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Consumer staples of TVs, PCs and phones to have big roles at Vegas trade show
(Canadian Press (delayed) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) MONTREAL _ The television, the grande dame of household technology, should have a starring role again at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where many gadgets are expected to show a slimmer and greener side in keeping with the frugality borne of a tough economy.
High-definition TVs that allow consumers to download movies and television shows directly to their sets over an Internet connection and 3D high-definition TVs will be among those featured at the show, which begins Thursday.
``TV is the mainstay of the home,'' said IDC Canada analyst Kevin Restivo.
``It's one of those true, recession-proof kind of products. People love their TV and in tight economic times they are going to want to watch them.''
With belts being tightened, consumers may be slower to upgrade their TVs, but there's still a lot of interest in them, Restivo said from Toronto.
``That race to develop and sell the next, greatest TV is still very much on.''
TVs should be even skinnier than last year and, of course, bigger. Samsung, for example, has plans to show a TV that's only 6.5 millimetres thick.
Samsung and Yahoo have announced that select models of flat-panel HDTVs will come with a built-in Internet-based service allowing consumers to do things on the TV screen that they would normally do on their PCs, such as checking stock portfolios online and sharing photos.
LG has announced a TV with built-in Netflix streaming that allows direct rental of movies and television programs that should be out in the United States this spring.
``It's not just a question of resolution and pixels anymore. It's about connectivity and it's about maximizing the potential of your TV, too,'' Restivo said.
Slimmed-down PCs called netbooks are also expected to be popular at the four-day show.
PC Magazine analyst Sascha Segan said netbooks are one of the ``hottest'' categories of PCs right now. They are about half the size of a laptop and the price tag isn't usually above $500.
Netbooks are environmentally friendly because they are ``power sippers'' with smaller and longer lasting batteries, said Segan, lead analyst for mobile devices at the New York-based technology publication.
While netbooks do essentially the same things that PCs do, Segan said they aren't designed for high-end video games and software programs, due to their slower processors.
While the economy may be limping along, Segan doesn't believe that signals the decline of what's billed as the world's biggest consumer technology trade show.
``It's not going to be the biggest CES ever, but predictions of CES's demise are overestimated,'' said Segan, who plans to attend the show.
``This is still going to be a huge trade show full of gadgets,'' Segan said.
Mobile phones also will have a strong role with Canada's Research In Motion (TSX:RIM) attending the show again this year.
Motorola has said it will introduce a cellphone made of recycled plastic water bottles, LG will unveil 3G or ``third-generation'' watch phone and Palm is expected to unveil its Nova smartphone operating system.
The show will attract 2,700 exhibitors, the same number as last year, and will cover a bit less floor space but still the equivalent of a couple of dozen football fields, which means lots and lots of walking.
Celebrities such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and NBA Hall of Famer Clyde ``The Glide'' Drexler are among those slated to attend. The game show ``Jeopardy'' will shoot episodes of ``Celebrity Jeopardy'' at CES.
While Bill Gates won't be giving the keynote address on Wednesday night before the show officially opens as in past years, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will take his place. Microsoft is rumoured to be unveiling its Windows 7 operating system and possibly a Zune mobile phone at the show.
Among the consumer gadgets and technology to be announced:
_ Augmented reality technology that will show products in 3D.
_ Wi-Tricity: a technology that allows wire-free power charging of small devices.
_ Updated palm-sized micro projectors that connect to smartphones allowing users to project images and content such as photos and video.
_ Wireless technology that charges cellphones and laptops by simply setting them down on a work surface or table.
Copyright ? 2009 The Canadian Press
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