Hottest products of the future released at CES (part I)

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is just getting off to a start and already the technology blogs are brimming with images of innovative new products and a long list of this year's hottest technology releases set to be showcased at the 2010 edition of the CES that runs from January 7 to 10.

3D technology, tablets, laptops, superphones, e-readers and futuristic technology for vehicles are among some of the biggest topics of conversation at this year's CES.

A torrent of electronics companies such as Sony, LG, Panasonic, Toshiba and Samsung are heavily investing in 3D technology and the results are starting to be revealed. A kaleidoscope of ultra-thin, consumer-ready TVs flashing 3D images across their massive displays can be seen at CES.

Major 3D announcements made on January 6 and 7 include Sony's television network for US consumers, a joint initiative by Samsung and DreamWorks Animation to push 3D TV into consumers' lounge rooms, and Toshiba's flat-panel Cell TV that is capable of converting digital video into 3D images in real-time.

Shelves full of new e-readers are being debuted at CES, with bendable, slim, large-format readers such as Plastic Logic's QUE and Hearst and Sprint's Skiff giving consumers a glance at the future of electronic reader technology. Demonstrations of Mirasol's full-color MEMS-based e-reader displays are also on show.

Laptops and tablets are being fused with new technology too with stylish new designs being revealed at the event. ASUS has teamed with Bang & Olufsen to create the luxurious NX90 ICEpower laptop and Lenovo is showing off their "hybrid IdeaPad U1 Laptop that transforms into a tablet. HP too is dabbling in the future of laptop designs, revealing its convertible TouchSmart tm2 touchscreen laptop complete with an engraved aluminium casing.

There is a huge push towards embedded touchscreen technology in laptops. There are also some amazing concepts being previewed at the event including Samsung's 14" transparent AMOLED screen laptop.

Tablets, however, seem to be stealing the spotlight in the computing category this year with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer showing of HP's Windows 7 "slate" and a range of younger companies putting forth new technology in the hope of driving the tablet market forward.