Technology in Corona times: New trade fair trends and highlights from IFA 2020

Technology is always advancing and the IFA 2020 trade fair also had to modernize itself in times of corona.

What can a modern trade fair in Germany look like against the background of the corona pandemic? This question was asked months ago at the International Radio Exhibition (IFA). The IFA, one of the oldest trade fairs in Germany and the most important trade fairs for consumer electronics worldwide, had to reinvent itself in a certain way.

That, as usual, trade audiences and private visitors stroll through the halls by the thousands, touching the latest smartphones and watching larger and larger televisions? Unthinkable in the Corona crisis. Instead, the focus this year was on a mixture of digital access and events for relatively few visitors on site. Nevertheless, there were of course numerous exciting announcements for technology fans at the fair. Here are some of the most promising news.

The smart future

As in previous years, there is a special trend that you can hardly avoid nowadays: almost everything is becoming smart – whether in the kitchen, living room or bedroom.

With the "CM6 MilkPerfection", the German manufacturer Miele has a fully automatic coffee machine in its range that is especially intended for lovers of milky coffee specialties. Double frothing should guarantee perfect milk froth for cappuccino and other variations. Thanks to app networking, it is also possible to determine remotely what the cleaning status is. And if you like to grab a fresh cup when you come home from work, for example, you can give the appropriate command on the way. Voice control via Amazon Alexa is also possible. With the "CookAssist" app, even beginners can achieve the desired roasting result for steak and co. With supported Miele hobs.

Among other things, Siemens relies on minimalist-futuristic design in the kitchen. The "glassdraftAir" desktop ventilator solution could come straight from the world of the sci-fi blockbuster "Tron: Legacy". This should particularly come into its own in open kitchens. At first glance, the "glassdraftAir" only consists of a glass panel that can be extended while cooking. Color accents on the edge of the panel create a good atmosphere and there should also be a powerful extraction rate. Of course, there is also app support here, as is the case with the new generation of Siemens dishwashers, which can also be networked and accelerate the washing process up to three times on command.

In addition to a whole range of new laptops and tablets, Lenovo also has the "Smart Clock Essential" in its range, which accepts voice commands via the Google Assistant. Thanks to its compact design, an application in the bedroom is particularly conceivable for the clever clock, which has a night light and a USB port to charge other devices.

Honor does not introduce new smartphones and focuses, among other things, on the introduction of an entire portfolio around its own smart ecosystem. For the time being, Honor Choice supports humidifiers, kettles, lamps, toothbrushes, vacuum cleaners and in-ear headphones.

Healthy through the crisis

Elsewhere, human health is also the focus. The South Korean tech giant LG Electronics announced the "PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier" at the fair. This is a mask that is equipped with two H13 HEPA filters and has fans that automatically regulate the flow to make it easier to breathe filtered air. According to the manufacturer, a battery charge should allow between two and eight hours of operation, depending on how it is used.

In general, so-called wearables, i.e. technologies that can be worn on the body, are still in vogue. The US company Fitbit, which specializes in smartwatches and activity trackers, has introduced the health smartwatch "Fitbit Sense". Among other things, the device can measure the wearer's heart rate and is designed to detect stress. A skin temperature sensor is also integrated.

A healthy sleep is severely disturbed by a partner's snoring. Philips wants to counteract restless nights with the "SmartSleep Snoring Relief Band". A sensor is built into a belt that is placed around the lower chest, which measures the sleeping position of the wearer. If the snore lies on his back while sleeping, slight vibrations are emitted so that the user lies on his side. This should be done so gently that the wearer does not wake up.

Entertainment and communication

Meanwhile, Samsung scores particularly well in the entertainment sector. "The Premiere", a new ultra-short-throw projector, creates a cinema atmosphere in your home. With an image size of up to 330cm (130 inches), the manufacturer promises a high-contrast and bright image in 4K resolution. And with "The Terrace" the home cinema comes into the garden too. With the 55-, 65- and 75-inch QLED 4K TVs, everything should be clearly visible even in the sunshine. Thanks to IP55 certification, the devices should also withstand the weather.

The new "Galaxy Z Fold2 5G" folding phone, also from Samsung, aims to set new standards. It has a larger front and main display, which when opened is as big as a small tablet, and should still be handy. For many users, however, the estimated price of 1,949 euros should be shocking.

Motorola, meanwhile, is betting on spreading the smartphone future at a significantly lower price. The "moto g 5G plus", which supports the new 5G cellular standard, is available from around 350 euros. The also new "motorola edge" costs a good 585 euros, but also scores with more elegance.

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