8 things we learned from day one of IFA

3 months ago

You see all kinds of things at technology conventions – ranging from creepy robots to overexcited tech company fans dressed head-to-toe in the brand, to of course, very cool products.

IFA in Berlin is no exception, and though the show hasn’t yet opened to the public, that doesn’t mean there aren’t already interesting sights to see.

1. There’s booths being built everywhere

One of the quirks about IFA is that all the main media activity takes place before the public even shows up. The doors for the public don’t open until Friday, but there are live events and press conferences on the two preceding days.

This means a lot of walking around what is essentially a building site, as workers scramble to make their company’s booth shinier, brighter, louder and all together more enticing than the ones either side of it. The experience then is thoroughly confusing, as each time you’re confronted with a hall full of scaffolding you assume its a dead end. Only its not, and your press conference is in the middle of it.

2. Queueing is inevitable

Like death and taxes, an inevitability of life if you go to a tech show is having to queue to get in somewhere. It might be to get into an event, on to a booth tour, hands-on with a new phone, or to get lunch. No matter what it is, you’ll have to queue and flash a badge to get it.

3. There’s a new selfie stick

Apparently the selfie stick isn’t technologically advanced enough, so Intel has suggested a potential upgrade. In demonstrating the power of their latest generation of Core processors, a “next-gen” selfie stick was introduced – made up of six GoPro cameras that were capturing a 360-degree view.

The point was that thanks to the processors all that video could be stitched together and streamed easily, but the evolution of the selfie is what stuck in the brain.

4. Intel had good reason to be excited

Intel were very excited this morning – they weren’t just announcing a new generation of processor chips, something they do most years – these were the best in some time. That was the message.

More than 200% better performance, 30 times better graphics and batteries that would last three times as long. And also the chance to make the slimmest laptops and tablets as powerful as bulky tower units of recent years.

For raw enthusiasm and strange props – including a “next-gen” selfie stick and a giant ball of wires – Intel scored a lot of points.

5. The Huawei rumours were correct

One of the pre-IFA rumours was that Chinese firm Huawei would announce a phone with a Force Touch feature. The idea being that they would beat Apple to the punch by almost a week, with the next iPhone expected to include the pressure sensor technology under its own screen.

Well, that’s exactly what happened, and the Mate S was unveiled.

The other big talking point of what was a very long event was the Huawei watch, which was confirmed as coming to the UK in October. With model and full-time pal of Taylor Swift, Karlie Kloss, in the model shots to launch the watch, this was as much about fashion as it was technology.

And given that the price has already been set at between 399 and 699 euro there is no doubt Huawei are going after the Apple Watch with this new wearable. It can also connect to both Android and iOS devices.

6. Sony have Apple in their sights

Sony too appeared to take aim at the iPhone 6 Plus by, for the first time, introducing their Xperia Z smartphone in a phablet size. The new Z5 Premium comes with a 5.5 inch screen, and not only that, it’s a full 4K display. It can even upscale HD content to 4K.

The Z5 also comes in the more traditional 5.2 inch screen size, as well as a smaller Compact model.

There were the new h.ear headphone range too – complete in an array of colours and with a new Walkman to go with them. Yes, Sony does still make them.

7. ASUS D-Link Ultra is… different

The unexpected talking point of day one, the D-Link Ultra, or RT-AC5300 to give it its official name is a new WiFi router that frankly needs to be seen to be believed.

You’re not the only one thinking it looks like a prop from Terminator.

8. The Moto 360 Collection is here

And then right at the end of the day, Motorola dropped one more big new wearable on us. The much expected sequel to the very good looking Moto 360 smartwatch was confirmed.

It’s called the Moto 360 Collection because consumers will be able to customise the look and design of the watch themselves, in the Moto Maker app. Tweak the bezels, colour and wrist band design to suit you.

There’s also a sport version that comes complete with a rubber wrist band and better GPS to track your exercise.

So what about availability? In the UK, you will be able to customise your own Moto 360 on Moto Maker at Motorola.co.uk from September. Prices will vary by design and range, but start £229. For now, the Moto 360 Sport is still just “coming soon”.