CES 2008 cabbie interview: more info than Gate’s keynote?

“So, what is new?” is the first question I get as I get into the taxi from in front of the Las Vegas Convention Center. I had been trying to answer that question for the past four days. I’ve seen seas of LCD TVs (most black, shiny and look virtually identical). There has been lots of HD networking products, lots of talk about Blu-ray (not lots about HD-DVD, ha). More and more iPod docks than seems necessary, but who am I to complain.

What I saw and heard a lot about is manufacturers working on technology they don’t know what they (or we) will do with. Like Microsoft’s PopFly, a mash up for Silverlight. According to a MS spokesperson, “we don’t have a revenue model for it yet”. There was some push for mobile TV (ala Korea) but I am not sure if that is going to catch on.

The cabbies next question followed quickly, “what new phones are there?” I really had hoped we’d see some response to the iPhone at this show. I would have thought it was the perfect time to steal some thunder from Macworld, but no. The best phone I saw was the new ROKR from Motorola that had a fuction-specific, changeable touch pad with tactile feedback. It was amazing. Not earth shattering, but something even the mighty iPhone should have. FYI-We are at a Palm conference right now that I believe we’ll get to see something new so check for that and I might revise this answer.

So after he asked me questions, it was my turn. What were other peoples answers to those question? His answers really were not that different than my own findings: nothing super duper. Sure there is still some innovation gone, but they are improvements to existing stuff, not market changing items.

Gadgetell is far from near reporting on what is coming down the pipe this year and I don’t think I am alone in hoping they come up with something mind blowing in the following days. Good luck boys.