There's been a lot of talk about the poor showing of the CD³² at the Winter
Consumer Electronics Show.  However, a recent publication called
the SHOW REPORTER gave the Amiga CD³² high praise.  

For a product criticized as not having a high enough profile at the show,
it was apparently high enough to be noticed by some people in a position
to let others know about it.  That's a GOOD thing.

In a section of the publication called TEN BIGGEST DEALS AT WINTER CES, the
slew of new videogame systems displayed at the show (3DO, Jaguar and CD³²)
came in at number six.  The Amiga CD³² was the first system mentioned in a
recap of what was presented at the show.  

In a section called HOT PRODUCT PICKS, the CD³² was not only mentioned but
given a quarter page description with a color photo.  (The Jaguar was also
mentioned, in all fairness).  The title of the CD³² description was "Coming
to America".  The description noted the strong sales of the machine in the
UK.  

On the last page of the magazine, some top journalists from consumer
electronic magazines were asked to pick their "Best in Show" awards.  Jim
Willcox, editor of TWICE magazine, picked the CD³² as one of his personal
favorites.

SHOW REPORTER was sent to all attendees of the show and that is obviously
going to include some high-ranking officials in a position to give more
exposure to the machine.

Commodore has said that the reason that their booth was not on the show
floor competing with the "high traffic" booths of the 3DO and Jaguar was
so that they could work out deals and introduce the machine to people in a
position to carry the machine in retail outlets.  Some people, myself
included, thought that excuse was merely to mask the fact that they did
not have the money to allow for a flashy booth.  Commodore may just have
played it smart and saved money and still gotten the type of profile that
the machine needed to get into the retail stores.  Rumors indicate that
Electronics Boutique, Blockbuster Video, Software, Etc. and possibly
Wal-Mart have expressed more than a little interest in carrying the CD³².

If these reports are correct, the machine will be given a better start than
many have forecasted.  We can only now sit and watch...and wait.  

Sean Caszatt, editor & founder of CD³²View
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