CONSUMER LIFESTYLE
CONSUMER LIFESTYLE ...Trends in Consumer Electronics at IFA 2017 Organisers herald CE innovations aplenty at IFA 2017 streamed content - 42% of German households now own a Smart TV, and of these, 88% are connected to the internet. A QUESTION OF RESOLUTION Ultra HD TV has firmly established itself in the TV market, with 47% of TV buyers in 2017 purchasing on the basis of higher screen resolution (as opposed to 36% in 2016). Kamp also noted that online content providers are also now offering films in UHD. Of this content, American programming dominates, with US providers like Netflix and Amazon Prime being the top two videoon-demand providers in Germany. All-in-all, most new TVs presented at IFA 2017 will utilise design elements as their key USPs, with ultra slim models that can be mounted flush on a wall with magnets, for example. OLED TV EXPECTED TO GROW TO MORE THAN 50% OF ,000-PLUS MARKET BY 2019 As the global TV market continues to struggle with unit volume growth overall in 2017 – now projected to decline for the second year in a row – attention has turned to the most profitable market segments. This includes larger screen sizes and advanced technologies like OLED, quantum dots, 4K and HDR, each of which helps boost average selling prices and profits. In fact, OLED TV revenues are forecast to grow 71% year-onyear in 2017, while 4K TV revenues will increase 31% year-on-year, according to IHS Markit. A number of brands have adopted OLED technology into their TV lineups in 2017, including Sony, Panasonic and Loewe, joining LG Electronics, the primary promoter of OLED. Meanwhile, by 2020, 8K LCD TVs will have launched in all regions, primarily at 65-inch and 75-inch screen sizes. At the early introduction stages, 65- inch 8K LCD TVs will carry a 35% premium against 65-inch 4K OLED TVs, but gradually reduce as capacity rapidly increases in LCD fabs optimised for 65-inchplus screen sizes. VR NEEDS TIME Virtual Reality was another important part of the gfu trend survey. While there is massive potential for the medium to grow significantly in the coming years, the current state of the market is sobering. Virtual Reality remains a peripheral trend, with only 4% of the respondents in the latest survey having purchased a VR product. Meanwhile, 63% of interviewees stated that they have no intention of using VR. The forecasts are very good, however. Kamp explained that exponential growth for VR goggles, particularly for gaming and entertainment applications, is promised in the next 5 to 10 years. Ralf Schäfer from the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz AVM NEW GENERATION FRITZ!BOX 7590 AVM said the FRITZ!Box 7590 is its new flagship product for fast DSL connections. The box runs on any DSL connection and with support for VDSL 35b supervectoring achieves an impressive download speed of up to 300 Mbit/s. The new model can also be deployed on current IP-based connections and analogue and ISDN lines. Via the gigabit KEY SELLING POINTS Download speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s Eight antennas ensure that all wireless devices have optimal data reception With four gigabit LAN ports, the FRITZ!Box 7590 offers powerful networking possibilities WAN port, it can be connected to a fibre optic or cable modem. A dual-core processor of the latest generation provides for optimal routing of all data. The FRITZ!Box 7590 exchanges data in the wireless LAN at gigabit speeds – with 4 x 4 Multi- User MIMO, rates of 1,733 Mbit/s are achieved on the 5-GHz frequency band alone. » HALL 17 / STAND 109 JVC WIRELESS BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES WITH LONG BATTERY LIFE The JVC HA-S90BN around-ear headphones combine the convenience of wireless operation and long battery life. The manufacturer says that users can have up to 27 hours of listening via Bluetooth, while NFC technology provides instant pairing with NFCequipped smartphones. The JVC HA-S90BN features active noise cancelling. With this feature turned on, listening time is up to 16 hours in wireless mode and up to 35 hours using the detachable cord in non-wireless mode. The compact foldable design, JVC said, is ideal for long journeys or commutes. Other features include an integrated microphone and remote control and three selectable sound modes – normal, bass and clear. The HA-S90BN comes with a carrying pouch. For consumers that do not require noise cancelling, the HA-S70BT offers the same level of sound quality, Bluetooth and design, JVC said. » Hall 1.2 / STAND 216 KEY SELLING POINTS Up to 27 hours of battery life via Bluetooth Compact, foldable design Three sound modes 28
TRENDS IN CONSUMER ELECTRONICS Institute that focuses on VR development, reconfirmed that the potential market was huge. In principle, every smartphone is a VR device, he said; something Samsung has already shown with the success of Samsung’s Gear VR. Meanwhile, the quality needs to improve through higher resolutions screens, says Schäfer, stating the market will explode when 8k goggles are ready for market in threeto-five years. That’s not far away, meaning consumer electronics manufacturers need to be ready to adopt a sleeping giant technology. SMARTHOME Most homes are “becoming” smart as TVs become smart, and entertainment becomes smart – from the cloud. Home automation is coming of age, and here again, the Chinese market is leading. CONNECTED / AUTONOMOUS CARS There are still a lot of legal issues. But the car is already connected to the smartphone, and many cars have voice control. This development will continue. WEARABLES The biggest market is China – this year +63% China has 36% market share in 2016 – is the biggest and fastest growing. Overall, the Technical Consumer Goods market is driven by innovation. Connectivity will enter all sectors of daily life, but according to GfK’s Jürgen Boyny, the “Internet of Things” is a difficult thing for retailers to present, as people don’t come in asking for IoT. Consumers, he says, have to understand the benefits of connected devices, connectivity needs to be shown as a new benefit and people have to become excited about it THE TECHNICAL CONSUMER GOODS MARKET IS DRIVEN BY INNOVATION. CONNECTIVITY WILL ENTER ALL SECTORS OF DAILY LIFE PURE ALL-IN-ONE MUSIC SYSTEM Pure’s Evoke C-F6 is an all-in-one music system combining digital radio, CD player and easy wireless connection to portable devices. Available from AQIPA, the space-saving design with integrated speakers delivers class-leading audio with clean styling and a wood-style finish. The Evoke C-F6 also brings you the best of connected audio, with internet radio, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth offering users an unparalleled choice of listening. KEY SELLING POINTS A 2.8-inch colour display Space-saving design Use the Pure Select app to control Evoke C-F6 from anywhere in the house Spotify Connect gives users instant access to millions of songs on the Evoke C-F6, using the Spotify app to directly connect and control music wirelessly. Built-in Bluetooth lets users choose their music and send it wirelessly direct from their mobile or tablet. The 2.8-inch colour display displays information and brings a splash of colour to your listening. » HALL 7.2 B / STAND 105 GN HEARING A NEW HEARING CARE EXPERIENCE GN Hearing is presenting its revolutionary ReSound LiNX 3D device, taking “Smart Hearing” to new levels to enable people with hearing loss to hear more, do more and be more anywhere in life. This comprehensive ecosystem seamlessly connects hearing aids, all wireless accessories and smartphone apps to make everything work together. With the introduction of ReSound LiNX 3D and ReSound Smart Fit software, an entirely new hearing care experience is made possible. These breakthroughs are developed with audiological insights and the latest advancements in technology to bring more convenience and efficiency than ever before. » Hall 4.2 / STAND 205 KEY SELLING POINTS Unmatched Sound Quality Up to 50% better at identifying speech across various environments Efficient Fitting Faster and more convenient wireless fitting will save time for both the user and the hearing care professional Ground-breaking Remote Fine-Tuning The hearing care professional can make all fine-tunings remotely to provide a better hearing experience for the user. www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Monday 28 th September 2017 29
