7 Takeaways From CES 2016
The Consumer Electronics Show didn’t disappoint this year…
As the world’s largest technology and computing exhibition, the annual Consumer Electronics Show provides a compelling glimpse into the future. Every January, manufacturers and designers from around the world congregate in Las Vegas to demonstrate their latest breakthroughs to a global audience of peers, journalists and consumers. This year’s show may have lacked a truly headline-grabbing debut, but there was plenty for IT and technology professionals to reflect on…
- Automation will become increasingly small-scale in the next five years. Numerous products now sport sensors or cameras, enabling front doors to unlock themselves on sight and fridges to take and upload selfies so their owners can compile a shopping list at work. Many of these devices will rely on the Internet of Things, though there remains widespread incompatibility between the different OS platforms.
- Monitors and TVs can now be rolled up. Short-range projectors and TVs in a tube were among the more outlandish developments debuted by screen manufacturers, with greater focus being directed towards the development of 4K and even 8K resolutions. High Dynamic Range is another nascent technology that was on display at CES, creating subtler contrasts and brighter colours on enabled screens.
- OLED laptop screens are here to stay. Many TVs have already adopted LG’s electroluminescent Organic Light-Emitting Diode technology, and laptops are also beginning to incorporate this paper-thin display material. Screens as small as 12-inches can now host OLED technology, featuring eye-popping graphics with the potential to revitalise the desktop and laptop markets. Dell also displayed a notebook that can power two 4K displays at up to 60Hz, via a solitary Thunderbolt 3 connector.
- Virtual reality continues its advance. The long-awaited Oculus Rift now has an official price tag – $600 – while HTC’s Valve-powered Vive Pre was on display. Intel debuted an augmented reality helmet with huge potential for employees, while manufacturers are hurriedly trying to reduce the bulkiness of contemporary AR and VR headsets by developing products more reminiscent of conventional glasses.
- Multisensory devices could become big business. One notable device at this year’s show was an olfactory alarm clock, which releases scents to wake people up (including coffee, croissants or even the smell of the ocean) instead of a conventional audio alarm. There were treadmills with full-height tilting display screens, and interactive spelling letters that form a multisensory phonics set for young children.
- Drones are becoming far more sophisticated. From retractable landing gear to 3D depth-measuring software, drones are increasingly being designed to offer compromise-free performance. One drone seen at this year’s CES features two fixed wings similar to a glider, and it can be launched simply by throwing it through the air. Special mention must also be made of the Ehang 184, a huge machine with four pairs of rotors that can raise a passenger to a dizzying 11,000 feet.
- Robots are shrinking into ever-smaller spaces. CES 2016 featured robots specifically intended to clean barbecues, mix together drinks or teach yoga moves. There were robots capable of escorting shoppers to particular locations in a store, and sound-controlled devices that can do everything from identify gas leaks or burglars to control domestic white goods like washing machines.
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