Despite the lure of Intel's magnificent laptop tree just a few "blocks" away, Hisense was my very first CES booth experience. This noob was lured in by Google TV because, let's face it, Google is seemingly trying to integrate itself into everything we own and do. I've been curious about the platform, and here was my chance.
First up, I found myself wandering over to the transparent 3D display. Essentially it allows the user to place anything behind the screen and display a 3D image in the foreground. The demo unit was a 40-inch screen with a landscape model placed behind it which was clearly visible through the screen. It was interesting enough, but you need glasses to correctly view the 3D effect. The application? Advertising most likely.
In addition to the transparent 3D display, other tech on display included transparent touch, a smart refrigerator, gesture and voice controlled HDTVs, and a "multi-screen play" feature which allows users to connect Hisense tablets and smart phones to Hisense HDTVs wirelessly.
And then there's Google TV. Google was actually on hand to talk a little about the platform given that Hisense was showcasing its new XT780. The stand-alone set-top box acts as a pass-through, meaning it resides between your HDTV and your cable providers box. The new PrimeTime app will access not only your cable provider's guide, but all other internet based services. Your local cable access is also shown as a separate TV app residing next to Netflix, Youtube etc.
As expected, Google Play is accessible and will only pull up apps related to the platform. Google TV is so much like Android but not at the same time. The little hands on I had with it leads me to wonder why it hasn’t caught on like its tablet and smartphone bothers. It's a departure from the norm, I'm sure, but one that a connected world will eventually have to embrace.
Also on display was the world's largest Ultra HD LED TV measuring at 110-inches and a 84-inch Ultra HD LED TV (U-LED). There's was also a large assortment of smartphones, tablets and other HDTVs like the just-announced Roku-Ready model. There was even a glasses-free HDTV that worked, but moving positions caused a weird ripple effect on the screen.
Here's what Hisense announced for the show:
* Hisense Introduces Roku Ready Televisions for 2013
* Hisense Unveils XT780 TV with Google TV at CES 2013
* Hisense Unveils Full Lineup of Exquisite XT880 UHD 3D Smart TVs at CES 2013
* Hisense Unveils Stunning Flagship XT900 Series of Feature-Packed 65”, 84”, 110” U-LED Televisions at CES 2013
* Marvell and Global Consumer Electronics Leader Hisense Introduce New Generation of Smart TVs and Set-top Boxes for Google TV
