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The Best and Worst From CES 2013
CowboyRobot writes "InformationWeek has collected what it considers to be the five dumbest ideas presented at this year's CES. The list includes: 'The HapiFork is an electronic fork that tracks how many mouthfuls of food you consume during a given meal, how many seconds pass between bites, and how long the meal took to complete.' Also on the list is the iPotty, which is about what you would guess from the name. And for balance, the list of the seven standout technologies includes 3M's 84-inch touchscreen display and Parrot's $300 'AR Drone 2.0, a gravity-defying spectacle that puts yesteryear's remote-control helicopters to shame with its ability to dive, spin and whirl through the air.'"
The first think I imagined when I read "HapiFork" was, well, Hapi. You don't want to imagine *that*. (The other Hapi isn't necessarily a better association either, and I won't even talk about the third one.)
Ezekiel 23:20
That 20 inch tablet is NOT one of the worst, its presence on that list really reduces the credibility of the list.
It's not one of the best either, but it being mentioned alongside the 'HapiFork' is disgraceful.
Christmas is to Christians and Earth Day is to Environmentalists.
Gently reply
Some things, like the 20" tablet are ideal for some situations. Just about anywhere a wacom monitor is used on the road, for example.
Back in the days i have seen artists lug around with bulky CRT's because they where the only thing that had both high resolution and proper pen support.
I just hope the MS Surface Pro has touch sensitive pen, and it'll be done. If only it where 18" and had a resolution of 2560x1400! All todays modern devices are made for mice and Chinese fingers.. I'm 2 meters tall for crying out loud i don't mind carrying anything not wider than me. With a fullsize keyboard if possible.
Its all relative. What sucks for the author, may be the ideal product for others.
Hivemind harvest in progress..
my USB-enabled smart enema bag didn't make the top 5
obvious redundancy is obvious
Clearly it was the Keynote
Now it'll be Orangutang Arm instead.
Also FatPhil on SoylentNews, id 863
I dont get it, Why would the 20" 4K display be considered dumb? As a tablet it may not be seen as ideal to MOST of the people out there, but I'm more impressed that they managed to cram those pixels into 20" display. I'm not sure if they're the first to manufacture such hardware, but I've never seen anyone made that level of display at that small size. (not to forget as a tablet those includes the processor and the rest of the electronics.)
What is the difference?
I don't see myself any more likely to buy the standout products than the dumb products.
84" touch screens and $20,000 4K LCDs aren't any more likely to make it into my living room than the iPotty. In fact the iPotty is more likely.
So, a 20" tablet is one of the five dumbest ideas at CES, but a tablet measuring seven feet is one of the standouts? Hmmm.
Another "standout" technology is MyLink, which... well, its a wireless hands-free kit for your phone. You know, like Bluetooth, only, um, well, about the same, actually... No wait! With a button on the steering wheel! That's right! A button to activate the voice-activated features on your phone!
Stuff all that free-culture-open-hardware-3d-printing-for-the-masses crap, you can print YOUR OWN FACE ON YOUR iPHONE CASE! And DRONES! Alright, the same drones as last year, but WITH A BIGGER BATTERY!
That's not all, there are VPNs! VPNs for smartphones! Yes! The innovation - can you feel it yet? And did we mention bigger batteries? Bloody expensive ones, too.
If this is the best innovation in electronics has to offer, I think I'll go find a cave and some rocks to bang together.
Slashdot - News for Nerds, Stuff that Matters, in ISO-8859-1 Has just realised that beta makes this signature redundant
Be careful with that rock banging thing. If anyone hears your rocks, there's a good chance that you'll be infringing on a mobile communications patent.
Log in or piss off.
Can understand the hatred. Around here we bang chicks instead.
But I have a 100" touch display in my office. I built it almost 3 years ago.
"Freedom in the USA is not the ability to do what you want. It is the ability to stop others from doing what THEY want"
They had pinball there as well nice to see made in the USA stuff getting press like that.
Anyone who doesn't "get" the appeal of the 5lb, 20" tablet is clearly not an architect (or a related engineering discipline, like structural engineer...me). A 10" screen is too small to do almost anything on that really matters, and if you have a capacitive-only input it's doubly useless. I've tried 3-4 different styli on my iPad, only to usually give up after writing whiteboard-sized letters to accommodate the 1/4" tip diameter of the finest point reliable stylus. You can't even write a full line of text.
And you needn't worry about us finding a case for it. We've been toting around 11x17/A3 physical pads forever. In fact, that's the preferable format for taking a set of personal-sized drawings to a meeting, also known as a 1/2 size set (1/2 of an ANSI D, or 22x34). We've got a dozen folios in the supply closet that would fit this tablet perfectly.
This tablet, I suspect, has a wider audience or practical usability than making an imprint of your face on an iPhone cover, a $300 charger you can only get from Brookstone, or a $300 quadcopter.
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
Only 2 years left.
Why are all these '4k' displays being introduced as TVs, rather than marketed as monitors(possibly in slightly smaller sizes, ~36 inches, say) that just happen to have a bunch of types of video input?
On the TV side there is zip, zero, zilch, nada, fuck-all available at that resolution. An entire ecosystem of foot-dragging broadcasters, STBs, impractically high demands for streaming, no disk format, etc. stands in the way. As a monitor? Even relatively proasic PCs should be able to drive the thing(and a video card that costs more than a couple hundred bucks can probably even keep the frame rates up) and 'retina' is all the rage these days.
Obviously, unless they specifically break the connectors in some way contrary to spec, these "TVs" will work as monitors; but why aren't they being sold as such?
I think they must've missed it
Please help me...which article is which?
I can't tell why "Collaboration surface touch screen, only bigger" is good but "Tablet touch screen, only bigger" is bad. ...or why "gaudy alligator skin phone case" is bad but "3D-printed skull phone case" is good.
All the "good" products are either "existing thing", "existing thing but bigger", or "stupid thing". All of these products are terrible.
Wait, am I on 4chan?
I realize that a lot of tech writers have forgotten what it is like to use computers, but I really miss the high-resolution monitors that we USED to have.
I'm glad that one of the big things that the companies are pushing now are going to be 4K displays for TVs because that means that (due to the shared manufacturing lines), the screens for computer monitors are going to get 4K screens eventually as well. I hate that you have to go out of your way to find a monitor that exceeds the 'television' format of 1080p.
So, I'm really excited to see this be the new push, because I have little use for '3D'.
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Didn't you get the memo? Computers are dead - it's going to be all tablets and ultralight laptops from now on. ;-)
Seriously, though - the market for personal PCs is dropping, being replaced by small form factor devices. The market for "monitors" is on its way to niche status, rather than the mandatory with-every-computer-sold status it enjoyed. But everybody seems to need a TV is every room of their house, and with the super-thin models it's practical to just hang it on any empty wall. Instead of two computers/monitors and a single large TV, we're moving to no fixed computers and 3-5 TVs. Of course they'll market them as TVs.
The only depressing thing is that they're in HDTV aspect ratios, which is less than ideal for a monitor. Then again, if you're getting 4k resolution, you've got all the real estate you need. (Hey, how 'bout they put the Panasonic tablet screen in a monitor - it's a lovely 3:2 ratio 3840x2650!)
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
Yeah, that just about sums it up. If had mod points, you would get them. All.
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
84" touch screens and $20,000 4K LCDs aren't any more likely to make it into my living room than the iPotty.
They call it the "Consumer" electronics show, but it hasn't been one for a while.
An 84" touchscreen is a good candidate for digital signage and directory applications. Some businesses will buy them.
The 4K LCD will drop in price sharply, and when it does, it will find applications. Probably for data visualization at first; that resolution is probably overkill for watching TV or movies at reasonable screen sizes and viewing distances (Except for the "audiophile" crowd, which doesn't care about such things.)
The iPotty...yeah.
Only a person without a child would think iPotty is a stupid idea.
While I don't have a child, my best buddy has a 3 year old that has been very difficult to get potty trained. They finally did so by using the iPad as a way to entice her to stay on the potty long enough to do her business. Within two weeks she is fully potty trained.
There are two guarantees for every infant, they love iPad, and hate getting potty trained.
How is this any dumber then the geek that hangs a TV in their bathroom?
I haven't thought of anything clever to put here, but then again most of you haven't either.
Expensive drone considering £32 will buy you a Hubsan x4 then £4 from Hong Kong for a keychain spycamera stripped and stuck to the underneath = spy drone for £36. And you end up with a stable, smaller quad that is better built (no nasty polystyrene body).
Some of the RC guys are experimenting with FPV for the Hubsan x4, there's a few vids on the forums of people flying it around their houses, first person style using lightweight video cams and TX modules.
Quadrotors can be a world of fun without breaking the bank :)
biopowered.co.uk - catalytically cracking triglycerides for home automotive use since 2008. Just say no to big oil!
I don't know about those two lists - is the fork thing stupid? I think what is stupid is the assumption that it is intended to somehow stop people from overeating; it isn't, it is only a device that may perhaps help the user keep track of the eating of a meal. This could be valuable information, just like keeping a food diary can.
On the other hand, what is the sense of have a gigantic television screen with absurdly high resolution, when all you can watch is crappy programs or crappy computer games? It's a bit like owning a Ferrari when you only ever drive around in a 30 mph area; well, you get the idea.
Are these lists really the best one can come up with? This kind of reporting seems to have been dredged from the bottom of the CESpit.
Oculus Rift is going to bring us the VR many have dreamt for years, sure this year they will only produce the developer version. But soon we will get the commercial version, higher resolution, lighter, even better tracking, ... and all that for 300$.
Bring me the future NOW!
Love many, trust a few, do harm to none.
Nice. I'd better start looking for prior art.
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Because the parent company that is hosting this shop talk says what's allowed to be in.
Some days down the line, there will be photographs of Angelina Jolie, Madonna and Beckham's kids using an iPotty. And then all the hipsters will make sure they buy one and will also post photos of it on twitter and facebook.
Hey, size matters!
...is that the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 being labeled as a standout was released getting on for a year ago now. Was this year's CES really so underwhelming, with so few interesting products, that the best we can cite are products that aren't even new?
Why come up with fancy marketing when you can just quote to the media: "Unlike traditional VPN solutions that don't work on mobile phones, this one does." That's some graceful stuff right there.
The market for PCs is dropping because for most people (not gamers) there hasn't been a need to upgrade your PC in the last 5 years. Nothing has changed. I know this because I have a PC that it 6 years old, and it works perfectly fine and I feed no need to upgrade it. I'll buy a new one when it dies, because having a full size PC is nice, but I won't spend more than $400 on it. Putting a 4K touch screen on PC might actually give me a reason to go out and buy something new.
Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
I'm surprised there was no mention of this one. Definitely the silliest idea to me. It's a HUGE harness system that looks like one of those "baby bounce" seats except 8 feet tall. After getting strapped in to it, you physically lean around and jump to move your character. There's a little gun attachment that is like a poor man's Wiimote, and the whole thing just looks absurd. Here's a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLIRXujOAO8
I hope they get sued for copyright infringement or something (it seems no one who reports on this device even mentions or knows there was "GameCube" before this thing that was actually good).
So just how long before I can expect this to be the next big POS offered from T-Mobile?
Since they seem to have an issue getting better quality handsets, its inevitable that this Huawei phone will be theirs exclusively. I give it 4 months before it's their next "flagship" phone.
Peferably with E-Ink, that I can write on, in similar DPI to a fine engineering pencil?
I want one for specification sheets and notes. That's it. Doesn't really even need much of a OS. I have a desk full of paper. I will gladly pay $$$$$ for this device.. and I am sure that others will too.
The retina ipad is good, but it's not paper.
..don't panic
Be careful with that rock banging thing. If anyone hears your rocks, there's a good chance that you'll be infringing on a mobile communications patent.
Apple might have a patent on just that. Sadly, I am not even sure if I'm only joking.
"The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
Except that a 52" 4K TV is less pixel-dense than a 1080p 17" laptop screen - or even less. It's just that the panels that the 17" laptop screens are cut out of are finally of a manufacturing quality that they can cut out a 52" screen with no major flaws. This is why bigger screens are so much more expensive.
This is the trickle-down of the last generation of computer monitors.
worst: cbs's handling of hopper's nomination for award
best: hopper. just because. it's not all that innovative (replay did commercial skipping years ago) but it's what people want. people do not want 20 minutes of commercials every hour. a generation ago, that amount was less than half that. the automatic recording of certain channels is a nice feature -- one that will *increase* viewership as people are more easily able to watch those programs that might otherwise not give a chance, yet networks are fighting it....
The Nectar power supply is conspicuously not described as an electric fuel cell. But, I think that is exactly what it is! I'm guessing that its "power pods" are actually butane cylinders.
They go out of their way to say;
Both the Nectar Mobile Power System and Nectar Pods cartridges have been approved for carry-on and use aboard regular commercial aircraft by the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and U.S. Department of Transportation.
But, if I am right about it being a butane fuel cell, I suspect our friendly TSA agents will take issue with us carrying butane cylinders onboard, regardless of DoT approval. They won't allow a Bic lighter FFS!
I can't wait to hear the bitching about losing your "approved" $300 power supply at the TSA check point.
HAH! Yeah, like prior art has anythign to do with patents or copyright.
Do you have more money than the person you're against? Then you win. Otherwise, you lose.
So you'd better hope you have billions of dollars socked away in that cave.
... was CBS.
So, a 20" tablet is one of the five dumbest ideas at CES, but a tablet measuring seven feet is one of the standouts? Hmmm.
The 20" tablet was among dumb ideas because it was a 20" tablet - the gigantic touch screen was not because, get this, it wasn't a tablet but a touch screen, and a remarkable touch screen it is.
Sheesh, I wish people read more carefully...
In capitalist USA corporations control the government.
And did we mention bigger batteries? Bloody expensive ones, too.
Yeah, I can't figure out why there aren't more "USB battery boosters" that take AA batteries and put out 5V USB. Phone dying? Get AA batteries from anywhere, and get another 24 hours of power. Cheap and light (especially since you can carry it empty, and buy the batteries only when you need them).
Learn to love Alaska
Just like OpenVPN on my N900 about three years ago, and probably on Android and iPhone ten minutes later.
In CES 2013 We found Hands-on: NVIDIA Project Shield Handheld Gaming System. The latest and Upgraded technology.
The only reason that's not called a tablet is you'd need concrete knees to hold the damn thing up.
Slashdot - News for Nerds, Stuff that Matters, in ISO-8859-1 Has just realised that beta makes this signature redundant
Except that a 52" 4K TV is less pixel-dense than a 1080p 17" laptop screen - or even less.
What does that have to do with anything? Sooner or later there will be 17" 4K TVs, and then the panels will get cheaper for laptops.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Only everything to do with it. It means that affordable 4K computer screens are probably another generation away. Whereas 4K TV's are made with the actual same panels we already use for 1080p computer screens.
Except that a 52" 4K TV is less pixel-dense than a 1080p 17" laptop screen - or even less. It's just that the panels that the 17" laptop screens are cut out of are finally of a manufacturing quality that they can cut out a 52" screen with no major flaws. This is why bigger screens are so much more expensive.
This is the trickle-down of the last generation of computer monitors.
Yes, a 52" screen is less pixel dense than a 17" 1080p screen... Which is irrelevant because it isn't less pixel dense than a 52" 1080p screen.
ie: I'm pretty sure that I'm glad that a 4k 24" screen will soon be able to replace my 1k 24" screen.
Out of modpoints but really liked a post? 1BDkF6TtmmeZ3yqXbz9yhdYVqRYnwFoXDj
Since "K" (theater) resolutions are measurements of horizontal resolution, I expect you probably have a 2K screen (1920).
I was just saying that affordable 52" 4K screens do not mean that we have the ability to manufacture affordable 24" 4K screens. If you remember HDTV's, you didn't start seeing small 1080p TV's until years later than the large ones.
The density of screen that drives a 1080p 24" screen is already out there. So just cutting a larger screen out of this and calling it 4K is relatively easy. It doesn't work in reverse, and 4K 24" screens are further off.
Gotcha, thanks.
Out of modpoints but really liked a post? 1BDkF6TtmmeZ3yqXbz9yhdYVqRYnwFoXDj
Souldn't that be the iPood ?