The International Consumer Electronics Show is a trade show held each January at the Las Vegas Convention Center. It is arguably one of the most popular electronic shows of the year. Vendors take the opportunity to preview products or present new products. CES is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association and was first held in 1967 in New York. After many years of bouncing around from city to city, CES found its home in Las Vegas, NV. CES begins each new year with much anticipation - which is centered around new gadgets, trending technologies and mobile electronics like e-readers and netbooks. This year CES begins on January 7th and continues through January 10th.
Due to the poor economic climate and an unemployment rate hovering around 10%, CES 2010 will be smaller than years past. Although according to Petter Svensson
revenue from electronics sales in the U.S. between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 rose 5.9 percent from the same period of 2008, according to an estimate by MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse, which tracks all forms of payment, including cash. The analysts don't give a dollar figure.
I can only gather that most people are unwilling to continue spending past the holidays, and are staying home. In any event, CES is expecting 2,500 exhibitors and 110,000 attendees to be present at this years trade show. So what is in store for these attendees over the next four days? One of the most interesting technologies that might dominate CES is 3D Television. Sony and Panasonic appear to be the main players in this space.
"TV finally becomes real" in three dimensions said Robert Perry, an executive vice president at Panasonic. "You're in it. It's the next frontier."
So what will you pay? Philips is quoted as saying a 40" TV will run you about $12,000 and a 20" TV will run you about $3,000. Wireless HDTV has gained some traction but many in the industry are not impressed. They want Wireless HDTV to connect to a wireless TV and a wireless Blue-Ray player, effortlessly. Unfortunately, many are claiming that this level of interoperability is still in its infancy. Subscription-based TV is raising a few eyebrows. There will be a bunch of TV-everywhere solutions. The Philips Electronics' Portable TV with DVD Playback is one of these devices. With TV on demand content is the key. Manufacturer's will need to work with companies like ABC, CBS, Disney to provide that content.
Obviously tablets will be a big deal in 2010. Unfortunately, Apple will not be at CES but according to All Things Digital, Apple will announce a brand new product.
Apple (AAPL) is indeed planning a media event later this month at which the company will announce a major new product. The gathering is to be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, a space Apple often uses for media events like this. According to other sources, it will occur on Wednesday, Jan. 27, not Tuesday, Jan. 26, as had been rumored.
Microsoft will not be announcing any tablet news, at least that is the rumor. The story stands that the Google - HTC camp will have tablet news. Mobile technology is very popular and will be a hot topic of conversation. There will be keynotes from Verizon, Nokia, Intel, Microsoft and AT&T. Intel should be speaking about their new Atom processor.
There will be a slew of digital cameras, eBook readers, headsets, GPS devices and sound systems - plus Ford will be presenting SYNC.
CES 2010 will feature a GreenTech area. CES is a lifelong proponent of Green technology. GreenTech will focus on smart-energy-appliances, tools for managing power consumption and many other types of power-management devices.
If it sounds like allot to pack into four days, it's because it is. I am already looking past CES 2010 and looking to January 27, when Apple makes its big announcement.