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Jan
11
2010
What Recession? Observations from this Year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
So is the recession over or not? Well, if you attended this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last weekend, you know that the answer seems to be “What recession?” The focus of the show was overwhelmingly positive. No one was talking about the recession except in the context of it being behind us. In fairness, this was my first year attending CES so it is difficult for me to compare it with the mood last year. However, I would be hard-pressed to believe that anyone attending the show would not feel more confident about the business climate for 2010.
Below are a few more of my observations (10 to be exact) from attending this year’s CES:
Below are a few more of my observations (10 to be exact) from attending this year’s CES:
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China, Inc. was on full display and appearing increasingly confident. This was best evidenced by the keynote speech from Hisense CEO, Zhou Houjian, entitled From "Made in China" to "Created in China".
- Just when you finally upgraded to that beautiful flat-screen HD television you’ve been wanting (and that you still have 5 years of payments left on!), it’s time to buy a 3D HD television with interactive Internet capabilities. The timing of the introduction of 3D television at this year’s CES with the release of the hugely successful Avatar is uncanny!
Social media was on display everywhere – literally! As part of companies’ corporate marketing strategy, integrated into every imaginable computing device (from home control & information systems to in-vehicle information systems), and discussed in every presentation I attended.
- Enough with the iPhone apps that only serve as additional distractions to our already distracted daily lives! How about some mobile apps that actually help business become more efficient?
Ford and Kia revealed their forward thinking approaches for opening their vehicle systems to 3rd party app development. So why is OnStar still taking their closed system approach? Are they part of the "new" GM or the "old" GM?
- For all the talk about "green" technology, I did not see much of it on display. The section of the exhibition devoted to green technologies called "Sustainable Planet" consisted little more than a few companies selling power strips that automatically turn off, faster battery chargers, and tech gadget recycling services.
There were almost as many after-market remote vehicle entry systems on display as there were smart phones. Do we really need the "World First Diamond Remote" keyfob?
- Books and tablet PCs were everywhere, but everyone was really just waiting to see the tablet PC introduction from Apple that will be unveiled at the end of Jan.
- In this post "great recession" era is there still such a huge demand for "Pimp My Ride" type audio, video, and lighting systems? Really?
The effects of the recession on Las Vegas were still largely evident. Hotel room rates were remarkably low especially considering CES is one of the largest events of the year. The excess capacity has been further compounded with the opening of the new CityCenter complex bringing on 4,000 more luxury hotel rooms. If you’ve ever wanted to experience staying at a luxury Las Vegas hotel but have not had the budget to do so then now is the time to book that trip. After all, we all deserve it after making it through 2009!
There are 3 comments on this article
Jason
I can relate to your experience from my past show experiences. I find it most interesting how media based products/technology never stops developing with very short product life cycles really as they are continued to be replaced by the new things. Waiting to purchase really is saving money in the end.
I assume that the Asians were very active once again. No surprise and no surprise that now is the time to go to Vegas for cheap rates. But the real question is how were the tables running?
he used the same technique in the end and it worked
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Jason, interesting fedback. It must have been quite a show. Did you see any foreigners there? I shop at my local store and feel like foreigner here in Detroit. Did you see much on home security? I would think that this would be on the rise in times like this.