2006 International CES

Jeff Joseph, vice president of communications for the Consumer Electronics Association, was online to discuss industry trends and new products on display at the 2006 International CES trade show.

A transcript follows.

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washingtonpost.com: Jeff, thanks for joining us. What trends do you see developing at this year's show?

Jeff Joseph: Great to be here. One of the major trends this year is "content on demand" - accessing your music, movie, TV, etc. collections anytime/anywhere. A lot of exhibitors vying to be the number 1 "ipod killer."

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Bend, Oregon: Have you heard any rumors about cash-rich Google or Yahoo buying into the media mainstream?

Jeff Joseph: Yahoo CEO Terry Semel speaks here this afternoon. Rumor is, he'll announce a new set of Yahoo tools - movie listings, trialers and online music - for TVs. The service is free (if you don't mind the ads), but the TV will have to be connected to an XP computer or windows Media Center OS. Media reports say that the service also will be available to cellphone users with a data connection. Google is speaking here as well. I suspect they'll have similiar tools to announce and perhaps some content partnerships.

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Washington, DC: Is the CEA doing anything to address the issue to electronics recycling? The Post recently reported on this issue and Congress is considering a number of bills. What is your organization's stance on this tech/environment issue?

Jeff Joseph: That's a great question. As more and more products become commodities (why take your broken dvd deck in for repair if you can buy a new one for $39?) the issue of end of lifecycle disposal looms larger and larger. Our industry supports a national approach to the issue that calls for shared responsibility among manufacturers, retailers and consumers. For example, consumers may pay a small recycling fee on top of the purchase price for certain electronics. The balance of the cost is shared by manufacturers and retailers. The key is that it must be national - it would be difficult to meet, say, one recycling mandate in Bethesda and another in Fairfax. At the same time, manufacturers are looking to use more environmentally-friendly components. We have a large display here of next-gen, and current, products using non and less-hazardous materials.

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Washington, DC: Do the keynote speakers have to pay for the privilege of addressing CES? If so, how much do Microsoft, Intel, and the others pay apiece to have their top execs give speeches in Las Vegas?

Jeff Joseph: No fee. The CES is run by the Consumer Electronics Association - based in Arlington. We represent about 2000 companies in the industry. Our board coordinates with staff to id potential keynoters. We pay a base production cost (lighting, staging, etc.) and then keynoters are invited to pay any additional fee to make their presentation more compelling. They've really become quite a show! Yesterday, Sony brought out Tom Hanks, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer and showed a "never before seen" clip of The DaVinci Code. My personal fave? Standing backstage next to Gwen Stefani before the HP keynote.

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Manassas, VA: Hi,

I'm in the market for an MP3 Player. Here's my dilemma. I want an MP3 player that can download as many different files as I can from as many sites as I can. However, it seems that if I want to accessorize (speakers, fm tuners, chargers, etc) that MP3 player then Apple's IPOD is the way to go; but it has fewer options for downloading.

Is either Apple going to be more accessible by other downloading sites or are Creative and Samsung et.al going to offer more accessories for their MP3 players in the near future?

Jeff Joseph: I hear that a lot. Everyone loves iPods but want to be able to access a broader array of files. MacWorld is next week - Unfortunately Apple doesn't participate at CES because they own macworld. It will be interesting to see if Mr. Jobs makes any relevant announcments in this area, though I think Apple is fond of it's own DRM system. Almost ever major exhibitor here is vying to create the iPod killer. I have not seen as broad an array of cool accessories for other players - most manufacturers have focused on gaining a competitive edge by simplifying their players or by providing access to a broader array of file types. Look for Creative, RCA and Samsung to have more accessory items.

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Springfield, VA: Is Toshiba showing its new flat panel (SED) television? If so, when will it be available in the U.S. and for how much?

Thanks!

Jeff Joseph: Toshiba is showing SED. Very cool technology. As bright and sharp as tube display but as thin as plasma and lcd. No word on availability - everyone says "later this year."

I'm having someone check pricing right now. i'll report back shortly.

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washingtonpost.com: Jeff, people talk about the sheer size of the show. What kind of factors go into deciding the "quantity and quality" question when planning CES?

Jeff Joseph: That's a tough question. If we don't grow by exhibit space and exhibitors, everyone says the show is dying. Our biggest challenge is to keep the show exciting, add new exhibitors, etc. while maintaining the infrastructure of the show, make sure it remains a pleasnat experience for our attendees.

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Rockville, MD: Does CEA have a plan to deal with complaints of CES becoming too large and unorganized?

Jeff Joseph: See my last response. it's definitely a big challenge. we'll have more than 130,000 attendees this year. Part of the issue is Vegas itself - it's a great host city but it's still difficult to get around. we've made some changes this year - added bus routes, cab stops, improved signage, more on-floor help but we're definitely keeping our eye on this issue. Being too big and unmanageable is one of the issues that killed Comdex.

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Fairfax, VA: Are there new products that consumers can expect to see this year or in the coming years?

Jeff Joseph: That's what the show is all about. There are so many cool things here. While I haven't see anything particularly revolutionary - in the past the CES has been home for the launch of the VCR, the DVD, HDTV, XBox and others - the trend is better, faster, smaller and cheaper. Highights for me include the new service from Slingmedia that allows you to access your subscription TV programming via a cell phone. There are a lot of Voip "solutions" - you can use devices that actually look and operate as phones and allow you to access your VoIp account from multiple phones in the home and from hot spots. The Post reporters are doing a great job of covering some of the highlights. Look for articles from Rob Pegoraro, Mike Musgrove and others.

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Clifton, VA: Blu Ray seems to be the ultimate winner in the DVD HD war! Should be interesting to see if Microsoft and Intel can change this. Billy boy Gates may find himself outclassed when up against the likes of Sony etc.

Jeff Joseph: Both camps are here in force! On the one hand, the format debate is good for consumers - more choice, etc. On the other hand, many of us fear the battle - may turnoff consumers. Will this VHS v. Beta where a clear winner emerges? or will it be SACD vs. DVD-Audio where consumers have not really supported either format in great numbers. I am excited, however, that the studios are clearly lining up to support the new formats. You mention Sony and MS - such an interesting time for both companies and a lot of major bets: how does MS continue to redefine itself, will XBOX 360 pay off? Lot's of discussions about the new OS - Vista. Meanwhile, Sony has to counter XBOX 360's headstart and figure out how to combat iTunes/iPod.

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Silver Spring, MD: I finally found a boombox I could carry around (4lbs)but it broke. As an aerobics instructor, I have CDs, the switch to MP3 hasn't happened yet. Is anyone making a light, sturdy, affordable boombox that plays CDs?

Jeff Joseph: How large a boombox? Sony makes a few that are relatively lightweight as do some of the new Chinese companies. I don't have any specific recommendations, unfortunately. You may want to browse cnet. Or maybe even eBay?

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Washington DC: Any info about Toshiba's new flat panel (SED) HDTV? Availability in U.S., cost, etc.?

Thanks!!

Jeff Joseph: Could not find any reference to price. Toshiba is showing a couple of 36-inch displays here. They list a link in their press kit - http://www3.toshiba.co.jp/ddc/eng/sed/index.htm

good luck!

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Arizona Bay, Az: Any Playstation 3's there? If so how do they look?

Jeff Joseph: AWESOME! I'm a gamer and I'm very, very excited. The key of course will be titles. If history serves as guide, Sony will have a strong collection of titles ready to go at launch. Sony worldwide CEO Sir Howard Stringer spoke here yesterday. he continued to say spring of this year for release. I think every reporter here is trying to pin Sony down on a more exact date!

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Fairfax, VA: Thank you. Do you plan to have this type of convention in the East coast? As a consumer, I would like to visit the convention and learn more. It is not cheap to go to Las Vegas when I add up the expenses.

Jeff Joseph: The CES is a trade-only show, not open to consumers. It's for b2b relationships - Circuit City comes to order TVs for the year from Panasonic, etc. Intel is here to develop relationships to integrate their chips into next-Gen devices, etc. There are a growing number of shows open to consumers across the country. Channel 4 in DC hosts the Digital Edge Expo each Fall.

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Boggletown: hi JJ: for this older geek, the complication of some new products is ridiculous... Satellite radio, required now if you want to hear music, not commercials: Unless you pre-record, you cannot walk around and listen to it? Everything has to have a base unit, at extra cost? Until when, 4 mo. after you shell out, portable (contained w/in the unit) radios are then avail? thanks.

Jeff Joseph: Hi Boggletown. As an industry, we do need to make our products a lot less complex. But both XM and Sirius offer a range of portable devices. XM partners on a couple of cool players - the TAO XM2go and the Pioneer AirWare. Both go for about $199. Sirius has the S50 which goes for about $330.

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Columbia, MD: There seems to be more focus on multi-function in-vehicle technology (nav + satillite radio + phone integration, etc). Where do you think that is heading in terms of industry focus both on the developers (embedded vs more of a pc-based approach) and car manufactuers?

Jeff Joseph: The array of "auto pc's" here is mind-boggling. This is clearly the next growth area for in-car electronics. Not only nav/sat radio/phone but also internet access - specifically voice-activated email. One of the biggest challenges facing the aftermarket community is the fact that auto manufacturers are embedding these systems into their cars and using proprietary systems that make it difficult for aftermarket installers to add new products. We are working with Detroit to try to encourage the use of open systems to make it easy for installers and consumers to add the products of their choice.

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Washington: I am looking for a combination DVR and Tivo machine -- one that can record a show to a hard drive and then burn it onto a DVD. Pioneer and Toshiba used to make them, but they have disappeared. Tivo sells on on their website, but it is made by a company called Humidor or something -- not all that confidence-inspiring. Have you seen any products that fit this description?

Jeff Joseph: Too funny. Humax is a "safe" manufacturer- you can feel comfortable going that route.

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Rockville, MD: Any signs the Bell's talk of charging IPs for bandwith is chilling development?

Jeff Joseph: Huge issue. We're pushing hard at the FCC to allow for open competition. Competition means more choice for consumers and greater innovation. Also, we need to ensure that manufacturers have the ability to create devices that can connect to networks - no proprietary devices that close out competition. Contact the FCC and your member of Congress!!!

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Arlington, VA: What kind of emerging technologies are you seeing at CES this year?

Jeff Joseph: Robotics is big here this year. Two neat products - the scooba is the next-gen roomba. The Scooba is the robotic wet mop from iRobot. it will wet mop your floors automatically. Then there's the life size boxing sparring partners - you may have seen them on Good Morning America the other day. It's from a company based in Va. Beach. Look for advances this year in nanotechnology as well.

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Alexandria, VA: What's the buzz on live Mobile TV? Will it come to the US, or is this yet another advancement that will live in Europe for a while first?

Jeff Joseph: Not exactly sure of the European system. But DirecTV offers service to cars. And we're finally seeing mobile phones based on EVDO that allow realtime and advanced services including TV broadcasts. ESPN phone introduced an awesome phone here this week that provides clips from Sports Center and real time scores, etc.

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Jeff Joseph: Thanks for having me here today. Please visit www.cesweb.org for more on the show and look for coverage in the Post to get summaries of the latest products introduced here this week.

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