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The Consumer Electronics Show is on, and the world’s largest technology event has once again become a place where manufacturers and software developers big and small can show off the products they hope will allow them to have a successful 2013.
As in previous years, televisions, audio equipment and car gear will take up ample floor space. But the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show will also be home to several seemingly consumer-focused products that can cross over to the enterprise.
Perhaps that’s a testament to how far the enterprise has come. Gone are the days when IT decision makers are ignoring consumer products and focusing only on technology from IBM, Cisco and Sun. CES is a place where both consumers and enterprise buyers can scout out new products, and more often than ever they are looking at the same models. As a result, many companies went to Las Vegas this year to show off products that appeal to both huge markets.
Read on to find out about the many things we’d like to see at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2013 that are attractive to consumers and enterprise users.
1. Better Tablets
Tablets are all the rage in the technology world, but many of them just don’t cut it. Save for the iPad, Google’s Nexus 10 and Samsung’s Galaxy Note line, it’s hard to find tablets that can actually demonstrate broad market appeal. At CES, it would be nice to see new and improved tablets that come with features such as 4G LTE and big, beautiful displays that can appeal to the greatest number of customers.
2. Improved mobile processors
CES is likely to be home to several announcements of new and improved mobile processors. In fact, the Nvidia Tegra 4 system-on-a-chip will likely find its way into several mobile products that will be on display at the event. Tablets and smartphones are so powerful today primarily because of their fantastic processors. Expect to see some new version with the latest technology at CES.
3. True Windows 8 PCs
When Windows 8 launched last year, PCs running the software weren’t quite optimized for it. Let’s hope that at CES, PC vendors show off new computers that have the horsepower to handle Microsoft’s latest PC operating system.
4. A desktop revival for the enterprise
Although many analysts will say that desktops are on the decline, in the enterprise, they’re still alive and selling surprisingly well. With that in mind, it would be nice to see some desktop PCs that can actually appeal to the broader enterprise market. Granted, they won’t get top billing, but if they’re at CES, it would be nice to see them.
CES Kickoff: 10 Enterprise, Consumer Crossover Products We Want to See
5. Bigger smartphones
Smartphones are getting bigger. After watching the Samsung Galaxy S III succeed with a 4.8-inch screen and Apple launch a new iPhone last year with a larger display than its predecessors, it’s quite likely vendors will be launching handsets at the show that come with larger screens. As long as they’re also thin, light and fit in one hand, that should be a welcome addition to CES.
6. Don’t forget mobile software
At the same time, it would be nice to see Google make a splash at CES with some news on Android. The operating system will be running on a wide range of devices on the showroom floor, so it would be nice if the company or its partners announced some updates or other additions that we don’t know about at this time.
7. More storage gadgetry
In the corporate world, consumer-friendly storage products are actually more popular than one might think. In fact, products like those from Drobo and Seagate are popular with small businesses. So, perhaps CES will deliver some new storage gadgetry designed for both power home users and small businesses.
8. An eye on security
Regardless of whether it’s a smartphone or computer, products on display at the Consumer Electronics Show should deliver enhanced security. The future of the technology industry relies on the average user’s ability to stay secure on the Web, on mobile devices or on their desktop PCs. To eschew security in the name of design or power is unacceptable.
9. Consumer … with an enterprise twist
When it’s all said and done, folks will look back at CES as a decidedly consumer-focused event. However, it would be nice to see the enterprise have the opportunity to look back and realize that despite all the consumer-focused products, many of the solutions on display will appeal to their corporate needs. As noted, the technology industry is changing. And it would be nice to see CES reflect that.
10. A real direction for HP, Dell
HP and Dell will once again be very visible at CES. However, this year, the companies have something to prove. Both HP and Dell have watched their performance slip and market share dwindle. At CES, HP and Dell need to prove to the world that they have plans in place to recapture the attention of consumers and enterprise users along with a strategy to achieve meaningful growth. Without that, the companies will have yet another troubling year.