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

W.W. TV shipments reach more than 247m units (17% increase over 2009) in 2010, despite slow economic recovery, with LCD dominating TV shipments.

LCD accounts for at least half of Europe's TV shipments-- but DisplaySearch predicts growth will slow down from double to single figures over the next few years. E. Europe should also overtake W. Europe in total LCD unit volume, as growth focus shifts to countries with lower flat panel TV penetration.

After growing by 31% in 2010, the W.W. LCD market's growth should slow down to 13% in 2011, the analyst says.

DisplaySearch expects LED-backlit to account for the majority of W.W. LCD shipments as the premium for LED models falls to less than 50% in 2011.

Customers will also still demand plasma TVs-- W.W. 2010 shipments reach over 18m units (28% increase over 2009) as plasma maintains its price decline rate.

Go DisplaySearch Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report

Razer unveils its Switchblade gaming laptop concept-- a 7" clamshell PC carrying a combination of multi-touch screen and adaptive tactile keyboard.

Underneath the transparent keys lies a display panel showing visual elements from a game's interface on the keys (much like 2008's Optimus Maximus keyboard). Razer says the keyboard can also change on-the-fly according to the user's needs. Users could also build custom profiles for particular games through Razer software.

Since the device is still very much at the concept  stage, there's no set specifications yet. It should carry Windows 7, mini HDMI and USB ports, wifi and 3G connections and an unspecified Intel Atom processor.

The company should be working on designing and launching products based on the design-- and also looks for distribution partners in Europe and beyond.

Go Razer Switchblade

Microsoft announces its support for low-power System on a Chip (SoC) architectures at CES 2011-- including ARM-based systems, confirming last December's reports

At the show Microsoft demonstrates a new Windows 7 version working on Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Nvidia prototypes, showing off standard Windows features (Internet Explorer, Powerpoint and network printing).

The company also mentions its support for advanced new designs-- specifically Intel's 2nd generation Core processor family and AMD's Fusion APUs.

SoC architectures enable smaller, thinner, low-power devices by combining a device's major components into a single silicon package-- making them a ideal for smart phones and tablet devices.

At the Las Vegas show Microsoft also shows off a new version of its Surface multitouch-capable table. The new version uses infrared sensors instead of cameras, making it only 4" thick.

Go Microsoft Announces Support for System on a Chip Architectures

Go A Window(s) to ARM?

At CES, more than 2500 companies will present nearly 10,000 tech products. And least 120,000 industry executives from 130 countries will hit the show floorto see what's next in our $165 billion industry.

In case you aren't one of them, we'll bring you an incisive report on what trends, what products rock the Vegas show this week. Stay tuned...

But for now, we can tell you what the press expects to see at CES 2011:

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer will give the opening keynote on Wednesday night, but the actual show begins Thursday and runs through Sunday.

Tablets. A plenitude of tablet computers will launch in chase of the market created by iPad. Apple is not at CES (never) but the rest of the competition will search for size, fashion, price points and hybrids (netbook/tablet or smartphone/tablet etc) that might have a niche that iPAD has missed. Look for contenders like the Asus Eee Pad, a Windows 7 device with an auxiliary keyboard.

Connected TV. Connected TVs will more than double over the next two years, says DisplaySearch. All the big TV makers will present new sets that connect directly to home networks or via STBs, media servers etc.

Ballmer is expected to show a stripped-down Windows version for connected TVs (a version of its embedded device software, overlaid with the Windows Media Center interface, with media streaming and remote-control capabilities).

New Windows TV boxes hope to pose a serious challenge to the new Apple and  Google TV devices. Google TV is vulnerable after a set-back where it asked partners like Logitech to withhold GoogleTV products from CES while the system is improved. How's that for a major ouch?

3D. The electronics giants will keep trying with new 3D sets and technologies at CES. LG is introducing TVs that use a new 3D film that's brighter, has a wider viewing angle and uses passive glasses. Mitsubishi will have a 1080p 3-D projector that fills screens larger than 100 inches diagonally.

Computer makers will unveil new desktops and laptops with 3D displays for playing movies and games, and accessory makers will have all sorts of aftermarket 3-D glasses to show.

Samsung is bringing the world's thinnest 3D Blu-ray Disc player — just 23 mms thick. The device simulates 3D effects when a 2D disc is played, and connect to Web services.

Nintendo should have on view its 3DS handheld game player, with an adjustable screen that doesn't require 3D glasses.

New Processors. A number of PCs debuting will use Intel's new "Sandy Bridge." Intel's also expected to make a splash with "Oak Trail," a new platform for tablets and other mobile devices coming out in a few months. It's based on the tiny Atom processor and uses 50%less power, have 1080p graphics and run Windows 7.

Of course, AMD's Brazos platform (their response to Atom) will appear at CES in new netbooks, laptops and all-in-one desktops.

ARM processors will appear smartphones and in tablets, including a 10" tablet from MSI with Android OS.

Personal Health. The latest category with a claim as The Next Big Thing in consumer electronics, personal health integrates internet and personal electronics to give consumers more control of their health needs.

Automotive.  There's a reason why Ford is there. As autos use more and more chips, add in more entertainment, and develop more in-car IT, they use CES as a platform to talk about and display their electronics. Unless you think this is a very American trend, you better check on the planned keynotes at next year's IFA Berlin.

Energy & Home Networking. More companies will introduce systems for monitoring and managing electricity usage. Toshiba shows off a system that connects devices around the home network "to maintain optimal-energy consumption." General Electric will exhibit a color-display panel that continuously shows how much energy is being used in the home.

But that's just a start as many peripheral makers seek to improve household energy control, phantom energy loss, and automatic on/off.

Gadgets Galore. What makes CES famous is the gamut of gadgets from all corners of the world. Journalists will be racing through the back halls to be the first to call attention to devices that range from outlandish and outrageous to clever and can't-live-without. For example, no one knows why chocolate candy maker Reese's Pieces has announced a product launch for the show.

That's a good summary of what the press expects to see at CES 2011. But what really makes CES is what the press doesn't expect to see.

Next week's On CE newsletter will reveal the unexpected!

Go CES 2011