The digital television (DTV) transition, the growing relationship between the automotive and consumer electronics industries and electronics recycling were the hot topics on the third day of the 2007 International CES®. Produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®), the 2007 International CES, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, runs through today and celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Wednesday's Industry Insider Series featured Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin, who joined CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro for a one-on-one conversation about the digital television transition, cable compatibility, net neutrality and other issues critical to the consumer electronics industry. Chairman Martin noted that the significant increase in broadband use has been one of the things he's been most proud of in his term.
"The goal is that everyone has access to broadband, said Martin. "It impacts the way that we get entertainment, seek healthcare and receive education. Trying to put in place a regulatory environment that allows operators to invest in broadband technology is critical for consumers to be able to take advantage of the technologies we see on the show floor.
The morning SuperSession, "Connect2Car: The Automobile's Convergence with Consumer Electronics," moderated by Chris Cook of AAMP of America, included a panel of leading experts from both the consumer electronics industry and the automotive industry. The panelists included Rich Chutorash, director electronics new product, Johnson Controls Inc.; Wieland Holfelder, vice president and chief technology officer, DaimlerChrysler Research, Engineering and Design North America Inc.; Keith Lehmann, senior vice president - Consumer Electronics, Kenwood USA Corporation; Timothy Nixon, manager, Advanced Technology Development, Ford Motor Company and Stephen Witt, vice president, Brand Marketing, Alpine Electronics.
The panels discussed several current roadblocks to better integration of cutting-edge CE products into personal vehicles. The roadblocks included the moving target of consumer demand, the issue of differing standards between CE and automobiles and the varying product cycles of the two industries. The panelist concluded by proposing ideas for better integration. The ideas ranged from the announcement of Ford's new "Sync" platform to an optical interface. Witt explained the next phase must focus on four key factors: convergence of the car and home, driver convenience, ease of use and user content management. He concluded by stating, "Never before have the points of view of these two industries been as similar as they are today."
Jason Linnell, executive director, National Center for Electronics Recycling, moderated a panel discussion regarding the public's knowledge of, and participation in, electronics recycling. Other speakers at the "Federal and State Policy Developments in Electronics Recycling" panel included: Walter Alcorn, environmental consultant, Alcorn Consulting; Shawn DuBravac, economist, CEA; Jay Illingworth, vice president, Electronics Product Stewardship Canada; Verena Radulovic, Product Stewardship, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Solid Waste; and Peter Robertson, partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP.
DuBravac presented the results of a CEA consumer survey, which found that 76 percent of consumers are unaware of their local electronics recycling options. Of that 76 percent, 71 percent said they would recycle if they only knew where to do so. DuBravac referred attendees to CEA's new consumer website, myGreenElectronics.org, which will provide consumers with local e-waste recycling information, the latest environmental tips and an ever expanding searchable database of green products.
Panelists also discussed the state of e-cycling in the United States and recommended a national e-cycling initiative that would nationalize a uniform set of standards rather than create 50 different jurisdictions for handling e-waste. Alcorn presented data from the National Center for Electronics Recycling's (NCER) Patchwork Study, which found that the state patchwork of e-cycling regulations amount to $25 million in costs that would be avoided with a national program. Peter Robertson remarked that the timing for such a plan may be ideal because, "a Democratic Congress is simply more amenable to a national e-cycling initiative than a Republican one.
In Wednesday's standing-room only Last Gadget Standing SuperSession, 10 finalists competed head-to-head for product votes and laughs from the crowd. Hosts Robin Raskin, from "The Boomer and advisors from Yahoo!Tech, moderated the session. Finalists included the V-Click cell phone from D-link, HP TouchSmart PC, RoboSapien's RS media robot, Nokia n95, Data Drive Thru's Tornado data port, Archosa Wireless Portable Media player with touch screen, a Salton coffee maker with weather information, Great Call Jitterbug, Pure Digital Point and Shoot Camcorder and Samsung Ultra Music Phone.
Each product was allotted a four minute demo and at the end, the audience voted online at tech.yahoo.com and by applause. The online winner was the HP TouchSmart PC. The Data Drive Thru Tornado data port won the audience applause portion.
For information on the day three conference sessions and panels, visit the CES blog at CES.blogs.com.
For more information on the 2007 International CES, including keynote transcripts, photos and a complete list of conference sessions, visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for all CES information.
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, digital imaging, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $140 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.
CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES " Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.
UPCOMING EVENTS----------------- CEA Winter RetreatFebruary 26-28, 2007, Vail, CO -- Digital Music Forum EastFebruary 27-28, 2007, New York, NY -- EHX Spring 2007March 6-10, 2007, Orlando, FL -- CEA Washington ForumMarch 26-28, 2007, Washington, DC -- Digital Patriots DinnerMarch 27, 2007, Washington, DC -- CONNECTIONS(TM): The Digital Home Conference and ShowcaseMay 1-3, 2007, Santa Clara, CA -- Hometech Middle East 2007May 13-15, 2007, Dubai, UAE -- SINOCES 2007July 6-9, 2007, Qingdao, China -- CEA Industry ForumOctober 15-17, 2007, San Diego, CA -- EHX Fall 2007November 6-9, 2007, Long Beach, CA