Gadgets that disappointed at CES 2012

Toshiba has touted its Excite X10 as one of the most thinnest, accessible and ergonomic 10.1-inch tablets out there with only 0.3 inches of thickness and 1.2 lbs of weight. Draped in a sleek magnesium alloy shell, the device features a slew of micro ports along with a conventional docking port.

Why disappointing

While users would welcome some improvements in Excite X10 (especially over Toshiba's Thrive), the tablet in itself does not have any thrillingly ingenious attribute (in allusion to future). As a matter fact, the contraption is modestly powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, while the OS still encompasses Android Honeycomb, instead of the more advanced ICS. Moreover, the cost is kept at a heftier side with $530 price tag for its 16GB model (which rises to $600 for 32GB).

Actually christened as Samsung RF4289, this contraption embodies a refrigerator with intrinsic internet capability. The device has a wealth of user friendly aspects starting from tweeting, Google calendar to an in-built temperature control mechanism guided by touchscreen.

Why disappointing

While the core features certainly signify a progressive step for just a refrigerator, the 'tweeting' capability may be a bit too much on the ostentatious side. As a matter of fact, the bulk of tweeting is achieved by mobile devices; and hence, a full fledged $3499 fridge is too cumbersome for such minuscule social recreations.

The iNuke Boom iPhone Dock comprises of a boisterous system that boasts of the world's loudest iPod oriented boom box. As a matter of fact, the heavy device is robustly powered by two 18-inch subwoofers, which in turn generate around a whopping 6,000 watts of power.

Why disappointing

The massive quantity of power consumed by the entire contraption will easily come around at 10,000 watts. This can lead to the 'blowing' of your ordinary household power outlet at a single go (thus requiring stages to power up). Moreover, the cost is set at $30,000. So, if you have a big enough accommodation (with an adequately supporting power outlet) and the moolah to splurge, then only should you consider this gargantuan iPod dock.

We have seen numerous instances of Apple device related docks like iPod and iPhone. But this time for a change, iLuv (yes, named ironically!) has showcased their ArtStation Pro, contrived exclusively for Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Why disappointing

Going by the present standards, mobile docking systems do tend to have some kind of visual indication for optimized user experience. Unfortunately, in this case, the iMM514 conspicuously lacks any LED slab to even display its power-on function. Other than that, the $149.99 device also does not aspire for anything spectacularly special, when it boils down to sound quality.

The Archos 35 home connect is designed as a futuristic Android based alarm clock that alludes to a set of functions beyond just waking you up. The device has a myriad of features providing weather, real time traffic, radio, social networking along with solid multimedia content such as movies, news and music.

Why disappointing

It is a case of great potential, but struck down by the its 'jack of all trades' factor. The device as a whole does miss that exclusively striking attribute that would take it past other competitors. The consumers can also get seriously confused about the media contraption posing as a high-end alarm clock (for $149).

Acer's 10.1-inch Iconia Tab A200 boasts of Nvidia's last-generation (Tegra 2) SoC, with an expected Android 4.0 update and a 1280 x 800 display. The pricing is kept at a reasonable figure of $330.

Why disappointing

While the tablet does everything expected from a mid-range modern day tablet, it does not follow it up with drastic changes. The design can also be on the unwieldy side with a certain element of thickness which is not at all ergonomic to the average user.

In an era of collective contraptions, Cricket's ZTE Chorus banks its success as a singularly Muve music service device. That never means that it does not have other features, but an avid aficionado would get the feeling that its Android like OS (but not Android) QVGA screen and 2 MP camera is just for fulfilling the multimedia quotient.

Why disappointing

Since we are talking about its screen, the display – owing to very stringent touch sensitivity – is not at all up to the mark. Moreover, the overall design pertaining to the case seems to be of lower quality, especially when compared to other multimedia entries at CES.