The next big thing: CES: the good, the bad and why I go.

• Author: Lawrence, Alex
• Position: Techknowledge

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is alive and well, with 2012 being the highest attended show in its 45-year history. Despite ail of the activity and attendance, I hear much of the same grumblings about CES year in and year out: It's no longer relevant. The real innovation is happening elsewhere. There is a lot of junk that isn't worth the trip. There are too many copycats.

All of these things can be I rue depending upon what industry or vantage point you share. I attend CES with very specific purposes. It's a convenient way to meet with a lot of tech people in a central location. I know I can connect with a lot of technology friends in a quick and convenient time and place. And though many of the companies are showing technology that isn't particularly new and exciting, I still get to view trends for the coming year. It's also exciting to see new technologies in person. There's a measurable difference between reading about a new gadget and seeing it in action. Finally, I attend CES each year for the fun and elusive search for a few diamonds in the rough. For example, FU not soon forget the year I found the first thumb drive hack in the glory days of Iomega. If only Iomega would have found it, too. CES presents an unprecedented opportunity for companies to get the first peek at large and small company exhibits.

Although I never get to see everything I'd like to during the show, here are five technologies that I think businesses should keep an eye on in 2012.

Affordable 3D Printing

It's about time! I've been watching this industry for a while. Many companies need to affordably produce prototypes and other designs in three dimensions. Historically this has been a technical, time consuming and expensive process. Prices, usability and availability are finally coming down. My favorite of the group is the MakerBot Replicator ($1,799). While still too expensive for some, a device that prints in multiple colors, works out of the box (the previous version required assembly) and can produce amazing 3D results is something I know many smaller companies, inventors and hobbyists have been yearning for. I know I want one.

Tablets, Phones and Mobile Devices

If you are like me, you do more and more work from a mobile device. Statistics indicate that we are not alone. Depending upon which report you read, it's a statistical certainty that within a few years, for the first time in history, more than 51 percent of the worldwide population will access the...