IFA is the biggest consumer electronics show in Europe, and I was back in Berlin to cover Sony's huge interactive space there. Continuing and expanding on last year's 3D theme, Sony have everything from TV's, projectors, even laptops in 3D - but you still have to wear those headache-inducing glasses. I can see that watching 3D football on a big screen, or an interactive video game will be a great experience, but can't help feeling that long-term it's still just a gimmick. I can't imagine coming home after a long day, and spending ages looking for the TV control AND the glasses, just to watch Coronation St. (though, to be fair, I'm still not bothered about HDTV either, and probably watch more on my laptop than anything else).
One of the highlights was from a Japanese VDJ who's combined 3D video visuals with his dance set (which my 2D medium photos will never do justice to).
To celebrate his 60th birthday (and shoe-horn a bit of publicity for Virgin Active into the bargain) Richard Branson was attempting to become the oldest man to kite-surf across the Channel, along with family and friends. After two attempts were called off (the first for too much wind, the second not enough) he decided to postpone the challenge, and we were all invited to repair to the nearest pub instead. Rather surreally, I suddenly found myself having a pub lunch on the bleak Dungeoness coast with Richard Branson and Princess Beatrice (who's boyfriend was part of the record attempt). Not sure what the locals made of it all, but the steak & kidney pudding was ace!
