Smartphones, Wearables, VR Headsets Will Share Limelight at CES 2017

Several smartphones and tablets likely will debut at CES 2017, but virtual reality headsets and wearable devices will most likely dominate at this year’s show.

Apple and Samsung won’t be unveiling new smartphones at CES 2017, but other companies are expected to do so. It’s possible that LG will show off some new handsets, along with several China-based companies including Huawei. Mobile World Congress is right around the corner, but since CES is a bigger stage, some companies opt to announce new handsets at the Las Vegas show. That’s expected to happen again this year.

Faraday Future, the secretive electric car maker, likely will be the central focus in car tech at CES. However, other companies are expected to be there to showcase self-driving car technology, in-car infotainment systems and electric battery-charging technologies. Car-related technology will play a prominent role at this year’s show.

Wearables will be everywhere at this year’s CES. Activity trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors and headsets all are expected to be on the showroom floor. And there might even be some surprises that could move the health tech industry forward.

Intel and Qualcomm both are expected to make a splash at this year’s show. The companies reportedly are working on advancements in chip design that could improve the functionality of connected devices, drones and other technologies. Processors might not be as fun as gadgets, but they’re critical to moving the industry forward. And both Intel and Qualcomm will make that clear at CES.

Each year, televisions seem to be the big attractions at CES, and this year isn’t expected to be any different. LG, Samsung and others are all expected to show off new televisions at this year’s show. Expect those televisions to come with big screens, thinner-than-ever designs and high dynamic range for better color representation. Also, expect the companies to bring their pricing down to reflect the lower cost of producing televisions.

As connected devices have become more popular and the internet of things explodes, the smart home has become more than a niche category. So at CES 2017, several smart home products will be featured. Look for new smart thermostats, intelligent appliances and countless improvements to lights, remotes and more.

PCs might not have the same allure as they once did, but there still will be many on display at the show. Dell, HP, Lenovo and others will be at CES with PCs in tow. Laptops and desktops will, of course, be there, but hybrids are expected to take the spotlight. There also might be some innovation in all-in-one PCs showcased at CES.

Virtual reality and augmented reality are growing in popularity. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone if new headsets are announced. Microsoft is making a pitch to virtual-reality companies by offering a platform on which they can deliver content to headsets. At CES, several companies might show off headsets that work with Microsoft’s platform and compete with the likes of Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

Drones will be flying overhead at this year’s CES. Companies such as DJI and Parrot will be on hand at the show, and they’ve already hinted that new products are coming. If and when those drones are announced, look for them to fly farther and deliver better battery life than their predecessors.

Several mobile companies plan to unveil new tablets at this year’s CES. Those tablets likely will come with better screens and thinner designs and offer some of the power improvements consumers and enterprise users would like to see. While the iPad and Galaxy Tab won’t be at the show, there might be some surprises that get people interested in another company’s slate.