CES 2015 preview: Attack of the drones
LOS ANGELES — Geeks know how to start the year off with a bang.
The annual tech-fest known as the Consumer Electronics Show gets underway this weekend in Las Vegas, attracting more than 160,000 folks and 3,500 exhibitors, looking to see the latest breakthroughs in tech that we'll see in stores not just this year, but in years to come.
The consumer electronics industry is projected to generate $211.3 billion in 2014, up 2% from 2013, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
CES highlights:
-- Drones. The "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle" is controversial — the FAA says they can be used only for personal use — but that hasn't stopped photographers, real estate agents and home builders from using them.
"We will see hundreds of drones at CES," says Richard Doherty, an analyst with Envisioneering Group.
The same technology that's advanced smartphones — small chips and sensors — has come to drones, making them smaller, cheaper and easier to make.
Getting a birds-eye view of the world isn't simple. Drones have to be flown, and there's a learning curve there. But this new crop of drones will be way easier to use, say manufacturers.
Derick Xiong launched his Ghost Drone on crowdfunding site IndieGogo last year, offering a unit that could be operated by a smartphone app. He hoped to bring in $100,000 but ended up getting nearly $700,000 for the unit he advertises as "the most affordable, user-friendly drone." He plans to start shipping the $400 unit this month.
"We are making them more automatic," says Xiong. He sees skaters, surfers and even skiers taking their drones with them when enjoying their sports.
Most drones work by connecting to the small GoPro action cam, the wildly popular tiny camera favored by action sports enthusiasts.
Doherty expects GoPro to join the party at CES with an introduction of its own drone, with a built-in GoPro camera. "Within three months, GoPro could become the No. 1 manufacturer of drones," Doherty says.
-- 4K TVs: The "ultra HD" sets have been on the market for more than two years, with high prices to reflect the extra dimension of high definition — four times that of standard HD.
Doherty expects lower prices in 2014 and even higher definition. Some models will tout richer color, LG will be showing off an 8K TV, and Doherty expects 4K resolution to come to tablets and smartphones this year, as well.
-- Cutting the cord: The trend of ditching cable for app-based entertainment is here to stay.
HBO says it will launch its HBO GO app in 2015 to anyone, even if you don't subscribe to cable TV. The Dish Network is expected Monday to launch an app-based way to subscribe to Dish without a satellite dish, and there will more announcements of the type at CES, according to Doherty.
-- High-tech cars. The auto shows have become the place to sell new cars; CES is the place to show what's possible. "The decisions on car buying are increasingly based on the technology in the car," CEA CEO Gary Shapiro says.
Major manufacturers like Ford, Toyota and Volkswagen will be exhibiting and showing connected car technology.
It's not just entertainment, but using technology to deal with driver distractions, lane changing and the like.
There also might be a driverless car or two.
Follow Jefferson Graham on Twitter