CEATEC 2009

All right, so you’ve all seen the news and the footage of the gesture-controlled TV and the muRata robot. Yes? Well, the thousands who descended on CEATEC 2009 did indeed crowd around the big stages to see a very tiny white robotic cyclist, or lined up patiently to see the 3D TVs (including one which did not require using special glasses).

ceatec-2009

However, we were also impressed by some other devices that may have escaped the TV cameras. Our favorites were a bunch of neat mobile developments from Fujitsu and Zenrin みんなのナビ (”everyone’s navigation”), that is used on the Sony PSP. Zenrin’s navi utilizes the uber-popular PSP console and adds the GPS devices we love to use on our phones and in our cars. Perfect for those gaming salarymen you always see zipping through station thoroughfares glued to their Playstations.

CEATEC-MINANONAVI

The photo transfer system developed by ALPS also seemed very practical. It was a two-way transfer system that allowed photos taken with your mobile to be sent to your PC, TV or other device simply by touching the panel of their product. And, vice versa, data could be transferred from the same devices back to the mobile.

The human-shaped ultra thin digital signage from 3M also might just change the face of in-store displays. And, with all the potential for 2D females, it might satisfy all those geeks’ fantasies as well.

CEATEC-3M

A recurring feature in the products on display was interactivity, especially through touch or movement. There were gesture-controlled screens, alongside an arsenal of mobiles with touch interfaces. Schools may see electronic blackboards soon and our homes will feel sci-fi with all those 3D TVs (for those with enough money). Many major brands like Sony and Panasonic also proudly advertised green and low-emission domestic products.

Of course, we continue to give a more detailed analysis of the technology and product trends evident at CEATEC in our Mobile Trendpool.

Sony to debut 3D BRAVIA TVs by end of 2010, also eyeing 3D VAIOs, Blu-ray films, and PS3 games?

The Financial Times has it on good word what the major unveil in Sony chief Sir Howard Stringer’s keynote tomorrow at IFA 2009 will, so much so that it’s quoting him with phrases he hasn’t even said yet. According to the report, the company is making a huge push into the third dimension, with 3D BRAVIA HDTVs hitting the retail channels by the end of 2010. Also on the menu is 3D-compatible PlayStation 3 titles (which we’ve kind of heard before), VAIO laptops, and Blu-ray movies, but it’s unclear from the article if they shares the same 2010 timeline. Polarized glasses will be required for use, but hey, just consider it a fashion statement. We’re now very anxious to see how close Sir Stringer sticks to this purported script for tomorrow’s big event.

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Sony to debut 3D BRAVIA TVs by end of 2010, also eyeing 3D VAIOs, Blu-ray films, and PS3 games? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3D TV channel coming to UK next year, 3D-ready set and glasses required

We can still remember the days, not too long ago, that HD channels were but a sparse luxury. Now of course they’re a dime a dozen, but you can still look onward to the next big thing, which BSkyB is wagering will be 3D. The satellite broadcast is gearing up to launch a 3D television station next year to showcase movies, and sports — the latter of which we’re thinking will be the biggest draw. Any customer with a Sky+ HD box can receive the transmission, but you’re also gonna need to look past that ragged old flat-panel HDTV and instead use a 3D-ready set and glasses. We can’t imagine a huge demand for this anytime in the near future, but if the technology does take off, they’ll be more than ready to capitalize.

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3D TV channel coming to UK next year, 3D-ready set and glasses required originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sky suggests UK homes could see 3D TV by the end of the year

Sky has already successfully tested its 3D broadcasting capabilities, and hinted that the 2012 London Olympics could be comin’ at ya like never before, but it now looks like the broadcaster could be set to roll out the service even sooner than many expected. According to Sky’s Chief Engineer Chris Johns, Sky now has the “capability for homes to see 3D by year-end,” although he unsurprisingly didn’t offer any firm timeline for an actual rollout, or even a confirmation of the exact type of 3D system that’d be used, saying simply that they’re continuing to test different systems and that he envisions it to be “glasses-based in some form.” He also added that Sky is focused on building a content library “over the coming year,” so that would seem to suggest that an actual launch would come very near the end of the year, if not later.

[Via Register Hardware, thanks SK]

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Sky suggests UK homes could see 3D TV by the end of the year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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