As the biggest technology trade show of the year kicks-off in Las Vegas this week, attention is focused on two products that will not play any part in it. Despite thousands of new products and gadgets being displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), two separate events will dominate the headlines.
This Tuesday, Google will unveil its own custom-built mobile phone, the Nexus One.
The device will have a 3.5 inch touchscreen, an Amoled (active matrix organic light-emitting diode) display, five megapixel camera, wi-fi and compass. The phone will use the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system, Android. It is likely to be launched as an unlocked device in addition to any operator deals, meaning no long-term contracts need to be entered into.
T-Mobile, which launched the first Android mobile phone in the US, is likely to be the first carrier to offer the device for sale. Google has not said what its plan is for a European launch. Despite many manufacturers now offering devices with its Android operating system, this is the first smartphone to be built completely by Google itself.
Meanwhile, Apple looks certain to launch a touchscreen tablet laptop device later this month. Industry speculation has narrowed the device’s name to either the iSlate or the iGuide, based on recent patent filings linked to Apple.
The patent filed for ‘iSlate’ lists a device based on ‘‘computer hardware and computer software for accessing, browsing, searching, recording, organising, storing, transmitting, receiving, manipulating, streaming, reproducing, playing, and reviewing audio, video, games, music, television, movies, photographs, and other multimedia content’’.
Although pricing has not been revealed, the tablet is likely to sell for more than €800.
Both the Nexus One and the iSlate are calculated to draw attention away from CES, where fierce rivals such as Nokia, Asus and Palm will be displaying their latest mobile phones and laptops.
As the biggest technology trade show of the year kicks-off in Las Vegas this week, attention is focused on two products that will not play any part in it. Despite thousands of new products and gadgets being displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), two separate events will dominate the headlines.
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