Tablets, apps and a technological shot in the arm for the economy at large are all among the biggest predictions for what to expect at the Computer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas.
Even though we are weeks away from the unveiling of Apple’s iSlate, the tablet category of personal and portable computing is far and away the hottest topic talked and written about heading into the four day CES showcase of state-of-the-art technological devices.
While, as MarketWatch puts it, Apple’s leak of a January 27th unveiling of the iSlate is “stealing the thunder” from CES, tablet computers from the likes of Microsoft/HP and Lenovo will attract the headlines. It helps, of course, that no other than Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will reportedly make the personal pitch announcing Microsoft’s entry into the tablet space during a CES keynote address.
Even without participating, Apple will have a profound impact on everything that occurs at at CES. Just look at AT&T. While the company has enjoyed exclusivity as an iPhone purveyor, there are rumblings that an alliance between Apple and Verizon for the iSlate will eventually lead to a deal for the iPhone as well. This is causing Apple to diversify its own agreements. Expect Android-based smart phones – with access to 20,000 and counting apps from the Android marketplace – as well as two Palm OS phones to be carried by AT&T in the months ahead.
The struggling economy is not having a negative impact on attendance or enthusiasm at CES. In fact, the tech space is where its at in the opening weeks of the new decade. As The Wall Street Journal reports, research firm Gartner Inc. is forecasting $3.3 trillion spent on information technology in 2010. After a sharp contract last year, the arrow is definitely pointing up in this space.
