The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2024 has again given an insight into what are likely to be some of the big tech trends of the coming year.

Held at the Las Vegas Convention Centre under the tag-line “the global platform defining our future” the 4-day event ran between 9 January and 12 January.

It introduced a plethora of smart new ideas and remarkable accessories. Many have amazing twists, which often left visitors wondering how such ideas are conceived.

Just as likely, they were baffled at the workings of the minds of the developers who come up with these visions, which invariably people didn’t realise were possible, or even a necessity until that point. 

This year’s show featured more than 4,000 exhibitors, including a new record of 1,400+ start-ups from all across the globe, with the latest evolution in the likes of home tech, smart rings, headphones, pet trackers and all things AI, very prominent.

Unrecognisable from early beginnings

Anybody who attended the very first CES way back in 1967, would not recognise it as the same show were they to go along present day. Back then there were less than 250 exhibitors and it attracted just the traditional tech industries.

It is now incredibly powerful and has become the most sought-after stage for not only “the best in business” but also non-traditional manufacturers in the tech world, to demonstrate their latest products, software solutions, and/or consumer technologies.

Perfect stage

It is the platform for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. It is where industry’s sharpest minds come together, with very often successful partnerships forming and long-term investments made.

CES showcases the entire tech landscape, almost like the best music festival, so essentially, a Glastonbury for the tech innovators, delivering the technology message for the year ahead.

Trends emerging

With so much going on, it would be impossible to reference everything, but what did emerge were some definite trends that look like they will definitely become incredibly popular as 2024 progresses:

Headphones in particular had a very strong presence, and the Naqi Neural Earbuds featured very prominently. The idea behind these has had some good press previously, but they are tipped to become massive and really breakthrough this year.

They basically tap into a person’s auditory nerve using muscle and brainwave sensors, to enable an individual to perform various hands-free tasks. They are designed “as a safe, non-invasive alternative to brain implants” so in essence, they can read your mind. They are not available yet, but should be by the second half of the year.

Another headphone product that had everyone talking at CES was the Bluetooth Auracast. This product allows compatible headphones to tune into devices that a person is not actually paired with, meaning that it can broadcast to several devices simultaneously.

Ring of change

Something that emerged at CES was the likelihood of an explosion this year in the competition for smart rings. It is widely believed that this concept will overtake smartwatches.

The Lotus Ring in particular caught the eye with its ability to control home appliances, with just the slightest of gestures. Other rings on show demonstrated impressive health-tracking capabilities with some rather nifty technology.

Keeping track of the pet

Pet owners were fascinated by the Invoxia Minitailz pet tracker. This is an AI smart collar gadget which can be attached to most collars and has been created to not only track a pet’s whereabouts, but also monitor their overall health in real-time, meaning early detection of any hidden respiratory or heart conditions.

Watch the birdie

Sticking with animals – or to be more precise, birds – for those who enjoy the pastime of bird-watching, there was a wonderful invention on show. Bird-identifying binoculars are able to scan through a database of almost 10,000 species and give them a label instantaneously.

They also double as a camera, killing two birds with one stone – not literally of course.

Home comforts

 Smart home tech is always popular, and at CES there was an indication that the latest versions of gadgets for around the house are being developed with aesthetics in mind. There seems to have been an appreciation that the more invisible they can be, the better.

Things like a mirror with hidden generative AI powers might have been a little over the top, but ceiling lights that are also secretly a projector and Bluetooth speaker, certainly won plenty of admirers.

Plenty of options for the show-stopper

Over the years, CES has been the launchpad for products that went on to become massive.

For example, in 1970 Philips unveiled the first ever VCR, whilst 1979 saw the Atari 800 Computer make its bow. The CD player arrived in 1981, and in 1985 Nintendo introduced its Entertainment System to the world.

Microsoft officially gave the gamers the final design of its Xbox in 2001 and ten years later 3D TV’s for home cinema made their first appearance.

It is anyone’s guess what will be the star that emerges from CES 2024, but with the vast number of products on show, there are certainly plenty to choose from.