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.
Panasonic 
is teaming with MySpace for the rollout of the social network’s new social TV experiment.
MySpace TV will be the crown jewel of Panasonic’s collection of TV apps, letting people chat with friends as they watch programming and see what’s trending among their social circles.
The digital age is having a bigger impact on the entertainment industry than ever before.
The number of people opting to stream movies is approaching parity with those who watch them on DVD, according to Deloitte’s sixth “State of the Media Democracy” report: Some 42% of the people surveyed said they had streamed a film in the past six months versus 51% who watched on DVD, Blu-ray or VHS.
We’re likely 
to hear a lot about 4K before the end of today – press conference day at CES – but the first couple of sets have already made their debuts.
LG has announced a trio of 4K sets, measuring 60, 72 and 84 – yes, 84 – inches). Each boasts a staggering resolution of 3480×2160 and they’ll be available this July. Toshiba, meanwhile, showed off a 55-inch, glasses free 4K set last night.
Kazuo Hirai, 
the one time leader of Sony’s PlayStation division and now Executive Deputy President, could have another promotion looming in the near future.
Japanese business paper Nikkei reports Hirai will be promoted to president as early as April. Sir Howard Stringer will remain chairman and CEO of the company.
Angry Birds 
gets most of the spotlight when it comes to big money apps, but Epic Games has got legitimate crowing rights as well.
Infinity Blade, the action swordplay franchise from Epic’s ChAIR Entertainment division, has now topped $30 million in revenue – with the sequel taking in $5 million in just one month.
OLED – or 
organic light-emitting diode – has been one of the longest running legends in consumer technology.
The screens, which are incredibly vibrant and accurate in their color technology, have been shown as prototypes, usually just no larger than 15 inches, but release dates have always been nebulous, due to the incredibly high cost of the technology. LG, however, appears ready to jump in at this year’s CES.
EA received 
some holiday coal in its stocking Thursday when a California Superior Court judge rejected its argument that it should be excused from a $400 million contract-interference suit.
Activision alleges EA illegally attempted to lure away Call of Duty creators and Infinity Ward founders Jason West and Vince Zampella. Activision is also suing the two developers.
Chris Morris: Journalist 