February 2011 - According to the Consumer Electronics Association'sIndex of Consumer Expectations, "for the sixth consecutive month, consumer confidence in the overall direction of the economy improved." At 175.7, the index is the highest it has been since February 2008. In addition, the CEA Index of Consumer Technology Expectations is the highest it has ever been in January despite a 5.6 point drop from last month.

"The economy continues to improve and individuals are taking note," Shawn DuBravac, CEA's chief economist and director of research, said in a press release. "With consumer sentiment higher than it has been since early 2008 and six straight months of growth, consumers are feeling better about the economy and their financial futures.

"Spending on technology is influenced by regular seasonal purchasing patterns and in December, technology was atop every consumer's holiday wish list," he continued. "While a drop from December to January has happened every year of the index, the record high this January suggests consumers are still showing a willingness to purchase tech."

That willingness to invest in the latest gadgets is a result of the industry's commitment to innovation. Popular products recently are ones that provide user interactivity or satisfy a green agenda.

Xbox 360 Kinect
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corp., pointed out in his CES opening keynote that 2010 was a big year for Xbox. "We predicted we would sell 5 million Kinect sensors by the end of the holiday. So how did we do? Well, we beat our forecast. In the first 60 days, we've sold 8 million Kinect sensors worldwide."

According to Microsoft, "Kinect for Xbox 360 brings games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways, no controller required." The product has a sensor that recognizes the user and responds to movements and voice commands. It can transform consumers' living rooms into sports stadiums, yoga studios or dance clubs.

The Kinect combines an RGB camera, depth sensor and multiarray microphone, which runs proprietary software. It has been deemed a "breakthrough innovation" by Popular Mechanics and "the best of what's new' by Popular Science.

Sleek Audio's SA7 earphones
Aluminum and other metals are becoming a material of choice among electronics designers. Made in the United States, the SA7 by Sleek Audiohas a milled aluminum core and drivers that are surrounded by a layer of silicone that's protected by military-grade carbon fiber sidings and held together with a titanium hexagonal fastener. The earphones have Sleek Audio's VQ Tuning, which allows users to adjust the tuning to match their preference. The SA7 also offers wireless hybrid technology.

GE WattStation
At this year's International CES, green technologies were gaining popularity. Smart homes and electric cars were particularly high on the list. As more consumers buy in to electric vehicles, the demand for electricity increases. GEnotes in a fact sheet, "electric vehicles have the potential to revolutionize transportation. However, in order to see widespread [electric vehicle] adoption, the electrical grid must be modernized and charging stations must be accessible, quick and easy."

For this purpose, the company has created the GE WattStation electrical vehicle charger. The WattStation houses smart grid technology in a consumer friendly form, designed by industrial designer Yves Behar. The product decreases electric vehicle charging time from 12 to 18 hours to as little as four to eight hours compared to standard charging. MM