Are you ready to see the latest electronic gadgets, equipment, IoT, apps, vehicles, robotics, hardware and software that will be appearing in 2023 and beyond?
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will be showcasing all of these and more from startups and the leaders in the tech industry, as it returns to Las Vegas from January 5-8, 2023.
So last year was the first time the show returned as an in-person event from the pandemic, and with the unexpected nature of the virus came some changes.
It was mandatory for attendees & exhibitors to wear masks and provide proof of vaccination to attend the event last year, but not this year. Although, I believe that masks are recommended. CES also gave everyone a complimentary BINAX NOW Covid test kit when they picked up their badge, which I heard that they will be doing again.
Just weeks before CES was to start it was announced that the show would end one day earlier than originally scheduled. The four-day event was reduced down to a three-day event.
Many of the press conferences that were held on Media Day at the Mandalay Bay the day before the CES opened went virtual.
Companies such as Amazon, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Meta, T-Mobile, AT&T, Lenovo, IBM, AMD, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Procter & Gamble, and a few others had announced that they would not be attending. Even a lot of the International companies did not attend. In fact, so many that CES did not use the adjacent Westgate where most of the International booths are usually located.
Some companies even decided to forego a booth and opted for a suite space to control in-person contact. There were a few companies that kept their booth space, such as LG, and modified it to an open floor with only QR codes to view the products virtually. Due to these factors the floor space was a bit smaller. The South Hall with its two huge floors and Westgate were not utilized.
Some of these changes made navigating CES a little bit easier last year, since there were a little less people and smaller. This made my schedule much more manageable.
It appears that CES will almost be back to normal this year. Although taking on a bit of a hybrid experience and continuing with virtual options. It doesn’t look like the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center will be used again but the West Hall, the new expansion, will be utilized. Some International attendees will need to show proof of vaccination, depending on the country.
What technology can you expect to see coming from CES this year?
EV and autonomous vehicles. With fuel prices being a concern with many consumers EV vehicles will have a strong presence. Last year I did see a prototype of a flying vehicle and was able to get into it.
Expanding digital healthcare. This section of technology has grown rapidly, duly in part to the pandemic, bringing further innovations to remote healthcare connectivity.
Sustainability. Innovative products that conserve energy and further global sustainability by many of the biggest companies in the world.
Web3 and Metaverse. This will be the first time CES will have an area dedicated to the Metaverse on the show floor. This area will focus not only on the Metaverse, but Web3, Blockchain, and possiblyCryptocurrency. I hope to check this area out to get a better understanding of this technology. Last year CES had an area dedicated to NFTs and I am not sure if this will be part of this area.
Gadgets and products galore. From fitness to gaming and everything in between, there will be so many gadgets and accessories to check out.
I have some booth and suite appointments confirmed at CES, but will also be attending a few parties along with Pepcom and Showstoppers. So check our Twitter account, as I should have some very cool tech stuff to report on this week from CES.
Is there any emerging technology, device or products you are excited to see from CES? Comment on our Twitter account posts from our coverage at CES.
For more information on CES and the Consumer Electronics Show, visit www.ces.tech.