China Sourcing Fair: Electronics & Components illustrated how continuous advancements in wireless technology are bringing the future in connectivity today.

For one, the exhibition floor was lined with examples of how the optimized versions of wireless “favorites” USB and Bluetooth are entering the mainstream. Suppliers showcased USB 3.0 and Bluetooth 4.0 capability not only among components, mainly connectors and cables, but also in application devices such as USB drives and dongles, and Bluetooth headsets, head- and earphones, speakers and receivers.

Wi-Fi, found in close to every gadget imaginable, is expanding even further by tapping into application fields such as security, medical equipment and car electronics. Products at the show riding this wireless trend include wireless IP cameras, monitoring systems and car keys.

Suppliers are likewise exploring expansion possibilities for NFC, and Bluetooth speakers are a good candidate. NFC adoption is already growing among various smartphones.

Smart watches were at the forefront of the fair’s wearable technology selection as China suppliers step up to the manufacturing plate for the line while Apple iWatch rumors continue to swirl. Many models featured image and video recording, and music playing capability, night vision and even smartphone compatibility.

Other examples of fashion electronics include Bluetooth gloves and bracelets, spy hats, and MP3 and camera sunglasses. Suppliers are also planning to launch application-specific wearable gadgets for outdoor activities such as jogging, climbing and camping.

The smart section was another exhibition hot spot as suppliers put out intelligent TV boxes and routers. Some even displayed prototypes of their Chromecast-like gadgets.

Expecting intelligent technologies to thrive in automotive electronics, manufacturers are ramping up R&D for car black boxes and in-dash car PCs, the industry’s rising stars. Suppliers also foresee further growth in car DVRs and parking systems, and tire pressure monitoring systems.

Smart technology is also revolutionizing manufacturing in the form of 3D printing, of which China is an early adopter. The national government invested in 3D printing as early as 20 years ago and China now has four major research centers looking to bring the technology into the mainstream.

The race toward razor-sharp images continues, with high-definition technology carrying through to electronic components and accessories such as HDMI 2.0 cables and connectors, a selection of which lined the exhibition halls.

A growing number of mobile phones and tablet PCs are similarly targeting crystal-clear images by using HD displays.

TV suppliers, meanwhile, have gone up a rung by adopting ultrahigh-definition technology, also known as 4K for its 4,000-pixel horizontal resolution. UHD TVs have been getting a lot of hype since early-2013 with the release of models as big as 110 or 152in. Such models carry a similarly hefty price tag, going for as much as $300,000 or even $1 million in the end-market.

Faced with the proliferation of do-all consumer electronics, including "dinosaur" tabletop tablet PCs, more suppliers are developing application-specific gadgets to cultivate several lucrative niche markets.

For tablet PC makers, this means designing models with the particular needs of children, online gamers, teachers and tutors, and even couch potatoes in mind.

Niche production does not end with tablet PCs, however. Mobile phone suppliers are taking the same route, releasing ruggedized handsets that withstand extreme conditions and models for the elderly.

Stand-alone devices, meanwhile, are expanding features-wise as makers look to broaden their market reach.

Power banks, for example, double as wireless Wi-Fi or 3G routers. Walkie-talkies and two-way radios have a temperature or compass feature and even allow cloud surveillance.

Domestic providers of chipsets are gaining a significant share of the industry whereas in the past, nearly all solutions used in China-made finished electronics were imported. At the fair, major vendors such as Actions Semiconductor, Allwinner Technologies and Rockship displayed their latest chipsets and showed why they have gained the lion's share of the Android-based platform in China.

Suppliers also promoted electronic devices adopting solutions from Allwinner Technologies and Rockship Technologies, which are leading domestic providers as well.

Needless to say, foreign vendors such as Amlogic and Intel had a presence at the show as well. In Intel’s case, several suppliers showcased products adopting solutions from the Santa Clara, California-based corporation.