The CEA releases list of technologies to watch, but 3D is missing. Did the CEA get it right?
It is always interesting to see which technologies the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) selects for its annual “5 Technology Trends to Watch” for the upcoming year. In the past, there has been as few as one trend that directly affects custom installers, with the others focused on mobile applications or car electronics.
But this year’s list is different. The technologies to watch are:
Technology and privacy
The future of video distribution and consumption
Mobile broadband and 4G
Green technology
The future of apps.
My Take on the List
Green Technology: You might think the CEA is a bit late on declaring “green technology” a tech trend for 2011. We have been blabbing on about “green” for years now. But the technology is just now hitting its stride, with many integrators telling me they are including energy management in almost every proposal these days vs. just talking about it with clients.
Video Distribution: This is certainly key. An article in the L.A. Times reports Hollywood is nervous about the massive shift in consumers renting DVDs instead of buying them. There will be 337 million movies downloaded in 2010 – if you include Netflix – vs. 20 million DVDs sold. People are more willing to download and that means a quality video distribution is vital.
Future of apps: Obviously, apps are another important trend for integrators. As I have written before, does the proliferation of apps mean homeowners will not want integrated home control in the future, but instead be satisfied with disparate apps on their iPads and other touchpanels?
The biggest surprise is what’s not on the list: 3D The industry is certainly promoting 3D technology, hoping for it to be the next big thing. But recent reports show the hubbub seems to be tempering. I give kudos to the CEA for not naming 3D and not caving to any promotional “agenda” that its member manufacturers might be pushing.
There will only be one way for all of us to find out if CEA is right: we have to survive another year!
By Jason Knott
original post: http://www.cepro.com/article/5_technologies_to_watch_in_2011/
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CEA Press release
CEA’S FIVE TECHNOLOGY TRENDS TO WATCH LOOKS TO THE FUTURE OF THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY
Tech and Privacy, Video Delivery, Mobile Broadband/4G, Green and Apps Featured
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® today released this year’s edition of Five Technology Trends to Watch, an annual publication that examines five prominent technology trends expected to influence the consumer electronics (CE) industry in the year ahead. CEA released the publication at a panel discussion at CEA’s Industry Forum in San Francisco, Calif., a four-day conference designed to inform and connect leaders in the CE industry.
This year, Five Technology Trends to Watch examines (1) technology and privacy; (2) the future of video distribution and consumption; (3) mobile broadband and 4G; (4) green technology; and (5) the future of apps. Geared toward industry professionals, the publication provides in-depth analysis of each trend, and outlines related issues and market forecasts for the coming year. Each section also explores consumer perspectives, partnerships and key players.
“The technology industry is always changing, evolving and innovating, and this report provides crucial insight into the latest trends,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “Using exclusive CEA market research, the trends highlighted in this report are revolutionizing our lives and impacting the marketplace.”
Five Technology Trends to Watch also includes a special section dedicated to the key question, Are we changing technology to suit our needs, or is technology changing us?
Five Technology Trends to Watch is written by CEA staff from market research, membership, technology & standards, and communications departments and is a special supplement to CEA’s bi-monthly flagship publication, CE Vision. The complete publication can be found online at the CE Vision website.
original post: http://www.ce.org/Press/CurrentNews/press_release_detail.asp?id=11976