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• Review: Toshiba Satellite T110-121
• CES 2011: Sony unveils Vaio F Series 3D laptop
• CES 2011: LG's G-Slate arrives with Android 3.0
• CES 2011: Sony adds CX and EX Bravia TVs to its range
• Nvidia finally gets its CPU
• CES 2011: Sony shows off 'cinematic' HX series and NX Bravia TVs
• CES 2011: Motorola Xoom unveiled – Android 3.0 hits tablets
• CES 2011: Motorola Atrix coming to the UK on Orange
• CES 2011: Motorola Atrix – 'the world's most powerful smartphone'
• CES 2011: Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc unveiled with Android 2.3
• CES 2011: Samsung: smarter tablets and shrinking bezels
• CES 2011: In pictures: Motorola Xoom featuring Android 3.0 Honeycomb
• CES 2011: Sony: 3D - this time it's personal
• CES 2011: Video: Google previews Android 3.0 Honeycomb
• CES 2011: 32% of new TVs bought to be 3D-ready by 2014?
• CES 2011: Panasonic announces Android tablet for use with Viera TVs
• CES 2011: Next-gen Windows will run on ARM
• CES 2011: Samsung launches TX100 slider tablet
• CES 2011: Pioneer puts Twitter, Facebook features into your car
• Exclusive: Intel's Mooly Eden: 'we're serious about tablets'
• Samsung uses aircraft tech for new ZX310 laptop
• CES 2011: LG P420 and P210 set 'new standard' for notebooks
• CES 2011: LG A520 3D 'powerhouse' laptop unveiled
• CES 2011: Fujifilm launches new GPS-equipped digicams
• CES 2011: LG bets big on passive 3D in Vegas

Review: Toshiba Satellite T110-121 Posted: 06 Jan 2011 01:30 AM PST The Toshiba Satellite T110-121 is a compact and well-specified laptop that is a highly portable choice that offers surprising versatility. The sleek black chassis weighs just 1.5kg and is ideal for frequent travel and use around the house. The slightly tapered design makes it easy to hold. It also fits comfortably into even the smallest bag, while the excellent 399-minute battery can keep you working during the day. Despite the compact dimensions, the keyboard is spacious and comfortable. Spanning almost the full width of the chassis, all the keys are large enough to allow smooth speed-typing. The keys rattle slightly, however, so this is not the quietest laptop for firm typists to use. Built around an 11.6-inch display, screen space is at a minimum. The sharp resolution lets you view a decent amount of content, but text can appear quite small as a result. If you plan on regularly working from home, you may prefer to use a larger external screen. Screen quality is excellent, however. The backlit LED panel delivers striking brightness and contrast and images are sharp and natural. Colours can look a little washed out at times due to the high brightness, but this is easily configured. Low-voltage processor To deliver suitable performance within such a tiny chassis, a low voltage Intel processor has been used. Matching the power of its rivals, you can browse the internet and perform basic home office tasks, but complex multitasking is out of the question. The same can be said of its graphics. High-definition videos run comfortably and simple photo and video editing can be undertaken, but 3D gaming is not possible. A camera built into the screen panel can be used to take photos and record video. Storage is excellent for such a slim laptop and the 250GB hard drive betters all but the ViewSonic ViewBook 130. Inevitably, the thin chassis does not house an optical drive, so you cannot access CDs or DVDs. Toshiba bundles an excellent software package with the T110. Market-leading tools for basic home office use and internet security are provided, as well as a range of proprietary software applications for easy system management. By combining slim mobility with a strong specification and features, the Satellite T110 is a real bargain at this low price. While the small screen could potentially hinder family use, the fact you can work in equal comfort at home or on the move makes this a versatile and affordable choice that is very easy to like. Related Links TechRadar Reviews Guarantee Read more laptop reviews Related Stories Tutorial: How to dual-boot your netbook or laptop CES 2011: Toshiba demos glasses-free 3D laptop Review: Advent Quantum Q100 CES 2011: Toshiba launches new 3D gaming laptop Samsung uses aircraft tech for new ZX310 laptop

CES 2011: Sony unveils Vaio F Series 3D laptop Posted: 06 Jan 2011 01:19 AM PST Sony has unveiled its latest 3D laptop – with the Vaio F Series bringing a 16 inch, Full HD display and active 3D technology. The laptop boasts an Intel Core i7 processor, up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, a 640GB hard drive and Nvidia Geforce GT540M graphics. But it is the 3D technology that is the star of the show, with Sony explaining why it plumped for an active, rather than passive, solution. Advanced frame sequential panel technology "In contrast with passive polarised 3D screens, the Vaio F Series uses advanced frame sequential panel technology and LED backlit control. "This sophisticated technique ensures sharper, brighter images with a super-fast response time and wide viewing angle. Frame Sequential technology alternately displays Full HD (1920 x 1080) 3D images for left and right eyes at up to an extra-smooth 240fps frame refresh rate. "From action movies to sports, games and more, you'll be rewarded with a more relaxed 3D experience, even after extended viewing periods." Also included is Blu-ray, an HD web cam and all the connectivity you can shake a stick at. The Sony Vaio F Series 3D laptop has a UK release of February with no price available as yet. Related Stories Over a million UK kids have no home computer access Patent points towards touchscreen Apple MacBooks CES 2011: Asus and Kinect designers offer PC motion controller CES 2011: Lenovo LePad 10-inch Android tablet graces CES... again CES 2011: Microsoft CES 2011 keynote streamed on Facebook

CES 2011: LG's G-Slate arrives with Android 3.0 Posted: 06 Jan 2011 01:08 AM PST LG has announced its first Android 3.0-powered tablet – the oddly-monikered G-Slate. The new tablet was launched at CES in conjunction with T-Mobile, which gets the headline branding, but beyond a release date set for 'in the coming months' there wasn't much more information about the new device. However, it will be able to run Google Maps in 3D, so hardware-based graphical acceleration is lurking somewhere inside, and a front facing camera is included too. Video frenzy A few demo videos were put together for the event, so even if we're pretty low on actual specs (although that looks a lot like a 10-inch screen to us) there's a whole host of cool demos outlining how Google Talk and Google's new eBook store will work on the tablet. We're still hoping for another announcement from LG regarding a tablet – but it looks like that could be pushed back to Mobile World Congress as we wait to see what's next in the exploding tablet wars. Related Stories CES 2011: LG A520 3D 'powerhouse' laptop unveiled CES 2011: LG P420 and P210 set 'new standard' for notebooks CES 2011: Samsung launches TX100 slider tablet CES 2011: Next-gen Windows will run on ARM CES 2011: Motorola Xoom unveiled – Android 3.0 hits tablets

CES 2011: Sony adds CX and EX Bravia TVs to its range Posted: 06 Jan 2011 12:58 AM PST Sony has added to its range of Bravia televisions with the 3D-ready EX and Connected CX series of televisions. The EX range consists of the Sony Bravia EX723, the EX523 and the EX320, and the CX has the CX523 and CX32D. The EX320 is billed as the 'ideal small screen which is a Full HD, Internet TV ideal for a bedroom or kitchen.' "With a clearer, brighter Full HD 3D picture with minimal blur, BRAVIA 3D TVs such as the EX723 are a perfect way to bring 3D into the home to the whole family," adds Sony. CX The CX range is 'wireless LAN ready'. "Easily connect an optional USB Wi-Fi adapter and you're set for a future of cable-free connections and online entertainment," explains Sony. "By adding an optional camera and microphone accessory to new Internet TVs, you'll be able to make free voice and video calls over the Internet using Skype. "Chat to friends and family in clear big screen detail without crowding around a PC." The new range also includes direct recording to a USB and DLNA as well as the new X-Reality image processor. "Bravia TVs in 2011 also feature a new image processor - X-Reality - for crisp detail even with Standard Definition pictures," adds Sony. "X-Reality PRO takes it a step further: this dual-chip image processor produces true-to-life images and can even boost low quality pictures from the web to near-HD resolution." Related Stories CES 2011: Toshiba reveals large-screen glasses-free 3D TVs CES 2011: LG bets big on passive 3D in Vegas CES 2011: Panasonic announces Android tablet for use with Viera TVs CES 2011: 32% of new TVs bought to be 3D-ready by 2014? CES 2011: Sony shows off 'cinematic' HX series and NX Bravia TVs

Nvidia finally gets its CPU Posted: 06 Jan 2011 12:49 AM PST At a press conference this morning, filled with Jen-Hsun Huang's usual hyperbole, Nvidia finally announced its long-awaited entry into the CPU game. With both AMD and Intel having greater or lesser share of the GPU/CPU market there has been much speculation over the last few years as to when Nvidia was going to announce it's first proper CPU. With licensing limitations put on its ability to produce an x86 CPU it has come from a partnership with mobile darlings ARM. But this is no mobile part, oh no, the impressive dual-core Tegra 2 chip has got Nvidia bounding into that market, this is going to be a serious, high-performance part aimed at personal computers. Like AMD's Fusion before it Project Denver is going to be integrated onto the same chip as its GPUs. Massively parallel "With Project Denver, we are designing a high-performing ARM CPU core in combination with our massively parallel GPU cores to create a new class of processor," says Huang. It wasn't until the end of his performance that Jen-Hsun announced this new chip and he began by talking about the pervasiveness of the ARM platform amongst developers. "Because of the pervasiveness and the openness of ARM and because there are so many content developers around the world who are now focused on this mobile computing revolution, the energy around the ARM architecture is absolutely enormous." "The fact of the matter is if you're a software developer and you're not working on ARM, you've got your head in the sand somewhere," he continued. ARMed and dangerous Jen-Hsun went on to mention that he was going to have to wrap up the press conference to go to the Microsoft event, and casually threw up a slide on the projector from Bloomberg Newsweek saying that Microsoft was announcing future Windows support for ARM chips. "I found this on the web, so it's all fair game," said Huang. With such a backing from major software developers the entry of a high-performance ARM CPU could be rather interesting to say the least. It's not going to be an instant thing, and Intel is certainly not quaking in its boots, but Nvidia finally has the missing piece to the jigsaw that could see it growing from strength to strength in the coming years. It's just as question of how long till we see actual silicon... Related Stories Review: Intel Core i7-2600K Review: Intel Core i5-2500K AMD announces first Fusion chips Intel's Sandy Bridge chip to offer built-in DRM Intel Sandy Bridge: reviewed and rated

CES 2011: Sony shows off 'cinematic' HX series and NX Bravia TVs Posted: 06 Jan 2011 12:44 AM PST Sony has announced its latest high-end additions to its Bravia television range, including the 'cinematic' high-end HX923, the 'slim and stylish' HX723. Sony is not alone in focusing on connected television – ready for your internet connection – and its Qriocity service is likely to become a familiar site for many new television buyers. As well as the cheaper EX and CX series, Sony unleashed three televisions in the HX range – the HX923, HX823 and HX723 and an NX723. Sony Bravia HX923 The flagship of the HX range is the HX923 which brings Intelligent Peak LED, Motionflow XR 800 and 3D viewing with X-reality PRO (and two pairs of glasses are provided). "The 2011 range also features enhanced Full HD normal (2D) picture quality, says Sony. "The HX923 has innovative Intelligent Peak LED backlighting for a stunning picture with deep blacks and boosted white levels. "The latest Motionflow technology combines advanced LED backlight technology with High Frame Rate panels to improve picture detail and smooth motion. "Motionflow XR 800 means you can watch fast-action games, sports and movies at the equivalent of 800 frames per second and enjoy high image detail with less blur. "BraviaTVs in 2011 also feature a new image processor - X-Reality - for crisp detail even with Standard Definition pictures. "X-Reality PRO takes it a step further: this dual-chip image processor produces true-to-life images and can even boost low quality pictures from the web to near-HD resolution." Sony Bravia NX273 The NX723 uses the now-familiar Monolithic design, offers free calls with Skype and 3D,. all backed into an Ultra-slim LED screen. "With a greater choice of Internet content, smart technology and features, and industry-leading 3D, the 2011 range of BraviaTVs will change the way people think about TV," said Christian Brown, Senior Category Marketing Manager, Sony UK. "Now your TV will really be the centre of your home entertainment. It is television, redefined." We are still waiting on a UK release date and price for the televisions. Related Stories CES 2011: Toshiba reveals large-screen glasses-free 3D TVs CES 2011: LG bets big on passive 3D in Vegas CES 2011: Panasonic announces Android tablet for use with Viera TVs CES 2011: 32% of new TVs bought to be 3D-ready by 2014? CES 2011: Sony adds CX and EX Bravia TVs to its range

CES 2011: Motorola Xoom unveiled – Android 3.0 hits tablets Posted: 06 Jan 2011 12:43 AM PST The new Motorola Xoom Android tablet has been announced in Las Vegas with a glut of next-gen technology stuffed inside. After first being pseudo-debuted by Google, the new Motorola Xoom (odd name aside) features a 10.1-inch (1280x800 resolution) display along with Android 3.0 Honeycomb as well. As expected, it's a dual-core beast, running the Nvidia Tegra 2 dual core processor meaning the Xoom can pump out 1080p video with aplomb, according to Motorola. It also comes with a 5MP rear camera, and a 2MP forward-facing sensor for video chat, as it appears Apple seems to have actually re-ignited interest in video calling, although it makes far more sense on a tablet. HD video a-gogo The rear camera is also capable of 720p HD video capture, and with 32GB of onboard memory and SD card support (curiously after a feature update), the Motorola Xoom should be able to deal with all the media you can throw at it. It can work using 3G or Wi-Fi (up to 802.11n standard) and also comes with the latest in Google's 3D Maps application and access to the new Google eBook library. The only annoying thing about the Motorola Xoom is the lack of UK release date – we're sure it's going to pop over to our shores, but it's only been given a Q1 release date for the US at the moment. The good news is Motorola PR team has announced the product on our shores as well, so we should be getting our very own release date any time soon. Related Stories CES 2011: LG A520 3D 'powerhouse' laptop unveiled CES 2011: LG P420 and P210 set 'new standard' for notebooks CES 2011: Samsung launches TX100 slider tablet CES 2011: Next-gen Windows will run on ARM CES 2011: LG's G-Slate arrives with Android 3.0

CES 2011: Motorola Atrix coming to the UK on Orange Posted: 06 Jan 2011 12:26 AM PST Motorola introduced four new devices at its CES press conference today, including an Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet and the Atrix dual-core smartphone that will be coming to the UK on Orange. "Motorola is bringing new, game-changing technologies to the marketplace that will enable consumers to do more with their mobile devices," said Sanjay Jha, chairman and chief executive officer, Motorola Mobility. "We're innovating across the board – not just in smartphones – as we revolutionise mobile computing with experiences that push the limits of what you thought was possible with your mobile device." Motorola introduced 23 Android smartphones in 2010 and has followed this up with the stunningly powerful Atrix which has docks which can make it perform like a laptop running Android as well as a desktop dock that can connect to a monitor for a full nettop-like experience. The "laptop dock" provides you with a larger screen, keyboard and trackpad. "Everything on your Android handset is shown on your desktop," said Motorola's Sanjay Jha. "New apps go into a tab. You can also resize and go full screen with Android on the web top screen – if you wanted to play Angry Birds or something." The new phone has the "world's first qHD pentile display for a smartphone, offering high resolution and 24-bit color, making it easier to read indoors and outdoors" as well as 1GB of memory and a 1GHz dual-core processor plus front and rear HD cameras and up to 48GB of storage. The Motorola Atrix has an Orange UK release date "later this year" but will be available in the United States from AT&T over the coming few months. Motorola also introduced the 3.7-inch screened Cliq 2, which will be known as the Dext 2 in the UK. The new smartphone will be available on T-Mobile in the US, but there's no UK release date as yet. There's also the Droid Bionic. We probably won't get this in the UK as it's designed for next-generation LTE networks that haven't been announced as yet for the UK. However, like the Atrix, the new handset features a 1GHz dual-core processor alongside 512MB of RAM and an 8 megapixel camera. There's also a 4.3-inch qHD screen. Related Stories CES 2011: LG takes on Bluetooth with Wi-Fi direct CES 2011: LG takes glasses-free 3D mobile CES 2011: Video: Google previews Android 3.0 Honeycomb CES 2011: Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc unveiled with Android 2.3 CES 2011: Motorola Atrix – 'the world's most powerful smartphone'

CES 2011: Motorola Atrix – 'the world's most powerful smartphone' Posted: 06 Jan 2011 12:24 AM PST The new Motorola Atrix handset has been unveiled at CES 2011, offering up an impressive gamut of next-gen tech. Previously known as the Motorola Olympus, the headline spec in the Atrix is the dual-core Nvidia Tegra ARM processor running at the heart of the smartphone, which Motorola claims can run at up to 2Ghz thanks to the two 1GHz cores packed in. It also whacks in 1GB of RAM – powerful indeed for a smartphone – to enable easier multitasking and less judder and slowdown in use. Motorola in the dock Running Android 2.2, the Motorola Atrix also works on an optional Motorola HD Multimedia Dock, offering three USB ports and an HDMI-out slot, so you can connect up peripherals such as a keyboard or mouse to make this into a miniature computer on the 4-inch qHD (960 x 540) screen. Or you can go the whole hog and use the Motorola Laptop Dock with an 11.6-inch screen, a three cell batter and a full keyboard and trackpad too – all powered by the Motorola Atrix. The whopping 1930mAh battery is by far the biggest we've seen as standard on a mobile phone, and to do so in a sub-11mm frame is impressive too – we're hoping that it's not that big because the Atrix is going to be juice-hungry with those dual cores. Other specs are all as we'd expect too: 135g weight (hefty), a 5MP camera with LED flash and 720p HD video capture. Playback specialist The media playback functionality is powerful though, with 1080p MPEG4, H.264, WMV and Xvid/DivX all supported on the teeny grunt-nugget. 16GB of internal storage is supplemented by a microSD card slot that can handle up to 32GB cards, and the full dimensions are 63.5mm wide x 117.75mm long x 10.95mm thin. Orange has already confirmed the Motorola Atrix will be coming to our shores, with a UK release date of Q2 2011. No UK price has been given yet, but we can't see this much tech being that cheap, so perhaps it's best to start saving now. Related Stories CES 2011: LG takes on Bluetooth with Wi-Fi direct CES 2011: LG takes glasses-free 3D mobile CES 2011: Video: Google previews Android 3.0 Honeycomb CES 2011: Motorola Atrix coming to the UK on Orange CES 2011: Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc unveiled with Android 2.3

CES 2011: Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc unveiled with Android 2.3 Posted: 05 Jan 2011 11:55 PM PST Sony Ericsson has announced its first Android 2.3-powered smartphone: the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc – the realisation of the Anzu TechRadar revealed would be coming this year. Offering a whopping 4.2-inch screen, the new handset also comes with a glut of high end tech packed into its frankly ridiculously thin frame. Among the headliners is the new 'Reality Display' cocking more than your average snook to Apple's retina offering with an 854x480 resolution. Sony Ericsson finally has the international Bravia brand to play with too, touting the" ultimate multimedia and viewing experiences"from the new Mobile Bravia Engine. Snap happy The camera is running the same high end specs as before: an 8.1 MP camera with HD video recording, although it's only offering a single LED flash, which makes sense given the frame is only 8.7mm thick at its thinnest point. The camera is also closer to 'proper' snappers, with Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor and a f/2.4 aperture making this a very impressive mo-pho (mobile photography) substitute. It still has the same Timescape UI running on top, although we're not sure if this has been toned down after it struggled to run correctly on the first Xperia X10 from Sony Ericsson. 3D gaming Under the hood we're seeing all the usual gubbins we'd expect to see: a 1GHz Snapdragon Qualcomm chip, aGPS, 3D and motion-based gaming, DLNA and HDMI-out connectivity atop a 1500mAh battery at the heart of things. And the best news? It's been given a Q1 release date internationally, which we assume counts in the UK given it's one of Sony Ericsson's key markets. Don't expect this to be cheap though with all the tech on board: a UK price of £500+ and £35 a month deals on contract seems highly likely. Related Stories CES 2011: LG takes on Bluetooth with Wi-Fi direct CES 2011: LG takes glasses-free 3D mobile CES 2011: Video: Google previews Android 3.0 Honeycomb CES 2011: Motorola Atrix coming to the UK on Orange CES 2011: Motorola Atrix – 'the world's most powerful smartphone'

CES 2011: Samsung: smarter tablets and shrinking bezels Posted: 05 Jan 2011 08:57 PM PST It felt as if the whole world attended the Samsung CES 2011 press conference in Vegas this week. The queue snaked around the block, filled with tech enthusiasts eager to see what the biggest technology company had to offer in 2011. Unlike Sony, who used film stars and circus performers to wow the crowds, Samsung let its gadgets hog the limelight – showing off a jaw-dropping talbet/laptop mash-up and the most beautiful TV at the show so far, which boasted an 0.2-inch superthin bezel. Speaking about its flagship 3D TV, the 8000 series, Samsung's executive vice president said: "We have been able to reduce the bezel size and add an inch to the picture without increasing the size of the TV." So this means that Samsung has managed to pinch an inch, with the 8000 series' screen measuring a cool 51-inches. Samsung's motto this year is all about being smart: smart design, smart experiences and smart connections. Possibly the smartest tech of the lot on the Samsung stage was its tablet-laptop hybrid. The 10.1 inch tablet runs Windows 7 and has a slide out keyboard that snaps in to place underneath the screen, creating a laptop chassis. The idea is a sound one and the way it works is utterly impressive. Samsung didn't let its other tablet, the Galaxy Tab, go without some changes. The Korean company will now offer a Wi-Fi only version of the tab. While we would have liked to have seen a different sized Galaxy Tab, this small change will suffice. Samsung is hoping that it can continue its dominance in the phone market as well, with the arrival of the Samsung Infuse 4G, a 4.5 inch smartphone that's the thinnest on the AT&T portfolio. The company also wants to go Apple bobbing with the launch of the Galaxy Player. Like the iPod touch it is a phone without phone functionality. What you do get is an Android based media player that has access to Android Market and its apps. Apps were very much the order of the day with Samsung. It announced that it expects the connected TV market to grow threefold in 2011, with its app store at the forefront of this. To show how dedicated the company is to apps, it gave an app developer $200,000 on the stage as recognition to the app they created for Samsung's connected output. Couple this with the thinnest ever 3D Blu-ray player, redesigned 3D glasses that look the business and the Samsung notebook 9 series – a premium laptop made of a new metal called duralamin – and Samsung looks to be the one to beat in 2011. And the company kept teasing that something even bigger will be announced on Thursday. Quite what this will be is still very much a mystery. Related Stories Dyson reinvents the vacuum cleaner Hospice charity single hit by iTunes cover version WIN! 8 copies of Nero Multimedia Suite 10 Platinum HD Big growth for IMAX as ticket sales more than doubled in 2010 CES 2011: Sony: 3D - this time it's personal

CES 2011: In pictures: Motorola Xoom featuring Android 3.0 Honeycomb Posted: 05 Jan 2011 08:35 PM PST Motorola proudly demoed its new 10.1-inch Xoom tablet at its CES 2011 press conference this afternoon and we were there to take some snaps. The Android 3.0 you see here isn't quite finished – the shots of Honeycomb running on the tablet are just images. Check out a preview video of Android 3.0 While the tablet has an early 2011 release date in the US, it's not clear when or if it will come to the UK. However, the tablet has been developed in conjunction with Verizon – which Vodafone owns a significant portion of. So perhaps. There's a front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chats over Wi-Fi or 3G/4G LTE, as well as a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera that captures video in 720p HD. Motorola's Sanjay Jha said that Honeycomb "has been designed ground up for the tablet. It builds upon the Android technology, already available. The widgets are improved, there's much more functionality and the apps have been completely redesigned." The device has full support for Adobe Flash 10.1 and will also be able to be upgradeable to 4G LTE super fast mobile broadband when available. Related Stories CES 2011: Hands on: Asus EeeSlate review and EeePad review CES 2011: First look: Asus Eee Slate and Asus Eee Pad CES 2011: Asus launches four Eee Pad and Eee Slate tablets CES 2011: iTablet finally launches, promises to be more than just a media player Exclusive: Intel's Mooly Eden: 'we're serious about tablets'

CES 2011: Sony: 3D - this time it's personal Posted: 05 Jan 2011 07:30 PM PST Sony rounded off a packed day of CES 2011 press confernces with an impressive display of technological pomp and ceremony. While the rest of CE manufacturers tend not to add the wow factor to their press conferences, Sony brought out the big guns – namely movie star Seth Rogan and whole host of Cirque du Soleil performers. The whole show was a statement of intent that Sony wants to be the number one electronics manufacturer in the US. Its latest line-up of devices certainly puts them in good steed. There's no less than 27 new Bravia TVs launching this year, with all the 3D and connected bells and whistles you have come to expect from Sony. Its flagship television, the HX929, is a thing of beauty – offering impressive pictures with its X-reality engine and edge lit LED. And, of course, 3D. Its latest 3D Blu-ray player, the BDP-S780 has Skype built in and there's also a new 3D ready Sony Vaio laptop. 3D does come at a price, though, with the Vaio PC looking to land in the US in February for a mammoth $1,700. Sir Howard Stringer is still completely enthused with 3D and his keynote reflected this, explaining that 2011 is the year that "3D gets personal". This is because Sony is launching a consumer 3D camcorder in the spring – the world's first consumer camcorder that offers double Full HD quality. Alongside this was a camcorder with a built in projector. Couple this with a refresh of its Cyberlink line, making the cameras 3D capable and a 3D version of the Bloggie and Sony has gone all out with 3D this year. But it is not just 3D where Sony is focusing its efforts. It seems the company's connected cloud-based services are also burgeoning. In its portfolio Qriocity (which has movies and music) nestles next to the PSN and newcomer Music Unlimited will be coming to all connected Sony products. Perhaps what was more enticing though was not what was announced but what is 'coming soon' – both in the near future and beyond. A throwaway comment by Sony's Kaz Hirai confirmed that a tablet range will be coming in 2011. Hirai hinted that tablets were incoming and will use the power of Sony's connected tools, including the PSN, Qriocity and Music Unlimited. Sony gave no more details about the tablet other than that it was in the pipeline. It will be interesting to see what brand the tablet falls under. It sounds too entertainment based to be a Vaio product, not TV enough to be Bravia and it's unlikely it will be developed with Ericsson, so it isn't going to be a Sony Ericsson tablet. So, could this mean that we will see a PlayStation tablet? It's pure rumour and speculation at this point but a tablet-based gaming device that offers up connected content would be something special that would truly rival the iPad. A tablet PC is sorely missing from Sony's massive haul of products so it will be much welcomed when it arrives. Sony also showed us a glimpse at what it is currently working on. The next generation of TVs look to be imaging marvels, with a 56-inch 4k LCD panel, 46-inch panel 2K and a 24-inch OLED TV in the works. The company also showed off a concept of a glasses-less portable 3D Blu-ray player and perhaps the eventual jewel in Sony's 3D crown, a personal 3D viewer. It looks like a space age virtual reality eye piece and delivers 3D content to you and you only. Sony has earmarked 2013 as the year it will become number one in the US for consumer electronics. With so much emphasis placed in 3D and connected TVs, it will be hoping that if it dangles these features in front of consumers long enough – one will eventually get a bite. Related Stories Dyson reinvents the vacuum cleaner Hospice charity single hit by iTunes cover version WIN! 8 copies of Nero Multimedia Suite 10 Platinum HD Big growth for IMAX as ticket sales more than doubled in 2010 CES 2011: Samsung: smarter tablets and shrinking bezels

CES 2011: Video: Google previews Android 3.0 Honeycomb Posted: 05 Jan 2011 07:04 PM PST Google has posted a 'sneek peek' video of Android 3.0, otherwise known as Honeycomb, featuring a new 'holographic' user interface. The move follows the announcement of Android 3.0 tablets at CES 2011, not least the Motorola Xoom, which you can see a whole load more pictures of here. Google has also posted an update on the new mobile OS on its mobile blog, and you can see the video at the bottom of the page. "Honeycomb is the next version of the Android platform, designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets. We've spent a lot of time refining the user experience in Honeycomb, and we've developed a brand new, truly virtual and holographic user interface." Having seen the UI in a demo version on the Motorola tablet, we can confirm that it looks rather good – and it's a completely different experience than older versions of Android that we've so far seen on tablet-like devices – and we like the sound of the tabbed browsing in Chrome, too. Redesigned widgets "Many of Android's existing features will really shine on Honeycomb," continues Google. The new OS also features "refined multi-tasking, elegant notifications, access to over 100,000 apps on Android Market, home screen customization with a new 3D experience and redesigned widgets that are richer and more interactive. "We've also made some powerful upgrades to the web browser, including tabbed browsing, form auto-fill, syncing with your Google Chrome bookmarks, and incognito mode for private browsing." "Honeycomb also features the latest Google Mobile innovations including Google Maps 5 with 3D interactions and offline reliability, access to over 3 million Google eBooks, and Google Talk, which now allows you to video and voice chat with any other Google Talk enabled device (PC, tablet, etc)." Related Stories CES 2011: LG takes on Bluetooth with Wi-Fi direct CES 2011: LG takes glasses-free 3D mobile CES 2011: Motorola Atrix coming to the UK on Orange CES 2011: Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc unveiled with Android 2.3 CES 2011: Motorola Atrix – 'the world's most powerful smartphone'

CES 2011: 32% of new TVs bought to be 3D-ready by 2014? Posted: 05 Jan 2011 06:43 PM PST Panasonic has predicted that a third of all new TV purchases will be of 3D models by 2014. At the Japanese giant's CES press conference, company president Shiro Kitajima said that 3D was an unstoppable force, and detailed a vast array of new 3D products. Among them were new ranges of high end, midrange and entry level plasma 3D TVs (VT30, GT30 and ST30), Panasonic's first 3D LCD TV (DT30), as well as an array of new 3D cameras, camcorders and Blu-ray players. To say that Panasonic is throwing the kitchen sink at 3D would be an understatement, and it seems that consumers are going to end up with 3D TVs in their homes eventually whether they like it or not. Three quarters of the Blu-ray players in Panasonic's 2011 range are 3D capable, while last year's groundbreaking 3D camcorder (HDC-SDT750) is joined by five new models at various price points. Kitajima hinted that the entry level 3D camcorder will cost just $1000 (£645). Perhaps the most exciting technical innovation in all of Panasonic's new products – which includes the Android-toting Viera Tablet – are the incremental improvements in the company's premium VT30 range of high-end 3D TVs. Kitajima says that Panasonic has been able to use new phosphors to increase the light output of its plasma panels by 30 per cent, while cutting power consumption by 20 per cent. Panasonic's plasmas are known to be the best TVs at limiting the intrusion of crosstalk, but its pictures can be less dazzling than Direct LED 3D TVs because the plasma panels emit less light - until now? We'll take a look at these new TVs at the show tomorrow and we'll let you know what we think. Related Stories CES 2011: Toshiba reveals large-screen glasses-free 3D TVs CES 2011: LG bets big on passive 3D in Vegas CES 2011: Panasonic announces Android tablet for use with Viera TVs CES 2011: Sony shows off 'cinematic' HX series and NX Bravia TVs CES 2011: Sony adds CX and EX Bravia TVs to its range

CES 2011: Panasonic announces Android tablet for use with Viera TVs Posted: 05 Jan 2011 06:24 PM PST Panasonic has announced the launch of a new Android tablet for use with its new range of flatscreen TVs. The Panasonic press conference at CES looked like it was shaping up to be a fairly drab affair until Shiro Kitajima, president of Panasonic, removed the device from his inside jacket pocket towards the end of his lengthy presentation. Until then, most of the chat during the back-to-front press conference had been about market trends and projections for the year ahead. But when the device came out of Kitajima's pocket, the many hundreds of people in attendance suddenly woke up and the cameras started snapping in unison. The launch of the Viera Tablet arrives hand in hand with Panasonic's next-generation Internet TV service, Viera Connect, which replaces the Viera Cast service in Panasonic's 2011 TV range. Viera Connect builds on Viera Cast's IPTV features and adds the ability to download and install apps such as games and utilities. The Viera Tablet itself has several primary features. Firstly and most obviously, it can act as a remote control for the TV, so you can use it to choose content to watch from Viera Connect, and to browse available apps. More interestingly, the Viera Tablet is able to stream live TV from your Panasonic telly so that you can continue watching your programmes even if you're walking around your home. The tablet is also compatible with multi-angle content, like the kind you get with live sports broadcasts. So while you're watching the footy on the big plasma, you can watch alternative angles and replays on the tablet. In the same way, if you see an interesting product advertised during a break, the Viera Tablet will allow you to quickly navigate to read more about and even buy the product. Katajima said at the event that there's still a lot to come from Panasonic in this space, and that new IPTV features at apps will continue to be added over time. Some would argue that Panasonic is playing catch-up with these features, as the Viera Cast service had fallen a bit behind similar IPTV offerings from the likes of Sony and Samsung. However, these new developments put it squarely back in the game and with a bang. One of the Viera Connect apps that was demonstrated at the event was a 3D racing game which looked relatively pretty considering this is a TV we're talking about and not a games console. And we were also told of a fitness game called Body Media, which uses a bracelet peripheral to measure your pulse and blood pressure while you carry out the exercises on screen. Games can be controlled using the Viera remote control or by plugging in any standard USB gaming pad. At the same event, Panasonic also announced the launch of its new premium range of 3D TVs, the VT30 series, as well as new midrange 3D TVs in the shape of the GT30 series and also the new ST30 entry level range of 3DTVs. Panasonic also announced its first range of 3D LCD TVs in the form of the DT30 series. Related Stories CES 2011: Toshiba reveals large-screen glasses-free 3D TVs CES 2011: LG bets big on passive 3D in Vegas CES 2011: 32% of new TVs bought to be 3D-ready by 2014? CES 2011: Sony shows off 'cinematic' HX series and NX Bravia TVs CES 2011: Sony adds CX and EX Bravia TVs to its range

CES 2011: Next-gen Windows will run on ARM Posted: 05 Jan 2011 01:57 PM PST Microsoft has announced that the next version of Windows will run on ARM-based devices. Microsoft's head of Windows, Steven Sinofsky oversaw the demo and also provided insights into what he was at pains to call "the next version of Windows" rather than Windows 8. The new OS will offer complete support for System on a Chip (SoC) architectures. SoC essentially takes the discrete components of a PC and combines them on single chips or packages with the benefit of increased effeciencies, such as power consumption. "More stuff in less space," surmised Sinofsky. "You don't think about the phone in your pocket being able to run Windows, but that's basically what's happened. We think of PC based devices being X86-based and mobile devices being ARM-based." "Some people think we'll all get slates, but customers are asking for more things, such as being able to plug in a camera or an SD card." "This desire makes it a natural fit for Windows. If you want a bigger screen, or more ports, or a convertible, Windows is a great way to think about how we can provide that to consumers." At today's announcement, we saw demonstrated the next version of Windows running on new SoC platforms from Nvidia (Tegra 2), Qualcomm (Snapdragon) and Texas Instruments on ARM architecture. We were shown various scenarios including hardware-accelerated graphics and media playback, hardware-accelerated web browsing with the latest Microsoft Internet Explorer, USB device support and also printing to an Epson printer with an adapted driver. Taking about adapting software for the platform, Sinofsky demonstrated Word and PowerPoint, though there is work to be done here. "For today we wanted to make sure we said that we're doing the work in Windows to enable it to run on ARM. As for [other applications] we'll say more about that as we move towards release." Surface and more Before the demo Sinofsky said that what we would see was a demo and nothing more - "we won't be showing any new user interface, we won't be talking about packaging or anything like that. So while we saw new native ARM code running, we saw a UI that was very much Windows 7. We were also shown the latest x86 kit that will also be shown off in the keynote laterincluding new PCs from HP based on Intel's new Sandy Bridge architecture as well as the new AMD Fusion chips. There was also a demo of a Samsung convertible tablet and netbook as well as an Asus tablet PC designed for the home with a wireless keyboard and stylus. We also got a preview of the second generation of Microsoft Surface, powered by Windows 7 and a multi-core AMD processor alongside a gorilla glass screen. The new unit features even more responsive pixel sense technology as well as hardware-based decoding. The new Surface is four inches thick and has been developed in cahoots with Samsung. As to when this version of Windows would appear, Sinofsky was classically cagey. "Maybe I'll use this as a chance to talk about our mindset on releases. There's a huge responsibility to do things properly. Releases – we try to have a balance. We try to aim for 24-36 months between Windows releases and that's not really that long. We're very, very early." Related Stories CES 2011: LG A520 3D 'powerhouse' laptop unveiled CES 2011: LG P420 and P210 set 'new standard' for notebooks CES 2011: Samsung launches TX100 slider tablet CES 2011: Motorola Xoom unveiled – Android 3.0 hits tablets CES 2011: LG's G-Slate arrives with Android 3.0

CES 2011: Samsung launches TX100 slider tablet Posted: 05 Jan 2011 01:26 PM PST Samsung has announced its new 'slider' tablet PC, the TX100, which the company hopes will provide the benefits of both a notebook and a tablet PC. Samsung's TX100 is essentially a touchscreen tablet PC running Windows 7, with a slide-out keyboard, for those users who prefer the good old QWERTY input on occasion. Perfect fit for your digital life? It is, according to Samsung's press release "the perfect fit for creating and consuming content, whatever your digital lifestyle." "Equipped with Microsoft Windows 7 operating system and powered by the upcoming Intel Atom processor platform, the Samsung TX100 maximises the benefits of a tablet PC with its compact, light, and easy to go design, as well as features that provide easy typing and enhanced productivity and performance. "The display elegantly slides up and out to reveal a physical keyboard much like that of a typical notebook. However, it has the ability to use the intuitive touch display, keyboard and mouse interface as well." Unmet needs Graham Long, Vice President of IT Solutions at Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland explains further, informing us: "At first glance, the Samsung TX100 is a compact, light-weight tablet with multi-touch applications. "However, when the display is slid into place, it reveals a physical keyboard, giving users the freedom of an intuitive touch environment and a familiar keyboard and mouse interface. The transformation of form-factor is slick and seamless. Bringing such an innovative and new device to market is an example of Samsung's dedication to taking care of peoples unmet needs." Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice President of the OEM Division, Microsoft Corporation adds: "The Samsung TX100 is a great example of the deep collaboration between Microsoft and Samsung, from engineering to marketing. "This joint innovation delivers a unique PC design and rich mobile computing experiences for our mutual customers." Specs wise, the Samsung TX100 features a 10.1-inch multi-touch LCD display that supports HD resolution (1366x768) and outdoor visibility (340 nit). Samsung is hoping that the TX100's screen size is "great for immersive activities like watching movies or social networking" while "in the business environment, the TX100 is just the right size for a salesman giving a presentation to a client, a construction worker viewing blueprints, or a medical professional searching for information on a patient." Sammy's press blurb continues: "The device is ideal for students in an education setting because of its handy, portable nature and focus on content." A tablet to take on the might of Apple's iPad? Or a 'jack of all trades, master of none' mobile computer? Only time will tell… We should have UK pricing and release details shortly, so stay tuned for those. Related Stories CES 2011: LG A520 3D 'powerhouse' laptop unveiled CES 2011: LG P420 and P210 set 'new standard' for notebooks CES 2011: Next-gen Windows will run on ARM CES 2011: Motorola Xoom unveiled – Android 3.0 hits tablets CES 2011: LG's G-Slate arrives with Android 3.0

CES 2011: Pioneer puts Twitter, Facebook features into your car Posted: 05 Jan 2011 12:47 PM PST At CES in 2008, Pioneer was one of the most exciting brands at the show. It launched new world-beating 9th-generation Kuro plasma TVs and showcased some staggering PDP tech that's still to be matched by any of the other big brands three years on. But however much we don't want to believe it, Kuro is dead. And Pioneer's press conference at this year's CES show concentrated solely on in-car mobile products. Some journalists abandoned the queue for the press conference when they heard it was mobile products only, but they missed the launch of some fairly nifty in-car systems. Possibly the most intriguing of Pioneer's new in-car products are two in-dash car stereos which come with Aha Radio integration. The AVIC-Z130BT and AVIC-X930BT both sport touchscreen interfaces and allow you to keep in touch with your favourite social networking sites while you're driving your car. Yeah, sounds pretty dangerous to us, too. However, rather than having to read your Twitter or Facebook feeds off the screen, these stereos will actually read them out to you through your car's stereo system. So now, instead of driving to work listening to [your favourite feel-good album here], you can listen to a robotic Microsoft Sam-style computer voice reading out your mum's tweets about baking soda and nail polish. The system will also download and play your podcasts and all manner of other social web features, all of which require the use of your phone's 3G connection. During the press conference, Ted Cardenas, director of marketing for the car electronics division at Pioneer, also announced the new Pioneer SPX-SC101 SmartCradle for use with the Apple iPhone. It's designed to turn the iPhone into a more usable device for in-car satellite navigation. It's a lot like a standard sat nav cradle, and is similar to many already released in that it has its own external GPS receiver, a gyroscope and an accelerometer to boost the iPhone's GPS performance. It includes video and audio-out functionality, which means you should be able to use a compatible in-dash screen instead of the one on your iPhone. Helpful if you've got a nifty in-dash stereo with a big and sexy display. No, we don't have one either. And finally, Pioneer also announced the expansion of its in-car Pandora internet radio range of products – there are now twelve Pioneer systems that support the service, although as Pandora is still blocked in the UK, don't expect to see these features our side of the pond. Related Stories Explained: How MP3 compression works CES 2011: Any speakers can go wireless with new Logitech adaptor CES 2011: Any speakers can go wireless with new Logitech adaptor Zeppelin Air uses Apple AirPlay to wirelessly stream tunes

Exclusive: Intel's Mooly Eden: 'we're serious about tablets' Posted: 05 Jan 2011 12:38 PM PST Intel is serious about making inroads in the tablet and smartphone markets. That's according to Mooly Eden, Head of the PC Client Group at Intel, who TechRadar met with after the chip manufacturer's presentation at CES 2011 today. Read our Intel Sandy Bridge reviews "We're serious about this category. We're designing great low power in microprocessors. You'll see it start to ramp. It will be much more meaningful in 2012, we've got a whole team working on some great solutions. Another category we're dead serious about is smartphones." During the earlier keynote, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said the corporation would present smartphone announcements at next month's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. So far Intel has struggled to make inroads in these two markets as it competes with the low power, low heat ARM-based processors found in almost all mobile phones and tablet devices such as the iPad - but it will be interesting to hear what it has to say next month. Short-term fuss Eden certainly believes tablets are a category to be reckoned with. "Tablets are here to stay," he added, who said he sees tablet devices as "a mainly complementary device rather than replacing the notebook." He said that people simply could not give up their notebooks for serious work, citing the example of a journalist who was taking notes on an iPad, but who still had a notebook in his bag. Eden also believes the tablet fuss is a short-term thing. "I believe in the future the big hype will be over and it will just be another category complementing [the PC]." "At the moment, it's the new kid on the block." Related Stories CES 2011: Hands on: Asus EeeSlate review and EeePad review CES 2011: First look: Asus Eee Slate and Asus Eee Pad CES 2011: Asus launches four Eee Pad and Eee Slate tablets CES 2011: iTablet finally launches, promises to be more than just a media player CES 2011: In pictures: Motorola Xoom featuring Android 3.0 Honeycomb

Samsung uses aircraft tech for new ZX310 laptop Posted: 05 Jan 2011 11:45 AM PST Samsung has unveiled its new ZX310 notebook, bringing with it high end specs in a aircraft/sports car chassis combo. With a press release that reads more like a lads' weekend away tick-list than a notebook release, the new ZX310 is "crafted from Duralumin, a lightweight material that is twice as strong as aluminium and normally used in advanced aircraft design." The Samsung design team promises it will be rugged enough to withstand a lifestyle both at home and on the go, but still found time to run it through a wind-tunnel to offer an "aerodynamic style and refined line design inspired by premium sports cars". Battery life - power up! Samsung is promising a battery life up to three times faster than standard notebooks, using a SSD (up to 256GB), Intel's i5 or i7 CPU and a lithium-polymer battery, with a super-fast 12 second boot up time as well. The screen is also top-end tech, with a 13-inch display size, a 400 nit resolution and 1,300:1 contrast ratio all making it a highly visible and vibrant display, with automatic brightness adjustment to help conserve battery further, as well as an intelligently-lit keyboard for those darker PC moments. A 1.3MP integrated webcam and Windows 7 integration round off the spec sheet, although we haven't got anything fun like a UK release date or anything resembling UK pricing to give you at the moment. Let's say it will launch in 2012 and cost £72,000... at least that way we'll hopefully be pleasantly surprised on both fronts. Related Stories Tutorial: How to dual-boot your netbook or laptop CES 2011: Toshiba demos glasses-free 3D laptop Review: Advent Quantum Q100 CES 2011: Toshiba launches new 3D gaming laptop Review: Toshiba Satellite T110-121

CES 2011: LG P420 and P210 set 'new standard' for notebooks Posted: 05 Jan 2011 11:40 AM PST LG has announced the P210 and P420 laptops – suggesting that the new laptops set a 'new standard' for compact notebooks. Both models offer a 'sleek, compact and lightweight frame, with the P210 offering a 11.6 inch screen and the P240 a 14 inch screen. "A crystal clear HD LED LCD display adds to the enjoyment by bringing TV-standard graphics onto a notebook screen," teases LG's release. Specs The P210 weight in at 1.3kg and boasts a Core i3 or i5 along with up to 4GB memory. The P420 has a generation 2 Intel Core i5 processor and up to 8GB of memory as well as an Nvidia GeForce GT520M graphics card. "LG is proud to introduce this exciting new line-up of award winning and innovative notebooks," said J.J Lee, EVP and Head of LG Electronics PC Business Unit. "LG P210 recently won an iF (International Forum Design Award) and the P420 display's LG's unique DNA design. Together with the A520, the 2011 line-up of notebooks provide durable technology with next generation performance capabilities." Related Stories CES 2011: LG A520 3D 'powerhouse' laptop unveiled CES 2011: Samsung launches TX100 slider tablet CES 2011: Next-gen Windows will run on ARM CES 2011: Motorola Xoom unveiled – Android 3.0 hits tablets CES 2011: LG's G-Slate arrives with Android 3.0

CES 2011: LG A520 3D 'powerhouse' laptop unveiled Posted: 05 Jan 2011 11:30 AM PST LG has unveiled the A520 laptop – describing it as a powerhouse notebook with 3D entertainment. The LG A520 brings what LG is calling 'revolutionary 3D technology' in the shape of Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) which "optimizes the separation of images for the left and right eye, which are then filtered through the glasses to give viewers truly outstanding, blur-free 3D images". Full HD The 15.6 inch laptop also boasts a Full HD LED LCD screen, and SRS Wide 3D sound., along with second-gen Intel Core i7 processor and a Geforce GT540M graphics card. "The notebook further boosts the 3D entertainment with its Blu-ray playback, Bluetooth 3.0+HS, and HDMI," boasts LG. "The A520 comes in a luxurious, brushed-aluminum finish, and is available in attractive purple-black and wine-red coloring." The LG A520 has been given a tentative UK release date of Q1, with no price announced as yet. Related Stories CES 2011: LG P420 and P210 set 'new standard' for notebooks CES 2011: Samsung launches TX100 slider tablet CES 2011: Next-gen Windows will run on ARM CES 2011: Motorola Xoom unveiled – Android 3.0 hits tablets CES 2011: LG's G-Slate arrives with Android 3.0

CES 2011: Fujifilm launches new GPS-equipped digicams Posted: 05 Jan 2011 11:20 AM PST Fujifilm has launched a total of 16 new cameras at CES in Las Vegas this week, including one new GPS-equipped model to let you geo-tag your snaps. The Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR is not the first digital camera to pack in GPS tech, but it is one of the first affordable models from a major consumer brand. Take better holiday snaps The F550 also features a 16-megapixel, backlit CMOS EXR sensor, which will capture light more effectively, thus enabling you to take better holiday pics! Once you take your pictures the Fujifilm F550 will record the location data associated with them, which means you can place the snaps on a digital map – so if you are particularly forgetful then all you need to do is take pictures of where you've been and you'll never lose your way ever again. The F550 has a 15x optical zoom lens with a 24mm wide angle, equivalent to a 35mm camera. It can take raw files as well as jpegs and shoot at up to 8 frames per second, at full resolution. Elsewhere in the new Fujifilm line-up, the new FinePix XP30 also packs in GPS features in an 'extreme sports' style toughened case. If you are not so bothered about the GPS features then you might want to plump for the F500EXR, which is a fairly reasonable £280 and comes in five colours. However, if you want the (black-only) F550, then you will have to pay a little more, as that is going to cost £330 when it arrives in stores this coming March. Related Stories CES 2011: Canon offers up A2200 and A1200 IS digital cameras CES 2011: Canon unveils Powershot A3300 IS, A3200 IS

CES 2011: LG bets big on passive 3D in Vegas Posted: 05 Jan 2011 11:12 AM PST LG has made a startling backtrack today in its 3D odyssey, backing passive 3D technology as the future of 3D and castigating the use of active shutter glasses. In the home of bets, Las Vegas, LG has made a massive gamble putting the majority of its chips onto passive 3D technology eventually being the dominant 3D tech in the home. TechRadar was one of the select few publications that got access to LG's talk on 3D display technology at CES 2011 and was given a lecture on how active shutter 3D causes nausea and is essentially bad for consumers. LG's latest Infinia range of 3D televisions are using passive technology, making LG the flagship manufacturer for passive 3D TVs. Currently LG's passive range in the UK is something of an afterthought for the Korean based electronics manufacturer. Although Sky has endorsed LG's passive TV range by using the sets in select pubs up and down the country, the TVs have only been sold in few places for the general public. This is all set to change. LG was part of the crowd endorsing active shutter technology at last year's CES, but now it is positively being negative about the tech and prompting everyone to go passive. LG noted to TechRadar that there are many benefits to passive 3D, including a brighter picture, glasses that can also be used as sunglasses and less crosstalk. LG failed to mention, however, that active shutter technology offers true Full HD picture quality. This was glossed over in its press conference with mention that it used a select group of people to test the passive technology and they couldn't notice the quality difference. When asked if LG would continue to use active shutter technology – in a room filled with material telling us we would essentially be sick if we put the active shutter glasses on – a spokesperson for the company wouldn't confirm that it has stopped manufacturing active shutter TVs. TechRadar bets that when we visit LG's stand tomorrow, active shutter technology will still be used, albeit pushed in the corner like an unwanted Christmas present. Although Sony and Samsung are yet to do their keynote speeches, it is almost a given that both companies will be endorsing active shutter technology for its 3D TVs. All three manufacturers have done a decent job selling this technology to the masses over the Christmas period, offering up discounts before the VAT hike sinks in. For LG to now tell consumers that this technology is essentially inferior to passive 3D will be hard to swallow for many, given that every sales person up and down the country has been telling customers differently. In a quick hands-on with the new passive glasses, however, they do seem to be an easier bit of kit to sell. Essentially they are glorified sunglasses that actually have UV protection – more Top Gun than Buddy Holly. But consumers that do follow what LG is telling them will have inevitably to pay more for the TVs as the 3D technology is in the sets and not the glasses. This will probably even itself out due to the glasses being cheap, but the likes of Sony and Samsung will be looking to drop the prices of their active shutter glasses in due corse. At the LG press conference this morning – which is always the first keynote to kick off CES – the CTO of LG, Dr Skott Ahn, said: "3D is important to LG but the main thing is comfortable 3D. "[We are offering] a 180 degrees viewing angle, brighter pictures and flicker free 3D." What LG is actually 'offering' is another format war – one which most thought was over. It is pitting passive 3D against active 3D, which is not only difficult for consumers to comprehend, but is a mixed message that even LG seems to be struggling to come to terms with. Related Stories CES 2011: Toshiba reveals large-screen glasses-free 3D TVs CES 2011: Panasonic announces Android tablet for use with Viera TVs CES 2011: 32% of new TVs bought to be 3D-ready by 2014? CES 2011: Sony shows off 'cinematic' HX series and NX Bravia TVs CES 2011: Sony adds CX and EX Bravia TVs to its range

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