LAS VEGAS ― The 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show showcased a wide array of gadgets over four days here from 3-D and smart televisions to tablet PCs and ultrabooks to the new Organic Light-Emitting Diodes TV.

The event, organized by U.S.-based Consumer Electronics Association, was joined by 2,700 exhibitors and 140,000 people from 140 different countries from Jan. 10-13.

“At CES, we’re in the world’s epicenter for the most innovative consumer electronics technology, devices and services,” said CEA president Gary Shapiro.

Korea’s two technology powerhouses ― Samsung and LG Electronics ― wowed the crowd with the new 55-inch 3-D capable OLED TVs for the first time.

The price of the new TV set ― thinner, lighter and more clear and efficient than the current liquid-crystal display TVs ― is undecided at the moment, according to the executives of both companies.

However, Samsung’s president of digital media and communications Yoon Boo-keun, who oversees the TV business, hinted that company’s product is estimated to be priced under 10 million won ($8,800).

Samsung said that its 55-inch super OLED TV has been named the “Best of CES Innovations” in the field of videos and displays by the CEA due to its capability to show off vivid-colors and its high resolution.

Its rival LG also unveiled an 84-inch 3-D Ultra Definition TV that has four times higher resolution than the full high-definition TV. The company also featured the Google TV with plans to roll out the device exclusively in the U.S. market in the first quarter of this year.

Involving the new smartphones, Japan-based Sony introduced the firm’s first smartphone running on the fourth-generation Long Term Evolution communication technology in the U.S.

Chipmaker Intel is getting ready to jump into the growing smartphone market worldwide as it has already joined hands with China’s Lenovo and revealed its first reference smartphone to consumers.

Using Intel’s hyper-threading technology, the new smartphone has been designed to support high graphics and video capabilities, according to an Intel official, adding that the new smartphone will be launched in the Chinese market in the second quarter.

“We’re in talks with other original equipment manufacturers and we’re planning to go worldwide,” said the official.

Microsoft, the U.S. software giant that is reportedly attending the trade fair for the last time, shoved off its new Windows 8 software, which is designed for wireless devices like tablet PCs along with personal computers.

“We call this fundamentally re-imagined,” said Microsoft’s Chaitanya Sareen during a presentation at its booth.

The software enables people to obtain access to all apps from the tablet PCs’ start screen and it’s easy to customize the app on the wireless gadget, he said.

In addition, the software is equipped with a touch keyboard for the tablets, the first such attempt by the firm.

“It’s all about apps coming first and Windows receive,” he said.

Involving tablet PCs, the $149 Coby 7014 and ViewSonic’s $299 ViewPad, both running on the Android 2.3 mobile operating system debuted in the U.S. through the show.

Samsung also showcased its 7.7-inch Galaxy Tab 7.7 and its 5.3-inch Galaxy Note. The firm’s Galaxy Note aims to target the niche market in between smartphones and tablet PCs.

Ultrabooks also debuted at the CES with 30-40 new ultrabooks being displayed in many locations.

The ultrabook concept was created by Intel to reinvigorate the laptop category and have it better compete with tablet PCs.

Toshiba presented the new Satellite ultrabook and Intel gave a glimpse into how it expects to enhance the Ultrabook concept by adding touch and gesture controls.

By Cho Ji-hyun, Korea Herald correspondent
(sharon@heraldcorp.com)