Consumer Electronics Show 2010 – the best gadgets, the big trends and the major disappointment

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has wrapped up for 2010, but the introduction of new products including 3D television sets and wireless phone chargers has given tech fans enough to look forward to until next year.

Federal communications minister Stephen Conroy also made a last-minute appearance at the show, giving details about the Government’s National Broadband Network.

With so many gadgets and new technologies being released at the event, here just are some of the more notable announcements.

Biggest trend

By far, the biggest product launches of this year’s CES were the release of 3D television sets. Most major manufacturers including Samsung and Panasonic announced 3D television sets to be released this year, while LG said it expects its 3D sets to sell 400,000 units during 2010 and 3.4 million during 2011.

Meanwhile, sports broadcaster ESPN said it would begin to show some events in 3D format, while IMAX and Sony said they had teamed up to launch the world’s first 24/7 3D network.

A number of peripherals, including Blu-Ray players, were also released in a 3D compatible format, while Toshiba announced a television designed to convert 2D signals to 3D.

Biggest disappointment

Every year, the CES plays host to a hot product with a lot of anticipation, but unfortunately fails to deliver. This year, that honour belongs to Microsoft.

Many analysts had predicted the company would announce details of a tablet device of its own, but instead chief executive Steve Ballmer showed off a HP device running Windows 7. While the gadget itself is fine, many had expected Microsoft to release a tablet designed to rival a similar device from Apple expected to be released this month.

The company’s saving grace was its announcement of a release date for Xbox Natal, the motion-controlled peripheral for the Xbox 360 console. The device is set to hit stores before Christmas.

Best idea

The CES is filled with gadgets from dozens of companies, many of them cheap, unreliable and designed purely for a laugh. But this year the RCA Airmergy technology turned a few heads, if only for its innovative design.

The gadget works by taking electricity from Wi-Fi signals and using them to power a mobile device, such as a BlackBerry or iPhone. A live demonstration showed a BlackBerry handset being charged to 100% capacity from 30% within 90 minutes – using only electricity from wireless internet signals.

There are some who have doubted the technology, accusing the demonstration of being a hoax. But if RCA accomplishes its goal of putting the device in major handheld electronic devices, then plugging in your iPhone to charge it could be a thing of the past.

Biggest crowd pleaser

Electronics manufacturer Panasonic announced a deal with VoIP provider Skype in which it would include special software in television sets to allow webcam conversations.

The company said it developed the technology after hearing feedback from users, who said they would prefer to make webcam calls from a more comfortable position than in front of their computers.

The Wi-Fi enabled televisions will be available in the first half of the year.

Best useless gadget

French firm Parrot released a hovering device similar to a flying saucer able to be controlled by an iPhone or iPod Touch. Users tilt the accelerometer in the gadget in order to move the miniature saucer, which can fly up to several metres high.

The company said the device is part of a gaming trend which allows real world objects to become part of the video game experience, and is expected to hit shelves this year.

Most copied device

The bandwagon device in 2010 is the eReader. Following Amazon’s success with its Kindle, manufacturers are following the retailer’s lead by announcing eReaders and slates of their own.

Archos, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Sony released devices. Plastic Logic released the Que, Spring Design announced the Alex while Hearst released plans for the Skiff eReader.

Best gadget

The best, and most promising, gadget this year came from a relatively unknown company called Light Blue Optic. Its Light Touch device is a laser-powered projector, which transforms any flat surface into a touchscreen.

The gadget comes with 2GB of storage, with a microSD slot able to expand that memory up to 32GB. But the potential for this device is potentially unlimited, with tech analysts suggesting the technology could be used for restaurants, retail stores, workplaces and home networks.

No pricing, or release date, specifications have been released.

Other notable products included:

• The HTC HD2.
• Sony’s 10X optical zoom CyberShot DSC-HX5V, which connects to Wi-Fi.
• Ford’s Touch dashboard, to be included in new vehicles this year. It connects to the internet and will allow the use of mobile apps.
• The Motorola Backflip, a handset that allows the user to swing the screen 180-degrees backwards.

Communications minister Stephen Conroy also made an appearance at the convention, giving details regarding the Government’s plans for the National Broadband Network.

“The latest OECD statistics continue to see Australia trail many other developed countries on key broadband indicators. We are 16th out of 30 countries in terms of broadband penetration, and the third most expensive out of 30 countries in term of monthly subscription prices,” he said.

“We have made it clear that five years after the completion of the National Broadband Network, we will privatise the company. The NBN will be a legislated wholesale-only, open access network connecting 90% of homes, workplaces and schools with Fibre-to-the-Premises and the remaining 10% with next-generation wireless and satellite.”