Top five tech trends of 2012

All across Silicon Valley (and the globe, for that matter) technology companies are preparing for the Consumer Electronics Show, which takes place this year during the second week in January, as usual at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

PHOTOS: Top five tech trends of 2012

While Microsoft yesterday disclosed that it plans to end its active participation in the event starting next year, perhaps marking a reduction in the importance of CES, this year’s version should still provide key insights into what’s ahead in the world consumer gadgets.

But there’s no need to wait until next month to start thinking about the implications of this year’s version. In an interview with Forbes magazine on Wednesday, Accenture’s Kumu Puri, a senior executive with the consulting firm’s consumer electronics practice in San Francisco, laid out what she thinks will be the five big themes from the 2012 edition of the show. As it happens, Microsoft will have a major role to play this time around; and as per usual, Apple will cast a giant shadow on the proceedings, though as usual it won’t be actually participating.

So, here they are, Puri’s 5 trends to watch at CES 2012.

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