This year’s CES offers a huge variety of technologies and gadgets that may make their way into homes, cars, and streets all around the world. Here are the top trending announcements and technologies seen at the show that are sure to dominate tech conversations in the coming months.
Self-driving cars go into high gear
Nvidia kicked off CES this year by debuting its DRIVE PX 2 technology, which has the processing equivalence of 150 MacBook Pros, packed into a device the size of a lunchbox. Its size and power gives the device a significant advantage over competing self-driving technologies, which can take up the entire trunk of a mid-sized sedan. Volvo will be the first auto maker to employ the technology next year in an autonomous fleet of XC90 luxury SUVs, which will drive themselves around the company’s hometown of Gothenburg, and semi-autonomously in other locations.
Furthermore, the Volvo S90 sedan will be the first car in the US to include the semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system as standard equipment. The newest version of Pilot Assist can stop and steer, given clear lane markings, up to 80 mph – an marked improvement from the 30 mph limitation of its predecessor.
Rival car manufactures are also looking toward an autonomous future. Google continues to work in partnership with Ford to develop self-driving cars. After extensive testing, with 53 autonomous vehicles logging in over 1.3 million miles, Ford has announced that it will be tripling it autonomous fleet. GM, Delphi, Kia and others also have plans for self-driving vehicles, which is bound to define the future of automotive technology.
Never stop watching Netflix
With a vast library of TV shows and movies, in addition to a number of popular and award-winning originals, all streamed straight to a variety of devices, Netflix has become one of the most disruptive services of the past ten years. Now it has gone global.
Co-founder and Chief Executive Reed Hastings announced at CES that Netflix has become a global Internet TV network, servicing 130 new countries, which brings the total count to 190 around the world (but does not include China). That means, for one monthly fee, subscribers can enjoy streaming entertainment whenever and wherever they happen to be, using practically any device they please.
Becoming a fully globalized Internet TV network compliments last year’s launch of Netflix streaming over free in-flight WiFi on Virgin America airlines. With all its availability, binge watching can reach all new heights. At least it can until March, when the complimentary in-flight WiFi deal expires.
Razer makes a sharp impression
Razer, maker of high-end electronics for gamers, unveiled some truly spectacular devices this year. In addition to the Nabu Watch, which features fitness tracking and connects to smartphones for alerts, the company announced a direct-to-consumer ultrabook called the Razer Blade Stealth. The 12.5-inch notebook will feature a 4K touch display, and offers desktop-level gaming performance when hooked to an optional Razer Core accessory, which fits in a full desktop video card. By selling directly to consumers through Razer retail stores and online, the Razer Blade Stealth can sell for significantly less than many of its competitors. The base model will go for $999, and the highest end version will cost $1,599.
Perhaps one of the most impressive reveals is the Razer Stargazer webcam, which captures video at a high frame rate and features Intel RealSense technology. With its 3D scanning capabilities, users can scan objects or their faces into games. Furthermore, the camera recognizes both facial and hand gestures, which could bring computer interaction to a new level, especially given the launch of consumer level virtual reality technology this year.
Oculus Rift pricing shifts VR conversation
Last year’s launch of the Samsung Gear VR (developed in partnership with Oculus VR) may have put us on the road to the virtual reality era, but the pricing announcement for the high-end Oculus Rift headset has certainly set the pace. Although Oculus founder Palmer Luckey stated in 2014 that the company wanted the Oculus Rift to “stay in that $200-400 price range,” that clearly didn’t turn out to be the case.
The $600 price tag for an Oculus Rift headset bundle, which includes an Xbox One controller and two games, but not the Oculus Touch interactive hardware (which is sold separately and releases later in the year), came as a surprise to many. Taken together with how consumers will need a $1,000 PC and a high degree of technical know-how to make it work, and it seems like the VR generation is further off than many thought it would be.
Still, while some see the high price point as an obstacle, others view it as a big opportunity for less expensive mobile headsets like Google Cardboard of the Samsung Gear VR to take the lead. Sony, which has not yet revealed pricing for the PlayStation VR (formerly Project Morpheus), also has a huge opportunity to become a market leader, given of how the extremely popular PlayStation 4 console features standardized hardware that most consumers find accessible.
Internet of Things take over the world
Self-driving cars, endless video streaming, and smart cities may be dominating conversations at this year’s CES, but you can’t have any of those without the Internet of Things (IoT)- three words that describe the ubiquity of internet-connected devices, sensors and apps. Ralph de la Vega, CEO and president for AT&T’s mobile and business units, sees IoT as the new Industrial Revolution as the company works to build the infrastructure needed to make fully realized smart cities possible.
Furthering the trend is Samsung announcement that it is partnering with Microsoft to develop IoT devices that use Windows 10 as a foundation. To kick off the partnership, Samsung debuted the Galaxy TabPro S 2-in-1 tablet at CES. However some questions remain about how deep the partnership will go, given the device manufacturer’s longstanding relationship with Google and the Android platform.
Other partnerships announced at CES include the development of Microsoft powered smart cars. Office 365 productivity and collaboration tools are coming to Harman infotainment systems, so you can still collaborate and work with the office, even when stuck in traffic. Microsoft is also working with Volvo to create a voice control system inspired by the 80s television show Knight Rider. Users will be able to use a Microsoft Band 2 to set navigation, start the heater, lock the doors or sound the horn.
Ready for the future yet It’ll probably head your way in a self-driven smart car that you can talk to while watching a movie.
