This year’s CES Las Vegas was all virtual, all the time

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Las Vegas-based CES had to pivot this year. They turned to the Internet and the Cloud to save the day. The result was an impressive, all-digital CES 2021 showcase that was truly global in scope.

The COVID-19 has altered the way the world lives and does business. Reliance on Internet-, Cloud- and cellular-based technology has grown leaps and bounds. And updating home technology, PCs, and home comforts became priorities.

So, it’s not surprising that the main, big picture takeaways from the all-virtual CES 2021 are:

• Consumer shopping patterns developed during the pandemic are not temporary, but here to stay—including doing a lot more online shopping and online preliminary research (a digital-first mentality)
• Connected cars and connected homes are of increasing importance
• Consumers are looking for ways to create a more sustainable world with a focus on energy efficiency and saving the world’s natural resources
• The future of retail is in becoming fulfillment epicenters

Other takeaways include:

• Ecommerce shopping over the last 9 months has experienced 10 years’ worth of growth
• Special online offers entice conversion and drive loyalty; 83% of customers who use deals are more likely to come back to buy more from retailer within 7 days; loyalty drives growth
• Brands need to have a purpose, but if the purpose doesn’t align with a consumer’s values, it can hurt sales
• Every business needs to become a smart business—and pivot quickly
• Contactless shopping, even in retail stores, is important
• Consumers are more aware of health issues
• AI hasn’t solved all our problems because of biases and prejudices that need to be removed, but it can be engineered to be fair
• Truly autonomous vehicles are still a few decades away

So, what about 5G?

2021 promises to be the year when 5G becomes widely available as a network, and gets incorporated into more and more products:

• 5G delivers data rates 10 to 100 times faster than current 4G networks with ultra-low lag
• AR (Augmented Reality) devices, telemedicine, and smart cities development will benefit from added data rates
• Higher data rates make immersive 3D museum, stadium, and musical experiences possible on 5G devices; a number of stadiums are being outfitted with 5G now
• 5G and edge computing will especially enhance IoT (Internet of Things) and connected devices for businesses and homes
• 5G gateways, laptops, and smartphones are rolling out
• Network expansion of 5G should link rural areas

Products, products, products

CES 2021 did not disappoint when it came to new products and concepts. However, with some 1,800 exhibitors, we can’t even begin to cover them all. So here are a few that caught our eye.

• Pioneer introduced 2 new products—the DMH-WC5700NEX modular head unit and the super-compact TS-WX010A micro subwoofer
• GM had some eye-openers including the Cadillac’s eVTOL flying car, the Lyriq all-electric luxury SUV, and the self-driving Halo concept car
• The AR Mojo Vision Lens projects text, image, and video information overlays onto the field of vision and is the winner of the Last Gadget Standing prize
• Rollable smartphone concepts and displays from LG and TCL
• New TVs from Samsung, Sony, TCL, and LG with technologies including 8K, OLED, OLED NEO, QLED, and mini- and micro-LEDs
• Senior health products included the Nobi Smart Lamp, Amazon’s Care Hub, and Omron’s VitalSight telehealth blood pressure monitoring service
• Lockly new smart door locks—the Guard, Duo, and Vision; Vision was a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree
• Belkin's BOOST UP CHARGE TrueFreedom Pro Wireless Charger also was an Innovation Awards Honoree; Soundform Freedom TWS earbuds and their 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger were also introduced
• Cleer Audio‘s Crescent soundbar with beamforming technology received good reviews as did their new wireless earbuds and noise-canceling headphones
• Kohler‘s suite of smart bathroom products
• ColdSnap by Sigma Phase is a pod-based ice cream maker that can also use pods for frozen edibles like smoothies and frozen margaritas
• And what’s CES without a cuddly AI pet to warm the heart? This year, the Moflin from Vanguard Industries stole the show. It even won a Best of Innovation Award in robotics.

Petra and CES 2021

Thanks to the virtual nature of CES, Petra decision makers were able to cover a lot of ground. Gerald Cruz, Director of Petra’s Business Development, offers his big-picture perspective of the all-digital CES 2021:

2020 ushered in changes to the way we work, live and play and have enabled us to make a lot of progress in both our business and personal lives due to technology. This year, as we all settled into our office chairs or standing-desk command centers to take on the unknown of “Virtual CES 2021,” I was excited to engage with new vendor partners in a way never possible before.

As we worked our way through the digital show floor reviewing offerings from current partners and establishing relationships with new partners, I found it quite refreshing to have the time to spend time watching the presented video or virtual booth walk-through. The digital platform allowed us to trade messages, create contacts, and review product offerings from a single-screen vs. trading a business card, making notes, and jamming papers into a portfolio or carry-all bag. Through the role of technology, we had the ability to still meet with our peers and prospects, engage, and create relationships all through the power of innovation.

CES 2021 was a monumental success as we look back on the week. The new hybrid platform of connecting with partners in person as well as virtually should be the future of how business gets done and partnerships are forged. We are looking forward to a successful digital year and beyond!

So be sure to keep your eyes on Petra.com. As 2021 unfolds, you’ll be seeing quite a few new products, including some from CES 2021!