Last week I was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to work with Intel and be sent to cover IFA 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Flights, accommodations, and meals were provided. IFA is one of the world’s largest consumer electronics shows and wow was my head spinning the entire trip – all I kept thinking was “new toys are everywhere!”
A lot of the buzz was about new products that just came out or that will come out in the very near future. I was most impressed with what Intel has on coming out over the next couple of months and into the next 18 months or so.
We have all heard about the impact that the new Core M Processor will have in the 2-in-1 market, creating thinner, faster and more creative alternatives for combining a laptop and a tablet into the best 2-in-1’s ever made. The Core M comes out in the next couple of weeks, but there are some new innovations that Intel is leading the way in.
RealSense 3D Cameras – At and IFA ShowStoppers event, and at their area, Intel was showing off some cool features and uses of their RealSense 3D Cameras. These cameras can be built into a tablet, 2-in1, desktop and more that enable devices to “see” depth just like the human eye experiences. These 3D cameras have many functions, here are a couple:
- Improved video and video calling – Imagine being on a video call with family and you can actually view your family member in their actual environment – with depth that is currently not common on a flat monitor. A really cool and fun function allows you to determine the background and allow you to remove the background or even change it. This is amazing for editing and having fun.
- Educational – Children (and big kids like me) learn better with interaction and game based environments. Multiple learning tools are being created to be more interactive by using hand gestures, virtual touch screens and more. A goal of this would be to boost the learning skills of our young ones.
- 3D Capture – This was another function displayed at IFA, it allows your 3D camera device to do 3D scanning, measuring, editing and more. This will assist with 3D printing, shipping, for measuring and many other options. Imagine using your device to take a picture and the measurements of the box just show up on your screen. Instantly you know how wide your item is and if it will fit where it’s going. Also, this technology can capture images and key points of your face and can instantly transfer your expressions onto an animated figure
The Next 2 items are very different, but we’ll talk about them together because they share a common goal in that they will allow you to eliminate the cords. I am not only talking about the charging cord for your phone or laptop, but I am talking about data transfer cords, monitor cords and more.
WiGig Technology – this enables you to transfer huge amounts of data in a ridiculously short time. This WiG technology will have many uses, it may or may not replace your WiFi signal down the road, but it will allow you to eliminate cords that go from your computer or TV receiver box to your monitor or TV. This will be amazing, it will allow you to transmit video and audio from your device to a TV or from an audio system to speakers – eliminating the wires!
Another technology that Intel is a leading innovator in is inductive charging. Soon devices will be enabled to charge wirelessly thanks to the inductive chargers that will be built in, not the clumsy cases we see now. Intel will be leading the way by having all mobile devices setup with this technology and your pad that you need to charge on will be able to be placed under your desk and allow your laptop, phone and tablet to all charge simultaneously just by being near the charging station.
I cannot wait for the elimination of these cords!
One of the best things I heard from the Intel keynote at IFA was that Intel is working with many other companies, like Samsung, to develop this technology and make it cross platform, which will really be beneficial. This cross platform cooperation could meant that these charging stations or pads will be available everywhere from your desk, to your car and even airplanes in the future.
I learned tons of cool facts about what the near future of tech will be, and I love it all. I want it to be here now, so I can hear about what’s coming after this generation!
I’m required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel This could include Intel providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.
