It’s here! The largest and most attended technology and innovation trade show is now officially underway. International CES is known for bringing it when it comes to the latest gadgetry and geekdom, and people come from all around the world to Las Vegas to get a look at what is new and next in the tech world. Every year, I am amazed at what brands have been able to come up with in terms of electronical items that me and my family can use to make our lives better. This year, there will be no shortage of hotness, as brands know that technology is something that keeps people buying. I’ve come up with a list of 5 Everyday Tech and Lifestyle Gadget Trends to Watch for at #CES2014. These are trends that busy parents, tech-enthused kids, and career driven entrepreneurs will be sure to love.
All Curved Everything
Already, AT&T and T-mobile have announced that they will be carrying LG’s G Flex smartphone which has a curved design. Per AT&T, “The LG G Flex shape introduces new visual and ergonomic benefits that enhance the smartphone experience. The large curved 6-inch true HD P-OLED display provides an immersive video experience with reduced glare and the unique shape is comfortable in the palm of the hand or against the contour of your face”. It seems that “flat” phones may no longer be where it’s at. In addition, during a highly-lauded press conference pre-start of CES (in which film director Michael Bay may have had a meltdown of epic proportions when he couldn’t read the teleprompter), Samsung announced a curve-design television which is going to change the game. At 150 inches, it is supposed to make movies come to life visually. The curve design is something that we will be seeing a lot of in the upcoming year.
It’s a 3D World
While I am the first to admit that I thought 3D printing was just a fad, it looks like it is here to stay. And at CES, many innovators are on it, making more affordable priced 3D units for consumer use. At CES, you will be seeing a plethora of 3D printing machines at various price points, although most will be aimed towards either business or family use. Families can get a kick out of bring able to scan and print kids’ art projects and drawings. This is a growing market that will get more popular this year.
Wearable Tech
Yes, thanks to Samsung, everyone is talking about wearable tech. From their Galaxy Gear to Pebble watches, to phones that are embedded in clothing and chargers created within purses and backpacks, wearable tech is on everyone’s lips these days. I will even guesstimate that by year’s end, 25% of tech users will own some kind of wearable tech device.
Multifunctional and Cross-Useage
I predict that we will see more devices that can do a multitude of things, and even being able to communicate or use with other devices. We will be seeing more of this in the lifestyle front where digital health and lifestyle technology are concerned. Apps that help work with other apps to consolidate space and data, cameras that can “communicate” to other cameras and transfer images, and perhaps, phones that can “talk” to one another wirelessly via bluetooth, sending information regardless of the OS or platform. Oh yes, it is getting GOOD!
The Cloud, yo…
The cloud will continue to be highly-lauded and used throughout most technology being seen here at CES. Why, I see washing and drying machines storing laundry information on the cloud, digital information being sent to the cloud and shared with whom you choose, why the possibilities are endless. And while the cloud is being used a lot now in most households, I believe during this year’s CES, we will see it being used in newer ways.
To keep up with the innovative Everyday Tech and Lifestyle Gadget Trends I am seeing while here at #CES2014, make sure to be following me on Twitter (here), Facebook (here), and Google + (here).
I’ve wanted the Galaxy Gear for a little while now, but I don’t imagine that I’ll use it much. But a girl can never have enough gadgets in my opinion.. we’re all sexy techies!