Couple this trend with the progress being made in 3d printers (eg, recent developments in 'printing' simple circuits and electronics) and one can easily see that the low-end consumer electronics market segment is due for a paradigm shift (cliche intended!).

Once consumer-grade 3d printers are ubiquitous, it would truly spell the end for brick and mortar retail for 'simple electronics,' since even printing out a cheap demo model at home will be much more cost effective than hopping in your SUV and guzzling a few $7 gallons to pick up a spatula with a built in thermometer.

Plus, we may see a resurgence in 'illicit' devices such as blue boxes back from the phreaking days. Some ne'er-do-wells will populate Thingiverse with designs for devices we could only dream of back in our mischievous youths and that could never be sold in a retail establishment.