CES 2015: What are the talking points?

An overview of some of the central themes emerging from this year's show

This week the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicked off in Las Vegas, and once more the big boys of the tech world flexed their muscles and tried to demonstrate that they have the leading edge.

With over 3,600 exhibitors across more than 2.2 million sq ft, the show is another colossus, but among the new gadgets and jargon what are the key messages which should be taken out of this year's CES?

Big Data
A central theme of this year's CES was big data, or moreover the big data generated by the Internt of Things (IoT) trend and how to best harness the data created by this rising sea of connected devices.

Sean DuBravac, chief economist of CES organiser, the US Consumer Electronics Association, told the BBC how the explosion of connected devices creates big data which will have a huge impact on vertical markets, such as the healthcare space.

He noted the example at last year's CES of the first digital toothbrush and explained how this connected device generates data which could then be shared with a dentist to aid them in their work before the patient even arrives.

"Internet of me", as DuBravac characterised it, is predicted to explode thanks to plummeting prices of sensors, which, he has written, can be bought for as little as $0.07.

3D Printing
Debate surrounding the substance and expected growth of the 3D printing market has been a recurring theme for the past 12 months or so. Last year Gartner predicted global shipments of 3D printers would reach 2.3 million by 2018, while CCS Insight expected this number to be as low as 850,000 units.

But at this year's CES, the world of 3D printing has made a big imprint, as the size of the 3D printing contingent has doubled, with 30 companies showcasing their latest developments in the field.

Karen Chupka, senior vice president, International CES said: "With huge advancements in digital technology, 3D printers are moving toward more compact units that are more suitable for consumers and capable of printing a variety of consumer goods, from toys and electronics to clothing, shoes and even food.

"The vast expansion of the 3D printing footprint at the 2015 CES speaks to the category's potential to become a major disruptor in the global economy, and confirms that CES is the platform to see the future of printing come to life," she added in the press statement.

Wearabales
Wearables played a front-and-centre role at CES, with fitness monitors from Polar and Mio, and vendors such as Alcatel OneTouch and HTC rolling out low-cost wristbands. But wearables at CES 2015 were not just about consumer smartwatches or fitness accessories.

Siemens showcased hearing aids which will allow you to hear in tricky environments, like noisy rooms. NeuroMetrix unveiled its Quell device, a wearable designed to help the body manage chronic pain, while the hereO watch provides a GPS chip which allows parents to monitor the location of their children.

All of these wearable developments will perhaps be overshadowed by the arrival of the Apple Watch, expected to be released in the spring.

Internet of Things - A connected home
CES was not just about technology that could be attached to bodies however, with the general trend of IoT once more providing a central focus for many of the corporate behemoths in attendance.

Samsung's president and chief executive Boo-Keun Yoon pledged $100m towards an open IoT system, and committed Samsung to be a 100 per cent IoT company by 2020.

He said: "The IoT is not a pipe dream any more; it's ready to go. That's because there are many consumer devices already out there, ready to connect to IoT."

During his keynote speech, Yoon emphasised the need for companies to "pull together" in order to "make true on the promise of the internet of things".

Samsung was not the only firm to make big announcements regarding IoT. Google's Nest also unveiled its own smart-home ecosystem, announcing 16 new partnerships, including LG and Philips, to its connected home system.

LG also outlined its commitment to IoT, with the vendor announcing a new Wi-Fi-enabled washing machine that allows its users to monitor the washing's progress on their smart phone.