CES – the Consumer Electronics Show: what should I see?
Posted on Sunday, January 4th, 2009 at 12:02am. #
There are a few things that people expect me to have done which I haven’t.
I hadn’t done the Radio Academy’s Radio Festival until last year, for example, which came as a surprise to many people. And I’ve never been to CES either. But I’m fixing that.
On Thursday, I’m flying to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where I’ll be ’till Sunday. And just before you get all annoyed that your licence-fee is paying for it: it’s not. I’m paying. For all of it. Mmm. Anyway.
This (the show, and the place) is a new one on me. And I’m not quite sure what to see, but I do know it’s huge. And while I already have a number of meetings in the diary, I’ve plenty of space for more.
I’m always amazed at the type of people who read this blog: and the knowledge that you have. It’s perfectly possible that many readers are going. If you are, I’d love to arrange to meet.
In terms of what I want to see – I’m really interested in devices with radio in them, particularly connected devices like wifi radios. I’m most interested in technologies around internet-delivered media, like the iPlayer, but most interested in audio and personalisation (not video, please). I’m keen to understand where the future of portable audio is headed, whether it’s podcasting, live, or on-demand. Now that my department also deals with mobile, I’m keen to understand particularly mobile developments in media consumption, and what the UK should learn from here. Running Media UK, I want to see things that might assist with media portals (Not At All Bad Ltd is paying after all). And after-hours, I also don’t know anything about beer in Nevada.
I’m not involved in radio production (so don’t want to see mixing desks), don’t find gambling particularly interesting, and I don’t really care about television, so don’t care a stuff about thin LED flat screens, though I am interested in IPTV where it also involves audio. I’m quite tempted with that there The Beatles ‘Love’ show.
I’ll write up (some of) what I see in this blog, and get some photos in Flickr; so you’ll get some benefit from it too.
So, dear reader – what should I see? Are you there? Know of something I really shouldn’t miss? Drop me a mail (or comment here, but a private mail might be better) and I’d love to come and see your stuff, or stuff you’d be interested in.
Photo: Roadsidepictures on Flickr. Used under licence.
Helen Blaby
First, a few CES survival points:
* Cabs are impossible to get at the convention center. Rental cars are very cheap in Vegas but parking near the Convention center can suck.
* The shuttle buses don’t run that frequently, so consider going to the next hotel over if that bus is about to leave. Best to have a good idea of the layout on the strip.
* LAS Vegas airport REQUIRES you to show your luggage check coupon after picking up your luggage. Keep it safe.
* Lines to go through security at the airport on your way home can be evil.
* Never, never never play a slot machine.
Now, for what to see? It’s a monsterous chaotic mess. Your best bets will come from picking a few companies out of the directory, plotting them on the map, and paying close attention to everything you walk past on the way to get there. You’ll find some nuggets hidden amongst all the insanity.
In addition, there will be one section of the Convention Center (usually the Northern bits or even in the Hilton hotel area) that is reserved for the ‘Asian’ companies. These are the manufacturers from Asia showing off their wares and capabilities. Expect a) a ton of junk, I mean just stupid stuff like glow in the dark USB dongles, etc) but you will also find and b) many people who don’t speak English that well, but if you ask them ‘what’s new’ they might pull something out of their pocket or a back pack that they aren’t officially showing just yet. You can see some cool toys up there.
If you are willing to wait for a shuttle, there is a ‘high end’ audio section that takes over an old hotel. It’s away from the main hall because the walls of this hotel are 12 inch concrete enabling companies to BLAST their music on $50,000 turntables through $20,000 speakers so you can hear you music the way it should be. Feel free to bring your own favorite CD as they’ll put it on for you so you can compare the sound to what you have back home.
The Digital Media Device coalition will be meeting and the BBC is a member. Did you get a ticket? http://www.imdalliance.org/founders.php
Also CISCO is going to release all their new home digital media devices at CES this year.
Have fun. Passing this year to hit a few other smaller shows.