Six significant changes in the way technology will change in the future were seen during CES, the largest Consumer Electronics Show in the world.
If you want to know where the future of technology is headed, you must attend CES. The Las Vegas show floor was crowded with the hottest, most-talked-about products of the week, including a color-changing automobile with AI sass and a toilet sensor that can detect your pee. But you probably won’t be purchasing these items anytime soon. The actual significance of the biggest consumer electronics trade exhibition in the world is how it paints a picture of where the technology may go not just in the next few months but also in the following years.
The first “actual” year that CES was back in full force was the year of this show. Yes, the show was physically present in 2022, but when the omicron variant of COVID-19 increased, many businesses and the media abruptly postponed their travel plans. The Consumer Technology Association, which organizes CES, predicted that the 2023 event will draw around 100,000 visitors, making it the largest public gathering since the epidemic struck and more than doubling the turnout from 2022.
The event this year did not disappoint, with a deluge of intriguing announcements and products. Newer entries like Neutrogena and John Deere impressed as they made their pitches for innovation, while the usual big players like Samsung and Sony showed up with dazzling TVs and concept automobiles. But the best part of CES is interpreting the hints and figuring out how the future of technology will influence you.
These are the key topics that will be discussed long after the CES booths’ flashing lights have faded.
The buzzword of the moment is sustainability
There is one point at CES where everyone can agree: sustainability is important. Almost every business discussed how its goods would be more environmentally friendly, from Asus’ statement that it has utilized 1,500 tons of recycled plastic in its products since 2017 to Samsung’s work with Patagonia to minimize microplastics in the water supply.
The CTA made emphasizing the social and environmental effects of technology one of its top priorities this year, and businesses caught the message. Sustainability is frequently the first topic discussed during keynote speeches by businesses. AMD Lisa Su emphasized in her keynote speech the increased energy efficiency of her company’s CPUs. The new robot planter from John Deere is intended to use less chemical fertilizer. The list continues.
It’s not surprising that climate catastrophe is prevalent at CES given that it has become one of the most urgent issues of our day. Another sign that consumers are beginning to care is the fact that so many businesses are beginning to take this issue more seriously. But for the tech sector, these are merely the beginning stages.
Maribel Lopez, an analyst with Lopez Research, said: “Sustainability is a critical pillar for most consumer electronics firms, but we’re just at the beginning of the trip.”
Check out our CNET Zero series to find out more about sustainability and technology’s role in resolving climate catastrophes.
It’s a contest to own the driving experience
With automakers like GM and BMW often showcasing concept cars to remind us that they are also tech firms, CES has become more and more of an auto show.
However, CES 2023 saw some established consumer electronics companies try to establish the future of how people will pass their time in cars.
Longtime rivals Samsung and LG from South Korea each presented their respective smart car systems. The system from Samsung will be known as ICX, and it will be run on a platform from its Harman International division dubbed Ready Care. The device employs infrared cameras that face the driver to keep an eye on their condition and sensors that gauge driver fatigue. Naturally, it is anticipated that the system will function with Samsung’s line of devices, including the Galaxy Watch. Gene Cho, vice president of product strategy and planning for LG, discussed how the platform will let you check on your stove at home or call for roadside help. LG’s Cockpit Computer also focuses on optimizing the driving experience.
Sony, which used its keynote to display its Afeela electric vehicle created in collaboration with Honda, has a more ambitious approach to automobiles. To recognize and comprehend individuals, Afeela sports 45 cameras and sensors on both the exterior and interior of the vehicle.
The automotive industry would not be outdone
BMW displayed the I Vision Dee during its keynote address (or “digital emotional experience”). The vehicle has an AR display that wraps around the windshield, KITT-style speech, E Ink color changes, and a KITT-like voice. Volantis displayed their futuristic Ram Revolution Concept car, which features a huge sunroof, a 28-inch touchscreen, and an augmented reality display.
All of these businesses are attempting to depict how your connection with your car may alter, especially with the development of self-driving vehicles. They also want to take some of the power away from Apple and Google, whose CarPlay and Android Auto platforms, respectively, have made them the two most popular automobile platforms. Particularly LG and Samsung are probably seeking to establish themselves as competitive alternatives to the automakers.
Gimmicks on TVs have largely disappeared
Remember a few years back when it seemed like every TV maker was attempting to sell you their newest model by including as many worthless features as possible? Recall how 3D TVs appeared to be a thing for a moment before abruptly ceasing to exist. Recall the $60,000 roll-up TV from LG? We recall.
Given the recent history of high-end TVs, we were pleasantly surprised that TV manufacturers appear to have learned their lesson and have changed their focus to practical real value (at least for the time being).
With its 97-inch OLED TV capable of a high 4K quality picture and an incredibly smooth 120Hz presentation of games and movies, LG most likely made the biggest splash at CES. That enormous TV uses LG’s incredible OLED implementation, but its complete wirelessness is what makes it so appealing (well, except for the power cord). That’s right, you can stop fumbling with a zillion HDMI wires hidden behind your home cinema system and try to make it look neat by securing them with zip ties and similar items.
Additionally, Samsung arrived with a 77-inch QD-OLED. This is the first time we’ve seen Samsung’s QD-OLED variant deployed at this screen size, which should help Samsung compete with LG TVs and hopefully drive down pricing overall. OLED is largely regarded as the greatest picture technology.
Last but not least, Samsung’s Premiere 8K projector can essentially transform any wall into a screen as large as 150 inches, despite not being a TV. Even individuals who live in small apartments can get a high-quality projector without taking up much space thanks to the low-throw projector’s ability to sit just a few inches from the wall.
We can support the trend toward practicality, directly addressing the demands of the majority of customers’ home entertainment equipment. Let’s hope it lasts a while.
Foldables overtake 5G
Samsung managed to generate some hype with a foldable concept smartphone that folds in more than one manner at CES, which has never been a particularly good phone show. You’ll need to wait until next month’s Mobile World Congress for additional handset surprises.
Samsung Display, not Samsung Electronics, attracted some early notice by showcasing its flexible hybrid device that slides and folds. However, given this is from Samsung’s display arm and the company that manufactures and sells actual phones in the electronics industry, don’t anticipate seeing this any time soon at your neighborhood carrier store. But like most things at CES, the Flex Hybrid shows exactly how wild these foldables can get and where our phones can go.
On the other hand, 5G, another once-ubiquitous mobile buzzword, barely registered at the event. After a few years, the technology hasn’t quite proven to be the game-changer that was predicted, despite being speedier (in some areas). The CTA predicts that 5G will remain significant despite having less popular corporate applications and gadgets.
Setting up a smart home is becoming easier
Matter, an open-source, all-encompassing smart home protocol endorsed by Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and countless others is now operational after years of development and a few setbacks during the pandemic.
The pitch seems good: a single, Wi-Fi-based standard that includes support for Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, and SmartThings, among other voice assistants.
As expected, there were a lot of new smart plugs and lights that were compatible with Matter at CES, along with connected roller blinds and a new SmartThings hub. Robotic vacuum cleaners and smart home cameras should join the list of supported device types when Matter’s subsequent update comes out later in the year.
Having said that, it’s possible that the older products from the companies embracing the new standard were more intriguing than the new ones during the Matter march-out.
If they haven’t already, some companies, like Eve, claim that they will be able to integrate those older devices with Matter with a straightforward software update. To take advantage of Matter’s multilingual features in other situations, such as with GE Lighting or Govee, smart-home consumers will need to purchase brand-new, Matter-compliant equipment. In what is expected to be another fascinating year for the industry, Matter will need to deliver on its promise of smart home harmony because that might irritate a lot of customers who appreciate the products they’ve already purchased.
It’s time to spend more time on the toilet
The next frontier for tracking and controlling your health is in your toilet, if there is one thing about health tech at CES that you take away from it. specifically, the bathroom. Both Withings and Vivoo attended the event with sensors for toilet bowls that analyze urine. These sensors can monitor hormone levels, nutrition levels, and other things.
While you go about your business, The Heart Seat from Casana seeks to monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen level, and blood pressure. Simply take a seat on the automated toilet seat.
Similar to past years, employing AI to keep track of your health was pervasive. While sensors can supply us with exact data, algorithms fed enormous amounts of data can assist in providing health measures when sensors are not available. For instance, Nuralogix disclosed intentions to utilize its AI to analyze your face from a selfie to calculate your blood pressure, pulse rate, and other parameters.
Additionally, thanks to artificial intelligence, Valencell’s revolutionary fingertip blood pressure sensor can provide reliable readings without the need for cuff calibration. Although blood pressure sensors have been used in watches before, this is the first time we have seen one with a finger clip.
A lot of hearing technology at the expo, such as the Jabra Enhance Plus earphones that function as a hearing aid, after the FDA approved over-the-counter hearing aids last year. As more firms produce over-the-counter hearing aids in 2023, this industry is predicted to increase.
At CES 2023, a growing number of home health monitoring solutions should be available this year. There are several ways to monitor your health, from conventional wrist-worn trackers and smart rings to sensor-filled toilet seats and bathmats.
