Following a buzzing start to the 2017 Fall Global Sources trade show series, Phase two of the show, comprising the Mobile Electronics and the Gifts & Home, will be held from Oct 18 to 21 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong.

As the second phase of the world's largest electronics sourcing show - Global Sources Electronics - the Mobile Electronics segment will showcase the latest smartphones, tablets, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices, wearables and mobile accessories.

In the meantime, the Gifts & Home show will cover the most creative gifts, premiums and home products from China and across Asia.

Featuring 2,800 booths, this fall's Mobile Electronics show will be the largest ever, with Asia's largest AR/VR event, summit and experience zone to give attendees the latest insights into the market trend.

It will be Asia's largest AR/VR event, according to Global Sources.

Speakers from heavyweight industry players, including Microsoft, Intel, HTC Vive, AMD, EmdoorVR, Qualcomm, 0glass and iQIYI.com, will convene at the third VR/AR/MR (mixed reality) Ecosystem Summit on Oct 18 and 19 to give their views on the latest developments in the industry.

The summit and exhibits will be complemented by an Experience Zone powered by HTC Vive, in which attendees can see their latest VR hardware and contents, and will also have a first-hand experience of the new applications on sports and entertainment.

Innovations on smartphones will be another highlight of the show. Facial recognition and high dynamic range (HDR) are leading the trend in the smartphone market this year, according to Global Sources.

The introduction of fingerprint scanners on smartphones has been proven as an effective way to secure the information stored in the device, but now phone makers are devising new ways to create even better solutions.

One of these is facial recognition on smartphones. While Android had implemented such a feature many years ago, it has been a puzzle for firms as to how to make it less vulnerable to tricks, such as placing a picture of the device's owner.

Tech giant Microsoft came up with "Windows Hello", which was implemented on select Windows 10 laptops, and has since been implemented on their smartphones like the Lumia 950 and 950XL.

The technology requires infrared illumination and biometric authentication, preventing the system from being fooled. Samsung and Apple also came up with its own facial recognition in their own smartphones soon after.

The camera on smartphones has set an irresistible trend with the increasing application of HDR technology these days.

A higher dynamic range basically produces more realistic-looking images, compared to the usual point-and-shoot camera smartphone. Companies, including Samsung, LG, and Sony, have been adding this feature in their higher-end handsets.

Charging products and power back up devices, including power banks, charger and jump starters, will make a bountiful appearance on the exhibition. The industry has adopted multiple quick charging solutions to be able to charge not only small-sized mobile devices, but also personal computers and Apple's Macbook computers.

Apart from the latest developments in the smartphone category, wearables are embracing new changes as new functions enhance the devices and categories become more specified.

For instance, smart watches or bracelets are now classified into different types for segment markets, such as kids' smart watches focusing on anti-lost and GPS position functions, and regular wearable bracelets focusing on health and medical purposes.

Wearables for the younger market are starting to feature thinner and fancy designs, while models for outdoor activities are placing greater emphasis on functions such as long-lasting working, anti-dropping, waterproofing, tracing and location precision and accuracy.

Attendees at the show will be able to get hands-on experience with the latest technologies at the new Launch Zone showcasing cutting-edge electronics products from selective exhibitors. It will be complemented by a Product Gallery and an Experience Zone for fuller experience.

Startup Launchpad will continue to run at the Mobile Electronics show as Asia's largest consumer electronics startup event, with 240 booths featuring new products in categories like smart home, sports tech, drones, STEAM products and other internet-of-things devices.

The Launchpad event will also include conference programs covering investment and fundraising, product design and development, manufacturing and distribution, as well as other topics essential for the further growth of startup companies.

Gifts & Home show

Technology will also be a key element at the 2017 fall Gifts & Home show, which runs concurrently to showcase creative, curated and innovative products in the categories.

According to Global Sources, recent years have seen an increase in intelligent features being incorporated by leading home appliance brands in their latest releases.

Manufacturers are taking advantage of technological developments by launching Internet-connected units that can be controlled using smartphone apps. These models can operate on a preset time and respond to voice prompts.

Some kitchen appliances, for instance, can even suggest menu and even prepare meals. Japan tech giant Panasonic has introduced a mini refrigerator that can bring food when summoned and a washer or dryer that folds clothes, but the technology is still in the prototype stage.

Gifts, on the other hand, are shifting to digital toys. Several leading brands, including industry heavyweights Mattel and Lego, are incorporating digital functions in traditional toys.

Lego, for instance, has launched the Lego Boost, which teaches children about coding, while Mattel, the firm behind iconic toys Barbie and Hot Wheels, is integrating internet-connected functions as well.

Drones are another popular gift segment. High definition cameras are now controlled via mobile phone apps or even smart watches, while we see an increasing amount of foldable, DIY and air bag protected drones. Some new models come in mini sizes, and some have gravity control mode and out of range alarm.

The Global Sources 2017 fall Gifts & Home show will feature a new 2017 Cool Design Awards and Cool Design Gallery to showcase gifts and home products with the most innovative designs, while a Creative Product Demo Zone will invite social media influencers to host live demos of innovative sports and outdoor products and smart gadgets.

The Global Sources fall shows this year will run for three weeks - from Oct 11 to 30 - with 9,000 booths from around the world.

A buyer tries out a set of VR gear at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. The Mobile Electronics segment of the 2017 fall Global Sources brings the latest technologies to the city starting from Oct 18. Provided To China Daily

(HK Edition 10/12/2017 page1)