IFA 2010 to see launches of Android mobile phones, e-readers, tablets and 3D TVs
Mobile phones, e-book readers and 3D televisions will dominate Europe’s largest consumer electronics show next month: A curtain-raiser
IFA 2010, to be held in Berlin between 3-8 September, will provide a platform for electronics companies to showcase their latest offerings, and among the products on display will be mobile phones, e-readers and televisions in large numbers. Computer and electronic gadget manufacturers plan to launch several highly anticipated products during IFA 2010.
IFA will take place in 26 halls that constitute the Messe in Berlin, and will have 1,164 stands exhibiting different brands.
Among them will be an iZone, which will focus on Apple products such as Mac computers, iPods, iPhones and iPads.
3D television and gadget launches planned for IFA 2010
3D TVs, which Samsung, Sony and Toshiba have already announced this year, will likely constitute the most popular audio visual product at the IFA. 3D devices were the most popular new technology at the CES 2010 that was held in January the US.
Universal 3D glasses called the Cinemizer which enable 3D viewing across 3D TV brands will be a popular new toy that people will try out in large numbers for the first time at the IFA in Berlin. Several cutting edge 3D gadgets, though, do not require special glasses. Some of the exciting products demoed will be a 3D HD glass-less television from Toshiba. The Nintendo 3DS gaming device should also be a big hit.
ViewSonic, the company known for a wide variety of LCD displays, has a bunch of launches planned for the IFA including a 3D camcorder, 3D camera, 3D photo frame and a 3D portable TV. The ViewSonic 720p 3D camcorder is super-cheap, and will cost about US $300 in the US market when it is launched.
Sharp will exhibit its Quattron flatscreen TV at the IFA. Earlier, the Quattron was only HD capable but now is 3D-capable as well. The company recently announced the upcoming launch of the Sharp Aquos Quattron 3D TV models. The company also has a 60 inch LCD display that it has specially constructed for the IFA in Berlin. Related: Sharp 3D HD camera module for mobile phones
LG has a 31 inch organic LED high definition display that will be showcased at the IFA.
3D digital camera models will also be popular exhibits at the IFA. Fujifilm recently upgraded and launched a new 3D handheld camera called the FinePix 3D W3, successor to the W1.
Android tablet launches at IFA Berlin
Toshiba will probably announce its new 10 inch Android tablet, the Toshiba SmartPad, at the IFA. Update: Toshiba Folio 100 is name of new Android tablet.
Toshiba’s Android tablet is said to be a sleek device with just four buttons, and an HDMI port which means it will probably display HD quality video. Rumor has it that the device has a Tegra 2 chipset. Toshiba already sells the AC100 Android netbook, and has a Windows 7 running dual touchscreen tablet called the Toshiba Libretto W105.
The Samsung 7-inch Galaxy Tab (tablet) will also very likely be launched at the IFA 2010. Running Android 2.2 Froyo, Samsung’s Galaxy tablet plays 1024×600 HD video and will support DivX. This last feature is all the more important because Samsung is establishing itself as the standard make for HD DivX display devices. Samsung’s Galaxy S and Wave smartphones were recently certified by DivX for the high quality DivX video experience they offer.
The Viewsonic ViewPad 7, a 7 inch Android tablet is also much awaited. The ViewPad’s specifications to follow standard Android tablet specs – WiFi, USB ports, MicroSD slots, front and back cameras, and it will support 3G. There is a separate 10 inch Android tablet that can dual-boot Windows being planned, but it is unclear if it would be demoed or launched at the IFA.
Another company that will showcase a whole range of Android tablets is Archos. Archos’ Android devices range from 2.8 inches to 10 inches. Meant primarily to be media players, the Archos tablets will have access to the Google app market and related productivity that come with the Android OS. Archos already has the Archos 28 Minidroid and Archos 32 tablets in the market.
A new Android device called the Interpad, from German startup e-noa will also debut at the IFA 2010. Weighing 700 grams, e-noa’s Interpad displays 1024p HD video on a capacitive touchscreen, and runs on NVIDIA’s Tegra platform. It has the usual Android specs such as HDMI and mini USB ports, Bluetooth, G sensor, 16GB storage etc. The e-noa Interpad will cost about US $500.
The eLocity Stream TV with a 7 inch screen, and measuring 8.2×4.8 inches and is said to be more portable than an iPad and will be another Android tablet that has been a pretty badly kept secret and will probably be showcased at the IFA 2010.
Some of these Android tablet makers at the IFA Berlin will stand out though, because of the innovation they will unveil in these otherwise standard devices, and that is what we’ll have to wait and watch for. You could call the first two quarters of 2010 a time of Android tablet rumors that picked up after the successful launch of the Apple iPad – but practically, there was none to be seen in the market other than the Dell Streak. The second half of 2010 when the rumors would become real products. We could perhaps even expect some announcements about upcoming Android 3.0 Gingerbread tablets at the IFA.
eReader launches expected at the IFA 2010
The IFA has a special section called the eLibrary which will showcase tablets and ebooks. Tablet and e-reader manufacturers, as well as electronic content providers will showcase their latest products here.
Sharp has an improved version of the XMDF ebook reader it earlier sold in Japan for novels and manga comics. Sharp intends to create a content platform to sell digital ebooks. Sharp’s XMDF technology allows publishers to custom set up the layout of their content on the reader.
The new PocketBook IQ ebook readers with screens measuring between 6 and 10 inches will be showcased at the IFA.
Smartphones at the IFA
There will definitely be some great new smartphones at the IFA. Windows Phone 7 will probably be displayed on the Samsung Cetus smartphone. Almost all the big phone makers have new gadgetry to showcase. Among these is Huawei, with its Android 2.2 Froyo mobile phone called the Ideo. Powered by a 528 MHz processor, the Huawei Ideos U8150 is a mid-range Android smartphone. Features include a 2.8 inch capacitive touch screen, a 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS receiver, WiFi 802.11n connectivity and support for HSDPA network. It won’t be unusually cool, but along with the other big Chinese manufacturer ZTE’s devices, Huawei is likely to undercut competitor prices in no uncertain degree and make Android phones more affordable especially for the Asian and African markets.
Projector technology at IFA Berlin
Pico projectors picked up steam in 2009 and continued on in 2010. Mobile phones are being aunched that have little projectors built in, and cameras with built-in projectors are also now in the market. New portable projector technology embedded in phones and digital cameras will be displayed at the IFA. Some new tech allows users to sketch on a touchscreen while playing a video, and have their edits displayed in real time on a plane surface such as a blank wall. Nikon’s latest Coolpix camera has projection and real time editing capabilities.