Bangalore: Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the biggest tech event in the world, and CES 2014 is expected to be even bigger and more exciting. Last year’s CES, despite Microsoft’s uneventful show and departure, saw some exciting new gadgets from other established companies and start-ups alike (Oculus and Pebble). This year you can expect to see a truckload of new innovative and geeky devices like the would-be Google Glass killers and smarter smartwatches. Read on to know more about what to expect at CES 2014, as compiled by Laptopmag.
Fitness Trackers Take Over
With people largely becoming dependant on technology with every passing day, companies are coming out with handy devices that would make our lives easier. You can expect to see various kinds of wearable fitness trackers and bands that will keep tabs on your sleeping hours, burned calories and such. These devices are a rage among fitness freaks today. People from fitness and sports companies like Fitbit, Fitbug, Jawbone and Nike are a fighting to help us become better “quantified selves”.
Big-Screen Tablets: Galaxy Note Pro?
The South Korean tech giant Samsung is rumored to be introducing a new 12-inch tablet Galaxy Note Pro at CES 2014. Looks like Sammy is unfazed by Toshiba Excite 13’s – Toshiba’s take on supersized 13- inch tablets – failure in 2012. Back then, Excite 13’s mediocre specs contributed to its flop show. But one can safely bet on Samsung’s 12-inch tab to be a success because it is being manufactured by a company who has a reputation for bringing some of the best-selling phablets and Smartphones to the market after all. Its in-house TouchWiz, based on Android is packed with features such as multi-window and pen input which would complement the 12-inch tablet nicely. Besides that, an LTE version of this tablet has already been tipped for AT&T.
Wireless Power Finally Goes Mainstream (I kid!)
We are one step closer to being able to charge our devices by simply dropping them on the desk, but there are still a hundred more steps to go before this is adopted by everyone around the world, but Qi sure is gaining in popularity. The Alliance for Wireless Power recently introduced a new brand Rezence, which will be competing with Qi. There are a handful of Smartphones and tablets currently on the market that support Qi, but this new Rezence being backed by Samsung, Qualcomm and one other major PC maker looks to triumph over Qi. Expect to see wireless charging pads and other accessories at this year’s CES, but no more. It’ll be some time before you start seeing furniture, cars and other things embedded with this technology.
Attack of the Google Glass Alternatives
With Google Glass not expected to go on sale until next year, Vuzix, Meta, GlassUp and other competitors are looking to introduce their own alternatives. While these geekwear might not be adopted by everyone, it is an exciting emerging category as the companies are all taking different approaches. Vuzix is looking to go head to head with Google, but some are focusing on augmented reality, some enterprise and others outdoor recreation. This will result in a wide range of geekwear that will appeal to a wider demographic.
Smartwatches Up Their IQ
Pebble got a head start by announcing that its popular smartwatch will be getting its own official app store in early 2014. This upper hand is much needed for the company because it will be competing directly with not only Samsung and Sony but also Apple’s iWatch. So, expect to see some smarter smartwatches this year as the competition heats up. There actually is a WristRevolution TechZone at CES 2014, which includes smartwatch vendors such as Neptune, Qualcomm, MetaWatch and Kronoz.
2-in-1 Ultrabooks, Take Two
While the first round of 2-in-1 laptops that double as tablets might have failed miserably, companies like Intel do not give up. CES 2014 is expected to see many new models that are priced lower and have much better designs intended to woo in more customers. With Lenovo, Sony and Samsung among others expected to have a big presence this year; it is only fair to look forward to models that have improved upon its predecessors.
Home, Sweet (Smart) Home
The time to have our own smart-home has come. Next week, SimpliciKey will be showing off its new and improved deadbolt that can be operated from our smartphones. A new start-up company called Arrayent, which recently received a hefty funding of $11.9 million, is using the power of the cloud and virtualization to connect our appliances. Whirlpool, First Alert and Chamberlin/LiftMaster are some of the other big brands that are already on board.
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