UPDATED: VR at CES 2016.

The vendors have packed up but there was a lot of VR at CES 2016 – the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. In face we are gearing up for the 2017 event, January 5-8. With the rapid pace developments in virtual reality over the past year, it was no surprise to see a massive rollout of VR hardware. And CES 2016 saw a huge increase in both the number of sessions and exhibition space (more than 40 exhibitors) devoted to virtual reality.

The 2016 sessions cover storytelling, sports, education, games, practice uses and the future of VR. The session topics at CES 2016 are worth a glance as they remain a good guide what we will be seeing in virtual reality over the year. They reflect many of the virtual reality trends we were discussing in December 2015.

Here’s a short 360-video from CNET that gives you a sense of what the VR sessions were like on the exhibition floor. The focus here is not just on the VR at CES 2016 but the overall highlights.

 

VR at CES 2016 – Notable Sessions

Wednesday, January 6th

VR/AR THINK TANK: THE NEXT GENERATION

9 AM – 10 AM 
LVCC, North Hall, Room N262

From the cover of Time to breakout star of CES, VR/AR have arrived and are transforming everything from entertainment and advertising to gaming and education.  VR/AR are technologies that come along once a generation and capture the imagination of the world.

Moderator:
Robert Nashak, COO, Survios

Panelists:
Cliff Plumer, President, Jaunt Studios
Michael Kintner, CEO, 360Heros
Aaron Luber, Head of Content Partnerships, Google Cardboard
Myles McGovern, President, IM360
Steve Schklair, Founding Principal and CEO, 3ality & 3mersiv
Jez Jowett, Global Head of Creative Technology, Havas Media

FIVE PRACTICAL USES OF VIRTUAL REALITY

9 AM – 10 AM 
LVCC, North Hall, Room N253

VR at CES 2016 might seem inextricably linked to gaming, but the technology is seeing practical applications in education, healthcare, sports, retail and entertainment. Learn about real-world examples of how and where VR is being used to make a difference.

Speaker:
Jason Jerald, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant, NextGen

THE FUTURE OF WORK

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
ARIA, Level 1, Pinyon 6

The drive to innovate is extending into all parts of our lives.  However, with the exception of casual Fridays, work largely looks the same now as it did 25 years ago. Explore how new processes and structures are joining up with new technologies to shift work culture.

Speakers:
Zach James, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, ZEFR
Cecily Mak, General Counsel and Interim Chief Revenue Officer, Flipboard
Jacki Kelley, COO, Bloomberg Media, Bloomberg*
Nick Denton, Founder, Gawker Media

THE IMMERSIVE WORLD OF KIDS AND GAMES

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM 
LVCC, North Hall, Room N264

Technology and kids are the perfect fit.  From amazing apps and toys to education and games kids are living in a world of immersive technology.  From tablets to theme parks and virtual reality, the immersive world is upon us.

Moderator:
Brian Burke, CEO, Smashing Ideas

Panelists:
Sid Mathur, Sr. VP, Global Head of Strategic Development & Mergers and Acquisitions, Mattel, Inc.*
Ariella Lehrer, Ph.D., CEO and President, Legacy Interactive and Legacy Games
Lynn Rogoff, Founder and CEO, AMERIKIDS USA
Jason Yim, President and Executive Creative Director, Trigger

GAMING AND THE KILLER AR/VR APP

11:30 AM-12:30 PM 
LVCC, North Hall, Room N264

VR/AR have captured the gaming industry.  The buzz is all VR/AR all the time.  From the totally immersive environment of VR to the holographic realism of AR gaming in front of your eyes, these are transformative experiences.

Moderator:
Jason Jerald, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant, NextGen

Panelists:
Anthony Borquez, Founder and CEO, Grab
Amir Rubin, Founder and CEO, Sixense
David Votypka, Sr. Creative Director, Red Storm, a Ubisoft Studio
Emmanuel Marquez, CTO, Starbreeze Studios

WHAT’S NEXT FOR AUGMENTED REALITY

1 PM – 2 PM
LVCC, North Hall, Room N253

Augmented reality (AR) blends virtual content into the real world to create an immersive user experience and is being implemented by retail, business, enterprise, and auto companies. Hear from companies on AR’s leading edge as they take us behind the scenes for a look at current and future projects.

Speakers:
Neil Trevett, VP of Mobile Ecosystem, NVIDIA
Ralph Osterhout, CEO, Osterhout Design Group
Christopher Stapleton, VP and Co-Founder, Virtual World Society

VIRTUAL REALITY 1.GO

2:15 PM -3:15 PM
LVCC, North Hall, Room N261

There have been press, product demos, and big acquisitions around Virtual Reality.  But after years of hype, VR has finally hit the market.  Senior executives from the creative and hardware perspectives discuss the initial consumer launch window for VR, and the business’ future.

Speakers:
Ted Schilowitz, Futurist , 20th Century Fox
Samir Mallal, Director, Spoke
Matt Apfel, VP, Strategy and Creative Content, Samsung
Oren Rosenbaum, Digital Media Agent, UTA
Eric W. Shamlin, Managing Director and Executive Producer, Secret Location
Cliff Plumer, President, Jaunt Studios

VIRTUAL REALITY: HOLLYWOOD DOES CUTTING EDGE

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
LVCC, North Hall, Room N262

Hollywood Studios and TV Networks are already exploring VR or planning on creating Virtual Reality studios. Whether it’s making trailers for major films, producing advertising, games or creating newly imagined VR experiences for theme parks, it’s happening now.

Speaker:
Ted Schilowitz, Futurist , 20th Century Fox
Andy Cochrane, Director, Interactive and New Media & Special Projects Lead, Mirada
Peter Levin, President, Lionsgate Interactive Ventures and Games
Guy Primus, Co-Founder and CEO, The VR Company
Lucas Foster, Co-Founder, Headcase VR

 

Thursday, January 7th 

VR: A CREATIVE PLATFORM FOR STORYTELLING

9 AM – 10 AM
LVCC, North Hall, Room N253

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™ and National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) recently conducted interviews with content creators who are exploring and experimenting with Virtual Reality as a creative platform. The results feature an understanding of how the creative community, including Hollywood, is approaching this new medium today and what they envision in the future.

Speakers: 

Eric W. Shamlin, Managing Director and Executive Producer, Secret Location
Steve Koenig, Director of Industry Analysis, Consumer Technology Association
Todd Lubin, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Matador
Rebecca Howard, Former GM of Video, The New York Times
Samir Mallal, Director, Spoke
Rod Perth, President and CEO, National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE)
Sean Will, VP, Director of Digital Production, Arnold Worldwide

The Commissioners Panel on Sports and Technology

9 AM – 9:40 AM
Venetian, Level 2, Hall D

Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, and Rob Manfred, commissioner of Major League Baseball, will discuss ways that technology is driving an ever-changing landscape of sport and how their respective leagues are taking advantage of the inherent brand and business-building opportunities

Moderator: 
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Studio Host, Turner Sports

Speakers:
Robert Manfred, Commissioner, Major League Baseball
Adam Silver, Commissioner, National Basketball Association

 

RUNNING THROUGH VIRTUAL REALITY

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Venetian, Level 4, Marcello 4404

The next level of virtual reality is moving freely and naturally in your favorite game. Integrating MEMS and sensors in VR platforms helps to create an unprecedented sense of immersion that will take the experience to a new level.

Speaker:
David Allan, President, Virtuix Inc.

STEPPING INTO THE SCREEN: THE VIRTUES OF VIRTUAL

10:15 AM -11:15 AM
ARIA, Level 1, Pinyon 6

As the latest VR and AR technologies develop, marketers seek to understand how to use these new “realities” to best effect those already employing AR at point of sale.  Exploring areas from media experiences to gaming and visual search, MediaLink will convene leaders in virtual and augmented reality in this groundbreaking session.

Moderator:
Peter Kafka, Sr. Editor, Re/code
Panelists:
Mark Thompson, President and CEO, The New York Times
Aaron Luber, Head of Content Partnerships, Google Cardboard
Ted Schilowitz, Futurist , 20th Century Fox
Andy Hobsbawm, Founder and CMO, EVRYTHING
Peter Naylor, SVP, Ad Sales, Hulu
Wenda H. Millard, President and COO, MediaLink

THE FUTURE OF SPORTS CONTENT

10:40 AM – 11:20 AM
Venetian, Level 2, Hall D

With the continued growth of rights fees for live sports programming, league and media industry executives will discuss the evolution of television viewing and future of digital and mobile video platforms.

THE BUSINESS OF VIRTUAL REALITY

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
LVCC, North Hall, Room N256

Virtual reality is being used to promote major motion pictures, innovative advertising and a host of new applications. What content is credible now? What business models are likely to provide profits? Join us as we explore the realities of virtual reality.

Speakers:
Roy Taylor, Corporate VP, Content and Alliances, AMD
Amir Rubin, Founder and CEO, Sixense
Guido Voltolina, Head of Presence Capture OZO, Nokia Technologies

OCULUS RIFT: THE FAMILY FRIEND

12 PM – 12:30 PM
Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4301

Mary Lou Jepsen was the head of Google X’s display division. She left to head up the Oculus VR effort (now part of Facebook). Inspiring and fascinating, Jepsen walks us through her vision of family screen time.

Speaker:
MaryLou Jepsen, Head of Display Technology, Oculus

 

VIRTUAL REALITY: THE NEXT PLAYING FIELD

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Venetian, Level 4, Marcello 4501

STRIVR’s unprecedented virtual reality tool is changing game day preparation for NFL franchises (Cowboys, 49ers, Patriots) to collegiate football programs. Originating in Stanford’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab, participants will discuss Stanford Football’s early adoption and this technology’s future implications.

Speaker:
Derek Belch, CEO, STRIVR Labs, Inc

THE FUTURE OF STORYTELLING

4:20 PM – 5:05 PM
LVCC, North Hall, Room N258

Technology has unleashed astounding storytelling capabilities. But audiences demand constant surprises and wow factor.  Top creative minds share how they are working to keep audiences on their toes with advancements in animation, virtual reality, interactive storytelling and more.

Speakers:
Spencer Stephens, CTO, Sony Pictures Television
Ben Smith, Head of Experience, Hulu
Joy Marcus, EVP and GM, Digital Video, Condé Nast Entertainment
John Frelinghuysen, EVP, Digital Media, Strategy and Business Development, ABC Television Group
Daniel Habashi, Head of Brand Development, Instagram
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, COO and General Counsel, SAG-AFTRA

 

Friday, January 8th 

ROBERT SCOBLE PRESENTS: OUR CONNECTED FUTURE

1:30 PM – 2 PM 
Sands, Level 1, Rooms 405-407

APPNATION is thrilled to welcome back one of Silicon Valley’s leading emerging technology experts, Robert Scoble, who will share a new presentation that takes a peek into our connected future and the exploding Internet of Things market.

Speaker:
Robert Scoble, Futurist, Rackspace

DIGITAL CENTURY. DIGITAL LEARNING

4 PM – 4:30 PM 
Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4301

Virtual reality? Check. Artificial intelligence? Check. Robot tutors? It’s coming. Experience a cutting-edge demonstration of the how high-tech toys and even gaming technologies are changing the student and teacher experience.

Moderator:
Jason Engerman, Ph.D. Candidate in Learning, Design and Technology, Penn State University

Speaker:
Dan White, CEO, Filament Games
Steve Carlin, VP of Marketing & Business Development for the Americas, Aldebaran, a SoftBank Robotics holding company
Hall Davidson, Sr. Director, Global Learning Initiatives, Discovery Education
Arvid Kappas, Professor of Psychology and Dean , Jacobs University Bremen
Drew Minock, 4D Education Evangelist, Daqri