A record number of new exhibitors – more than 330 companies – will join an estimated 2,500 exhibitors at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show, which begins January 5th with pre-show events.
Speaking to ETC@USC just prior to the show, CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro said: “In my 28 years attending CES, I have never see so much innovation at one time in one place–from technology companies, content creators and service provider. The theme is innovation … and companies have to be very smart and innovative because of the recession.”
He identified key areas to watch, including stereoscopic 3D, mobile TV, wireless, green initiatives, home health products, as well as screens from 5-20 inches, including netbooks.
“There is also a shift toward customization,” Shapiro observed of the bigger trends. “There will be Internet access everywhere. Customers can get anything they want any time they want. There will be tremendous opportunities for creating new services. If you combine traditional CE with location-based intelligence and eventually robotics and nanotechnology, there are services that will be wonderful for consumers which provide not only new business opportunities but innovations that drives our economy. All of this give content creators new opportunities to respond to this explosion in consumer access.”
On this week’s schedule, the ETC@USC and CEA are hosting Entertainment Technology @ CES, a full day of panel discussions with senior executives from the entertainment and consumer electronics industries, which will be held in North Hall room 260 on January 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The event will begin with the presentation of 3D consumer trend research lead by ETC@USC CEO and executive director David Wertheimer and CEA chief economist Shawn DuBravac. This research is a follow up to the “3DTV: Where we are and Where are Consumers?” study and whitepaper presented by Wertheimer and DuBravac in early 2009.
Of the relationship between ETC@USC and CEA, Shapiro said: “The technology and content industries are married. We need each other and this type of cooperation is important because our futures are linked … This relationship is a great opportunity to have a better marriage. We are very excited. Entertainment Technology @ CES has all-star panels and content.”
Also this week, several CE Spotlights covering a variety of technology categories will be housed on the show floor. These include: the iLounge Pavilion, featuring all things iPod, iPhone and Mac related; Living in Digital Times, highlighting technology relevant to all lifestyles; and the Gaming Showcase.
Twenty market-specific TechZones will highlight trends and emerging markets. These include the eBooks, Experience 3D, Femto, Lifestyle Gadgets, Mobile DTV, Netbooks and Safe Driver TechZones.