CES 2018: The future has never looked brighter!
I spent last week in Las Vegas attending CES, the largest consumer electronics show in the world. Over two hundred thousand people descended on the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding hotels to see and experience the latest technology that is changing how we work, live and play. Companies at CES represented an astounding $350B in tech industry revenue, and the amount of innovation is incredible, with over 20,000 new products launched during the week.
Out of the many CES shows I've been to, this year’s had a renewed sense of optimism, excitement and innovation. Companies appeared to be more focused not just on creating technology for technology’s sake, but creating products that have a real purpose and can make a positive impact on our lives. As I take some time to reflect on the week, I thought I would share some of the more interesting and exciting things I saw.
The integration of voice into every type of product really stood out as the key trend at the show. Over 40M smart speakers were sold this holiday, but more significantly, in the future you can look forward to being able to talk to any smart device in your home, whether it’s TVs, mirrors, microwaves, wearables, washer dryers, and even showers. (Not sure yet why I want to talk to my shower, but that option will be there!) The investment companies are making to be leaders in this area is incredible. There were numerous partnerships announced and products introduced integrating voice and Digital Assistants to improve the user experience. That said, I come away feeling it is still early in the development of this new platform as these new smart devices don’t yet understand or recognize you when you use them, there is no easy way to discover and search for skills, and the ease of use of having multiple devices in the home all work together is still a work in process.
But it’s not just the integration of these Digital Assistants that’s game-changing, it’s the AI technology that powers them which will have the greatest impact. When you combine AI with the advent of the cloud and sensor data, you are seeing how products are transforming from more novelty items to real-world practical solutions. Robots have always been present at CES, and this year I saw more than ever before, but with the integration of voice and AI, this is the first time I’ve seen real mainstream application, whether it is for home security, or as a family companion like Buddy, or for more commercial scenarios like warehouse operation or baggage transfer and hotel valets.
Virtual and Augmented Reality headsets were present in many booths, with companies not just showing their latest AR and VR hardware and software experiences, but also to actually demo their products. This is a technology that has shown up at CES for multiple years as more of a future vision, and is now really going mainstream and becoming just another form of computing.
As a big car fan, I’m always excited to see the advancements in automotive technology at the show, and this year didn’t disappoint. Again, we are seeing integration of Digital Assistants directly into cars, making them more personal and a true extension of the other products we use every day. I saw some amazing smart dashboards that will transform the way we use and control vehicles, ultimately making them safer, as well as many amazing fully electric and autonomous vehicles which are going to cause a significant shift in the landscape of our roads over time.
CES is the best place to see the innovation in TV and display technology, and some of the biggest players showcased incredible 4K gaming displays, 88-inch 8K OLED screens, and even a 65 inch rollable screen that had to be seen to be believed. Display technology plays such an important role in the devices we use today and will use tomorrow, so it’s reassuring to see these how these companies are relentless in their pursuit of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Seeing the developments in PC technology is always a highlight for me at CES, and many of our Microsoft partners announced some stunning desktops, laptops, 2-in-1s, and gaming PCs. I was also impressed with the new category of Always Connected PCs, that will enable people to stay productive and create wherever they are, offering days of battery life and weeks of standby power. It was great to see how innovation in the PC industry continues to be strong, and there will be much more to come from Microsoft and our partners.
Attending CES is usually an exhausting experience, but I came away more energized and inspired than ever before. I’m excited to see how much of the technology I saw integrates into our daily lives, and I truly believe that the future has never looked brighter!