Jan. 7, 2005--Intuitive and electrifying conference sessions shaped the first day of the 2005 International CES by highlighting the breadth and depth of the consumer electronics industry. Hundreds of conference sessions present throughout the show offer an expansive selection of topics for attendees. The 2005 International CES runs January 6-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Digital imaging proved to be a hot category on Day One of the 2005 International CES. Attendees got their first glimpse of Flash Forward 2.0: Bringing Digital Imaging Into Focus and enjoyed a SuperSession on digital still cameras and cell phone cameras. Executive Technology Editor of Popular Photography and Imaging Magazine, Mike McNamara, moderated the SuperSession titled "Digital Cameras Get Competition," which delved into the challenges and opportunities presented by digital still camera and cell phone camera competition. Panelists representing both industries included John Prendergast, vice president of strategic business development, Photo Imaging Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.; Pierre Schaeffer, vice president and director, business strategy, Eastman Kodak Company and Randy Roberts, head of create & share product category, Motorola.

The panel agreed that technological limitations currently exist for cell phone cameras, including sensors, lenses and processors and that image quality continues to set digital still cameras apart from cell phone cameras.

With hundreds of multi-faceted SuperSessions, CNET's SuperSession entitled "The Next Best Thing," presented their take on the products and trends that will move the market in the upcoming year. Focusing on three categories, the "Smart Home," "Smart Portables" and the "Smart Car," CNET editors compared consumer viewpoints with the views of industry leaders in three panels. CNET also named their "Next Big Thing" finalists in 12 categories, choosing them from over 600 submissions and stating that the winners would be announced at 4 p.m. on Friday at the CNET booth #71351 in Innovations Plus.

What technologies will attendees find on the International CES show floor 10 years from now? That was the question Forbes Columnist Stephen Manes asked industry insiders from Qualcomm, Philips, Intel and the U.S. Army's Future Force Warrior Program. They agreed that consumers will expect to consume content of their choice everywhere they go. Display screens will be pervasive in every size from ultra-large screens to tiny displays on mobile devices. Sensors will be common, the panelists agreed, in wearable clothing and in the home for fitness and health monitoring. And hybrid devices will continue to combine multiple functions. All agreed the consumer will be the one who ultimately decides what is successful on the market.

The audio shootout conference session moderated by Dave Graveline, host and executive producer of Into Tomorrow, delved into the vast array of radio options that are now available to consumers. The esteemed panel included Bob Struble, president and CEO, iBiquity Digital; Gabe Hobbs, vice-president of programming, Clear Channel; Hugh Panero, CEO, XM Satellite Radio; Joseph Clayton, chairman, Sirius Satellite Radio and Mark Lam, CEO, Live365. While the panelist may not agree on the content format, the panelists did agree that content is king and consumers are driving the development. When asked if all the diverse platforms would survive the panelist agreed, "It is like local T.V. versus HBO, consumers want both - not one or the other." The panel proved that radio re-invents itself to stay current and continues to be the most ubiquitous CE product.

For more news on CES during and after the show, visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 1,850 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $110 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

    UPCOMING EVENTS

    --  2005 International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology
    January 6-9, 2005, Las Vegas, NV

    --  CEA Winter Summit
    February 17-19, 2005, Lake Tahoe, CA

    --  EHX Spring
    February 23-26, Orlando, FL

    --  CEA Winter Technology & Standards Forum
    March 7-11, 2005, San Antonio, TX

    --  HDTV Summit and Academy of DTV Pioneers Awards Luncheon
    March 15, 2005, Washington, DC

    --  CEA Bits & Bytes Dinner
    March 15, 2005, Washington, DC

    --  IP and Creativity - Redefining the Issue
    March 16, 2005, Washington, DC

    --  PARA Management Conference
    May 11-15, 2005, Coronado, CA

    --  CONNECTIONS(TM)
    May 11-13, 2005, San Francisco, CA

    --  Consumer Electronics CEO Summit
    June 22-25, 2005, Colorado Springs, CO

    --  SINOCES
    July 1-4, 2005, Qingdao, China

    --  CEA Summer Technology & Standards Forum
    July 25-29, 2005, Denver, CO

    --  CEA Industry Forum
    October 17-19, 2005, Las Vegas, NV

    --  EHX Fall
    November 7-11, 2005, Anaheim, CA

    --  2006 International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology
    January 5-8, 2006, Las Vegas, NV