OK, for the huge base of my fans who eagerly, routinely or occasionally check out what's new (actually it's more like myself, checking in eagerly to see if anyone left any new messages), I had to force myself to sit and write right now. Coz I'm sort of lost in the middle of something, uhh.., namely "Lost". For whoever hasn't checked out that series, you should stop reading this boring crap already and find yourself a copy of the DVDs.
But it's getting somewhat scary now, and with only 30 minutes into midnight, I think I need something to migrate my mindset before sleep.
I got a hell of a crazy month with the start of the new year. Two days after getting back from HK, I headed to the airport again, attended my first Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in the sin city-- Vegas. Unlike most people there who genuinely have a passion in this kingdom of gadgets, I actually just went there for my redemption. For someone who works for a "high-tech" company, I am guilty for being so ignorant and uninterested in knowing the greatest and the latest gadgets/technology. But, everything has to start from somewhere, so I signed myself up for this CES. Great to learn anything when it's on company's dime. So here's my observation from the show, however naive they may seem.
1. Overall, there was this huge integration (of anything, or everything) going on:
a. Integration of your home entertainment center, like this one button activation by Panasonic, forget about the 'one remote control' idea, all you need is a push of a button and everything will be set up, ... in the speed slower than you joggling between several controls yourself though. Plus, what I really need is for someone to brew me a nice cup of tea, the remote? Didn't they tell you girls want controls too? (For guys? How many guys out there hold on to the remote control like it's part of their organs?)
b. Motorola has combined home wideband router with cell phone. So besides all your cable TVs, local phones, internet... now they want to tab your cell phone money too. It's just one indication that everyone's trying to eat everyone else's lunch. It'll be interesting to see who will win this battle in the years to come, but I don't see me as a consumer getting any good deal out of it. (yeah they tried to convince me with the one-bill concept, how come I heard 'monopoly'?)
c. Samsung came out with this WiBro technology. The dude checked out my name tag, squinted his eye and whispered my company's name like I'm some industrial spy (I actually took that as a compliment!), so I didn't get to find out much about what WiBro does. All I know is it's short for Wireless Broadband, supposed to be very capable with huge data transmission such as for TV or video files. It's a step up from 3G and a step away from 4G, and it's tested successfully in
2. Lots of music entertainment focus, or to be more specifically, iPod copycats:
a. Seriously, you think going to an Apple store is the epitome of its success. You should check out Microsoft's booth. There were hundreds of MP3 players showcasing in Microsoft's booth trying to compete iTunes+ iPod with the Media Player + anonymous wannabes. (For those of you who may not be familiar with Apple, they don't go to CES, they think they're too cool. They have their own show in the Bay Area a week after the CES. But in a way, I'm sure the pressure is bigger coz imagine the outrageous consumers if they came out finding nothing revelutional.
b. The saddest of all, was Sony. For someone who was positioned so perfectly in this game field, with its natural resources to its music business, it flunked again, badly. It came out with this what looks very much like a iPod generation one (B&W screen, no video/photo capability). So who exactly came up with the idea to showcase in a grand scale to promote such thing that's bound to fail? I felt sorry for our generation who used to think Sony is the acronym for revolution. And I felt sorry for spending a good portion of my time in their booth, but I did get a free cup of coffee at their Connect Cafe.
3. The copycat trend didn't end with iPod there. Here's on Google and Microsoft:
a. Google didn’t really have any exciting things at the CES. They copied ideas from http://my.yahoo.com and called this the “Personalized Home” they try to play in the wireless too. I think the reason I didn’t quite get excited because I know a bunch of Google fans (including myself) out there and I’ve already knew most of their new buzz. and is coming to the States later this year. To find out its exact capabilities, I guess check out the latest Korean soap opera and we might get some glimpse.
b. I went to check out Microsoft and its Window Vista. OK, for all of you anti-Microsoft/Bill Gates out there, here's the news, I actually admire what they've done over the years. (Extra admiration points for Bill Gates being such a donor--sure he's still the richest guy in the world.) I really think those who hate them are just envious.
OK, here sums up this long report from a first timer. I got two more business trips to go in January and my apartment is a mess. But when I do get time to chill at home during the weekends, I start to get grumpy about my not-so-rosy 2006. No wonder I heard the consumer confidence is down and business outlook is dim—look no further but at myself, the sign is obvious! Stay tuned to hear me whine more on the outlook of this year to come.
4 comments:
It's amazing cos I was just talking about how sad Sony is now with Yuting last night. I was reading it in the paper where the title of the article says 'It's a Samsung'. I think we have definitely entered the era where quality is not the most important thing anymore. It is the coolness, the convenience, and the speed to market. Considering Y generation is the major audience now (damn those kids) I think there has to be very different ways to design your product and do your marketing - scary.
Did you squeeze in any shopping while in Vegas?! ^_^
Such a pessimist. To you the glass is always half empty. You are never satisfied.
That said, yes it is true that the world has become much less innovative. Yet I am still always broke buying these sub-optimal products. why?? Cuz in America we consume. We don't care how bad the freaking product is, we are going to buy it. It's bad enough we usually have to wait for it to come from the Far East. By the time it gets here we are chomping at the bit. So even though those truly in the know know the product sucks, we Americans still think it is the best thing since buttered bread.
But we need not worry too much longer. The US will implode by 2056. Glad I'll be dead!!
Well in marriage I never called myself Mike, only Michael. Plus O never put Michael and Dean together. Finally every so often I do an internet search for myself and nothing comes up. I just did one yesterday and only my PhD crap from MSU came up. I know that is no guarantee that I can't be found, but I doubt she is more sophisticated than me. Afterall, she is a dreg!!
Very cool review. I enjoyed reading it. I heard the Apple Annual Convention is one of a must-go-place in life. I heard people smile and speak to strangers at the convention as they are your family members and they all scream whenever Steve Jobs' name is mentioned. I would like to attend it someday.
I was at a Sony store the other day, and I really didn't see anything eye catching. I am sure if I take time to compare and study the different TVs or headphones or musci players they are offering, I will find something cool about them, but really nothing gave me the "Wow" effect. Not like being in an Apple Store! I am amazed everytime I walk into an Apple Store.
I hope next year, Microsoft or Google will invent something we all have real needs for. Such as clean my house, wash the vege, slice the meat and give me a massage, and pour Han a cup of tea.
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