Like the proverbial kid in a candy store, members of Generation Y would absolutely go crazy at the annual Consumer Electronics Show. Known for being early adaptors, Gen Y’ers understand CES debuts all the latest and greatest tech gadgets, gizmos and widgets that will be shaping their futures.
Millenials not only hop on the latest tech bandwagon, (just sometimes with reckless abandon) they often wind up educating and essentially converting their parents, and other members of previous generations, to propel the tech movement forward. (That’s not to say of course that people of other generations aren’t early adaptors, Gen Y just tends to be tech-savvy as a whole).
Not a day goes by that Gen Y’ers don’t use their cell phones and according to a study conducted in the spring of 2009 by Participatory Marketing Network, 38 percent of them have iPhones (that number is undoubtedly even higher now). The iPhone first debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2007 to wary reviews about its price point being prohibitive. This year of course the phone on everyone’s lips at the 2010 CES is the Nexus One Google phone. The king of all android phones, the Nexus One could be the next big thing (it even repels dirt because it is covered in Teflon, how cool is that?)
Gen Y’ers remember the days of simple broadcast TV reception, heard the hype leading up to the high-definition conversion and speak fluently in 720p, 1080p and 1080i. They once recorded their favorite shows on a VCR and now almost never watch live TV (thanks Tivo and DVR!) All these familiar, and beloved, technologies got their start at CES. At CES 2010, LG and Panasonic are unveiling HDTVs with embedded Skype software. Starting mid-year, these TVS will make Skyping, (video chatting) in HD from the comfort of our couch, on a screen much bigger than our laptop, possible.
CES 2010 is also buzzing once again about streaming audio and video content from the Internet to your TV. There’s been talk for years, but the Internet video set-up boxes are getting big attention this year. They are basically a small piece of hardware you hook up to your TV and then can do everything--stream media, get Netflix directly, use Facebook or Twitter--basically rolling all your favorite gadgets into one. The Roku HD-XR and D-Link Boxee box are just two getting some chatter. It’s just a matter of time before that is the must-have gadget for all Gen Y’ers.
CES 2010 is a Gen Y’ers haven. As such, it is probably a good thing the Consumer Electronics Show isn’t overrun with eager Gen Y’ers (could you imagine the overzealousness?) The show, which is already insanely big, would be even more chaotic. So, while all of Generation Y may not all be there, most are watching the headlines, reading blogs, talking up a storm and making their wish lists for all things tech in the coming years.
Comments
Add in a pinch of Vegas to the thousands of new tech products and it's Gen Y heaven. We like to have a good time and we are early adapters; I would DIE if I got a pass to CES. One day, one day...
No doubt about it, Gen Yers have seen a broad scope of life.
@Jennie You might lose all respect for me when I admit this...I once had the opportunity to go, but didn't know much about it and turned it down. I KNOW! I regret that for sure now. I think it was even the iphone debut year... haha Whoopsies...
@Jeff I agree. It sometimes boggles my mind to think of all the new things we'll see still in our lifetime. Thanks for your comment!
@Jennie - Welcome to the club - I'd freak out if I had tickets.
Although I'm miles and miles away from Vegas, the rush I had watching the keynote last night was unbelievable. The Microsoft team may have turned their keynote into a Shamwow infomercial but it was definitely exciting to see what they have in-store for 2010
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