So, IFA has concluded and the takeaway we can gather from Berlin is… Europe’s biggest technology fair is still a destination for traders from around the world to be upfront with what the future of electronics will feel like, in coming years. IFA was first established in 1924 and ever since has been held at Messe Berlin convention and exhibition halls, the venue is located at the heart of Berlin and has been a playground for innovation and excellence for years. Over 300 booths from international exhibitors will occupy the 10,000 sqm floor space bringing together suppliers and manufacturers with potential customers in consumer electronics, home appliances, IOT and tech industry.
This year PC.com took a tour and was thrilled with some of the products on showcase, while brand giants like Samsung, Acer, Lenovo, Sony and LG had their mammoth booths to showcase their upcoming releases, there were also less familiar company’s like TP Link, Vestel, 3D Elements, Blue Microphones all side by side battling for limelight. And they, are no push-overs!
Show Stealers
(Picture: Top- LG curved tunnel, bottom left- LG webOs TV, bottom right- LG notebooks)
Occupying a massive hall right at the entrance was non-other than LG Electronics, this year the Korean home appliance giant stole the show from home rival Samsung. The company created a massive tunnel using 216 Oled 55-inch curve display, definitely a show stopper and a statement maker. Guests were left awed walking through the cavernous walkway, watching giant blue whales swimming and exploring the universe around them, all in 4K resolution.
Samsung
(Picture: Top – Samsung Curved Oled, top left- Gear VR zone, top right-Galaxy Note and Gear 3 showcase, bottom- the new Gear 3)
IFA was once the main stage for the unveiling of the Samsung’s Galaxy Note, but it has since moved forward to capture market share away from Apple iPhone launch which is scheduled weeks later. But we know how that turned out to be this year. Rather subdued, Samsung pavilion were mainly showcasing home appliances and the Gear 3, highlights were the Oculus Gear VR experience zones.
Sony
(Picture: Above left- The new Walkman, top right- 100″ 4K Sony Z TV, bottom- Sony XZ)
Sony keeps the best for IFA, two new mobile phones were introduced the Xperia XZ featuring a 5.2″ FHD display and Xperia X Compact a 4.6″ in HD with a host of accessories. On the audio visual front a 100 inch 4K Bravia stood to greet visitors, host of expensive Walkmans still haunted the shelves. Who ever buys them? Sony’s development initiatives, Future Lab program shows great potential with their prototype “T” which turns any tabletop or any surface into an interactive projecting image responsive to touch input.
Lenovo
(Picture: Top left- Kate Spade battery pack, top right- Hasselblad modular Moto Z, bottom- the Yoga Book)
Europe is a huge market with over 700 million inhabitants and Lenovo is a big PC brand in these markets. A full on showcase of both Motorola and Lenovo brand products were unveiled first time at IFA, like the Moto Z a modular smartphone with among the attachable back is a Hasselblad engineered camera and a Kate Spade battery pack.
Smart Technology
Pictures: Above- The robot responds to basic commands Left- TP Link routers with Eight antennas : Right- Model wearing an Epson Moverio glasses
Not to miss out on the excitement were the halls showcasing smart technology products from plugs to fridges. Smart machines are all the buzz here in these floors, robots that greets, coffee machines that makes perfect macchiatos and glasses that can be used to navigate drones. We never got tired wandering into all these booths and getting acquainted with these soon to be commercialised technology. Till we meet again IFA, Auf Wiedersehen.
