CES 2015 predictions: How did they stack up?
With the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show just around the corner, we look at where the predictions and the trends from last year landed.
Internet of Things was a big story coming out of CES 2015 - and it's lived up to the hype.
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a global tradeshow that takes place annually in Las Vegas. With the CES 2016 just around the corner, we take a look back at what starred at last year’s show.
HDR and UHD TVs
Based on what we saw from CES in 2015, it was predicted that there would be a big shift in consumer buying towards Ultra High Definition and High Dynamic Range for TVs this year.
A vast majority of manufacturers like Sony, Samsung and LG, have come on board, creating new UHD and HDR sets.
There is also a shift towards content providers like Netflix and YouTube, making more 4k content readily available.
Off the back of these advances, it is expected that worldwide UHD TV sales grew 170 per cent in 2015 - that's approximately 28 million units sold worldwide.
Internet of Things
Another big story out of CES last year was the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) - a concept where home devices and appliances are connected to the Internet and to each other.
This is a growing trend with a recent research paper predicting 29 Internet-connected devices in the average Australian household by 2020.
Perhaps the biggest players in the IoT race are Samsung, Google and Apple:
Samsung Smart Things: Samsung recently purchased the startup business Smart Things and will look to launch its entire range of connected devices in Australia in the coming months.
Apple’s Homekit: Apple released its version of the IoT hub, Homekit. This is a similar device to Samsung’s Smart Things and works by connecting your home devices to the Internet and to each other.
Google Nest: Perhaps already the biggest name in home automation, Nest was recently acquired by Google for a reported $3.2 billion. Nest had a great showing at CES and is set to lead Google’s foray into the world of home automation.
Even if connected devices are in their early stages of life, Scott Devitt - an estimator at Morgan Stanley - has anticipated that Nest is already selling close to 100,000 thermostats a month (a predicted $US300 million worth in sales).
Wearable tech and drones were among the key predictions for the year at CES 2015.
Wearables
Wearables saw a significant jump in notoriety after a successful showing at the 2015 CES and as a result of the release of Apple and Samsung’s smart watches.
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) the wearable market was set to grow 173.3 per cent in 2015, with an estimated 72.1 million units shipped.
Drones
Drones or unmanned aerial systems were so big at the 2015 CES that they had their own section on the show floor.
With an increase in different types and level of drones, they are becoming more affordable, and as a result, more popular.
According to a Senior Industry Analyst for aerospace and defense at Frost & Sullivan, 2014 saw global drone sales of $720 million, which was predicted to double in 2015.
Virtual reality in the not too distant future
Another standout from CES 2015 was Virtual Reality sets.
While VR headsets have not yet been released, many are eagerly anticipating the launch of the gadgets, pulled straight from the pages of a science fiction novel.
Rather than a promise of VR in the far off future, the showing at last year’s event displayed technology that was ready to hit the market.
Perhaps the biggest name at the event was the Oculous Rift.
Due for release in early 2016, Oculous Rift is a virtual reality headset that can be used to transport the user into a virtual world, whether it is in a game, feature film or video.
Ensuring Australia is ready for the next generation of tech
The nbn™ network is designed to provide the average household access to a fast and reliable internet connection.
Many people consider Virtual Reality the next step in the evolution of video gaming.
With the gadgets that were trending at the 2015 CES doing so well internationally, the nbn™ network will be vital to ensuring Australians get the most out of these and future technology trends when they come to our shores.