After perusing my schedule for the 2012 International CES, I decided it was probably time to put together a few thoughts (not predictions mind you) about what is always and forever billed as the “the world’s largest consumer technology trade show.” We can conveniently split these thoughts into “Kudos,” “Duds” and “Curious.”
Kudos to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) for moving CES to the second week of January. Judging by the spike in hotel prices and airfares, I’m guessing I’m not alone in embracing this move and it will have a measurable, positive effect on attendance.
Kudos to Pepcom’s Digital Experience for going with a cowboy theme this year, which seems appropriate for Las Vegas. This group always puts on a creative and engaging event, and I’m glad they’re finally getting around to donning a pair of spurs.
Kudos to AT&T’s Dev Con for generating some buzz this year. I’m not sure what they’ve got on tap, but people are talking.
Duds to Microsoft, which takes up nearly a city block of exhibit floor real estate, for announcing that this will be its last year at CES. Kind of tacky, Microsoft, considering that your CEO is giving the preshow keynote.
Duds to the fact that my ridiculously priced flight goes from Madison, Wis., to Dallas, Salt Lake City and finally, some 10 hours later, Las Vegas.
Duds to Motorola Mobility for failing to have a press event this year. The company’s always classy affairs usually feature interesting product unveils with funny names (Motorola BackFlip anyone?), decent venues and above-average appetizers. Note: I hear there will be some device announcements, so stay tuned.
Duds to the gratuitous amounts of lip balm I’ll inevitably have to use while in those arid climes.
Curious to see what Nokia will be unveiling on the mobile side. I’ve been impressed with the Lumia 710 and 800 and am interested to see where the company goes from here.
Curious to see if Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the CEA, will go anywhere near the failed AT&T/T-Mobile merger during his planned discussion with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. Shapiro usually likes to devote at least 15 minutes during his keynotes to outlining the dangers of regulatory meddling, so I’d like to hear what these two manage to scrape together for their chat.
After this week’s Forbes article, which basically predicts the death of Best Buy, I’m curious to see what the electronics retailer’s CEO, Brian Dunn, has to say about the future of brick-and-mortar chains.
Curious whether Steve Ballmer will devote much of his keynote to the mobile side of Microsoft’s business, and whether Nokia’s hardware is getting any traction since the Lumia 800 was released in Europe.
While these little nitpicky things will ultimately comprise the expected ups, downs and curiosities of the annual craziness that happens every year in Las Vegas, it’s the unexpected announcement that ultimately makes the show. On that note, I’ll leave you with a “wait and see” and a stay tuned to Wireless Week!
