Two notable trends at this year’s International CES convention in Las Vegas may provide a glimpse into the quickly changing habits and demands of consumers.
In the past few years, flat-screen and smart TV technology dominated headlines at the world’s largest consumer electronics show as big-name players showcased ever slimmer and lighter models.
Not so at this year’s event.
Irvine-based Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., a unit of Toshiba Corp. in Japan, didn’t even launch a TV at CES, the first time that’s happened in years.
Perhaps more telling: Irvine-based Vizio Inc., the U.S. leader in smart TV sales, didn’t even exhibit at CES, marking the first time the brand didn’t showcase there since it shook up the TV market in the early 2000s.
TV technology will always play an important role at CES but might no longer carry the panache it once did, despite several new advancements in the segment.
Orange-based Westinghouse Digital LLC showcased its next-generation lineup of 4K ultra high-definition LED televisions in a private suite at the Westgate Las Vegas hotel, including a smart-TV version and a 34-inch curved desktop monitor.
Samsung might have stolen the thunder in the TV category at CES, debuting a giant 105-inch curved ultra-HD display.
The disappearance of Google Glass applications at CES this year also underscored a major shift.
Hyundai Motor America Inc., the Fountain Valley-based unit of Hyundai Motor Corp. in South Korea, was among several companies that last year tied the Google device to product and feature launches. This year, the automaker demonstrated a new app that allows users to start a vehicle’s engine and locate the vehicle through an Android Wear watch, among other features.
Big draws at this year’s CES included drones, connected devices in vehicles, and virtual reality.
TigerLogic Scores
Irvine-based TigerLogic Corp. was selected to amplify fan engagement during the inaugural College Football Playoff championship game between Ohio State University and the University of Oregon.
The company’s software program, Postano Platform, allowed fans to boost their in-game social experience with hashtag voting and photo mosaics incorporated into several events leading up the game, including fan zones, concerts and tailgates.
Other Postano customers include Google, the L.A. Kings, the Oregon Ducks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Laser Maker’s Board Grows
Industry veteran Siddhartha Kadia joined the board of Irvine-based Newport Corp., which makes lasers and related controls and equipment for telecommunications companies, chipmakers, researchers, medical companies and manufacturers.
Kadia, who serves as chief executive and director of Santa Clara-based lab testing services provider Evans Analytical Group, is expected to join the audit committee, according to a regulatory filing.
The addition of the independent director brings Newport’s board to seven members.
Kadia also serves on the board of Volcano Corp., a publicly traded medical technology company in San Diego that agreed to a $2.1 billion sale last month to Royal Philips in Amsterdam.
The transaction is expected to close in the next few months.
