TREND REPORT

CES 2015

JANUARY 2015

®

lapine trend model

To ensure we’re delivering the latest insights we tap into every source: • Trade publications to learn the

history of a trend

• Expert blogs to understand today’s focus

• Trade shows to see what’s coming in the future

Combine this with the Lapine team’s over 50 years of expertise in the industry, and you’ve got an unmatched trend model.

The key to riding a trend is hopping on before it’s reached its peak. That is why at Lapine, we don’t just focus on what’s big today, but on what your audience will want tomorrow.

Connected Home,

Connected Everything

• Over 1/3 of Americans are interested in adopting smart home technology – but less than 2% have acquired any. That is because until recently, products for a connected home have been conceptual and not widely available to consumers. CES 2015 was all about bringing these products to the masses.

• From light bulbs and garage door openers to washing machines and front door monitors, just about everything in the home is getting “smart.” While there will be a plethora of devices to choose from, consumers will not be confined to purchasing from a single brand, thanks to the planned compatibility between single devices and overall control hubs.

• What this means is that consumers will not need to worry about purchasing all Nest or all Samsung products. The major brands are releasing cross-brand operational platforms, such as Apple’s HomeKit, that will connect different devices from various brands to be centrally controlled. The long-standing battle between brands like Apple and Android will still exist, but (ideally consumers) will not feel as restricted.

• This was arguably the most prevalent category at CES 2015. A few standout products include Sony’s Symphonic Light, Netatmo’s Welcome front door camera and the connective plug, Switch by iDevice.

Connected Home,

Connected Everything

Source: Mashable, 2015; Wired, 2015; Samsung, 2015

ConnectSense by Grid Connect Wink Relay Switch by iDevices

Samsung Active Wash Washing Machine Nest Thermostat

Sony Symphonic Light Apple HomeKit Netatmo Welcome

4K & Beyond

• Although 4K televisions – models that boast four times the pixel resolution of the average Full HD TV – have been around the CES block a few times, 2015 is the year they are truly coming into their own. With brands like Sony, LG and Samsung lowering costs and more 4K (Ultra-HD) content being produced by programing companies, 4K televisions are finally getting off the tradeshow floor and into the homes of consumers.

• Television innovation does not stop at 4K, and even 8K screens, however. Quantum dot technology made its debut at CES this year, which touts a more realistic picture through an extremely thin crystal layer that boosts color performance by 30%.

• Another television fad that does not seem to be going away is the ultra thin, curved screen. Samsung reports that half of the 4K televisions it sold in 2014 featured the curve. This feature has already spread to the smartphone world, and at CES many manufacturers debuted curved computer monitors (and 4K display!) as well.

• Though not entirely new, important to note in the television arena are streaming devices such as Chromecast and Amazon Fire stick. These handy USB devices that connect televisions to streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and more are helping to breathe life back into the television market.

4K & Beyond

Source: Mashable, 2015; Wired, 2015; Samsung, 2015

Rise of the Drone

• When Amazon announced it would deliver packages via drones it seemed like we were entering a futuristic world. Now, the drone industry is exploding. The Consumer Electronics Association puts the global market for consumer drones at $130 million, and predicts it to grow to a $1 billion industry in the next five years.

• The drones on the market from brands like Parrot, Ehang, Trace and more range in price point and functionality. One of the top features across the category is a built-in camera and remote control via smartphones or wristbands. Some more advanced devices offer pattern recognition and motion tracking. Features like this can be used as learning tools, for instance in athletic training and skill tracking.

• Interestingly, the drone market has many polished products to offer – considering how new it is. However, the consumer base, which has a lot of crossover from the hobbyist helicopter market, is not very educated in the usage and functionality of the devices.

• As the market matures and users learn more about the products, there is expected to be a push towards drones that enable content creation rather than merely recreational flying.

Rise of the Drone

Source: Mashable, 2015; Wired, 2015; CEA, 2015

Cars of the (Not So)

Distant Future

• Cars of the future will soon be a reality. While the automobile industry is often a second string player at CES, this year companies debuted prototypes for cars and apps that are closer to being rolled out than ever before.

• While we may not have hover crafts just yet, self-driving cars are closer than one might think. Already being tested by Google, brands like Audi, Mercedes-Benz and other major players showed off their autonomous models at the show. Most of these “smart” cars derive their brain power from OBDs – on-board diagnostics.

• Other apps and gadgets, such as BMW’s smart-watch controlled self-parking car, function via sensors on the outside of the car that pick up on the surrounding environment. Apps that can start engines and unlock doors, as well as track GPS routes to ensure a driver arrives at their destination safely, are also in development.

• Interestingly, consumers are split in regards to connected technology. 52% of consumers are in favor of carmakers creating their own devices, while 48% believe they should simply make their vehicles more compatible with products from leaders like Apple and Android. As with connected homes, expect connected cars to be another battle area for these heavy hitters.

Cars of the (Not So)

Distant Future

Source: Mashable, 2015

High-Tech

Health & Wellness

• While the fitness wearable category was the main event in 2014, its presence was still dominant at CES 2015. Though smart watches like the Garmin vivoactive and Withings’ Activité Pop were top attractions, this year fitness devices took on more forms than step counters and wristbands.

• Health technology this year made overall wellness a priority, focusing on things like breathing, moods, stress levels and sleep cycles. From breath regulating chairs to light therapy sleep masks, brands like Innovzen, Muse, Neuro:On, Zensorium and more introduced products for better living.

• Refinement in athletic tracking abilities is continually being made to wearables and other smart fitness devices. Seen at CES were smart yoga mats, biometric apparel and impact sensing mouth guards – just to name a few. These devices will help athletes improve their skills, as well as track their health and impact levels of their workouts.

• Wearables are getting a fashionable makeover to fit in better with the rest of wearers’ accessories. For instance the Garmin vivofit 2 features several different bands in leather, stainless steel and other designer looks. Another example is the partnership between Swarovski and Misfit, whose high-fashion products don’t even resemble the average fitness tracker.

High-Tech

Health & Wellness

Source: Mashable, 2015; Wired, 2015; Engadget, 2015

Stand Out

Brands & Products

Stand Out Brands &

Products

StoreDot Rapid Mobile Charger Makerbot 3D Replicator Dart Laptop Charger Bang & Olufsen H6

Headphones

Sony FDR X100V 4K Action Cam The Selfie Stick Parrot Pot – Self-Watering Pot

CES featured over 3,600 exhibitors with even more products. Here are a sample of a few standout brands and products, outside of our key trend areas.

Source: Mashable, 2015; Wired, 2015; Engadget, 2015

Interested in

learning more?

Lapine 15 Commerce Road Stamford, CT 06902 www.lapineinc.com (203) 327-9099

® Contact your Lapine sales rep or brandbuilders@lapineinc.com to set up an ideation meeting to learn more about a specific product, trend and more from CES!

THANK YOU!

Connected Home: mashable.com, tomsguide.com, news.iapplefan.com, cdn.slashgear.com, amazonaws.com, blog.azoft.com 4K: 4k.com, mashable.com, theverge.com, digitaltrends.com, phys.org, Drones: mensgoto.com, mashable.com, outsideonline.com, blog.parrot.com Cars: mashable.com Fitness: mashable.com, stylite.com, dailyherald.com, cultofmac.com, cambridgeconsultants.com, gizmag.com Standout Brands/Products: laptopmemo.com, tracktec.in, engadget.com, geek.com, ipteccannes.com, androidauthority.net

Photo Credits