This year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has come to a close, and if the new product announcements are anything to go by, 2009 will be a big year for the industry.
This year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has come to a close, and if the new product announcements are anything to go by, 2009 will be a big year for the industry.
The new Windows 7 operating system, 3D television and cheaper netbooks were just some of the big ticket items announced at the convention, which is the largest of its kind in the United States.
But despite all the showing off, the show has definitely been hit by the downturn. Companies such as Cisco Systems, Yahoo and Phillips scaled back their presence at the event, forcing convention organisers to reduce the amount of floor space needed.
“The economy caused some companies that may have had booths to say ‘maybe we want to be in a meeting room instead’,” Consumer Electronics Association spokeswoman Tara Phillips told CNET.com.
But while some companies have chosen to abandon the event, there were plenty of others willing to hog the spotlight.
Here are 10 of the biggest announcements from the 2009 CES:
Windows 7 – This new operating system is being marketed as Windows Vista without the bugs, and the early hype gives it the thumbs up. Microsoft has released a beta version online for testing.
Amulet remote – This voice-activated remote control produced by Irish group Amulet Devices responds to voice commands such as “turn it up”. It also controls Windows Media Centre, recognising commands to play songs by a particular artist.
Pocket projector – A projector small enough to sit in your hand, it displays on a screen up to 80 inches. This product from BenQ can connect to digital cameras, laptops and even Apple products such as iPods and iPhones.
Blu-Ray – While the technology has been around for a while, this year’s convention saw the release of new players dropping to the $200 mark. New players also require an internet connection to download program and film information.
3D video – A variety of television manufacturers are now producing integrated 3D television, negating the need for multi-coloured glasses.
KURO flat panel television – This television produced by Pioneer is just 9mm thick, with the group claiming it to be the world’s thinnest LCD screen. But while the technology has been announced, it won’t be commercially available for a few years.
LG wristphone – A phone that fits on your wrist and is activated by a tiny scroll bar. Unfortunately, this gadget will only be available in Europe.
PC pocket rocket – LimePC’s pocket-sized PC is about the size of an iPod, but boasts a touch-screen, 16GB of flash memory, Wi-Fi, basic graphics capabilities and ethernet connections. The best part – it only weights 130 grams.
Internet radio for cars – An Australian company has teamed with German audio group Blaupunkt to produce the world’s first internet radio for cars. The radio will enable users to tune into literally thousands of stations from across the world.
MTech fuel additive – This year saw a number of “green” products at the convention. Australian group MTech was at the show, promoting a device that can be inserted into a car’s fuel tank to help increase fuel efficiency by up to 20%.
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