SXSW Interactive is an annual conference in Austin, Texas that focuses on technology, digital media, and related topics. The 2013 event saw over 30,000 attendees, up from 25,000 in 2012. Key themes included the emerging collaborative economy, smarter connected devices, grassroots innovation through 3D printing and crowdsourcing, the intersection of physical and digital experiences, wearable technology, online retail reshaping the in-store experience, and brands promoting their products. Notable demonstrations included gesture interfaces, NFC payments replacing QR codes, connected devices as part of the Internet of Things, Google Glass, life logging cameras, and branded activations from companies like AT&T, Samsung, Beats by Dre, Oreo and Gr