What Happens in Vegas . . . at the CES

What happens in Vegas, doesn't stay in Vegas, at least not this week at the Consumer Electronics Show.

If you're involved in marketing, you should be aware of the technologies and trends represented at this annual event. More than 3,000 companies show their latest goods and services in Las Vegas. More than three-quarters of the top retailers and the largest U.S. firms are there. Read the coverage, watch the videos and slide shows, just for a taste of tech today and tomorrow.

Some products on display are concepts only, others are in the launch stage. In all, you'll get a sense of where design is headed, as well as insights into how companies are applying consumer behavior research. Tech is driving new product development in categories well beyond traditional consumer electronics. So take a look:

• The Internet of Things is in evidence, although the public may not be adopting these products as quickly as manufacturers had hoped. See a gallery here.
• Above, a new LG refrigerator that lights up the interior with a knock. No more holding doors open and letting cold air out.
• This isn't a car show -- or is it? Faraday Future has a concept car that looks cutting edge. Ford is talking about self-driving cars. GM is also talking about self-driving cars. Well, almost everyone is talking about them. Google is actually doing something about self-driving cars.
• Tech-laden clothing--wearable technology--is here. Again.
• Fitness (actually, wellness in general) continues to be a hotbed of tech activity. Just one example of many: Under Armour is introducing new fitness devices. 

Remember, derived demand (the idea that demand for one product is based on--derived from--demand for another product) may be a key factor if you're marketing a good or service related to any of these technologies or products. So think ahead and consider how any of these products may suggest new directions for your brand or offering.

2015: The Year Wearable Tech Goes Mainstream?

Sure, early adopters are sporting FitBit wristbands and other high-tech activity tracker products. This is the most common form of wearable technology in the category--and it's the prototypical product, meaning that when you think of wearable tech, you think of a wristband activity tracker. (Just like when you think of a digital music player, the iPod is usually the first product that comes to mind.)

Athletes are lining up for wearable tech, of course, because it helps them capture data with ease, track performance over time, and support improvement plans. What about the rest of us?

CNet has a summary page with coverage of wearable tech from this week's Consumer Electronics Show. And wristbands/wrist watches are front and center, including the Guess Connect, shown above, which (through partner Martian) gives you easy wrist access to your smart phone plus classic timepiece styling.

Styling is, in fact, a key element in wearable tech. Nobody wants to wear bulky or clunky devices. Not cool, not comfortable. Wired has a good writeup called "This is the year wearables will stop being so ugly." And once the ugly factor is out of the equation, wearable tech will be ready for its mainstream debut--assuming that prices continue to moderate.

Of course, the much-anticipated Apple Watch could upend the category. That's what happened when the iPod entered the digital music category, and when the iPhone entered the smartphone category. Then Apple pioneered the tablet category.

Will this be the year wearable tech goes mainstream? Looking good.