VR, smart living: The next big thing in technology

Global Sources deputy CEO Craig Pepples sat down with China Asia Daily at the Mobile Electronics show in Hong Kong to talk about the industry's fastest-growing categories and the role Global Sources is playing in promoting these products.

Mr. Pepples emphasized that the only thing constant in today's rapidly evolving business climate is the importance of technology. He identified VR and smart living as the segments that have the biggest potential for growth.

"We have great sensitivity to where the market is going. So, when we notice a new product that's beginning to get a lot of attention, we try to segment that product and provide more information about it," he said.

Talking about VR, he commented: "VR is at a very early stage... but you see a lot of interest and you can predict that in the future this will bring a lot of new product opportunities. And they will not only be the entertainment type. It will change education. It will change communication in a virtual presence. So, I think there will be a lot of products that we can't even imagine right now."

The Mobile Electronics show held a VR/AR/MR summit on Day 1 attended by industry giants, including Intel, Nvidia and AMD.

Mr. Pepples also highlighted the success of the Startup Launchpad, which he described the largest single concentration of hardware startups in Asia and a place where buyers can find new and innovative ideas.

"I think the startup space is very crowded, and there's a lot of excitement and a lot of energy... but what's special about what we're doing here is we're taking the startup companies and putting them together with the buying channel. There are also investors trying to look at them but there are many conferences around the region that deal with startup investment. But none that I know of focus on bringing the buyers and the distributors together with the startups and that's where the startups will benefit the most because they will hear buyer feedback, find out howthey need to adjust their products or check if there is really a possible market," he added.

Mr. Pepples related a success story where one participant from last year’s show was able to secure a position with the Apple store. He said that the Startup Launchpad provides unique opportunities for emerging companies to find market.

Watch the complete interview below.