This year, the huge fair opens next Tuesday. For five days, the companies will try to attract the attention of the observers with spectacular presentations, interesting lectures and innovative products. Part of the annual folklore is the attempt in advance to announce as few concrete new products as possible. This happens on the one hand, to keep the tension high. On the other hand also simple, so that competitors can not react so easily to their own presentation. Nevertheless, it is already possible to identify some of the trends of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.
1. TVs are getting bigger
LG, Sony and Samsung have been fiercely competing in the television market for years. For the CES, this means: Traditionally, ever larger and better screens are presented. This will be the case again this year. For the end customer, however, the question should be which new products will actually be launched next year. Thus, this year is expected that the first 8K TVs are presented at reasonably affordable prices. But it is still likely to be a product for technology fans. For there are currently hardly any media that are tailored to the strength of the new technology. However, the past shows that once enough devices are on the market, the content industry will also catch up.
2. Virtual wizards with new features
Last year, Google rented a large space at CES to present the latest developments in language assistant. This was also understood in the scene as an attack on Amazon and the Echo family. This year, both Amazon and Google are now represented with large stalls in Las Vegas. It is therefore to be expected that both companies will once again focus on the advantages of their language assistants. In any case, many manufacturers have already prepared accordingly and will present new products and apps in which the virtual assistants play an important role. After all, the same applies here: the technology will only be successful if the end users can make meaningful use of it in everyday life.
3. Smart Home becomes suitable for everyday use
It now sounds like a perennial favorite: This year, the networking of household products should play an important role again. Above all, one can observe the trend that now more and more simple products are coming into focus. So if you do not want to buy an expensive smart fridge, you might just invest in a networked saucepan or a smart coffee machine. For many products, there should also be overlaps with the topic area of the language assistants – for example with smart doorbells. Also in this area, the competition between Amazon and Google will thus provide many innovations. However, it will be several years before the fully networked house becomes reality.
4. Autonomous and intelligent cars
As a rule, car manufacturers are presenting new models at their own motor shows. Nevertheless, many manufacturers and suppliers are also represented at the „Consumer Electronics Show“ in Las Vegas. Traditionally, two topics are in focus. On the one hand, new technology for autonomous driving – somewhat improved sensors or radar systems. On the other hand, however, solutions are also presented for the question of what the motorist will deal with in future when he no longer has to drive the vehicle himself. For example, Audi will introduce a new entertainment system designed to create a cinema feeling in the car. Similar ideas should also be seen in other manufacturers.
5. The X-Factor: What can 5G do?
For the first time this year, end users will actually be able to use the new 5G mobile communications standard. This is an important point: The numerous announcements from the past can now be realized – or prove to be hype. Although most smartphone manufacturers at CES are rather cautious about presenting new products. Nevertheless, the first interesting applications are likely to be presented. At the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona at the end of February, the topic will pick up even more momentum.
