CES kicked off Thursday morning with the keynote address by CEA president Gary Shapiro and sponsor host Verizon discussing some of their new innovations and technology on the horizon.
Over 25,000 of the attendees to this years convention are from countries outside of the US. Shapiro started his speech by encouraging innovation and making note that “In America a mistake in business is embraced as a learning experience.” He went on to mention that, “Innovation has grown from our diversity in the US that was a core element to our forefathers who started our government and were key innovators themselves.”
Shapiro went on to campaign for the innovation movement by saying, “We must do what is best for innovation and for our nation.” He specifically called out the FCC to release spectrum spaces that are being held up that could otherwise further the broadband wireless technology expansion throughout the US and help break ground for use of this technology throughout the world.
Shapiro stated some incredible facts that bring reality to how innovation in social networking and integration into home theater and other common household electronics is changing our world. He stated that the consumer electronics association (CEA) projects that by 2014 30 million internet TV sets will be purchased in the US alone.
Entertainment is taking on a whole new look and connecting the consumer to the digital content regardless of the device they prefer to use is becoming the predominate goal and agenda of technology leaders.
Shapiro also mentioned that 70% of all consumer electronic products will be connected to the internet by 2014 regardless of place or use in the consumers life.
Among some of the other events that are being hosted or partnered with by the CEA at CES 2011 is the CEA Tech enthusiasts forum. You can find more about it here- http://www.ceatechenthusiast.com/
The World Electronics forum was also being hosted at CES this year. More about that event can be found here- http://www.wefonline.org/
Shapiro reminded everyone in the audience that 10 years ago 1 in 3 people had a cell phones. Now in 2011 the usage globally is 9 out of 10 people have a cell phone.
More to come in the next few days. We’ll show off some of the latest 3D display technology not requiring glasses and give you a look at the new Motorola droids (Ionic and Zoom).
Keep checking back for details daily as we cover the convention for you.
What are your thoughts on these numbers? Do you think technology is driving social networking or is social networking driving technology that’s used to access it?
