Look at that gadget stack! Electronics megashow must be back
More predictions for the year ahead, and a peek at my itinerary for the International Consumer Electronics Show, set to open Thursday.
• Wireless networks will continue to grow. Look for more WiMax networks to spring up in cities across the country. Think of WiMax as Wi-Fi on steroids.
Many people today have Wi-Fi networks in their homes that wirelessly connect their computers to the Internet. If you're in range of an open wireless connection you can get online. A few of you take that a step further, and "borrow" a neighbor's wireless network.
WiMax is one step closer to truly ubiquitous bandwidth, which means enabled devices in large, defined areas -- say an entire city -- can always be connected to the Net. I saw a WiMax demo last year at CES, and I suspect I'll see another this year. You can learn more at (www.wimax.com).
• Photo storage and sharing will continue to grow. A week doesn't go by without at least one or two pitches from public relations folks for coverage of a photo site or digital photo frame company. Sites like Flickr, Snapfish, Kodak and Webshots keep springing up with "cheaper, faster, bigger" solutions for your digital media storage -- including video and music files.
If you don't have an account on at least one online photo site, you will.
• The digital conversion industry will blossom. There's a new generation of machines that convert analog media (photos, 35 millimeter slides, vinyl records, cassette tapes) into digital replicas. Most of the units retail for about $100 and connect easily to your computer. There are also Web businesses that provide conversion services. I see both the do-it-yourself and send-it-away varieties growing in 2009.
This time of year my inbox is packed with messages touting the benefits of the latest hardware, software or online service. I get personal invitations to interview tech company CEOs and am asked to schedule time at booths on the CES convention floor.
In non-CES times I may get 250 to 300 e-mail messages daily. Add another 100 to 150 to that during December and early January. I should have asked Santa to have public relations folks to actually read the areas of interest form I submit when I sign up to cover any tech show.
That would mean no pitches for coverage of the latest big-screen, flat-screen or wireless-screen anything. No statements followed by calls asking for coverage of home audio systems. An end to e-mails featuring wireless faucets. (Aren't all faucets wireless?)
I'll start my CES coverage early, attending a pre-CES show the night before the opening and two other press-only events featuring smaller booths and knowledgeable representatives -- and a lot less walking.
I'll be blogging all week at lvrj.com/blogs/onlineguy.
Share your Internet story with me at agibes@reviewjournal.com.
TIP OF THE WEEK International Consumer Electronics Show The largest consumer electronics love-in of the year gears up in Las Vegas Jan. 8-11. If you your travel budget has been slashed, or you're itching to see the keynotes and read about the latest product releases, this is the site for you. I plan to head to the many convention exhibit halls a couple of times, and will also use the many features of the site to maximize my time there.
