BERLIN—The IFA consumer electronics and home appliance trade show kicks off this week with 1,441 exhibitors including the likes of Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG, and Toshiba, in an even-larger display area than last year's show. No one knows exactly what we'll see until the showroom doors open on Friday, but the pre-show buzz in Berlin is mainly around tablets and 3D display and image technology.
Despite a seemingly cold consumer reception to the concept, 3D promises to be a major theme at the show with Panasonic unveiling a prototype 3D Lumix camera and the HDC-Z10000 3D camcorder and Sony announcing the HMZ-T1, a head-mounted display that uses two OLED screens to produce a 720p 3D picture right in front of your eyes. The experience simulates the picture on a 150-inch 3D HDTV seen from 12 feet away, while virtual 5.1-channel surround sound is delivered via integrated headphones.
Ahead of the show, LG announced a 3D game converter for its forthcoming Optimus 3D smartphone which will let developers convert existing 2D smartphones games to 3D ones. The company also released two new 23-inch 3D monitors, which will be on display here at IFA.
Tablets, a segment that couldn't be hotter, will be well represented at IFA, with Samsung, Toshiba, Lenovo, and others expected to show off new tablets at the show. Sony unveiled its Tablet P and Tablet S slates at a press conference earlier today.
PCMag is on the ground in Berlin, be sure to check back throughout the week for the latest IFA news.