The global consumer electronics show opens on the 6th in Las Vegas, USA.
Competition in IoT smart home realization products across IT, automobiles, and beyond home appliances

Is the status of CES, known as the world's largest consumer electronics show, wavering?

As the grand opening of the International Consumer Electronics Show, CES 2016, took place in Las Vegas, USA on the 6th (local time), the noticeably changed landscape of the exhibition is attracting the attention of the electronics industry.

Unlike in the past when simple home appliances and IT products were introduced, the event is becoming a showcase for home appliances and automotive technologies that are becoming increasingly IT-oriented year after year. In other words, smart home products that connect appliances with one another and devices with others are concretely demonstrating the world of the Internet of Things (IoT), while a distinct trend is emerging where automotive companies are participating in large numbers to showcase electric vehicle and autonomous driving technologies.

This is also the reason why the CES exhibition looks more like a comprehensive IT exhibition or a motor show than a consumer electronics exhibition. This reflects the reality that the convergence between the IT and electronics industries is progressing rapidly, and this trend is expected to continue in the future.

Domestic companies are no different in their attitude toward CES. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, global home appliance manufacturers, plan to maintain their status as global leaders by unveiling new cutting-edge home appliances suitable for the Internet of Things era.

Samsung Electronics will showcase a wide range of cutting-edge home appliances and strategic Internet of Things (IoT) products at this exhibition in a 2,600-square-meter (approximately 790 pyeong) exhibition hall.

Leading with the SUHD TV featuring a Quantum Dot display that surpasses existing TV picture quality, the latest home appliances such as the 'Family Hub' refrigerator with IoT capabilities, the innovative 'AddWash' and 'ActiveWash' washing machines, and the dual-door 'Flex Duo Oven Range,' as well as various innovative products and services including smart wearable devices such as the 'Gear S2' and 'Gear VR,' will be unveiled.

Samsung Electronics Shows the New Evolution of IoT

In particular, following last year, Samsung Electronics has set up an IoT booth to encourage visitor participation and demonstrate how IoT is implemented in real life. Visitors can see the message "In Sync with REAL Life" in the center of the exhibition hall. Samsung Electronics products such as TVs, home appliances, mobile devices, and SmartThings are connected as one with IoT services, and the exhibition is organized into six zones for each product to allow visitors to experience firsthand how IoT technology is conveniently changing their current lives.

By connecting an SUHD TV equipped with IoT hub functionality to an IP camera, you can monitor the inside and outside of your home or easily control indoor lighting and AV devices according to the content you are watching. Additionally, the refrigerator goes beyond simple food storage to include food purchasing and delivery services, as well as the ability to enjoy various content such as music, radio, and TV through the large screen on the front.

SmartThings integrates with over 200 certified devices and service partners, including Samsung Electronics products. Through the IoT Hub, users can control smartphones and wearable devices, as well as home appliances, lighting, and locks. Additionally, the SmartThings application installed on the in-vehicle infotainment system allows for monitoring the status of the home and enabling smart remote control.

Smart home appliances and mobile technology based on IoT

The mobile products section was organized around the latest smart wearable device 'Gear S2', which features a sophisticated circular design and innovative wheels and UX, and the virtual reality headset 'Gear VR'.

An IoT showcase is being operated to present various scenarios, such as opening the front door of a house with the 'Gear S2', making payments using NFC, checking health using S Health, and connected cars that unlock doors and turn on the air conditioner. In addition, a 'Gear VR' experience space was set up to expand the experience, allowing visitors to enjoy the five senses through 'Gear VR' while sitting in a 4D chair.

In addition, at the exhibition, visitors can experience 'Samsung Pay,' a mobile payment service that is taking the industry by storm with its convenient usability and versatility, as well as the mobile security platform 'KNOX.'

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics is also showcasing various consumer memory products, including the premium 2 terabyte portable external SSD 'T3' scheduled for release in February, the V-NAND-based ultra-high-speed NVMe SSD '950 PRO M.2', and the 128 gigabyte high-capacity PRO Plus memory card.

LG Electronics Unveils Large Number of Global Market-Leading Strategic Products

LG Electronics set up a booth measuring 2,044 square meters (m²) under the slogan 'Innovation for a Better Life'. The company showcased a wide range of market-leading products, including the ultra-premium integrated brand 'LG SIGNATURE,' OLED TVs of a different dimension, premium kitchen packages, and innovative IT devices.

LG Electronics unveiled 'LG SIGNATURE,' an integrated brand aimed at the ultra-premium home appliance market.

The strategy is to emphasize LG’s unique ultra-premium status through 'LG Signature,' which aims for top performance focused on the essence, refined beauty, and innovative usability. LG Electronics plans to first apply 'LG Signature' to OLED TVs, washing machines, refrigerators, and air purifiers, and then selectively expand the product lineup thereafter.

LG Electronics is strengthening its premium leadership by unveiling a premium TV lineup including OLED TVs and Super Ultra HD TVs. By applying HDR technology, previously exclusive to OLED TVs, to Super Ultra HD TVs as well, LG Electronics delivers even sharper and clearer images.

Securing the upper hand in next-generation broadcasting through HDR broadcasting demonstrations

HDR is a technology that creates a sharper and more vivid image by making dark areas even darker and bright areas even brighter. Because LG OLED TVs do not have a backlight and achieve perfect black, they can maximize the HDR effect in any video, regardless of format or genre.

ROUTE (Real-time Object delivery over Unidirectional Transport), introduced in this demonstration, is an Internet IP-based broadcasting transmission technology developed under the leadership of LG Electronics and is considered a core standard technology of ATSC 3.0. As ATSC 3.0 is being strongly considered as the Ultra HD broadcasting standard in Korea and the United States, LG Electronics plans to secure a leading position in next-generation broadcasting technology through this HDR broadcasting demonstration.

In particular, LG Electronics unveiled the easier and more intuitive 'webOS 3.0' to the public for the first time. LG Electronics will equip its webOS-based smart TVs released this year with 'webOS 3.0'. 'webOS 3.0' incorporates convenient features for enjoying video content. The Magic Zoom function enlarges scenes or text you want to view by up to five times, depending on the model. The Magic Mobile Connection function allows you to easily display videos from a smartphone on the TV's large screen.

Cleaning robot with augmented reality technology
Detachable sensors tell you the operating status of home appliances

LG Electronics has introduced the Roboking Turbo Plus, which features augmented reality technology. This product enables 'Point Cleaning,' which allows for easier cleaning of areas requiring cleaning through augmented reality, and 'Easy Cleaning,' which offers convenient control via an application.

In addition, LG Electronics set out to seize the lead in the smart home market by unveiling the SmartThinQ™ Hub for the first time. The elongated SmartThinQ Hub performs various functions, including: a home gateway that supports smart home services; a notification center that provides information such as the status of home appliances, personal schedules, and weather via a 3.5-inch screen and voice; and a premium speaker that plays music.

LG Electronics also exhibited the SmartThinQ™ Sensor, a circular, detachable device with a diameter of approximately 4 cm. When this sensor is attached to general home appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners, it notifies users of the operating status via smartphone and supports remote control.

LG Electronics unveiled its budget smartphone K series for the first time at this exhibition, and also introduced smartphone lineups such as the LG V10 and Nexus 5X, as well as accessories such as the Rolly Keyboard and Tone Plus.

Lenovo, Unveiling of the X1 family with innovative design and engineering

Lenovo announced a newly expanded and innovative portfolio of the X1 product family at CES 2016. Developed for future-oriented users, this series includes the ThinkPad X1 Tablet, which offers exceptional usability with its unique modular design, and the immersive ThinkPad X1 Yoga, featuring the world's first OLED display. Additionally, the industry-leading ThinkPad X1 Carbon aims to further strengthen its unrivaled position in the Ultrabook market with its thinner and lighter design. The ThinkCenter X1 All-in-One PC, equipped with design and performance for all work environments, targets desktop users.

Lenovo stated, “In accordance with a customer-centric design strategy, Lenovo designs and develops products that prioritize the needs of end users.” "We will become a reliable ally for our customers by optimizing our products to achieve more powerful performance, superior cloud access, top-tier security, and durability, equipped with outstanding features," they stated.

Cutting-edge devices showcased by semiconductor companies

Semiconductor companies have also changed significantly regarding their attitude toward global exhibitions focused on finished products. Major semiconductor firms are vying to showcase cutting-edge solutions, emphasizing that semiconductors are one of the key drivers of innovative trends in the IoT era.

TI demonstrates over 100 types of technologies, including autonomous vehicles, IoT, and advanced displays

TI is showcasing advanced semiconductor technologies for consumer electronics at CES 2016. From advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to innovative ideas realizing the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable technology, TI is presenting its portfolio of power management, interfaces, haptic audio integrated circuits (ICs), embedded processors, wireless connectivity, and DLP technologies.

TI, which develops technologies that improve consumers' lives in almost every field, supports engineers in creating innovative designs that connect to daily life more efficiently by reconfiguring technologies and applications. Accordingly, TI continues to provide applications such as USB-C type integration, autonomous vehicles, advanced display technology, and ultra-low power connectivity for cloud and wireless charging.

Maxim, Introduction to key automotive solutions, including design flexibility and high-density ICs

Maxim is participating in CES and exhibiting automotive solutions such as the MAX9286 GMSL deserializer, MAX16984 automotive DC-DC converter, and MAX2173 DAB RF to Bits tuner.

Maxim announced that it had shipped its one billionth integrated circuit (IC) used in electronic devices such as automotive infotainment, safety systems, Keyless Go, and powertrains. Maxim's integrated products are widely used in automotive undercarriages that are smaller in size and more reliable.

With integrated expertise for both customers and drivers, Maxim is growing rapidly in the automotive sector. The company stated that the automotive sector, which accounted for only 5% of Maxim's total revenue in 2012, now accounts for 16%.

NXP Announces Extensive Smart Home Automation Solutions

NXP Semiconductors announces the widest range of smart home solutions at CES. These solutions, which enhance the safety, connectivity, and convenience of smart homes, consist of standard designs for smart lighting, fire detection, and motion detection in mass-production modules, as well as various other popular smart home applications.

The company stated that such a highly integrated solution can significantly streamline the product development process for smart home manufacturers and shorten time-to-market by up to 50%. They also emphasized that this enables the release of more secure and user-friendly consumer products, allowing consumers to easily install, operate, and enjoy them.

NXP is demonstrating a comprehensive smart home solution that provides an automated smart experience at its booth at CES. Using a badge equipped with NFC technology, CES visitors can experience connecting with various IoT devices and 'tap to connect' as they tour the venue.