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New Smart Phones
Samsung has released its new line of phones, including something I have missed—a modern version of last decade’s foldable phone. I miss the easily carried flip phone, but I do not want to give up all the features of a modern smartphone. It looks like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 may be a step in that direction, and I expect new designs at CES, both with smartphones and smart watches.
Automotive
We should see everything from portable device fast chargers to advanced heads up displays, transparent technology (allowing the driver to have an unobstructed view of the surroundings of the vehicle from whatever angle is required), advanced dash cams, navigation, entertainment, and, of course, all the technology for the upcoming new electric vehicles including new advanced cars themselves.
Figure 6: Features in electric cars will be a highlight of CES.
Windows 11
Microsoft’s latest operating system is out and many of us on the MS inside track are using it, although it will be available to everyone in early 2022. I expect all new computers and devices shown at CES this year will be Windows 11 compatible. Do we need Windows 11? My initial response is, not really. It has some new features but most of them could easily have been part of a Windows 10 update. It is, however, a good excuse to do a clean OS install. Some of the neat features include a new OS repair tool that finds and fixes OS errors on your computer quickly and automatically; a new widgets feature; new wallpapers and themes; the enhanced and simplified start menu; an enhanced search feature that will help you find recently used apps, files, and pictures quickly and easily; and an upcoming compatibility with Android apps, auto HDR, and more.
There is also what appears to be significant backward compatibility, making the transition quite painless. There are some bugs and there have already been a few updates and fixes. So far, I like it. Unless you’re comfortable setting up a computer from scratch, let’s wait until CES to hear more.
New GPUs
Over the past year, NVIDIA and AMD have introduced a new generation of graphic processing units (GPUs). The new generation is so powerful that the use of scalable link interface (SLI), which allows the use of more than one GPU on a computer, has almost gone away. The new generation are not that much more expensive if you can get them at list price, which right now you can’t. GPUs and their powerful processing capabilities are also used for cryptocurrency mining, thus the demand for GPUs has increased exponentially. This has created a shortage and led to scammers selling them on average for almost double the price.
We are also looking forward to seeing new offerings from the approximate 185 automotive exhibitors; Samsung, Sony, LG, and other smart home exhibitors; all the amazing advanced new ideas and devices at Eureka Park (perhaps the most exciting area); and so much more, including the annual Showstoppers event.
Stay tuned as we bring you highlights during and after the show. There is much to look forward to in a (hopefully) post-pandemic 2022.
Dan Feinberg is an I-Connect007 technical editor and founder of Fein-Line Associates.
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