CES 2013: So, what's a phablet?

By Molly Waldron

CREATED Jan. 8, 2013

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  • Image by PHOTO: suanie / Flickr

  • In this photo provided by the Las Vegas News Bureau, Intel Brand Manager Danny Cristofano (l) guides Tennis power couple Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf through the Intel booth as they check out the latest consumer technology and innovative gadgetry presented at International CES in the Las Vegas Convention Center. The convention hit a record of nearly 3,300 companies exhibiting the newest products from around the world.

  • Jason Upton with the Arizona Diamondbacks

  • Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi introduces her Snooki Couture line of headphones, electronics, video, photo and accessories at CES Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 9, 2013.

  • Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi introduces her Snooki Couture line of headphones, electronics, video, photo and accessories at CES Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 9, 2013.

  • Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi introduces her Snooki Couture line of headphones, electronics, video, photo and accessories at CES Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 9, 2013.

  • Hip-hop artist Wale performed on the main stage at PURE Nightclub for Skullcandy's official CES after-party.

  • Hip-hop artist Wale performed on the main stage at PURE Nightclub for Skullcandy's official CES after-party.

  • The Austin Renfroe band performed at the Intel booth.

  • Intel's UltraBooks

  • New cellphones are a hot item at CES.

  • Shoot your own home movies with this Sony 4K camera.

  • One of the new Sony smartphones.

  • Chef Dana Cohen, one of the former contestants on Hell's Kitchen, made tasty appetizers in the Haier booth at CES.

  • Casio camera makes it easier to take photos of yourself. However, not yet available in U.S.

  • CES features many seminars and talks.

  • The new 3D OLED TV

  • Actress Alice Eve from the new Star Trek and Qualcomm Chairman and CEO Dr. Paul E. Jacobs

  • Big Bird made a special guest appearance during Qualcomm's keynote speech.

  • Producer, writer and director Guillermo Del Toro took the stage during Qualcomm's keynote speech at CES.

  • Actress Alice Eve from the new Star Trek appeared during Qualcomm's keynote speech.

  • Qualcomm Chairman and CEO Dr. Paul E. Jacobs speaks during the keynote speech.

  • Maroon 5 performed during Qualcomm's keynote speech.

  • James Valentine of Maroon 5 performs during Qualcomm's keynote speech.

  • Adam Levine of Maroon 5 performs during Qualcomm's keynote speech.

  • Perfect monitor for gaming.

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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Tech buzzwords are swirling as CES gets underway in Las Vegas, but one word we keep hearing is "phablet." 

So, what's a phablet? 

You may have one and not even know it.

Industry experts say a phablet is a smartphone that is closer in size to a tablet than the cellphones of yesterday.

A popular example is the Samsung Galaxy Note, but many other mobile technology companies have their own competitors either in the works or already in stores.

Marketers say users prefer the big screens because it enables them to watch videos with greater ease. A larger screen also makes it easier to type, play games and use apps.

Apple's iPhone 5 has a bigger screen than it's predecessors, but many wonder whether the next generation iPhone will feature an even larger screen reaching "phablet" status.