CES 2011: Show Floor Coverage (Part 4)

In this next part of our CES 2011 coverage, we take a look at AMD, Canon, Sony, B&W, Brother, FujiFilm, Polaroid, VERTIX, X-mini, Audi, Hyundai and a tiny robotic ball called Sphero.

By Dr. Jimmy Tang - 8 Jan 2011

Canon's Booth

Canon updated its series of PowerShot A series cameras with the ability to capture 720p HD videos and new creative filters such as toy camera and monochrome. There's also a couple of new camcorders and a new high performance LCOS projector.

The new Canon PowerShot A800 with 10 Megapixel resolution, 3.3x optical zoom, a 2.5" LCD screen, uses AA alkaline batteries and ISO up to 1600 (in P mode).

The Canon PowerShot A1200 comes with larger 12.1 Megapxiel resolution, 4x optical zoom and a wider 2.7" LCD.

The Canon PowerShot A3300 IS have 32 predefined shooting situations in its advanced Smart AUTO feature and features 16 megapixel resolution, 5x zoom and a new Discreet Mode which turns off the camera's auto-focus assist beam, sound and flash, making it easier to capture a photo without unnecessary sound or distractions.

The new Canon HF G10 camcorder features a HD CMOS Pro sensor, a 10X lens (30.4 to 304mm, 35mm-equivalent), and 32 GB internal flash memory, with tools and functions built-in, like a 24p film recording mode, manual color temperature, aperture, and shutter adjustments, color bars and test patterns, and a remote control terminal.

The new Canon VIXIA HF R21 Flash Memory Camcorder has a 32GB internal flash drive, together with two SDXC-compatible memory card slots, Canon's Relay Recording, a 3.0-inch Touch Panel LCD and Smart Auto. It comes with Genuine Canon HD Video Lens with 28x Advanced Zoom and Dynamic IS.

The new Canon REALiS WUX4000 is a WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution projector employing Canon's AISYS-enhanced LCOS technology and interchangeable Genuine Canon lenses.

This new model offers 4000 lumens of brightness, ease of installation and maintenance, and powered lens shift for both vertical and horizontal directions.

The new XA10 Professional Camcorder Full HD 1080p using an AVCHD codec. The compact XA10 includes a detachable handle for low-angle shooting and portability while its functionality is further enhanced with the addition of XLR inputs and an external microphone holder. A Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens delivers a wide, flexible zoom range (35mm equivalent range 30.4mm-304mm).

The new Canon XF105 and XF100. The two new camcorders utilizes the same Canon XF Codec featured in the earlier successful models XF305 and XF300, an MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps codec used for exceptional high-definition image quality. Comes with 30mm wide angle lens with a 10x zoom and new SuperRange Optical Stabiliser (OIS) offering 2 different modes of stabilisation.
# Record on 1080/50i, 1080/25p, 720/50p and 720/25p modes

B&W's Booth

The P5 comes with comfortable noise-isolating padding which aims to bring you remarkably natural and highly detailed sound on the move.

The B&W P5 looks sleek, light and feels rather comfortable.

The new B&W Zeppelin Air features Apple's AirPlay technology which lets you stream music from iTunes or handheld devices such as iPhone and iPad to Zeppelin Air without the need for wire.

The new B&W Zeppelin Mini is a smaller and more compact docking station for the iPod.

FujiFilm's Booth

The FinePix AV200 is powered by AA batteries and comes with 14 Megapixel resolution. It has a Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens and it is capable of capturing images at up to ISO 3200.

The FinePix AX300 is yet another budget 14 Megapixel camera with a longer 5x optical zoom lens.

The FinePix F500EXR features 16 Megapixel resolution, an impressively long 15x optical zoom lens and 1600% dynamic range which enables the camera to capture the full range of shadows and highlights.

The FinePix F500EXR comes with a 3-inch LCD screen and it also can capture full HD videos.

The FinePix JV200 is a 14 Megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom. It comes with digital image stabilization and it can capture movies at up to 720p resolution.

The FinePix JX300 is quite similar in features to the JV200 except that it comes with a 5x optical zoom lens.

The FinePix JX350 is the most advance of the new 'J' series which was launched during CES. It comes with a 16 Megapixel sensor and 5x Fujinon optical zoom lens.

FujiFilm's Booth - more new cameras

The new FinePix S3200 comes with a 14 Megapixel image sensor, capable of optical zoom of up to 24x, dual image stabilization technology and video recording at 720p resolution.

The FinePix S4000 is similar to the S3200 except that it has an even longer optical zoom lens which is capable of zooms up to 30x.

The very compact and slim FinePix T200 comes with a 10x optical zoom lens, 14 Megapixel sensor and capable of recording movies at 720p. A higher-end model with similar features, the FinePix T300, offers a larger 3-inch screen as compared to a 2.7-inch screen on the T200.

The much talked about FinePix X100 with its large APS-C sensor and a classic body design made its appearance at FujiFilm's booth.

For the active photographer, the FInePix FP30 which is waterproof, dustproof, freezeproof and shockproof would make a great buy. Comes with 14.2 Megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, 720p movie recording and GPS features.

Yet another slim body compact camera, the FinePix Z90 comes with a large 3-inch touch screen that lets navigate the camera functions as well as for focusing and capturing images. The camera comes with 14.2 Megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom and 720p movie recording.

The touchscreen UI also allows one to edit images and movies using the camera's built-in software.

Polaroid's Booth

Polaroid's new GL10 Instant Mobile Printer prints color images either wirelessly through Bluetooth using mobile phones or most digital cameras through the USB cable. It uses their proprietary ZINK Paper which has embedded dye crystals.

The Polaroid ZINK Paper with sample printouts. You only need to purchase the ZINK Paper for printing since the color dye crystals are already embedded in the paper. This removes the need for ink cartridges.

For those who prefer the classic Polaroid instant camera, the new GL30 Instant Digital Camera comes with the ZINK printer which instantly produces photographs for that authentic and classic Polaroid experience.

The LCD screen can be folded and the camera propped up as shown. Makes it easier to view of stored images.

Polaroid is also going 3D with their Easy 3D camera.

And of course, you'll also need a 3D photo frame to view all those 3D images. This glassless photo frame is a perfect complement to Polaroid's 3D digital camera.

Sony's Booth - New Cameras

Sony's new Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V has the capabilities to deliver 3D still image and 3D Sweep Panorama. Comes with the Sony 10x optical zoom G lens, a 16.2-megapixel "Exmor R" CMOS image sensor and records 1080/60i AVCHD videos.

The new Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V features a 3.5" OLED touch screen, records 1080/60p movies, 16.2-megapixel "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, iSweep Panorama, 3D still image and 3D Sweep Panorama, Backlight Correction and Backlight Defocus.

The new Cyber-shot DSC-WX9 delivers 16.2 megapixels images, comes with 5x optical zoom Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens, 3.0" screen, Full HD 1080/60i video, "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, background defocus and 3D Sweep Panorama shots.

Sony's full HD 96GB flash memory camcorder, the HDR-CX700V comes with 1920 x 1080 Full HD 60p/24p recording, 12MP still images, wide angle G lens, "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, enhanced manual controls, CinemaTone presets, advanced controls and GPS receiver.

The Sony HDR-PJ50V comes with a built-in projector which lets you project your recorded videos on a screen or wall. It comes with 1920 x 1080 Full HD 60p recording, 220GB HDD, wide angle G lens, "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, 42x extended zoom and a 3.0" touch screen.

The built-in projector in the HDR-PJ50V may not be powerful, but it seems bright enough if projected in a relatively dark room.

The new HDR-TD10 is the first consumer grade camcorder that produces 3D in Double Full HD videos. It features 3D viewing directly on 3.5" LCD that does not require 3D glasses, Full HD 2D playback from 3D recordings, 1920x1080 Full HD 60p/24p recording and 10x optical zoom in 3D.

The dual lens system makes it possible to shoot true 3D videos and still images.

Sony's Booth - TVs and Notebooks

The new Sony Bravia NX720 3D LCD series will be available in May with sizes ranging from 46 to 60-inches. The new LCD TV uses Dynamic Edge LED backlight and it comes in a sleek monolithic design with OptiContrast Panel Technology. It features integrated Wi-Fi (802.11n) and Skype ready in 720p high definition.

The flagship XBR-HX929 series is a full HD 1080p display which uses full-array local dimming LED backlighting. Similar to the NX720 series, it features integrated Wi-Fi (802.11n) and Skype ready in 720p high definition. The HX929 series will be available in 46-inch, 55-inch and 65-inch.

Some of the new Sony VAIO concept notebooks for 2011. These new designs will come with the new Intel 2nd generation Core processor (Sandy Bridge).

Bright neon colored plastic chassis is the theme for VAIO's 2011 concept notebooks.

And how about a bright green VAIO notebook for you?

Here's a closer look at the keyboard and semi translucent plastic chassis.

Sony's Booth - Miscellaneous

The Bloggie 3D is capable of capturing full high definition (1920x1080) MP4 video and 5-megapixel still photos. It comes with 8GB internal memory and a 2.4-inch screen that lets you view 3D videos without the need for any glasses. It will be available in April for about US$250.

The new Sony Ericsson Xpreia arc is a new Android 2.3 smartphone with a 4.2-inch Reality display screen. It also comes with an 8 Megapixel camera with Sony's Exmor R back illuminated sensor for still images and HD videos.

The Xperia arc is slim, with its thickest portion at 9mm and its slimmest point at only 8.7mm.

Besides new consumer electronic products, Sony is also going green with a home energy storage server which monitors how much power is being generated and stored into batteries as well as how much is being consumed.

Energy generated by solar panels could be stored into these blocks of sealed Li-ion batteries.

And of course, we have the Green Hornet's battered up Black Beauty making an appearance at Sony's booth.

Brother - Printers of a Different Kind

Brother's GT-541 digital garment printer is an inkjet printer that prints directly on t-shirts like a typical desktop inkjet printer. It can also print white on dark fabrics.

The Brother Entrepreneur Pro PR-1000 embroidery machine is one of the CES 2011 Innovations winner. With this embroidery machine that uses needles and threads instead of ink to 'print' digital images on fabric, sewing complex images on t-shirts is never easier.

Embroidery samples created with the Entrepreneur Pro PR-1000.

Watching how the machine embroiders complex designs on fabric at high speed is rather interesting.

AMD Fusion Begins

AMD launched its new family of Fusion Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) which is a highly integrated processor that incorporates a multi-core processor, a powerful DirectX11-capable discrete-level graphics and parallel processing engine, a dedicated high-definition video acceleration block, and a high-speed bus that speeds data across the differing types of processor cores within the design.

There will be two APU variations: E-Series and C-Series. These APUs feature the new x86 CPU core codenamed "Bobcat" and was designed from the ground up to deliver stellar mobile performance.

E-series APUs (for mainstream notebooks, All-in-Ones, and small form factor desktops)

E-350, 18W TDP, 2 core, 1.6GHz
E-240, 18W TDP, 1 core, 1.5GHz

C-series APUs (for HD netbooks and other emerging form factors)

C-50, 9W TDP, 2 core, 1.0GHz
C-30, 9W TDP, 1 core, 1.2GHz

Below, we have a showcase of notebooks and netbooks that use one of these new AMD Fusion APUs. Expect to see some of these models hitting the market soon.

Acer Aspire One 522 with the AMD C-50 APU.

The new HP Pavilion dm1z notebook with the E-350 APU.

Lenovo IdeaPad S205 with AMD's E-350 APU.

MSI Wind U270 netbook with the AMD E-350 APU.

The new Sony VAIO VPCYB15CKX that features the new AMD E-350 APU.

AMD - Fusion, Mobile Radeon and ViVu

The Fujitsu ESPRIMO FH All-in-One computer featuring the E-350 APU.

Lenovo C205 All-in-One PC with the AMD Fusion E-350 APU.

MSI AE2050 All-in-One desktop PC using the AMD Fusion E-350 APU.

Acer Aspire 7552G with an AMD Phenom II X920 quad-core processor and the new mobile Radeon 6650M graphics.

Acer Aspire 5253G that uses an AMD Fusion E-350 APU with a discrete Radeon 6470M graphics.

Asus K42DY featuring an AMD Phenom II P960 quad-core processor and an AMD Radeon HD 6470M discrete graphics.

Samsung R425 notebook with AMD Phenom II N870 triple-core processor and Radeon HD 4250 graphics.

AMD shows off how to do wireless display with ViVu's software based wireless display technology. It uses existing WiFi networks and it works on any DLNA/IP enabled device. Unlike Intel's WiDi, it does not require proprietary hardware.

Local Singapore Companies @ CES

We found two familiar local companies at the Singapore Pavilion. Xtreme DSP Pte Ltd who manufactures the VERTIX brand of personal communication products and Xmi Pte Ltd which produces the well-known X-mini range of mobile speakers.

The new VERTIX Silencer VX2 is their latest flagship Bluetooth headset which features their adaptive Cut-the-Noise technology that reduces background noise for a clearer and cleaner voice transmission. It has 5 hours worth of talk time, up to 100 hours of standby and weighs only 10g.

The VERTIX Marvel MX1 is a simple lightweight Bluetooth headset which gives the user a full 3 hours of talk time and weighs only 8.5g.

Those who rides a bike and require a good noise canceling Bluetooth headset could consider the VERTIX Helix HX1 wireless helmet communicator. It installs easily into full-face and half-face helmets and offers up to 7 hours of talk time.

The new X-mini MAX v1.1 CapsuleSpeaker by Xmi offers a new and improved 36mm driver for a total of 2Wx2 audio output. Integrated 250mAh 5V battery offers up to 12 hours of playback.

The X-mini MAX v1.1 CapsuleSpeaker when assembled.

There's also the new X-mini v1.1 CapsuleSpeaker which comes with a new 36mm driver and a snazzy lid that helps protect the driver and direct the audio. It offers playback of up to 6 hours when fully charged and output capacity of 2W.

Logitech and Audi

The new Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter based on the new Intel WiDi 2.0 technology. With this box, you can stream uncompressed music wirelessly to speakers connected to this adapter.

Rear view of the Logitech WiDi adapter. It can output directly to speakers via a 3.5mm stereo jack or phono jacks.

Audi's latest R8 E-tron electric car made its debut at CES.

A concept Audi dashboard with a heads-up display (HUD) that projects road directions on your windscreen.

Miscellaneous - Part 1

Calibur11 was there to showcase its range of console chassis mods. The chassis mod does not only improve the cooling performance of your console but made to give the console its own unique style.

Corning's Gorilla glass is a popular choice for most electronic display devices ranging from mobile phones to LCD TVs. The glass has great optical properties suitable for displays and it also offers thinner, lighter and tougher mechanical properties.

Click on the video above to witness a live demonstration of a 500g pendulum swing impact test on a typical LCD screen.

Hyundai's concept dashboard with digital screens and a haptic touchscreen display.

The haptic display screen lets you control the car's air conditioning, temperature and even your music selection.

This dial features haptic response which gives the user a more responsive control.

This futuristic looking mouse-like controller lets you select and navigate through the various controls including music and radio. It has an optical sensor above that translates gestures into navigation.

Miscellaneous - Part 2

Multitouch, a Finland company which produces large multi-touch displays was there to demonstrate their range of products.

Click the video above to see a live demonstration of MultiTouch's interactive display.

There were also a lot of gaming accessories too. Seen here a racing seat with wheel and pedals built for the hardcore Gran Turismo 5 fan.

For a more immersive surround sound experience, SoundEgg's chairs give the gamer a very private space for gaming or movie enjoyment.

Finally, there's Sphero, a robotic ball that can be controlled wirelessly using an iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. Above video is a live demonstration of the robotic ball.

Sphero balls are controlled using an app on the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. The touch control panel makes navigation very easy and responsive.

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