IFA, one of the world's largest trade fair for consumer electronics and household appliances not only generated business more than 3.7 billion euros but over 1,441 exhibitors exhibited their latest products in a display area covering 140,200 square meters. Chandragupta Amritkar profiles some of the latest products and technologies displayed.

IFA 2011, this year again saw an increase in number of exhibitors as well as visitors. For the first time, the Association of the German Hearing Aid Industry showcased the abilities of modern hearing systems at IFA. In 2011 Dell, Beko and Ford were newcomers to the show. The show is estimated to have generated orders more than 3.7 billion Euro.

"We are delighted the 51st edition of IFA continued the event's success story and that once again it was an attractive international platform for the trade, the industry and the consumer. We were pleased to see there was significant growth and we were very satisfied with the fair," said Dr Rainer Hecker, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of IFA's organisers gfu - Gesellschaft f?r Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik.

Dr Christian G?ke, Chief Operating Officer, Messe Berlin: "Once again developments at IFA were very satisfactory and we can look brightly into the future. Trade visitor numbers rose to 132,900, an increase of 12 per cent, which was much higher than last year. 51,200 came from abroad, almost twice as many as in 2010."

Mr Bernd Neumann, State Minister of Cultural Affairs, and Dr Mathias D?pfner, CEO of Springer, held the opening keynotes. Other high-profile speakers included WikiLeaks founder Mr Julian Assange, Toshiba's CEO Mr Masaaki Osumi and Mr Keith McLoughlin, President and CEO of Electrolux.

In 2011, the numerous podium discussions with experts, film screenings and international keynotes at the media congress once again made up a highly attractive programme of events.

Finally Sony too Enters the Tablet Market

Sony announced the launch of its first two "Sony Tablet" models. Sony Tablet S is optimised for rich media entertainment on its 23.8 cm (9.4") touchscreen display. Weighing just 598 gm this Wi-Fi tablet uses the powerful NVIDIA Tegra 2 mobile processor. (A Wi-Fi/3G version of Tablet S is in the process). The Sony Tablet P is geared for mobile communication entertainment, with an innovative folding design and dual screens for maximum portability. Weighing 372 gm and featuring the same NIVIDIA Tegra 2 mobile processor it offers connectivity via Wi-Fi and 3G mobile networks. Dual 13.9 cm (5.5") touchscreen displays can be folded to achieve dimensions of just 79 x 180 x 26 mm to fit in a pocket. The dual touchscreens can be used for different functions. Watch video on one screen while using the other to control it, or check email while using the other screen as a keyboard. The two displays can be combined into a large, single screen for web browsing and more.

Both the models are equipped with Android 3.2. Both models feature front and rear facing cameras for still and video image capture. USB 2.0 port and SD card slot simplify direct file transfers from other devices such as PCs, digital cameras or camcorders. "Video Unlimited" and "Music Unlimited" offers a huge range of movies and TV episodes for download and an access to over 10 million songs. Also the tablets are the first tablet devices that let you enjoy games for PlayStation Certified devices including original PlayStation games. Tablet S will go on sale from $479 and the Tablet P from $599.

Philips 3D TVs

With 3D content becoming more widely available across a range of media platforms - including Blu-ray movies, games, broadcast TV channels and even streaming internet TV - Philips is giving you more options to bring 3D entertainment out of the cinema and into your home. 3D Max is the pinnacle of home-3D technology and is included in Philips' 9000 series Smart LED TVs, 8000 series Smart LED TVs, and Cinema 21:9 Platinum series Smart LED TV. Easy 3D offers a comfortable 3D experience for long hours of 3D entertainment. Easy 3D is available in the 7000 series Smart LED TV, the DesignLine Edge Smart LED TV and the new Cinema 21:9 Gold series Smart LED TV.

With its gorgeous Full HD resolution, 180-degree viewing angle and minimal crosstalk, 3D Max is the last word in 3D technology. Available in the Philips 8000 and 9000 series Smart LED TVs and Cinema 21:9 Platinum series, 3D Max builds on the first 3D introduction by Philips and delivers 3D TVs which are fully equipped and ready to display premium 3D movie releases in high-definition 3D. Philips is also introducing real-time 2D-to-3D conversion on all 3D Max TVs. This means that you can watch your entire movie collection - even old black-and-white classics - in vivid and flawless 3D. Philips has developed a full range of eyewear to accompany your 3D viewing experience.

Walkman goes Wireless

Walkman is dead. Walkman rises again. That's true. Sony gave a new lease to its brand walkman by launching a series of walkman models that are wireless. The new Walkman A860, S760 and E460 series share a sleek, curvaceous new design and feature generous battery life for longer listening. All three new models come supplied with MediaGo software for easy drag-and-drop transfer of music, videos and photos from Windows Explorer or iTunes.4. A860 and S760models introduce streaming via Bluetooth to wireless headphones, compatible speaker docks, car audio head units and other devices. Bluetooth connectivity on Walkman A860 and S760 also lets you wirelessly share stored personal photos5 with compatible mobile phones. Furthermore "Music Unlimited" will be available on Walkman NWZ-A860, S760 and E460 soon giving access to a global catalogue of over 10 million unique songs.

Optimus 3D, World's First Tri-dual Smartphone

The LG Optimus 3D offers a full 3D experience - recording, viewing, sharing - in a smartphone form factor. Its Tri-Dual configuration - dual-core, dual-channel and dual-memory - allows for improved performance when multi-tasking, enjoying a movie or playing graphics intensive games. This LG smartphone is also a major step forward in the utilization of full 3D functionality in everyday life - users can record and immediately view content in 3D without the need for special glasses. The 4.3-inch WVGA display offers bright and flicker-free images in HD, up to 1080p in 2D and up to 720p in 3D. Special software allows for real-time conversion of 2D photo and video content into 3D. Free software for converting OpenGL-based 2D games will be available for download soon, letting users enjoy a variety of multimedia content in 3D. In addition, users can upload and stream 3D content on YouTube's dedicated 3D channel.

World's Lightest 15.2cm eReader by Sony

Sony launched the world's lightest1 15.2cm (6") eReader that also features an enhanced touchscreen. The Wi-Fi, Reader gives you the additional freedom to buy, borrow or get eBooks for free wherever there's a wireless connection available. You will also be able to purchase and download eBooks and periodicals via Wi-Fi from the rapidly-expanding catalogue available at the Reader Store2. What's more, Reader Wi-Fi is the worlds' first3 eReader that will allow you to borrow eBooks wirelessly from public libraries thanks to simple, seamless access on the device4 via an on-screen 'Public Library' icon.

E Ink Pearl electronic paper displays a clear, glare-free, high contrast image that's easy to read for hours, even in direct sunlight. Touch the screen to choose a book. Swipe a finger to turn the page, or zoom in and out by pinching your fingers together or apart. Tap on a word and hold to find its meaning from two built-in English language dictionaries. Words can also be translated to and from English using ten built-in translation dictionaries. You can even write notes on the page or highlight text with a finger or the supplied stylus - just like a real book.

Its long battery life lets you read for over one month without needing a recharge (3 weeks with wireless on). With a capacity of 2GB - enough to hold around 1,200 eBooks - internal memory space is easily expanded with an optional microSD card to hold tens of thousands more. Being 8.9mm thin and weighing just 168 grams it's an ideal companion.

Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE

The Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE is similar to the Galaxy Tab 8.9. The 8.9-inch screen puts the tablet squarely between the existing Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the 7.7-inch Galaxy Tab. It will support LTE networks, as well, while inside you'll find a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera, a front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video calls, a dual-core processor, 1080p HD video playback, Wi-Fi, and Android 3.2 Honeycomb.

It is incredibly portable, measuring just 8.6 mm thin while weighing only 455 gm. LTE capabilities enable video conferences to be held without need to worry about failing connections, while the 8.9" screen enables easy rendering of business content such as presentations. The TouchWiz interface enables an intuitive user experience, enhanced by the space and freedom provided by the large display.

3D Touchscreen Multimedia PC

The new VAIO L series 3D multimedia PC from Sony is accented by a 61cm (24") Full HD VAIO Display Plus screen with LED backlight. Its a multi-touch LCD screen and supported 3D content includes movies on Blu-ray Disc, games and videos. You can also enjoy 3D panoramic still images captured with Cyber-shot digital cameras and DSLR digital camera by Sony. There's also a dedicated button on the bezel that instantly converts 2D content like Blu-ray Disc movies to simulated 3D at a single touch. Latest graphics by NVIDIA assure an even more satisfying HD video experience with the new generation of PC games designed for multi-core processors.

Depending on configuration, the integrated Blu-ray Disc writer lets you create, edit and store Full HD content with up to 50GB of storage on a single Blu-ray Disc. And whether you're playing games or watching HD movies in 3D, S-Force Front Surround 3D complements your HD entertainment experience with powerful, ultra-realistic audio.

Philips Expands Smart TV Range

Built on the four pillars of SimplyShare, Control, Net TV and Program, Philips Smart TV is available on all 2011 Philips 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000 and Cinema 21:9 Platinum and Gold series TVs. With Smart TV you can easily access a rich gallery of online apps. These will connect you to online Video on Demand stores for instant movie-nights, enable you to share your experiences with family and friends via Facebook and Twitter, let you control your TV using the Philips MyRemote app on your smartphone or tablet, and help you manage your content as you see fit. All Philips Smart TVs have Net TV, an interactive on-screen platform for selecting programs and accessing apps available in Europe, Russia and Latin America.

Philips Net TV will include YouTube Leanback and Acetrax Video on Demand as premium apps. Philips Smart TVs will also start offering 3D content. Philips' Smart TV enables your Philips TV to communicate with all of your Wi-Fi enabled gadgets, including smartphones, laptops, tablets and home computers. It can play your favorite content from any device in your home network using DLNA technology. By using the Philips MyRemote smart phone and tablet apps you can share and control your content easily. Also, thanks to Smart USB Recording, you can pause live TV and record shows to watch later.

Sony Personal 3D Viewer

The world's first 3D compatible Head Mounted Display equipped with high definition OLED panel is a wearable headset with twin OLED displays and simulated 5.1 surround sound. Organic panels have a super fast response time of just 0.01 milliseconds, creating a smooth, natural video, even for fast-moving images in such as sports or games. Striving for the clearest, most immersive 3D picture the two independent OLED screens display HD video independently, largely eliminating cross-talk and blurring for more comfortable 3D viewing. To really replicate the cinema experience the horizontal viewing angle of the "Personal 3D Viewer" has been extended to 45 degrees. This simulates a real 750-inch movie theatre screen at a virtual viewing distance of 20 metres.

(The writer is with Global Features and can be contacted at chandraguptaa@hotmail.com)