CES 2012

CES 2012 is over and, for those of you unfamiliar with it, there were a few surprises. Honestly, these surprises weren't technological; Smart TVs have been predicted by analysts for quite a while (although Google TV failed), OLED has been around since 2004 but never really mass-produced, a plethora of iPhone and iPad accessories were on display, and the Keynotes were lackluster. Why, then, was this show surprising?

Two companies seem to be learning from some mistakes made during the recession. Right now, people don't want to buy a TV that MUST be replaced in 5 years; especially when they still feel uncertain about their sustenance. The two companies with surprises were Samsung and their smart TV and Ford with its cars.

How Samsung's proposition different? They're making them with expansion slots; no need to buy a brand new TV if this one isn't "smart" enough for you anymore, just upgrade it. That also means a commitment to long-lasting LED displays, a modern TV that will last for more years than what's currently on the market. That's an exciting and refreshing point of view.

Ford's new technology is exciting and (potentially) concerning; they're going to make upgrades available to their cars' computers, including the Ford you might already be driving. Consumers will be able to update the software themselves, and it's supposed to keep the cabin tech current. If these upgrades include any mechanical/security component to them, then glitches and other issues might arise. Regardless, this is an overall great win for consumers; your car remains "new" for longer.

Hopefully others catch up to the trend of electronics/products built to stay current for a long time.