Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria : Google, Amazon, LG and Toyota join the CES 2018 fest in Las Vegas

Each year, some 180,000 people meet at the most famous consumer electronics show in the world: the CES in Vegas. There, in spectacular fashion, they show the latest creations of the biggest brands, the extravagances of the smallest ones and the trends that will define the next waves of audio, image, home and automobile electronic devices.

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Google and Amazon capped off the headliners this year with their race to design the best speaker with artificial intelligence, a battle that reminds us of other historical battles, like Mac versus PC, and Android versus iOS. Traditionally, Google and Amazon didn't attend the show in Las Vegas, but now they've realized that the market of virtual assistants and home automation requires them to 'mix in' with the partners who participate in their projects. Amazon has a slight advantage, because it has more tech partners.

The automobile sector is also in the spotlight (this year, electric cars will stand out), along with consumption electronics, led by televisions, which will amaze viewers with new sophisticated technologies. Even more important, the organizers of CES and participants all agreed that the internet of things will gain significant momentum in everyday reality.

One of the characteristics of this event is that not all technologies that are presented are necessarily about to hit the market. Many of the presentations scenes are filled every year with prototypes or product ideas, which still have no market release date, but give an idea of where the sector is headed.

Flexible screens and with (more than one) AI

One example is the 65 inch television screen that rolls up like a poster, presented this year by LG, and whose commercial release still hasn't been announced. Another announcement from the Korean brand this year was the integration into televisions of virtual assistants from Google and Amazon-Assistant and Alexa-in addition to developing their own assistant, ThinQ, which will allow users to search and reproduce content on the television via voice.

'The Wall', Samsung's new TV with MicroLED technology.

Samsung

For its part, Samsung has presented a new modular television of uncommon dimensions, which has been christened 'The Wall.' It is 146 inches and uses MicroLED technology (even though there's nothing micro about it). They call it 'modular' because as Samsung explained, 'users can add or remove modules to make their televisions bigger or smaller […], with zero impact on the screen's performance.'

In addition, both manufacturers have announced the launch of smart refrigerators with large screens that are compatible with some of the voice assistants on the market. In the case of Samsung, appliances will respond to the orders of a personal AI assistant, Bixby. Thus, the ecosystem of the internet of things is finding its way into the home with Samsung appliances, which also includes connectivity with lights, temperature control and safety cameras.

Alexa, Google and friends

Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant have not fallen behind. The Las Vegas show has again served as the stage to present the multitude of devices connected to the internet of things, and on this occasion, it has also served Google and Amazon to show how to expand the portfolio of technological 'partners.'

Panasonic has left both of them content: they announced that they work for both Google and Amazon to improve their vehicle's smart on-board navigation system. Among many other devices, Alexa will also be present in the smart lighting system from the company iDevices, which in addition to controlling the lights, allows playing music. And if the lighting wasn't enough, it's also possible to ask Alexa to select an aroma from the Moodo smart air freshener, which works through an app.

Another example of the innovation of the virtual assistant is the new generation of Sony earphones, which now receive instructions via Google Assistant. Among other functionalities, you can request a specific song, receive a call or put someone on hold. The connectivity will even reach athletic shoes. Under Armour has installed a module in their new Hovr model that connects via bluetooth to smartphones and physical activity apps, as well as a gyroscope and accelerometer.

Sony's new generation of smart headphones.

Sony

Byton, the Chinese electric car

China has made a stellar debut into the world of electric cars at CES with Byton, a smart vehicle that challenges Tesla in terms of price and has surprised visitors to the trade show with a spectacular dashboard featuring a long, futuristic look. The car's interior system can be activated by touch or by voice command, and includes a facial recognition system.

Byton includes sensors that enable front and rear passengers to control the screen using hand gestures.

Byton

Also notable in the automobile industry was Ford, which has reached a deal with Qualcomm, one of the main manufacturers of microprocessors to make all of the connective devices for the cars with different services, including the relationship with smart stoplights and highway signage. Along these lines, Ford also launched a 'smart city' platform (on the cloud) which could serve as a standard to providers of public transportation and other automobile firms. The Japanese company, Toyota, just announced that some selected 2018 models in the United States will be loaded with Alexa. The rest of their cars will include the service starting next year.