On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

The HMZ-T1 is the biggest Sony surprise at IFA 2011-- a 3D-compatible wearable display, now available as finished production version.

One might recall it as the "Personal 3D Viewer," first shown at CES 2011 last January.

Look like the headest Star Trek's Geordi La Forge wears, the HMZ-T1 carries two 1280x720 0.7" OLED panels displaying HD video independently-- and creates a 3D effect Sony says is similar to viewing a 750" screen from 20m away.

Sony claims the 2 displays eliminate cross-talk and blurring, resulting in a more comfortable 3D experience.

Audio comes through built-in 5.1 surround sound simulation Sony calls "Virtualphones technology," with x4 different audio modes-- cinema, games, music and standard.

The headset connects to a processor unit (with HDMI input and output), in turn connecting to Blu-ray players and other input devices.

Sony is still to confirm European release dates, but expect prices of around $700-800.

Go Sony HMZ-T1

LG displays its PentouchTV plasma series at IFA 2011-- bringing stylus-based touch controls to big screen TVs.

However one needs to connect their display to a Windows PC to take advantage of touch-based features using the included pen-- allowing PC file access and editing.

PenTouchTVs also carry drawing (for budding artists to draw directly on the screen), calendar and gallery software.

A 4-legged stand makes sure the TV remains stable when customers make use of Pentouch features.

The PentouchTV series handles simultaneous 2-pen use and is available in 50" (50PV490) and 60" (60PV490) models, as well as a 60" (60PZ850) 3DTV model (includes a pair of active shutter glasses).

Go LG Adding "Touch of Plasma" to Home Entertainment

The Ford Evos concept makes its debut at IFA 2011-- a hybrid 4-door 4-seat fastback concept Ford says connects to a "personal cloud" of information to ensure the best driving experience.

What does this involve? Ford says the vehicle will "learn" driver habits in order to adjust powertrain, steering, suspension and braking systems according to the driver's preferences-- overlaying all with cloud-sourced map and weather data.

A heart rate monitor tracks driver wellness, adjusting temperature and music according to alertness, and users can adjust the instrument panel to their liking (simplifying it to display necessary gauge information only).

Personalisation options extend to automatically playing music or news programs streaming at home, taking information from wirelessly-connected home devices.

The company also shows the Ford Sync system at IFA-- the voice-activated in-car infotainment system launching in Europe in 2012, following its 2007 US launch.

Ford Sync will recognise 10000 commands in 19 different languages and regional variances, allowing one to change music, access satnav or call phone contacts with the power of their voice.

Go Ford Evos Concept

Haier announces the Cloud Smart TV at IFA 2011-- the first TV using Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology from NeuroSky.

Currently on show in prototype form, the viewers interact with the Haier Smart TV interacts using the NeuroSky MindReader headset-- translating brawinwave patterns into digital signals the TV can recognise.

The IFA prototype doesn't handle channel or volume control duties yet, but users get to blow up on-screen barrels by concentrating hard enough.

Will customers replace their remote controls with (slightly uncomfortable) mind-reading headsets? We will know this October, when the cloud Smart TV will be available.

Go Brain Computer Interface-- a New Feature for Smart TV