Mari and I have made it back to the east coast (but her suitcase didn’t) with quite a backlog of content. In fact, I forgot to mention my most valuable tools in the blogging gear of CES writeup: a comparatively archaic notepad and pen. Paper is still the most efficient and reliable method for jotting down and retaining notes. Although, in some ways I’ve regressed… A few years back, I took notes using a stylus on a PocketPC phone. But, alas, the iPhone is all touch and not suitable for my workflow.
As expected, CES was somewhat subdued with a smaller crowd than seen in previous years. Both fewer people, and shorter stays. Not to mention, there may have been fewer vendors on display. (Cisco and Sirius XM had no show booths, only hotel suites, for example.) Much can be attributed to the international economic woes, but I also wonder if it says something about the value of tradeshows (ROI) – especially given the current speed and nature of information dissemination. (As does Steve Jobs?) Not to mention, many phone announcements are probably being held back until their industry show in February. And camera announcements will be held until their show in March. However, as with prior shows, the greatest rush comes from physical interaction (as opposed to virtual) with folks I rarely (or never) get to interact with in person.
While the “SlingLoaded” DISH DVR came away with a coveted CNET Best of CES award in the Home Video category, Yahoo’s Internet TV platform and numerous heavy hitting partner relationships is much more significant in my opinion – both as a geeky consumer and a guy who watches this space. I’ll get a post up on the initiative later this week.
But, beyond discussing how quiet it was in Vegas, the Palm Pre was all the buzz and gave the show life. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see it in person. But, through frequent conversation and online coverage, Palm’s new webOS (and hardware) looks sharp and caters to powerusers sometimes frustrated by the iPhone limitations (think multitasking, unified inbox). And the announcement surely breathes life (and hope) into Palm perceptions. Although, the biggest winner may be Sprint – the first carrier of the Palm Pre. Challenges still remain… first and foremost, getting it out the door before Apple steals their thunder (back) with GPS software or a new photo/video oriented iPhone variant.
Once I get a bit more caught up on sleep and these antibiotics kick in, expect additional CES posts. And, without further ado, our earlier coverage:
Posts
The Evolution of HP TouchSmart
Browse Your Friends’ Phones?
Tweets
- It’s a joy to awake to an inbox mostly devoid of new press releases. Also a joy to receive indecipherable voicemail I don’t have to act on.
- Anyone else at CES see the Borg-like headband that affixes an iPhone to your ear/face? Not something I’d really call a “chick magnet”…
- Odd that the only outreach I got from Sony was a poker party invite. No press releases at all. Suppose I should be thankful?
- @jjgardner3 Apple most definitely is a CE company. (And changed their name…) Jobs would give a much better CES keynote, that’s for sure.
- @ronin691 I did catch Skype’s announcement and spoke to them at ShowStoppers. The ‘Java Lite’ client may even be ported to Blackberry.
- http://twitpic.com/11h0t – Breakfast @cntrstg blogger lounge. Appreciate the civilised accommodations.
- Palm Pre still front and center on Techmeme. Tons of buzz. Hope they release it before the iPhone HD arrives to steal their thunder.
- What does it mean when a company of Cisco/Linksys’s size, influence, and cash doesn’t have a CES booth? (Had a nice hotel suite, tho.)
- @ryanblock it took all of 10 minutes to get through LAS security just now. Not even enough time to bemoan no Fly Clear lane.
- Probably won’t hit Digeo’s Moxi announcements and provide commentary until tomorrow or Mon, but go win the $800 DVR here: http://bit.ly/YapH
- Guy in ViXS shirt asked to share table at busy airport BK. ViXS chip used in TiVoHD, so I said sure.
- Just touched down at IAD, thus ending the deluge of CES tweets. But not ZNF coverage. Thanks all, for your support.
Sirius XM was set up over at the Bellagio earlier this week with their new radio. They may still be there.
Yah, Orbitcast Ryan mentioned it to me earlier in the week. But I never made it that far down the strip, and assume it was invite only.
“…a new photo/video oriented iPhone variant.”
Whoa. Do you know something the rest of the world doesn’t? An “iPhone HD” would be a big deal.
Nope, I don’t have any insider information. But I don’t expect Apple will rest on their laurels.
Hey Dave,
How about a post with the stuff we DIDN’T see at CES this year? Like not much from Tivo at all, other than that HME Search thing. In particular no new models, in particular no announcement wrt either Tuning Adapters for SDV, or anything about tru2way?
In fact nothing from anybody about tru2way that I’ve seen. Is this thing not progressing like it was supposed to?
tru2way specs have not been finalized or provided to *retail* DVR manufacturers at this time. I did see a few *partner* tru2way devices at the show.