CNET’s always popular Next Big Thing SuperSession covered key topics including augmented and virtual reality. Moderated by CNET’s Brian Cooley and Tim Stevens, the session featured panelists Jens Christensen, CEO, Jaunt; Jeri Ellsworth, co-founder and chief hardware engineer, Technical Illusions; Palmer Luckey, founder and CEO, Oculus VR; and Ray Velez, global chief technology officer, Razorfish. The group noted that while gaming is currently the main vehicle bringing virtual reality to the market, it is not the end of virtual reality and the dynamic will shift as more content becomes available pushing the technology toward telepresence and video. When asked how augmented and virtual reality can both grow in the marketplace, the panelists agreed that the technology is already in place, but more content is needed. Luckey stated, “The first step is making a device that can make you believe you’re in a different place.”

The Welcome to the Era of Personal Entertainment SuperSession, presented by Ericsson, addressed the fact that the linear episodic viewing experience doesn’t cut it anymore, with viewers flocking to short-form, personalized, easily-shared and original content. Executives from AT&T, Indy Car, Fullscreen, Ericsson Group and Verizon said today’s viewers are on the move and on multiple screens, wanting to interact with their favorite movie stars and sports heroes on their own terms.

The Emerging Trends in Gaming SuperSession featured panelists discussing new opportunities for game developers. While the competition is fierce for developers, the panelists concurred that it is an extremely exciting time as well. Mobile, streaming, and 4K are driving much of the enthusiasm, but all eyes are on virtual reality as the most thrilling segment emerging in the industry.

Some 20,000 products will launch at the 2015 CES from major global brands to a record number of 375 tech startups in the Eureka Park Marketplace. Innovative products and technologies range from the latest in wearables, unmanned systems, health and fitness tech, robotics, 3D printing, sensor technologies and beyond.

Note to Editors: The official name of the global technology event is “International CES^®.” Subsequent references to the event can be shortened to “CES.”

About CES:

The International CES is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for more than 40 years—the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. As the largest hands-on event of its kind, CES features all aspects of the industry. And because it is owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the technology trade association representing the $223.2 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry, it attracts the world’s business leaders and pioneering thinkers to a forum where the industry’s most relevant issues are addressed. Follow CES online at www.CESweb.org and through social media: http://www.cesweb.org/social.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 2015 International CES
  January 6-9, 2015, Las Vegas, NV
• CES Unveiled Tokyo
  February 18, 2015, Tokyo, Japan
• CEA Winter Break
  March 5-8, 2015, Snowmass Village, CO
• 2015 International CES Asia
  May 25-27, 2015, Shanghai, China

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
Tara Dunion, 703-907-7419
Email Contact
www.CE.org
or
Allison Fried, 703-907-7603
Email Contact
www.CESweb.org