Tech Blog

[#1]

What a busy, busy week.

For some of us, this is the first week back after a nice leisurely Christmas vacation. Yet for some of us, this is also the week that they're spending in various hotels and convention facilities in Las Vegas as they attend the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Now you may think that this is just another venue for manufacturers to showcase new toys that we really don't need, and in many cases you'd be right. But yet, CES is really a cultural showplace where, over the years, some of the most beneficial consumer technology was first exposed to the public.

Launched in 1967, CES is where many of us first heard about tech that is now consider mainstream, or obsolete even. Here's a brief list of some of the things launched at a CES over the years:

• Videocassette Recorder (VCR), 1970  
• Laserdisc Player, 1974 
• Camcorder, 1981 
• Compact Disc Player, 1981 
• Digital Audio Technology, 1990 
• Compact Disc - Interactive, 1991 
• Mini Disc, 1993 
• Radio Data System, 1993 
• Digital Satellite System, 1994 
• Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), 1996   
• High Definition Television (HDTV), 1998   Hard-disc VCR (PVR), 1999
• Digital Audio Radio (DAR), 2000
• Microsoft Xbox, 2001
• Plasma TV, 2001
• Home Media Server, 2002
• HD Radio, 2003
• Blu-Ray DVD, 2003
• HDTV PVR, 2003

I'm sure you have one or more of these products in your home right now. And I'm sure that there are many many more shown at a CES that promptly vanished from the spotlight - Beta VCR anyone? Yep, I had one, and for the record, I thought it looked much *much* better than VHS.

Over the next few days, you'll hear from Elliott, Future Shop's Communications Manager, from the show floor in Vegas.

You'll also hear from me and some of the other Future Shop bloggers as we monitor the CES action from back here in the Great White North -- even though this is an American trade show, it has huge implications for us here -- already we've learned that the much-anticipated Google Phone isn't available to Canadians yet. I'm sure there are other major announcements that will have implications here in Canada; I'm looking forward to sharing them with you.

What else does CES have in store for us? Join us over the next week as we learn about the 21 century version of the Camcorder...and other cool toys. So strap in, check back often and enjoy, we're in for a bit of a bumpy yet wild ride -- as usual. And do feel free to sound off about your thoughts on the tech we talk about.

[#2]

One thing I would love to hear in the coming days is your assessment of 3D HDTV.

How much more does it cost?  10%? 20%? 30%?

How strong is the interest?

How soon would we see products in Canada, as well as at your Future Shop stores?

I understand the best way to prepare for 3D today is getting the PS3 which promises support with a firmware update.

[#3]

Well put, Brad!

@XL - I know Brad will be scouting out the new 3D HDTVs as will I. We'll keep you posted on expected retail pricing,j expectations and possible timing of availability at Future Shop.