Internet with everything in Las Vegas show

After last year’s Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas saw a gaggle of manufacturers bringing out e-readers to compete with the Kindle, this year everyone’s chasing the iPad.

There are dozens of wannabe Apple-crunchers, from the biggest names to unknowns, and more than 100 firms from around the world are expected to launch competitors this year. What’s the rush?

“You know when Apple first announced the iPad the big question was ‘why do I need a tablet?’ but as people started using it they realised that it is a really useful personal entertainment device. It can be your own personal TV, if someone else is using the television, it is a great babysitter since you can put tons of games on it for the kids, and you can stream movies. You can watch TV and movies on the plane,” says Molly Wood from the technology review website CNET.

The other hot items at this year’s show are smart TVs that connect with the internet, a feature that is set to become standard in the near future. In fact analysts agree we are moving towards an age where every electronic device will be internet compatible, from vacuum cleaners to fridges to pop-up toasters.

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