The Consumer Electronics Association ended the decade on a happy note with an overall increase in numbers at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show. Having faced a tough economy with decreased sales, more competition, and upset shareholders, technology companies were eager to show the world what they have been working on.
More than 2,500 tech companies unveiled more than 20,000 new products at CES. While the show saw repeat vendors, a record 330 new exhibitors came to display innovations, including wrist PCs, 3-D TVs and new services.
CES 2010 brought in more attendees with about 120,000 people, a six percent increase from last year’s 113,085. CES also saw an increase of more than 1,000 international attendees from last year. While that is still less than 2008’s 130,000 attendees, it is a strong number given the economy.
Attendees heard keynote speeches from Ford Chairman Alan Mulally, Intel’s Paul Otellini and Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer.
“This show exceeded expectations with its innovation, optimism and excitement,” said Gary Shapiro, president and chief executive of CEA. “What a great way to kick off the new decade.”
Government officials, including Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski and Commissioners Meredith Atwell Baker, Mignon Clyburn, and Robert McDowell, attended the show. CES also had a slew of celebrities, from teen singer Taylor Swift to eclectic singer Lady Gaga.
Devices and services unveiled at CES created a lot of industry buzz. Google’s Android OS captured people’s attention. Intel’s new Arrandale and Clarkdale chipsets also captured some attention, as did Microsoft’s new controller-free game experience called Project Natal.
“This was very much a year of evolution, not revolution, in consumer electronics,” said Michael Gartenberg, a vice president at Interpret. “The biggest new item was 3-D TV, and that is likely to be more gimmick than feature that drives…