IFA and Apple I/O

This article was written by Steve Diacono, intern at Calamatta Cuschieri

IFA in Berlin is an annual, global, trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances. With companies that attend from over 100 different countries, the 2015 edition has just come to a close, with the tech industry now buzzing over new products. To help guide you, here is a summary of what actually matters and what stuck out.

Getting right into it, Intel have announced their brand new 6th Gen core processor, codenamed Skylake; which enables manufacturers to create slimmer computers that require little to no cooling, essentially downsizing a pc to tablet size. This new processor could deliver two and a half times better speed and three times the battery life, while offering thirty times enhanced graphics over the average five-year-old PC; although it will be around 6 months till anyone sees this product being introduced to laptops and tablets, one thing is for sure, and that is the idea of how a tablet performs is about to be changed forever.

Lenovo has essentially created what many are calling a Microsoft Surface clone, through its Ideapad Miix 700. From the kickstand, to its magnetically, attachable keyboard, that comes with the device, it is clear that Lenovo is attempting to outshine the latest Microsoft Surface 3 just in time for the new scholastic season.

Huawei exploded in the media recently for being the first to implement force touch into its latest Mate S device, thereby beating Apple to the punch. The company is clearly showing some muscle, further proving its attempts to expand towards western markets. Adding to this, the company has also launched a brand new line of luxury smartwatches that even though come with a premium price tag, have been praised for being the closest thing to a watch in the industry, so far.

The much anticipated Samsung gear S2 has been officially launched to great feedback, having been dubbed the world’s most attractive yet affordable smartwatch. With a brand new interface system, the longest battery life on the market, and a brand new design, many are wondering how this new device will perform against the Apple Watch line up.

To the surprise of many, Marshall has decided to step into the mobile tech industry, with the introduction of the London Smartphone. Even though the device in terms of specs is nothing to write home about, in terms of design and sheer style it is truly unique in its own rights, adding something new in a market where most go for the safe and mundane.

Interestingly enough, throughout the event thus far, most vendors seem to indirectly be attacking Apple; however whether the tech giant should be worried or not is a subject for a completely different article. What I do find interesting however is Apple’s choice of timing for its latest I/O, that being the same day IFA ends (9th September).

Having watched the Apple I/O myself last night it would seem to be that Apple has indeed attempted at making its own mark on what is now becoming the pro tablet market, with its latest IPad pro line up. Whether this will be a success story remains to be seen, however one thing is for sure; the tablet as we once knew it, in terms of what it can do has changed for the better.

Good day and happy trading!