Technologies To Dominate CES 2011 And How To Trade It

CES 2011 is finally here, with the key note address set to kick off the event in just a few hours from Microsoft's MSFT Steve Ballmer. Las Vegas is abuzz with excitement over what the dominant themes of the event will be. Obviously the new technology causing the most buzz is the tablet sector, which really kicked into gear last year when Apple AAPL launched its iPad, which has been selling like hot cakes. Chip companies like ARM Holdings ARMH, NXP Semiconductors NV NXPI, CEVA CEVA and MIPS MIPS should benefit from these tablets, as should Corning GLW, which makes the glass for the tablets. Samsung's Galaxy has proven that it can compete with the iPad, and the sector is only expected to get more crowded, as tablets flood the convention. The next technology that will dominate is the smartphone category. It's not just a Android versus iOS world. There is room for Research in Motion RIMM, should the company be able to get its act together with a new offering. Many are looking at the company's Playbook tablet to re-spark interest in the company. Perhaps we'll see a phone based off the QNX operating system to excite convention goers. People will also be looking forward to the 4G offerings for the new 4G network from Verizon VZ, known as LTE. Motorola Mobility MMI and HTC are expected to have strong offerings in this space. Video games will also get a space at CES, eventhough video games big event is E3 later in the year. Makers like Activision ATVI and hardware makers like Sony SNE and Micorsoft MSFT will show off their motion controllers, the Playstation Move and Xbox Kinect. Connected appliances and TV's will also be hot. Whirpool WHR, LG and General Electric GE will show off new home appliances that connect to a smart grid, and allow consumers to save energy. Obviously Apple AAPL won't be showing off its iPad 2 or iPhone 5, but maybe Verizon's Ivan Seidenberg will give us techies a hint. We can only be so lucky. Disclosure: long NXPI.