I’m here at my first CES with a 2015 resolution to write more on technology, electronics and the influence on the family. weekly Google hangouts featuring my son will also be part of the picture.
I don’t know too much what to expect from CES though I’ve been told that I’ll be surprised by how many TVs I see. I do have a few appointments thanks to friends Peter Day and Andrew Felix at the Max Borges Agency, but mostly I have penciled in a lot of industry overviews and press events.
First stop is the press event where I got a coveted CES backpack. Talk about FOMO value! Seriously, first up is a an economist’s view of 2015 trends. Shawn Dubravac, Ph.D., CEA’s chief economist gives top trends to watch. Overall, he says that 2015 will be mass experimentation of technology in search for a real economic use case. You can download all his slides here.
1. Digitization of our physical space –
More things will include tracking devices. Think of the Meemo connected onesie or Naptime, an app that wakes up only one parent at a time when baby wakes . By the way, 2015 will show 4k ultra hd TVs up to 29% penetration in 2016 (from only 4% last year).
2. Permeation of data –
Logic is starting to show up – if this, then that. More intuitive apps that adaptive to information, a sort of precursor to artificial intelligence.
Examples are Netflix, and Nest thermostats.
3. Internet of ME –
The smartphone has changed everything, now 2B surpassing computers. There will soon be 50B devices that use the Internet which will change things even more and atomize the personalization while covering more use cases. He predicts 2015 will be a banner year for virtual reality.
4. Fragmentation of innovation –
Echoing #3, more things for more individual people and smaller niches. He gives the example of the digital crockpot, a category that is not ubiquitous to start with.
It should be a fun year for gadget-watchers!
Next up – CES Unveiled where we actually see the new products!
If you have suggestions or want to meet up at CES, please let me know!
