Consumer Electronics Show
Betting on digital technology
By Cecily Fraser, CBS MarketWatch
Last Update: 4:57 PM ET Jan 4, 2000
NewsWatch
LAS VEGAS (CBS.MW) -- The craze for mobile phones, computing
gadgets and Internet toys will be in the spotlight this week after the
high-profile Consumer Electronics Show kicks off in Las Vegas.
The trade show will highlight cool technology -- including digital audio and
video, home networking, wireless communications and Internet enriched
products -- that are expected to keep the industry humming in the coming
year.
"CES is the world's launch pad for the digital millennium," said Gary
Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers
Association, in a statement.
Checking out the goods
The Consumer Electronics Manufacturers
Association, sponsor of the show, is expected to
draw about 90,000 visitors. More than 1,500
exhibitors are expected to showcase everything
from the latest telecommunications products to
Internet appliances.
On Thursday morning, Eric Benhamou, chief
executive officer of 3Com (COMS: news, msgs)
will kick things off with an opening keynote address
on how the constant flow of information shows no
signs of ebbing.
Bill Gates, chief executive officer of Microsoft
(MSFT: news, msgs) will deliver the show's new
millennium keynote address Wednesday evening.
Sony (SNE: news, msgs), Panasonic and Toshiba
(TOSBF: news, msgs) are just a few companies
holding press conferences Wednesday to give
consumers a sneak peak at their latest technological
breakthroughs. The companies will formally
introduce their products Thursday when they open
their booths.
The Consumer Electronics Association said that for the first time,
attendees and exhibitors will be able to view the annual consumer
technology show in high-definition television. HDTV, which made its
industry debut at CES in 1998, offers clearer pictures and CD-quality
sound.
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