Courtesy of LG

Techeye likes to ring in the new year with panache – zany crime sprees, gratuitous consumption of riboflavin, masterpieces of debauchery that would scandalize Bacchus himself, things like that. And, as the old saying goes: “the more goats, the better.”

To our everlasting shame, 2012 began with no goats and a distinct lack of panache. In fact, we didn’t even last until midnight, having fallen asleep while an acquaintance described his attempts to breed a cactus that smells like herring. Then it got worse: to ensure that Techeye would never forget this ignominious start to the new year, some “friends” glued an African pygmy mouse to our upper lip.

Waking up with massive hangover and a tiny mammal attached to your face is no way to start a morning, let alone a new year.

But here’s the thing – after some aspirin, a nibble of cheese (for each of us), and a large dollop of depilatory cream, Techeye started thinking. Aside from a bruised pride and the awkward fact that a (now furless) pygmy mouse has developed amorous feelings for our lip, nothing bad happened. And 2012 is quickly starting to look up. The Consumer Electronics Show starts this week, after all.

Judging by the pre-show press, organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology – which boasts smaller displays, faster response times and more brilliant colors than regular LED TVs – is going to shine this year. Of course it’s not the first time we’ve heard that (that’s right, CES 2009, we’re looking at you), but it looks like some big companies are betting on OLED.

Like LG (lg.com). The South Korean tech giant is debuting the “world’s largest OLED TV” at CES. We have to admit, with a strapping 55-inches of virile display area, this is a dauntingly well-endowed TV. Moreover, LG claims the device will generate “the most natural colors of any TV set at a much lower price point than could have been achieved using a standard manufacturing process.” But before you get too excited, keep in mind LG hasn’t revealed what that price point is.

Still, OLED is clearly the new hotness. It might also be the new delicateness – LG’s 55-incher is just four mm thick and weighs a meager 7.5 kg, suggesting it may be more fragile than its lower-tech counterparts and easier to tip over. Also, it will definitely make you look fat.

Courtesy of Wicked Audio

CES 2012 will also mark the debut of Wicked Audio’s Solus headphones (wickedaudio.com), which are being touted as “aesthetically appealing” headphones with the “most impeccable sound yet.” They have a DJ switch, allowing you to turn the sound off in one or the other ear if you’re into that sort of thing. Price: $100.

Then there’s the Chameleon X-1 wireless gamepad mouse from Shogun Bros (shogunbros.com). This actually came out last year, but the company is hawking new gray and white versions (not pictured) at CES.

The Chameleon is a jack-of-all-gadgets, but master of none. At first glance it’s a regular old mouse, but flip it over and it’s suddenly an odd little gamepad. If you’re feeling frisky you can even use it as a remote control. But when it comes down to it, the Chameleon X-1 is adequate but unexceptional in all of its roles.

Courtesy of Shogun Bros

Shogun Bros’ quirky marketing technique, on the other hand, is best described as exceptional but not quite adequate. “Sophisticed” [sic] Norway Nordic chip system? Check. Three million times switch press test? Check. One press change mode? Check, baby.

Anyway, if you’re interested in a gadget that’s clearly suffering an identity crisis, you can buy the Chameleon on Amazon for $60. It’s not the greatest mouse we’ve ever seen, but on the plus side it’s unlikely to befoul anyone’s face.

Ever depilated a tiny mammal? Let us know: techeye.wbj@gmail.com