While it is true that most popular consumer electronics may vary from year to year, there are some products that continue to remain popular over time. Continuous development and improvement of some products drives consumers to make frequent purchases to get the newest and best version available. Many of these innovative gadgets, including digital cameras, laptop and notebook computers, and cell phones, are considered fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) due to their low durability and highly-replaceable nature.
Recent developments in home electronics have spurred growth in this area as well. Home media like high-definition (HD) TVs, Blu-ray players, and other devices for home theaters are among the best-selling consumer electronics. Both the size and price of these electronics grow smaller as consumer demand heightens and the supply of these technologies expands to ensure availability.
Portable media like mp3 players, mobile phones, and GPS navigation units remain among the top-selling consumer electronics in the industry. These continue to gain popularity, in part due to the range of functions each device may now contain. These separate technologies are sometimes merged into one product for consumers, indicating that portability is a major factor customers consider before purchasing new electronics. Devices like the Apple iPhone® combine the convenience of a cell phone with the navigating abilities of a GPS, the media-storage capability of an mp3 player, and hands-free, wireless use thanks to Bluetooth® technology, an increasingly popular ability found in some consumer electronics.
Since the emergence of technology like Bluetooth®, wireless electronics seem to be growing more popular among consumers. Like the iPhone®, these existing technologies are joined into one unit, allowing the user instant access to an array of options and features including wireless internet access, file sharing, and movie watching, all from the same device. The convergence of similar electronics likely remains a top concern for manufacturers as old technologies are coupled with newer ones. Although once thought impossible, devices like comic hero Dick Tracy's watch phone have become a reality for consumers. New micro technologies have taken the place of earlier, heavier ones, their portability helping ensure that consumers tote the device along for daily outings and use it for various tasks.
New additions to consumer electronics are unveiled each year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here, consumers and industry professionals alike may get a glimpse of the most popular trends in the market. The nonprofit event, which is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), showcases new products, guest speakers, and seminars, providing an inside look at what consumers can expect in the following year. Past unveilings at the CES include the compact disc player and the plasma TV.