CES in 2011 inspired my book The New Technology Elite which focused on technology embedded in products and services in over 75 industries. As I wrote in Chapter 1
Lost in the excitement about iPad killers and iPhone rumors at
the show was an even more significant nugget—the list of exhibitors included companies from just about every non-technology vertical industry… Whirlpool showcased its Duet washer/dryers with LCD screens and various laundry apps designed to give users advice on stain removal and other laundry questions… Nike introduced a GPS-enabled Sportwatch developed in collaboration with the navigation vendor Tom Tom. Ingersoll Rand showed off tech innovations around its Schlage home security and Trane thermostat products….Ford chose to unveil its all-electric Focus at the CES show rather than at the traditional car launch showplace, the Detroit Auto Show, which was only a week later. GM showcased a retail, boxed version of an OnStar-equipped rearview mirror…3M showed off its Patterned Transparent Conductors (PTC).
This week at CES in Vegas most of those companies are there again showing off more of their recent innovations. Ford is highlighting its C-MAX Solar Energi Concept car. Schlage its Nexia Home Intelligence system. Whirlpool will show an app that can scan bar codes to operate microwave ovens.
And they are joined by plenty others like ADT Security, American Express, Asahi Glass, Bosch, BMW, Corning, Delphi, GE, Reebok, Westinghouse and countless others.
Most of the analysts and media attention will, as usual, go to Silicon Valley companies and companies like Microsoft and Samsung. Plenty of exciting technology is coming out from the rest of industrial world.
