What's hot in consumer electronics

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) trade group recently released its 2006 Five Technologies to Watch. The annual publication examines prominent technology trends poised to influence the consumer electronics industry in the year ahead.

First, cheaper HDTV sets and more HD programming

will spur demand for such recordable high-definition devices as Blu-Ray Disc, HD-DVD and HD-DVR. About 10% of American homes have digital video recorders and that number is expected to climb next year as more cable and satellite providers offer HDVR service. Blu-Ray Disc and HD-DVD both have the ability to record and transport HD content. But it remains unclear which format will become the industry "standard." Copy protection and video-pn-demand may also undermine growth of recordable HD devices.

Robots have yet to duplicate human flexibility, mobility, and dexterity. But specialized, single-purpose robots are beginning to have an impact. For example, half a million American homes have robotic vacuums. And domestic robots that can sort laundry or scrub the kitchen floor are not far off. But to appeal to mass markets, future robots must be relatively inexpensive, reliable, and effective.