CES 2011 - Day One

I heard that some of the TV focus was shifting from 3D TVs to Smart TVs with built in internet, streaming and app capabilities. I am much more interested in those than the 3D and I think many people feel the same way but the electronics companies seems intent on getting the public to want 3D.

The biggest news for me from CES was the Sandy Bridge release which was well known ahead of the show but I'm looking forward to helping my friend build a new Sandy Bridge desktop when the components become available.

As for the 4G hoopla from all the wireless companies, I don't like AT&T calling their HSPA+ network 4G and their future LTE network also 4G. They just don't want to be left behind Verizon so they are scamming their customers with HSPA+ as 4G, many of whom probably won't realize these devices won't work on the LTE 4G network that will launch at the end of 2011.

Verizon is rolling ahead with 10 new 4G devices but I was disappointed to see that none of the 4G phones have a physical QWERTY keyboard. Was hoping to see a revised HTC Merge.

"As for the 4G hoopla from all the wireless companies, I don't like AT&T calling their HSPA+ network 4G and their future LTE network also 4G. They just don't want to be left behind Verizon so they are scamming their customers with HSPA+ as 4G, many of whom probably won't realize these devices won't work on the LTE 4G network that will launch at the end of 2011."

Interesting. Do you think that AT&T will lose customers by being deceptive in this way? I like to think that they will lose support by doing this, but I am not so sure.

The more people are pushing big tvs and such, the more I am being pushed away. I am not entirely 'gaga' over 3D stuff. Are 3D movies good? Sure, but their non-3D counterparts are cheaper and just as good (to me). I believe the touch screen tvs are more interesting at this point. Then again, I was always a fan of those interactive white boards.

Honestly, it probably will help them more than hurt them by making it seem like they are on even footing with Verizon. Most people that don't know better, won't even realize they're not using the true 4G network when it launches and more savvy consumers will already know what they are buying ahead of time.

The one thing that might hurt AT&T is the Verizon iPhone which is rumored to be launching the first week in February. (Apple and Verizon have both barred their employees from taking vacation time that week and its the week after Apple's MacWorld 2011 Expo)