The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is an annual convention showcasing the most important electronic devices globally, where hundreds of companies convene to publicize the newest innovations that will be object of desire for technology fans and the object of curious interest for others.
The 2012 edition will run from January 10th to 13th and will be attended by more than 3,100 companies featuring more than 20 000 products. The exhibition space will be more than 1.851 million square meters spread over three venues: the Las Vegas Convention Center, The Las Vegas Hilton Theater and the Palazzo Ballroom of the Venetian Hotel, making the total exhibition space the equivalent of 37 football fields. Attendance at the 2012 CES is expected to number over 140 thousand people.
The CES was first held in New York City in 1967 and from 1978 until 1994 the event was held twice annually, once per year in Las Vegas as the Winter Consumer Electronics Show (WCES) and a second event in Chicago, billed as the Summer Consumer Electronics Show (
In previous years, Microsoft has presented a keynote address from Bill Gates just prior to the official opening of the CES. This year, a pre-show lecture will be given by Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, however the Microsoft tradition will not carry forward into subsequent years of the CES and other related products will instead be presented such as the Nokia Windows Phone, for example.
Historically, Apple has been notably absent from the CES, presenting only accessories such as headsets and controllers for game and tablets, without
showing new technologies. As a company, Apple prefers to host its own product launches and technology events for the Apple line of products and does not participate in mass conventions.
The most buzz-worthy devices for the CES 2012 are tablets, smart phones, solar chargers, 4K ultra-definition television screens, video games, OLED display technology and 3D television technology that does not require special glasses.
In the days to follow, we will be reporting on the hottest gadgets and most popular technologies presented at this major technological convention.
Javier Machain is Blogger at Mijo! Brands in México. Follow him @ matxain.
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