Hot off the press, we’re bringing you our annual CES recap report. Our team scoured the showroom floor, and explored the week's hottest topics in social media, to bring you the best of the 2016 International Consumer Electronics & Technology Show.
2. CES 2016 snapshot
the social buzzthe event
3,800+
exhibitors
170,000
total attendees
+6% vs. last year
+11% international
2.47 million
square feet of event space
+12% vs. last year
3,221,600
total mentions, worldwide
4. Three takeaways for marketers:
• Connected World – Consumer Expectations Rising: As our homes, cars and devices all
become seamlessly connected, consumer expectations for a brand’s accessibility and ease
of use will increase, too. If a product or service isn’t where and how people expect it to be, the
brand will likely see some friction and frustration. Marketers should embrace technology to
increase positive brand perceptions, experiences and subsequent consumer conversations.
• Startups – A Mutually Beneficial Moment: Startups are presenting themselves as a bigger
opportunity for most brands than most ever imagined. Now is the time to start exploring
how to work together. Startups need exposure and to grow their user bases, while brands
can benefit from relevancy and the halo effect innovative tech partnerships can bring.
• Photography & Entertainment – Making Magic: Just as GoPro made video viewing more
compelling, so too will 360º technology. Brands are poised to be at the forefront of providing
millions with their first taste of this innovative technology. And, where fitting, marketers should
push to use utilize this new medium to position their organizations as modern and first to
market.
6. connected home
We’re seeing a major push for platform standardization: one “hub” that
unites a home’s various connected devices.
Gadget manufacturers are also racing to make their products
compatible with popular hubs like the Amazon Echo, Apple’s Homekit,
and Google Weave.
The more seamless connected homes become, the quicker and more
likely people are to adapt the technology into their homes.
trend behind the trend
-vs-
7. connected home
social
mentions90k buzziest in
the category#3
Amazon Echo Samsung Family Hub Netatmo Presence
best in show
The Echo’s ecosystem of connected products
continues to grow. The voice-controlled Echo
is the #1 selling home speaker on Amazon.
Samsung’s new connected fridge features an
oversized touchscreen and integration with
calendars, shoppings lists, and food ordering.
This home-security camera has ‘deep learning’
that allows it to accurately detect suspicious
activity and alert owners’ phones.
8. connected car
CES 2016 saw many big players – both tech and automotive
companies – vying to own the in-car technology experience.
Both Apple and Google are positioning themselves as the best solution
for automakers and consumers with CarPlay and Android Auto.
trend behind the trend
-vs-
Some automotive manufacturers are
opting to install Apple or Google’s
turnkey, in-car systems...
While others continue to push their own
versions. Ford recently announced it’ll be
using Toyota’s system in their vehicles.
9. connected car
social
mentions283k buzziest in
the category#1
best in show
Faraday Future FFZERO1 BMW i8 Spyder VW BUDD-e Micro Bus
Lots of buzz led to Faraday unveiling this
1,000 horsepower electric concept car.
Limited production expected, but a CES hit.
This concept hybrid vehicle features a gesture
‘AirTouch’ control system and a “highly
automated” autopilot-like driving system.
VW revived its legacy bus into a beautiful,
efficient, electric concept. It’s intended to
“talk” with connected homes effortlessly, too.
10. connected self
Wearables are becoming our personal connection to the Internet of Things.
The category has seen significant movement towards more specific use
cases, although general purpose devices dominate current sales.
Wearables are now even eligible for FDA approval. From monitoring vital
signs to providing early warnings for patients, health is a huge market.
trend behind the trend
-vs-
Mass Appeal Medical Application
11. connected self
social
mentions182k buzziest in
the category#2
best in show
FitBit Blaze Withings Thermo Samsung Gear S2
Wearable leader FitBit released its own take on the
smartwatch – though it’s likely to still focus on
health tracking more than other uses.
This Bluetooth and WiFi connected thermometer
manages to pack lots of features into an easy-to-
use, beautifully designed device.
Samsung has finally found its stride for making
smart watches. The S2 has been widely
praised and will work with iPhones soon.
13. drones
Last year drones were one of the hottest products on the showroom floor.
At CES 2016 we saw drones that are packed with new features.
From automated cinematography shots to AI driven awareness and object
avoidance – the technology advanced very quickly.
trend behind the trend
-vs-
Launching in 2016
14. drones
best in show
social
mentions395k buzziest in
the category#1
DJI Phantom 3 Intel & Xiaomi's Ninebot Yuntec Typhoon H
DJI upgraded its best selling Phantom with a
4k high resolution camera, better camera
control, and remote camera shutter.
This robot helper responds to voice
commands, and then doubles as a personal
‘hoverboard’ transportation device.
The Typhoon H was a surprise challenger to
DJI at CES, with buzzy and unusual features
including automatic object avoidance.
15. non-traditional cameras
Like drones and bots, this year’s CES photography offerings were all
about upgraded features and abilities.
Many touted 4K cameras, 360º image captures, better waterproofed
and more robust action cams, and accessories to easily mount rigs to
popular drones.
trend behind the trend
-vs-
16. non-traditional cameras
social
mentions60k buzziest in
the category#2
best in show
360 Fly Nikon KeyMission 360 Ricoh Theta S
This small, sturdy ball with 360º panoramic
views features 4k high resolution video and a
design intended to minimize GoPro collisions.
Nikon surprised at CES with the creation of its
first action camera featuring full 360º, 4k ultra
high definition support.
Praised by many as one of the the best cameras
of CES, the Theta S shoots in standard 1080
high definition and allows for long exposures.
18. VR & 360º photography
2015 was the first big year in virtual reality and 360º photography.
2016 will take that awareness and grow it into access to both viewing such
content, and increasingly, capturing it.
360º photography is a new and exciting way to create and consume content.
trend behind the trend
-vs-
Desktop Powered Headsets Inexpensive Mobile Viewers
19. VR & 360º photography
best in show
social
mentions305k buzziest in
the category#1
HTC Vive Oculus Rift (retail version) Google Cardboard Clones
HTC’s Vive was a hit at CES. The VR headset
features high resolution displays, a front-
facing camera and two handheld controllers.
The $600 consumer edition ships in Q1 2016.
11 demo rooms at CES were packed all week
with attendees wanting to try the new Rift.
In an effort to make VR more accessible,
dozens of cardboard clones have been
introduced to the public in various forms.
20. streaming video
trend behind the trend
-vs-
The tech industry is rallying to support the public’s eagerness for
streaming options and alternatives to more traditional mediums.
Both streaming video hardware and software had a major presence on
the showroom floor.
Access to high quality content has never been more prevalent.
Traditional TV Cord Cutting Competition
21. streaming video
social
mentions25k buzziest in
the category#2
best in show
Android TV Netflix NeuLion Live 4k
Android TV made its presence felt with Sony’s
offerings at CES. Ultra thin, 4k, HDR models
dazzled with the revamped Android TV OS.
On day one at CES Netflix’s CEO Reed Hastings
announced the streaming service would add
130 new countries, now a total of 190.
NeuLion isn’t a household name, but in 2016
that might change. At CES the company
showed live, 4k high definition streaming tech.
23. startups & fringe tech
With 35% more startups than at last year’s event, this group is fueling most
of the growth CES has seen in the past three years.
Eureka Park, where hundreds of startups hope to get noticed, has become
synonymous of where the actual business of the show is done.
Big brands – not just tech companies– are exploring potential investments
or partnership opportunities with startups more than ever before.
trend behind the trend
fringe
technology49%
traditional
electronics51% IndieGogo
alumni90+
countries
represented29
24. startups & fringe tech
Hydrao Eco Showerhead Immersit 4D Motion Furniture GoSun Stove
best in show
Owlet Baby Monitor Spün Smart Utensils Samsung Welt
The Hydrao Eco Showerhead, debuted at CES,
is equipped with built-in LED lights that can tell
you roughly how much water you've used.
Immersit hopes to turn your favorite couch or
chair into a 4D physical experience that moves
with the content viewers are watching!
The GoSun directs sunlight towards a cylinder,
which the company says can heat up to 550ºF
in under 20 minutes. Available summer 2016.
This washable, wearable baby monitor sock
monitors vital signs of kids up to 18 months
old. Owelet was named “Best Startup” at CES.
This $75 smart utensil promises to count your
calories with each bite and lets you know if
you need to slow down through its app.
The Welt is a "smart belt" that sends data
about users' activity and waist-size to a
connected app. A sneaky, useful wearable.