The dust has settled on CES 2024, and it's time to weigh in on what we saw. From transparent TVs to AI applications, we're unpacking the hits, addressing the misses, and daring to predict the next big things to keep an eye on in consumer electronics.
A game-changer in home entertainment, LG's transparent 4K OLED screen won five CES 2024 Innovation Awards, including a Best of Innovation honor. Do we need it?! Not necessarily, but after seeing it, we definitely want it!
Sony's Torchlight, in collaboration with Epic Games' Unreal Engine, is revolutionizing filmmaking by allowing creators to craft digital scenes in virtual environments. But the real thing to pay attention to is the merging of AI + VR which will accelerate, improve, and further democratize advanced forms of content creation.
Why's this even on the list? Those paying attention know that AVP was not present at CES. To answer the question, this is on the list because it is a groundbreaking technology that underscores once again the combination of AI + VR/AR featuring Apple Immersive Video and Spatial Audio for an immersive audio-visual experience. Everyone will call it a flop, but it is simply a glimpse into the future. Ahead of it's time, yes, but it will accelerate technological improvement in the field bringing the future to the present faster than would have otherwise happened.
The RTX 4080 Super, RTX 4070 Ti Super, and RTX 4070 Super GPUs bring enhanced speed and performance to gaming, applications, and AI tasks. The impact of this will be felt most dramatically in the world of AI which will continue to permeate almost everything.
AMD introduced a range of cutting-edge processors, posing a significant challenge to Intel's recent series. Competition will drive innovation and affordability.
Intel emphasized its commitment to bringing 'AI Everywhere', showcasing new chips and automotive innovations. Noticing a theme?!
While the show dazzled with TVs and gaming innovations, some areas like smart home and health tech didn't make as big of a splash as expected. We love home tech, but without anything groundbreaking, the buzz from a few years ago has worn off.
Some of the showcased technologies, like Acer's massive ultra-wide monitor priced at $2,500, raise questions about affordability and accessibility for the average consumer. But you have to start somewhere. Just ask Apple with the release of Vision Pro!
Sennheiser's much-anticipated announcement at CES 2024 ended up being a trio of smart wireless headphones, which disappointed many who were expecting an upgrade to their flagship HD800S or a new audiophile-grade headphones option. The situation was worsened by poor audio quality during the announcement stream, leading to frustration and anger among the audiophile community.
While ASUS introduced a range of products, including the high-tech eyewear called the AirVision M1, it did not really compete with other mixed reality headgears debuted at the event. The AirVision M1's bulky design and its function as a wearable display for multitasking may not appeal to a wider audience, especially when competing against Apple.
Following LG's success, transparent displays could become a new norm in both commercial and residential settings. This is still a few years off, but we can't wait!
With innovations like the pocket AI Assistant Rabbit R1, AI assistants could become more integrated into our daily lives, surpassing current offerings like Siri. However, expect A LOT more from Siri and Alexa over the next year!
With the close of CES 2024, we've seen a range of tech from the impressive to the underwhelming. The consistent theme of AI integration across products suggests it's an area to keep an eye on, even if many solutions were in search of problems. While there were no earth-shattering revelations, the incremental advancements in AI and other technologies showcased at the event are shaping the direction of consumer electronics.
