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CeBIT? More like CeBIG!

Posted on March 19, 2006 by Jeremy Toeman
IMG_4482 german chancellorIMG_4481 cebit map
IMG_4492 intel keynote - umpc sudokuIMG_4491 intel keynote - umpc wmp
IMG_4495 cebit snowIMG_4493 intel keynote - umpc logos
IMG_4497 sony ericssonIMG_4496 cebit snow
IMG_4499 lgIMG_4498 samsung
IMG_4501 retrostarIMG_4500 viliv media player
IMG_4503 linux smartphone gpsIMG_4502 retrostar
IMG_4509 linksys - voip phoneIMG_4508 linksys - voip phone
IMG_4514 skywood mp3 players - nano videoIMG_4513 skywood mp3 players
IMG_4520 speaker backpackIMG_4515 gigabyte
IMG_4526 coolerIMG_4521 speaker backpack

Seriously, who thought this one up? Every winter, we’ll get the entire consumer electronics, PC, mobile phone, software, gadget, technology, and case manufacturer in the world. We’ll put em in, oh, I don’t know, how about Hannover, Germany? It is cold there, right? Ok, next we’ll make the place big, I mean five to ten times the size of CES big. Last thing, and this is important, don’t build any new hotels or temporary residences in Hannover, that way the 400,000 attendees can stay up to two hours away and take trains, metros, subways, buses, and dirigibles in. Perfect.  

Winter in Hannover is cold, people, very cold.

Apparently in Europe, trade shows attract quite some attention – I saw the Chancellor of Germany here! After seeing the King of Spain at 3GSM, I wonder who I’ll see at CTIA next month in Vegas? I don’t think the mayor even shows up there…

I did attend the Intel keynote and saw the unveiling of the Ultramobile PC (the device formerly known as Origami). I want one, no question about it.

Saw a Linux-based Smartphone with built-in GPS. Which naturally combines everything I’ve needed into a single device. Other than Linux, that is…

Retrostar makes corded handsets for PCs or mobile phones. Not practical in any sense, but a shining star in a sea of dullness.

Panasonic’s 103-inch 1080p plasma TV is further evidence of why I don’t need to go to the movies anymore.

Looks like the guys with the speakers built into the backpack have solved the problem I’ve always encountered while hiking through the Marin headlands – where’s my tunes, man?

A company named Skywood was showing an iPod nano knockoff, only theirs had full video (mp4) playback capabilities.

Linksys’ VOIP handsets were a big yawner. Saw em in Barcelona. Saw em at CES. I’ll see em at CTIA. But I sure won’t be buying one soon.

Viliv (not Viiv) was one of about two dozen Taiwanese companies building portable media players. At least theirs is not in the EXACT form factor of a PSP. That’s a neat trick to play on your kids – “here son.” “Thanks dad, a PSP, awesome!” “haha, no, actually it just plays mp3s and some Divx, no games or anything cool.”

To borrow one of my fav terms from the 80s, CeBIT is just plain uncool. For as big as it is, everything is crowded, and you’re pretty much surrounded by smokers (yes, IN the halls) and awful-smelling food stands.

I did grab some brochures from some of the more comical Chinese/Taiwanese OEMs, including one “from your best valued partner”, and I’ll dig through them soon to see if anything else is worth a mention.

Looking forward to CES 07!

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About

Jeremy Toeman is a seasoned Product leader with over 20 years experience in the convergence of digital media, mobile entertainment, social entertainment, smart TV and consumer technology. Prior ventures and projects include CNET, Viggle/Dijit/Nextguide, Sling Media, VUDU, Clicker, DivX, Rovi, Mediabolic, Boxee, and many other consumer technology companies. This blog represents his personal opinion and outlook on things.

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