Televisions you can draw on, video memos that stick on to the fridge… what else was a hit at the world’s biggest electronics conference? David Phelan picks his top 10 products
Friday, 16 September 2011
Every year, in the first days of September, Berlin is host to the Internationale Funka-usstellung (IFA), said to be the world’s largest electronics trade show.
Spread across more than two dozen halls the size of football pitches, more than 1,400 exhibitors build massive stands to win attention with bright lights and soft carpets. almost every company you’ve heard of is there. the one that’s not – surprise, surprise – is Apple. But its shadow looms large, with hundreds of me-too tablets littering the halls and scores of iPod docks and cases. at the show, Sony dominated. most products announced are released in the two or three months that follow, though we’ve included a concept TV which may take a little longer to appear.
Sony Tablet S
Try as they may, makers of tablets just can’t make inroads on the iPad’s dominance. Sony may be about to change that. the Tablet S is a beautiful, classy machine, designed like a folded newspaper with the weight centred on one edge. This makes it easier to hold, especially when you’re using it as an ebook. the 9.4ins display is smaller than the iPad’s but the Tablet S feels lighter. and you can use it as a remote control for your TV, Sky box or hi-fi, play some early PlayStation games on it and wirelessly transfer video playback from the Tablet onto a suitable TV.
On sale: this month, from