Hardwarezone had a double treat waiting for them last October 24 at the Mall of Asia’s SMX Convention center. We received an invitation from Sony for their launch of the α (pronounced alpha) 900 DSLR top of the line model, and a whole set of Vaio models specially designed for the local market. At the same venue was the CEL or Consumer Electronics Live Manila, an interpretation of the long-established CES (Consumer Electronics Show) held in Las Vegas yearly.

To start off, we attended the Sony press briefing, as we have been hearing a lot about the α900 DSLR model and the new Vaio notebooks coming out locally. Put simply, we were not disappointed – the α900 is literally a hunky piece of equipment, and the sheer number of new Vaio models leave nothing to chance with the different tastes and different requirements of Sony buyers. The α900 is a full-frame 24.6MP (!) DSLR stuffed to the rafters with what seems like all of Sony’s top technologies and features. Other than the sky’s-the-limit resolution rating, the α900 also sports an amazing ISO expanded range of 100 to 6400, with an accompanying multiple analog-digital converter system that works through a column-parallel system to minimize noise as much as possible – always a problem with high ISO settings.

                                             The α900 DSLR is the culmination of many years of research and development -Sony's most heavyweight (not in the literal sense) entryinto the DSLR field so far.

Other very notable features include an internally mounted optical image stabilization system that, from what I can understand, does not rely on a lens-mounted stabilization system, totally sidestepping the difficulty of integrating these systems into a wide array of lenses and still keep costs down. There are many more features that can easily fill a multi-page brochure, but our initial impression of the α900 is of solid construction, a very durable quality, a super-comprehensive menu system filled to the brim with settings and adjustments, and a body as light as can be even if it is studded with enough buttons to make a keyboard envious.

                                             This is a 300 mm lens for the α900 DSLR. Many other lenses were on display.

Most if not all of the lenses on offer are made by Carl Zeiss, and the number of lenses was surprising considering the relative youth of the brand in the professional DSLR market. And professional it is, or at least aimed at the professional photographer, what with its full-sized, super-light magnesium body. You wouldn’t know it from the introductory price though, at P149,999 quite a steal (from an SRP of P164,999).

                                             A whole table of Vaio notebooks! Their combined value most probably exceeds MMDA's yearly operating budget.

The Vaio line had quite a number of new members for local consumption during the launching, with the C, Z, T, J, and TP3 joining the existing, locally available Vaio F, S and Z series. An interesting tidbit: one of the Sony executives, questioned about the naming scheme, quipped that the CR (now called the C) and the TT (now simply “T”) series were especially renamed for the local market, since the previous abbreviations are not exactly complementary as laptop series designations.

                                             The Pure White color variation of the Vaio C series. Make sure to wash your hands before use.

The C series looks like the product to go to for the mainstream market Sony is aiming at, with 5 colors available ranging from “Luxury Pink” to simple “Jet Black”. The T and Z series were what really caught our attention, as some of the models looked similar to netbooks in size and appearance. The T series however are actually 11.1” premium ultraportables, with the price to match – these utilize Core Duo processors, has an internal optical drive, but is just a few grams shy of the light weight achieved by most netbooks. A premium notebook for the business oriented, and anyone else who value style and the premium cachet of the Sony name.

                                             Looking just slightly bigger than most netbooks, the T series ultraportable looks very swish, in an expensive way.

                                             We couldn't take our eyes off the T series - an ultraportable nearly as light as a netbook yet much, much more powerful and feature-filled. It looks great too.

The J and the TP3 series are desktop Vaio computers with an audio-visual background and mission. Called “casual” PCs by Sony, these models are meant to both blend into your house décor yet still exude a fresh technical edge that’s wholly appealing to both homeowner and geek. The TP3 is especially striking with its literally “round” design which does not look like a computer at all.

                                             A Vaio J series desktop. The very nice keyboard looks similar to Apple models.

Sony’s Vaio motto of “Closer to You” is a perfect description of Sony’s increasing enthusiasm in the Philippine market, bringing in more and more models in their desire to have something for everyone, yet at the same time retain the importance of pride of ownership of all Sony products so prevalent to the brand. Watch out for these products at your favorite stores in the following months, and be prepared to be wowed by this latest set of Sony products.

                                            Sony's image models representing the different colors available from the Vaio C series.

Number two of the “1-2” punch that was October 24 came in the form of the CEL, a gathering of local heavyweight brands and suppliers packed into a 3-day event. Multiple up-and-coming brands, as well as the more established big names of the industry all made a showing at one of the biggest events to ever grace our local IT scene. Organizers determined it was high time for an event the size and scope of the CEL, as Filipinos have become more and more tech savvy over the years as technology and the gadgets that spawn from it become even more accessible and affordable.

                                             Canon, in addition to its booth and displays, also held some promotional activities on stage.

The CEL was well supported by its exhibitors, filling up a nearly 9000 square meter exhibit hall with only a few blank spots here and there. All of the essential ingredients of a trade show were present - and while the event was not as crowded as similar exhibits in other countries, the CES after all is only in its first year. As Maricar Parco, GM of Summit Live and organizer of the CES says: "This is just the beginning." Most people after all has only experienced COMDDAP, also an annual event related to IT, and that particular exhibit is geared more towards the dealers and manufacturers instead of the general buying public. As more people become conscious of gadgets and gear, there will be more interest in exhibits that draw together all of the products into one place as an update to currently available, and soon to be available products in the local market.

                                             Sony on the floor. Not shown is the virtual smargasbord of sony products behind the main display - headsets, players, cameras and much more.

                                             Apple, with partner Senco, wisely made their Macbooks easily accessible to the public.

A clear focus on making technology accessible to the general public - be they families, kids, hardcore geeks, newbie buyers, or even grandparents has resulted in a very comprehensive grouping of companies sure to attract many. Examples include Apple, Canon, HP, LG Electronics, Nokia, Samsung and Sony. From these big companies, some notable products seen by the HWZ troops were the latest MacBooks, displayed and accessible to anyone who wanted to try out the new multi-touchpad and marvel at the clean aesthetics of the notebooks. Canon had a large presence at the show, with seemingly their whole lineup on display - it was like a replay of their Image Nation Celebrations held last month, only without the dancing and the samba music of course.

                                             Samsung was out in force, with all of their product lines well represented with models.

HP had their complete lineup on display as well - office printers, the 2133 Mini Note on demo, notebooks galore, desktops, iPaqs all made an appearance. Sony had duplicate displays of their press briefing stars, notably the T series business ultraportables, these usually being mobbed not by businessmen, but by kids and young ladies, probably due to its super-sleek looks and super-portable form factor. Many more exhibitors had great exhibits - Panasonic notably, with what looked like their 150" display right smack-dab center of their exhibit area, with strategically placed sofas and chairs arrayed around it. Solid Broadband had its own "beach area" with real sand and a “tropical” theme highlighting their local presence with their myPhone and myDisplay products.

                                              Nokia had the newly released N96 as their centerpiece.Other phones like the Carbon Arte and the SuperNova series were also on display.

                                             This model F1 racer representing Clear Men Formula 2.0 emits smoke from time to time.

Samsung also had some great displays all around, not least of which was a complete line-up of their phones, with a huge headphone set representing their “Live Loud” campaign. Samsung LCDs dominated their booths as well; one of which was showing Iron Man – a curious coincidence as I seem to have seen a replica of Iron Man’s heart down by LG’s washing machine display area – actually a demonstration of LG’s quiet direct drive system.

                                             Misplaced movie props. Actually, a demonstration of LG's direct drive technology.

                                             Some HTC products. I couldn't find theHTC Shift, which I've been looking forward to seeing "in the flesh".

A section of the exhibit was set aside for what seemed like a car show, but actually turned out to be a demonstration of car audio technology. Speaking of cars, a very realistic F1 car model was flaunting its wheel arches at passersby, and strangely enough, the exhibitor wasn’t even tech related – Clear for men, a conditioning shampoo was one of the major sponsors of the event, since the target market of both tech gadgetry and this particular brand of shampoo is fortuitously the same.

                                             Yup, sure gets your attention.

                                             Looks as if you're really watching a movie.

                                              This is either the 103" or 150" Panasonic - we weren't sure. Regardless, its surely big enough. It really is "life-sized".

Numerous other exhibitors were at the CEL, not least of which are HTC, with their complete smartphone lineup, Axis Global distributors representing JBL, Olympus, c\Creative and Fuji Xerox, Network Essentials representing Hanns-G displays and MSI Notebooks, as well as Bose, Globe, Sun Cellular, and many more. All of the exhibitors pulled out all stops to present their products at the event, resulting in a display area literally overflowing with gadgetry. It was a great experience, and we’re looking forward to seeing many of the products in our inboxes soon for review and testing. I wouldn’t mind testing the 150” Panasonic, if it will fit through our office door.

                                             HP saw the opportunity to be had with having another "Big Bang"at the CEL.

The Sony launch and the CEL exhibit combo for the day left the HWZ boys out of breath, and it gladdens our geeky hearts that the pace of gadget introductions and product launches is picking up, and that it has become possible to hold such a large event locally, and have it filled up with a good selection of exhibitors and their products. The CEL Manila 2008 may have some areas that needs improvement, and it can stand a few more thousand visitors, but as said, this is its first year, and we can only go forward from this point on. In our opinion, the CEL event, especially combined with the Sony product launch, is a one-two punch that results in a knockout day of gadget overload. More pictures to follow.