The best of CES, Part 2

Manufacturers have had a year to fine-tune their plans to build products that'll compete with Apple's iPad. During some have rolled out their tablets previously the festive season, we're only but seeing the real influx of iPad competitors from the likes of Huawei, Dell, Motorola and LG.

Dell took to stage and unveiled its Streak 7 tablet. As the name says, it's a seven-inch device, boasting Android and Dell's Stage user interface. Company execs even teased with a 10-inch device, now no details were given other than “coming later this year”.

One or two stands had mock-ups of the then and there-generation iPad, too. Companies designing accessories for Apple's at once toy weren't shy about spilling a few details on the upcoming iPad, and how their products fit into the picture.

Google as well came out to play, announcing Android 3.0, codenamed Honeycomb. This version is designed especially for tablets - so there might just be some proper competition for Steve Jobs and co in 2011.

Skype announced a version of its software for HDTVs for two big manufacturers: Vizio and Sony. Already available on LG and Panasonic TVs, the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) provider's push to invade the lounge is going to help make it more pervasive, as new Internet voice providers enter the fray.

If buying a whole new TV just to make an Internet call doesn't sound appealing, don't worry: Sony and Panasonic have as well got Skype-enabled Blu-ray players on the way.

The latest version of its iOS mobile operating system

With the latest version of its iOS mobile operating system, Apple included AirPlay support for the iPad, iPod touch and iPhone. This tech allows a user to stream video and audio from their phone to an AirPlay-enabled receiver. The first such device, by nature, was an Apple product: the new Apple TV.

Home theatre experts Denon and Marantz both announced versions of their home theatre receivers and networked CD players with built-in AirPlay support. Wireless music is about to get way more interesting.

The new Xperia arc - a 4

Sony Ericsson kicked off its CES trip with news of the new Xperia arc - a 4.2-inch smartphone running the latest version of Android, version 2.3. This flagship phone is intended to spearhead the company's 2011 line-up.

The display is a big talking point. SE calls it a Reality Display, no doubt taking aim at the iPhone 4's Retina display. It comes packed with tech from Sony's consumer products: a Bravia engine for richer colours on the display and an eight-megapixel Exmor image sensor for photography. This might be the Android phone fans of the brand have been waiting for.