| News covering the consumer electronics industry | December 11, 2008 |
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Looking forward to 2009
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Susan Rush
Lead Editor
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Well it has been another exciting year of innovation and hot products for consumer electronics. I can't believe 2008 is already winding down, but I'm sure all of us are excited to experience what 2009 has in store. Part I of this CEA SmartBrief special year-end report looked back at the most important trends and stories of 2008. Part II, below, highlights our predictions and yours for what's in store for 2009.
From where I sit, this coming year will present opportunities and challenges for our profession. Millions of DTV coupons have been mailed, HDTV prices are dropping, spurring sales, so it seems everything is in place for February's switchover to all digital, but we will have to remain diligent to ensure consumers' needs are met. And with the FCC's voting in favor of allowing low-power wireless devices to operate in "white spaces" in the television spectrum, CE-product manufacturers and technology developers will be working to meet consumer demand in that space as well. Wireless, home theater, gaming, green electronics and new technologies will also be at the forefront of the industry as it moves through 2009.
As a fun way to look back, while still looking forward, we decided to run poll questions for this year's report similar to last year's. Now we can compare where you saw the industry heading in 2008 and where you see it heading as we move into 2009. Smartphones and touch-screen PCs are the hot technologies to watch, while last year the question of who will win the gaming-console battle was generating buzz. In terms of how green CE will be next year, sentiments are about on par, year-over-year, with 28% of you calling for 2009 to be the year CE will go green, compared with 22% who felt that way about 2008.
As for events, the first half of the year promises the 2009 International CES (Jan. 8 to 11), which will feature an expanded Gaming Showcase, as well as EHX Spring 2008 (March 11 to 15) in Orlando, Fla. Visit the CES Web site for full details.
I hope you enjoy reading the rest of the results of our reader polls below.
Happy New Year.
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| Your Predictions |  | |
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| How will the digital-TV transition play out? | | Consumer education will be the key to success. |  | 43.73% | | It will be a mess; people will be without television service. |  | 26.62% | | Without a hitch, it will be seamless. |  | 25.86% | | What transition, long live rabbit ears! |  | 3.80% |
| Is the future of consumer electronics green? | | Maybe, technology advancements and more consumer interest are still needed. | | 46.15% | | Yes, 2009 will be the year of the environment for CE industry. | | 28.02% | | No, consumers really don't care, they just want cool gadgets. | | 25.82% |
| What will be the hot CE product in 2009? | | Smartphones. | | 31.25% | | Touch-screen laptops. | | 27.78% | | No one clear winner, product popularity will ebb and flow. | | 19.91% | | 3-D televisions. | | 18.75% | | MP3 players. |  | 2.31% |
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| | Recent CEA SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008
- Tuesday, December 09, 2008
- Monday, December 08, 2008
- Friday, December 05, 2008
- Thursday, December 04, 2008
| | | Lead Editor: Susan Rush
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