2010’s Top Business Gadgets and Technology Trends

Samsung LED 9000 Series

Let’s dispense with the formalities: Yes, Samsung’s LED 9000 series of television sets is pencil-thin (0.3 inches wide) and sports the ability to display 3D images or up-convert 2D content into the third dimension. But we could be less concerned with featured models’ whiz-bang tech specs, what with manufacturers pushing more for the upgrade to 3D than consumers. (And, of course, high associated price tags, the need to wear goofy glasses and a lack of compelling 3D film and TV content.) Instead, we’re more impressed by the fact that these sets (and complementary components such as the BD-C6900, a Wi-Fi enabled 3D Blu-ray player) offer support for downloadable apps, just like you’d find on the iPhone or Nexus One. These bite-sized applications – all served through an open development platform, meaning any entrepreneur can create content for it – can add immense functionality, taking the form of everything from social networking clients to downloadable games. Promising to add considerable value, extend TVs’ out of the box shelf-life indefinitely and change the very way we interact with the boob tube, there’s a massive potential market here that clever companies can exploit.

Trend: Apps everywhere. In 2010, you won’t be able to turn without bumping into a device (eReader, smartphone, television set, Blu-ray player, etc.) that supports them. Suddenly, what the App Store did for a legion of bedroom coders on Apple’s iPod and iPhone, these devices may do for hordes of entrepreneurs intrigued by other consumer electronics categories as well. Here’s a firsthand video breakdown of connected TV trends.

RIM BlackBerry Presenter

As you may have noticed, micro/mini projectors from manufacturers such as 3M, Microvision and others will soon be available for a variety of devices – the iPhone included. But why settle for such units’ often inferior display performance when pitching an important client? Thankfully, this handy 3.4-inch x 2.4-inch boxlike accessory, designed for use with BlackBerry smartphones, ships later this month for $199. Simply attach it to a projector or monitor and you can use Blutetooth connectivity to display Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 and 2007 slides straight from your handset. Presenters have the option to pause images as they lecture, set slides to automatically swap at prearranged intervals and even enjoy the benefit of accurate reproductions of most visual and animated effects.

Check out our Blackberry Presenter Review.

Trend: Smaller, lighter and more portable devices – from netbook computers to cellular phones and digital tablets, it’s the year of the incredible shrinking gadget.