The world's largest consumer electronics trade fair, the IFA, will open tomorrow in Berlin with over 1,202 exhibitors from 40 countries spilling out over a massive 160,000 sqm floorspace. It will run from the 1st to the 6th of September.
Despite catering for all types of electronics and gadgets, high-definition products will very much play an important role at this year's event with HD-DVD, Blu-Ray and the latest HD-TVs on display from a wealth of manufacturers. High definition products have gripped Europe in the last year, with much of their success attributed to the 2006 World Cup.
As well as the obvious there will be a wealth of niche and breakthrough producs on display such as Philips new clothing featuring lit-up images.
Managing director Bas Zeper of Photonic Textiles at Philips Research said: "The light emitting textiles have to be flexible, durable and operated by reasonably compact batteries. Fitting all that into a comfortable, lightweight garment is a considerable engineering success."
In 2005 the event attracted 245,849 visitors and this year the number is expected to exceed 270,000.
Link: IFA Berlin Homepage
