CES 2012 predictions

CES 2012 predictions - Each January, all the major players in the consumer electronics industry (except for a certain fruit-named company) head to Las Vegas to show off their latest and greatest. The show sets the stage for what we'll see in tech for the coming year, and it's where many companies announce their new flagship services and products.

So what does next year have in store for us? Read on as Tecca's editors share some of their CES predictions for 2012.

Windows 8 is poised for a big show

Windows 8 tablets hit the scene

2011 was the year of the Android tablet, and this year, we think we'll start to see some Windows tablets hitting store shelves as well. Microsoft has already teased us with a Samsung-branded Windows 8 tablet that is anticipated to be released in the second half of 2012, and Nokia is rumored to also be working on a Windows 8 tablet to come out in June of next year. We're likely to get at least a few official tablet announcements at CES.

Windows 8 has the look and feel of Windows Phone and is meant to make all Windows devices, from phones and tablets to laptops and desktops, feel the same. Check out our first look at Windows 8 to get a look at what's in store.

Could the next Xbox be just days away?

Xbox 720 gets official

While no official announcement has been made, rumors have been circulating for a while now that Microsoft plans on updating its Xbox console in 2012. Nintendo should be in Vegas showing off the Wii U to CES attendees, and Sony has its Vita handheld system to talk about — but with neither expected to announce big new projects, this leaves the door open for Microsoft to steal the gaming spotlight with the Xbox 720. 2012 is also Microsoft's last year at CES, so they'll want to make a big impact as they head for the door.

The Xbox 720 is rumored to have an AMD processor, Blu-ray disc drive, Windows 8 compatibility, and deeper Kinect integration than the Xbox 360.

Connected and social TV takes the spotlight

As more and more content becomes available via streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, television manufacturers are going to be looking for more ways to incorporate that technology into their TVs.

Most of the televisions we'll see at CES 2012 will offer access to web content, with exciting features that encourage you to buy a new TV rather than simply connecting your existing set to something like an Apple TV or Roku. Companies that already offer smart TV options will also likely update those widgets and offerings, possibly adding more social integration through sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Samsung has already released a teaser for its 2012 television lineup, showing what appears to be an Android-controlled TV.

Could a few tweaks make Windows Phone a contender?

Windows Phone Tango dances its way onto smartphones

Microsoft will likely announce Windows Phone Tango, the next generation of its Windows Phone operating system, at CES. The software update will allow Windows Phone handsets to support LTE, and we'll likely see at least a few LTE Windows Phone handsets. Rumors already point to both a HTC and Nokia model.

Earlier this year, Microsoft partnered with Nokia to produce Windows Phone handsets. The first phone of that partnership, the Lumia 710, was announced for T-Mobile earlier this month. At CES, we're likely to see quite a few other higher-end phones from Nokia headed to other U.S. carriers such as Verizon and AT&T.

The next version of Android is ready to impress

More Ice Cream Sandwich

The world has already gotten a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich with the Galaxy Nexus, and CES is bound to be a huge ice cream social, with Android 4.0 handsets coming from most if not all of the major cell phone manufacturers.

Google's Eric Schmidt has already told an Italian newspaper it plans to release a Nexus tablet "of the highest quality" running ICS mid-2012, and we're likely to see quite a few Ice-Cream-Sandwich-flavored tablets pop up at this year's show as well.

NFC comes to more devices, payments go more mobile

After Google announced Google Wallet earlier this year, we expect CES will show us more mobile payment solutions as well as NFC (near-field communication) integration in more devices. NFC is poised to be the next hot new innovation in mobile tech in 2012, with as wide an array of applications as the hot little black and white boxes we know as QR codes.

An NFC phone could be tapped on the cash register at your local coffee shop to buy your cup of morning joe. The technology can also be used for other things such as checking in on Foursquare or getting information quickly about a business or location you're visiting. Nokia recently released a bluetooth speaker that is paired with your phone using NFC by simply tapping your handset on the top of the speaker.

Smartphones just keep getting smarter

Smartphones and tablets upgrade from dual-core to quad-core

Dual-core processors were all the rage in 2011, but 2012 will likely bring with it quad-core smartphones. Quad-core processors will not only improve the overall performance of smartphones, but also will aid in things like video playback and help phones keep up with the new speedy 4G LTE networks.

Nvidia officially announced its first quad-core processor for tablets and phones in November. The company claims that the chip performs five times faster than the dual-core Tegra 2 processors currently used in many smartphones and tablets.

Will 3D finally break through?

3D hits the big time

3D technology has been integrated into televisions shown off at CES for the past few years and has started to make a regular appearance in the cell phone industry.

This year at CES, we expect to see 3D show up in all the usual suspects, on top of seeing glasses-free 3D in tablets, laptops, cameras, and other unique locations such as flexible screens. ( in Tech )