CES 2015 - Being pushed to the market for a low price of $39.99, Samson have just announced the release of their new Go Mic Direct to the public. This portable microphone solution connects to your PC or Mac via USB technology, said to be small enough to not block surrounding ports on laptop devices.

Coming with Samson's Sound Deck Noise Cancellation software for PC and Mac, this product is designed to be small enough to carry everywhere you go - stating in their recently issued press release that "With Go Mic Direct, you'll never want to use your Computer's internal microphone again."

I don't think that statement is too far from the truth. My laptop microphone sucks, as does the one in my girlfriends All-in-One Toshiba PC - if this microphone is as small and well-performing as they state, I'll be picking up a couple for myself.

Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai complemented employees and partners for their support and patience following a late 2014 cyberattack. Hirai is optimistic that Hollywood actors and companies will continue to choose to work with the company in 2015 and later down the road - despite how damning some of the information leaked was, likely hurting SPE's reputation.

"We are still reviewing the effects of the cyber attack," Hirai told reporters during CES. "However, I do not see it as something that will cause a material upheaval on Sony Pictures business operations."

Meanwhile, the company is still analyzing full effects of the attack and data breach, which revealed former and current employee personal information, leaked emails, unreleased films, and other company-related information.

The quarter ending November 2014 saw drastic change thanks to the Apple iPhone 6 and 6 Plus launch, with iOS able to chomp into Google Android's lead. The iPhone 6 was the highest selling phone during that specific quarter, accounting for 19 percent of all US smartphone sales, according to the Kantar Worldpanel research group.

"A decline in Android market share does not necessarily translate into bad news for all the ecosystem's players," said Carolina Milanesi, Chief of Research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, in a statement. "The choice of brands and devices within the ecosystem empowers consumers to drive different fortunes for the players in it."

Apple iPhone sales racked up 47.4 of smartphone sales in the United States, 4.3 percent higher year-over-year - and iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus are reportedly still going strong. Android still controls 69.9 percent of the mobile OS lead in Europe, dropping 3.2 percent year-over-year.

CES 2015 - Smart and connected technologies accessing the Internet of Things (IoT) have generated significant interest during CES 2015. Manufacturers mainly promoted the benefits of their connected devices, though cybersecurity experts and government regulators want consumers to be aware of potential risks.

Security and privacy concerns could become major headaches for consumers, manufacturers, and security experts embracing connected devices. Collection of personal data with - and often times without - consumer consent, how that information is used, and the theft of data currently are the biggest security concerns.

"Any device that is connected to the Internet is at risk of being hijacked," said Edith Ramirez, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chairwoman, in a statement made during CES. "Moreover, the risks that unauthorized access create intensify as we adopt more and more devices linked to our physical safety, such as our cars, medical care and homes."

CES 2015 - Chinese electronics company Lenovo has successfully led its PCs and laptops into the United States and Europe, hoping to mimic that success with its smartphones.

"The next step for Chinese smartphone makers is to go overseas," said Yang Yuanging, chairman and CEO for Lenovo, in an interview with Sina news at CES. "But whether they are able to compete in the global market remains an issue."

Based on global smartphone shipments alone, Lenovo was No. 4 in the world after shipping 16.9 million units during Q3 of 2014, according to IDC figures. However, its acquisition of Motorola will bump its market share from 5.2 percent in Q3 2014 up to 7.4 percent currently, leapfrogging Xiaomi and now trailing behind Samsung and Apple - though will face a tough road to try catch up to either company.

CES 2015 - It wasn't too long ago when 3DTVs were generating a lot of attention from consumers and hardware manufacturers - but that buzz quickly died down in favor of 4K ultra-high-definition (UHD) and curved displays.

Samsung announced its SUHDs, while Sony, LG Electronics, and other companies dive into the UHD market.

Some TV manufacturers began rejecting 3DTVs at CES 2013 and CES 2014, such as Vizio and Panasonic, with wasted time and resources invested into 3D research. There is still great appeal for 3D technology among PC users - and gaming - but it doesn't look like TV manufacturers are going to waste their time.

The wearables market is growing, and has consumer attention as witnessed during CES 2015, but age, income and gender demographics are quite different between smartwatch and fitness tracker owners. Trying to create appealing products and price points requires insight into who is purchasing these devices - and how to cater to their specific needs - but that can be a daunting task for manufacturers.

Thirty-six percent of fitness tracker consumers in the United States are 35 to 54 years old, 41 percent make an average income of more than $100,000, and 54 percent were women. The NPD Group report also found that one in 10 US adults own some form of a fitness tracker.

Meanwhile, 69 percent of smartwatch owners are 18 to 34 years old, 71 percent are male, and 48 percent have an income below $45,000.

"The Interview" has racked up $31 million in on-demand and digital sales, closing in on the $41 million it cost to create the film. The movie was released online on Christmas Eve, and while it was an instant hit among Internet pirates, has also generated impressive sales and rental figures from paid users.

The controversial movie racked up $15 million in sales during the four days it was released, and continues to generate success. Apple iTunes, Amazon Instant Video and cable video on-demand services now offer the movie for rental and sale.

"The Interview" will receive a UK release in the future, Sony noted, and it appears Netflix want access to the film. Just a few days after the movie was released, there was talk as to whether or not the film could help spur same-day online launches for future Hollywood films.

CES 2015 - BlackBerry launched its Internet of Things (IoT) platform, with an early focus on the automotive and asset tracking verticals. Using its IoT technology, users will be able to build their services on top of the IoT Platform's efficient and scalable messaging system.

"The BlackBerry IoT platform blends the technologies that have enabled BlackBerry to become a leader in both the mobile data security and embedded systems industries," said Matt Hoffman, VP of strategy and marketing of BlackBerry.

This could be a clever play by BlackBerry, as consumers and companies are showing increased interest in IoT. BlackBerry pairing its QNX Software Systems with its well-respected secure network will allow it to utilize two strengths at a time when its efforts to reclaim glory in the smartphone market has largely fallen flat.

A few days ago we reported on the first solid news of the next iteration of Blu-ray from the floor of CES, and now our friends at TheDigitalBits have reported further information, including the official format name and disc capacities.

Dubbed 'Ultra HD Blu-ray' the finalised 4K resolution format specifications aren't due to be locked down until later this quarter, but is confirmed to utilise the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) H.265 codec, the next generation of what's currently employed in today's Blu-ray spec.

As expected, disc size will be expanded, jumping from the current 50GB to a standard 66GB configuration, with the option of a triple layered 100GB configuration. Catering for films such as 'The Hobbit' Trilogy and the upcoming 'Avatar' sequels, the format will support frame rates of up to 60 frames per second and other picture enhancements including 10-bit gradation, High Dynamic Range and wider colour gamut.