Weaving Web Dreams

CEATEC Show - October, 2003 - Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan

I had the opportunity to visit the CEATEC Trade Show at the Makuhari Messe convention center on Friday afternoon. CEATEC bills itself as-

A leading and unique exhibition of the electronics and IT industries designed to:


• allow visitors to experience the newest technologies, products, system and software for the digital network age represented by the convergence of communications, information and imaging technologies.
  
• function as a highly specific exhibition that can capture the interest and respond to the needs of users by presenting the industry's latest achievements and trends.
  
• present the achievements, trends and vitality of Japan and Asia to the world as the largest interactive exhibition of industry-related information in the region.
  
• bring industry organizations together to present clear social messages, thereby supporting the industry's development and contributing to lifestyle, the economy and society in the digital network age.
  
  CEATEC Show Home Page

Every significant player in the Japanese electronics scene participates in force. If you are not there, then the impression is that you have left the field of play - essentially given up. Of course it's extremely expensive to mount an exhibit, and some companies question the expense - especially during these tough economic times, but proactive participation is even more critical now than ever before.

The physical layout of the show follows a supply food chain starting with individual components and raw materials and proceeds upward culminating with the latest electronic goodies from the majors like Matsushita, Hitachi, Sharp, and Sony. The tempo, energy and rhythm of the show also shifts as you move up the supply chain. The front end- component exhibits seem pretty conservative and low key, but once you reach the other end of the chain there's singing, dancing, flashing lights, and rock concert energy echoing off the walls.

Over the next couple of days, time permitting, I plan on posting several articles containing my observations and photos from the show. If there is anything that you have a specific interest in, or want more detail on, please feel free to email me.

• Things to Come
• Consistency
• Surprises - Positive & Negative
• Memory Card Wars
• Theme Color
• Buzzwords

Pervasive Cell Phones

My wife and I went to see "Zatoichi" - the new, award winning, Beat Takeshi film. About five minutes before the lights dimmed, I looked around the theater and noticed a lot people had their cell phones out checking messages, writing short mails, and playing video games. I managed to catch the obvious ones in the photo below. There were quite a few more that don't show up in this photo. The theater filled up quickly and was close to being sold out. Thankfully everyone was thoughtful and turned off their cell phones once the movie started.

By the way, the movie was GREAT! Kind of a cross between the old Kurosawa samurai movies and "Pulp Fiction" with a dash of tap dancing thrown in. It sounds strange, but everything blends well, a film equivalent of fusion cusine. I highly recommend it when it comes to your local neighborhood cinemaplex.

Reality TV - anytime, anyplace, anywhere

Want to watch your favorite TV program while you're at the beach, on a long flight, or on the train into the city? Sony's come up with an answer. They just anounced the PEGA-VR100K recording device. Basically it's a programmable TV tuner that incorporates a Memory Stick. You can prerecord your favorite program (up to 130 minutes), then pop the Memory Stick into your Clie and watch video to your heart's content - or until your battery runs out.

Sony doesn't publish MSRP pricing, but the unit is expected to sell for around 30,000 yen ($256). Product release in Japan is early November this year. Personally, I don't watch that much TV, and my commute is very short, so I think I'll pass on picking up this particular toy, at least for now.

Sony to Sell Memory Stick TV Recording Gear