CES starts Tuesday morning, but for me Day 0 was yesterday. I always get to Las Vegas a few days early and use the time (before the show officially opens) to walk the show floor and search for technologies that meet my, “that’s interesting” threshold. My filter is pretty simple: Technology is meaningless unless it changes the way we behave. So far, I’ve found some super interesting new tech that I will write about after the embargoes are lifted and CES is officially underway. Until then, I thought it would be helpful to summarize what I’m expecting to see.
For those of you who don’t know what CES is, it used to be called the Consumer Electronics Show, but times have changed, so now it’s just called CES. The Consumer Technology Association (which used to be the Consumer Electronics Association) stages the show. It is, by far, the largest and most important tech show in the US. The stats will be public after the show, but about 140,000-150,000 people are expected, there’s roughly 2 million square feet of exhibit space and approximately 3,500 exhibitors. The show is huge – which is why we’ve been offering Executive Briefings and Floor Tours since 1996.
I’ll be hosting some extraordinary fireside chats which you can learn more about at . My guests will include Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X; the one and only Mark Cuban; and the legendary will.i.am. .
Now, a quick overview of what’s coming.
AI
First, it’s AI everything. Which probably goes without saying. AI’s influence is evident across all sectors at CES 2024. From AI-powered grills to laptops with dedicated AI keys, the integration of AI into consumer technology is more pronounced than ever.
TV
TV tech continues to be a cornerstone of CES. LG has already announced its 2024 lineup, focusing on AI processing enhancements rather than major panel upgrades. Samsung, known for its trailblazing approach, may have a few surprises in store. Expect AI to play a significant role in optimizing picture and sound quality.
Auto
Despite the absence of some major auto players, CES 2024 will still feature significant auto-focused announcements. Honda is set to unveil a new “global EV series,” and other major car companies like Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, and BMW are expected to share their latest developments. Intel and Amazon, as emerging auto suppliers, will also be showcasing new products. And, the Sony/Honda Afeela has its own exhibit space this year.
Computing
Better chips and bigger laptops are a trend. With Intel’s new Meteor Lake chips, a plethora of laptops sporting updated processors will be on display. Expect to see innovative designs and experiments in laptop technology, possibly including larger display sizes, following Apple’s trend with 14- and 16-inch models.
Smart Home
AI is also the buzzword for smart home this year. Samsung and LG are leading the charge with AI-powered appliances and home robots. The focus will be how AI can simplify and enhance the smart home experience.
Gaming
For gamers, NVIDIA is expected to announce its first RTX 40-series Super cards, and AMD might launch its RX 7600 XT GPU. OLED monitors for PC gaming, with improved refresh rates, will be a highlight. Handheld gaming PCs might also see new entrants, competing with Valve’s popular Steam Deck.
Phones
While major phone announcements are expected post-CES, we might still see glimpses into new phones with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chips, emphasizing generative AI.
Health, Wearables & Experiential
Lastly, in recent years, CES has become a platform for unconventional wearable ideas. Withings will likely showcase its vision for telehealth’s future, and smart rings are poised to gain more attention. Over-the-counter hearing aids and AR smart glasses concepts are also anticipated.
The Center of the Tech Universe
CES is always my favorite place to be in January. I’m excited to be here in Las Vegas and equally excited to share what I learn with you. Stay tuned. I’ll be doing frequent updates here and on social media as well.
Author’s note: This is not a sponsored post. I am the author of this article and it expresses my own opinions. I am not, nor is my company, receiving compensation for it. This work was created with the assistance of various generative AI models.
ABOUT SHELLY PALMER
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named he covers tech and business for , is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular . He's a , and the creator of the popular, free online course, . Follow or visit .
