2010 Consumer Electronics Show
Story and Photos by Dave MacKinnon
Every year, most of the key players in the consumer electronics industry make the pilgrimage to Las Vegas, Nevada for the annual Consumer Electronics Show. The CES is the debut for all the latest and greatest in home audio, video, mobile electronics and gadgetry of all sorts. I am happy to report that this year’s show demonstrated a marked improvement in floor traffic over last year – signs that indeed the economy is turning around.
What was different for the mobile electronics industry was a definite shift in the demographic of the North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center. What has historically been the ‘car audio’ hall was now shared with all manner of hand-held gadgetry in what CES dubbed the iLounge. Still, some key players were front and centre with MTX, Kenwood, Pioneer and DEI having solid booths right near the main entrance of the hall. Kicker had their booth in the Central hall to help focus on their line of iKick home audio iPod docking solutions. Clarion, Focal, Planet Audio, Rockford Fosgate and a few others chose to host their guests in nearby suites or conference rooms, giving them a more private feel.
So, what was new at this year’s CES? Pioneer and Kenwood introduced digital media receivers to further support the shift toward consumers’ love of the Apple iPod. MTX debuted several new Thunderform enclosures to give specific vehicles form-fitting bass solutions.
The installation and integration companies like Metra, Scosche, AAMP of America and American International were also in attendance in the North Hall, showing all sorts of new dash kits, audio integration interfaces and both iPod and Bluetooth solutions. As more and more auto manufacturers choose to incorporate more technology into their vehicles, these companies and products will continue to gain importance in the industry.
Outside of the car audio industry, the buzz of the show was clearly focused on 3D video technology. Displays from companies like AMD showed cool, triple-widescreen 3D video games, and the big TV manufacturers had displays of their multidimensional products. With all-in-one 3D video cameras now available, the next step in home entertainment is going to add another dimension of realism to your favourite program.
Everyone who attends CES always comes home with a story, be it a lost cell phone or credit card, sudden and unexpected flight changes or just the usual nightlife fun and silliness that happens when 60,000 electronic junkies descend on Las Vegas for four days in early January. No matter what happens, you know that almost everyone will be there again next year.[PSGallery=1iu10961dhh]
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