CES 2017 takeaways: A big year for AI assistants and connected devices. And a new push for IoT security

If the Consumer Electronics Show that ended a few days ago in Las Vegas is any indication for this year’s technology trends, Internet connectivity is becoming the norm for electronic devices, and Artificial Intelligence is making its way into all aspects of our lives, at home and on the road. The Internet of Things is growing, and so does the need for effective smart home security.

The ubiquitous Alexa

Some observers have noted that AI assistants like Alexa are now powering numerous devices used in homes and in cars. Alexa faces some tough competition from other assistants, most notably Google Assistant and Microsoft’s Cortana. But Android Authority has declared Amazon’s product the “quiet star of CES” seeing how major brands like LG, Whirlpool, Belkin or Lenovo are using Alexa in their hardware.

It’s not necessarily about new products, since Amazon Echo or VR headsets are nothing new this year. As Forbes points out, it’s all about how this technology evolves — how it learns and communicates.

Increasing awareness of self-driving and electric cars

There is a lot of hipe around smart cars — cars that are connected, that can take you places without the need of a driver, and that ideally run on batteries. Actually, with all the attention they are getting, you would expect to see more of them on the roads, but we aren’t there yet. What we can see, though, is a major shift in the public’s expectations of the auto industry. Judging by what we could see at CES 2017, the car of the future is closer than ever.

You can read a CES 2017 car news round-up from Auto Express, including the AI car from Audi and NVIDIA, the Chrysler Portal concept, Eli ZERO, Faraday Future FF 91, Ford’s electric vehicles and more.

VR: cheaper headsets, better apps

VR was certainly a buzzword in 2016 and clearly we are going to see a lot of new virtual reality hardware and software this year.

Lots of new VR products featured this year at CES, and although quality headsets are still expensive, prices are expected to come down a bit in 2017. Also, some experts say VR apps and content are getting better.

IoT security becomes crucial

Most of the items presented at CES 2017 can be considered smart devices — from connected umbrellas and hairbrushes to earbuds that automatically translate foreign languages. But many connected gadgets and appliances are vulnerable to hackers, which is why comprehensive smart home security solutions like Bitdefender BOX are becoming essential. At CES 2017 Bitdefender offered an exclusive preview of the next generation BOX, to be launched later this year. BOX 2 will include advanced machine learning and intrusion prevention systems to pick up new threats and unsafe behavior.