Presentations Technology News for Jan. 10, 2007

Flat Screen Sales Break Records

According to a report released in early January by Menlo Park, Calif.-based Pacific Media Associates, unit sales for flat panel televisions and business displays increased 109 percent from October and November. Average prices fell by 8 percent in November, and average prices for plasma HDTVs dropped 25 percent.

Pacific Media also released its dealer survey results, which covers front projectors, flat panels, and rear projection displays. It included dealers who sell to consumers, as well as the dealers who sell to business and professional users. According to the survey, consumer dealers predicted that the unit share of 1080p resolution front projectors will grow to 41 percent in 2007.

The survey also suggested that the price gap between 720p and 1080p projectors will continue to shrink and that new 1080p projectors from Sony and Mitsubishi with prices less than $5,000 will continue to drive prices down and fuel growth in the market for higher resolution flat panel and rear projection TVs.

CES Showcases New Gadgets This Week

The Consumer Electronics Show runs Jan. 8-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. Products from home theaters to wireless technologies will be on display in the 40th annual show. Leslie Moonves, president of CBS, will present the final keynote address. Other speakers include Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, president of Nokia, and John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems.