When the Consumer Electronics Show (or “CES”) runs on January 6 – 9, 2015, smartphones will play a less important role. Microsoft might shed some light on a Windows Phone 8 update to Windows 10, while Samsung will show Tizen on TVs at the event. IoT, or “Internet of Things,” will be in focus at the event, as CES’s press release suggests. The role of technology in health care will be introduced by celebrity star Dr. Phil.
IoT growing in importance
IoT is nothing new. Last year, Apple introduced the HomeKit and HealthKit while Google demoed the power of Android in automobiles. This year, Intel will showcase what’s next in consumer technology. The chip giant might shed some more light on its IoT business unit, formed last year. As sales from the PC market continue to mature, Intel will focus its development on objects embedded with semiconductors.
IoT connects many machines to the web. Intel will develop APIs in the commercial applications market. This would bring IoT to factories, pipelines, and medical imaging market.
Canadian firm BlackBerry should shed some light on its new IoT platform. The company said at its quarterly conference call that it will discuss IoT at CES. This means that the firm’s turnaround is not reliant solely on sales of the Classic / Passport device nor the BES 12 subscription fees in 2015. Device sales are complementary to BlackBerry’s IoT strategy.
BlackBerry and Health care
BlackBerry entered the health care market after buying a minority stake in NantHealth. Patient privacy is of high importance, and should complement the mobile data security offered by BlackBerry. At CES, BlackBerry might talk about how it intends to build its niche in health care.
Last year, wearable devices gained lots of attention at CES. This year, tech firms will show how they will apply health data collected from wearables to improve health care.
Wearable devices are capable of measuring and tracking health data, such as heart rates and physical activity. When the devices collect the data, it is made available on the web, so that doctors and hospitals could track their patients.
Automotive
CES will give automotive firms a chance to showcase the advancement of technology in automobiles. Google’s Android Auto, BlackBerry’s QNX, and Apple’s CarPlay are the systems to watch. BMW is already set to demonstrate its self-parking car. Volvo will present a cycling helmet that communicates with cars.
Ford, which is switching from Microsoft to BlackBerry’s QNX, will talk about how its next SYNC will be more like a smart phone. Ford is branding the infotainment system simply as “Sync3.”
QNX said on its website that it will introduce a concept car that ties mobile connectivity, safety features, audio, and an intuitive UI to fully integrate the driving experience.