CES wrapup (part 5)

 Technically CES goes through Friday at 4:00 but it’s fair to say all the big guns have been fired.  If you are anyone important either on the selling side or the buying side you started packing last night and are heading home today.  You will leave it to your minions to stick it out until the end.

The big players will be mostly rationalizing their products, positions and strategies internally and with their customers.  The second tier manufactures will be planning their adjustments to improve their chances of success in the market that is being made.  Most little guys will be wondering if the show was worth their time and money.  It’s a high risk/reward situation for them.  Once key contact made or customer acquired could justify the whole trip but the odds are stacked against them.

Consumers like us have had our interests piqued.  We are starting our own rationalization process around why we need that wireless speaker system or bendy TV.  The phones in our pocket aren’t quite as impressive as they one were.  Perhaps it needs a SmartWatch !

I think our part 1 predictions were confirmed.  This year it was about wearables and your wrist was primarily where the battle was fought.  So you might as well pick out that fitness band or SmartWatch now because they are headed for the mainstream, at least that is what the manufactures believe.

A few parting gadgets that are interesting in one way or another;

Garmin who was extremely slow to change most of their life is having to get a move one.  They like everyone else wan to be on your wrist tracking your exercise and geo-location.  The have a GPS the projects it’s display on your windshield (heads up display) and a windshield mounted camera that records accidents and other ”road incidents” and there is audio.  Can’t wait for movie night.

Belkin who is known for computer accessories like cables

, routers and surge protectors is now offering a crock pot.  Yep, a connected crock pot.  It’s part of it’s connected home strategy.  There is always a connected home contingent at CES most companies strike out after a year or two and move on.  This is one of those areas that is  s l o w l y  gaining traction because people want it.  It just be too expensive, hard to implement and proprietary/  That’s all that standing in the way of success!

The last product I am going to mention has, what I think is one of the coolest names going – Oculus Rift.  It’s a virtual reality headset.  It’s a combination of screen, sensors and software that makes you feel like you are in the environment you are looking at.  I have never tried it but pretty much 100% of the stuff I have read from people who have were very impressed.  It’s not new, what you see below is the second generation that just came out.  They haven’t sold the first one to consumers yet but they are considered the segment leader.  Say it with me, Oculus Rift.