With more than 20,000 new products launched and 153,000 attendees this year, the International Consumer Electronics Show was, to put it mildly, overwhelming. BuyMyTronics traveled to Las Vegas for CES 2012 to check out the coolest it had to offer, and we did our best to make a dent in the nearly 2 million square feet of exhibit space. There were exhibits we liked for presentation and perks (free cocktails; thanks Casemate), and ones that enticed us with beautiful ladies in tight white dresses (hmm, we seem to to forget what that booth was for). And of course, there were plenty of awesome displays of technology. These are the six products that impressed us the most, mainly because we could actually see ourselves using them in the future. Oh, and the one weird robot scared us enough to make the list.
GoPro 3D Hero systems
Here in Colorado, we're very familiar with this brand. GoPro cameras adorn every other ski helmet at our awesome resorts such as Aspen and Vail. GoPro's CES display highlighted the incredible action videos of surfers, gliders and snow sports. Being thrill seekers, we could hardly look away. While GoPro isn't a new innovation, it's definitely exciting for the adventurous at heart. What really got our attention was the 3D Hero technology, hailed as the world's smallest 1080p camera. The brand unveiled the 3D Hero system at CES last year, and the clarity of the 3D videos is really good.
The Hero 3D System starts at $99, independent of its original HD Hero cameras. "The 3D HERO System allows you to combine two HD HERO cameras, or two HD HERO2* cameras into a single housing to record 3D video and photos while simultaneously recording in 2D. A synchronization cable plugs into the rear HERO Port on both cameras to join them together, enabling both cameras to record video and photos in perfect synchronization. This is a requirement for professional quality 3D and is available only from GoPro," according GoPro. That's pretty sick, bro.
Samsung 55-inch OLED TV and LED Series 8
OLED, LED and 3D technology have been years in the making, and Samsung's latest did not disappoint. Samsung unveiled a beautiful 55-inch OLED television this year, but we were equally taken with the larger, but stunningly thin LED Series 8 with screens so clear that one onlooker remarked, "I can see that woman better on TV than I can see you." Both models are equipped with Samsung's 'Smart Interaction' technology, which utilizes two unidirectional microphones, as well as integrated web cameras for gesture and voice control of the TVs (controlling on/off and volume functions; this TV even comes with face recognition.) Check out some amazing pictures of these TVs from the tech blog TheVerge.com.
Interactive displays like Sharp's Aquos Interactive
Like Samsung's Smart Interaction, brands are moving toward interactive technology. Sharp's 80-inch Aquos Interactive display board — with its touch panel, Windows compatibility and video conferencing integration — is set to take over boardrooms and classrooms. We liked that demonstrators were using it to draw caricatures, but obviously, its uses are much more varied than that.
Galaxy Note: A tablet and phone
Move over iPhone, you have some serious competition. Samsung's Galaxy Note had an interesting ad: "Phone? Tablet?" Apparently, it's both. Not overwhelmingly large with a 5.3-inch screen, it provides better viewing than a typical smart phone and is slightly more portable than a tablet. And that's just what the Note is made for. Samsung rolls the capabilities of multiple devices into one, with a touch-screen, advanced smart "S pen" (not a stylus, so we were told), some great sketching and note-taking programs, and an 8 mp rear camera plus front camera with 2 mp. The Galaxy Note operates on the Android 2.3 platform and is already available outside of the U.S., but no word on when it will roll out stateside.
The best of fest? Nokia Lumia 900
The big hit of CES 2012 was the Nokia Lumia 900, and it was voted by many as the best phone at CES. This Windows smart phone even won Popular Mechanic's Editor's Choice award among others. Why is it so impressive? For one, it's just sharp looking. The unibody handset is made of polycarbonate, available in sky blue and black, and justs looks and feels sturdy. Like an iOS device, the speakers are located at the bottom of the phone for better sound. The AMOLED touchscreen is 4.3 inches and quite responsive. The Lumia 900 is also equipped with a rear 8 mp camera with a Carl Zeiss lens. This phone is a U.S. exclusive release under AT&T. There was a drawing for one at CES, but of course we didn't win. Bummer!
The beat-boxing robot from TP-links
We heard Justin Bieber was there to dance with a robot, but we missed his appearance and don't regret it. We did catch the giant TP-links robot, however. We're not sure what the purpose of this Terminator-looking robot was, but it did know how to beat-box. So, kudos, TP-Links, kudos.
Tell us what you think
Is there something we missed? What would you most like to see if you attended CES? We'll put in on our list for next year. For our personal album of CES 2012, go our facebook page. We even have a video of the scary robot for your viewing pleasure. You can also watch him and our other videos on our Youtube channel. Have something to say?
Leave a comment below or hit us up on Twitter.