The CE industry is today going through an extraordinary evolutionary phase, thanks to the convergence of numerous fields of technology – nanotechnology incorporated with new display technologies, telecoms, satellite technology, broadcast technologies, storage technologies… the list goes on. It’s all too much for the average person to comprehend. Consumers shouldn’t have to understand the jargon, so much as what the blending together of all these technologies can do for them in their daily lives at work, at play or at home.

The role of the CEA in helping people come to grips with the unbelievable potential created by today’s breed of consumer electronics is unique in the world. Gary Shapiro has played a pivotal and indeed vital role in terms of influencing and guiding trends – in particular with regard to HDTV in the USA. What we see today at CES 2006 is in many ways there thanks to the efforts of people like Gary and those who accompany him in the various boards of the CEA… the business leaders who set aside their differences within their roles in the organization in order to create the guiding forces that set the course for this great industry.

In this edition of New Visual Solutions, we felt it was important to highlight the collective vision of these “leading lights” as part of our mission to promote industry intelligence on a worldwide level. Indeed, the word “International” in International CES takes on a special meaning, as the entire world is able to benefit from the efforts of the CEA. We’re proud to be part of this effort, and to work alongside the CEA in educating and informing the buying public.