Best of CES 2013 – five things to look out for in 2013 and beyond
Which? has spent the last few days surveying the halls of CES 2013 – the largest consumer technology show in the world. Here are our highlights from the show – four products to keep an eye out for in 2013, and one trend that’s bound to be big in the future.
Best of CES 2013 video
Visit our CES 2013 page for our first impressions of all the major new products from the show. But here are our highlights, starting with…
1) Samsung Smart Hub for TVs
WHAT IS IT?
Samsung’s latest attempt at a simpler, streamlined interface for its smart TVs, so you can access catch-up TV and online video services easily.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT?
Smart TVs, while great in principle, have long suffered from clunky, confusing and slow menus that make it hard to find what you want. The re-designed Smart Hub, which will feature in all Samsung’s smart TVs in 2013, is a serious step forward. An ‘On TV’ tab shows useful personalised recommendations and what’s coming soon, making finding on-demand films and TV to watch is much easier. All the apps are still there, too, but tucked away in their own menu instead cluttering your TV screen.
Read more about the Samsung Smart Hub and see it in action in our video.
2) Asus VivoTab Smart ME400C
WHAT IS IT?
A 10-inch tablet that runs the full version of Windows 8, so you can use all your favourite desktop programs as well as touch-friendly tablet ones.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT?
Mainly, it’s the price. At £399 for the tablet alone, or £479 with the Bluetooth keyboard, it’s same price as most ‘normal’ tablets, but unlike its rivals it can run desktop programs just like a normal laptop. The best of both worlds? It’s as close as we’ve seen.
Read more Asus VivoTab Smart ME400C and see it in action in our video.
3) Canon PowerShot N
WHAT IS IT?
An innovative new take on a compact camera. It’s square, has a flip-over touchscreen and the shutter button and zoom are accessed via lens rings.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT?
It makes a refreshing change to the usual compact camera fare. But it’s not just a gimmick. The touchscreen menus are well-designed and easy to navigate, and the unusual design really works. Its 8x optical zoom lens is decent for such a small camera, too.
Read more about the Canon PowerShot N and see it in action in our video.
4) Sony Xperia Z
WHAT IS IT?
It’s a high-end Android smartphone with a special difference — it’s waterproof and dustproof.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT?
Even if it weren’t water- and dustproof, it would be a very nice 5-inch Android smartphone with a great screen and a high-spec camera. But its rugged credentials give it something extra, not least the ability to take photos underwater to a depth of one metre.
Read more about the Sony Xperia Z and see it in action in our video.
5) 4K / Ultra HD TVs
WHAT IS IT?
4K TVs, also known as Ultra HD or UHD for short, are a sneak peak at the future of TVs. 4K TVs are so-called for two reasons: first, because that’s the rough number of horizontal pixels; and second, because there are four times as many pixels on the screen of a 4K TV as there are on a Full HD 1080p TV screen.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT?
Without seeing one in the flesh, 4K TVs are difficult to describe, so just take it from us that 4K TVs look stunningly sharp and detailed. Clearly you won’t be buying one any time soon as they cost upwards of £10,000, but don’t be surprised if 4K TVs are the norm in five years.
Read our What is 4K TV? guide for more on why 4K TV has been the major trend of CES 2013.
CES 2013 FAQ
What is CES 2013?
CES is short for Consumer Electronics Show – it’s the largest trade show of its type in the world and the place where major technology brands announce their new products and discuss the future of technology.
Why does Which? attend?
It gives us an insight into what’s coming in the year ahead, so we can ensure we’re testing the right products in the right way. We also use the time to speak to technology companies to ensure they’re listening to consumer needs.
How can I find out more?
Visit our CES 2013 page for our first impressions of all the major new products from the show. Click the links below to find out more about specific products:
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R.B.H
Why does Which attend? my answer for you is-i’m glad you do. I don’t want to hear a biased company blurb about how good their products are. I don’t want a possibly skewed review from the press. I want a fully independent and in depth report from a source i trust and that is which. Thankyou.
Andy Vandervell
You’re welcome.
tadip@tin.it
I entirely concord with R.B.H. Thank you again.
MS, London
What kind of rotten English is “because there are four times as many pixels in a 4K TV than there is in current Full HD 1080p TVs”. It should be “…than there ARE…”.
Doesn’t Which? vet articles before they are published online?
Matt Bath
Hi Ms, London
Well-spotted, and I’ve updated the post. We’ll chalk that one up to the team updating the site through the night from CES, so forgive us if the occasional grammatical glitch makes it through.
Thanks!
Greydiver, Oxford
Oh dear, no, children. “Four times as many AS there are” As should not be followed by Than.
Brian Fanning
How can you possibly criticise “Which” for using poor (not your description) English when you use the word ROTTEN as an adjective in your description. It is hardly appropriate. See the dictionary !
Graham
To MS LONDON, nice grammar, but pointless, look at the content, you should be greatful these people are doing this job for your benefit.
foster
GRATEFUL
Deepestbluetoo
Grateful, it’s what we pay for!
chrisjefferson@blueyonder.co.uk
It’s good to trash the English language (ironic).
gofa1
I think I would like to join in the fun and point out that the word “be” is missing in the opening “gambit” or should that be “introduction” or even “message”? Grammar is tough enough but tougher with omissions.
Matt Bath
You’re all hired!
Some great work rooting out our grammatical problems! Thanks for your comments, and I’m sorry if our errors marred your enjoyment of our content. I’ve gone through and corrected the piece (as well as spotted a few other quirks), and we’ll make sure we try harder in the future.
Thanks again!
Matt
Head of Technology Content
gofa1
tadip@tin. Was “concord” a deliberate mistake?
Spade
Language changes over time.Accepted. Neologisms are necessary to describe innovations. (Not ‘new’ innovations, please!) But the conscious development of language is very different from a deeply-rooted lack of knowledge of basic English spelling, grammar and syntax. “You know what he means,” is fine between friends in a pub but not in something which purports to be accurate. Accuracy is not confined to the facts but how those facts are expressed. The misuse of language throws into doubt the integrity of the reportage.
David
I can live with the grammer but not the mispronunciation of words, it tends to distract me and I lose concentration. The reported in this case cannot sound ‘th’ and in my opinion is unsuitable for broadcasting. Treat yourself to some elocution lessons or simply TRY.