When it takes more than 30 minutes to get through the taxi line at the Las Vegas airport at 9 o’clock at night, the economy must be picking up.

 Indeed, there are few signs of the recession here at the 2010 International CES, the huge Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. There’s much buzz about the latest television-screen technologies—the flattest and biggest screends and 3D—and who’s got the best mobile phones and computer tablets.

I’m here searching for the latest gadgets that will help make life easier on the road. There are promises that our future cars will become smarter and more connected, with more than just GPS. Ford and some established—and a few upstart—companies are making devices with broadband Internet access, media players and collision avoidance, among other things.

I’ll be getting an update on future plans from Aircell, the company behind GoGo Internet access on several major U.S. airlines, and looking at the latest ways to make sure your home is safe while you are away.

There is one very encouraging sign.  A lot of the product manufacturers are talking about price points. In other words, they are very conscious of making products affordable to encourage consumers to part with their hard-earned dollars. And in the end, that may be what revives the consumer electronics business and keeps the economic recovery going.

More gadgets at better prices. That sounds like a winner.