CES 2011, which took place at the beginning of the year, seemingly focused on tablets and the Windows platform running on ARM's mobile architecture. However CES 2012, which opens its doors in Las Vegas just over a month from now, will reportedly focus on both tables and Intel’s new form factor, the ultrabook. Organizers of the show are already claiming that up to 50 ultrabooks will be launched during the event.
"We expect to see 30 to 50 new Ultrabooks launched at CES," said director of research for the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Shawn DuBravac at a CES Unveiled event in London.
DuBravac didn't specify actual manufacturers, but previous rumors claim that they have been waiting for Intel to launch the 22-nm Ivy Bridge processor refresh before unleashing their own ultrabook solutions. However Intel CEO Paul Otellini is due to give a keynote speech and officially launch the Ivy Bridge platform during CES 2012. That said, we'll likely see a huge load of product announcements based around Ivy Bridge, including ultrabooks.
But don't expect CES 2012 to focus primarily on the ultrabook form factor. DuBravac said that tablets will still be at the center of attention. More than 100 new tablets were revealed during CES 2011 back in January, and the CEA anticipates a similar number of new releases during CES 2012.
In related CES news, Samsung and LG Electronics will reportedly introduce 55-inch OLED TVs at CES 2012 in January. Little else is known about the TVs at this time although both companies supposedly want their products out on the market in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics which take place in London next July.
