CES Coming Tomorrow

choi

My comment: Besides quotations, there is no need to read either of the two reports.

(1) Don Clark, Intel Awaits Microsoft's Next Number. Wall Street Journal, Jan 9, 2012.

(a) Table (upper panel only):

" Microsoft leads some big markets...
Share of PC operating systems 94%
Share of server operating systems 70%

[ii] ...but hardly a factor in smartphones and tablets.
Share of smartphone operating systems 1.3%
Share of operating systems for tablets* 0%

Note: Data for most recent period available. * Doesn't count tablets with Window 7.
Sources: Gartner (PC/operating systems); IDC (smartphones/tablets)

(b) Quote:

"Industry executives don't expect Windows 8 to be available until the second half of the year.

"Windows 8's biggest departure from Microsoft's past is that it worked on cellphone-style chips, based on designs licensed by ARM Holdings PLC [for the first time], as well as the x86 chips that Intel and Advanced Micro Devices Inc sell for computers.

"Supporters of ARM chips--such as Qualcomm Inc, whose CEO is slated to give a keynote speech at CES Tuesday--say Windows 8 will propel their chips into laptop PCs for the first time.

"Intel, meanwhile, says the new software will help get its chips into many tablets.

"Analysts and industry executives see technical promise in Windows 8 but say it is far from clear that the software will help Microsoft in the tablet market [or in smartphone market, for that matter], where even devices using Android have struggled to make headway against Apple's iPad.

"Windows 8's chief selling point is that it is more like PC software.

"His [Nvidia Jen-Hsun Huang's] company, which sells ARM-based chips, expects them to be used in devices running Google software as well as Windows 8.

"Intel is also hedging its bets. While embracing Windows 8 for PCs and tablets, the Silicon Valley giant is adopting the new Google software {4.0 codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich] for smartphones.

"Not that big market-share gains for either Microsoft or Intel in the mobile market are likely anytime soon. That's one reason Intel may use CES to talk up thin laptops, or ultrabooks.

My comment: There is no need to read the rest.

(2) Richard Waters, Plunging Prices Set to Trigger Tech Boom; Technology Hardware; News analysis; A new wave of connected devices is about to change buyers' habits. Finanial Times, Jan 9, 2012

(a) Summary: Better gadgets with falling prices across the board, including TVs.

(b) Quote:

"This year, that is likely to include TV sets which come without bevelled edges, making it possible for couch potatoes to aligh four big screens and watch a single, giant image move across their living room walls, says Shawn DuBravac, chief economist of the Consumer Electronics Association. Other devices notable for their insensivityto price will be a $30,000 iPod dock from Behringer, setting a new standard in conspicuous consumption.

"TV makers, for instance, suffered a 7 per cent decline in the average price of a set last year and face another 5 per cent fall this year, says Mr DuBravac. With the number of sets shipped also slipping slightly, revenue for the industry is already in decline: with HD and 3D technology becoming standard--and cheaper--that trend is set to contine for the next five years, he added.

"Among the devices likely to see the steepest price declines will be tablets

(c) photo caption: Touchstone: an Asus Eee Slate EP121

I found the slate made the debut in US on or about Dec 26, 2011--12.1-inch, ~$1,029.

Eee Slate EP121. Asus, undated.
http://usa.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Slate_EP121/