Wearable Tech, Autonomous Cars, Connected Homes and Robots. CES 2015 was as big, loud and crazy as ever but what came out on top? All the above, but the winner was social media in all its shapes and forms.
Heading to Vegas last week, I already knew what would provide the main talking points for the industry. I’m not being cocky, but if I didn’t have a damned good idea I wouldn’t be doing my job at Brandwidth and beyond.
Whilst at CES, I wrote about Smartwatches, Wearable Tech and Robots. All three articles took off in a big way on my social channels but some of my other experiences were just as popular. Twitter, Instagram and Vine were the main stalwarts, covering my initial backchat at the ‘State of the Industry’ press conference (including Selfie Stick mockery), through my BMW i8 driving at the superbly organising automotive manufacturer’s experience (complete with Laser Light Show), to the incredible performance by Frankie Moreno in the Gibson tent.
A superb week that I could have gleaned tech industry news from afar via social channels, but being there made all the difference. From outside, the event looks like a barrel full of nerds, from the inside it shows that technology supports the world in which we live but requires the entertainment, engagement and most importantly ‘soul’ of the best innovators and creative minds.
Music, film, TV, publishing, automotive, retail, leisure, museums… and many more. All these industries need to work hand-in-hand with technology as a means to drive forward and make themselves relevant in the places their customers reside. They don’t need to build the hardware or construct the platforms but they damn well need to make great digital content and experiences.
Here are my CES social landmarks…
Scourge of the Selfie Stick
This guy just got bored and is taking selfies in the corner... #CES2015 pic.twitter.com/NR6h1xLKMp
— Dean Johnson (@activrightbrain) January 4, 2015How to make #WearableTech / #Wearables look unsexy with just one slide. All the good work undone folks #CES2015 pic.twitter.com/h0zy1XExE3
— Dean Johnson (@activrightbrain) January 4, 2015
Dawn of the DumbWatch
#CES2015: Dawn of the DumbWatch http://t.co/9wTpJ3WzKK #WearableTech #Wearables #Smartwatch pic.twitter.com/CF1FXY7V7D
— Dean Johnson (@activrightbrain) January 5, 2015
Taking the fight to Apple Watch – Sony SmartWatch 3
Driving the Future – the BMW i8
Just drove the future around #Vegas - a #BMWi8. Stunning, just stunning. #BMWCES2015 #CES2015 pic.twitter.com/grA50MQFni
— Dean Johnson (@activrightbrain) January 6, 2015
This shit got real! No, virtual…
Frankie Moreno and Gibson prove gadgets aren’t just for geeks
Brilliant high-energy performance from @frankiemoreno at @gibsonguitar. #CES2015 - not just geeks & gadgets! pic.twitter.com/GSJkjuuDr9
— Dean Johnson (@activrightbrain) January 7, 2015
BMW Laser Lights
Stunning #BMWM4 Concept Iconic laser lights (the lights are the stars of the show) #BMWCES2015 #CES2015 #innovation pic.twitter.com/avHTJxijpJ
— Dean Johnson (@activrightbrain) January 7, 2015
Wearables: The Whole Package
#VR & #AR #WearableTech at #CES2015 - #Wearables: The Whole Package http://t.co/mBcIYHnWsb - #Robots tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/qGgtqN9EcN
— Dean Johnson (@activrightbrain) January 8, 2015
Rise of The Machines
You thought #CES2015 was all about #Wearables? Think again... Rise of the Machines http://t.co/IkjUa4ouj9 #robots pic.twitter.com/D5tbcWAVUg
— Dean Johnson (@activrightbrain) January 9, 2015