Tech Talk: Trends!

As we enter this brand-new decade, it makes sense that the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas in January would kick off some major tech trends and reveal crazy-cool products. The world's largest technology trade show included more than 2,500 companies and celebs like Tommy Lee, Taylor Swift and  Richard Dreyfuss – as well as bloggers, geek gods and goddesses, buyers and industry leaders. The displays seemed endless, but I targeted such "TechZones" as Kids@Play and Mommy Tech. The following are a few trends for parents and kids to watch in the coming decade:

1. Meet George Jetson: The family of the very near future will be very well connected. I'm pretty sure George and Jane didn't have to worry about "sexting," but parents will be seeing an influx of new technology in various realms and need to be in the know. “When you see all the gadgets and gizmos, it reinforces the fact that we need to be literate,” says James Steyer, CEO and founder of Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that helps parents navigate the rapidly evolving gaming, entertainment and communications world. "Parents have to do their homework."


2. Got Glasses?: Major electronics companies are heavily invested in 3D televisions, so learn to love those pesky, unflattering glasses. Beginning in the middle of this year, some satellite cable providers will begin broadcasting a few channels in 3D. The good news is that if you're properly equipped, you can watch sports and other live events as though you are there but with a great seat.


3. Get In the Game: Play against yourself – or the world. Draw something and watch it come to life. Chat with players. Stand up and interact. Play in 3D. These things and more are coming to a gaming console near you.


4. Channel Surfing: When you're ready to sit down to watch something in the near future, it might go something like this: First, you select a movie or TV show from one of several providers (NetFlix, Amazon, to name a couple). You put on your 3D glasses (see #1) to watch, then remember that you are taking the kids skiing tomorrow, so you click over to check the weather and conditions at Big Bear. You decide to share those conditions with your Twitter followers. Then you remember you need to call your mom and ask her to feed the cat, so you get her on Skype only to discover that she's watching the video you uploaded of your daughter's talent show on YouTube. And you never even left the sofa.


5. Commute and Compute: See #4, only you'll be able to do all that in the car, too (plus broadcast your GPS coordinates and make dinner reservations in Big Bear).