Byline: SAM MALONE
YOU may not be best pleased by this, but those shiny new gadgets you unwrapped for Christmas are already looking out of date.
Technology in the 21st century is moving so quickly that the brand new television, smart phone or tablet computer you waited months to get your hands on have already been surpassed and replaced by newer models.
Their successors may be yet to hit the shelves but that has not stopped the world's technology enthusiasts getting excited by the future.
The cutting edge of electronic gadgets went on display yesterday at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
The CES, a three-day conference where more than 2,500 companies showcase their latest products, is estimated to entice around 130,000 people eager to see what tempting technological developments lie in wait.
Among the new products, computing giant Microsoft revealed a new version of its flagship Windows software that will run on microchips, meaning a new range of Windows-based products, including tablets and mobile phones, which are likely to hit the shelves in two or three years' time.
Unveiling the new software, Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows division at Microsoft, said: "We're showing the flexibility and resiliency of Windows through the power of software and a commitment to world-class engineering."
And television makers aimed to blunt Google and Apple's bid to dominate home entertainment with Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Cisco Systems unveiling applications to tackle its rivals' push to get consumers to view internet programming via television.
Manufacturers were falling over themselves to launch a new tablet to rival the iPad, with Motorola, Acer, Asus, Dell, Toshiba and Sharp all getting in on the act.
Though still being developed, Sony and Toshiba both unveiled 3D TVs which don't require glasses, while Samsung and LG both announced plans to expand their current, more affordable, 3D TV line-up.
As with most years, the question on everyone's lips was: "What will be the next big thing?" For the past few years, the buzz around the conference hall has centred around highdefinition (HD). First it was HD TVs, then HD camcorders followed by HD DVDs - otherwise known as Blu-ray.
But in the past two years, the excitement has centred on all things 3D - perhaps a bit prematurely since the technology is yet to become the craze that manufactures hoped.
In the meantime, the android computer tablets have gripped the imagination of consumers, with Apple's iPad leading the way.
Gavin Lewis, winner of the best technology blog in last year's WalesOnline Blog Awards, said he expected this year's market to be dominated by the tablets.
"There's an awful lot of momentum behind androids at the moment and there's been a lot of good stuff about - obviously the iPad but also the Galaxy tablet which is another that has been quite well praised so far - and it's exciting to see what developments will be."
Mr Lewis, from Penarth, said many technology enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the next edition of the iPad and speculation was rife as to what it would feature.
"There are still a lot of rumours going around at the moment - many people are saying there's going to be a front-facing camera as well as other general improvements but nothing has been announced yet," he said.
"Personally I think Apple might surprise us a bit with what's going to come out, but we'll just have to wait and see."
The 31-year-old blogger also said the world's experts would still be paying a great deal of attention to smart phones and 3D TVs, but many were not as optimistic as they once were.
"I think there's always going to be some people who want 3D TVs but I don't think they're going to have a massive impact," he said.
"I like watching 3D films in the cinema but I, like many people, don't particularly want to wear two pairs of glasses at the same time."
He said attempts by electronics giant Microsoft to conquer the smart phone world looked unconvincing.
"In my view the idea of having Windows on a mobile device is just doomed. They keep trying to put an operating system on mobile devices but they just vanish without a trace," he said.
"If you look at the iPad it has a system which has been de-veloped specifically for it whereas Microsoft are concerned they are trying to shrink something meant for a much more powerful computer and keyboard down to a portable device, and it just doesn't work."
Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer gives his keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show THE first Welsh language game for the iPhone has been launched - and it is 100% Welsh.
Aberystwyth-based Broadsword Publishing launched its game Attack Kumquat in December 2009 and yesterday a Welsh language version of the game, Ymosodwch ar y Cwmcwat, went live for download from iTunes. It comes hot on the heels of a Welsh language learning course app launched by Professor Chris Price, of Aberystwyth University, last year.
"We have started to go multilingual with the games and to reflect its Welsh origins the company has decided to launch the Welsh version first. No-one has ever launched a Welsh game on iTunes before," said Ken Bird, managing director of Broadsword Publishing.
The game was designed by Caerphilly lecturer David Banner, who worked with the Bafta award-winning company to develop it.
"The original version of the game is receiving fantastic reviews and because the iPad is still relatively new in the market there are still very few games on that platform.
"Our sales are being recorded daily from China, Russia, India and across Europe. Welsh speakers who download the game will find all the instructions in Welsh."
The game, which has had 5,000 downloads, has won rave reviews. It has already reached number four in the Australian gaming charts and number three in Poland.
"Publicity is the key to driving our game forward. Once people know about it we will hopefully see downloads rocket," said Mr Bird. "We are passionate about developing this market in Wales. There is an awful lot of investment being made in places like Scotland, Canada but nothing in Wales.
"All of the entertainment grants that are available tend to go towards television and new media. The games industry gets nothing at all. It is a great shame."
Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith said the move was positive for Welsh speakers.
"This is definitely welcome.
Hopefully it'll set an example for others and help bring Welsh a step closer to the norm online," said group chair Bethan Williams.
"Welsh language services are under a lot of pressure from cutbacks; we need more voluntary initiatives like this. So many big businesses refuse to provide online services, but when individuals take part themselves you get a great online presence in Welsh like Facebook and Wikipedia."
Professor Price said developing his app for Welsh learners had been far more successful than he'd expected.
"I didn't expect many people to be interested in it, and thought it would sell a few hundred copies. In fact, the enthusiasm with which people learning Welsh use new technology surprised me, and Welsh Lessons has sold over 8,000 copies since summer 2009," he said.
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