The ever dynamic nature of technology makes it a phenomenon to always keep an eye on and closely monitored by those who would not want to be left behind the tech world driven by innovation. And for that reason, tech giants, top CEOs and all stakeholders in the global ICT industry gather every year to showcase and discover new innovations at the IFA tech show in Berlin.
This year, the stage is getting set for another big show of the world’s latest and future technologies as IFA holds from September 4 to 9 in Berlin. According to the organisers, Messe Berlin GmbH, from new standards and solutions for a smart media world, to concepts for sustainable energy-efficiency, comfort and convenience in the networked home, data and property security, apps and wearable devices for fitness and health, products from 3-D printers and ideas for sustainable mobility – all these and more pioneering innovations are presented in IFA TecWatch by research institutions, industry organizations and young start-up companies.
IFA 2015 Keynotes
The organisers have arranged specially selected industry innovators representing the leading global brands in consumer electronics, home appliances and related industries to share their strategies. “This program offers insights into many exciting developments across all IFA segments: Lifestyle, Telecommunications and Infrastructure, TV and Entertainment and Home Appliances.”
Keynote on Windows 10 devices
The organisers of IFA have also announced that Nick Parker, corporate vice president, OEM Division, Microsoft, will deliver a keynote at IFA 2015, the global tradeshow that moves markets and inspires buyers. In a keynote titled “Windows 10 Lights up New Devices,” Parker will demonstrate a breadth of new Windows 10 devices, including tablets, 2-in-1s, premium notebooks, gaming devices and all-in-ones that will light up the Windows 10 experience for customers.
The international keynote by Microsoft is scheduled for Friday, 4 September, 3 pm, at the CityCube event hall on the Messe Berlin fairgrounds in Berlin, Germany. “It’s about the software and the experiences it enables on devices!” said Jens Heithecker, IFA Executive Director. “Windows 10 is coming – with new capabilities and experiences for consumers and businesses. “We are excited to see Microsoft take the keynote stage at IFA to give us a glimpse at how its partners plan to incorporate that future into the devices we rely on for work, home and play.”
As corporate vice president of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Division at Microsoft Corp., Parker oversees worldwide sales, marketing and licensing of pre-installed Windows operating systems and Microsoft applications and services on mobile and embedded devices, personal computers, servers and Internet of Things (IoT) devices produced by hardware manufacturers.
Technologies to Watch
Once again IFA TecWatch demonstrates the innovativeness of the digital world – Over 50 exhibitors for the first time, from four continents – The five theme days also feature more than 50 startups. Startups offer the potential for future growth, as well as solutions both large and small for the Internet of Things, the next generation of digital media, the use of 3D printing in creative processes, wearables for fun and health, education and training in the digital world – Hall 11.1 is the venue where IFA Watch presents ideas for tomorrow’s markets. IFA is a centre for innovation, providing a link between researches, young entrepreneurs with new startups, industry and trade, for a vibrant exchange of knowledge, information and fresh business ideas. This year’s TecWatch programme features 55 exhibitors and partners from 15 countries, including the USA, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Japan and Israel. There are also some 50 startups, whose exhibits are grouped together on a number of different theme days.
Five fascinating theme days devoted to startups
In 2014 technically minded visitors to IFA, along with journalists, experts and decision-makers from trade and industry, took a keen interest in the displays staged by the founders of a number of new business ventures. The Startup Day, organised jointly by TecWatch and the German Startup Federation, is an ideal opportunity for these new companies to present papers, pitches and panel discussions as a means of introducing their technical visions and business models. IFA 2015 offers an even bigger stage for TecWatch and the German Startup Federation to continue their collaboration, with even more startup exhibits and a variety of key subjects spread over several days at the trade show.
SmartHome and the Internet of Things
Numerous small and medium sized companies are presenting their solutions for the interconnected home, where the Internet of Things is exerting a growing influence on our everyday lives. International organisations and alliances are also making their own contributions to this topic, and among them are Z-Wave and the Allseen Alliance.
One particularly fascinating aspect is the increasing number of ideas that are intended to make complex technology more user-friendly, overcoming compatibility problems and linking isolated applications.
The next generation of digital media
The web and broadcasting meet on screen, merging seamlessly thanks to technologies based on the HbbTV standard. IFA TecWatch is presenting the next generation for the first time, in the form of HbbTV 2.0, with exciting innovations that also involve tablet displays as a second screen. Another topic of particular relevance to the future of broadcasting is DVB-T2, the latest generation of terrestrial television, which is being introduced in Germany for the first time with highly efficient HEVC video coding and has been developed for Ultra HD. IFA TecWatch is showing what can be achieved with this new transmission technology. TecWatch is also demonstrating ground breaking solutions in the field of sound, for example with new codecs, providing interactive selection and individual mixing of various audio tracks. And the Future of Ultra HD introduces spectacular technologies for HDR (High Dynamic Range) and extended colour spaces. A number of special demonstrations are equally interesting, showing how Ultra-HD sequences can be transferred from a large screen to a tablet
3D printing and wearables
In addition to printer hardware, exhibitors are also presenting software for 3D printing, services and solutions for creating templates as well as scanners for analysing objects. These also include a man-sized installation capable of carrying out a complete 3D body scan in fractions of a second. One of the most interesting wearables is a running shoe with a built-in sensor, which registers every single step and supplies all the information required for a digital training programme.
Research and system development
Universities and research institutes regularly feature in TecWatch. Among them this year is Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, represented by three of its institutes, Heinrich Hertz and Fokus from Berlin, as well as the Fraunhofer IIS Institute, Erlangen. All three are presenting some fascinating and innovative examples of media technology. Colleges and universities based in Berlin and Brandenburg are presenting projects covering all aspects of digital living, together with spin-offs, startups and other partners. The University of Kyoto is represented by research projects dealing with information and media technology.
Education in the digital world
A joint presentation by the industry associations VDE, ZVEH and ZVEI focuses on promoting innovation, under the slogan ‘Fit for the digital world’. These three organisations are providing details about education and training in the digital world in an effort to interest more young people in technical careers, thereby attracting the young people who will introduce the innovations of the future and launch new businesses.
Work stations are being set up to provide a hands-on experience. A mini e-house has been created by trainees to show how young people are developing a greater affinity for this subject. And there is also a Girls’ Day, which is intended to encourage girls and young women to take up technical careers
Exhibitors at IFA TecWatch
Companies that will be showcasing their products at the event include: 3D Sound Labs, Allseen Alliance, alphaEOS, Beuth Hochschule Berlin, Bird Home Automation, botspot, Brewie, Brinno, Bundesverband Deutsche Startups, Chipolo, Deutsche TV-Plattform, Digitalstrom, E2C, exelonix, Eliq, Evrythng, Formlabs, Fraunhofer Institute Fokus, Fraunhofer Institute Heinrich Hertz, Fraunhofer Institute IIS, Gla Gla International, Green Pocket, Hardware Club, Homido, Kibbi, Media Broadcast, HDMI Licensing, Matrix 3D Solutions, HZO, igo3D, Info Tip, IMEC, ninvoxia, NodOn, Mota, Panono, Parce, Projektron, SoS Ventures, Spin Digital, SPIN remote, Tado, TU Berlin Science Marketing, Technische Universität Berlin, The Connected Lightning Alliance, University of Kyoto, University of Potsdam, Vbox, VDE, Vkansee.