CES Promises Decade of Innovation – During the just-ended 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, more than 20,000 new products were introduced by more than 2500 technology companies. Sure, some were excessive and just plain silly, but others started off the new home electronics decade with innovation, optimism and excitement. There were 330 new exhibitors, and among the hot new technology trends on offer were 3D TV (everywhere), mobile DTV, Net-connected TV, green technologies, e-readers, computer tablets and applications. Some of the major innovations shown included the Android OS, Lenovo’s IdeaPad U1, Microsoft’s Project Natal, Sprint’s 4G network and Google’s Nexus smart phone. Speaking of phones, there were so many attendees (120,000!) that many were unable to use their iPhones, since the AT&T network went down from overload. More than 5000 reporters, analysts and bloggers also attended the world’s largest consumer technology trade show. High-end AV exhibitors were mainly at the Venetian Hotel, with others at the Convention Center, and the simultaneous alternative high-end event, the Home Entertainment Show (T.H.E. Show), relocated this year to the Flamingo Hotel on the strip. Audiophiles and videophiles found some of the most exciting products at the latter.
According to Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), which puts on CES, the consumer electronics industry will generate over $165 billion in U.S. shipment revenues this coming year. The CE industry, which lost an estimated 7.8% in 2009, is poised for growth of popular product categories for 2010. The wireless handset category and smartphones will become the main revenue driver of the industry. Computer sales are picking up due to the popularity of netbooks, whose sales more than doubled in 2009. Blu-ray players continue strong in 2010, with unit sales projected to top 11.4 million. The TV market was one of the primary revenue drivers in recent years as consumers transitioned to hi-def flat-panel sets, but price drops have caused display revune to decline slightly. Innovations such as 3D, Internet connectivity and OLED technology will help to maintain revenue in the TV category. CEA predicts sales of over 4 million 3D sets alone during 2010.
Google Nexus Smartphone and iPhone 4G – Smartphones account for 14% of cell phone sales today, but did not do well during 2009. The excitement over the just-launched Google Nexus phone is hoped to change that, as well as the possibilities of the rumored updated Apple iPhone 4G. The first handset with Google branding, and at $199 cheaper than the iPhone, the Nexus offers a clearer display, Qualcomm 1 GHz processor, and 7.1Mbps download speeds and 2Mbps upload speeds on both T-Mobile and AT&T. It has a 3.7-inch touchscreen display and a 5-megapixel camera, as well as Wi-Fi, GSP functions. a digital compass and stereo Bluetooth.
Anthem Blu-ray/DVD/CD Player – The Anthem subsidiary of Paradigm speakers introduced at CES their first source component – the BLX 200 1080p HD Blu-ray disc player. It has 1 GB of built in memory and includes an additional 2 GB USB flash drive for enjoying additional features of BD-Live Profile 2.0, BonusView, and audio playback options. It has a full 12-bit video pipeline, 24-frames per second playback, and upscaling of standard DVDs to 1080p. It has a 7.1 PCM audio output via HDMI, and boasts ultra-fast loading and response times. SRP is $799. The news release has a typo: it says “All current formats are supported.” Not so. It is not a universal player, and will not play either SACD or DVD-Audio discs.
