2015 International CES Focuses on Personalized Health Care Solutions, Unmanned Vehicles, and Connected Devices

I attended the 2015 International CES®, which was held in Las Vegas, Nev. from January 6-9, 2015. Featuring over 3,600 exhibitors, this year's CES showcased the latest technology across a wide-array of categories like automotive electronics, personalized health care solutions, unmanned vehicles, connected devices, 3D printers, gaming and more. Produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), "CES is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology and this year more than 170,000 industry professionals, including more than 45,000 from outside the U.S. convened at the only event of its kind to engage in the hands-on experience of interacting with the next generation of technology," according to a CEA press release.

Specifically to the mobile technology sector, mobile device manufactures demonstrated their latest innovative smartphones and tablets. This year's devices contain updated processors for faster computing as well as improved screen resolution and customizable user interface that provides for a richer user experience.

I also attended APPNATIONVI @ CES, which is promoted as "the largest conference and exhibit in North America focused exclusively on the business of apps and the broader consumer app economy." The theme of this year's event was: "Discover. Acquire. Monetize." Many of the participants talked about the challenges app developers face in monetizing their apps. Having a strong marketing strategy that promotes the value of the app and enriching user experience are essential to achieving profitability in a competitive marketplace.

Separately, South Korea-based Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., through its Dallas, Tex.-based subsidiary, Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), announced its 2014 Samsung Mobile App Academy winners at CES on Jan. 8, 2015. The 11th and 12th graders were awarded scholarships for their mobile application (app) concepts following Samsung’s summer mobile app and coding program. The grand prize winner of a $20,000 scholarship was Aditya Suri, an 11th grade student at George Walton Comprehensive High School in Marietta, Ga., for his Mobi Sense application, which allows smoother communication for people with visual, vocal or auditory impairments. The application utilizes multiple functions to allow the user to customize the experience through tools that address specific user needs.