Ready for this year’s hottest technology? The Consumer Electronics Show Takes Center Stage in Vegas
Las Vegas is normally quite the tourist hotspot on any given day, but this week it’ll be especially busy thanks to the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show, which takes place from Tuesday, January 8 to Friday, January 11. The exhibition brings together technology’s brightest innovators and avid consumers for a week-long glimpse into the newest and most anticipated products. Whether you’re hunting for the trendiest gadgets or the hottest new apps, CES is the place to be this week.
Throughout its 45-year history, the crowds at CES have gotten first glimpses of “new and exciting” electronics such as the VCR (1970), ‘Pong’ (1975), Camcorder (1981), CD player (1981), Commodore 64 (1982), Nintendo Entertainment System (1985), HDTV (1998) and DVR (1999). Perhaps just as memorable, according to the Las Vegas Sun, was Bill Gates’ infamous crash while demonstrating Windows Media Center in 2005. The resulting blue screen prompted host Conan O’Brien to comment, “And right now, nine people are being fired ... digitally fired.”
In an unrelated note, Microsoft has since backed away from exhibiting at the show, but plenty of other technology leaders are stepping up this year, including Qualcomm’s Chief Executive Paul Jacobs, who will serve as this year’s keynote speaker. Tech categories range from Fitness and Automobile gadgets to Spend Management and Supply Chain Management apps. Some of this year’s most highly anticipated debuts include Ultra HD TVs, cloud gaming, voice-activated car controls, and Xi3/Valve’s “Steam Box,” a modular computer.
As usual, CES is being held primarily at the Las Vegas Convention Center, which boasts 1.87 million square feet of space to accommodate the 20,000 new products that are expected to be unveiled. On Thursday, January 10, CNET will present awards for the show’s best products, including ‘Best of Show’ and the ‘People’s Voice’ award.
Image source: cesweb.org, Consumer Electronics Association
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