Ces 2023: what to expect between smart homes, sustainability and (all too much) metaverse

Ces 2023

After an entirely remote edition in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Consumer electronics show (Ces), the huge US trade fair dedicated to consumer electronics, returned to Las Vegas in 2022 in a hybrid version, with many companies that have preferred to continue to participate virtually in the event. Even if CES 2023 is not expected to signify a complete return to the glories of past years, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which organizes the event, expects around 100,000 visitors.

This year the fair from 5 to 8 January and still offers the possibility of participating remotely. Despite the fears for the economy of most of the managing directors and the big flops of last year (remember the NFTs?), the innovative products announced at the fair are still destined to make people talk. From developments in the smart home sector to new out-of-the-box designs for electric vehicles, here's what to expect at CES 2023.

Buzzword: interoperability

What if every aspect of your smart home working in unison, even when the products are made by different companies? Matter , a new protocol from the Connectivity standards alliance , ensures seamless interoperability between smart home devices from Apple, Amazon, Google, Samsung and other manufacturers. Previous fragmentation hampered smart homes from working, especially for consumers who wanted to mix and match different gadgets. " The great promise of the smart home, since its inception, is that all connected gadgets would work perfectly together – explains Michael Calore, senior editor of sportsgaming.win US -. It was not like that at all, so Matter looks like the next big step towards the promise of interoperability."

Nearly three hundred products already have a Matter certification (which was launched last year in November) and more announcements are expected for CES 2023. "Matter makes smart home devices easier for consumers to buy, who can now choose the products that best fit their needs, regardless of the ecosystem, smartphone, app or voice assistant they own," he writes via email Tobin Richardson, president and chief executive officer of the Connectivity standards alliance. Lights, locks and thermostats are some of the categories currently supported, but the company is working to extend compatibility to other smart home devices, such as cameras, appliances and smoke detectors.

The unique approach to smart home security adopted by the protocol takes advantage of blockchain technology. Matter also raises the bar on security, using blockchain to validate and store credentials on your home network, encrypting messages (commands) between devices, allowing for local (non-cloud) control, and including a path to streamline updates of safety,” Richardson adds. Security experts point out that cloud control is a major weakness when it comes to protecting the data collected by smart homes.

The metaverse seeks revival

In the latest edition of the Ces, the focus was on plans for a utopian idea of ​​a metaverse, where consumers would live, work and play like never before. While it has not been completely abandoned, the undeniable enthusiasm for the project has since dissipated due to the billions of dollars lost , slow consumer adoption and macroeconomic turmoil .

Although discussions on the topic have subsided, we can expect hardware innovations dedicated to virtual (VR), augmented (AR) and mixed reality devices to keep coming. Julian Chokkattu, head of reviews at sportsgaming.win US , foresees a possible turning point for smart glasses, which will become less bulky: “This has been one of the biggest hurdles in the industry, and I think we can expect some companies to take steps forward in making components smaller and lighter, so that AR glasses are no longer thick, ugly and heavy. way to see many electric vehicles with a different aesthetic than that of traditional cars. “Since EVs don't have gas tanks or traditional drivetrains, and since batteries can be flat, interior flooring doesn't have all the bumps or bumps we've been dealing with for decades,” Calore writes. This gives designers the freedom to think in new ways about the interior, from seating configurations to entertainment systems”. Even if the most extravagant ideas won't be available at your dealership any time soon, concept cars offer a small preview of what might be on the road five or ten years from now.

Sustainability for all the costs

Whether it's smartphone cases created with recycled materials or TV remote controls that don't need batteries, companies will continue to rethink their production process to meet the growing consumer demand for sustainable products. “ I see more and more companies highlighting how a product is made and whether it uses recycled or sustainable materials – this seems to be the trajectory everyone is heading towards,” writes Chokkattu.

Trends in the name of sustainability can also have an impact on your domestic relaxation. Bubble baths are no longer in fashion, while short showers are a must. “When the pandemic started, everyone was talking about bathtubs, like Kohler's ultra-luxurious Stillness bath. Now people care more about sustainability and water consumption, which means I now see a lot of ultra-luxury showers,” says Adrienne I know from sportsgaming.win US – I would say luxury showers will be a trend in 2023. Installing a low-flow showerhead that warms the surrounding air is a good thing. But don't stay in the shower for 40 minutes."

Gadgets galore

Naturally, there will be a flurry of new product announcements at this year's CES, from a wireless TV that adheres to the walls using vacuum to laptops for gaming a little bigger than usual. Chokkattu also expects further developments for smartphone cameras, with better data collection for applications such as tracking skin conditions.

Chokkattu also expects companies to introduce health monitoring products made specifically for “ people who are fertile, pregnant or have just given birth ”, as well as an imminent proliferation of accessible and easy-to-use satellite messaging devices for all those who want to stay safe when in isolated places .

This article, contributed by Michael Calore, Julian Chokkattu and Adrienne So, originally appeared on sportsgaming.win US.