Last month Leslie and I attended CES for two fun filled days in (somewhat) sunny Las Vegas. As expected, there were myriads of booths and products to explore. We saw robots, drones, 3D printers and at least a dozen people sporting google glass.
Amid the hustle and bustle, one of the main trends that stood out to me was the focus on entertainment. As TV viewership continues to rise, the technology world is enabling consumers to experience television and movies like never before. We’re not talking about simple visual effects, we’re talking advanced technology that brings the story to life and even allows you to become part of the show. Here are a few of my favorite displays:
Samsung’s 4K Bendable TV
The Samsung Bendable TV takes the curved screen to a whole new level. The screen actually bends from flat to curved with the touch of button. The vibrant colors and 4K resolution make for a stunning viewing experience.
LG’s Wall of 3D Screens
If you’ve seen a 3D movie lately you’ll notice that the technology is leaps and bounds beyond where it was just a few short years ago. LG had an incredibly impactful display at the Central Hall entrance with a giant wall of 3D screens. While this wasn’t the best idea for keeping foot traffic moving, it was brilliant for garnering interest and setting the tone for the rest of the show floor. I was too busy grabbing a pair of 3D glasses and gawking at observing the display to get a good picture, so check out LG’s video instead.
Intel’s Leviathan Demo
Intel wasn’t content with merely showing viewers something cool. They created truly immersive entertainment with their Leviathan demo. By looking through the screen of an Intel-powered 2 in 1 computer, audience members witnessed an enormous whale emerge from the main stage screen and swim above the crowd. As the beast circled over-head, silence descended in the booth. Silence at CES is in and of itself an impressive feat.
The show didn’t end there. Users interacted with jelly fish called “Huxleys” using their touch screens. They could spin and move the creatures resulting in a one-of kind experience where users actually participate in the presentation. This new interactive approach opens a whole new world for immersive storytelling.
Go to 49:30 to see the demo during Intel CEO Brian Krzanich’s keynote at CES.
With more and more home theater options emerging from the realm of consumer electronics it will be interesting see which ones have real-life applicability. Regardless, it’s clear that the bar on visual entertainment continues to be raised. Instead of passive viewing it’s truly about immersive experiences and creative new ways of engaging viewers in the show.