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IEEE International Conference on Consumer Electronics convenes in Los Angeles

 |  May 24, 1998

For the last 25 years, about 1000 engineers from all regions of the world have gathered at the annual IEEE International Conference on Consumer Electronics (ICCE) in Chicago to review and discuss the emerging technology trends in the consumer industry.

However, the face of consumer electronics has changed dramatically in just the last decade. Such a conference would have been limited to television and audio entertainment 10 years ago, but the content of the 1998 conference will be less than 25% television and over 75% communications and computing. As a result of the increasing importance of convergence products, the 1998 ICCE will move to Los Angeles for the first time to facilitate more participation from the multimedia-based West Coast growth firms.

According to Jim Farmer, president of the IEEE Consumer Electronics Society, "The content of the 1998 conference reflects the fact that the consumer-electronics industry might now be better called the convergence-electronics industry. The most exciting new products are a combination of entertainment video/audio, computing, and communications; in short, convergence. The industry is moving well beyond TV and other hardware manufacturers to include software publishers, cable operators, telephone carriers, and Hollywood."

Specific topics of interest at the June '98 ICCE will include: HDTV, DVD, consumer computing, consumer personal communications, virtual reality, digital satellite TV, copyright-management systems, and Web TV. The conference will be held June 2-4, 1998, in the Los Angeles Airport Marriott; tutorial sessions will be held on May 31 and June 1. For more information, see the conference Web site.

COMMENTS
chadfoster's picture
Submitted by chadfoster on November 21, 2024 - 5:16am

The International Conference on Consumer Electronics (ICCE) is always a fascinating event, and reading about the 1998 conference highlights just how quickly technology has reshaped the industry. It’s incredible to see how, over the past few decades, the focus of consumer electronics has expanded beyond just televisions and audio systems to encompass a vast range of converging technologies. This evolution reflects not only the rapid advancements in tech but also how deeply it has integrated into every facet of our lives.
I was particularly struck by Jim Farmer's insight that the industry might better be called the "convergence-electronics industry." It’s amazing to think about how devices and platforms now blend computing, communication, and entertainment into seamless experiences. This was an exciting glimpse into the future back in 1998, and it’s humbling to realize how many of those once "emerging" trends—like HDTV, consumer computing, and virtual reality—have since become household staples.
I’ve always enjoyed hearing from tech visionaries at conferences like ICCE. Their insights into where the industry is heading ignite a sense of curiosity and anticipation for what’s next. Events like these bring together some of the brightest minds in engineering and innovation, offering a unique opportunity to explore how technology not only entertains but also connects and empowers people worldwide. It’s a testament to how collaboration and creativity can transform industries and push boundaries we once thought were immovable.

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