From smartphones to smart TVs, from connected homes to connected cars, these are the shows and showcases around the globe that are going to have the biggest impact on the future of our technological lives.
2014 International CES
January 7-10
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
For a while it looked like it was slowly dying as an event — after all Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon will not be present — but the 2014 show does see the welcome return of Microsoft. The Windows and Surface tablet maker will be joined by a host of other leading tech manufacturers, from Samsung to Sony and huge TVs and wearable technology are expected to be high up on the agenda.
http://www.cesweb.org/Home.aspx
Wearable Technologies Conference 2014 Europe
January 27-28
Munich, Germany
In years gone by, shows like this could have slipped under the mainstream tech radar but, thanks to Google Glass and persistent rumors surrounding an Apple ‘iWatch’, the Wearable Technologies Conference could be one of the key events of 2014. It promises to be a showcase for cutting-edge wearable tech innovation, particularly in the areas of health, wellness, fitness, fashion and security. And there will also be sessions dedicated to the future of the smartwatch and smart glasses.
Connected World Conference
February 6-17
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Just as the International CES is expanding to include the latest automotive technological breakthroughs, this event has sprung up and will run alongside the 2014 Chicago auto show in order to more fully examine the internet of things and how it will come to manage not just cars, but everything from household items to areas of road infrastructure.
http://www.cvent.com/events/connected-world-conference/event-summary-ad967ffc183949df886994b3ab7eeef7.aspx
Mobile World Congress
February 24-27
Barcelona, Spain
The annual gathering of smartphone and tablet manufacturers, network operators and connected device innovators, the show has lost a little of its gleam in recent years as Samsung and Google have chosen to steer clear or keep attendance discreet, but nevertheless it is still one of the key dates on the calendar for everyone who’s anyone in the world of mobile communication.
http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/
CeBIT 2014
March 10-14
Hanover, Germany
One of several large-scale consumer electronics trade shows, exhibitions and conferences that claims to be the world’s largest, CeBIT differs from some of its peers, such as the International CES, by partnering with a different country each year in order to promote its IT offerings. For 2014, the country of choice is the UK and Northern Ireland.
http://www.cebit.de/home
Macworld/iWorld 2014
March 27-29
San Francisco, California, USA
The fact that Apple itself hasn’t attended the conference for a number of years hasn’t deterred thousands of iDevice obsessives from making the yearly pilgrimage to California to celebrate all things Apple. And although Apple won’t have a physical presence at the event, it will make sure that some new technology is showcased there as a way of saying thank you to its ever-loyal and ever-growing legion of fans.
http://www.macworldiworld.com/
Bluetooth World
April 8-9
San Jose, California, USA
Not exactly a title or subject to get the average consumer excited but the fact is that the little, short-range wireless technology has never been so critical. Bluetooth is how smartwatches, smart glasses and smart homes are going to connect with our phones, phablets and tablets; not to mention the growing choice of fitness and activity trackers and next-generation healthcare devices.
http://bluetoothworldevent.com/
Microsoft BUILD
April (TBC)
California, USA
The company’s annual developers’ conference, it is where Microsoft releases updated software and offers a hands-on glimpse of new hardware. The company is yet to confirm that this year’s event will be taking place in April, however, recent accidental postings to the Microsoft website suggest that the event will be held in the spring, rather than in the summer, like it was in 2013.
http://www.buildwindows.com/
Google I/O
May (TBC)
California, US
Google’s I/O conference, the date of which is yet to be confirmed, will give us all some idea of what the world’s biggest search engine and smartphone operating system provider has up its sleeve. Will it be a consumer version of Google Glass, a smartwatch, a smarthome or something simple like a new app? We’ll have to wait and see.
http://googleblog.blogspot.fr/
Computex Taipei
June 3-7
Taipei, Taiwan
This was one of the standout tech events of 2013. It’s where Intel chose to debut its latest processors and where everyone from Toshiba to Sony decided to unveil computer after computer. Expect more of the same this year, especially 7-inch and 8-inch Windows tablets and ever-more-unusual all in one desktops and convertible notebook computers.
http://www.computextaipei.com.tw
Apple WWDC
June (TBC)
California, US
Just like Microsoft, Apple hosts an annual developers’ conference and it’s usually where at least one new product or service will be officially unveiled. Last year it was where the public got their first glance of the Mac Pro and their first taste of iTunes Radio. Will this year see the unveiling of an Apple television or smartwatch? No one knows. We’re not even certain when the event itself will be taking place. Apple won’t be making an announcement until a month before it’s scheduled to start. Last year, it was in June. This year it could be in June, or it could just as easily be in March or April.
http://www.apple.com/
IFA
September 5-10
Berlin, Germany
The show is to Europe what the International CES is to the US and last year was where Samsung decided to unveil its latest phablet and first attempt at a smartwatch. Expect more significant launches at this year’s event as it is perfectly timed for stoking consumers’ desires ahead of the holiday season.
http://b2b.ifa-berlin.com/en/ABOUTIFA/
Photokina
September 16-21
Cologne, Germany
The world’s largest photography and imaging event, it is only held once every two years. Expect everything from the latest professional broadcast quality 4K video cameras to the next big thing in smartphone cameras and everything in-between.
http://www.photokina.com/en/photokina/home/index.php
CEATEC Japan
October 7 (TBC)
Tokyo, Japan
Still a huge event despite the fact that modern technology is moving away from physical products and towards software and services, CEATEC is where consumer goods and car manufacturers share the stage to showcase their latest wares. Expect a huge focus on autonomous vehicles.
-Yahoo
