We all know the saying, “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” but when it comes to the Consumer Electronics Show-the world’s largest showcase for hot new gadgets, what our buyers see on the showroom floor directly influences what you’ll see in the Maritz Rewards Collection. Simply put, CES is the largest and most significant trade show for our largest, most significant award collection category—electronics. Sure, senior buyers Mike Donini and Mark Kramer meet with manufacturers’ reps and travel the booths of the exhibit halls to preview the latest and greatest electronics, but they’re also taking notes and listening to the buzz so our rewards site has what people want. For the record, this was Mark’s 30th year at CES. To put things in perspective, in his rookie year—1984, the talk of the show was VHS-C camcorders and CD players. Remember those? (if you did the math, like I did– yes , he did miss the show in 2009 due to appendicitis).
I was anxiously waiting to hear their observations about the things they saw in Las Vegas (at the show that is, what they may have observed along the Strip is another story). Mark was looking forward to learn the sales results of 4K(the newest display resolution) Ultra High-Definition TV (UHDTV), and to learn the future of curved screen HDTV and UHDTV.
Here’s Mike and Mark’s list of what’s hot in 2015:
4K UHDTV- The revolution is going to continue with major manufacturers (Samsung, Sony, LG, Sharp, TCL, Haier) significantly expanding their mix of models and technologies. Sales of curved UHDTV units are forecasted to achieve 50% of total UHDTV sales.
4K Streaming Entertainment: The goal for home entertainment (products and content) is to achieve the most lifelike, all immersing theater experience. 4K takes THE HD viewing experience to THE highest (UHD) and most realistic level. The stage is set for a flood of 4K content to be available in 2015. Along with the UHDTV manufacturers, content companies including Netflix, M-Go, DirecTV, Dish Network, Comcast Xfinity, Sony Pictures and Samsung will all offer various native 4K content sources for streaming and/or downloading.
Hi-Res Audio: (HRA) is slowly catching on, and will be mainstream over the next 3 years giving customers the highest quality (analog-vinyl) sound quality…digitally. Neil Young, owner and front man for Pono attended this year’s CES and gave a presentation on hi-res audio. Maritz recently added an Astell & Kern Hi-Res Portable Audio Player in the rewards collection.
Home Wi-Fi : A few years ago, the only way to get a sophisticated multi-room system with a touchscreen remote control was to hire a professional installer and pay dearly for custom programming. Now you have options that are surprisingly affordable and easy to install. And today’s systems are extraordinarily easy to use, too — because the remote control is the smartphone or tablet you’re already familiar with.
Robotics: The home robotics market is set to explode over the next 5 years. Robotic manufacturers put the spotlight on a wide and creative range of intelligent, autonomous machines that are connected to the Cloud, controllable by mobile device and capable of seeing, hearing and reacting to the environment in ways once thought impossible.
Health & Wellness Tech (wearable): One of the most important technology trends at 2015 CES centered on devices that monitor health and safety, enhance fitness and training and encourage healthier lifestyles. Wearable tech was a hot trend at CES show, especially wrist tech.
Drones: They were everywhere, and they’re available in all sizes, from behemoths that can be used for industrial purposes to a wearable drone that can help users take selfies.
The Connected Home: The smart home of the future is achievable today. Companies like Honeywell and D-Link announced families of sensors, cameras and hubs to add some smarts to your home. The ability of every appliance being able to talk to one another is now a reality. From your Kwikset door lock to your Nest Thermometer.
3D Printers: There was a large representation of 3D printers at CES–everything from consumer printers to chocolate 3D printers. You put chocolate in the printer and it takes the chocolate and makes it into a sculpture or design of your choosing. Here is a link to one Mike saw.
Mike and Mark are predicting that Apple Watch, GoPro Action cameras, and various new brands of portable drones and the Samsung 50”+ 4K Smart TVs will be hot this year. But it was Samsung’s 88” S-UHD Smart TV that really blew Mark away. Just when you thought the content couldn’t look any brighter or sharper with amazing hues, contrasts and black levels….out comes brand new quantum dot technology. Think about it—an 88” diagonal TV on its stand is literally taller than most pre-teens. 105” versions are said to be available in the fall. Oh, and if you’re in the market, the 88” model, fully loaded with all the Smart TV options and blazingly fast gaming processors, will set you back about $40k.
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