Spotlight on Tech
This article originally appeared on Traders Reserve.
For gadget geeks the world over, last week was perhaps the most important of the year. That’s because of the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, a showcase of product and technology reveals from the biggest companies and the best stock picks in the personal technology industry. There’s also an intangible feeling in the air that the economy in general, and the technology sector in particular, is ready to make a huge comeback in 2011. This upbeat milieu is likely to be felt in the share price of tech stocks, and that’s almost certainly going to mean some big upside going forward.
Here are five great consumer electronic stocks to buy now.
Motorola Mobility
Tech giant Motorola Mobility (NYSE: MMI) hit the CES ground running with some of the hottest lineups of products in recent memory. The company announced three new cell phone offerings, one each for major service providers AT&T (NYSE: T), T-Mobile and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ).
The company’s Atrix 4G smartphone is an IT professionals dream, as it features the ability to dock into a laptop shell with a screen and keyboard powered by the Atrix software. This device could bridge the divide between smartphone and laptop. Motorola also scored big with Xoom, the first tablet computing device to run Google’s (NASDAQ: GOOG) Honeycomb tablet OS.
Research In Motion
Iconic BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ: RIMM) has definitely had its share of ups and down over the past couple of years, but the company could be on the verge of a lot more ups in 2011. RIMM displayed its highly anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook tablet device, a device designed to take on Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) runaway tablet hit, the iPad.
The PlayBook is said to be smaller, faster, and more functional than the iPad, and it can be tethered to the existing BlackBerry smartphone, which will give users 3G access to the Internet.
Verizon
Much of the action taking place at CES had to do with either smartphones or tablet devices, and there’s one company set to benefit from the growth of both. That company is mega-Internet and wireless service provider Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ).
This year, Verizon made its own CES splash by showcasing what it calls its “Home Monitoring and Control” service. This service will let customers remotely control all of their home devices, including thermostats, cameras, doors and locks, via either smartphone or PC. This service is going to be available via Verizon’s highly rated FiOS TV product.
Oh, and don’t forget that later this year Verizon also will begin offering cell phone service for Apple’s iPhone.
Intel
Chipmaker Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) held a big press event on the eve of CES, and at that press conference Intel revealed the company’s new Sandy Bridge processor. Chip sector insiders have told me that the 32-nanometer Sandy Bridge is going to be the next big thing for video and gaming.
Intel CEO Paul Otellini also said the company would be launching 20 new microprocessors designed for use in both laptops and desktop PCs, and in various other chip-driven electronic devices. If the PC industry sees a big bounce back in 2011, then Intel will undoubtedly be one of the biggest benefactors.
Apple
One company conspicuously absent from the CES also is the personal technology company constantly setting new standards for the industry. Of course, that company is Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL). Interestingly, the company purposely stays away from the fracas between tech companies at CES, but its presence is certainly felt throughout the show’s floor.
The move by so many companies to improve their smartphone offerings, as well as their tablet devices, is a direct result of what Apple’s been able to achieve with their iPhone and iPad. If it is a banner year for tech this year, you can bet that this industry leader’s shares will once again lead the way higher.
