LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - From tiny music players that dance as they play tunes to smarter toothbrushes and curvy computer screens, U.S. consumers can count on being wowed by another year of cool digital gadgets in the coming year.
But technology industry leaders attending the annual agenda-setting Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week say the focus of this year's event has shifted to instant consumer gratification from visions of what might be.
Gadget makers are benefiting from a decade-old digital transition from older analog technologies. Once separate devices ranging from computers to phones to television and automobiles now increasingly connect to one another and share media.
As an example of this convergence, the talk of the show was when controversial electric stun gun maker Taser (TASR.O) unveiled a new leopard-print personal security model with a holster that plays digital music.
At the same time, many executives admit to some concerns that mounting U.S. economic woes may lead consumers to think twice before making their next major gadget purchases.
"Today was about an opportunity to say what are our priorities -- nothing that's that far out," said Comcast Corp Chief Executive Brian Roberts said on the sidelines of CES. Tuesday, Comcast said a super-fast broadband service capable of downloading high-definition movies would be ready this year.
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