Three Things I Learned From CES 2011

Now that we’ve all had a weekend to digest all the announcements and happenings from the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what we’ve all learned. Here are my three takeaways from CES 2011:

Now that we’ve all had a weekend to digest all the announcements and happenings from the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what we’ve all learned. Here are my three takeaways from CES 2011. Check ’em out and let me know what you learned (please)!

1) I Need a Dual-Core Mobile Processor Now! Never mind that the 800MHz Scorpion in my T-Mobile G2 is performing well and I’ve been perfectly happy with the phone for months. I lust for the superior power and efficiency of dual-core processors. Of course I want to see benchmarks and real-world battery tests, but that won’t stop me from glaring at my G2 for not having a dual-core processor.

2) The Motorola Atrix 4G’s Laptop Dock is Clever. Prior to CES 2011, I found the thought of a dockable mobile phone unappealing — probably because the Palm Foleo made it sound so ridiculous. That said, I have to admit that the netbook-like functionality of the Motorola Atrix has me interested. It appears to be a smart and sharp implementation that would extend the capabilities of the phone and eliminate the need for a secondary laptop. Color me intrigued (which, in my head, is a bright shade of blue).

3) Vizio’s Boldness is Awesome! Vizio isn’t the most well-known brand in America. Some people view it as the “cheapie” brand they see at CostCo and Sam’s Club. That’s a shame because the company offers some really excellent televisions, some of which are tough to beat from a price/performance ratio. I was surprised by the company’s aggressive and diverse moves at CES 2011. It’s entering the mobile computing market with Android and the gaming space with OnLive.

How about you? What were your favorite lessons learned from CES 2011?

Verizon’s Inadvertent iPhone 4 Hook: Unlimited Data?

Even though Verizon has plans to move to tiered data pricing, it doesn’t have the structure in place. Some pundits believe that this inadvertently gives Verizon an edge over AT&T in the impending battle of iPhones; the former will offer unlimited data, while the latter lacks an unlimited option for new customers. The Wall Street Journal has reported:

Verizon Wireless, the country’s largest wireless carrier, is confident enough in its network that it will offer unlimited data-use plans when it starts selling the iPhone around the end of this month, a person familiar with the matter said. Such plans would provide a key means of distinguishing its service from rival AT&T Inc., which limits how much Internet data such as videos and photos its customers may use each month.

This makes the decision more interesting for consumers. If everything goes as predicted and Verizon announces an iPhone 4 with unlimited data, what would you do? Do you snap up the old phone on the more reliable network using slower technology simple because it offers truly unlimited data? Or do you wait for the iPhone 5, which will certainly feature tiered data on AT&T and probably feature tiered data on Verizon by the time it’s released (likely June 2011). Ah, the decisions those with disposable income have to make…. (For the record, I’m not one of those people. Ha!)

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Today’s Poll: Will Steve Jobs Appear at the Verizon Presser?

Most of the tech world has accepted that Verizon will announce the iPhone 4 at its press conference tomorrow. Some believe that Apple CEO Steve Jobs will be on hand and some don’t. On one hand, it’s a pretty huge partnership and the date is quirky cool (1/11/11 at 11AM!). On the other hand, some believe that Jobs is saving himself for new product announcements like that iPad 2 and iPhone 5; these people believe that an old product on a new network doesn’t merit an appearance by his royal highness grandmaster Steve Jobs.

What do you think? Kindly vote in today’s poll and discuss!

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This Week’s Videogame Releases

We’re barely into 2011 and there are already some excellent games coming out. There are three very interesting titles shipping this week…and I want them all! First up is DC Universe Online. I still have dreams of forming The Super Buddies, Part Deux with some of you. Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded bundles some KH episodic content that was released in Japan. As a fan of the series, I’m psyched to play more of Sora’s adventures. Last, but not least, is Prinny 2, the sequel to a super-funny and super-challenging platformer based on those lovable demonic Disgaea penguins.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

Coffee Talk #281: When Games Make You Look Insane

Do you do anything as a gamer that seems wacky to non-gamers? There are lots of ways that gaming makes us seem insane to those not familiar with our glorious hobby. I just had a weekend of “insane” gaming…and it seemed perfectly normal to me.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Edin Dzeko joining Manchester City, Porsche’s hybrid sports car, or politicizing the Arizona shootings, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Do you do anything as a gamer that seems wacky to non-gamers? Maybe there’s a certain sub-genre of gaming that you enjoy in a way that seems bizarre to your fellow gamers. There are lots of ways that gaming makes us seem insane to those not familiar with our glorious hobby. I just had a weekend of “insane” gaming…and it seemed perfectly normal to me.

I finally got around to picking up my shiny Raikou from GameStop. I forgot that I had a downloadable Jirachi on my Pokemon Pearl cartridge too. Like any self-respecting Pokemon trainer, I spent about 90 minutes getting an acceptable nature and IVs on my Jirachi. For those not familiar with the process, I received my Jirachi, checked its stats, and kept resetting the game until I got one that I was happy with. After that was done, I spent another 60 minutes soft resetting the game until I got a Raikou with strong IVs.

Hardcore Pokemon players understand why I spent two and a half hours getting the right stats. Some non-Pokemon gamers will “get” it too, but I imagine there are many that would find the effort excessive and unusual. Explaining the concept of “soft resetting” to non-gamers? Forget about it. Most people would think that it’s nuts.

Do you do anything as a gamer that the “normals” would find unusual, inexplicable, or insane? Is there an aspect of gaming that you enjoy but couldn’t explain to non-gamers? (And yes, one of the reasons I wrote this story was to justify my zealous Pokemon gaming.)

Verizon to Announce iPhone 4 on January 11?

The word on the street is that Verizon is set to announce that the iPhone 4 will join its lineup in February. The company is holding a press conference on Tuesday January 11, 2011 and The Wall Street Journal says that it’s to unveil the iPhone. Meanwhile, AllThingsDigital has it on good authority that his royal lord worshipfulness grand highness Steve Jobs will be on hand to christen the partnership.

After years of speculation, it looks like the iPhone will finally be on Verizon’s network. Any of you planning to buy one? Do you think an iPhone 4 on Verizon is appealing with the iPhone 5 just months away? How do you think this will impact America’s mobile phone market? Will polarities shift? How about the Earth’s rotation?

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The Chaperone Trailer Starring Triple H

You must watch the trailer for The Chaperone starring WWE Superstar Triple H (Paul Levesque). It’s one of the worst trailers I’ve seen in years. Hunter has been one of the most consistent WWE wrestlers for the last 15 years. As a movie lead, his career is off to a remarkably crappy start.

On a side note, why don’t more WWE fans find it strange that wrestlers that suffer “severe” injuries and disappear for months return with a movie in the pipe?

What’s Your Favorite Pixar Movie?

I finally got around to seeing Up…and I loved it. It’s a Pixar movie, duh! My taste in Pixar movies is a little bit different from most of my friends’. I prefer Pete Docter’s stuff over Andrew Stanton’s, for example (Monsters Inc. is so underrated). At the end of the day, my favorite Pixar film is The Incredibles — great storytelling, fantastic emotion, and awesome music by Michael Giacchino. How about you? What’s your favorite Pixar flick?

Killzone 3 Story Trailer (Malcolm McDowell, Ray Winstone)

Here’s an excellent Killzone 3 trailer that focuses on the game’s story. Hearing Malcom McDowell’s voice should remind me of his excellent performance in A Clockwork Orange…but I keep hearing him as Terrance McQuewick in Entourage. Anyway, check out the clip and let me know what you think (please)!