What do 3D printers, drones, driverless cars and fitness trackers have in common? For one thing, all of these technologies are front and center here at this year's CES. But perhaps more important, these cool tech gadgets are finally growing up, said Shawn DuBravac, chief economist for the Consumer Technology Association.
In a talk here today (Jan. 5), DuBravac told a packed house about what he sees as the defining trends of CES 2016. Among them is something that he called the "maturing of nascent ecosystems." In other words, all of the cutting-edge gadgetry from past shows — like the 3D printers that churned out plastic bobble heads in 2014 and the fitness wearables that ceaselessly measured heart rate or body temperature at last year's show — these devices are growing up, or finding their place in the real world.
"I see a change in the dialogue around CES in just the last 12 to 18 months," DuBravac said. "We're talking increasingly about what's technologically meaningful compared to what's technologically possible." [9 Totally Cool Uses for Drones]
