Geek Squad CES 2012 roundup

What was the best product announcement?

Qualcomm’s Halo, a wireless inductive charging device for cars. It uses magnetism to wirelessly charge a properly equipped car sitting over the corresponding mat. What this means is one day, we’ll be able to drive our electric cars into a garage (or maybe a driveway) – and it will charge automatically.

What is the product/ product area that stood out the most / to watch out for in 2012?

During the Intel keynote, their plans for making Intel-based Android smartphones (from Lenovo and Motorola) were announced. In addition to tablet/ultrabook announcements, this means you’ll see some very interesting Intel-based platform devices being launched as early as Summer 2012.

CES has proved that you can now do more with your technology than ever before.  Do you think this will result in additional tech frustration, and calls to Geek Squad?  Do you think that additional functions will be used/demanded by the average consumer?

Tech frustration tends to occur when major innovation happens – and much of that is the very energy CES thrives on. So with the advances in robotics, home automation, electric cars, home theatre, and computing, it’s apparent that Geek Squad will be more relevant than ever. If anything, we’ll just be giving advice in areas that Agents haven’t been before – like our partnerships in certain states to install home-based electric fast-chargers for cars, and energy saving advice. Many of the additional functions being proposed during conferences like CES to devices we’re already using aren’t immediately attractive to the general public – but become well-known and popular over time.

Many aspects of technology are being made simpler, but do you still foresee the average consumer having problems with basic functions?

Clients will always need help when it comes to technology – but that’s mostly because of how big the realm of consumer electronics is. Everything in this space is constantly changing, and of for the most part, improving. And since devices that our clients use are getting more interesting, versatile, and gaining new functions, the “basics” don’t stay the same for very long. For example, look at the emergence of touch-screen computing – it didn’t exist 10-15 years ago to the point that it does today. And while touchscreen input seems very natural, the tech industry is constantly learning how to make it faster, larger, and easier to use.

What was the best party in Vegas?

The after-CES party at TAO. And while I didn’t attend, the hype was as massive as the lines surrounding the place. It was a sight to be seen.

Which brand owned CES this year?

Samsung. With the booth and advertisement everywhere for the Samsung Galaxy Note, as well as their focus on OLED 55” and 4k television sets, it’s pretty obvious that Samsung has many devices that will garner the attention of consumers this year and beyond.