CES 2015: What to Expect

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This year’s edition of the International Consumer Electronics Show — CES 2015 — officially kicks off on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

CES 2015, CES 2015 intro
Source: Consumer Electronics Association

Last year, the world’s biggest technology event showcased curved 4K TVs from Samsung (SSNLF), Intel’s (INTC) Edison micro PC on-a-chip, wearable smart gear and big tablets targeting the professional market.

What’s on tap for this year?

Given the rapidfire release of wearable technology like smart watches and fitness trackers through 2014, you can bet the next generation of these devices will be front and center. But what else will manufacturers be showing off at CES 2015?

We’ve put together a list of five themes you can expect from this year’s show. However, the only thing that’s certain is that once again, Apple (AAPL) — the biggest consumer technology company on the planet — will once again be a no-show.

But here’s what you can expect from CES 2015.

What to Expect at CES 2015 — Wearable Technology

CES 2015, wearables
Source: Samsung

2014 was a big year for wearable technology. Samsung alone released multiple generations of its Gear smartwatches, in multiple designs and running three different operating systems.

Google’s (GOOG) Android Wear OS was launched, along with marquee devices like the Moto 360 that ran the new operating system.

However, 2015 is expected to be the year wearables really take off.

On the activity tracker side, Fitbit — the industry leader that was forced to sit out 2014 because of a recall of its new flagship wristband — is expected to be showing off its trio of new wearables and pushing to make up for lost time.

Expect CES 2015 to showcase of new wearable gear as everyone tries to get their smartwatches and fitness trackers in the spotlight before the Apple Watch arrives to spoil the party.

What to Expect at CES 2015: Homes and Cars Get Even More Connected

CES 2015, connected car
Source: Apple

The connected home was a big part of last year’s Consumer Electronics Show, and it’s expected to be a big theme at CES 2015 as well.

Everyone will be looking for the next Nest (the smart thermostat company snapped up last year by Google), while appliance manufacturers will be trotting out their latest connected fridges, washers and coffee makers.

The connected car is also expected to be a big deal at CES 2015.

There’s been some recent activity in the industry, with Apple’s CarPlay beginning to gain steam and Ford’s (F) move to replace long-time partner Microsoft (MSFT) with BlackBerry’s (BBRY) QNX in its in-car systems.

The increased importance of connectivity in cars and the competition between platforms is likely to lead to a big automotive presence at CES 2015.

What to Expect at CES 2015: 4K TV Going Mainstream

CES 2015, 4KTV
Source: LG

Massive, Ultra HD TVs have been the eye candy for the past two Consumer Electronics Shows.

While TV makers haven’t quite solved the 4K content problem yet, expect CES 2015 to be jam-packed with 4K TVs once again.

The difference this time is that 4K TVs won’t just be of the variety that cover an entire wall and cost more than most cars.

With a steady influx of cheap Chinese Ultra HD-capable sets last year, expect to see manufacturers like Samsung, LG and Sony (SNE) showing off 4K TVs at every price point this year, including entry-level models to fend off those Chinese interlopers.

What to Expect at CES 2015: Virtual Reality

CES 2015, Virtual Reality
Source: Samsung

This is expected to be the year that Facebook’s (FB) Oculus Rift virtual reality headset transitions from developer hardware to consumer release.

Sony has also spent the past year working on its Project Morpheus VR headset for the Playstation 4, which is also expected to hit shelves in 2015.

Then there’s Samsung’s Oculus-powered Gear VR headset, the $199 virtual reality add-on for the Galaxy Note 4 that began shipping in its “Innovator Edition” at the end of the year.

All this adds up to a CES 2015 that’s likely to see virtual reality headsets in the spotlight as the hardware and software prepares to battle for consumer dollars.

What to Expect at CES 2015: Cheap Tablets, Chromebooks

CES 2015, Chromebooks
Source: Acer

The market for tablets is slowing, and it’s going to be pretty tough to knock off Apple’s iPad Air 2 or Google’s Nexus 9 if you want to sell to well-heeled consumers.

However, there is money to be made in selling cheap tablets to more budget-conscious consumers — tablets that can also be sold in emerging markets.

One of the trends at CES 2015 is expected to be affordable tablets from trusted manufacturers that offer decent performance and quality construction at a price that practically makes them an impulse buy.

Another aspect of that affordable tech theme is Chromebooks.

These inexpensive laptops running Google’s Chrome operating system once again took the top three spots on Amazon’s (AMZN) holiday sales list.

Chromebook manufacturers are ramping up to take on the challenge from a new generation of cheap PC laptops like the Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) Steam 11 (reviewed here). As a result, expect CES 2015 to be a showcase for new Chromebooks that inch even further into traditional PC notebook territory, like Acer’s $250, 15.6-inch model with a Full HD display.

As of this writing, Brad Moon did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

Brad Moon has been writing for InvestorPlace.com since 2012. He also writes about stocks for Kiplinger and has been a senior contributor focusing on consumer technology for Forbes since 2015.


Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2015/01/ces-2015/.

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