Six months into his new job as CEO of DISH Network, Joe Clayton detailed the company’s new strategy at its CES press event Monday.
He emphasized that the beginning of this year marked a new era for DISH, complete with a new brand image, mascot, management team, partnerships, logs, services and promotions, website and advertising strategy.
DISH hopes to emulate the way cell phone companies have energized sales through uniquely tagged products like Droid, Razr, and Galaxy by upgrading their technology and giving the units shorter, more memorable names.
Their new base platform, Hopper, is 40 percent smaller than its competitors, uses the fastest CPU available for satellite receivers, has three tuners capable of recording live HD TV on six channels at the same time, and comes equipped with a 2TB hard drive as well as expansion options.
Their secondary platform, Joey, is more compact and does not come with a hard drive, but has the same processor and up to three of them can be used independently to play, pause and record live TV.
Part of the company’s new marketing strategy includes targeting families looking for wholesome entertainment as well as using its new partnership with Univision to attract Latino viewers.
DISH also announced it has revamped its satellite-based Internet offerings through a partnership with Viastat that can offer download speeds of up to 12MBPS and can be bundled with their TV programming for $79.99 a month.
AT&T announced at CES it would be the first to deliver 4G LTE Windows Phones, including the Nokia Lumia 900, expected in spring running Windows mobile 7.5.
Windows 8 is expected to be released sometime this year, but no date has been set.
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop was joined onstage at a Monday press conference by AT&T’s Ralph de la Vega and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to talk up the phone that is expected to mark Nokia’s return to viability in the U.S. market.
“The whole push is to build a strong, third ecosystem in the smartphone market with a differentiated point of view,” Ballmer said, noting there are currently about 50,000 Windows Phone apps on the market.
CNN, ESPN, Univision and “Sesame Street” are among the content providers that have partnered with Nokia as it strives to offer customers a rich user experience. “We’re not just building phones, we’re building content ecosystems,” Elop said.
Elop touted as significant the mobile apps associated with CNN’s iReport, “the largest citizen journalism network in the world, with 1 million registered users and more than 1,800 field missives filed last year.”
Nokia will also be making a 4G LTE Windows phone for T-Mobile.
From a 5.5-pound, 20-inch portable LCD TV that runs on batteries — to an 8K home cinema super-screen that offers 16x the resolution of HD, Sharp heads into its 100th anniversary year with guns loaded.
While the 85-inch 8K (7680×4320) prototype is on display, there’s no ship date yet. However, consumer product marketing officer Mark Viken says it’s definitely headed for the home.
Sharp’s splashiest ready-for-market offering is an 80-inch 3D LCD TV. The 1080p Wi-Fi display features Sharp’s Quattron technology and 240Hz to virtually eliminate blur.
Connected TV: Sharp announced that all new 60-inch class and larger AQUOS models will come equipped with Wi-Fi enabled SmartCentral for full-screen Web browsing and access to popular apps.
The company also introduced the free Beamzit app, which will allow TVs to share content from iOS or Android devices.
Sharp jointly developed with I-cubed Research Center the ICC-4K LED TV, which “intelligently” up-scales from HD to 4K, providing four times 1080p resolution.
Portability: The AQUOS Freestyle is a line of slim and light HD sets from 20- to 60-inches. The Wi-Fi enabled Freestyles are designed for “plug-into-a-wall-socket-and-play” capability.
Energy-sustainability: Sharp’s 80-inch AQUOS TVs cost just $22 per year to operate, according to the company.
LG officially introduced the first phones equipped with true HD IPS displays, the Optimus LTE and Spectrum, at their CES press conference Monday morning.
Both phones feature a 4.5-inch display and boast an astounding screen density of 329 pixels per inch.
The Spectrum sports a 1.5GHz dual core processor, 8MP camera/camcorder, 1.3MP front facing camera and Android Gingerbread 2.3, which can be upgraded to Android Ice Cream Sandwich upon its release.
The Spectrum clearly received the most fanfare on the day, even receiving its own intro from ESPN’s Stuart Scott.
ESPN representatives took the opportunity to stress the continued partnership with Verizon and LG as well as to announce that its ScoreCenter app will be preloaded on the Spectrum.
Less information was released on the Optimus LTE, but LG CTO Scott Ahn said more announcements on all LG phones will follow at next month’s Mobile World Congress.
Panasonic held its press conference at the Venetian on Monday, announcing several interesting partnerships.
The company will bring the Flixster movie app to its Viera Connect platform on HDTVs and Blu-ray players, providing users with access to UltraViolet.
Panasonic announced a partnership with Disney Publishing Worldwide’s Kids Entertainment unit to develop interactive books.
They are also partnered with Miramax to develop apps based on the Miramax library.
Panasonic announced a partnership with Myspace TV, with presentations by CEO Tim Vanderhock and Justin Timberlake.
Myspace TV (“The Evolution Will Be Televised”) will take existing TV content and add a rich social layer feature set to it.
You’ll be able to virtually chat with your friends while you watch a game, for example. Additionally, your tablet and TV will synch so you can take the connections anywhere.
At its press conference, Panasonic announced the new ruggedized Toughpad will complement last year’s Toughbook, and will be useful for people using tablets in harsh environments.
MyLink, developed in partnership with GM, is a hands-free voice activated automotive environment and media control system that will be in the 2013 Malibu and later in the Chevy Equinox and Volt.
The company says 2012 will be the year 3D breaks through; 93 plasma TV models and 40 LCD TV models will be 3D.
Panasonic will continue to sponsor DirecTV’s n3D programming.
Panasonic has partnered with NBC/Universal to produce 200 hours of 3D programming for the 2012 Olympics, including both the opening and closing ceremonies.
The new Panasonic Z10000 dual lens 3D video camera can shoot close-ups as near as 18-inches.
Panasonic introduced a dedicated portable Skype communications device.
Connectivity: 90 percent of Panasonic’s 2012 products will be Web enabled in some way, so content and online resources are key to their success.
NPR has debuted an app designed specifically for Ford SYNC AppLink, the voice-activated platform that works by connecting smartphones to vehicles.
The deal is interesting on two fronts: as a case study in how traditional content “networks” might make their products available a la carte — and for Ford’s hands-off positioning as third-party technology enabler that is facilitating cool uses for smartphones while leaving it largely to the handset manufacturers to upgrade and maintain the platform environment.
Ford AppLink allows developers to create in-vehicle mobile applications that assume unique functionality when Android, iPhone and Blackberry devices are docked to the dashboard via USB. Android devices also work via Bluetooth.
Ford’s apps feature a variety of sports, information and financial programming.
NPR is “one of the most popular features on iTunes, accounting for 7 out of 10 downloaded podcasts,” according to the network’s Kinsey Wilson.
Ford’s SYNC Services launched in 2009, providing voice-activated access to a cloud-based network of information including traffic, news, sports, weather and more. In 2010 Ford added SYNC AppLink — allowing smartphone-equipped customers access to a growing number of popular apps.
Where to see it: North Hall, Grand Lobby, Lower Level 2230
NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang focused Monday’s CES press conference on the new line of devices utilizing the Tegra 3 processor, stressing the variety of mobile solutions companies have to offer individual users with different needs and expectations.
Billed as a quad-core device, the Tegra 3 actually has five CPUs. The fifth processor, or “ninja” core as it’s affectionately called by its creators, provides the key to the new variable symmetric processing.
Huang said the processing makes it possible to maintain or increase computational power while maintaining low power consumption.
The company also demonstrated its prism display technology that enables devices to maintain image fidelity as backlights are dimmed to save power through a reprocessing of each individual pixel’s brightness and color.
The company unveiled another new feature of the Tegra 3, Direct Touch, where the ninja core is used to directly sample data at roughly triple the rate of a traditional capacitive touchscreen.
Huang highlighted Tegra 3’s support of Android Ice Cream Sandwich as well as the new OS’ ability to unite the development process and user experience across platforms, from mobile phones to tablets and ultrabooks.
The announcement accompanied a demo of the Transformer, which utilizes the Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS. Pro gamer Jonathan Wendell took to the stage to show how smoothly the device runs even when operating the most resource-demanding new games.
Asus also used the occasion to announce the release of a new 7-inch tablet powered by the Tegra 3 that is capable of keeping up with the Transformer Prime, priced at only $249.
The announcement may impact devices like the Kindle Fire by providing superior computing power and functionality at a comparable price.
Microsoft was also on hand to demonstrate Windows 8 on a Tegra 3 device and detail how the new OS is being carefully crafted to take advantage of Tegra 3’s quad-core technology to deliver full screen immersive applications.
NVIDIA also announced that the Tegra 3 will be incorporated into the Lamborghini Aventador and two of the processors will be used in the new Tesla Model S (one to run the virtual console and the other to power its infotainment system).
Sir Howard Stringer opened the Sony press event, then introduced Sony Deputy President Kazuo Hirai who discussed the company’s connected strategy — both to the Internet and across Sony devices.
Sony is showing a 4K home theater projector and Blu-ray player with 4K upscale capabilities. It is also developing 4K TVs.
Sony Ericsson will become known as Sony Mobile Communications.
Sony is expanding its Internet TV line with the Google TV platform.
Netflix will be available on PlayStation Vita, which launches February 22.
The company introduced a new balance technology for the Handycam that it suggested could cancel handshake blur up to 13 times more than is currently possible.
The new Bloggie Live is a Full HD camera with built in Wi-Fi for live video streaming.
The Sony Open will be shot in 3D, and highlights will be featured this week at CES.
Sony will host a technology demo of a Crystal LED display at its CES booth.
Star power: Will Smith, director Barry Sonnenfeld and recording artist Kelly Clarkson appeared at Sony’s press conference.
Half of Samsung Smart TVs will offer 3D in 2012. Product line highlights include a 55-inch Super OLED TV and ES8000 LED TV.
TVs will come in sizes as large as 75-inches with thin bezels. The company also previewed voice control and a gestural interface for its display technology.
To future proof its TVs, Samsung announced plans to offer an evolution kit that would allows users to add new features and increase performance.
New feature “All Share Play” is designed to allow content to move seamlessly across devices.
Samsung Mobile launched the Galaxy Note 4G-enabled smartphone with 5.3 inch HD AMOLED screen and “SPen” control; and 4G LTE-enabled Galaxy Tab 7.7, a new tablet that the company suggested could be used as a universal remote.
In digital imaging, the company launched Samsung Smart cameras and camcorders with Wi-Fi.
Samsung will also offer a technology demo of a 4K TV.
LG reiterated its focus on creating a truly immersive entertainment experience at its opening press conference at CES Monday.
The crown jewel of the program was LG’s new 55-inch 3D OLED TV, which at only 4mm thin and 7.5 kg in weight is the world’s thinnest and largest OLED TV.
The contrast ratio on the new display is fifty times greater than that of traditional LED/LCD and LG has coupled it with their Triple XD Engine in hopes of creating truly life-like images.
LG also detailed improvements to their 3D Smart TV line including upgrades in both resolution and size, with the largest model now coming in at 84-inches.
In concert with the ultra-thin and ultra-large displays, the company introduced its new 3D surround sound, which uses advanced signal processing to control not only the lateral sounds but the vertical audio information as well, thereby encasing the user in the cinematic environment.
LG also debuted two new ways to interface with its TVs, the new Magic Remote with voice recognition and a 3D gesture interface that uses a 3D camera device similar to Microsoft’s Kinect.
LG Electronics is going after the high end LTE smartphone market.
The new Spectrum phone offers a true HD experience, at 329 pixels per inch, on its 4.5-inch 16:9 screen.
The Spectrum will be available exclusively through Verizon starting January 19 at $199.99 with a two-year contract.
ESPN and LG are partnered, so the Spectrum will arrive pre-loaded with the ESPN ScoreCenter app and will stream 720p mobile video from ESPN.
VMware virtualization software in the Spectrum and other new phones allows workers to have two distinct device profiles on their smartphones, one for work and one for personal use.
This year 50 percent of LG’s TV lineup will be 3D TVs and smart TVs.
The company will introduce 55-, 60-, 72-, and 84-inch 3D TVs with 1mm bezels and a thickness of 28mm.
The Magic Remote, their motion sensor remote control device, will be enhanced with voice recognition capabilities.
LG is also introducing a 3D gesture interface (like the Kinect) for both display/channel control and game play.
Their immersive Cinema 3D experience technology includes in-set 3D depth control, 3D sound zoom, and improved 2D-3D conversion.
3D sound involves both physical speaker and sound field design. LG has developed products that produce an enhanced horizontal and vertical 3D sound field experience.
Additionally, LG showed off its LG Smart TV with integrated Google TV. Normally, Google TV is an external accessory.
3M Touch Systems has created sensors and related software for hardware developers to incorporate into products.
The company is demonstrating applications that other companies have built based on 3M’s technology, including multi-user solutions.
Two multi-touch monitors – 18.5- and 21.5-inch display sizes – are currently available offering 20 simultaneous touches at 6 millisecond response time and HD graphics powered by LED backlights.
The displays are Windows 7 compatible. Drivers are available for Windows XP, Linux and Mac operating systems.
3M says it will have sensors capable of monitoring 60-inch 16:9 surfaces by the end of 2012, and expects licensees to be marketing them in products at that time.
Six months into his new job as CEO of DISH Network, Joe Clayton detailed the company’s new strategy at its CES press event Monday.
