CES 2014: What To Look Forward To

• The Goldilocks Screen-size Strategy If the 4" iPhone screen was too small and the 5.7" Samsung Galaxy Note screen was too big, perhaps the 4.7" HTC One screen was just right. Now it's even more extreme -- phones are getting bigger, tablets are getting smaller -- from the 1.6-inch screen of Samsung's Galaxy Gear all the way up to the 110" 4KTVs that everyone was lusting after - a screen is a screen is a screen. Just pick the one you like.
• Health and Wellness 2013 was the year of The Quantified Self. I've documented my Quantified Journey and spent plenty of time talking about The Quantified Executive and the problems those executives face. Health and fitness apps and technology were all the rage last year at CES, and there's no sign of slowing down. We're only going to get more data to help us understand our bodies better and quantify ourselves more. Health and wellness may have burst onto the scene at the last CES, but it'll be even bigger and better this January.
• The Connected Home Just like health and wellness, we're getting more technology to make more areas of our home smarter than ever. Just think about the areas our homes have gotten smarter in the last year: thermostats, smoke detectors and even door locks. I could go on, but you get the point: our homes are smarter than they've ever been and they're going to get even smarter next year.
• Ultra HD TVs and Curved OLED Screens While Ultra HD (4K) hasn't taken off yet - 65" 4KTVs are still pretty expensive -- 2k curved OLED HDTVs are shipping and both Samsung (the Galaxy Round) and LG (the G Flex) have unveiled smartphones with curved screens in the past month.
• Self-Driving Cars Google and Tesla are each working on self-driving cars. Mercedes' latest S-Class car features some self-driving tech. In the past week, self-driving cars have made major splashes in the tech news world. Google has improved its self-driving cars so much that they're statistically safer than the average driver. They're so safe, that an independent research study by the Eno Center for Transportation said that wide proliferation of self-driving cars could cut down vehicular injuries by 90 percent and save us $450 billion annually. That's amazing. Expect self-driving cars to be on full display in January.

What Else Will We See At The 2014 International CES?

• Blending the physical and digital world Look at wearables. Look at Google Glass. We're becoming exo-digitally enhanced humans and we're incorporating our digital world more and more into our physical world.
• Driverless cars You think cutting down injuries by 90 percent and saving us $450 billion annually won't get the attention of every major automotive manufacturer?
• Consumer health care All over the place. The Quantified Self.
• WIWWIWWIW Video Think Aereo, think Netflix's TV disruption, think mobile apps (like this one from FiOS) that let you watch live TV on the go. Couple all that with major strides in amazing and affordable internet speeds like Google Fiber. Now think about all the companies that will follow suit in the worlds of free broadcast TV, original content online and mobile apps letting you stream live TV and you'll see exactly where WIWWIWWIW video is headed.
• Robots From treating concussions to drawing blood to protecting sporting events, robots are making our lives safer, healthier and easier. Technology (and robots) are changing the way we live and revolutionizing healthcare and other industries. Expect even more robots in January.

Being There

See CES Like You've Never Seen It Before

• General Overview Tour Over the course of one of these two-hour guided floor tours, a specially trained docent will guide you through thoughtfully curated exhibits and tour stops where you will see key technologies and innovations and hear expert insights and descriptions by Shelly Palmer and his team of industry thought leaders. This experience is perfect for anyone who wants to pack the best of CES into two action-filled hours. If you're a CES first-timer or attending the CES Conference sessions -- this tour is for you! For $300 (or only $150 with the purchase of a conference pass), you'll be a part of a small group led by specially trained docents and expert tour guides and you'll receive an abstract from my 2014 Connected World™ CE Report. Register now!
• Executive Tour Over the course of one of these two-hour guided floor tours, you will be guided through the best of CES by a senior tour guide from the Shelly Palmer team. This floor tour is perfect for executives and professionals who want deep insights into consumer behavior and industry trends. Our expert guides will help you identify and understand key technologies and services, differentiate offerings, and create action items and strategic take-aways from the show. The Executive Tour will make you an industry expert in two hours - it's simply the best way to see CES. Price: $995. Register now!
• Platinum Tour Experience a custom-curated, executive overview of CES created specifically for you and your colleagues. Shelly Palmer and CES will craft a unique "best of CES" tour designed for your group. Contact info@shellypalmer.com for details.