THE EVENT: The Consumer Electronics Show continued in Las Vegas,
with the mobile market a main focus.
Chip makers are unveiling products to run the many gadgets aimed
at one of the technology industry's fastest-growing areas: the
hand-held, Internet-connected devices used to watch movies, run
applications, and connect to cellular or Wi-Fi networks.
Other topics discussed at CES, which runs through Sunday,
include the future of e-readers, tablet computers and 3-D
televisions. Also, a number of companies demonstrated household
products that are connected to the Web, while software firms are
working to design user-friendly programs that make it easy for
consumers to string together these products.
Here's a look at what some companies are doing and other CES topics:
QUALCOMM: Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) CEO Paul Jacobs said he envisions
e-readers having full-motion video and full color while consuming
less power. The executive plugged his company's Mirasol display
technology, which meets those promises. Also, a number of partners,
including Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) and Lenovo Group Ltd. (LNVGY,
0992.HK) showed new developments based on Qualcomm's chips and
other technologies.
YAHOO: The Internet giant this week announced it signed deals to
embed its widget technology in microprocessors made by MIPS
Technologies Inc. (MIPS) and Sigma Designs Inc. (SIGM), whose
products are used primarily by television manufacturers. Yahoo's
technology works like a bridge between Web sites and television
screens, allowing Internet content to be rendered correctly on
displays designed for living rooms rather than desktops.
Also at CES, Ben Silverman, the former NBC head of programming,
announced the outlines of a deal with Yahoo to create original
video programs for the Internet portal. Silverman left NBC in July
to team up with IAC/InterActiveCorp. (IACI) for a new venture,
Electus, to churn out original programming for the Web and other
distribution points.
INTEL: Intel Corp. (INTC) demonstrated a smart phone using its
latest low-power chip, code-named Moorestown, as well as a site
where consumers can buy mobile-software applications for some
low-cost PCs. The chip giant, which supplies roughly 80% of the
chips used in computers, wants to expand the market for its
low-power Atom processor to smart phones and other gadgets after
succeeding in dominating netbooks. The LG Electronics Inc.
(066570.SE) phone featuring the chip is expected to come out later
this year, Intel Chief Executive Paul Otellini, said at a
presentation, but he wasn't specific about other details such as
pricing.
FCC CHIEF ON BROADBAND PLAN: Federal Communications Commission
Chairman Julius Genachowski promised a broadband plan will offer
ways to encourage more competition in areas like Internet video on
TVs, although he offered few details during a CES session. For
Americans who don't subscribe to broadband because they don't own a
PC, the agency is looking at making it easier for consumers to get
online video on their TVs, Genachowski said.
Earlier this week, Genachowski asked Congress for another month
to deliver the national broadband plan, which is expected to lay
out policies for the government to adopt in hopes of ensuring all
Americans have access to high-speed, affordable broadband
service.
3-D TV: By the end of spring, TV makers Sony Corp. (SNE),
Samsung Electronics Co. (SSNHY, 005930.SE), Toshiba Corp. (TOSYY,
6502.TO), Panasonic Corp. (PC, 6752.TO) and LG Display Co. (LPL,
034220.SE) will introduce as many as two dozen 3-D-capable
television sets. They also plan to sell 3-D Blu-ray players and
3-D-compatible sound systems. Much of the rollout will be tied to
the World Cup, which is watched worldwide and begins in June.
"SMART" THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE: Gadget makers, intent on adding
extensive new features to household devices, are adding the "smart"
moniker to a growing number of new products, from digital picture
frames to home thermostats, often denoting an Internet connection
and beefed-up computing capability.
NVIDIA: Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) Chief Executive Jen-Hsun Huang said
tablet computers will be a disruptive new product category when the
PC-like products begin entering the market this year, taking market
share from netbooks and other devices and helping Nvidia expand its
mobile chip business. Huang on Thursday unveiled the latest version
of Nvidia's chip aimed at mobile devices, and said the chip, called
Tegra, could represent roughly half of the company's total revenue
in the next five years.
NOKIA CEO ON EMERGING MARKETS: Calling countries outside the
West "emerging markets" or "developing markets" doesn't reflect the
state of innovation and business development in these areas, Nokia
Corp. (NOK) Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo said Friday. "In
most cases today, those labels are out of date." The CEO challenged
developers to create new mobile applications that would enhance the
lives and productivity of people in developing countries, offering
a reward of a $1 million investment by the company.
For more Dow Jones stories, please check under code N/TDS.
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