How do you make it look like your industry is growing again?
Include Internet services that are replacing traditional forms of media
distribution, that require the products you industry makes.
I guess this makes sense - I still remember when an entire hall at CES was
dedicated to the porn industry and the products sold in Adult Entertainment
stores...
Makes one wonder what’s next.
During the ‘90s I used to go to CES, as “digital disintermediation” started to
transform what were formerly large professional industries, like the
professional TV gear sold at NAB. Bill Gates was the annual Keynote Speaker,
giving us yearly updates on how Microsoft would attempt (but fail) to transform
our homes. Tracking progress with the DTV transition required attending both
CES and NAB.
NAB still offers a few glimpses at professional video gear, but the industry is
a skeleton of its former self. And CES is now focused more on The Internet of
Things than the latest and largest TV display. HDTV has become ubiquitous, with
4K and 8K approaching rapidly. But the real story is that we all carry an HDTV
camera and display on our pockets, and can “broadcast” live from almost
anywhere , anytime.
Will CES and NAB soon merge into one show?
Regards
Craig
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-consumer-electronics-sales-expected-to-reach-record-351b-in-2018-with-help-from-streaming-services-2018-01-08
U.S. consumer electronics sales expected to reach record $351B in 2018 with
help from streaming services
Tonya Garcia
The U.S. consumer technology industry is expected to reach record sales of $351
billion in 2018, up 3.9% from 2017, according to the Consumer Technology
Association. This year's sales got a boost from the addition of on-demand video
services like Netflix Inc. NFLX, -0.37% Hulu and Sling TV, and on-demand audio
services like Spotify, Pandora and Apple Music AAPL, -0.01% The CTA included
these services for the first time in order "to better capture the full expanse
of the ever-evolving and expanding consumer technology market." Without these
services, 2018 growth would only be 2.2%. Some of the technologies expected to
drive sales this year are smart speakers, with sales expected to grow 60% this
year, smart home items like smart locks and doorbells, expected to grow 41%,
and virtual reality headsets and eyewear, expected to be up 25%. The top five
"mature" technologies, including smartphones, laptops and TVs are expected to
make up 51% of revenue for the year. The Consumer Electronics Show will be Jan.
9 through Jan. 12.