On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

Best Buy reports slow 3DTV sales while Wedbush Morgan says it doesn't believe 3DTV will be widely adopted.

Reasons given include weak economies, consumers opting for other CE products (like tablets and smartphones) and lack of 3D content for TVs.

In its report the Financial Times also mentions the 2 most important factors-- prices and the inconvenience caused by glasses to users.

3DTV sales represent only 3% of global HDTV sales, with 4m units shipped in total.

Analysts expect success for Nintendo's 3DS though-- the handheld console does not require glasses to play 3D titles and movies on its 3.5" screens.

A smaller screen size and a single viewer holding the device at a fixed angles makes it easier for the format to work without glasses. Sharp is to launch an Android smartphone with a 3D display this month, while smaller-screened devices like tablets and laptops could come with glasses-free 3D displays next year.

More channels with 3D content could help TV sales-- major broadcasters are adding 3D channels. Hollywood plans the release of more than 50 3D titles next year.

Go Lack of Content Leaves 3D TV Sales Flat

Best Buy diversifies into health and fitness equipment in the US as it loses market share in the CE retail business.

Rolling out just in time for New Year's customer resolutions stores will have a health and fitness presentation area, where customers can test out a number of devices. These include pedometers, heart rate monitoring watches, blood pressure monitors and scales amongst others.

Retail staff will also be trained to assist customers in the use of the equipment.

The news of Best Buy's diversification follows its Q3 2010 earnings call, where it estimates it lost 1.1% in market share. One expects the retailer to roll out health and fitness products in its UK stores if the moves proves a success.

Go Best Buy

Game's interim financial statement announces pre-owned products will make 25% of its 2010 sales (a from 2009's 21%).

The company describes pre-owned sales as a key element in its value offer-- since it wants to deliver what its customers want.

The statement also says sales in the 44 weeks to 4 December 2010 down by 8.8%-- sales were down by 7.9% for the same period 2009.

Meanwhile HMV looks into offering an online pre-owned games sale service in the UK. Amazon UK recently launched it own online trade-in programme.

Go Game Group Interim Financial Statement

GenosTV will showcase its Cyclops controller at CES 2011.

The company is an IPTV operator, and will also exhibit its services for the first time to the public at the show.

Few details are out on the frisbee-shaped Cyclops remote-- it will act as a keboard and mouse for GenosTV's cable box and also communicates via bluetooth with mobile phones (no mention whether it also uses IR).

Meanwhile at CES Genos TV CEO and co-founder Rob Shambro will deliver a keynote at the "Content for the Cloud" conference.

Go GenosTV