Five Predictions for Tech in '07

The great thing about gadgets is they ain't the markets.

It's not like we don't know what's going to happen: It simply takes too long for electronics to go from the lab to the store for there to be many surprises.

The trick with gadgets is keeping track of it all: Intel (INTC Quote - Cramer on INTC - Stock Picks) is making movies. Cisco (CSCO Quote - Cramer on CSCO - Stock Picks) is making desk phones. Microsoft (MSFT Quote - Cramer on MSFT - Stock Picks) is making video games, and a million other companies are making a million other whatevers. It is devilishly easy, particularly when you are spending real money, to lose track of what's what.

The secret is to plan ahead.

Here, then, is my list of the top tech things you will do -- and will not do -- in 2007.

1. You will never step foot in a big-box retailer again.

This is the uber-trend for shoppers of means in the coming year.

Blissfully, we are seeing the limits of mega-retailers in electronics. Circuit City (CC Quote - Cramer on CC - Stock Picks), Wal-Mart (WMT Quote - Cramer on WMT - Stock Picks), Best Buy (BBY Quote - Cramer on BBY - Stock Picks) and other large-box stores are getting their businesses hammered by thin margins on displays and other gadgets. And the much-beleaguered manufacturer's brand is looking to take advantage of the big-box woes.

Taking their cue from Apple Computer's (AAPL Quote - Cramer on AAPL - Stock Picks) eponymous store, most major electronics brands now have their own retail presences both online and off. These are marvelous places to shop for gadgets.

Just check out the SonyStyle store, the Samsung store, the Bose store, Nintendo World and the Bang & Olufsen store, to name a few.

Though you probably won't find the lowest prices at these shops, you will find something more important: real service. Since the sales staff is hired by the manufacturer, they actually know what they're selling. You will be stunned.

These days, I don't shop anywhere else. And neither should you.

2. You will covet an electric car.

Finally, the electric automobile is making up for the head start internal combustion engines got at the turn of the century. Electric cars will be so downright sexy in 2007, you will actually want one.

A company called Tesla Motors is bringing its new Roadster to market next year.

	The Tesla Roadster

The car, which is already sold out for 2007, will cost about $100,000, excluding premiums and other fees. And it's easy to see why people are willing to pay that kind of money: The Roadster looks fabulous, like a one-off race design from Ferrari or Bentley.

It goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in around four seconds, the company says. And it has a decent 250-mile range.

The Tesla will also have some competition. French company Venturi is already shipping its stylish electric car called the Fetish.

It supposedly lists at $575,000. But all I am going to say is that it is French; good luck actually getting ahold of one.

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