Published : Jan. 5, 2014 - 20:16
A LG Electronics employee poses with an ultra high-definition 98-inch LCD screen that will be unveiled at the International CES in Las Vegas. (Yonhap News)
LAS VEGAS ― From smart homes to wearable devices and driverless cars, global technology leaders are set to showcase their latest gadgets at the International CES in Las Vegas this week.
The world’s biggest electronics trade show will kick off Tuesday for a four-day run, featuring more than 3,200 exhibitors with products spanning 15 different categories.
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics plan to unveil their advanced smart home systems controlled by mobile devices.
“We have made consistent efforts to come up with new, smart innovations for the lives of consumers,” said Hong Won-pyo, president of Samsung Electronics’ media solutions center.
“We will realize smart home services that can interact with users anytime and anywhere by utilizing Samsung’s competence in the smart TV and smartphone businesses,” he said.
The Korean technology giants will also showcase their largest and ultra-high-definition TVs and a set of “true” wearable devices with bending screens.
“By introducing various UHD TV models furnished with the best picture quality and differentiated functions, LG will continually lead the UHD TV market, which will soon go mainstream,” said Lee In-kyu, senior vice president and head of the TV division at the LG Electronics’ home entertainment company.
Analysts expect the “Internet of Things” to figure prominently during the technology extravaganza.
“You will see a lot about the Internet of things; all the gadgets that are not a tablet, smartphone or personal computer but are attached to the Internet,” Forrester analyst Frank Gillett said.
“Like your car telling you that you are speeding or door locks that you unlock with a smartphone,” he continued. “There are all kinds of gadgety things like that we will see.”
Among business leaders slated to take to the CES stage are the chiefs of Sony, Yahoo, Twitter, Intel, and Cisco.
CES organizers expected attendance to be on par with the 152,000 people who showed up last year.
There will be zones with themes such as seniors, children, health, robotics, and wearable tech.
“CES is the global gathering place for anyone whose industry touches technology,” said Tara Dunionm, spokeswoman of Consumer Electronics Association, which organizes the show.
“Given the reality of our lives, the Internet of Things has become a central theme.”
CES organizers are also billing the four-day show as the largest “app event” in the world, complete with hackathons and a mobile applications “showdown.”
“Apps have become an integral part of our everyday lives, from use in phones, computers, tablets and wearable technology,” said Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association which organizes the show.
“The app innovation at CES offers the opportunity for networking, showcasing technology and hackathons focused on this growing tech space.”
By Kim Young-won and news reports
(wone102@heraldcorp.com)