Here at AndroidHeadlines, we are looking forward to the September electronic shows. This year we have the CTIA’s Super Mobility Week, Las Vegas, in partnership with the IFA show in Berlin. These shows are where we get to stay up late into the night reporting on the latest developments, bringing you the news as it happens. And traditionally, all eyes and ears were on these trade shows because that’s where most manufacturers would announce their latest products. On the face of it for 2014 many manufacturers are favouring the IFA show in Berlin rather than the CTIA in Las Vegas. However, the partnership between the two events will see live video feeds of the keynote presentations beams from both venues and organisers are attempting to create a seamless media event.
For years, Apple were the exception to the trade show merry-go-round. Apple have always liked to do things their own way and that included showcasing their latest products at their own show, away from the noise and distraction of other manufacturers announcing their own products. Personally, I’ve always thought this something of a shame because whilst their products are often industry changing, Apple products do not exist in a vacuum. Not entirely, anyway! This year, Apple have an announcement set for the 9 September, right in the middle of CTIA / IFA show. Thanks Apple.
This year, Apple are not alone in running their own media show. Samsung have their latest “Unpacked” event on the 3 September in New York, where it’s believed they’ll be announcing their new Galaxy Note. There’s going to be a media show in Berlin on the same day. Microsoft is set to announce a new Lumia branded handset in Berlin on the 4 September whereas Motorola is heading to Chicago on the 5 to announce what we believe to be the Moto 360 Android Wear smartwatch and the replacement for the Moto X.
We are expecting these manufacturers to still be present at CTIA, but absent their senior executives. Instead, CTIA has a number of North American carriers executives from AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Twitter and the FCC. We’ll also see Qualcomm’s Chief Executive Officer, Steve Mollenkopf.
The main reason why the device manufacturers are heading to Berlin and the carriers are heading to CTIA is because these two shows are fundamentally different. CTIA has a focus on the connected home, media, next generation networks and commerce. The IFA show is more about consumer electronics and appliances. More consumers will be interested and watching the IFA show and it’s only natural that the manufacturers are seeking to maximise their exposure with their own media shows. Who can blame Samsung for running their Unpacked show in both New York and Berlin, to make sure of maximum media coverage?
One thing is for certain: the collaboration between the different show organisers is as welcome as it is innovative. Are you going to either of these shows? Is there anything you are looking forward? Hit us up in the comments below.