• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, January 5, 2012

What’s generating buzz in the buildup to that technology industry bacchanalia known as CES? The most talk is still around tablets but TVs are seeing the biggest year-over-year gains in online buzz, according to new data from Nielsen’s NM Incite unit. TVs accounted for 21% of pre-CES chatter, up from about 10% a year ago, while tablets dropped from 31% to 23%.

Much of the excitement around TVs stems from a company that won’t even be at CES next week—Apple. But the expectation that the tech giant will launch its own connected TV this year has sparked broader interest in the iTV category. Samsung and other manufacturers are also expected to debut ultra-thin 3D TVs at the high-tech confab.

Among other categories, gaming –related gear also saw a spike in buzz levels, doubling from 8% last year to 16% in 2012. Discussions about smartphone were also up, to 15% from about 11% last year.