Tablet makers hoping for IFA spending spree

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 1 Sep 2010 at 08:54

Gadget and consumer electronics manufacturers are keeping their fingers crossed that a surge in optimism and spending in Germany will translate into a bumper crop of orders at this week's IFA show in Berlin.

"Germans are currently in a downright buying frenzy," said Jeffry van Ede, board member of German tech industry body Bitkom.

IFA, which opens its doors to the public on Friday, traditionally offers an early indication into what gadgets will sell well through until Christmas. Order volume last year was more than €3bn.

This year's show is so well booked that organisers have had to put up an additional hall and the event looks likely to be an early battleground in the war to win market share for tablet computers.

Samsung and Toshiba are both expected to showcase their challengers to Apple's iPad at IFA tomorrow, ahead of the trade fair's official start. Samsung is expected to unveil its Galaxy Tab and Toshiba its SmartPad.

3D TVs are tipped to be the other hot items at the show, with Sony, LG Electronics, Samsung and Panasonic, all tipped to launch new sets and proclaim the technology ready for the mainstream.