A P Insights
 People See who brings the International CES to life. Big names backing big technology. Powerful leaders discussing powerful issues. |
 Products Engineering tomorrow, CES exhibitors show off the next big thing in audio, digital imaging, emerging technology, mobile electronics, wireless and more. |
 Show Floor Business connections multiply in and around the Las Vegas Convention Center, home to the largest consumer technology tradeshow. |
d Trend
s Beyond 2The year 2006 in Consumer Electronics will be positive with a mixed bag of sales and revenue successes and tribulations complete with good and bad surprises. At year end, it will be capped by strong Christmas retail purchases mostly driven by relevant products, inventive financial/sales/marketing strategies throughout the year.
API predicts 2007 should be much better barring any significant global security attacks, energy disruptions, health pandemics, economic destabilization, etc. Even if some of the aforementioned scenarios actually happen, the consumer electronics industry is well equipped and experienced to quickly adjust its strategies, development, production and distribution operations.
Between January 6 through 11, the increasingly important economic race for global economic success in the 2007 Consumer Electronics marketplace will begin anew. The trade association for the important North American CEA industry for the last 40 years is the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Its hugely successful flagship event is Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in
The world will come to
CEA will provide the latest business information such as product sales by segment and pre-closing financial estimates. API and its associates will discover some of the behind the scenes stories, competitive strategies (what worked and didnt and why), while attending numerous new product unveilings. We will endeavor to discover and predicate how this dynamic business segment will influence other global sectors and economies.
It seems the world cant get enough of consumer electronics. CES 2007 will be the first major show to launch the first looks through important keynote addresses, product reveals, in-depth seminars, insider events and meetings taking place almost 20 hours every day.
Some Important Trends To Consider
1. Digital Imaging. Mega pixels are up and prices are dropping. Easy of use is improving. Digital cameras and camcorders seem to be everywhere including --- cell phones. Cameras with 6 MP to 10 MP is a very hot segment with new product arriving weekly. Consumers have a tremendous range of choices. API will give you our latest first impressions choices after CES and when PMA comes to
2. Personal Storage. All the digital images and web surfing have placed new demands on safe and easy to use storage. Companies are showcasing very large hard drives, thumb drives and especially new higher density storage approaches in smaller form factors that use less power. This is an important area for personal, business and military applications we are following closely.
Blu-Ray and HD DVD battles continue much to the frustration of end users. Each has advantages and pricing offers that seem to go on indefinitely. API thinks its time to get everything resolved much sooner than later. Just look at all the High Definition flat panel screens being sold.
3. Computing At Fixed and Mobile Locations. All this data requires multicore processors, faster buses and systems and long overdo more efficient programming software that has strong security capabilities.
In 2006, the hardware side got competitive. AMD, Intel and others made commendable progress with their multicore approaches but API thinks the best is yet to come. We will look for any early examples of new hardware approaches at the show and private events for media and analysts only. We are hoping to find really good laptops.We know much of the best leading edge equipment starts life in Japan and slowly works its way to the USA and Europe.
Software always seems to be a "work in progress" due to its complexity and market share business considerations. The much delayed MS Vista software has met with lukewarm interest in corporate and general public markets while being plagued with driver and launch problems. Well give it fair shake but actively look for more efficient and stable approaches with competing systems.
4. Net Access Anytime and Anywhere Wirelessly. The promise of 802.11n needs to be sorted out soon. Individuals and communities want to have an operable WIMAX system, mesh network, and/or telecomm system working now. Enormous market and economic benefits are possible and each day its delayed our national economic potential is short changed. Do Americans have to go to Asia or
In the communications sector, just look how fast and successful Skype has been. Perhaps there are some Lessons To Be Learned with a "Skype Type" approach.
5. Blogs, Wordpress, Wikipedia, YouTube, Craigslist and Other Open Source Wonders. Power To The People and Vinton Cerf come to mind on what the Internet can and should become. The API editors think these and other "NetEnablers" is a far more effective way to spend ones time and efforts to empower oneself, the Internet and the Economy. We hope to find some new approaches in the many venues at and around CES 2007.
API 2007 Developments
Fasten your seat belts, the race for 007 is about to begin. Well bring you the highlights and special reports, analysis and recommendations through our on site teams, special operators, unique insights and services to your desktop, VPN or in person.
Stay tuned for new API developments, expanded coverage, new technology applications, perspectives and insights throughout 2007. Its going to be a rocket ride not only on the information super highway but on the ground, in the air, on water and perhaps space.
Consumer Electronics Expected To Be Hot For The Holidays And Beyond
The Road Ahead In 2007 ---Choices and Decisions
By Roger Rohrs and Jim Bennett
Sept 2007
Rapidly changing global conditions, endless political bickering, volatile energy prices, employment instability, changing consumer habits all provide challenges and opportunities for the consumer electronics industry and other industrial sectors competing for finite consumer revenues.
API analysts and reporters heard this and more over the start of the 2005 Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping season. Many average adults were buying seasonal gift specials at Wal-Mart, Target, and Best Buys to smaller specialty stores to stretch their family budgets. Women were observed buying clothes, shoes, toys and household items for kids, relatives and friends at places with sales up to 75% off. Men bought tools, sports gear and vehicle accessories--- also on sale. Kids wanted toys, games and food regardless of price or availability. In
One savvy, high energy lady summarized consumer electronic products interestingly, “I work in business and run a household with five children so I see and hear a lot.” “Consumer electronics seem to have endless demand and have become the new “Comfort Food of the 21st Century.” My husband, kids and friends tell me about all this stuff all the time. We’ve bought seemingly endless computer systems, games, televisions, cable service and digital cameras since the 90’s. After a time, they stop working or get out dated so fast. We recycle them at our annual yard sale, get it repaired or donate them to our church. It does challenge our budgeting, but we stay at home more now or visit close friends more frequently because traffic, security and lack of time. The home entertainment experience, gives us a place to relax with our hectic lifestyle.”
“If these new products seem good for our family and the prices are fair, we’ll give them consideration. Other items like travel, gas and energy have gotten very expensive so quickly. We’ll stay at home more and entertain ourselves--- in comfort.”
When asked about her top five consumer electronic favorite items she said:
1. Anything that saves me time and effort in the kitchen and around the house or in my businesses.
2. My cell phone.
3. Our wide screen television is fine with “supervised viewing.”
4. No more video games or horrible rap music as they are now banned from the house.
5. We are thinking about one of these internet telephones for overseas calls to family.
Other people’s tech wish lists were varied but comfort, security, quality, ease of use, less expensive mobile internet, mobile television and radio in rural areas, labor saving and money saving products and services were frequently top of mind. Many hated the spam, viruses, and continuing complexities of computing including endless offers to bundle services with perceived unneeded and unwanted services.
At a gaming store, two younger early adopters noted “lock up” problems with the new Microsoft Xbox 360 and complained about limited games to play on the new system. The improved graphics were noted but they were skeptical of getting locked into Microsoft. They commented continuing problems with their personal computers, continuing major Microsoft security problems and slow response to thwart hackers and etc. Some bought Apple systems and others use Firefox open source software with no or fewer security breaches.
Imaging. Mega pixels are up and prices are dropping. Easy of use is improving. Digital cameras and camcorders seem to be everywhere including --- cell phones. Cameras with 6 MP to 10 MP is a very hot segment with new product arriving weekly. Consumers have a tremendous range of choices. API whenever poConsumer Electronics Expected To Be
Hot For The Holidays And Beyond
By Roger Rohrs, Jim Bennett , Olivia Stull, John Sizemore and Craig Stull
November 19, 2005
Sustained yearly trends place consumer electronic products in a strong buy position for the holidays and throughout 2006. Online retail sources indicate holiday retail sales to exceed $26 billion with over 20% increase over 2004. Pre-holiday early sales patterns indicate the big retailers like Wal Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City and the warehouse clubs have customers responding to sales events and early bird specials. Plans for November 26 include 5 am openings, special discounts, two for one discounts, liberal credit and Sams Club will even serve breakfast starting at 5 am while demonstrating featured products. These promotions are sure to please shoppers, even after a big Thanksgiving feast.
Before CES 2005, the media/analyst special Unveiled new product event provided the API team a quick first look at interesting products like Jabras BT800 new next generation Bluetooth headset with advanced mobile phone capabilities.
Lexars LDP-800 full featured, flash-based portable MP3 player and Seagates USB 2.0 Pocket Hard Drive with 5 GB of storage took care of data, pictures, audio and video files. 
Also discovered was ShureE4c Sound Isolating Earphones that we reviewed and tested with fine music recordings and protecting our hearing at Champ Car races and the extrme noise of military jet flight lines during the year. ----"E4C SOUND ISOLATING---"
Ten 2006 early Hot Picks include:
Apple iPod Nano
Ordering this unit in understated black is in demand when equipped with 4 GB of storage good for 1000 songs with pricing starting at $199 or less. The design is another winner with pencil thin size, operational stability and the very cool Apple iPod musical experience it will allow you to take your music to places youve never dreamed of including space travel for you, Xtreme adventurers, later this decade with Virgin Galactic.
Microsoft Xbox 360
Speaking of X, Microsofts long awaited Xbox 360 debuts on November 22nd to eager buyers of all ages. Midnight product launches and demos are sure to keep the true believers up all night experiencing the latest interactive entertainment offering. The Xbox 360 console will feature high quality graphics, play music, display photos, show DVDs and play the latest video games.
Bill Gates has most likely spent time with the Xbox 360 teams to underscore development efforts to try and deliver a movie like experience. This is especially important since it ties into the companys core business strategy that links elements of Microsofts new online initiative Windows Live to better compete with free, advertising financed web services like instant messenger, e-mail and search services led by Google and Yahoo.
Sony CyberShot DSC-T7 Digital Camera
This camera is only 5/8 inch thin, features 5.1 mega pixel image capture through an excellent Carl Zeiss 3X zoom lens. It also features a full size 2.5 inch hybrid monitor with a Clear Photo technology for improved daytime viewing. It should be highly popular with women who want a compact size, excellent design and high quality.
Sony DCR-DVD403 DVD Handycam
This camcorder is small but powerful and captures sharp images and sound directly to DVD. Again, a Carl Zeiss lens acquires superior images in video and 3.3 mega-pixels for detailed still photos. Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound and a super nightshot infrared system handles low light situations.
Panasonics TH-42PD50U Plasma Television
This is the 6th generation replacement of Americas best selling plasma TV in 2004. The best improvements include a 7-series plasma panel that has a much longer life, better brightness and negligible phosphor burn in. A great value plasma television with quality starting around $ .
Nikon Coolpix 8800
This new digital camera offers 8 mega pixel quality with a 10X zoom lens (35-350 mm), Extra-Low Dispersion glass elements and vibration reduction. Auto Color Enhancement accurately records, assesses and fine tunes the colors within images to achieve more vivid results.
Nikon D200 DSLR Camera and 18-200mm Lens
The camera is the latest and long awaited semi-pro DSLR camera positioned between the highly successful plastic bodied D70 at around $1000 and the professional D2x at $5,000 MSRP. At $1700, the solid feature packed and well thought out D200 is encased in a rubberized magnesium body and captures 10.2 mega pixel images at high speed (5 fps). The D200 does all the above at much lower cost, weight, bulk of the excellent D2x professional camera. In fact, this well designed cameras specifications seem to cover about 90% of the D2X essential feature set required by serious photographers. Hands on and field testing will be required to confirm this cameras promised price, performance and value proposition.
Nikons new 18-200mm AFS-VR f/3.5-5.6 G lens for $670 is worth considering pairing with the D200 camera. If your lens must have incredible zoom range, vibration reduction, auto focus and flexibility in a compact lens with semi-pro performance, low weight of 19.8 lbs. and only 3.0 "by 3.8" size this may be your take anywhere lens. If it performs as advertised, your money will be wisely invested. However, youll have to wait until the end of December or early 2006 to get your first look at this promising system. API will see this camera/lens combination at CES 2006 and give you our first hands on impressions.
Motorola RAZRV3 Cellular Phone
This new phone follows tremendous success of the first RAZR units features like clean lines, productive functionality encased in an intuitive design. Motorola will announce some revolutionary features that go well beyond what other manufacturers have released to date. At CES well get a first look at this evolved communication tool.
Amazing Amanda Interactive Baby Doll
The younger crowd should find this new technology enhanced play partner is an intriguing friendly tech toy. Amanda has voice recognition, sensory technology and articulated animatronics which offer one of the most complete and revolutionary play experiences to date. This advanced toy can react in an intelligent manner by responding to voices, recognizing objects and showing emotions with realistic facial expressions.
Michael Dell Will Deliver An Industry Insider Presentation At CES 2006
By Roger Rohrs and Jim Bennett
November 23, 2005
Visionary and business trailblazer Michael Dell will highlight his insights into the rapidly expanding digital world at the new CES Innovations Plus conference located at the Sands Convention Center on January 5 at 2:30 p.m. This new venue will also house more than 500 emerging technology exhibitors, 75 conference sessions, 12 Tech Zones, CES Partner Programs and the expanded, enhanced and immensely useful Press/Analysts Unveiled preview of CES 2006. 
(PRODUCTS CES UNVEILED, THE OFFICIAL PRESS EVENT WAS WELL ATTENDED BY REPORTERS)
AP Insights (API) agrees with Gary Sharpio, CEA President and CEO in saying "Dell is a leader in meeting the technology needs of todays consumers and businesses, from notebook and desktop systems to home networking, digital imaging, video and mobile entertainment, along with the service support that customers need in todays technology driven world." API believes consumer electronics will continue to play an ever important role in the US business and tech economies. This will be led by "can do" people like Michael Dell, expanders/re-builders like Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg and Kodaks CEO Antonio Perez who will be on the same CES conferences. Understanding market needs and wants, cutting edge design, innovation, style, creative manufacturing, partnering and restructuring are some of the key elements that will make a difference between winners and losers. In 2006, some business sectors like the automotive industry are heading into unknown sales and profit territory but consumer electronics in most segments should do very well. CES 2006 will give us all a preview of an exciting year ahead.
Due to CES 2006s expanded size and scope, API will assign additional staff to cover this exciting event. Our staffs varied insights from in-depth experience, multiple perspectives and viewpoints will be applied to discover, evaluate and comment on many areas including pre-event and special "insider events." This will include the latest cutting edge technology evolving to the consumer marketplace, key market segment trends, important personalities, from CEOs to tech geeks, global retail viewpoints, cross industry influences, sales and profit opportunities, quality, value propositions and international market trends.
Fasten your seat belts and get ready for an exciting and always pleasureable CES mega event.
