by It’s January, and that means the entire tech world, with the exception of Apple (AAPL), will soon descend on Las Vegas for CES 2024. The annual consumer electronics trade show, which runs from January 9 until January 12, as a showcase for the most likely technological trends to enter our lives.
Over the years that has included everything from high-end vehicle infotainment systems and 4K, OLED TVs to electric scooters and new computer chips. Of course, there’s also the odd collection that floods the show’s various booths and displays. Think talking toilets and forks that tell you if you’re eating too fast.
And CES 2024 looks set to pack even more of equal parts impressive and controversial products that will end up in our living rooms and driveways in the coming months and years. Of course, Yahoo Finance will be live on the ground in Sin City, weaving through the thousands of attendees to bring you all the latest news from the big show.
So what can you expect from CES 2024? Funny you should ask…
AI will be the talk of the show
The AI revolution that dominated headlines in 2023 will continue to roll forward in 2024. You can expect everyone from chip makers and automotive companies to TV manufacturers and more to embrace the benefits of AI to speak during the big show.
Probably one of the biggest themes will be based on the PC AI. AMD ( AMD ), Intel ( INTC ), and Qualcomm ( QCOM ) have all debuted their own AI PC chips in recent months, with Intel showing off its Core Ultra AI PC processors in December.
The idea behind AI PCs is to add AI processing capabilities to laptop and desktop computer chips so that users can run AI applications on their own computers rather than in the cloud. The idea is that if you need to run sensitive data like personal information or corporate files through an AI program, it’s safer to do so on your computer than to send it up to the cloud.
But beyond that, companies are still trying to figure out how AI personal computers will benefit the most people. During Intel’s AI Everywhere Christmas event, company representatives said that it will be up to developers to come up with new apps and programs that take advantage of the new PC AI features.
Chipmakers won’t be the only companies focusing on AI. Automakers, retailers and home appliance manufacturers will no doubt explain how they’re using AI to power their latest and greatest products.
AI will likely be so ubiquitous at CES 2024 that it will be strange if a company doesn’t mention the technology. Heck, Samsung says it’s bringing AI to its kitchen appliances, including its refrigerators.
More cars than dealership
It’s a cliché to say that CES is as much a car show as it is a tech event. Automakers from around the world pack the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center with their hottest cars, trucks, SUVs, and, sometimes, flying cars, filling the air with the smell of fresh rubber and the promise of a future where you can watch TV. and your vehicle drivers around town.
In recent years companies from Ford ( F ) and BMW to Hyundai ( HYMTF ) and Chevy ( GM ) have rolled out new technologies in cars designed to improve the driving experience. Last year BMW unveiled a concept for a customizable paint job that you can adjust at any time. That same year, Sony ( SONY ) and Honda ( HMC ) unveiled their Afeela concept car. This year Sony Honda Mobility will be back with a prototype of the Afeela.
As for the flying cars, Uber (UBER) and Hyundai teamed up to announce their flying taxis at CES 2020. This year, Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Air Mobility company, Supernal, will take the wraps off its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL). a vehicle complete with a vertiport display that will show how passengers will ride in the flying concept.
TVs get smarter and brighter
Televisions are a staple of CES. They are also my favorite part of the show. Where else can you see all the next generation TVs you’ll ask your spouse to get in one place?
The biggest trend in TVs is microLED technology, which promises the color of OLED sets with the brightness of LED systems. Until now, however, those televisions have been extremely expensive, with prices in the thousands of dollars. But this is expected to come down over time, and it could be relatively affordable for the average consumer.
TVs are also getting more AI capabilities. LG announced on January 3 that the latest OLED TVs will have updated AI processors that improve image and sound quality. The company also said that its wireless TV, which it debuted at CES 2023, will now be available with a smaller 65-inch screen. There’s also a larger 97-inch model that wouldn’t fit in my Queens apartment.
Lots of weird and wild products
One of the best parts of CES is having so many wild, eye-catching products in one place. Some are practical, like leak detectors for under your kitchen sink and Wi-Fi-enabled meat thermometers that send you an alert on your phone when your steak is ready. Some are less practical; I’m looking at you, electric roller skates.
I’ve seen more strange gadgets and gizmos over the years than I can count, and CES 2024 will be no different. And I’ll be giving you all that and more when the big show starts. Stay tuned.
Daniel Hawley He is the technology editor at Yahoo Finance. He has been covering the tech industry since 2011. You can follow him on Twitter @Daniel Howley.
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