Live coverage from the Philips press event
12:53AM PT - We've got front row seats, and things are looking and sounding quite dramatic today. We're not sure if we should be laughing or crying. It's emotional.
1:00PM PT - Right on the nose! We're off! It should come as no surprise we're being treated to some intense, arty video of the company's Aurea.
And Andrea Ragnetti, CEO consumer lifestyle has taken the stage. The consumer lifestyle is a brand new sector of Philips -- it combines consumer electronics and domestic appliances.
1:03PM PT - Andrea is telling us that in the past there hasn't been enough focus on consumers. We might agree with that. He considers his work part of a personal journey... we're with you, man. He is talking about how consumers used to not need incremental changes in product lines -- he's a on a very intimate vibe right now. This man wants to bring the joy of experience back to his buyers... probably the joy of spending too.
1:06PM PT - Now he's talking about the Aurea, which he considers the "reinvention of television." Not totally sure about that, Andrea (though they are nice). He really loves these things.
1:09PM PT - They're turning a screen around... looking like a new HDTV, though it's not an Aurea. The bass in here is incredible. We're watching a thrilling video right now -- guess what? It's dramatic.
1:12PM PT - Philips is revamping its design, and Andrea is stoked on the clean, simple lines of the new products. He's talking about the role of gender in purchasing products. This is definitely a thoughtful press conference.
1:16PM PT - Andrea is now talking about the company's partnership with Rhapsody, and online music sales. Matt Rowlen from Rhapsody has taken the stage now. He's touting the company's wide coverage. Now they're rolling a clip made with Lenny Kravitz. It's pretty funky, also, someone is playing the electric guitar.
1:19PM PT - Rhapsody is now (or will be soon) available for Philips devices. Mind blowing. Now Andrea is back on talking about lifestyle and design.
1:19PM PT - Stewart Muller has taken the stage -- he's about to drop some details of the 2008 product lineup. He's touting the Philips Design Collection of TVs and consumer electronics.
1:23PM PT - The new Design Collection TVs will come in the 3000, 5000, and 7000 series, and apparently will feature something he's calling "invisible speakers." Go figure, it makes the TV thinner! We're sensing a theme at CES this year. He wants us to get up close and personal with them.
1:26PM PT - The company is rolling out some new Ambisound home theater systems. 5.1 multi channel surround sound, integrated in a single bar of speakers. New iPod docks equipped with Bluetooth.
Wh-oh... talking Blu-ray! They've got a brand new BDP7200 Blu-ray player.
Wow -- Target is going Blu-ray exclusive according to Stewart. That's something. Not totally sure that that's 100-percent official. We shall investigate.
1:30PM PT - He's rolling out some Swarovski USB jewelry -- for some reason people in the back are cracking up. He's made a quip about Valentine's day -- people are loving it.
Andrew Goldman has taken the stage for questions and answers! Terrific. That ended pretty quick... and we're outta here!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
zargon @ Jan 6th 2008 4:00PM
I don't expect anything from Philips, they release second and third tier consumer electronics... well except for the Pronto remotes.
austin @ Jan 6th 2008 4:02PM
and light bulbs
zargon @ Jan 6th 2008 4:04PM
Light bulbs really aren't a gadget/electronic CES thing, well maybe if they are projector bulbs...
austin @ Jan 6th 2008 4:05PM
but still, they make some good light bulbs
Senor_Tom @ Jan 6th 2008 4:05PM
and the experience of amBX!
possibly the most gimmicky thing ever.
Dustin Frazier @ Jan 6th 2008 4:20PM
They make some of the best 1080p sets on the market for under $1500.
Adoniteking @ Jan 6th 2008 4:31PM
am sorry BUT where the f*** did you get that information that Phillips releases second and third class CE.
You are talking about a brand that is among top innovative companies in ideas, research and products for both the medical and consumer electronic market.
I dont know what planet you have been on but am sure you have heard of the AUREA LCD tv which is both technologically and aesthetically impressive and am pretty sure it is categorized as a first-class product.
Their ambisound theatre systems received great reviews and awards.
Am not going start listing every single impressive products they have released into the market but Phillips is one of the few technology companies that do not sacrifice any key element in their products from design, ergonomics, to functionality all wrapped up with great innovation. so next time be sure of what you say before you make a conclusion based on everyday items like light bulbs and irons.
P.S i know that i might have come across as a fanboy but that is not the case here. i am only recognizing a company that truly excels and pushes for high standards with their products.
zargon @ Jan 6th 2008 4:33PM
"They make some of the best 1080p sets on the market for under $1500."
Says who?
Philips pretty much flys under the radar when it comes to electronics in general, which is why they are a 2nd or 3rd tier consumer electronics company.
Top LCD companies are obviously Sony, Sharp and Toshiba, but I would also put Samsung, LG and Vizio above Philips in that market.
Top plasma would Pioneer and Panasonic, but I would again put Samsung, LG and Vizio above Philips in that market.
zargon @ Jan 6th 2008 4:40PM
@Adoniteking
You are right, you sure do sound like a fanboy on a rant.
I will say it again, for consumers prducts, Philips is 2nd or 3rd tier. They may have helped developed technologies, but their consumer products are just your run of the mill entry level products. In the word of HT, there is hardly anyone who knows their stuff that would consider purchasing Philips products for their setup.
Other than the Philips Pronto remote, there is not a single HT product that Philips currently puts out (or has for the past 5+ years) that I would even want in my home theater. In ever facet, display, speakers, receiver, pre-amp, amp, DVD, HDM, PVR and media stream... there are better companies with better prducts for the money.
ScooterDe @ Jan 6th 2008 4:40PM
Philips has my vote. Nice designs, good quality, fair prices.
Adoniteking @ Jan 6th 2008 4:42PM
i dont know about under a $1500 because i dont live in the states but i would agree that some of their sets can be a bit too pricey although their sets are still one of the best in terms of picture quality. http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2008/01/05/Philips-Aurea-42PFL9900D-42in-LCD-TV/p1
austin @ Jan 6th 2008 4:45PM
if sony is top of the lcd world then that means samsung has to be too.
samsung and sony sell the same screens.
zargon @ Jan 6th 2008 4:48PM
While Sony and Samsung may use the same glass, that does not mean that the TV is the same calibur. The Sony LCDs have consistently gotten better reviews and seeing them side by side you can see that the Sony's look better.
Adoniteking @ Jan 6th 2008 4:55PM
@ zargon
TROLL ALERT! quickly wack him with THE trollicide of STFU!!
Even if i was a fanboy, at least i know that i am supporting a company that make good electronics but with your last comment, there is no point trying to argue with you.
Dustin Frazier @ Jan 6th 2008 4:55PM
@ Zargon
You do realize that people buy electronics in other countries right? Go to Europe and call Philips 2nd or 3rd tier. You would be laughed at by their technophiles. And I said best under $1500 because of where I work. I get to stare at, play with, and sell all the tvs you mentioned plus Philips and their new stuff just cleans up in that price category.
zargon @ Jan 6th 2008 5:02PM
@Adoniteking
Whatever makes you sleep at night...
@Dustin Frazier
I don't care about any other market other than the US market. Until I can buy products here and use them here, they don't really matter to me or the entire populous of the US market for that matter of fact. It is great if they do have better products in other market, but to be consider a 1st tier CE you kind of need to release those products in more than one market or at least important markets.
Dustin Frazier @ Jan 6th 2008 5:20PM
@ Zargon
Ok......I will add to what I wrote above. Where I work, HERE in the USA, it is my opinion that Philips is the best for under $1500. Many review sites will also agree with me including some of Cnet's reviews. Their new 42" in particular has black levels that can't be touched for the price range. Ambilight sucks but not because it was a bad idea but because it was problem prone. If you get a set without Ambilight you will also get a very problem free set as evidenced from the almost zero service calls my company does for Philips. But you rated Vizio above Philips.....so yeah, you know almost nothing.
CaliberX @ Jan 6th 2008 6:15PM
@Zargon: you placed Vizio above Philips but I've never heard of Vizio here in europe while you clearly know philips in the US
Galley @ Jan 6th 2008 7:51PM
I guess being co-inventors of the compact disc doesn't count for anything these days. Also, what does the "P" in S/PDIF stand for? That's right, Philips.
steve @ Jan 7th 2008 7:14PM
I agree with zargon. In the US, which is the CES focus, Philips is 2nd / 3rd tier. The Jp/Kr companies are further on the bleeding edge in terms of tech. Vizio and others beat it on value. Panny, Samsung, etc beat it constantly in the US in terms of price/feature.
This is not to say they don't have good products. Just that in every typical US consumer metric, they are not even close to the top. What most Americans end up seeing are crappy Philips value lines, because they're the only ones price competitive, making them seem 2nd / 3rd tier in the US market.
I suspect they do better in Europe because heavy import duties kill the value proposition of Asian brands and probably superior European support give them mindshare there.
luka @ Jan 6th 2008 4:25PM
and they make 3d televisions :)
rico_d @ Jan 6th 2008 4:50PM
philips probably releases second/third tier ce in the US. In Europe Philips is a top lcd company, all because of the different models released in different regions.
for instance if you're in the market for a high-end 1080p lcd in Europe you will probably be looking at a sony bravia or a philips cineos...
CaliberX @ Jan 6th 2008 6:15PM
I agree. AFAIK Philips never got a strong foothold in the US, releasing mostly 2nd and 3rd tier products through their Magnavox brand.
I think not being an asian company works against them outside of Europe.
Robert @ Jan 6th 2008 5:28PM
@Zargon
I'm an American and I do care about what happens in other markets. So are a lot of other Engadget readers who don't live in the USA. I'm in Germany.
If a company like Philips makes good products here, they may bring them to the US where you could get excited aobut them too. Given the current exchange rate, I'm not surprised that the price is less competive.
Philips makes good products including lighting - my whole office is done lit by Philips technology.
Jnas @ Jan 6th 2008 5:32PM
Didn't anyone catch that Target are going blu exclusive?! THats huge if its true..
Deckard @ Jan 6th 2008 6:34PM
> Top LCD companies are obviously Sony, Sharp and
> Toshiba, but I would also put Samsung, LG and
> Vizio above Philips in that market.
> Top plasma would Pioneer and Panasonic, but I
> would again put Samsung, LG and Vizio above
> Philips in that market.
Zargon - it's not your fault you are ignorant of the LCD market and are familiar only with the most heavily marketed companies. Philips produce some of the best LCD sets bar none because of their investment in picture quality technology (Pixel Plus HD etc.) but they're not as heavily marketed or have the same cache as Sony et al which is why you are unfamiliar with them (and consequently dismiss them).
Do some research and discover that some of the less well known players in the market actually produce better quality gear, Philips being a case in point.
dnarb @ Jan 9th 2008 8:24AM
It is better to be informed when talking about the quality of brands in general.
Last year Philips won the EISA European award for the HIGH-END LCD TV of the year. Hardly 2nd/3rd tier I would say!
See:
http://www.eisa-awards.org/history/2006-2007/video.html
It also won 18 Awards at the 2008 CES