CES 2015 POV: Metalworks on Creative Technology
By Tom Kelshaw on 01/14/2015
The stand-out emergence of CES2015 for me was the further development of ecosystems
around tech from previous years. Yes, we saw more wearables, smart homes, Virtual
Reality and drones, but now there are significant ecosystems being developed around this
technology that ensure they’ll accelerate beyond prototype to early adoption in 2015.
Next-level storytelling via Virtual Reality (VR)
Oculus Rift, Samsung’s GearVR and no-frills option Google Cardboard started creeping into
entertainment campaigns in 2014. In 2015, the ecosystem around immersive experience tech
strengthened via:
- 360 degree stereoscopic cameras that shoot VR-ready footage
- 4K drones by Parrot & DJI, for use in GearVR-ready animation
- Binaural surround sound headphones & software, which adjusts as you move your head, creating a realistic sound-stage
- Youtube announced a 360degree Immersive function
- Samsung’s Milk app includes Immersive Video as standard
Add-ons for Upgrading Everything
There was a proliferation of “add-on tech” this year. These add-ons can make it significantly
cheaper (and thus reach a larger audience) to upgrade existing ecosystems with technology.
- Kairos Smart-watch-band allows consumers to upgrade the band adding NFC, Bluetooth, Notifications, Fit-bit-like sensors... all whilst keeping your classic timepiece
- ConnectedBike pedals: Don’t throw away your perfectly good bike! Just add these new pedals that offer performance tracking sensors and theft protection via GPS
- Seek thermal camera: Aimed at home-owners who want to avoid costly heating leakages, the Thermal camera works with any smartphone to give you Predator-style heat vision
Watch this space: Chillhub SmartFridge
The “internet-connected fridge” is a long-running punchline of over-engineered and
probably useless gadgets from CES. But the Chillhub smart fridge concept re-thinks the
idea by extending the smart fridge via an open-source USB-powered hub with plug-in
peripherals.
- Online community for designing and developing add-ons such as freshness indicators, recipe suggestion, etc.
- Korean startup Penguin Sensor is already investigating incorporating their organic food test gadget to the fridge
- Will one of your brands be the first to announce an add-on camera that analyzes what’s in the fridge to create a shopping list or even shop online for you? Why not?
The Implication: How are your brands working with products, services and stories that
are involved in these ecosystems? Are they experimenting, adopting, or better yet adding to them? If you’re curious how, speak to Metalworks about it: [email protected]
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