Same Old Microsoft Will Land in Las Vegas
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5.
The Verizon iPhone
Speculation
abounds over when Apple
will finally offer the iPhone to Verizon customers. Unfortunately, both
Apple and Verizon have been tight-lipped about it, making some wonder if they might
show it off at CES. But that won't happen. Apple likes having all the attention
on itself. The last thing it wants to do is share its time in the limelight with
its competition for such huge announcement.
6.
Significant Google TV talk
Recently
reports have been swirling that Google might be requesting vendors to hold back
their talk of Google TV products until the company is ready for them to do so.
That speculation has caused critics to question how well the Google TV platform
is doing at retail. That said, there will likely be talk of Google TV at CES,
but it might not be as momentous as some originally thought.
7.
Affordable glasses-free 3D TVs
The
next craze in the television market is 3D TV. Many vendors are getting in
on that craze. At CES this year, companies will undoubtedly unveil some glasses-free
3D TV sets. That said, like the Toshiba offering that's already available to
customers in Japan,
they will be outrageously expensive, making them not so commercially viable for
years to come. Simply put, expect some glasses-free 3D TV talk, but don't
expect to see them in stores at affordable prices any time soon.
8.
A Motorola-Microsoft marriage
Motorola
has found success with Google's Android platform. The company's devices, including
the Droid X, Droid 2 and Droid Pro, are being purchased quite often by
consumers. At CES, Motorola will undoubtedly show
its support for Android by unveiling more products. But it won't do the
same for Microsoft and Windows Phone 7. As much as consumers might want to see
a Droid X-like device running Windows Phone 7, it just won't happen.
9.
A direct Chrome OS competitor from Microsoft
As
Google preps Chrome OS for its eventual launch, some are wondering if Microsoft
will respond. At CES, it won't. Microsoft seems most concerned with focusing on
Windows 7, Windows 8 and tablets. The company doesn't necessarily see the value
of the cloud the way Google might. Could it come back to hurt Microsoft? Time
will tell. But at CES, don't expect much cloud talk.
10.
A changed Microsoft
Perhaps
more than anything, CES will prove that Microsoft really hasn't changed. In
fact, those looking for a different, more sagacious Microsoft will be sorely
disappointed by the company. Microsoft is still focused heavily on software,
and it believes that its strategies in the mobile market will work even though
Windows Phone 7 is having trouble keeping up with Android and iOS. Simply put,
a changed Microsoft won't make its way to CES. In Las
Vegas, CEO Steve Ballmer
will be leading a company that hasn't changed one bit.
