The last year of the century also saw electronic commerce gain traction with online holiday shopping revenues more than doubling from 1998, fueled in large part by new electronic products that provide Internet access from just about anywhere. E-tailing gives consumers a new way to acquire the products that have become an integral part of our lives and are altering forever the way we work and play, receive information, keep in touch with friends, colleagues and family and maintain their safety. The transformation of consumer electronics into a truly digital marketplace is gaining momentum. In virtually every category, digital products are the fastest growing segment. In some cases digital units already outsell the analog models.
Digital technology provides clear benefits and flexibility.
Digital cordless telephones offer better clarity, security and distance from the base unit. Digital wireless phones also offer better clarity and security along with many new functions, including access to the Internet. Digital television offers a dramatically better picture quality, wider variety of programs, and new ways to store and manipulate images. Digital audio offers new ways to deliver, store and transport music and voice recordings. And digital technology enables all of these products to be made smaller and more portable so that we can stay connected to work and family and take information and entertainment with us.