Consumer electronics show IFA has always been a platform for some of the biggest launches over the last few years, and the 2016 edition didn’t disappoint.
Axente was on the ground in Berlin, and now we’ve had some time to chew over what we saw at the event here are a few of our observations.
The influence of the Internet of Things (IoT) was everywhere. With so many people demonstrating central boxes wirelessly controlling devices, it was often tricky to understand exactly what was being controlled! IoT is certainly gaining speed, but it strikes us that a lot of products are jumping on the bandwagon without adding value. We wouldn’t be surprised to see more collaboration – such as IBM and Bragi’s smart earphone technology – as brands attempt to differentiate.
Meanwhile, every man and his dog had leveraged VR technology in some shape or form. No matter what the actual product being promoted was, you could guarantee there would be a VR aspect to it. Like IoT, VR can sometimes feel like a buzzword that everyone wants to use without really considering how it improves a product. This could change later this year when Sony launches its VR headset for the PlayStation and consumers become more knowledgeable about the tech involved.
Our surprise of the show was actually from the Messe Berlin itself, which did not offer free Wi-Fi around the site! For the largest tech show in Europe this was a shock for many and led to strange crowds gathered around the limited hotspots that were available.
Overall, it was another great showing from the brands at IFA. There’s plenty to look forward to when it comes to wearable technology, mobile phones and of course the latest 4K screens and Ultra HD Blu-ray players. Watch out for more of our blogs over the coming months that will look at the latest tech trends in more detail.