The Coneheads had it right! Consumerization of IT, means individual employees are outfitting their IT requirements, thus mass quantities of "consumer goods" are finding their way to work. While various IT sectors and vendors have their own events, there is one big event themed around the consumer--CES, or the Consumer Electronics Show.
The distinction between a consumer-oriented device and a business oriented device isn’t as clear as it once was. It used to be more about the buyer than the technology, but the buyer is less often the corporations and increasingly individuals.
Skype, for instance, was increasing its marketing to enterprise users, but seems to have more recently abandoned that message. Skype now solely positions itself as a consumer service. Many vendors, such as headset makers, are caught in the middle, needing to target both corporate IT purchasers and individual buyers.
Despite its reputation, CES is only partially about the upcoming consumer products. It is also a show where vendors test ideas. Similar to concept vehicles at car shows--really cool, but not yet or never will be for sale. CES is also a great place for demonstrations in non-obvious uses of technology. The exhibits are filled with items that involve a battery, disc, USB, Apple connector, or LCD--devices and services used at home, work, and on the go.
At its core, CES was the place for electronics retailers to browse and select which items to sell on their shelves. But that's a small part of the show now. For one, there are not that many electronics dealers left. Amazon and Walmart probably don't even walk the halls, and the big brands are moving away from launching products at CES.
The show will no doubt have some exciting new gadgets, but it’s less about new technologies and more about new form factors. Apple pulled out of CES last year (though the Apple ecosystem of accessories thrive). Microsoft announced 2012 will be its last big CES. Both companies say internal product development schedules don’t coincide with CES--suggesting Microsoft won’t likely announce anything major this year. Rumors of a new Kinect and Windows 8 are rampant, but most likely nothing more than sneak peeks are coming. . There should be a flurry of new ultrabooks--and possibly unique concepts that blur them with tablets. Google may use the venue for announcements around its Chromebook line, trying to revive the netbook market. Do expect a lot of cloud, mobile, and local themes, even if it is just repositioning on existing products. Wireless and networking will be huge--it seems all devices from televisions to jewelry have a means of electronic networking, causing many categories to converge.
Last year, the big theme was Android tablets and ebooks--neither materialized as big hits other than the Nook and Kindle Fire, which combined the categories. Android tablets will likely be a repeat hit, albeit more humble, this year. Apple won't be at the show, giving Android more space. Android’s latest version, Ice Cream Sandwich, will likely appear on new smartphones, tablets, and entirely new categories. Expect lots of devices and accessories for tablets--making them more notebook-like. The latest devices running Microsoft Phone will also likely be in attendance.
Digital imaging should be big this year--the boundaries between still and motion cameras continue to blur. Lytro even eliminated the need for focusing. Expect lots of cameras in monitors, lamps, and phones. HD webcams should be prevalent, as well as various forms of HD surveillance.
Imaging and networking come together with video conferencing. The solutions for home to office video conferencing got some attention last year--Cisco launched its umi product which was just quietly discontinued. Home video solutions have so far been consumer oriented or employee/teleworker oriented--what we’re looking for is a magical solution that will allow consumers to video-call businesses. Will it be in 2012?
Various types of sensors are gaining popularity with consumers. New thermostats, motion sensors, fitness sensors, etc. New IP cameras loaded with sensors are expected; maybe they will enable a more seamless teleworking experience. Why should teleworkers be denied the knowledge that someone burned popcorn or if the AC is too cold?
On the pure consumer level, television-related technologies are expected to be big this year, including 3D. There’s also a battle brewing over Internet related programming from vendors such as Hulu, Apple, HBO, Netflix, Google, and many others that want to establish a place in the future of on-demand content. Video projection continues to improve and drop in price--will video conference rooms switch to projectors over televisions? Now that POE has been amped-up, we may see some new clever devices that don’t require separate power.
New this year is a start-up area called Eureka Park featuring 94 companies. The world seems to be looking to the next generation to revitalize the economy. It will be interesting to see what devices the anti-hardware generation builds.
Dave Michels is a contributing editor and independent analyst at TalkingPointz.com
