The current economic situation seems to have had little effect on the research and development of technology for the consumer electronics market. New and innovative devices seem to be released left, right and centre, from the Apple iPad to 3D tv sets and more besides.

Part of the reason for this, is of course that the research behind - for example 3D technology - is a decade or more old. With the research mainly done, the manufacturers were waiting for component costs to be reduced to a level where they became affordable to the average householder. When this happened, 3D TV sets could be released to the general market.

Releasing the sets was only one side of the coin though. It took some brave filmmakers and film companies to start filming movies in 3D, so that media would eventually be available. The amazing success of Avatar showed what was possible, and this film has quite possibly done for 3D what The Matrix did for DVD in terms of making a format seem appealing.

Following in the footsteps of the filmmakers, Sky is now introducing some sporting events in 3D. This makes for fascinating watching during football games, and more and more sports are being added over the coming months.

So, what does the future hold? Certainly, the 3D technology will be refined as time goes on, but the cannier manufacturers have one eye on the next ten years or beyond, when holographic TV may become viable. You read it here first!