They’re ba-a-ack.
After slogging through a tough 2008 – with sales barely up over the previous year – the world’s leading electronics manufacturers will convene in Las Vegas this week to debut the latest TVs, computers, smartphones, video games and other gadgets, eye candy aimed at re-igniting consumer spending.
LG is set to announce its GD910, an iPhone like wristwatch that will make Dick Tracy’s radio-watch look downright analog.
Yahoo! and Intel are teaming up on a TV product they hope will finally marry Americans’ two greatest joys – watching TV and surfing the Web. Yahoo!’s widget channel will link TV viewers with on-line friends and info about what they are watching.
And there is so much more: portable digital TVs, wireless headphones, new BlackBerry-compatible products from Palm, more iPod accessories and even a waterproof TV.
While analysts are predicting another tough year for electronics manufacturers and retailers, once you get a look at the hottest items to be introduced this week at the annual Consumer Electronics Show you’ll agree that any sales decline won’t be the result of the companies not trying.