Consumer Reports' Five Must-Sees at CES 2011

LAS VEGAS – The 2011 Consumer Electronics Show officially starts on Thursday and the electronics editors at Consumer Reports have identified five product categories they’re eager to see at this year’s show. The full story, accompanying video, and all of Consumer Reports’ CES coverage is available at www.ConsumerReports.org/CES.

“CES 2011 is less about revolution than evolution,” said Paul Reynolds, Electronics Editor at Consumer Reports. “We likely won’t see any groundbreaking new product categories, but we’ll see some significant leaps in some key technologies such as computers, smartphones, and 3D TV.”

Consumer Reports has identified the following five product areas that will have an impact this year on consumers:

TABLET COMPUTERS - Though other tablets started to appear in the marketplace toward the end of 2010, most were disappointing compared with the Apple iPad. Consumer Reports expects that the iPad will get some real competition from tablets introduced this year at the show. For example, the Toshiba Tablet will offer many features that the current iPad doesn’t, including a camera, a memory-card slot, and support for Flash video.
PASSIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR 3D TV - Another one of Consumer Reports' anticipated product categories is 3D TVs made for viewing with light, inexpensive passive glasses, as opposed to the bulky and costly active-shutter glasses they've needed until now. Vizio, LG, and other manufacturers will be showing these TVs.
NEW COLOR TECHNOLOGY FOR E-BOOK READERS - Though e-readers—which played a large role at last year's CES—probably won't be as thick on the ground this year, we're interested to see the latest versions of e-book readers that use technologies, such as Mirasol, that will eat up less battery power than existing color LCD e-book readers.
4G PHONES – Consumer Reports expects that Verizon, along with other carriers and manufacturers, will announce many new 4G phones, using faster networks than most current cell phones use. Sprint and HTC announced the EVO Shift 4G and Samsung is expected to announce a 4G phone.
CAR CONNECTIVITY – Consumer Reports will also be looking at innovative car connectivity solutions, including ones that implement 4G, from manufacturers such as Ford and Audi.

Consumer Reports team of editors and testing experts will be reporting all week from the show floor and posting reports at www.ConsumerReports.org/CES.

About Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.

© 2011 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.