At the beginning of every year we are treated to the world’s largest technology expo, the Consumer Electrics Show (CES). The show has been around since 1967, and has changed significantly in recent years. Moving away from smartphones as most manufacturers hold their own events or exhibit at Mobile World Congress (MWC), it has become an exhibition of the weird and wonderful concepts and innovation in technology. CES 2021 is promising to be an exciting event.
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The traditional tech products are still on offer, of course, with TVs usually stealing the show. CES 2021 is scheduled for 11-14 January. Here are some of the major announcements we are expecting to delight from the show, even though it will be an online-only event this year.
Smartphones
As previously mentioned, we don’t see the major smartphone releases taking place at CES anymore. However, companies use this showcase to debut new innovations in smartphone technologies, new form factors (this is where foldables first saw the light of day) and new experimental hardware (like pop-up selfie cameras and the in-display fingerprint scanner).
We are expecting some brand new foldable technology to come to the fore at CES 2021. While foldables became more mainstream in 2020, companies are still exploring new foldable varieties. Some are testing dual folds, others are refining the hinges and strengthening the foldable displays and protective panels atop. The likes of TCL, Oppo and Xiaomi will show off some of their new products this year.
There will be some budget and mid-range devices released at the show. Samsung may release updates to the Galaxy A range, and we could see a Galaxy S20 Lite as well. LG and Motorola are also expected to show off new budget devices.
Audio
In what has become one of the hottest segments of the industry at CES, audio technology could deliver some exciting products at the show this year. There will be new headphones, earbuds, soundbars and wireless speakers.
Sony has been the major success story in recent years with their audio products. They are dominating with their noise-cancellation headphones and wireless earbuds – the Sony WH-1000XM3’s are our favourite wireless headphones (until we get our hands on the WH-1000XM4’s) – and we expect to see the new generation of the wireless earbuds (the Sony WF-1000XM4’s) at the show.
There are also devices with new controls, like the Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro, which can be controlled with a shake of the head. Artificial Intelligence will also play a major role in all the new true wireless audio technology.
Televisions
As has been the case for several years, this year will be a big show for many TV manufacturers. We will see several brand new 8K TVs, with LG announcing its first entrant at the show last year. Both Samsung and LG have been working on the technology and will show off several new ultra-high definition TVs at the show.
LG will also showcase a bendable TV at CES 2021. The idea behind the 48-inch 4K OLED display is that you use it in its flat orientation when watching TV, and at the press of the button have the curved display for gaming leading to a more immersive experience.
Samsung will continue to evolve its Sero TV, which was a left field attempt to tie into smartphone content with a rotating display.
Otherwise, there will be the regular iterative improvements in all TV set ranges from LG, Samsung, Panasonic, Hisense and others. The new Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 have made the consumer move quicker to 4K displays, so we can expect a slew of new ones at much more affordable prices.
Misc
Expect new camera technology to be launched at the show. The likes of Sony, Canon and Nikon will most likely announce updates to its point-and-shoot ranges, and even perhaps their flagship DSLRs.
With the state of the world, there will be personal tech exhibited that is focused on hygiene. Expect new sanitising products for your smartphones, wearables, headphones, etc.
Smart home appliances will also offer new technology. While we’ve seen their integration with personal assistants, its functionality is expected to expand with more executable commands. Expect various brands to launch products ranging from Vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, water filters to disinfecting lights that can help keep your home clean with just your voice.
Electric vehicles have become a mainstay at CES. Last year Sony surprised with the announcement of its own electric vehicle. This year, we expect a lot more automobile brands to display their electric vehicles. This includes GM, Audi and Mercedes, among others.
