CES 2011, also known as the annual Consumer Electronics Show, is about to commence in Las Vegas, and seems to be bigger news this year than in previous years.  Consumers are more interested in this year’s show, and big name brands that normally skip the show are making an appearance.  The tech geeks seem to be highly stimulated both on the merchant and the consumer side of the coin, and their highly anticipated, very special Christmas in January is about to kick off as the CES 2011 begins to ramp up, with style.  We can expect to see the latest and greatest gadgets unveiled, as well as some exciting updates and enhancements to existing gadgets that are near and dear to our hearts.

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I find that just imagining all those tech toys in one room makes me a little weak in the knees, and I’m quietly wishing I was going to be there as the CES 2011 extravaganza begins.  Yes, I suppose I’m willing to expose my geeky side.  I mean who can resist the draw of the gadget?  Even my daughter is extremely tech savvy as she drops her Nook Color ebook reader into her backpack and her iPhone into her purse.  Lets face it, the CES is receiving more notoriety this year because these tech toys and gadgets are becoming integrated more and more into our daily lives, and its not just the IT nerd at the IBM office who is tech savvy, its the general public.

As the show inches closer, with its doors opening in only two days, and the best and brightest in the technology and the consumer electronics industry are preparing the grand entrance of their contributions to this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, you can feel the excitement building.  Based on what we know thus far, there are 5 hot gadget trends to keep your eye on this year, which, in our opinion, take the cake.

Tablets

Thus far in the tablet industry, the Apple iPad has managed to secure the majority of the market, and has dominated this trendy new gadget category quite well.  That may be about to change.  According to Gary Shapiro, head of the Consumer Electronics Association, they are expecting to see up to 80 tablets showcased, with some of them featuring a Windows platform.  While Apple fans are salivating over the debut of the iPad 2, Motorola Mobility is also expected to unveil their high anticipated Android 3.0 tablet.

Other tablet buzz includes a Toshiba 10.1 inch Android tablet and the emergence of Vizio into the tablet arena.  We’re seeing electronics brands who have not dabbled in the computer industry make the leap from HDTVs to tablets, which speaks volumes for the popularity of and interest in the tablet industry.  Quite a few other contenders are expected to debut their newest creations as well, indicating that Apple may be given a run for their money, beginning with the CES 2011.  Visit the Amazon Tablets Store to find great deals on existing tablet models.

3-D and internet-connected TVs

3D and internet connected HDTVs are quite literally revolutionizing the home theater experience, industry leaders agree that the 3D revolution has not completely caught on yet with the mainstream public.  While 3D television was introduced last year and was certainly the talk of the show, the niche is experiencing a slightly slow start.  We will still see some exciting 3D elements at the show, including some mobile versions, glasses free 3D HDTVs, and the introduction of additional brands to the 3D HDTV market, such as LG.

What is expected to exhibit a more prominent presence at the show is a wave of ‘smart’ TVs that feature built in operating systems on various platforms, and software for streaming content from the Internet, something that Apple, Roku, and Tivo have introduced us to with their media streaming players, allowing consumers to grow accustomed to access Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube and Hulu on your HDTV.

Instant access to online movie, video, and music services has grown extremely popular, raising the demand for advanced technology in the media streaming arena.  Google’s TV software is not expected to have leave much of a mark at the CES 2011, but there will be plenty of contenders to fill in the gaps, such as Intel, LG, Samsung, and other big players in the field.

Find out about special 3D HDTV Promotions and Bundles, as well as phenomenal deals on Digital Media Streaming Players.  Tivo has extended their Special Holiday Pricing Promotion of zero down and only $19.99 a month with a 2 year commitment, or $99 down and only $19.99 a month with a one year commitment.  Offer good through 01/29/2011.

Smartphones

The CES 2011 has attracted cellular providers which typically skip CES, and they will be out in full force at the show this week.  While it is very common to find cell phone books at the CES, this year’s event is expected to attract the largest smartphone presence to date at the CES.

Verizon Wireless, who is the number one carrier in the US is not expected to release a network ready iPhone at CES 2011, however they will be hosting a keynote press event at which we expect to see several smartphones unveiled that are compatible with its new and improved, faster 4G data network.  One highly anticipated Verizon debut is HTC Thunderbolt, a large touch screen phone operating on the Android platform.

T-Mobile and AT&T are also holding their own press events in Las Vegas immediately before the CES show floor opens.  Vizio decided to get a jump on the other providers and announced their Android smartphone on Monday that features a 4″ touch screen, a front facing camera that supports video chat, and a HD video camera.

Find phenomenal Smartphone Deals, as well as deals for phones and service at Amazon Wireless.

Video gaming

The CES is not the typical venue for the video gaming industry as they have their own industry specific gaming show known as E3 that occurs in the summer.  This year may prove to be different with the increasing integration of gadgets int mainstream console play.  Motion gaming has put the video game industry into a new category of electronics, with the biggest additions to this niche being released at the start of the holiday shopping season.  Both Microsoft and Sony will be there to showcase their Xbox 360 Kinect and Sony PlayStation 3 Move motion gaming devices at their CES booths.

Nintendo will also be making a showing with their 3DS device which displays video games in 3D and is expected to be released for sales in March.  Reportedly no glasses are needed to enjoy the 3D gaming of the 3DS, but warnings have been issues about the affect that the 3D elements may have on young children.  Earlier this week, supposed pictures of a stolen 3DS were leaked to the public.

Learn more about motion gaming with this informative Motion Gaming 101 Guide.  Find great deals on the Xbox 360 Kinect and the PlayStation 3 Move at the Amazon Video Game Store.

Connected appliances

HDTVs are not the only ‘connected’ tech toys you’ll find at the CES 2011.  A rather wide variety of electronics are receiving wi-fi or cell chip updates, including washing machines, energy readers, and refrigerators.  Cellular carriers are promoting the concept of machine to machine, where these major appliances would be able to access wireless data networks.

So what would be the purpose of this technology you wonder?  Well, take for instance the LG home appliances that can send a message to your phone if your refrigerator door is open or if a heated appliance is left on for too long.  Being gone all day while your refrigerator door is open could prove to be a stinky situation, and leaving a heated appliance on could be a fire hazard.  There are multiple applications for these ‘smart’ appliances, and we expect to see some spectacular demonstrations at the CES 2011 showcase.

For information on smart appliances and environmentally friendly options, visit the Amazon Home Appliance Store.

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source:  CNN.com 

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