What to expect at CES 2015

Editor's note: When it comes to smart hardware, I generally care about a few issues. First: Can I afford this thing? Second: Can this thing completely replace my current equipment? Third: How is the quality? In fact, these three issues are just one issue, cost performance. To put it simply, cost performance means that no one would go to get two big gold teeth to eat. More importantly, entrepreneurs of smart hardware please stop coming up with a bunch of weird things to deceive consumers. When I interviewed the CEO of a smart hardware company, he said: "It was Steve Jobs' job to create user needs, and we just need to meet user needs."

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2014 has just come to an end, and the technology industry has started the engine of 2015 with the CES (International Consumer Electronics Show) conference in Las Vegas on January 6. This huge event that tells the future attracts thousands of companies and participants every year, and sets the tone for the technology industry in the year.

Before the 2015 CES officially opens, let us take a look at what this year's CES conference will have to offer and what is worth looking forward to.

1. Self-driving cars are exciting

Smart cars are not a new topic. However, with the maturity of technologies such as driverless technology, connected car technology (such as Android Auto cars that are closely integrated with mobile phones), and electric vehicles, the performance of the automotive industry at this year's CES conference is exciting.

Established car companies, such as Audi, Ford, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz, will continue to launch more solutions for connecting cars with other smart devices this year. The field of driverless cars will surely not only be dominated by Google. In addition, it is also worth looking forward to what progress CarPlay and Android Auto will make in the new year.

2. LG continues to focus on curved screens, and HTC will launch new products

There were no major highlights in the smartphone and tablet markets in 2014 - the large-screen iPhone arrived as expected, but there were not many highlights; Samsung and Sony are busy figuring out how to better compete with China's low-end mobile phone brands, Lenovo and Motorola are still in the stage of "how to make each other know each other better", and Microsoft, after acquiring Nokia, did not launch a flagship model to boost the market. Its focus is on how to make mobile phones, tablets and desktop systems more unified.

Therefore, the industry speculates that LG's G Flex2 and Sony's new Xperia are likely to take the top spot in the smartphone industry at this year's CES and become the most powerful exhibits at the conference. At last year's CES, LG attracted people's attention with its curved screens, and it is reported that LG will continue this feature this year. In addition, HTC announced on Weibo that it will bring new HTC Desire series products to CES.

While some big-name mobile phone manufacturers are reluctant to bring their products to the CES booths, the door of CES is open to some small companies: YotaPhone 2 from Russia and smartphones equipped with Firefox OS - these two uniquely designed mobile phones are likely to decorate this year's expo.

3. Wearable devices strike again

Wearables were the most hyped and disappointing segment of last year's CES. From kid's trackers to smart wristbands, last year's show was filled with product failures. With another year's experience, the wearables industry is back with a variety of new products.

The launch of Android Wear products such as Moto 360 has made wearable devices gain public attention in 2014. Sony's e-ink screen smartwatch may bring a different feeling to the industry.

According to the forecast of CCS Insight, the shipment of smart watches and smart bracelets will exceed 50 million this year. CES is undoubtedly the best platform and opportunity to showcase wearable technology, and I believe that no mainstream manufacturer will be absent.

4. Fashion brand becomes technology brand

Technology is becoming the new fashion.

Everyone is in the world of technology, and fashion and technology need to and are bridging the gap. This year, CES organizer CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) included 2,000 companies such as Adidas, New Balance and L'Oreal in the exhibition list. Fashion brands have always relied on technology to innovate their products. Nowadays, many brands have begun to try smart clothing projects. The intelligence of clothing is likely to be a highlight worth looking forward to at this year's conference.

5. The Internet of Things allows everything to be freely connected

There is no doubt that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have quietly taken over every corner of your house. This is especially true when we talk about smart homes. However, if you buy different devices from different companies, they often cannot work together and share data - this is probably not true freedom of connection.

Fortunately, large companies are trying to solve this problem by building platforms and alliances. Companies including Apple, Samsung, Google and Intel are all making attempts in this regard - Apple has HomeKit, and Google acquired Nest. This year's CES will be the largest exhibition of IoT products, technologies and services in history. It is reported that there are more than 900 exhibitors in the IoT field.

6. Can virtual reality be affordable to the masses?

If you think the day when mobile phones and faces merge into one is still far away, you are wrong. When Facebook acquired Oculus, we should have realized that in the near future, smartphones will no longer be the only hub of the Internet of Things.

Oculus has always been the darling of the CES conference, but now more and more companies are starting to compete with it. At this year's CES, we may see the final version of Virtuix Omni (a treadmill that connects the physical world and the virtual world). In addition, Oculus will not be outdone and will also have new products to show everyone.

Although the Gear VR jointly launched by Samsung and Oculus has made virtual reality a little cheaper in another form, the reality is that it is still a difficult problem when virtual reality devices can enter ordinary people's homes.