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Region SPOTLIGHT ON NORTH AMERICA Spotlight on the North American Market The USA continues to be a powerhouse for consumer technology The OECD, in its latest forecast for the USA, stated that economic growth would pick up in 2017 and 2018 as headwinds from past exchange rate appreciations abate and support from fiscal policy begins to appear. With inflation nearing its target and unemployment edging down further, monetary policy stimulus has begun to be withdrawn gradually. As growth picks up, further interest rate rises are projected to contain inflationary pressures and reduce the risk of financialmarket distortions. Reducing the size of the central bank’s balance sheet will soon become appropriate. The US consumer technology industry is, according to the CTA, set to see 3.2% revenue growth in 2017, with local retail sales of US1bn. US electronics manufacturers continue to keep their names in the international spotlight, and are always very present at IFA Berlin with the aim of reaching the global market. Keynotes from Microsoft and Fitbit underline the continuing strong relations between American vendors and the world’s “most important technology marketplace”, and the strong presence of major players such as Dell and Harman are other ways of “flying the flag”, even if Harman became a whollyowned subsidiary of Samsung in March of this year SELECTED NORTH AMERICAN EXHIBITORS AT IFA ROYOLE - INVENTING THE FUTURE Founded by Stanford graduates in 2012 and having offices in Fremont, CA, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen, China, Royole’s mission is to “improve the way people interact with and perceive their world”. The company creates and manufactures next-generation human machine interface technologies and products including advanced flexible displays, flexible sensors, and smart devices. Milestones include the world's thinnest full-color AMOLED flexible display and flexible sensors (2014), the world's first foldable 3D virtual mobile theater (2015), and the world's first curved car dashboard based on flexible electronics (2016). Royole is at IFA 2017 showcasing its new foldable 3D Virtual Mobile Theatre, the Royole Moon, as they expand throughout Europe. The Royole Moon’s immersive technology creates a cinematic experience that transports users straight into the action of a blockbuster movie, videogame or music, but in a personal, mobile environment. While viewing through Moon, users get the experience of a giant, scalable curved screen with realistic 3D-effects all generated through unrivaled, proprietary optical system technologies. With active noise-cancelling headphones, Moon allows for a truly immersive entertainment experience so that users can easily find themselves lost in the drama of their movie or game. Royole Moon features two AMOLED-displays, providing a sensory busting 3000ppi and 1080p resolution for each eye, so users come as close as possible to the experience of sitting in their own private movie theatre. Hall 11.1 / Stand 135 DELL AND ALIENWARE DEBUT NEW GAMING RIGS & MONITORS FOR IMMERSIVE GAMEPLAY @ IFA The da Vinci 1.1 Plus from XYZprinting enables users to connect to its online 3D design Artist Collection with ease when users download the XYZapp for Apple iPad or Android tablet devices. The XYZapp gives you full access to thousands of 3D models while allowing you to print directly from XYZprinting’s online 3D design gallery. The printer features a 5-inch LCD colour touchscreen panel and comes with a built-in camera which allows users to monitor their printer and receive routine picture updates through a wireless LAN connection. This 3D printer comes fully-assembled for a true plug-and-play 3D printing experience. Hall 16 / Stand 101 HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INTRODUCES HARMAN KARDON ALLURE WITH AMAZON ALEXA TO THE VOICE ACTIVATED SPEAKER FAMILY Harman International introduces Harman Kardon Allure with Amazon Alexa to the Voice Activated Speaker Family Last week saw the launch, at IFA, of the Harman Kardon Allure. An intelligent speaker with Amazon Alexa Voice Service, the Allure “complements any home space with its stunning design and beautiful 360-degreel Harman Kardon sound”. Harman Kardon Allure is hands free and controlled by voice commands - just ask Alexa to play music, read the news, control a smart home, make purchases from Amazon Prime, and more. Funkturm Indoor Ground 100 www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Tuesday 5 th September 2017 29
