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CEA officially brands 4K as Ultra HD, gets ready for a flood of new displays at CES
Now that HDTV is "the new normal" according to Nielsen (its most recent stats say more than 75 percent of US households have one) then naturally, it's time to upgrade to 4K. This week the Consumer Electronics Association officially dubbed such screens -- with characteristics including at least eight million active pixels, and 3,840 x 2,160 resolution, among other things -- Ultra High-Definition, or Ultra HD in order to help educate consumers about the new tech. The ITU already laid down its spec recommendations for Ultra High Definition TV so the industry should be able to move forward in unison pushing super high-res displays across the land. Of course we did say "should," and Sony is already informing media outlets that it plans to market its 4K products as "4K UHD." Whatever it's called, we saw 84-inch screens from multiple manufacturers announced recently, and with the CEA's announcement we're penciling in a few more pixel-dense models for the big Las Vegas show in January.
Engadget: The Official Online News Source of CES 2012 and the CEA!
If you know Engadget, you know we like to really do it up at CES. For us, the Consumer Electronics Show is serious business, and our unmatched coverage has resulted in us being named Official Blog three years in a row. This time, though, we're doing things a little bit differently. We'll be adding far more live video into the mix and, with Distro getting in on the fun as well, it was definitely time to leave that old "Official Blog" moniker behind. So, we're incredibly proud to announce that we're now the Official Online News Source not just of the 2012 International CES, but of the CEA as a whole. The Consumer Electronics Association is the entity that hosts CES each year, and its President and CEO Gary Shapiro said the following: Engadget does a terrific job bringing the energy and excitement of the thousands of new products launched each year at the International CES to attendees and consumers. We look forward to this expanded partnership with Engadget as they continue their dynamic coverage and analysis of the products and trends that rivet the world each January at the International CES, as well as their unique coverage of CEA's other events throughout the year. For CES this year we'll be cranking out the news from our double-wide trailer, just like we always do, but we'll also be adding a full video studio on the floor. Engadget Live from CES will feature exclusive interviews and live product demos throughout the day as well as other regular broadcasts -- like our evening video podcast, where you can watch the whole crew get gradually more giddy as the effects of sleep deprivation sink in. CES 2012 takes place between January 10th and the 13th. It's going to be bigger and better than ever, and we can't wait to bring it to you -- unfiltered and unadulterated -- live from Las Vegas.
Engadget: The Official Blog Partner of CES 2010!
Just like last year, Engadget has once again been chosen as the Official Blog Partner of CES! As you probably already know, CES is one of the craziest and best times of the year for Engadget, and while we typically shy away from industry partnerships, this combo is a rare distinction we wholeheartedly embrace. Of course, for you (and us) nothing much changes when it comes time to hit the floor at CES 2010: we don't accept any hookups or editorial privileges from the CEA. Don't get all worried that we've "sold out" or let "the man" take control of us, and don't fret that we're not "keeping it real" or "coming correct." Just as usual, Engadget will be hammering away at CES coverage with the kind of unchecked ferocity you're used to experiencing. Our crack team of gadget geniuses will -- in fact -- be storming the floor, bringing you the first and best product news, and generally wreaking havoc on the gadget-loving public just like the CESs of years past. One more note -- as you may have heard, we were voted Blog of the Decade in Adweek's "Best of the 2000s" poll. We wanted to take a minute and thank the voters, as well as all of our readers (voters or not); without you guys, we couldn't do what we do, and we'll be working hard to make sure the next decade is even better!
CEA study finds interest growing in 3D
Believe it or not, marketing goes a long way. According to a new joint study conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Entertainment and Technology Center at the University of Southern California, interest in 3D (at least in America) is on the rise. The research found that within the past 12 months, nearly 41 million US adults have reported seeing a 3D movie in theaters, and of those, around 40 percent admitted that they'd prefer to watch a movie in 3D versus 2D. We're struggling to determine whether to focus on the fact that over half would actually prefer the 2D version, or whether it's a good thing that the pro-3D crowd is as high as 40 percent. At any rate, the study also found that 16 percent of consumers are interested in watching 3D movies or TV shows within their home, while 14 percent are interested in playing 3D video games. Ready for the most amazing statistic? Over half of those polled said that having to wear special glasses or hold their heads still while watching a 3D TV program would have "no impact on them purchasing a 3D set for their home." Hmm.[Image courtesy of TheAge]
Engadget: now the Official Blog Partner of CES
We've always known that CES is the gadget industry's single most important event -- and the busiest week of our entire year -- which is why when the CEA rings, we take the call. And while we tend not to bother with a lot of industry partnerships, we've accepted the rare distinction for Engadget to be named the first-ever Official Blog Partner of CES.Of course, for you (and us) nothing much changes when it comes time to hit the floor at CES 2009: we don't accept any hookups or editorial privileges from the CEA, and, as always, we're out to live up to our own reputation for bringing you no-holds-barred, hard-hitting gadget news at breakneck speed on everything you need to know at CES. We'll see you there in January!
The sky is falling, but electronics sales are soaring
With the markets tanking, banks imploding, and the massive bailout seemingly having no effect, it's safe to say that the economy is in dire, dire shape. People are cutting back on everything from vacations to vaccinations, yet are apparently still quite willing to open their wallets for new electronic goodies -- if you believe the group that represents all those goody makers, at least. The Consumer Electronics Association is saying that sales of gadgets and the like are surging compared to this time last year, with flat-panel TV sales alone up 40-percent. The explanation is that people are staying home more often to save funds, so are investing in home entertainment systems, videogames, laptops, and other miscellaneous toys to stave off cabin fever, particularly when they can find good deals online. Maybe that explains HD-DVD's continued success?
CEA smacks down "thinly veiled attack" by RIAA on fair use
Sounds like consumers (and random people in toxic waste suits) aren't the only ones getting tired of the RIAA's antics. Consumer Electronics Association chief Gary Shapiro had some harsh words for the music industry the other day. He's particularly miffed at the RIAA's wild and fairly unrealistic expectations for an audio broadcast flag. Not only did they start pushing for the spec rather late in the digital radio game, potentially making current investments by broadcasters worthless, but they're not offering any help on the actual spec itself. "In short," says Gary, "the RIAA wants to stop consumers from doing what they've been doing since a tape recorder was first used to capture a song played over the air for private use." Shapiro says the CEA is plenty willing to play the DRM game, and limit "the mass indiscriminate redistribution of music over the Internet," but he says "The game of crying wolf [over piracy] is not only tiresome; it's harmful to consumers and innovation." We couldn't have put it better ourselves.[Via Ars Technica]
CEA to launch CES-like E3 replacement?
Since E3 decided to call it quits as the bespoke conference and reorg into something a little more intimate, a number of alternatives are starting to crop up in its place. The most promising prospect, however, comes from the CEA -- harbingers of the one true doombringer event, CES, and outspoken consumer advocates -- who have formed a committee to explore a CES-like event for games to take the place of E3. CE3, if you will. Of course, this does not mean they're committing to any such thing, but when your last event was attended by some 162,000 or so industry professionals and members of the media, let's just say that if they did decide to do a CE3 they'd have a helluva mailing list to work with.
