Posted on: December 16, 2010
Home Sweet Home 2.0
Technology and the home have never gotten along better
By Jeff Schnaufer
CTW Features
Toshiba’s ZX900 Series Cell TV
Not everybody wants what happens in Vegas to stay there – especially when it comes to exciting new products and trends for the home. January was a busy time for home news coming out of Las Vegas, with both the International Builders’ Show and the Consumer Electronics Show wrapping up just before people had to start worrying about finding the right Valentine’s Day present. Keeping things convenient, under-budget and as eco-friendly as possible were key points of the shows, and it never hurts to have some fun, either.
Judging from the CES turnout, if you are comfortable wearing 3D glasses at the movies, get ready to start wearing them at home. “By far and away, two entries into the 3D television space left the most lasting impression: Toshiba’s ZX900 Series Cell TVs and Samsung’s LED 9000 series,” says Scott Steinberg, publisher and lead technology analyst for industry news source Digital Trends. Due out later this year, the Cell TV not only promises superior picture quality, Steinberg says, “it also aims to convert 2D images to 3D.”
Like the Cell TV, Samsung’s LED 9000 series also carries 2D-to-3D conversion capabilities and some additional features that should raise eyebrows, Steinberg says. An LCD remote control can play live TV while the viewer watches a Blu-ray or other content on the actual set.
At IBS, Kenmore introduced a new line of Elite high-efficiency front-load laundry products. Lighting control manufacturer Lutron Electronics, Coopersburg, Pa., introduced its new Maestro Dimmer with Occupancy/Vacancy Sensor, which aims to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
Skype is partnering with Panasonic and LG to bring videoconferencing technology to consumer living rooms TV. John Ross, the president of IPG Emerging Media Lab, Atlanta, says this has the potential to transform Internet-connected television into a “portal to endless ways to socialize, entertain and conduct business.” Ostensibly, it could allow grandparents to connect with bouncing babies across the country, friends and family to catch up with loved ones overseas and small businesses to conduct meetings and Webinars out of their owners’ homes.
“Suddenly, the concept of hanging out on the couch begins to take on a whole new dimension,” he says.