2012 International CES—Consumer Electronics and Technology Innovations of Tomorrow: Ultrabook, Mobile Applications, Windows 8

The 2012 International CES is a world-leading show, featuring the very latest in consumer electronics. This article highlights some of the key innovations to expect in mobile applications, consumer electronics, like Ultrabook, and a preview of Microsoft’s Windows 8. 

2012 International CES is taking place from January 10 to January 13, 2012, and once again Accenture will contribute to the advancement of consumer electronics and mobile application knowledge. Read more about what our industry leaders have identified as key innovations at the 2012 International CES.

Ultrabook a challenge for Tablet and other consumer electronics   

Last year’s CES may have been the Year of the Tablet. However, if the buzz is anything to go by, the Intel Ultrabook is shaping up to be this year’s CES show stopper. At the 2012 CES as many as 20 to 40 models of the Ultrabook could be introduced. Of particular interest are U.S. companies that introduce these, given that there are other industry players leading in this market.

What is the Ultrabook? It is a laptop computer in a category of its own. Sizes range from 11 to 13 inches and it runs a Microsoft Windows 7 operating system. Extremely thin (typically 0.8 inches), lightweight (less than three pounds) and with instant start up time, the Ultrabook™ comes with more features, more comprehensive functions and a longer battery life than a tablet. 

Lightweight, comprehensive, portable and fast this latest innovation in consumer electronics is set to compete in a varied market segment. It is placed between traditional PCs, laptops and tablets—therefore it is a threat in all these segments. With their latest innovation, Intel predicts that up to 40 percent of consumers in the laptop market will choose an Ultrabook by as soon as the end of 2012.

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Growth in mobile applications means smarter, more powerful devices

Mobile connected devices and mobile applications are central drivers of growth in consumer electronics. Stimulating growth requires innovation, and at this year’s CES you can expect to see more powerful, better connected tablets and smart phones.

Devices will evolve to be more “pocketable”—being easier to carry they will provide consumers with a far richer mobile experience. Innovations in mobile applications include lighter, more energy-efficient devices; more applications; larger, brighter screens; and a variety of user interfaces.

Another development focus in mobile applications among all major providers—Alcatel-Lucent, Audiovox, Blackberry, Ericsson, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sprint, T-Mobile and to Verizon—is wireless service. Developments in wireless service will show the improvement of mobile payments and communications, mobile-centric applications, social media integration, 4G and generally better service for the connected consumer.

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Interconnected mobile applications that are Always On, Always Connected    

Always on, Always Connected consumer electronics, spanning a variety of applications and industries, will be a big feature of the 2012 CES. Expect a prominent showing of interconnected devices and mobile applications that operate in the background of everyday life, improving lives and experiences.

Overview of Always On, Always Connected developments at the 2012 CES:

• Auto manufacturers are expected to unveil new innovations in connected smart cars, from tablet integration, Internet radio solutions, and in-vehicle applications to driver-safety technology.

• Showing how the Internet is expanding to make life easier, as intelligent sensors are connected to items ranging from kitchen appliances, entertainment systems to a house itself. Here, service providers will also see how to turn this intelligence into opportunities in the consumer market.

• Momentum in the development of telematics to help increase road capacity and vehicle efficiency.

• Cities that use sensors and cameras to track weather conditions and traffic flow, helping to reduce congestion, air pollution and fuel consumption.

• Mobile commerce that will evolve the banking, retail and advertising industries and further enable consumers to use a mobile device to manage their personal finances.

• Developments in the mobile wallet market for smaller retailers to use mobile devices as cash registers and larger retailers to let customers scan their mobile devices to pay.

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Mobile applications and devices for patient records and health information 

This year’s CES features a special summit to examine the possibility and value of digital health products and services. These mobile application developments aim to promote: 

• Earlier prevention and detection of disease through clear patient and doctor communication and digitized patient records.

• Shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, lower insurance costs.

• Boost efficiency of healthcare through the use of tablets. Reducing time doctors have to spend on various administrative tasks.

Other potential developments to look out for include:

• Archiving and storing medical images in vendor-neutral, enterprise-wide repositories within the cloud.

• Consent management, which is a system, process or set of policies within the Health Information Exchange to allow patients to choose what health information they want to share with care providers.

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Windows 8 Showcase from Microsoft

Windows 8 is greatly anticipated and it is likely that Microsoft may preview its Windows 8 public beta, WinStore beta, and online market community at CES. Demos of Windows 8 on Intel- and ARM-based tablets and manufacturers demonstrating their products using the new operating system are all probable. Windows 8 may also be a big feature in the tablet space with the latest operating system being tailored for improved power use and touch screen devices.

The same applies to Microsoft’s smart phone operating system – Mango – which may be showcased on a series of next-generation mobile devices.

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Learn more about Accenture’s services, research and client successes for the electronics and high tech industry.

Consumer electronics (CE) innovations grow and thrive with the more than four decades of success of the CES. It reaches across global markets, connects the industry and enables consumer electronics innovations to reach the market and benefit more consumers. 

The four day-event hosts key note speakers from different areas of consumer electronics and technology markets. The event includes conferences and an exhibit for organizations to feature their products and service in CE.

Read more about the 2012 International CES, the speakers and exhibitors and get more news on this industry-influencing event.

The International CES is owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).The CEA represents corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of consumer electronics products. The CEA invests further in industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

Mitch Cline

Mitch Cline is the global managing director for Electronics and High Tech. A 24-year veteran with Accenture, Cline works with leading global technology companies on topics ranging from supply chain and operations to enterprise channels and support services. Prior to assuming his current role, Cline held a variety of leadership positions with Accenture. He was the client director for one of Accenture’s most important client relationships, responsible for all of the operations, financials and executive relationships at the client account. He was managing director of the Media & High Tech Client Service Group, and held leadership roles in the west and central regions of the North American practice. He also served as global managing partner for Accenture’s semiconductor practice.

Kumu Puri

Kumu Puri is a partner with Accenture and has worked extensively on business strategy topics. She serves as our industry director for Consumer Technology, working on strategic initiatives to penetrate the home with compelling consumer value propositions. Her focus is on helping clients architect digital home solutions that cross content, software, hardware, services and the network; establish the right go-to-market ecosystem to sell the solutions; and expand services to improve the consumer experience. Puri often quoted in newspapers, business journals and speaks regularly at industry conferences.

John Elliott

John Elliott leads Global Product and Offer development for Accenture Mobility Services. He has more than 20 years of experience, including extensive product management leadership experience at Verizon, Openwave, and Qualcomm. At Qualcomm, he led an emerging products team within Qualcomm's chipset division, where he was responsible for business development and product management for several products and projects, including broadcast, near-field communications, machine-to-machine, and high-speed peripheral connectivity. Prior to Qualcomm, he worked at 724 Solutions, where he was vice president of product management; Openwave, where he led product management for the carrier applications group; and Verizon, where he was a director of product management. Elliot holds a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California.