Consumer electronics shows are large convention-type events where companies debut new technologies and products. The largest and most notable shows are CES in Las Vegas, a trade show every January, and IFA Berlin, which takes place annually in September. The events have historically introduced novel, cutting-edge products that later became household standards, like cassette tapes, TVs, VCRs, DVDs, gaming consoles, and humanoid robots.
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The rapid development of integrated circuits—the basis of computing power—in the 1960s catalyzed an industrial shift toward miniature devices, including pocket transistor radios, smaller TVs, and more. This first consumer electronics trade show (with a slate of 117 exhibitors and 17,000 attendees) sought to make everyday electronics accessible and portable. See a timeline of early consumer tech with photos.
This roundup highlights major tech milestones at CES, including the launch of the Nintendo NES in 1985, the DVD in 1996, and the virtual reality headset Oculus Rift in 2013.
CES 2026 features keynote speakers including entrepreneur and "All-In" podcast cohost Jason Calacanis, and Lenovo Chairman & CEO Yuanqing Yang—part of a lineup spotlighting voices shaping the future of tech and business.
This roundup from Cybernews showcases standout CES 2025 innovations—from flying cars and robot dogs to VR headsets and AI-powered gadgets—showing the event’s most talked-about tech.
This centennial page explores the Consumer Technology Association’s 100-year history, from its founding in 1924 shortly after the invention of the radio, to its leadership of CES Las Vegas. Read through the history of the wireless age and how it gave birth to a growing consumer electronics movement.
The event is technically a “trade” event, designated only for industry professionals. Roughly 170,000 attendees pass muster to get in, and according to this blog post, not all of them adhere strictly to the standard qualifications. Sometimes folks create a false credential or simply buy unused tickets from absent industry pros, while others sneak in.
The strip has more than 100,000 hotel rooms and the sprawling Las Vegas Convention Center where some of the convention takes place. Sin City’s alluring attractions combined with these logistics perks make it a common destination for big-time gatherings like CES.
This gallery showcases rare photos from the early decades of CES, featuring early personal computers and the first handheld cassette players. See how the world’s biggest tech show began and grew.
The CES Las Vegas site features everything from event schedules and exhibitor lists to coverage of emerging tech trends and highlights from CES Innovation Award winners across various categories, including AI, health, and sustainability.
Under the motto “Not all innovation is good innovation,” The Repair Association has selected products at CES that are the least private, sustainable, or repairable for consumers—as well as the “Who asked for this?” award. For example, the least repairable award went to the $2,200 Ultrahuman Rare Luxury Smart ring, which can only be charged 500 times—and replacing the battery effectively destroys it.
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