That orange bag is ubiquitous. The most downloaded app in 2024 was the low priced Chinese shopping platform TEMU. The low priced products have proven a success with buyers in uncertain times. This past October the Shanghai giant recorded 52 million downloads in the US. Offering everything from fast fashion bags to cutlery, Temu has lured customers away from rivals Shein and Amazon with its cut throat pricing and marketing to young customers.
Everything disposable is the “New Black. ” Hyper consumption lives to fight another day.
Inspiration comes when it wants. One never knows when. At IFA 2024 while attending a press conference for a what I thought would be a presentation of a security light, hardly high value glamor at a big technology show, I did a double take. The presenter was a Black Guy. Usually, at these get togethers an Asian or White man takes the stage. The technology industry is as diverse as a Southern American University Fraternity. Yes, tech management believes in the principle of the ideal, but not the implementation.
Fabrice Kalhoun presenting a Security Camera
Reolink is a Chinese security Camera technology brand based in Shenzhen. When I got the press invite for a product unveiling my first instinct was to pass. Home security is not my tech topic. But, after positive engagement with the public relations representative, I scheduled an attendance. During my many years of covering product unveilings at gadget trade fairs, I cannot remember one presiding over by a person of color. Normally, the speakers are Asian or White. This time Reolink gave the microphone to Mr. Fabrice Kalhoun, a Person of Color. The African born engineer gave an enthusiastic presentation of the new home security camera he designed. During our post presentation talk, Fabrice told me his story of studying in China. While in graduate school, Reolink recruited the engineer him out of university to become a part of the company’s team.
Atlas PT Ultra 4K Security Cam
I called him “a tech unicorn” in modern reality. Normally, an African man front and center of an Asian company is a politically correct advertisement showing the brand is part of the DEI trend. Not in this case, Fabrice’s authority, knowledge with attention to detail came across.
As for the security technology, I do not live in a house, meaning, there will not be a product review of the Atlas PT Ultra 4K camera. The images are clear for an outdoor image gathering device.
What I thought could have been a mundane appointment instead was an inspiring one.
Digital X in Cologne, the digitalization event started by German Telekom hits the mark for technology gatherings. On September 18th and 19th, brands, experts and press discuss topics concerning: cybersecurity, sustainability, connected business and future of work.
The fifty thousand attendees moved from one staging area to another talking to individuals and teams concerning the future of digital interaction.
I found it a bit contradictory, the topic of Connected Business as many technology companies are requiring return to offices. Since the Covid Lockdowns, Virtual, Augmented and Immersive Reality devices and gadgets have advance rapidly. Apple’s Vision Pro, Meta’s Quest and Microsoft’s HoloLens are being promoted as the next generation of tech headsets.
The Huawei IdeaHub ES2 introduced me to the Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) term. The hardware is compatible with Zoom and Microsoft Teams platforms for distanced collaborations. The smart whiteboard, camera and speaker/voice incorporate Z-Tech technology. The applications for this technology go beyond corporate office usage. The educational potential is boundless. Higher learning is about to get disrupted. Schools and universities could use the entire hardware system and platforms digital classes, eliminated the need for physical classes. Students log in to a session with an instructor and can download the lecture via a QR code.
IBM and fashion on display at Digital X
Curiously, giant IBM offered a fashion and tech melody. The US company works with clothing brands an AI profile matrix for brands to better understand customer needs and purchasing habits. Given the poor financial health of online sales platforms, maybe this could help, but I have a few doubts.
I would like to write better about start-ups area in Cologne; however, Germany is still a country trying to embrace the business trend while trying to stay in the risk adverse box. Originality requires going out on a limb. Many of the ideas at the different booths seemed more safe copies of tried concepts.
Schedule Digital X on your tech calendar for 2025, this get together is well worth the time.
IFA 2024 came to an end on Tuesday. The large consumer electronics celebrate its 100th anniversary. The Berlin event is trying to redefine itself after COVID and management changes. Once the domain of radio and television technology where Einstein attended and German leader Willy Brandt kicked off the first color broadcast in Europe, IFA evolved into a giant fair where brands showed off new models and devices. “Innovation For All” was the central theme. Were there innovations on hand in the twenty-seven halls? Small ideas can lead into big innovations. The first smartphone from Nokia was released in 1996 to not so much fanfare. Then came the iPhone in 2007.
The big trend of course, Artificial Intelligence, every big and small company touted integrated features and applications using AI. Mobile phone brand HONOR introduced a foldable smartphone with AI features.
Taiwan’s Acer Computer introduced a PC with an AI editing feature that will cut time in the front of the screen. During my demonstration, the team showed how the user places the video piece in the feature bar, the AI does the adjustments and corrections.
Acer Computer AI editing program
TCL introduced a line of colorful sleek affordable mobile phones titled NXTPAPER. The French company teamed with Microsoft for this generation of devices that are based on AI tech. I loved the Metallic Blue and Gold casing models.
Audio quality made many gains at the exhibition hall. Normally, the stepchild to visual electronics, sound quality has become a priority for tech makers.
At Yaber, the Chinese brand incorporates JBL speakers in its projectors. I was surprised by Japanese consumer brand Sharp with its affordable product line of speakers and subwoofers able to produce excellent quality audio.
Sharp Sound System
Tech Fashion
In the tech and fashion realms, leave it to the Italians of course to have style. Puro combined a skull cap with built in touch speakers in three colors. Essilor Luxottica’s Nuance Audio stylish eyewear for the hearing impaired are optical sophistication. The wearer does not have the stigma of using a hearing aid.
“Silk Audio” is the term that comes to mind for the on-ear headphones from Los Angeles based Audeze. After listening to Stevie Nicks using the company’s magnetic technology, adjusting back to cheap headphones has been difficult.
Puro Skull Cap with Speaker
The smart home evolution continues with companies thinking up new ways to make life easier and connected. Ztove had an interesting product of a connected stove and pot that makes burning food impossible. The cooker has a digital preset mode.
Korean start-up Balcony Farm makes life easier for vertical living city dwellers to grow food and plants with an app, pre-installed lights, small amount of soil and water and a little space.
IFA always has interesting products that may not fit in the “Next Big Thing” category, but deserve attention.
The Mobile Monitor that can float in water from Sylvox takes the top prize, but the Chinese brand’s bathroom mirror monitor gets an honorable mention.
Lucian gets my design award for producing a statement tooth brush made of titanium.
Lucian
Haier’s Dryer and 10-minute clothing steamer is a great combo for people on the go.
The JMGO Laser projector with a nimble gimble stand and fast focus.
Once upon time there was a major American department store named “Sears”. The Chicago based chain covered the retail landscape coast to coast from big cities to small towns offering everything from toys, clothes and household goods. What made Sears special? The once mighty retailer had Craftsman tools and Kenmore appliances. Those two labels had a reputation of durability and quality. So well made, they came with life warranties and repairs. The process was easy, a buyer could take a tool back or call for a hassle free, at times no charge, service repair covered by the warranty. Modern appliance companies could take a cue from this vintage customer service template.
Sears Appliances
As the world shifts to pressing concerns and priorities, from AI, geo-political forces, energy shortages, supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns and Inflation Living Crisis, new models will have to develop.
Will the consumer appliances embrace the circular economy? What about Technologies Planned Obsolescence model? The Innovation Media Briefing for IFA 2023 came together to discuss upcoming trends in technology and consumer appliances. Will the consumer appliance brands embrace the circular economy? What about technologies Planned Obsolescence model? One of the major topics, developing a repairing and service economy for electronic goods. The EU is in the process of passing a right to repair laws, giving consumers a claim to repair electronic goods with access to spare parts.
As the consumers want more goods with a sustainable footprint, the buy now and throw away model is coming under scrutiny. When was the last time anyone had a display repaired? High cost and lack of repair professionals make it easier to buy another. Should I wait for a repairman when it would take me under fifteen minutes to work to electronic store? There are more barriers to fixing tech devices; companies control their supplies and services training.
Are buyers willing to spend money on the latest gadget during these times? Doubtful, in Berlin we face high energy bills this winter. More buyers are delaying unnecessary purchase in face of increasing basic living costs, keeping their old tech longer.
The technology industry after years of soaring above the clouds is dropping back to Earth in 2023, however, they are finding the world is a disparate place.
The FIFA World Cup starts this weekend. If you have deep pockets and want the ultimate viewing experience check out the new displays from Loewe. The historic German brand just released a series of televisions just in time for the global sports event. The razor thin ICONIC display is a technical marvel at 7999 euros.
More from the InnoTrans 2022 event of mobility and transportation. The move to digital experience has accelerated. The trend of big companies and governments embracing start ups and smaller companies to help solve key problems facing transportation. One Berlin based start up is teaming up with DBahn for a car hailing service as part of monthly metro pass.
Autonomous automobiles were talked about, but I am not convinced. Right now this technology is in its infancy with many questions.
As I have written, I am in favour of anything that can get me around a city in less time.
VDL bus (Below) set the tone of a Star Trek Spaceship. Captain Picard could be at the helm.
VDL
Star Trek Interior
EM Card Charging Station
Train Motor
Soon, there will be more charging stations on the streets. I liked the Digital screen and minimal look of EM Card.
CalTrans LA
LA is getting a monorail
Traveling Los Angeles could get easier in the future with these two modes of transportation.
Skoda showed off a long train. I am sure there is enough space for all during rush hour. A Spanish tech company Zeleros told me their hyper loop concept will be operation in 2030.
Skoda Tram Train
Hyper loop Car
New Paris Metro Stock from CAF
Berlin Seat
Oliva Torras mock up of the Milan Metro Interior
Zipping around Paris for fashion Week will be easier on this rolling stock. Berlin Seating interior. I know this Milan Metro Line 1 interior all too well, during Milan Fashion Week it is my de-facto limo.
