TECHTRENDS: What's Hot, What's Not

[Nick]

This thread is for reporting and discussion of general trends in today's consumer
technology. Discussion of trends in technology products and services such as
satellite tv (DBS), satellite radio, cable tv, consumer electronic products, personal
computers and related tech topics is welcome. Discussion of specific products and
services should be directed to other, more appropriate forums.
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The biggest story during the first half of 2006 was the incredible sales growth of
flat-panel TVs over the same period in 2005Mid-Year Consumer Tech Gets Boost

Sales of consumer technologies like IT, imaging, audio/video and telecommunications
increased almost 5% during the first half of 2006 to over $48 billion compared to the
same period last year. And new research suggests that the biggest story during the first
half of the year was sales growth of flat-panel TVs.

According to research firm The NPD Group, both LCD and plasma TVs brought in over
$4 billion in sales for the first half of 2006, a 128% increase over 2005's first six months.

The report said that notebook computers are consistently outselling desktops with their
upward trend. Sales of notebook computers topped seven billion dollars - a 17% increase
from 2005.

Portable digital players, experiencing phenomenal growth over the past couple years, are
beginning to see slowing growth trends but are still pushing into the billions. From January
through June, 2006, portable digital devices saw a 34% increase over last year earning
more than $2.2 billion in sales.

"In the first half of the year there are numerous holidays and occasions that help boost
technology sales, such as the Super Bowl, graduations, Father's Day and Mother's Day",
said Stephen Baker, VP of industry analysis, The NPD Group. "Based on what we've
seen so far, we are expecting strong growth for the rest of 2006 with back-to-school,
Black Friday, and holiday season consumer technology sales poised to be even more
robust than last year."

www.SkyRetailer.com - used with permission

[Larry Caldwell]

As some of the new technology moves into commodity status, lower income people will be able to afford it. I just bought a 1 gB mp3 player (doubles as a USB drive) for $39. The sound beats my old Walkman by a mile. Now if they would just invent ear buds that don't fall out of your ears when you get active...

I may have bought my last desktop computer. My most recent purchase was a "bookshelf" computer for my wife. It's a laptop with a full power desktop CPU and 7200 RPM hard drive. All peripherals are connected through one USB hub, so when she finishes working, she just folds it up, unplugs the power cord and one USB cable, and tucks the computer into a bookshelf. Out of sight and out of mind.

Our front projection TV uses the same technique. With an electric screen recessed in the ceiling, we just roll up the TV when we aren't watching it. The room reverts to a real living room, with real decor, instead of everything facing a one-eyed monster. Some of my friends have a bluetooth cell phone headset that is virtually invisible

I think the real breaking news technology of the next few years will be equipment that gives you 21st Century entertainment without being obtrusive. For instance, I don't see any reason that they couldn't market a portable, wide-screen DVD player that projects directly on your retina. Hook it to a wireless network and voice recognition software, and you would have a powerful executive computing environment.