We’ll jump right in with Vizio’s Thin + Light Touch line of notebooks. As you might have already guessed, the major focus with these new laptops are Windows 8 and a thin and lightweight form factor. In those two areas, the notebooks do not disappoint, with Vizio offering one with a 14″ touchscreen and the other with a 15.6″ display. Ready for some great news? 1366×768 resolution is nowhere to be found with these two notebooks, with the 14″ model offering up 1600×900 and the 15.6″ variant going all the way with 1080p resolution.

Interestingly enough, Vizio will be offering a number of different configurations that you’ll be able to choose from depending on your taste. Both the 14″ and the 15.6″ models will come packing either a 2.4GHz Intel Core i7 processor and integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics, or an AMD A10 4657M clocked at 2.3GHz with discrete Radeon HD graphics. Either configuration should keep things running smooth, especially considering that both come with 8GB of RAM and solid-state drives.

As you’ve probably already figured out, the full HD display on the 15.6″ inch model looks great, though 1600×900 doesn’t look bad either – the only thing its missing is the full HD capabilities of its bigger brother. The keyboards on both are excellent, though the buttons do seem slightly bigger than most notebook keyboards, so that might take some getting used to. Both are very slim when they’re closed and relatively lightweight, so while we can’t exactly classify either as an ultrabook, they’re toward the bottom of the size scale for notebooks.

Next up is Vizio’s new all-in-one touch line. These all-in-one touch PCs will come in 24″ and 27″ varieties, with the 24″ coming with the option of a 2.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 and Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics or a quad-core AMD A10 4600M 2.3GHz and Radeon HD 8750A discrete graphics. For the 27″ it looks like the only option is that 2.4GHz Core i7 quad-core and Intel 4000 integrated graphics. Both will come with a 1TB hard drive and a 32GB SSD to offer a performance boost, so don’t plan on storing too much stuff on that SSD.

While both screens look excellent and, like the new Windows 8 notebooks on the way, offer 10-point multitouch, there’s one feature in particular that’s very interesting about these all-in-ones: the power supply also doubles as a subwoofer. With many all-in-one PCs, we often run into issues with sounds and tinniness, but that subwoofer will give Vizio’s all-in-one touch PCs a certain boost that other packages lack. There are a number of ports on the base, meaning that you won’t have any ugly cables sticking out of the sides of your computer. To be specific, both models feature two HDMI ports, and Vizio told us that users won’t need to boot to Windows before switching to their HDMI inputs.

Those HDMI ports will come in handy if you want to watch a movie on the excellent screens, and Vizio is trying to make this a true-to-form multimedia center with the addition of a remote. The keyboard is pretty similar to the ones we saw on the company’s new notebooks, at least from an aesthetic standpoint. Obviously, all-in-one PCs aren’t for everyone, but if you’ve been in the market, we’re seeing some great things coming from Vizio with these computers.

So, even though the Windows 8 tablet was the Vizio product that originally caught our eye, we ended up impressed with the notebooks and all-in-one PCs the company will soon be bringing to the table. Vizio should give itself a pat on the back, because as far as we’re concerned, the company managed to stand out in a sea of other manufacturers that are ready and willing to show off new products at CES 2013. Be sure to check out CES portal for even more from the show!

Another feature worth getting excited about: 1080p resolution. Despite the fact that the screen is only 11.6-inches, the tablet is still displaying at 1920×1080. That smaller screen size naturally means that the pixel density is great, which in turns means that consumers can look forward to particularly sharp visuals. Videos, especially the clip from The Lorax we saw, looked absolutely wonderful.

Powered by a dual-core AMD Z-60 APU, AMD Radeon HD 6250 integrated graphics, and 2GB of RAM, users will have quite the speedy little tablet on their hands. There were a few dropped frames when swiping through apps, zooming, and playing HD video, but overall it was a pretty smooth experience, which is impressive for a tablet running the full version of Windows 8 at 1080p resolution. The 64GB SSD this bad boy ships with should do its part to keep things moving nice and fast, which is just icing on the cake.

The tablet itself is surprisingly thin and light – Vizio states that the tablet is 0.4″ thick and just 1.8 pounds. I was expecting a heavier tablet when I picked this up from the stand, but was pleasantly surprised when I realized how light it is. More importantly, it feels good in the hand and looks really good. We’re looking forward to seeing more from Vizio’s new Windows 8 tablet as we move closer to its release date (no specifics on that just yet), but for now, it definitely seems like the company is on the right track. Check out our CES portal for even more from the show!

That’s because Pelican’s goal with these cases seems to be to protect the phone from all manner of damage while keeping the overall size down. That’s especially important with the Galaxy S III, which is a pretty thin phone – having a big, bulky case attached to such a sleek phone would ruin the aesthetic, so Pelican is trying to hit the protection bullet points while keeping a thinner form factor overall.

The first case we have is the ProGear Vault Series, which actually requires you that use screws to seal your phone within the case. While that will make removing your phone a bit more difficult than your usual case that snaps together, there are benefits in that it makes the case resistant to “wind-driven rain.” The case also offers protection against dust and scratches, thanks to the fact that its made from magnesium and engineering-grade polymer. This case really locks down every opening you can think of with your phone, with Pelican even placing acoustic membranes over the microphone and speaker openings to prevent water from getting in without hindering audio quality. The Vault Series, which is also shockproof from a height of 72 inches, will be releasing in April or May with a “tentative” price of $75-$80.

Next we have the ProGear Defender Series, which is a little more accessible for folks who want to keep their phone safe without spending an arm and a leg on a case. The Defender obviously boasts fewer features than its more expensive brother, but it’s built with the same engineering-grade polymer and sports a rubber interior to make the case crushproof and shock-resistant. It also has a smooth plastic finish to make it easier to pull your out of your pocket. At the moment, Pelican is saying that the Defender series should launch in April with a price point of $35, but those could change by the time its release rolls around.

So there you have it, a duo of new cases from Pelican for your Galaxy S III. The cases seemed pretty solid when we checked them out, and the felt pretty light to boot, which means that they shouldn’t add too much weight to your phone. Expect to see more of Pelican in the mobile space as moving forward, but for now, be sure to check out our CES portal for all the news you need from the show!

The touchscreen works well, though we’ve still got mixed feelings about the usability of reaching over the keyboard and stabbing at the display. We’re also left thinking that Sony’s decision to carry over the ultrabook branding to the T15 Touch might be a bit ambitious; it’s not exactly a light machine, though in return you get plenty of connections (USB 3.0, both HDMI and VGA, and an ethernet socket) and an integrated optical drive.

The T14 Touch makes far more sense, ditching the separate numeric keypad but still retaining a solid-feeling ‘board and a sizable trackpad. Sony’s choice of materials can’t be faulted, either; the soft-touch composite strip that runs along the upper outer edge of the lid – where the antenna are – is a particularly nice compromise between tactile feel and wireless performance.

Unfortunately, the T14 Touch doesn’t share its bigger sibling’s 1080p Full HD display; instead, it makes do with a more humdrum 1366 x 768 panel. Sony isn’t saying when the new VAIOs will go on sale, nor for what price.

Sony’s using “4K X-Reality PRO” branding for its Ultra HD models, which start at 55-inches. The 84-inch XBR-84X900A, for instance, has a total of ten speakers, and comes with a One-touch NFC remote which allows for easy pairing and streaming from an Xperia smartphone or tablet.

As for what that 3840 x 2860 resolution can do, Sony had a display showing a full newspaper spread on a single display, with all the text legible. There’s a close-up shot in the gallery below.

Unfortunately, the 4K media player is being described as just a prototype for driving Sony’s demo displays here at CES; the company says it has no specific plans to release it. The hatbox-style design does have some history, however; Sony had a range of similarly-shaped VAIO PCs back in 2007.

With so many rival smartwatches already on the market and in the pipeline – Toshiba is showing one such concept here at CES - Migocovsky says it’s been a “perfect storm” of publicity, timing, and attention that has seen Pebble capture the imagination. Part of that is backer engagement, Migocovsky believes: the fact that Pebble is contactable by Facebook, Twitter, and other routes to anyone with a question or a suggestion.

Those suggestions have come thick and fast, though Migocovsky is wary of over-promising at this stage. The current SDK only caters for alternative watch faces – the first thing you’ll see when you glance at your wrist, given the e-paper display is permanently on (and a tap of the watch triggers the backlight) – and there’s no timescale for when third-party applications will be enabled. Still, the If This Then That integration does make for more flexibility for those willing to craft a few web-app macros.

Pebble Smartwatch demo:

Pebble doesn’t see that app limitation as a drawback, however; in fact, Migocovsky argues it’s an advantage. If the initial product isn’t good enough to be deemed worthy of a place on your wrist, you won’t wear it, he points out: if people aren’t wearing it, then developers won’t recognize it as a worthy market to code for, and the carefully-honed ecosystem will shrivel.

Pebble Smartwatch interview with Eric Migicovsky

That commitment to Kickstarter backers isn’t going anywhere, either. Not only will the 85,000 people who supported Pebble with cash up-front be the first to get their smartwatch, Migocovsky is also determined to make sure they don’t end up with an outmoded device any time soon. The “added extra” hardware features – such as the Bluetooth 4.0 capabilities, despite the fact that Pebble currently only uses Bluetooth 2.1, and the ambient light sensor – are a big part of that, and Pebble will be pushing out firmware updates every 2-3 weeks until every initially-promised feature is present and correct.

Next step, though, is batch-shipping of the first Pebble units to backers, with Migocovsky saying the factory is capable of producing 15,000 units a week when at full tilt. When the initial list is done, then they’ll turn to the reservations list that opened after the Kickstarter closed; that currently measures in the tens of thousands, Pebble says, though not quite the same number as the watch start-up saw backers.

The wearables market is certainly heating up, with a range of form-factors (on the wrist, digital eyewear like Google Glass, clip-on activity trackers, and more) being played with, and it seems 2013 may be the year it all comes to a head. Our early impressions are definitely positive – several of the SlashGear team are also Kickstarter backers – but we’ll reserve our full opinion until we can live with Pebble on our wrist for a while.

On the wrist, it’s lightweight, with the rubberized strap – that can be easily switched out – comfortable. The display is clear and legible, and lacks the refresh-pause we’re familiar with from E Ink ereaders. The fact that it’s only monochrome is offset by the great contrast, and the twin font levels make it easy to read even body text in emails and SMS.

Pebble’s charging system - which magnetically attaches to pins on the side – clips on easily, though it also pulls off very easily; we’d prefer a slightly tighter grip, especially if you’re trying to recharge the watch without taking it off first. The buttons are large and easy to press, the watch seems responsive.

Of course, the whole platform will only really come to life when third-party developers get into gear. That will be the moment when Pebble tips over from neat gadget to wrist-essential, using services If This Then That and other web apps to feed data to the device. The Pebble team says it’s focusing on a core group of abilities that work with sufficient polish to get buyers to strap the watch on every morning, with a more expansive array of apps coming after that.

Pebble smartwatch hands-on and demo:

The first units will begin shipping out on January 23 to Kickstarter backers, with Pebble expecting it to take 6-8 weeks to fulfill all those orders.

Some of the initial watchfaces have already been released, with a mixture of analog and digital styles. There’s a Braun-esque analog, plus a binary one which would look at home on a Tokyoflash timepiece, and the Pebble team itself has created some fashionable written-text UIs, which say “Twenty past Nine” rather than showing numbers.

Pebble also demonstrated the music interface, with the smartwatch paired with an iPod and used to scroll through a playlist. The watch shows what’s currently playing on the display, and thanks to the waterproofing, you could even use it to control playback while you’re in the shower. The accelerometer is used for controlling the backlight, with a simple tap of the watch turning on the display.

As for message previews, they show your email subject and sender, as well as the content of the message; SMS, meanwhile, shows sender and the full content. Incoming phone calls show caller ID and number at the same time, and you can dismiss the call with a push of one of the side buttons. Phones can also send things like Facebook alerts, and developers will be able to use Pebble’s user-ID system to send notifications directly to their subscribers’ smartwatches.

Pebble has also jumped on If This Then That (IFTT), which allows for easy creation of macros to send notifications to the smartwatch when different criteria are met. So, you can set up a weather alert – pinging news to your wrist when the temperature reaches a certain point -  or a stock price alert online, and link Pebble in.

Installing new apps and watchfaces is a simple matter of using Pebble’s smartphone app, tapping the required content in the gallery and then watching it load on the smartwatch almost instantaneously. Software updates are delivered the same way, triggered from the app and pushed to the watch; Pebble says there’ll be updates every 2-3 weeks until the initially-promised features are working. That will include Runkeeper support, for instance.

That’s great for the Pebble side, but a persistent Bluetooth system takes its toll on your phone. Pebble says the watch will impact your phone’s battery by 5- to 10-percent per day, thanks to its 24/7 connection. The smartwatch will begin shipping later this month.

That has a standard USB plug on one end, and a magnetic plug on the other which clings to the side of the watch. That allows Pebble to avoid any unnecessary openings to the watch, ensuring it’ll keep working even if you wear it in the shower or drop it in your drink.

It’s actually water-resistant to 5ATM, which is enough for a little swimming though not diving. Whether you’d actually have your smartphone nearby – Pebble hooks up via Bluetooth to pull over notifications – is questionable, however.

Of course, while a proprietary cable solves one problem – how to make the watch water-resistant – it also opens up another, i.e. the fact that you’ll need to carry it around specifically if you want to recharge the smartwatch on the go. The lack of standard microUSB flexibility is offset by the lengthy battery life, however.

That mass production is pumping out 15,000 Pebble watchers per week, so it’ll take a little time to satisfy all of the multi-million spending Kickstarter backers. In fact, Pebble estimates that it’ll be around 6-8 weeks before all of those orders are met.

Of course, after that there’s a small legion of subsequent preorder customers who jumped onto the smartwatch after it made its Kickstarter goal last year. They’ll have to wait a little longer for their new toy.

In the box will be a standard 22mm watch strap, but Pebble says it’s easily interchanged with a standard band. It’s also water-resistant, and has a scratch-resistant glass on top of the e-paper display. More hardware details in the timeline below.

There are a number of potentially life-saving features Evado Filip is focusing on with the VivoPlay. The first of the features is location, with the device being able to keep an eye on your child’s location using GPS, GSM, and WiFi. Using those three technologies at once means that there’s a better chance your child will be able to be found if they go missing, so naturally, it’s a winning idea.

Parents will be able to designate five different numbers that can communicate with the VivoPlay, and outside of those, the device won’t be able to contact anyone else. Children only need to push a single button to make a call, so if they ever need help, they won’t need to go through menu after menu to make a call. Parents will also be able to send text messages up to 16 characters long to their child’s VivoPlay, which is an added bonus.

One particularly nifty feature is the ability to create safe zones. If your child wanders outside of the safe zone you’ve designated, you’ll be alerted with a text message, and in turn you’ll be able to contact your child and see what’s up. It’s a very cool little device and it even comes with a built-in emergency feature that a child can use to get help quickly. The VivoPlay will be available soon, but while we wait for more details to come out of Evado Filip, be sure to check out our CES portal for all of our news from the show.

Earlier this week we shared the original details, and today we managed to catch up with Sony for a quick hands-on look at their new NFC enabled remote controls for their smart TVs. (read: the expensive ones). So you ask what this is for? And we’ll tell you below.

Want to share the song you’re enjoying on that Xperia smartphone, or the YouTube video you’re viewing on the small screen to the big one? Simply tap your NFC capable Xperia to your Sony remote and their One-touch mirror mode will activate. Within seconds you’ll be streaming that content or enjoying that music on the big screen and your home theater. We saw their easy-pairing approach already, and this is just one more aspect that will make their new smartphones and TVs great.

Sony doesn’t want us fumbling through settings, enabling share features or trying to pair our phone to the TV for hours. Let the built-in settings and NFC (Near Field Communication) feature do it for you. This is so dead simple the mass public should be able to adopt and enjoy the feature with ease. Simply tap your smartphone to the remote and a quick haptic feedback vibration lets you know the connection was received and mirror mode is active. A simple second tap and hold will kill the connection and let you get back to enjoying content on the Xperia display.

As expected, this feature will be exclusive to Sony’s own Xperia devices. While this makes sense for them, the mass public using iPhones or the Galaxy S III could also use this feature and I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of it soon. Hopefully one day soon they’ll open this up for all smartphones to enjoy.

The Lenovo K900 is the company’s new hero phone, working with a composite of stainless steel alloy and polycarbonate in a Unibody mold – sleek and robust. The phone remains thin due to work Lenovo’s done on optimizing both the thinness of the camera setup and the layout of the internal battery. The front of this device is covered with top of the line Corning Gorilla Glass 2 for scratch protection as well – their newest solution.

Lenovo IdeaPhone K900 hands-on with Chris Davies:

Lenovo IdeaPhone K900 interview with Lenovo’s Mark Pinner:

Lenovo IdeaPhone K900 hands-on with 1080p display:

Though as Lenovo mentions, Intel has not released full specifications on the chipset as such, Lenovo will be bursting forth with this SoC sooner than later – April in China, in fact. Pricing, if you’re wondering, has not been announced at the moment. Then there’s the camera technology behind this machine’s lovely 13 megapixel shooter.

You’ll be working with a Sony Exmor BSI sensor as well as an F1.8 focal length lens. This camera has the widest aperture of any smartphone-based camera in the field today, and the front-facing camera has been given a boost as well. With a fabulous 88 degree viewing angle on the front-facing camera on this smartphone you’ll once again be working with the best of the best – no front-facing camera on a smartphone has a wider angle than that.

Have a peek at the hands-on look we’ve got above and below to get a handle on what this phone will mean for you in the very near future. At the moment it is, in fact, only announced for China – but we can dream! Stick around our CES 2013 portal all week long as well to make sure you’re into the fold with all of our up to the minute news bits and hands-on adventures.

The concept is pretty straightforward. The product sits in a lightbox, with glass sides and an illuminated back and bottom panel, while the front is actually a display. That can be loaded with a promotional video, with a list or specifications, or something else, and constantly loops.

Alternatively, there’s full PC control, so you could cook up a display which would interact with the viewer. That might include showing different specifications and demo clips, depending on what they want to see, or paging through pricing and other information.

Samsung Transparent Display Case eyes-on:

Although we’ve seen transparent screens before – Samsung was showing off panels based on the same technology back at CES last year - this is perhaps the best use we can actually think of for the panels. They’re undoubtedly cool, but otherwise not terribly practical.

Now Razer is planning to offer a few different variations of this product, as the full out gaming experience isn’t for everything. Their basic kit may sound plain, but it certainly isn’t coming in at $999. You’ll want to check out our coverage for a better idea of the different options Razer will be offering. Essentially that $999 gets you the basic kit with a third-gen 1.7GHz Intel Core i5, 4GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GT640M LE GPU, and a 64GB SSD. That will be powering the rather crisp 10-inch 1280 x 800 resolution display.

From there you’ll be able to upgrade to the Edge Pro, which offers the same impressive device with a better and faster 1.9 GHz Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128 or 256GB SSD storage instead. Now since we already know the specs lets talk about feel, weight, and options. Being a very well built device from Razer it certainly isn’t lightweight, in any form factor. As just the slate you’ll be surprised just how heavy it is, and if you opt for the Pro you’ll certainly feel the weight. It’s heavier and thicker than a traditional Android slate, but then again you have that Core i7 power and unlimited Windows gaming options.

Playing games was awesome though, as you’d expect. WarHammer was excellent and the controls worked quite well. Being able to wonder around the floor and play was quite entertaining. It might not be the most powerful gaming PC around, but then you can’t play most in your living room or the backseat of a car now can you? You’ll be greeted with USB 3.0 up top, as well as an array of power buttons, volume up/down, and more. Then each handle rocked start, select, and other usual game controls.

Razer will be offering the basic and pro model, as well as an additional keyboard dock and regular desk dock options later this year. The pictures in the gallery below should give you an excellent idea of what to expect, although the final design could change ever so slightly from what we’re seeing here today. The pricing however, won’t be changing and are set in stone.

We’ll hopefully be getting one in for a full review when the time comes so for now enjoy the quick hands-on pictures, and stay tuned to our CES 2013 portal for the rest of CES.

The display runs at 200 x 320 resolution, which is sufficient for multiple lines of text, with simple controls to navigate through the menus and options. As well as messages and calls, it will offer directions pulled from your iOS or Android smartphone, together with news headlines and weather forecasts.

The ECG sensor tracks heart-rate and can keep a record of your fitness, but Toshiba also expects to use it for security: if the smartwatch doesn’t recognize your usual pulse, it won’t unlock. Toshiba also envisages a download store for alternative watch faces and apps.

What most struck us, though, was the content of Toshiba’s looping demo, which included choice messages like “I get so emotional when your [sic] not around. I think the emotion is called happiness.” There’s no telling whether the watch and its charging cradle will actually make it to market, but Toshiba would probably need to slim down the design before that could happen since it’s a chunky block right now.

Hiding in Samsung’s booth at the show – or at least, as close to hiding as an 85-inch TV can manage – was an Ultra HD set running a 4K stream from Netflix’s servers. There were few details to hand, and no sign of a public launch date, but the picture quality looked great.

Still, it’s Super HD that will be reaching more people – though not everyone – first. Netflix subscribers will need to get their internet connection via one of the ISPs currently working with the media company, a list that includes Cablevision, Virgin Media, British Telecom, Telmex, Telus, TDC, GVT and others.

Everyone else will have to wait, unfortunately, and only those subscribers in the US will get Super 3D content, at least initially. You can find out if you’re on an Open Connect compliant ISP here.

That’s thanks to the phone’s excellent screen. At 5-inches in size and displaying at 1920×1080 resolution, the screen on the ZTE Grand S looks great. It’s also slightly smaller than its biggest competitor, the Note II, so this might be the phone for those who want a big screen but find Samsung’s massive phablet a little too large. Keep in mind that the Grand S sports an impressive 13-megapixel sensor on the back, which is something we definitely don’t see in every phone.

Another big draw of the phablet is that its so thin. That will definitely be a major factor for some consumers, as that slim form factor helps it feel less clunky and more sleek. Clunkiness is a big risk with phones this size, but thankfully, the Grand S avoids that pitfall. The phone feels great, though it should be pointed out that I have large hands, so those with smaller hands may struggle a bit.

The phone’s 2GB of RAM keep things moving at a pretty quick pace too, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean helps make the whole package rather impressive. Unfortunately, at the moment this phone is only confirmed for China, and despite how much I liked it, a release in North America seems like a longshot. We’ll be waiting for more details from ZTE, but in the meantime, have a look around our CES portal to find our complete coverage roundup from the show!

Both of the sets come in at 55-inches, and each runs at 1080p Full HD rather than Ultra HD. You’ll have to look to more traditional LED panels if you want 4K resolution, at least for the moment.

Even without those extra pixels, you’re getting a luscious viewing experience. We’re familiar with OLED’s richness of color and crisp detailing, from the previously-shown, flat OLED sets, but standing at the center of the flexed panels new for 2013 does feel somewhat more immersive than before.

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait to experience that at home. Both Samsung and LG are tight-lipped on detailed specifications, launch plans, and pricing, which leads us to suspect that curvy big-screen OLED TVs aren’t headed to our living rooms any time soon (or at a price we could stomach).

As it turns out, the idea of putting physical buttons and thumbpads on a tablet isn’t quite as crazy as it seems. Adjusting to the GamePad’s controls will definitely take a bit of time to get used to if you’re a daily tablet user, but gamers who use Xbox 360 or PS3 gamepads on a regular basis will probably feel right at home. The GamePad is lighter and slimmer than I expected too, though the downside to this is that it doesn’t feel like it would stand up to much abuse.

Unfortunately, not all games are going to work with the GamePad’s physical controls right from the start. Some will, but for others, you’ll have to map the controls yourself. The process of mapping the controls to the buttons seems pretty straightforward, and of course, you can always use touchscreen controls if you don’t have the the time or the desire to deal with mapping.

You’ve got a 7-inch 1024×600 display to work with, and though it looks decent, it didn’t look as sharp as I think a display on a gaming tablet should. A 1.6GHz dual-core processor and a quad-core GPU are working on the inside, so the GamePad should be able to handle most of the games you download from the Google Play Store. It definitely isn’t the best tablet we’ve ever seen, but it does get the job done and the physical controls are great for those who would rather stay away from touchscreen controls. For $169.99, that’s about all we can ask for. Be sure to check out our CES portal for much more from the show!

Panasonic’s claim that the 4K tablet is the “lightest and thinnest” in the the 20-inch category seems a little redundant, given the scarcity of rival machines, but the rest of the specifications hold muster. As well as the 230ppi 15:10 display there’s an Intel Core i5-3427U 1.8GHz processor and NVIDIA GeForce graphics keeping things ticking along, along with 4GB of RAM (up to 16GB supported) and a 128GB SSD.

Connectivity includes microSDXC, a single USB 2.0 port, WiFi a/b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.0; there’s also a front-facing 720p HD webcam, though the absence of a rear camera is unlikely to disappoint too many people given the whole thing weighs in at 5.3lbs and measures 18.7 x 13.1 x 0.4 inches.

The display itself supports ten-finger multitouch, but also an Anoto-powered digital pen that can be used to annotate documents, sketch, or generally make more precise edits. Panasonic had a few suggested uses for the slate, with one demo showing a live preview from a nearby DSLR, complete with editing tools, while another demonstrated how a pair of the 4K tablets could allow for collaborative work in different locations, each mirroring the changes made on the other. The crispness of the display is what engages you first, though, with Panasonic’s demo schematics ink-on-paper precise even when you got up close to the glass.

While you might not whip the 20-incher out in the line at the grocery store, there’s nonetheless a battery inside with a “healthy” 2hr runtime estimate; given the size of the screen, and the fact that most users will probably only ever rely on onboard power when toting the slate between rooms, that’s probably more than sufficient. It’s definitely a two-hander when carrying it, but it’s not ridiculously heavy.

Pricing and availability are still a mystery, with Panasonic coy about being specific on launch plans. Still, there’s definitely a drive to get the 20-inch tablet onto the market, and with 4K still not having much relevance in TVs – despite the plethora of sets supporting it at CES – out in the mainstream, this could be the best application for Ultra HD resolution so-far.

The set has the same specifications as the 85-inch model we got up close with yesterday, namely 4k resolution and an array of speakers embedded in the easel-style stand. It’s far more dominating, however, somehow making the smaller version look almost practical.

That “practicality” is an illusion, of course; Samsung isn’t talking specific pricing at this stage, but it has conceded that mainstream Ultra HD is probably five years out right now. Since it will take roughly the same sort of time for 4k content to proliferate, that’s plenty of time for people to save up.

CES is definitely shaping up to be the show with Ultra HD as its theme, and Samsung has some competition for the 4k crown. Keep up with all the show news at our CES 2013 Hub.

The 5big Thunderbolt supports RAID 0, 1, and JBOD across its five hot-swappable bays; however, it’s also possible to mix and match those RAID setups, so for instance you could have a three-disk array in RAID 0 for performance, and then leave the remaining two disks in RAID 1 for backup redundancy.Two Thunderbolt ports are included, and up to six devices can be daisy-chained. LaCie reckons the 5big is good for up to 785MB/s when used with the five 7,200rpm/74MB cache drives in the standard RAID 0 configuration.

As for the 5big NAS Pro, that ditches Thunderbolt in favor of dual gigabit ethernet (with link aggregation support); LaCie also throws in a pair of USB 2.0 ports, a further pair of USB 3.0, and a VGA port for hooking up a display for management. Inside there’s a dualcore 2.13GHz Atom 64-bit processor and 4GB of RAM, plus a choice of RAID 5, 5+spare, 1, or 0 setup.

LaCie will offer the 5big NAS Pro in barebones, 10TB, and 20TB capacities, priced from $549. The 5big Thunderbolt is priced from $1,199 for 10TB, with a 20TB option.

Of course, those connectivity features might just pale in comparison to the touchscreen that stretches across the entire rear of the device. With this touchscreen, you can add captions to your photos from right there on the camera, and the screen even flips up to create something of a stand for the device. If you’d like, you can view the photos you’ve taken with the camera on your tablet or smartphone, and then use your mobile device to switch the camera off after you’re done viewing your images (though sadly you can use a mobile device to turn the camera on).

The PowerShot N has been officially dubbed a “creative” camera, which will suggest five different creative changes you can make to a photo. These could be anything from cropping to filters like black and white – officially, Canon is saying that the camera uses “intelligent screen analysis” to make these suggestions. Of course, the PowerShot N will also keep your original image, so if you’re not a fan of the suggestions the camera makes, your original will still be intact.

That’s a healthy amount of features for this little 12-megapixel shooter, but this still has plenty of the features you’d expect. These include low-light performance, ISO up to 6400, and the ability to capture video in 1080p. Canon says the PowerShot N will begin shipping in April 2013 and will come with a price tag of $300, which doesn’t seem too bad. We’ll hopefully be getting a closer look at the PowerShot N around then, but in the meantime, check out our CES portal for all of the news you crave from the show!

We’ve seen powered Backpacks before that pack internal batteries to charge our favorite smartphones, tablets, and more, but this is made to handle any and all situations. With nearly enough pockets to store your entire office, an awesome industrial design, and 3 USB cables to handle a wide array of devices you’ll never be without juice.

TYLT’s new Erergi Backpack rocks a 10,050 mAh battery that’s built in, and will be able to charge your average smartphone almost each day of the week, depending on size. They’ve equipped this backpack with an array of compartments to store everything, and they’ve also got a place specifically for your tablet.

You can charge a single device, or up to three simultaneously. It sports three USB ports on the side and enough cables to access the nearly 10 different compartments. Every area of the backpack can be provided with juice to charge devices, but it comes with 3 cables already routed for your convenience. The TYLT Energi Backpack can be charged back up via micro-USB, as well as a full USB 2.0 port on the side for easy recharging on the go. It’s currently available for $169.

At first glance, it would be easy to dismiss the Blade Runner as form over function. In fact, the 4TB drive uses a 3.5-inch Seagate HDD, not a sluggish laptop drive, with USB 3.0 for solid speeds (though we’d not argue with a Thunderbolt or two).

Despite the desktop-sized drive, the Blade Runner manages to avoid requiring any active cooling, thanks to the fins acting as passive cooling. In effect a huge radiator, shedding heat ambiently, it leaves the drive silent in operation (though you do still need external power).

It’s certainly warm to the touch after a period of activity, though not hot. In fact, the biggest drawback of the Blade Runner is LaCie’s decision to limit availability. Only 9,999 of the distinctive drives will be sold, each offered at $299 with a bundled 10GB of cloud storage.

There’s also a new GUI on a tilting, rotating 3-inch LCD preview screen, which runs at 921k dots and has 170-degree viewing angles. Nikon also preloads a number of special effects, which can be applied to both stills and video; the range includes selective colors, a “miniature effect” faux-tilt-shift, night vision, and more. HDR stills are also supported.

Nikon D5200 overview:

Elsewhere, there’s a 39-point AF system with auto scene recognition, a 100-6400 ISO range (expandable to 25,600), and 5fps burst photography mode. Inside is Nikon’s EXPEED 3 image processing engine.

Slap on the WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter, meanwhile, and you can remotely control the D5200 from an iPhone, iPad, or Android device. It also supports reviewing photos stored on the camera’s memory card, with up to 49 foot range.

The Nikon D5200 goes on sale in the US later this month, priced at five cents short of $900. The WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter is priced at $74.96.

That puts it on a par with an iPhone screen, at least in size, though the ATIV Odyssey falls short in resolution and clarity. At WVGA it’s decidedly low-rent, especially given Windows Phone 8 brought with it 720p HD screen support, and the overall phone isn’t as tiny as you might expect, thanks to a reasonably chunky bezel and plasticky casing.

Still, you get a full 1GB of RAM, so there should be no incompatible app problems, and there’s a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera along with a 5-megapixel main camera on the back, with an LED flash. Those expecting longevity will be happy to see the removable battery, too, which is a reasonable 2,100 mAh pack, and there’s a microSD card slot with support for up to 64GB cards.

All in all, it falls well short of dramatic and struggles to really reach appealing, though for the target audience that’s probably not too much of an issue. Those looking for an entry-level smartphone with an approachable OS like Windows Phone will probably find something to like, assuming the price is right.

TYLT had tons of products on display here, and we’ll be showing off more all week long. Their brand new TYLT TUNZ Bluetooth speaker had a few unique features up its sleeve like bass reflex, NFC tag capabilities, Bluetooth, USB 2.0, and even acts as an external charger for those moments in need.

All of TYLT’s new products are fun and full of color. Who needs the boring and old white anyways right? The TYLT TUNZ includes three adjustable and interchangeable silicon bands of different colors so you can personalize the look whenever you’d like. Connectivity is as usual via Bluetooth, but also offers the usual 3.5mm audio in, as well as audio out to export sound to a nearby device or TV. Then we mentioned NFC. The TUNZ comes with a free NFC app by Tagstand for easy NFC tagging to instantly play your favorite music and more.

With 30 hours of playback, the 2,500 mAh battery inside also doubles as a portable charger via USB 2.0 to your favorite smartphone. For more details and information you’ll want to start by heading here, and TYLT told SlashGear to expect their new speaker to hit the streets in early Q2 of 2013. The expected retail price will be $149, so should compete nicely with other options such as the JAMBOX. Even though the competition doesn’t offer the charging feature.

What makes this type of water protection for smartphones and tablet unlike anything else available is the fact that it coats the entire device, electronics inside and all. The entire device is protected on a molecule level with an invisible to the eye Liquipel coating. This certainly isn’t cheap, and requires users to send off their device for treatment. Today they’ve announced that will soon be changing.

Liquipel 2.0 is a brand new treatment for smartphones like the iPhone 5 that adds a nano-coating though a propriety process. This process starts by tossing your device into the chambers of a Liquipel Machine. The process removes the air inside the chamber to create a vacuum. Then the special Liquipel formula is introduced in vapor form.

“The Liquipel coating permeates the entire device and bonds to it on a molecular level leaving it watersafe for years to come.”

Liquipel states their new 2.0 is 100x more effective, although their first and original product was pretty impressive to begin with. In the end the result is a product that will be watersafe nearly for the entire lifetime of the device. The awesome news today however isn’t 2.0, it’s that this awesome process is coming to a mall nearest you later this year and throughout 2014. The first retail location West Edmonton Mall, will start treating devices like the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III for $60 and will be located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Stay tuned for more details.

What’s more, we learned tonight that the team has completed Unreal and Unity integration, two features that were previously announced. The team also stressed that they’ve developed a new motion sensor which they claim is the fastest on the market. That motion sensor was recently announced on their Kickstarter page, so while it’s not necessarily new, it’s something you can tell they’re excited about.

Oculus Rift launched on Kickstarter last year and quickly became a smashing success. With major gaming icons like John Carmack and Gabe Newell singing the praised of Rift from on high, the VR headset blew up extremely quickly within the gaming community. More and more big name developers have signed on in the time since, so Oculus Rift has won a lot of major fans within the industry.

We shall see what the general consensus of developers is soon enough, as developer kits will begin shipping out in just a couple of months. Oculus told us that they aren’t ready to begin talking about when the consumer version will ship, so it seems like they want just the developer launch to go smoothly. That definitely sounds reasonable, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll stop pressing them for that consumer release date. Stay tuned.

Now this isn’t anything extremely exciting, and it won’t make your computers USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt port rock faster speeds than usual, but it has a few important things that make them stand out. Just like others from earlier this week, Corning and Optical Cables will be delivering Optical Cable thunderbolt options ranging from up to 100 feet and more.

Most Thunderbolt cables use copper, and that severely limits it in terms of distance and at longer range can cause speed to suffer. As a result Corning and Optical Cables is here to offer a solution. Their cables convert the signal into Optical and their lightweight and extremely durable cables then transfer your files and more with ease to those long distances many need. It’s also extremely durable and can bend, fold, kink, get knots and more without a problem. Transfer speeds will never suffer. Check it out.

Corning has added their durable technology and development into these new cables, and should provide extreme durability and longevity to all Optical Cables. If Thunderbolt ports aren’t your thing at the moment, don’t worry because Corning also has full USB 3.0 options available as well. Corning and Optical Cables states Thunderbolt will be available in lengths of 12ft, 18ft, 10m, 30m, 50m and 100m (last is longest available) while USB 3.0 will come in 5.5m, 10m, 15m and 30m. As fart as pricing is concerned, we aren’t sure at the moment. Corning stated that they’ll be releasing further pricing details soon, as well as their respective retail partners.

The company, according to one of the representatives here at Pepcom, would like to miniaturize the computing space. Indeed, with a 6-10 year lifespan and x86-based OSes and apps, the Xi3 7 series could mean a lot for computing in general, with both quad and dual-core processors on offer. We’ve also got “graphics integrated within AMD’s Trinity Series 32nm APU chipset.”

One interesting thing to point out is that the codename for this computer is “Piston,” and we’ve learned that Xi3 and Valve have been working together with the 7 series. Even though Xi3 wouldn’t explain to us the level of Valve’s involvement in the project, it’s easy to see why valve would be interested in this, given that this new modular computer is meant to make computing more accessible to a wider range of people. Another thing worth drawing attention to: this new modular computer is codenamed Piston, and a company named Valve (which runs a gaming platform named Steam) is interested in it in some capacity.

Xi3 also wouldn’t give away what Valve was planning to do with the 7 series computers, but it doesn’t seem too far of a stretch to think that Valve would want to use it for stackable cloud computing. Perhaps the company is looking to enter the cloud gaming space? Keep in mind that this is purely speculation, especially considering that Valve hasn’t said anything. We’ll try to find out more in the coming days here at CES. We’ll also hope to have more information on the 7 series in general soon, but for now, just know that the 5A will cost $499 and the 7A will cost $999. Check out our CES portal for all the news you can use from the show!

In fact, the Galaxy Camera is the obvious comparison to make, though the two products do differ in key ways. First of all is price: Polaroid is asking $399.99 for the iM1836, unlike the $549.99 you’ll pay Verizon for a Galaxy Camera, and of course Samsung’s shooter doesn’t have swappable lenses.

However, the Polaroid’s screen feels a tad pokey in comparison to the expansive Samsung panel, being as it is 3.5-inches, and the prototype the company was showing showed a little lag at times. Nonetheless, it’s a full – and official – install of Android, so you get Play market access, Gmail for when you’re desperate to email from a camera, and Google+ with its useful auto-uploads.

As for the lenses, they twist off as you’d expect, and Polaroid will include a 10-30mm zoom lens in the box; a pancake will be the other initial option. The company actually includes the sensor in the lens itself, rather than in the body of the camera, which it says reduces the likelihood of damage when swapping, as well as producing better quality images as the sensor is closer to the lens. It also expects them to cost the same as the equivalent Micro Four Thirds lens, and they’ll be compatible with other Polaroid cameras that don’t run Android.

Expect the Polaroid iM1836 to hit shelves in Q1 2013.

Lenovo has outfitted the IdeaPad U310 with a touch panel for navigating through windows 8′s start screen. If you’ve read nearly any Windows 8 post penned by me, you’ll probably know that I think Windows 8 is perfect for touchscreens, so bringing touch functionality to the IdeaPad U310 is a great move for Lenovo.

We’re talking 10-point touch to be specific, which is a feature we’ve seen on a number of Lenovo’s Windows 8 machines lately. The addition of touch is pretty much the only difference though, with Lenovo offering up to an Intel Core i7 in the IdeaPad U310 Touch. You’ll also have NVIDIA GeForce graphics, so despite the fact that the IdeaPad U310 is an ultrabook, you might be able to get some reasonable graphics power out of the machine.

Indeed, the U310 is definitely an ultrabook, as it’s quite slim when it’s closed and it’s really light. If the smaller form factor of the U310 isn’t quite your cup of tea, Lenovo will also be offering the U410 with a 14-inch screen. The new U Touch series will be shipping out in Q1 2013, and Lenovo says that the U310 will start at $799.

OneLink is essentially Lenovo’s way to cut down on wires and cords in the immediate vicinity of your ThinkPad Edge. By using the OneLink cable to connect your ThinkPad Edge to the OneLink dock, you’ll not only begin charging your computer, but you’ll also gain access to the USB and HDMI ports on the front and backside of the dock. Here you can connect all of your peripherals while only dealing with one cable in your immediate work area.

Both ThinkPad Edge computers can be powerhouses too, should you so choose. Lenovo will let you go all the way up to the third-gen Intel Core i7, along with an impressive 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage space. Be warned though: at 14-inches for the E431 and 15.6-inches for the E531, these bad boys aren’t exactly small. They both come in right around the 5 pound mark as well, which is certainly quite a bit heavier than the other Lenovo products I had a look at today.

If don’t mind the relatively hefty size, though, then you probably won’t have any problem loving these new ThinkPads, which are running Windows 8. Couple Microsoft’s newest operating system with Lenovo’s new five-button ClickPad – which was specifically designed for making Windows 8 navigation a breeze – and you’ve got one laptop that’s definitely worthy of consideration. Keep it right here at SlashGear for much more from CES 2013!

In fact, at first glance, the only noticeable difference between the Yoga 13 and the Yoga 11S is size. The 11S is quite a bit smaller thaan the Yoga 13, but both are running Windows 8 (remember that – this isn’t Windows RT you’ll be dealing with. The fact that the Yoga series is running Windows 8 is definitely appreciated, and I’m sure it might just end up convincing a few people who are on the fence.

One thing I want to point out is that I think the Yoga 11S might make a better tablet. That isn’t to say that the Yoga 13 didn’t make a good tablet (it did), it was just a little on the large side as far as slates go. The Yoga 11S fits very well in your hand, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see many people opting for tablet mode over the other configurations.

Featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen and you choice of up to a 3rd-gen Intel Core i5, the IdeaPad Yoga 11S should make a pretty capable ultrabook for a lot of different people. Despite the smaller screen, resolution hasn’t taken a hit, with the IdeaPad Yoga 11S sporting 1600×900, just like its predecessor. It’ll be available in Silver or Clementine like the Yoga 13 is, but unfortunately, Lenovo won’t start offering it until sometime in June 2013. When it finally does arrive, it will have a starting price of $799.

There’s a lot that separates Ultra-D from the competition, although they don’t have much to compete with at the moment. Their technology is completely proprietary, although we’ve seen it before. Auto stereoscopic 3D will drive the 4k 3D market according to Stream TV. The difference between Ultra-D 3D and others is the use of auto stereoscopic 3D. You won’t be having two images tricking your eyes with a terrible flickering image. The auto-stereoscopic image is angled in a different way than before, and don’t automatically. It’s so good it looks as if you’re seeing out a window. At least according to Stream TV.

“This is bigger than the transition from black and white to color”

What also makes Ultra-D standout from the competition is the use of their proprietary technology being used on any and all available TV panels. This means LED, LCD, 4K TVs and more. Then add in the fact they’ll offer upscaling from 1080p to 4K. While 4K or “Ultra-HD” is still new and content isn’t quite readily available on a large scale. It’s coming, and coming soon. Add in the option to control and adjust the level of 3D, this technology is truly different than most.

The other important bit here is the source content. Watching movies, streaming video from Netflix, game consoles and more will all work with Ultra-D glasses-free 3D — and look great doing it. Today Ultra-D also unveiled their companion device called the Ultra-D SeeCube 4K. This will enable support for existing hardware to take advantage of Ultra-D glasses-free 3D. As well as streaming with mobile devices like the Apple iPad and Android smartphones and tablets. We’ll update with additional details and hands-on soon.

Vuzix is fitting a lot into its headset, borrowing specs more commonly associated with a smartphone: a 3-axis head tracker is paired with a gyroscope, GPS, and a digital compass, a 720p HD camera, 4GB of onboard storage, and an 8GB memory card. There’s also a companion Android app which can be used as a remote control, with a trackpad for navigating through the M100′s menus, and an app launcher menu.

Unfortunately Vuzix isn’t showing any of those apps right now, only a video clip that runs on a loop. It’s a little disconcerting initially, watching it through one eye – Vuzix will offer both ear hooks and a head-strap arrangement, which can hold the Smart Glasses on either ear depending on which is your dominant eye – but you quickly grow used to the concept, glancing across to see the bright, clear content.

Audio, meanwhile, is loud and surprisingly solid considering it’s coming through one ear only. Physical controls are limited to a trio of buttons across the top edge – for volume up/down and select – as well as a power button. Using the remote app makes more sense, however, as it doesn’t shift or move the eyepiece on your ear; there’s a little flexibility in how the eyepiece is positioned, with an extending arm that can be bent slightly.

Vuzix Smart Glasses M100 hands-on:

Battery life may be the M100′s downfall. Vuzix is quoting up to eight hours of use, though that’s not solid runtime. Instead, the company expects users to turn their Smart Glasses on periodically, using the display sparingly: leave it on full-time, and the M100′s battery will last for more like two hours (or even half that, if you use the handsfree, display, and camera simultaneously).

Still, with Google’s Explorer Edition Glass priced at $1,500, and Vuzix already pushing the AR SDK out the door, the “under $500″ M100 might well find some eager buyers. We’re looking forward to trying out the final results to see how the Smart Glasses hold up to day-to-day use.

Back in our original ThinkVision LT1423p details post you find that this machine doesn’t yet have a release date other than a basic Q2 2013 window, nor a price, but what we’ve seen thus far makes us want it right this minute – full touch for any machine running Windows 8. This beast is able to work wirelessly via wi-fi direct or wired with a relatively new USB to micro-USB B connection – have a peek at that plug in the gallery for a double-take.

This machine is extremely light for its size, is able to work with or without a connected rechargeable battery, and is presented with Lenovo drivers that work with what the company notes is essentially any PC working with Windows 8. The front is covered with Gorilla Glass, the display is a decent 1600×900 pixels, and the whole package will be another rather unique addition to the Windows 8 environment come this Spring/Summer.

Have a peek at the Lenovo tag to see the rest of the magic the company has revealed this week and be sure to stick around SlashGear’s full CES portal for more CES 2013 than you can possible handle. Also be sure to let us know if you’re planning on working with a mobile touch monitor some time in the future – seem like a real prospect to you?