CES 2011: The Show That Wasn't

tvpredictions.com ^ | January 10, 2011 | Phillip Swann

[Las Vegas Dave]

Washington, D.C. (January 10, 2011) -- The 2011 Consumer Electronics Show is over but the marketing messages will live on in TV campaigns, billboards, Internet message boards, smartphone texts, you name it. CE companies are just getting started in their efforts to persuade you that you can't live without their new wares.

During the show, the products getting the most attention, at least in the consumer electronics category, were tablets (read: iPad imitators); 'Smart TVs,' which enable users to surf the Net and watch videos instantly; new (and maybe improved) 3D TVs; and the usual array of novelty items such as that iPhone app that allows you to take your blood pressure and email the results to your doctor.

However, from this writer's humble perspective, the 2011 CES Show lacked the excitement and surprise that you normally expect from the annual gadgetfest. There wasn't that one new, can't-live-without-it innovation introduced or even a startling breakthrough in an existing product. The show really was about warming up leftovers (Smart TVs, 3D TVs, etc) in the hopes they'll look more appetizing in 2011.

Considering that most consumers are still recession-weary, perhaps that's a good thing. Rather than try to push a new product category -- as TV makers unwisely did at the 2010 show with the 3D TV -- it appears that CE companies wanted to give consumers a chance to take a second look at their existing products.

That said, TVPredictions.com has assembled links to 16 CES stories we published during the week so you can take your second look, or perhaps even a third:

(Note: Below story links can be found at "http://www.tvpredictions.com/cesreview011011.htm" - LVD )

CES: Vizio: New Specs to Clear Up 3D

TV Tech at CES: 10 Burning Questions

HBO Launches 3D HD VOD Service

CES: Vizio to Unveil Cinema-Wide HDTVs

CES: ESPN 3D Goes 24 Hours In February

CES: Why 3D TV Is Doomed (Again)

CES: Sony to Sell SI Swimsuit Video In 3D

CES: VUDU to Offer 3D Movies

CES: 3 Hollywood Directors: Blu-ray Is Best

CES: Penthouse to Launch 3D Channel

CES: Blu-ray Now In 27.5M U.S. Homes

CES: Why Is Vudu Adding 3D Movies? Guess.

CES Press Releases:

CES: Sony Unveils 27 New Bravia HDTVs

CES: 6 Star Wars Films Go Blu In September

CES: Dish Adds Live TV to Android Tablets

CES: LG Adds Net-Enabled Blu-ray Players

[Las Vegas Dave]

Curtis Mathes Corporation manufactures home electronics in the United States. The company offers a range of LCD and plasma television sets, as well as wooden home theater cabinets. It serves customers through retailers. The company was founded in 1957 and is based in Frisco, Texas. Curtis Mathes Corporation is a prior subsidiary of VPGI Corp.

http://www.curtismathes.com/index1.html

The specs on their LCD’s are very poor, chances are the website has not been updated for years.

LCD and PLASMA tv’s are made in China or Japan. Good luck trying to find an American made TV!

http://www.thinkyourwaytowealth.com/2008/02/16/can-i-actually-buy-a-tv-made-in-the-usa/

[Cyber Liberty]

nOOb.

[diamond6]

I think the only way to support the USA would probably be Vizio, as you suggested earlier.