Televisions
Samsung
TVs are often the biggest thing at CES – figuratively and literally – and it’s a shame we can not see them in person this year. However, this has not stopped television manufacturers from announcing their latest devices, which some companies like Samsung, LG and Sony have already done.
The biggest trend this year seems to be the use of Mini-LED technology, which is used in Samsung’s latest 8K and 4K Neo QLED sets, plus LG’s QNED TVs. This is the same kind of technology we saw last year in TCL’s 8 series and is also now on the 6 series TVs. Mini-LEDs promise to enhance the illumination of screen lights on LCDs, leading to better black levels. They can even compete with OLEDs in terms of image quality, but for much less money.
Samsung and Sony have also announced new MicroLED TVs, but at 80 centimeters and more, it is intended for business customers (or those with very deep pockets). For example, Sony has shown that its modular Crystal LED display panels can be used as virtual background sets for TV shows The Mandalorian.
We will probably also see the continuation of trends from previous years. Emphasis will still be placed on 8K screens, as well as the scaling needed to make content with lower costs look good. Technical, such as transparent and foldable screens will also be displayed, although it may not be ready for consumers yet.
Laptops, Computers & Accessories
Lenovo
The other big category at this year’s CES is probably computers, specifically laptops. All the regular players like Dell, Lenovo, HP, ASUS and Acer are going to announce new devices in their 2021 range. We expect to see updates across both consumer and game lines, and many of them have already come to light.
For example, Dell has announced its new Latitude 9420 and 9520, which is said to be the company’s first automatic webcam shutter, as well as an upgrade of Intel’s 11th generation Core vPro processors. LG has also announced five new thin and light Gram laptops, all of which are Intel Evo certified. Lenovo also unveiled some new high-end laptops at this year’s CES, with two new IdeaPad 5 Pros configurable with Intel or AMD processors.
The 5G drum kit is also likely to continue with this year’s laptops award. Lenovo, for example, has already announced the IdeaPad 5G, which uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx chipset and uses Windows on ARM. It will connect to 5G networks, where available, and then drop to 4G LTE if it can not.
In addition, we occasionally saw a computer on the computer, like Lenovo’s Yoga 7 AiO (it can turn from portrait to landscape and vice versa), plus the latest high-end monitors from companies like Dell.
Connected house
LG
In a stark difference compared to previous CES events, the smart home scene seems much quieter. Much of this is attributed to the fact that Google and Amazon do not have an official presence this year. Of course, we still expect Assistant and Alexa to be integrated into everything, from televisions to speakers, so Google and Amazon will still make their presence felt, even if they may not reveal anything officially.
Similarly, it is very likely that we will hear of new updates in connected kitchens and bathrooms – perhaps a new smart faucet? – from companies like Kohler or Moen, and maybe some announcements regarding other homemade devices like security cameras and smart lights. LG, for example, has already unveiled a robotic vacuum cleaner that can automatically empty its vacuum cleaner into a separate bag.
Robots and drones
In terms of drones, CES has never been the most exciting event. DJI, one of the biggest names in drones, almost never introduces new machines there. However, lesser-known brands from Asia regularly perform at CES, and they can do so again during this year’s virtual event. We also expect to see the usual selfie drones, and with industrial or non-photographic applications. Last CES, for example, we saw Sunflower’s home security drone sweeping through the house.
Robotically, we may see several innovations from a wide variety of industries, such as food services (examples include the Miso Robotics’ burger flipping bot) or delivery bots like Amazon’s Scout. Big Ag is also a prominent investor in robotics and we would not be surprised if John Deere displays any automated equipment there. We probably also see the usual so-called ‘companion bots’ for children or the elderly, as we have seen in previous years.
Transport
Cadillac
Transportation technology has started at CES over the past few years, but it promises to be much more subdued this year, as the majority of carmakers had little or no plans to exhibit at CES 2021. Still, we are expecting some transportation news, especially in regards to cars and strange concept vehicles. Mercedes, for example, has already announced a car featuring a giant 56-inch MBUX “Hyperscreen” that spans the entire cabin of its EQS luxury EV. Major exhibitions appear to be a theme for cars this year, as even Cadillac has given a taste of its own 33-inch LED screen.
On top of that, even if there are no announcements about new cars, we will probably hear more about technology in the car, such as information systems, previews and vehicle connectivity features.
A slower, quieter performance
The most obvious expectation regarding next week’s CES is that it will probably be much quieter than in recent years. After all, COVID-19 has disrupted not only our lives but also the gadget product cycle. Of course, we’ll see some weird and crazy devices, and there will probably be devices specifically designed in response to the global pandemic (perhaps a portable health meter or a smart face mask). But CES 2021 promises to be a relatively slow show. To address injury, Samsung is holding its very annual Unpacked event on the last day of CES, where we expect to hear from the Galaxy S21. It could very well be that CES is just the first rule for Samsung’s boaster.