The first day of the IFA GPC 2018 comprises a series of power briefs by industry leaders and analysts on the latest trends and products in consumer electronics and home appliances. Here is a rundown on what transpired in those proceedings.
Day 1 of the IFA GPC 2018 kicks off with the MC, Dave Graveline, handing the mic over to Jens Heithecker, Executive Director (IFA) & EVP (Messe Berlin Group), for the opening address.
This year, there are altogether 13 power briefings – a marked increase from last year, which saw eight power briefs and one discussion panel.
As I attend these sessions, I will post a brief synopsis of each session on Instagram and consolidate all the synopsis here.
So stay tuned!
Power briefing 1
Power briefing by Philips on innovative solutions for a healthy and joyful life.
Highlight is the new-to-world #SmartSleep solution that will change the way the world sleeps. Philips is positioned to pair clinical research, the latest digital health technologies and design capabilities to create tools that help consumers take better care of themselves and lead a balanced, healthy and energetic lifestyle through nutrition, a clean environment and sleep.
Presenting were Liat Ben-Zur, Senior Vice President, Head of Connected Digital Platforms Propositions; and Bernd Laudahn, Market Leader Personal Health DACH – from Philips.
Power briefing 2
Power briefing by Sharp on European launch of the 1st 8K TV.
Sharp’s display technology uses innovative technologies like IGZO, that allows high quality frameless screens, and the up-and-coming new resolution standard #8Ktv for consumers.
Presenting were Sascha Lange, Vice President, Marketing and Sales EMEA at Sharp; and Bernard Fontaine, Head of Technical Innovations from France TV.
Power briefing 3
Power briefing by Beurer on innovative products & apps for health & well-being.
Digitalisation & megatrends such as selftracking and optimisation disrupt the health & well-being sector and change the requirements for health products. People want to measure, store, track and share their data – anywhere and anytime. Former appliance manufacturers increasingly provide software too. Beurer demonstrates how the company successfully transitioned from a heating pad manufacturer into a digital health specialist with eleven in-house developed apps and a broad connect assortment.
Presenting was Georg Waldenbach, Managing Director and Shareholder of Beurer.
Power briefing 4
Power briefing by Radionovelli on their new 4G Radio (1000 €).
The new 4G radio uses patented algorithms for on demand and targeted advertising. It combines a classic fm/am and dab radio, 4G mobile connectivity, the functionalities of the Android operating system, a 6.3″ touch display, a 30 watts audio power system per channel and CD/DVD player. An always online system guarantees users the listening and viewing of digital contents in the absence of FM or DAB signal, wherever they are in the world.
Presenting was Product Specialist Gian Carlo Scataglini & CEO of Axis, Paolo Novelli.
Power briefing 5
Power briefing by Miele on the latest highlights from the German family-run company. Miele showcased its new Dialog Oven that will be launched in June.
Presenting was Dr. Reinhard Zinkann, Executive Director & Co-Proprietor of Miele.
Power briefing 6
Power briefing by TCL on the TV of the future.
TCL Multimedia, the world’s 3rd largest TV maker, presented its line-up of innovations for IFA 2018, which integrates even more advanced forms of Artificial Intelligence. They covered the shift from application-driven to content-driven Android TVs, and why TCL believes that Quantum Dot is key for delivering true-to-life light and colors but also for the future of in-home entertainment.
Presenting were Frédéric Langin, General Manager Sales and Marketing Europe; and Marek Maciejewski, Product Development Director Europe for TCL.
Power briefing 7
Power briefing by WMF on the German brand and its kitchen products, including their KITCHENminis line.
Established since 1853, WMF notes that the global trend towards smaller households has a huge impact on the use of small kitchen appliances, as the number of single and two-person households is set to rise significantly over the next few years. This means that living space and kitchen size, including storage space and worktops, have reduced considerably, especially in urban areas.
Presenting were Xavier Sabourin, President of Consumer Goods BU; and Martin Ludwig, Senior Vice President, International Strategy & Product Creation for WMF.
Power briefing 8
Power briefing by Huawei on their latest P20 Android smartphone and Porsche Design Mate RS which has 512GB storage and in-screen fingerprint reader.
Presenting was Peter Gauden, Senior Product Marketing Manager from Huawei.
Power briefing 9
Power briefing by GfK on the “Digital World in Asia”.
The connected lifestyle is moving beyond having just your smartphone being connected to smart home devices. Artificial Intelligence and having smart home devices being interconnected to one another could soon become mainstream for consumers in Asia. The briefing highlighted the new products and concepts that are propelling this change. Innovations in tech devices are also moving consumers towards more premium products, driving the value growth of tech devices within the APAC region.
Presenting was Gerard Tan, Director APAC, Digital World, GfK.
Power briefing 10
Power briefing by IHS & German Autolabs on the outlook on intelligence in 2024, and what impact Artificial Intelligence will have in the future. Also showcased was “Chris” – a gadget from German Autolabs to serve as a digital co-driver.
Presenting were Paul Gray, Director Research and Analysis, Technology, Media & Telecom, IHS; and Daniel Mieves, Head of Marketing at German Autolabs.
Power briefing 11
Power briefing by Fitbit on their latest #Versa health & fitness smartwatch, which was launched in Europe today.
Presenting was Helen Reidy, Head of Product Marketing, EMEA, Fitbit.
Power briefing 12
Power briefing by GfK on how the Major Domestic Appliances market continues to show sustainable growth.
Presenting was Natalia Andrievskaya – Global Director, Major Domestic Appliances, GfK.
Power briefing 13
The final power briefing was by GfK on global growth trends in Small Domestic Appliances markets.
Presenting was Udo Jansen – Global Director, Small Domestic Appliances, GfK.
Tags: appliances, briefing, briefs, consumer, electronics, event forecast, events, exhibitions, Fitbit, German Autolabs, GfK, IFA, IFA GPC, IFA GPC 2018, IHS, Italy, KITCHENminis, Miele, Philips, Rome, TCL, travel, Versa, WMF