On the online entertainment front, the company's TV-based app store is getting a name change, from Viera Cast to Viera Connect--and it'll even have some downloadable games, to boot.
xoomlarge.png
13 of 14 Motorola

Motorola unveils Xoom tablet, Droid Bionic

Motorola's press conference generated considerable excitement with two products: the Xoom tablet, an iPad rival running Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), and the Droid Bionic, one of the first 4G phones announced for Verizon's new LTE network.
phpPSRJmZsony-press-conference-8.jpg
14 of 14 James Martin/CNET

Sony: All 3D, all the time

Not to be outdone by its arch-rival Panasonic, Sony reaffirmed its commitment to 3D with a bevy of new TVs, Blu-ray players, cameras, camcorders, laptops, and video games. To drive the point home, CEO Howard Stringer and the audience spent much of the press conference with their 3D glasses on.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos