The document summarizes the major news and trends from CES 2014, including:
- Ultra HD TVs becoming more mainstream with lower prices and more models from top manufacturers.
- The emergence of 4K content from partners like Netflix and ESPN to accompany the new TVs.
- Interactive and immersive TV features like dynamic sports stats displayed in real-time.
- The growth of wearables into new categories and the launch of the Pebble app store.
- Increasing connectivity and digital features in cars through Android integration and 4G internet connections.
The document raises questions around the challenges of bringing these technologies to mainstream audiences and realizing their full potential.
2. BIG NEWS
Ultra HD made its mark at
CES 2013, then expanded
its presence significantly in
2014. We saw more of the
top manufacturers (Sony,
Samsung, LG) showcasing
a greater variety of models
and screen sizes.
BIG QUESTION
When will pricing enable
mainstream accessibility?
3. BIG NEWS
The buzz around 4K TVs in 2013
was quickly followed by a key
question: where is all the 4K
content coming from? This
year, we saw announcements
about exclusive content deals
with partners like Netflix & ESPN
(Sony pictured).
BIG QUESTION
How quickly will other creators
move to 4K production?
4. “IT WILL BE THE FIRST FORMAT
THAT IS INTERNET ONLY.
BROADCAST, CABLE, SATELLITETHEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE
ULTRA HD AT LEAST IN THE NEXT
FIVE YEARS.”
REED HASTINGS, NETFLIX
5. BIG NEWS
Viewers can access
content that makes the
experience more
immersive than anything
we’ve seen before. This
LG serves up dynamic
sports stats in real time.
BIG QUESTION
Will this experience be
too overwhelming for
the average viewer?
6. BIG NEWS
TV players like Sony
showcased TVs with
streaming social features
embedded into the ‘first
screen’ experience
BIG QUESTION
Will users want something
this “push” or prefer to opt
in to social through
mobile devices?
7. BIG NEWS
Curved TVs aim to enhance the
viewing experience through better
depth perception - while many
experts contend it’s worse.
Samsung introduced a bendable
TV that lets viewers make the
choice in the moment. Curved
smartphones designed to better
address natural grip.
BIG QUESTION
Do consumers care about curved
devices?
8. BIG NEWS
Broadly held belief that
smartphones would kill cameras
has yet to prove out. Our
connected and visual culture is
giving rise to the “Digital Still
Camera” with NFC & WiFi features
that enable greater connectivity
(Sony pictured here).
BIG QUESTION
When will Smartphones have the
resolution of digital cameras?
9. BIG NEWS
Smart appliances made their
mark in 2013, but heated up
in 2014 – with connectivity
through mobile apps that
make the technology more
relatable to everyday life.
BIG QUESTION
When will we see
e-commerce partners take
this to the next level (Fresh
Direct, Amazon)?
10. BIG NEWS
You couldn’t turn a corner at
CES without running into
wearables. There were more
categories for more specific
segments: pet owners, moms,
sports enthusiasts and people
with health conditions. We
saw more glass manufacturers
creating devices for
enhanced reality.
BIG QUESTION
Is there a wearable market
beyond fit bands & smart
watches?
11. BIG NEWS
Pebble proved they could go
from a Kickstarter project to
300K in retail sales and
counting. At CES 2014 they
unveiled sleeker looking styles
(including brushed steel) and
launched the Pebble app
store. This will be the first open
platform for sharing apps
optimized for wearables.
BIG QUESTION
When will wearables truly become mainstream?
12. BIG NEWS
IN 2014 a record nine
automakers were at CES,
showcasing innovations like
Audi’s self driving A7, Ford’s
car to car communication, 4G
Internet connections (General
Motors) and a dedicated app
store (Chevrolet).
BIG QUESTION
Are we really 5 years away
from driverless parking?
13. BIG NEWS
Android integrates
into dashboards of
Audi, GM, Honda
and Hyundai as
developers now
create for the car
the way they
create for the
Smartphone.
BIG QUESTION
Will this lead to more ubiquitous availability & standardization?
14. “AUTOS ARE THE NEXT
BEACHHEAD IN THE
SOFTWARE WARS.”
BRIAN COOLEY, CNET
15. BIG NEWS
At CES 2014, the number of
companies showcasing 3D printing
tech increased from four to thirty.
What seemed futuristic one year
ago, is quickly getting commercial
traction. MakerBot CEO touted
that his company has already sold
400K 3D printers globally.
BIG QUESTION
How quickly can 3D printing make
mass products more personalized?
Imagine a custom sneaker sole.
16. BIG NEWS
Self aware stuff was everywhere: from
Withings’ Aura smart sleep system (light
& sound to trigger melatonin release),
to the world’s first smart socks from
Heapsylon, to the June bracelet that
signals when your skin has had too
much sun. Digital data is the tie that
binds, creating a connected
ecosystem that truly is fueling the
“Internet of Things.”
BIG QUESTION
How will marketers enhance
personalization while respecting user
privacy?
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12.
UHD BECOMES PERVASIVE
4K TVS GET 4K CONTENT
INTERACTIVE TV GETS IMMERSIVE
SOCIAL MOVING TO THE FIRST SCREEN
DEVICES GET CURVACEOUS
THE CAMERA LIVES ON
CONNECTED KITCHEN HEATS UP
WEARABLES GET NEW, NICHE PRODUCTS
PEBBLE PUSHES STYLE & SUBSTANCE
AUTO INNOVATION WAR HEATS UP
3D PRINTING PROLIFERATION
SELF AWARE STUFF (AKA INTERNET OF THINGS)