Consumer Electronics Go Digital for 2002

Jan. 7 -- This week's Cybershake takes a peek at consumer electronics for the new year, reviews the top search terms of last year, and notes the latest research in how people are using the Web.

Electronic Goodies for 2002

Consumer electronics makers and retailers will gather in Las Vegas this week for the annual CES trade show, a chance to display — and play with — hot new entertainment products and trends for the coming year. And what's in store for the digital gadget hound is sure to please.

According to Jim Barry of the Consumer Electronics Association, the organization that manages the annual CES gathering, the major trend among consumer electronics gear for this year will be the continuing transition to digital technology.

Consider the high-tech replacement for the lowly VCR. "What we're going to see this year — that we just touched on at the end of 2001 — are recordable DVD," says Barry. Although such units still cost hundreds of dollars more than VCRs, "The prices will get lower," he says.

Televisions will also get bigger, flatter and sharper, thanks to digital plasma display technologies. But such products won't be exactly inexpensive. "Now you can get a high definition plasma display for about $10,000," says Barry.

Devices will also become more compact, yet do more. Barry says that there will be handheld devices that are not just a phone, not just a pager, not just text message system, not just a digital music player, but really all of those in one — kind of like an electronic Swiss Army knife.

— Larry Jacobs, ABCNEWS