Gadgets of the future go on display - Sky News Australia

Updated: 14:28, Thursday January 10, 2013

The next generation of super sharp televisions has taken centre stage a major consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, but waterproof phones, bone conduction headphones and a smart fork that forces people to slow their eating are also on display.

Panasonic unveiled the state-of-the-art headphones on Wednesday. They sit just outside the ears and vibrate sounds directly into the skull.

The technology could prove a blessing for commuters as it enables users to listen to music without forcing it on others, possibly without damaging their ears.

It also means listeners can hear other sounds, meaning joggers will be able to hear traffic.

Health and fitness gadgets also feature at the show - running until Friday in Las Vegas - with a fork which vibrates when users are eating too fast.

The HapiFork features Bluetooth technology and uses a sensor to work out the speed at which the user is eating.

Among the companies eager to show off their latest televisions are Samsung, Panasonic, Sony and LG, who demonstrated technologies such as ultra high-definition (ultra HD) and OLED.

OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode, while ultra HD - also known as 4K - offers resolution four times that of current high-definition sets.

The Panasonic prototype set combining the two technologies was unveiled by company president Kazuhiro Tsuga during a keynote speech.

Sony also announced its own prototype combining OLED and ultra HD technology. Both prototypes featured 56 inch (142-centimetre) screens.

Another TV to grab attention was Samsung's ultra HD (UHD) S9.

The ultra HD sets use Precision Black Pro technology which makes blacks look even darker, and sit inside a "Timeless Gallery" frame which give the impression the TV is floating.

The 85-inch (216-centimetre) S9 is expected in the first half of this year.

Ultra HD TVs offer screens with more than 8 million pixels. LG was also among the manufacturers launching new 4K TVs at the Vegas show.

Away from TVs, Sony launched a smartphone which can be used in the shower or bath.

The new Xperia Z was unveiled in Vegas, with Sony saying it can be submerged in water of up to one metre for 30 minutes.

It also features near field communication technology, with a chip that enables it to communicate with other devices by tapping them together.

PC and laptop manufacturer Lenovo unveiled a 27-inch (68-centimetre) tablet designed to sit on a table-top. The IdeaCentre Horizon runs Windows 8 and its touchscreen can support as many as 10 fingers using it at a time.

Gameplay is a big feature with the Horizon and it comes with e-dice, joysticks and other accessories. The Horizon will go on sale in the summer.