Q&A with CES big wig: More devices to come
We tried to get an interview with Phil Shapiro, president of Consumer Electronics Association of America, but only got as high up the food chain as Jason Oxman, vice president, communications. Well, we’re not the New York Times.
One of the good things about email Q&A’s is they take place in virtual time, and you can conduct a lot of them. The downside is it is difficult to ask a follow-up question in real time, and it is easy for people (particularly professional PR flacks like Mr. Oxman) to edit themselves and stay on message. The best part is we can add our own commentary afterward.
With that caveat, here is part one of my interview with the aforementioned Mr. Oxman (with my additional comments interpolated in italics).
TVMama: Is “convergence” between the PC and the TV going to happen in 2007? Do people want it to?
JO: For years, we have talked about convergence as the inclusion of multiple functions in a single device. But now, attendees at the 2007 International CES, and consumers worldwide, are beginning to see a new convergence, which combines consumer electronics products and services in new ways. The consumer technology and content worlds are beginning to truly intertwine and will continue to do so, in order to provide greater connectivity for consumers.
Consumer technology products strive for one common goal – to make the lives of consumers more convenient and to make information more accessible. (TVMama – Cough, cough. I’m glad this answer came in on email; I don’t think I could have continued without a coughing fit.) Consumers in 2007 and beyond will see a surge in portable content devices, which will provide their content anywhere they want – in the home, in the car or on the go.
TVMama: Is AppleTV the killer app in this field? If so, why? If not, why, and is there a killer app yet?
JO: AppleTV is one example of the great products on the market right now providing convergence for consumers. Computers are becoming media centers; the Slingbox sends content around the world, Archos media players enable WiFi downloads of movies – these products enable consumers to access their own content, whether in their home or thousands of miles away. The portability of content was a key trend that emerged at the 2007 CES and we will continue to see an explosion of portable content devices, created to make the lives of consumers more convenient and content more readily available.
TVMama: Have you heard of USBTV, a USB device for bringing media content to the TV from SanDisk?
JO: USBTV is another example of the incredible products the consumer technology industry has created which provide consumers with another means to view their content. This device allows consumers to download content from their computer and watch it on the display of their choice. (TVMama: Puffery. No real sightings of USBTV yet, despite SanDisk promises.)
TVMama: Do the PVR’s, Xbox360’s and others that have some streaming capability work well and smoothly for the non-geek world?
JO: Devices and technologies that allow streaming capabilities have become increasingly easy to use and are becoming widely adopted around the globe. The implementation of industry standards and protocols such as IP, create user friendly interfaces, which allows for an easier viewing experience for consumers. (TVMama: Truth or dare. Maybe they are “increasingly easy to use,” but they aren’t easy to use. Look at this clever and well-written diatribe from a MSM tech journo.)
More soon.
