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The best and worst of CES 2011

From Windows Phone 7 Game Room to no-show PlayStation Phone

The best and worst of CES 2011
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It always kicks off the year with a bang and 2011 was no exception - the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas had plenty of highs and lows.

New gadgets and gizmos are undeniably exciting and there were plenty revealed during last week's show. Gads of tablets, smartphones, accessories - there were too many interesting new products to list them all.

Hence, our quick-hit list of the best and worst of CES 2011 as it pertains to you, the pocket gamer.

Best of show

Game Room coming to Windows Phone 7 handsets

Microsoft's arcade hub for Xbox 360 and PC is heading for Windows Phone 7 devices, which is good news for retro gaming lovers. Classic games like Asteroids will be playable on your Windows Phone 7 device, adding an array of titles to the platform's admittedly sparse library.

While we're not clear on how Microsoft plans on selling Game Room titles, we're hopeful that there will be options for one-time play and unlimited use. Game Room could become a real hit if it functions like an arcade, letting you spend 59p/99c on one-time sessions with some of your old favourites.

Tablet-tailored Android 3.0 Honeycomb revealed

News of a tablet-specific version of Google's Android operating system put the industry at ease, ensuring that the glut of tablets expected later this year won't function as enlarged mobile handsets. On the contrary, Google is working hard to custom fit its increasingly popular operating system to be a true rival to Apple's iOS and Windows.

Tweaks to the user-interface designed to capitalise on the larger tablet screens, better performance, and added features are among the things Google is touting in Honeycomb.

It's unclear what to expect on the gaming side of the equation, but the fact that Google is taking tablets seriously bodes well for the future.

Loads of promising new Android handsets

iPhone remains the undisputed smartphone king, but a number of Android devices hope to make a dent in that lead. Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc is undeniably attractive with its thin form factor, gorgeous 'Reality Display' screen, and powerful 8.1-megapixel camera.

The LG Optimus 2X is equally impressive, sporting a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor and mini HDMI port for high-definition graphical output.

Dozens of other devices debuted in Las Vegas from several top manufacturers, many of which are sure to be competent gaming devices. It's clear that Android is here to stay and there won't be any shortages of cool handsets.

Worst of show

Sony coy about PlayStation Phone, no gaming announcements

The Xperia Arc is suitably impressive, but the one device on everyone's mind is Sony's latest worst-kept secret: PlayStation Phone.

It was the elephant in the room and Sony even acknowledged as much when president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Kaz Hirai admitted his company was exploring a potential PlayStation smartphone and tablet.

That's far from an official announcement, though, and the longer that Sony delays, the more Apple's lead in gaming grows, while Google enjoys the opportunity to get a cut of the pie. Anticipate an announcement either at Game Developers Conference in February (unlikely) or E3 in June (probable).

Confusing array of new Android handsets

Why is one of the best developments out of CES 2011 also listed among the worst? The sheer quantity of Android devices coming in 2011 is overwhelming and not in a good way. While introducing a huge line-up of Android smartphones increases the likelihood of more people using one, it also feeds directly into Apple's strategy with iPhone.

Gamers love iPhone because it's easy to use and unified. With so many Android handsets, how do you know which one to buy? With varied configurations, it reintroduces fragmentation that could limit the appeal of gaming - Android is effectively becoming the new J2ME. New handsets are cool, but this many seems like overkill.

Tracy Erickson
Tracy Erickson
Manning our editorial outpost in America, Tracy comes with years of expertise at mashing a keyboard. When he's not out painting the town red, he jets across the home of the brave, covering press events under the Pocket Gamer banner.