While the 
Consumer Electronics Show includes just about every type of gadget imaginable, the star of the show is almost always television.
Every year, manufacturers roll out their latest and greatest, touting a new technological advance they hope will resonate with consumers. But for the past few years, the reaction among shoppers has been more “ho hum” than “I gotta have it.”
If you’re 
planning to get a 3G-enabled PlayStation Vita when it launches next month, be prepared for monthly data fees that are on par with the iPad.
AT&T has revealed its pricing plans for the system, detailing a pair of options designed to accommodate light and heavy users of the network.
The television 
industry could use another revolution these days.
With the upgrade cycle to high definition sets nearing completion, the hunt is on to start another one. But so far, consumers haven’t been wowed by the new offerings.
Pretty much 
every year, a big trend emerges from the Consumer Electronics Show. And pretty much every year, it’s heralded — at least for a short while — as the next big thing in consumer electronics.
This year, it’s shaping up to be Ultrabooks. The problem is: In many ways, the “next big thing” of the last few years hasn’t really been all that big.
Two years 
ago, 3D TV commanded center stage at the annual Consumer Electronics Show. Last year, it was tablets. This year, while both of those product groups will still be shown in force, it looks like the PC is ready to make a comeback.
The computer industry, which seems swept by one revolution after another, is back in the spotlight at CES this week, with a new version of Windows and a new type of laptop heralding the new era.
With the 
Consumer Electronics Show now in full swing, the amount of gadget and gizmo information coming out of Las Vegas is staggering. And given that there are 3,100 companies showcasing more than 20,000 new products here, that’s not surprising.
But while the industry touts its latest and greatest, the general public has already put together its wishlist for 2012 – and the top items on it can’t be found at CES.
Tablets 
offer plenty of games from Apple and Android’s app stores, but the selection can leave hardcore gamers frustrated.
While there are some exceptions, most of these app-based games are seen as the equivalent of a midday snack — fun diversions designed for short bursts of play, but ultimately disposable. And though there are some familiar console franchises in the mobile space such as Activision’s “Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies,” the depth of gameplay on those titles doesn’t begin to compare with the offerings on the Xbox, PlayStation 3 or PC.
Vizio is 
betting consumers are sick of black bars when they watch movies at home.
The TV manufacturer, known for its lower-priced screens, is introducing its CinemaWide line of sets at CES today, eschewing the 16:9 widescreen for a 21:9 aspect ratio, preferred by filmmakers.
When Microsoft 
announced plans to stop giving the keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show, the company implied the reason was because it didn’t have a lot to say. And it certainly backed that up Monday night.
At times entertaining, at times baffling and at times a bit dry, Microsoft’s final appearance at CES was more notable because of the finality attached to it than what was said on stage.
Dish 
Network is counting on a couple of kangaroos to kick off a new era for its business.
The satellite company unveiled a pair of new flagship set-top boxes dubbed Hopper and Joey at its annual CES press conference on Monday, as well as a new faster broadband satellite Internet service. The new multi-room HD DVR combo will also be part of a new corporate identity.
Chris Morris: Journalist 