2010 CES (Part 2)

Well, turns out this years CES Show was actually larger, by a few thousand, than last. Last years reported attendance was around 113,000, while this year is sporting around 120,000 attendeees. In addition there were 2500 companies exhibiting and launching 20,000 new products and a record setting 330 new exhibitors. Pretty amazing for a down year.

In my opinion, this shows that the CE industry in general is expecting an economic turn-around.

From the show floor, a few more technologies seem to be the talk of the show, and this year, they are larger more broad based technologies. We'll start with Googles new Android OS. With the release of the new Nexus One, we see one of the first real competitors to the iPhone and it's large base of applications. The new OS offers a lot of similarities to the iPhones, in addition, it has the possibility of being adopted by and have as many applications as the iPhone. I hate to compare everything to the iPhone, but as far as unique and customizable phones, there's nothign else to compare too, other than a small laptop. Looks nice, seems cool, we'll have to wait and see what happens.

Another new technology in final development is Microsoft's Natal add-on for it's XBox 360. This device will allows users to interact with the Xbox, without any remote controls and is supposed to function in a similar way as the Wii and it's remotes do, but without using any remote or needing to touch anything at all. It reports to read your bodies movements and respond accordingly.

On top of that, there were many releases of new electronic book readers and netbooks, which were extremely popular last year. In addition, the thin TVs are really starting to show their own. We've sold several of the new thin LED TVs (about 1.2" thick)with super fast refresh rates that look really great and are ultra-thin and ultra-light. This years models will prove to be even slimmer, ones at the show were 0.3" thick from Samsung, which is a thin as a pencil. Another new feature in many TVs our company has been installing commercially is the built-in internet access or even computers. Many of the Samsung TVs with a built-in PC (designated by an "i" in thier model #) are designed specically for and around digital signage. This makes putting up a basic digital sign for the average small business, cost little more than the TV itself and some software. For more advanced digital signage, you will most likely need something more robust. The PC feature can also be used for an obvious number of other features and functions. Some TVs even have the ability to pause and rewind TV shows, similar to a DVR might.

Klipsch speakers, who's products we have installed and sold for years, have come out with a new speaker/LED light kit combo. We have not tested this unit yet, but it seems to have promise. It utlizes a 10W LED bulb, and puts out the same light as a 65W incandescent bulb. Pretty neat little item that fits in existing light cans. You can see more about the CES show and it's high-lights at our website or check our FaceBook page (Fultech on FB) or our Twitter page (Fultech) which are both linked to CES and CEA pages and blogs. Until next years show....
Seriously, we'll be back sooner to update you on the latest and greatest in new technologies.