Last week, the largest consumer technology show in the world descended on Las Vegas, CES. And what did we get? Well, basically, a lot of boring announcements, a few fairly cool portable media devices, lots of non-shipping Skype devices, and Bill Gates telling us things we already knew about Windows Vista. Afterwards, we had lots of pundits telling us why we didn’t care. For some real cognitive dissonance, ponder: “Bill Gates” and “blow your mind.”
So, we’re down on tech? As if. Next week, CDM is headed to Anaheim, California for the massive NAMM music show, the single biggest trade event of the year for the musical instruments industry. With a dramatically narrower focus (stuff for musicians), NAMM still has almost half the exhibitors of CES. Except that since the CES exhibitors don’t manufacture drums, guitars, and tubas, meaning this show will be MUCH LOUDER.
Why else is NAMM coooler? Let us count the ways:
Really, the only thing NAMM doesn’t have that CES did (aside from swarms of international press, unless you’re counting us as a “swarm”): a giant porn industry expo next door. I’ll let you decide whether that’s good or bad. For more information, read the incredibly lame imaginary NAMM-goer diary at NAMM’s site or just tune into CDM next week, live from the show.