Blogs: CES 2013

A challenge to Android manufacturers: In 2013, step back, breathe, and let less be more.

The first Surface Pro reviews are in. Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) let a few bloggers and journos use the new, 'full fat' Windows 8 tablets for around 30-60 minutes each. Although the Redmondistas weren't officially exhibiting at CES 2013, they were present in Las Vegas, showing off their new baby. Time to round up their first look, hands-on impressions, IT Blogwatch style.

CES 2013: Apple [AAPL] isn't at the show, but there's a selection of new solutions in discussion at or around the show that may get picked up by Cupertino's I/O execs who have been seen prowling the exhibition floor. These include better wireless, more responsive displays, and much more.

The sluggish launch of Windows 8 may be just the beginning of bad news for the new operating system. A new report says that tablets will far outsell notebooks in 2013. So all those fancy new Windows 8 ultrabooks at CES may not make a big enough difference for Microsoft because Microsoft's share of the tablet market is negligible.

With its new Xperia Z phone, Sony has its best shot yet at becoming a major Android player. So is the company up to the challenge?

CES 2013: Samsung has beaten Apple to the punch with a super-smart, voice-controlled television as broadcast and cable industry chiefs face an advertiser rebellion -- television is changing, but has the iPhone maker lost its lead?

Intel Ivy Bridge Core CPUs down to 7W today. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) surprised everyone at CES 2013 by announcing it's way ahead of schedule in reducing power requirements for its Core i3/i5/i7 range. Rather than wait for the fourth generation "Haswell" chips to reach 10W, it's touting a current generation part that goes as low as 7W. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers see bigger competitive pressures for ARM and AMD.

The Consumer Electronics Show is full of shiny gadgets and sweeping promises, but there are some important caveats to keep in mind.

This year, the stakes are higher than ever for Microsoft at CES, which hopes that a new slate of ultrabooks will jumpstart Windows 8's sluggish start. But as impressive as the new ultrabooks may be, they can't save Windows 8 or the struggling PC market.

Sharing taxis from one hotel to another is not only the polite thing to do at CES, but result in some interesting conversations.