Tech & Biz

Consumer Electronics Show 2010: Trying to Upstage Apple's Tablet

by Jordan Yerman | January 4, 2010 at 08:54 am

1152 views | 10 Recommendations | 3 comments

Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2010 starts on January 7 in Las Vegas. The Consumer Electronics Show has been all about "how big are the new TVs?", but this year, it's "what can upstage the rumored Apple Tablet announcement?" Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will deliver the keynote address, and then it's on to the flashy toys! Freescale is stepping up first, with a $199 taplet PC aimed at users with a new, Apple-driven interest in tablets, but unwilling to pay what will definitely be a premium for Apple's design. The Freescale tablet boasts big battery life but not too much RAM. It runs on Android or Linux, which is refreshing.

PC Magazine tells us to expect lots of netbooks, mobile innovation and in-car technology; also look for 3D HDTVs. At the moment, though, all the buzzworthy product launches seem to be happening outside of CES.

Henri Richard, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Freescale, said tablet computers were the "missing link" between PCs and smartphones.

"The PC has been stale in terms of its ability to innovate. Smartphones have been making progress, but they have limitations," he said.

Also, CES 2010 participants are up against Google, which is scheduled to announce its Nexus One phone on January 5.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Javier Ruiz (not verified)

at 09:34 on January 4th, 2010

It is an excellent idea. Kids doesn't use the PC really... they just chat and surf the net... the rest is done on Video games!

Jordan Yerman

at 10:05 on January 4th, 2010

I personally find tablets to be sort of difficult to use ergonomically, with the user looking straight down at the device while either tapping it or entering inputs with a stylus. Inevitably it ends up hooked into an external keyboard if used for any prolonged amount of time.