Tomorrow will see the start of the 2010 International Consumer Electronics show (CES) in Las Vegas. Regarded as one of the most important consumer electronics shows in the world, the CES has seen the introduction of everything from Tetris (1988) to the DVD (1996.) Hundreds of exhibits will be showcased in the next few days, including MP3 audio specialists iLive whom will be unveiling a staggering 33 ipod and iPhone compatible audio products.
No doubts there will be some iLive products which will be along the lines of the iPod docks we have seen a million times before and which nearly every household now owns in some form or other. However it looks like iLive will also be unleashing some pretty impressive speakers.
The smart-looking iTDP610B Speaker Bar for instance is said to give the full effect of 5.0 audio without you having to go through the trouble of setting up five separate speakers (it also boasts a built in DVD player and a motorized door which opens to reveal the iPod dock.) There's even some respite from all that black plastic with the iLive iSP500LW a retro, wooden box, speaker system with an added iPod and iPhone dock on the top. On the dawn of 33 more iPod docks (and most likely many more from other companies) I take a quick look at the history of audio electronics.
1877 Thomas Eddison creates the first phonograph capable of replaying recordings
(I.e. the first record player)
1962 Phillips create the compact cassette
1974 Laserdisc player introduced at CES
1981 CD player introduced at CES
1995 Winplay3 released (the first real-time mp3 player for windows)
2001 The iPod is unveiled
What do you think the next big step will be after MP3?