Gadgets, home networking highlight changing Comdex.

The largest computer industry trade show kicks off this week in Las Vegas, but actual computers might be somewhat hard to find. At this year_s Comdex, the show floor will be crammed with companies and industry groups talking about the post-PC era, laying out a vision of TV set-top boxes, smart cell phones, handheld devices and palm-size computers, all connected to the Internet and each other without the help of wires. Even the new computers set to be unveiled this week will be dressed up to resemble so-called Internet appliances. Tech companies are betting big on gadgets and devices, but despite the hype, it_s an untested market, and it remains to be seen which of the «next big thing» gizmos being shown this year will make it into stores next year, observers say. Comdex is traditionally the largest computer industry trade show of the year, but its draw as the biggest of the big is losing some luster as attendance declines, big PC companies stay away and technology and company-specific trade shows proliferate. Rather than announce new products and services at Comdex, many large companies now stage their own events. The focus of the huge trade show has noticeably shifted, say long-time attendees, not only reflecting the industry_s new interest in single-purpose devices, but also the traditional PC companies_growing lack of interest in blowing their marketing budget on the event.