COMDEX Wrap-Up

Did you – like me and about 150,000 other industry colleagues – vote to miss COMDEX this year?  Our subscriber Rich Stillman was kind enough to share his excellent write-up, which is almost as good as being there (maybe better when you subtract airport security lines, COMDEX hot dogs, and sore feet).  You will find it at http://www.waystation.net/stillman/ComdexReporting/Comdex2002/WedFri.html. 

I particularly noted how much of this was focused on cool hardware (especially small stuff) rather than software.  That, of course, is one of the reasons I decided, several years ago, to sit out COMDEX.  The software guys had all but deserted it and I felt pretty lonely – although some of the hardware is really cool.

Rich pointed out in his write-up (and I concur) that while we’re both a bit cynical about the short-term market for tablet PC’s, we agree that in niche markets, their value may be more immediate and, as the price points come down, they may find a broader market.  I’m not sure, though, that I agree with him that in five years or less every laptop will be equipped to be used as a tablet.  I suspect that weight and cost considerations might preclude that unless there’s a real enthusiasm for the technology.

The Showstoppers guys (www.showstoppers.com) also sent me a post-COMDEX note to tell me about all the cool stuff I had missed at their showcase party (which was always a treat, at COMDEX or elsewhere). Here are just a few choice picks from their long list.  There was some software, but again the list was heavy on hardware.

	A Porsche-designed LCD.
	Tablet PCs.
	Robots on skateboards!
	Wide-screen, screaming-fast notebooks.
	Wrist-soothing mice.
	Wireless, wireless, wireless.
	A software screwdriver, wrench and hammer.
	SOHO, network and photo printers.
	Teeny, tiny storage on a key chain.

Do any of you have a bet on what show might Replace COMDEX?  Or are big shows just over?

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