AV Adviser

Apple TV rumors and the new iPad 3

A couple of days ago I said that the consumer electronics industry was in a lull.  I added a caveat, saying that Apple (and Android) were the only things really exciting that were moving things forward.

It looks like the iPad 3 may be announced on March 7.  Last year I was darn sure I'd jump on the bandwagon and buy the iPad 2.  I didn't pull the trigger.  This year I'm springing for the 3.  The screen is rumored to be double the resolution which should be downright dazzling. 

There's also a rumor going about that there's something in store for the Apple TV.  That's not to be confused with the Apple iTV, or whatever they'll end up calling it, the physical television which should be out in 2013.  This has to do with the Apple TV device and a huge upgrade. 

Word is spreading that many more deals have been struck with content providers and that it will somehow tie-in with the iPad 3.  As usual, it's all speculation and, true to form, Apple is keeping a tight wrap on things leaking. It could be anything but dull in the consumer electronics business next month. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Consumer electronics are in a lull

Maybe I'm just jaded.  Maybe to a casual observer there are fascinating new consumer electronics components being introduced steadily.  I just don't see it that way.

Sure, the show floor at the Consumer Electronics Show last month in Las Vegas was teeming with new products.  Some of them were quite impressive.  I'm thinking of those ultra-high def TVs known as 4K technology.  Did you know they're already working on 8K even though 4K hasn't hit the mass market. 

And there's the problem.  Much of what I'm seeing from manufacturers right now, I mean the stuff that cries out "game changer", is not ready for the living room.  It's like when the Detroit Auto Show displays proto-types of their cars for the future.  They look cool but how many actually come to market?

What's really driving inovation in consumer electronics right now is the Android and Apple operating systems.  That's about the only place I'm being dazzled.  I'm still waiting for the myriad of products using Android At Home that could make the smart home in the reach of many and not just the wealthy. 

And 2012 is going to be a long year as we anticipate and speculate as to what this Apple television is all about.  Word is Apple would be unveiling it in 2013.  Will it use their Siri voice recognition technology to control the TV? 

I'm expecting other great things from Siri.  Like the integration with Crestron control that a small company called Carnes recently developed.  I'd written about the technology a month ago.  Odd, but the link to the Carnes site which showed off the product is gone.  I'm guessing Apple wasn't thrilled.

I'm hopeful that Apple will eventually release the Siri technology to third parties.  That's the kind of innovation just waiting to happen that can get the consumer electronics industry out of the doldrums. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Macworld shows interconnectivity with home audio and video

Lately I've been showing how Apple's operating system is being integrated into home audio and video products the same way Microsoft's internet explorer has been for years.  It's nice to get confirmation on this trend from someone else. 

The popular tech insider site, Gigaom, writes about this melding of Mac's iOS and home theater as seen at Macworld 2012, Macworld | iWorld 2012 highlights for home theater nuts and audiophiles.  In the story are topics I've discussed in recent months like Epson's projector and digital to analog converters (DACs).  It's really not surprising and mirrors the fact that Apple has overtaken Microsoft in revenues during the past year. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

A Walk Around The Show Floor at CES 2012

A good way to get a sense of what went down at the Consumer Electronics Show this past week is to walk around it with Scott Wilkinson and Leo LaPorte of the TWIT network.  It's a long show but, hey, you get to meet Alan Parsons.

Smart Home Will Be Buzz Word At CES 2012, Deja Vu

It's somehow fitting that Microsoft is calling this their last year at the Consumer Electronics Show while one of the big trends will be the re-emergence of the "smart home".  It was Microsoft  who took the CES by storm back in the 90's with an elaborate home mock-up that touted its built-in intelligence.  The smart home was born. 

Microsoft's version of that smart home was not a hit but it shined a light on the future.  Other companies like Crestron emerged, creating an intelligent home infrastructure built on proprietary software.  The problem is only the wealthy could afford the luxury of simple control of systems ranging from audio and home theater to climate, lighting and security. Creating reliable, simplistic control required sophisticated products and intensive programming. 

In the years since, techonologies like wireless and the mobile platform have begun to change the way a smart home can be achieved.  We should be seeing many products geared toward the new smart home this week at CES.  Just like the Nest thermostat I wrote about last week. 

All these new gadgets will be slick to be sure.  They need to adhere to two main objectives though.  These devices need to be reliable and not easily interfered with by competing data in the air or on the internet.  They also need to work together to create simplicity of use. 

The Los Angeles Times also predicts the return of the smart home and some other trends that we'll see at CES this week, Consumer Electronics Show kicks off in Las Vegas.  Again, if you're attending and see something cool let me know and I'll pass it along. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Consumer Electronics Show, One Big Clusterf***

The massive (though trending downward) Consumer Electronics Show starts next Tuesday January 10th.  What was once a place for good old fashioned hi-fi manufacturers to show their wares has become a place to hawk just about anything.  Ranting about what CES has turned into is old news though and I could care less actually.  If I never go back to Las Vegas I'll be happy.

It is fun to watch from afar though.  Amidst all the clutter some interesting products and trends will actually emerge.  And there's always something newsworthy.  Word is this is the last year for Microsoft to have a presence at the show.  I remember when Bill Gates was the keynote speaker.  In fact, you can point to that as when the CES Show stopped being strictly about home audio and video.  It was the beginning of the digital revolution and the merging of computers and home entertainment. 

LG plans to make a big splash at the show with two high profile TVs.  There'll be the world's largest OLED TV at 55" and an 84" ultra-definition 4K TV.  Personally I'd love to see the industry focus on 4K resolution technology rather than 3D. 

I'll be keeping an eye on anything that really impresses me at the show and be sure to pass along the lowdown to you.  If you're going to the show and want to share any first-hand insights let me know. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

Is There Any Better Use Of High Def TV Than College Football Bowl Games

Is There Any Better Use Of High Def TV Than College Football Bowl Games?  I think not.  Here's a list of the remaining games. 

TicketCity Bowl, Jan. 2nd, Noon EST, ESPNU
(19) Houston vs. (22) Penn State

Outback Bowl, Jan. 2nd, 1 p.m. EST, ABC
(17) Michigan State vs. (16) Georgia

Capital One Bowl, Jan. 2nd, 1 p.m. EST, ESPN
(20) Nebraska vs. (9) South Carolina

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl, Jan. 2nd, 1 p.m. EST, ESPN2
Ohio State vs. Florida

Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio, Jan. 2nd, 5 p.m. EST, ESPN
(10) Wisconsin vs. (5) Oregon

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 2nd, 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN
(4) Stanford vs. (3) Oklahoma State

Allstate Sugar Bowl, Jan. 3rd, 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN
(13) Michigan vs. (11) Virginia Tech

Discover Orange Bowl, Jan. 4th, 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN
(23) West Virginia vs. (15) Clemson

AT&T Cotton Bowl, Jan. 6th, 8 p.m. EST, FOX
(8) Kansas State vs. (6) Arkansas

BBVA Compass Bowl, Jan. 7th, 1 p.m. EST, ESPN
SMU vs. Pittsburgh

GoDaddy.com Bowl, Jan. 8th, 9 p.m. EST, ESPN
Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois

Allstate BCS National Championship Game, Jan. 9th, 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN
(1) LSU vs. (2) Alabama

Happy New Year Cleveland From AV Adviser

Here's to the most important thing in life, family and friends.  May the new year bring health, happiness and prosperity to you and your loved ones. 

Biggest Home Technology Trends For 2011

As we countdown to the new year I continue our look at what was hot in consumer electronics in 2011.  Electronic House gives us a report on the Biggest Home Technology Trends from 2011.  

Topping their list is the debate over passive and active 3D glasses.  Huh?  3D TV has made so little dent in the home that I hardly consider it worthy of discussion.  Most new TVs come with it built-in now, but there's still not enough reason to use it. 

I was pleased to see that multi-purpose media rooms was a top trend.  It's a lifestyle choice I've been pushing for a few years now.  Why under-utilize a room by making it a dedicated home theater when you can incorporate a theater, gaming room and bar into a single space. 

The rest of the trends deal with the ongoing merger of the internet and home entertainment.  It doesn't take a genius to predict that this trend will only continue. 

If you have a question or if I may be of service email me at radiohannibal@gmail.com

John Hannibal

CNET's End Of The Year List Show

It used to be you'd subscribe to Consumer Reports or go to the library to look at an issue when you were in the market for a big ticket item.  You'd want to see how they rated models in a certain category, be it a car or a stereo receiver.  Nowadays CNET has taken the place of Consumer Reports, at least when it comes to consumer electronics. 

That's why this end of the year special show from CNET's Buzz Out Loud is worthwhile viewing.  It's a great way to see what was a hit and what was a miss in 2011.