Innovations galore at 2013 International CES in Las Vegas

The ongoing event (Jan 8 - 12) is abuzz with interesting new innovations being showcased; it has also witnessed major projections for the global consumer electronics industry. "Opening day of CES was abuzz with products and technologies that allow seamless connection to devices so that we can do everything from enjoy content to monitor health and find smarter ways to manage our homes," said Karen Chupka, senior vice president of International CES and corporate business strategy.

It saw several new and innovative Panasonic products making their debut at CES including the world's first 4K OLED TV and Panasonic's 20" 4K tablet. Other innovators include Spark, GigaOm, Samsung, Sony whose products displayed were:

- Huawei - Ascend Mate smartphone with 6.1 inch screen - currently the world's largest smart phone
- Intel - Perceptual Computing adds natural human interfaces to computing, voice, touch, facial recognition and gestures. User becomes password through facial recognition
- Limitless Computing - VYZAR - geo-location based 3D augmented reality technology
- Samsung - New flagship Smart TV Samsung LED F8000 (46-inch, 55-inch, 60-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch) with voice recognition technology

Other products that are being termed revolutionary and engaging - a bulb with a Wi-Fi socket so that you could switch it off with a mobile app, a toothbrush with a vibrating indicator that would help you chew your food the correct number of times (20 to be precise), and the likes. 

Nothing less than 20,000 products to be shown off as indicated by Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. "Some 20,000 new products will launch this week at the 2013 International CES and we couldn't be more excited to kick off this record-breaking show. CES has an incredible story to tell with every major technology company spanning the globe participating in this year's CES to showcase their innovations," he said in his opening remarks.

Panelists at the 10th annual Next Big Thing at the 2013 CES debated the post-mobile future and discussed the benefits of a connected world, how close we are from that future and the challenges of getting there.

Personalized medicine and a simple, more streamlined experience featuring smart, connected platforms were two of the applications discussed. The panel agreed that the post-mobile future needs to feature devices that are easy, pervasive and affordable.

The 2013 International CES® is being deemed as the world's largest annual innovation event.

More than 3,250 exhibitors are unveilng new technologies across 1.9 million net sq ft at the venue; Qualcomm's Paul Jacobs delivered the preshow CES keynote with surprise appearance by Microsoft's Steve Ballmer.