Pads, E-Readers, Notebook Computers Topped Wish Lists

I'm Alex Villarreal with the VOA Special English Technology Report, from voaspecialenglish.com | facebook.com/voalearningenglish A report by the Consumer Electronics Association says electronics were among the most popular gifts bought this holiday season. It also predicted that spending on these devices would set new records. The CEA said consumers were expected to spend an average of about two hundred thirty dollars on electronics. This is five percent more than in two thousand nine and the highest level since the organization began keeping records of holiday spending. Jim Barry is a spokesman for the Consumer Electronics Association. He said the CEA study found that electronics represented three of the top five things on its Holiday Gift Wish List in two thousand ten. He said: "Notebook computers are at the top, followed by iPads and then e-readers. IPad is a touch-screen tablet computer and that's really the big player in that category." The computer company Apple began selling its small, touch-screen computers in April. People use the touch-screen computers to surf the Web, write e-mails, watch movies and read books. Since the iPad's release, several other companies came out with their own tablet computers just in time for Christmas. A report from the e-Marketer research group predicts that worldwide tablet sales will reach more than eighty-one million in two thousand twelve. Still, Jim Barry says these devices faced tough competition from another Christmas favorite.He said: "Another hot category right behind that are the e-readers. So you can read on an iPad or a touch-screen tablet, but the e-book readers are less expensive. The Kindle is the market leader there from Amazon. But you also have the Nook from Barnes and Noble and the e-reader from Sony."Jim Barry says modern technology is changing the way people relate and increasing their expectations for their electronic devices.He said: "It's really the ability to take your information and entertainment with you just about anywhere to stay connected to your work and your family." The Consumer Electronics Association report found that iPod music players were also in high demand this holiday season. So were video game systems and digital cameras. But not all of the things on the holiday gift wish list involved electronics. The one thing that people wanted most? Jim Barry said: "At the top of the list was peace and happiness." For VOA Special English, I'm Alex Villarreal. (Adapted from a radio program broadcast 20Dec2010)