CES 2024 is just around the corner, poised to unveil the latest and most innovative advancements in the world of technology. As the most significant event on the tech calendar, CES 2024, held in the vibrant city of Las Vegas, promises an exciting array of new products, cutting-edge innovations, and insightful presentations from tech giants.
What is CES 2024?
CES 2024, for those who may not be familiar, stands for the Consumer Electronics Show. This event lives up to its name as an immense gathering in Las Vegas, primarily showcasing technological products designed for the general public. For example, CES 2023 was notable for several groundbreaking releases, such as a gadget that transformed Apple devices into advanced camera monitors, a gaming controller designed with accessibility in mind, and augmented reality glasses.
There’s no better way to ring in the new year than being ALL ON for #CES2024! Don’t miss your chance to hear from nearly 1000 speakers and 250+ conference sessions. Register before it’s too late. https://t.co/aAa24g3ltf pic.twitter.com/8nDGHR1B0Q
— CES (@CES) January 3, 2024
This convention attracts thousands of exhibitors, features significant product launches, and includes presentations from some of the most prominent figures in the technology industry. To put it succinctly, it’s arguably the most significant event in the world of technology.
When is CES 2024?
The 2024 iteration of this influential tech event is slated for January 9th to 12th. Additionally, there are several media-exclusive happenings in the days leading up to the main event. The full agenda is available on the official CES website.
What to expect at CES 2024?
There’s no other event throughout the year that generates as much buzz in the tech world as CES. This annual exposition marks the beginning of the tech calendar, offering companies an opportunity to unveil their latest product innovations or hint at the groundbreaking, occasionally unconventional projects they’ve been developing in secret. As we compile the circulating rumors, let’s dive into what CES 2024 might have in store for us.
The year of AI
CES 2024, recognized as the largest consumer tech conference annually, is not just about robots traversing the exhibition floor or high-profile showcases by major tech corporations. It’s also a hub for strategic deal-making among executives, manufacturers, and retailers from diverse sectors. This event often sets the tone for the year’s top tech trends, highlighting how companies plan to engage in these evolving conversations.
A critical question this year might be: what aspect of technology will AI not influence? With ChatGPT igniting a global fervor over the past year, businesses are eagerly jumping on the AI bandwagon, albeit sometimes without a clear direction. Expectations are high for AI integrations in various products, from chips and cards by giants like Intel and Nvidia to everyday consumer devices.
Smartphones
Regarding smartphone news, the period from October to mid-January often feels like a lull, similar to the baseball All-Star break. It’s a time when the activity is subdued, awaiting more significant developments. This year, Samsung’s Unpacked event is scheduled shortly after CES, on January 17th, with Mobile World Congress to follow in late February. This scheduling suggests a relatively quiet CES for mobile news.
However, CES 2024 might still offer some smartphone surprises. The first models equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor are already emerging, and we might catch a glimpse of additional devices in Las Vegas. Qualcomm’s latest flagship chipset, which heavily incorporates generative AI, is expected to be a key theme this year. And there’s always a possibility of encountering some innovative flexible screen concepts, perhaps from a company like TCL.
Notebooks
Intel’s recent introduction of the new Meteor Lake family of chips signals an influx of laptops at CES 2024 sporting these updated processors. However, merely upgrading processor specs might not be enough to stand out at the world’s largest consumer electronics show.
CES is the platform where laptop manufacturers showcase their most innovative designs and experimental creations. We’re likely to witness a few unconventional devices that challenge and redefine the traditional laptop design. Additionally, there’s a growing trend towards larger laptops. With Apple’s recent adoption of 14- and 16-inch displays, it won’t be surprising to see other brands also gravitating towards these larger sizes, potentially shifting the norm away from the traditional 13- and 15-inch models.
TVs
CES is, at its core, a showcase for the latest in television technology. However, this year might be more about iterative advancements rather than groundbreaking changes in TV hardware. Last year marked significant improvements in OLED TV brightness, making them more suitable for various lighting conditions, and Mini LED became a standard feature in mid- to high-end LCD TVs, all at more accessible price points.
For 2024, companies like LG have already revealed their lineup without major panel upgrades. The focus seems to be shifting towards AI processing. TV manufacturers have been utilizing AI and machine learning for picture and sound optimization for a few years, but at CES 2024, they’re doubling down on this technology. This trend aligns with the growing prominence of large language models like ChatGPT, Bard, and others. AI in home theaters is being used to automatically adjust settings for enhanced depth and clarity in content. While some purists may choose to turn off these AI features, their influence in the TV industry is becoming increasingly significant.
Wearables
In recent CES events, smartwatches have been less prominent, and this trend is expected to continue. For instance, Fossil, a regular participant with its array of Android watches, won’t be attending this year. However, CES is known for highlighting more unconventional wearable technologies, so we might witness some unique wearable innovations.
Gaming hardware
CES often serves as a prelude to major PC gaming announcements, traditionally reserved for Computex in the summer. This year, CES 2024 is anticipated to be quite eventful for gaming enthusiasts. We’re expecting Nvidia to unveil its first RTX 40-series Super cards, the first of their kind since the RTX 20-series. Additionally, there are rumors about AMD launching its RX 7600 XT GPU later this month, possibly after CES 2024.
A significant focus will likely be on the latest OLED monitors for PC gaming. Last year, CES introduced the first batch of 240Hz OLED monitors. This year, we expect an expansion in variety and size, along with enhanced refresh rates. LG has pre-announced several new OLED gaming monitors, including one boasting a 480Hz refresh rate at 1080p or 240Hz at 4K resolution.
LG Display is also planning to release a 27-inch OLED capable of up to 480Hz at 1440p later in the year. Samsung is joining the fray with its new Odyssey OLED gaming monitors, offering refresh rates of up to 360Hz.
Furthermore, the handheld gaming PC market might see new entries. Asus and Lenovo have already introduced alternatives to Valve’s Steam Deck, alongside other Windows-powered options. MSI has hinted at launching a competitor in the ROG Ally and Steam Deck market. It would be surprising if CES 2024 concluded without the introduction of another handheld gaming PC.
Smart home appliances
The smart home sector at CES 2024 is expected to be heavily influenced by artificial intelligence. Samsung, leading the charge with its press conference “AI for All: Connectivity in the Age of AI,” has already announced AI-integrated smart cooktops, vacuums, and refrigerators, hinting at further advancements. LG is set to showcase its AI-powered home robot designed to understand context and intentions, and actively engage with users.
Smart cars
CES has emerged as a significant platform for automotive revelations, overshadowing traditional auto shows. While innovators like Tesla and Rivian are typically absent, almost every mainstream automobile brand is expected to be present. The event might see fewer vehicle launches than in previous years, but several automakers will reveal concept cars, highlighting their visions for an electric future. In-cabin technology innovations will be a primary focus.
Honda is anticipated to reveal new details about its global EV series of electric vehicles, displaying several models and technologies in preparation for its plan to launch 30 new EV models by 2030. Discussions around vehicle connectivity, autonomous driving features, and sustainable mobility are also expected.
Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 7, although not a headline-grabber, will be a pervasive presence across CES 2024. This next-generation wireless standard, still under development, promises substantial improvements over Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, including doubled bandwidth and speeds up to 46 Gbps, better range, and reduced latency. It’s particularly well-suited for bandwidth-intensive tasks like augmented/virtual reality, gaming, and high-definition video streaming, and manufacturers are already incorporating it into upcoming laptops, phones, TVs, routers, and other devices.
CES, originally an acronym for the Consumer Electronics Show, made its debut in New York City in 1967. Since then, it has established itself as a leading event in the technology showcase calendar.
Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/DALL-E 3
