By Rabab Zehra – Executive Editor at TECHx
The grand curtain fell on the opening day of CES 2024, leaving attendees in a state of awe as they navigated through a digital whirlwind that felt akin to being blindsided by a metaphorical convoy of press conferences. Picture this: a parade of futuristic wonders, from robotic companions that look like yellow bowling balls to electric vehicles being driven with gaming controllers. The tech universe was a cosmic explosion of innovation, with each revelation hitting the audience like a tidal wave of surprise.
Among the stars of the show was Samsung’s Ballie, an endearing robot that rolls around not just for show, but to send messages, stream videos, and perform various home tasks—all packed into the guise of a yellow, rolling marvel with an integrated projector. Sony, never one to be outdone, dazzled spectators with demos featuring an electric car maneuvered by a PlayStation controller and a mixed reality headset crafted for the creation of spatial content.
In a surprising twist, Razor tossed a vibrating cushion into the mix, designed exclusively for gamers and promising an immersive experience that goes beyond the conventional. Yet, the heavyweights in the industry—AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA—didn’t fail to deliver, unveiling processors that read like a sci-fi novel. AMD’s Ryzen 8000G series brought neural processing units for AI acceleration to desktops, while NVIDIA unleashed the RTX 480 Super, RTX 470 TI Super, and RTX 470 Super. Intel, in its signature style, paraded its 14th generation CPU family, complete with the HX series chips.
The excitement wasn’t confined to the world of chips; it spilled over into the laptop realm, where Alienware, Lenovo, MSI, Acer, Asus, and Razer danced to the beat of the new silicon landscape. MSI showcased a gaming handheld powered by Intel’s latest core Ultra chip, and Lenovo flipped the script with the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5—a device that’s part 14-inch Android tablet, part Windows keyboard.
CES 2024 wasn’t just about processors and laptops; it was a smorgasbord of tech marvels, from Kia’s modular vans to Volkswagen injecting ChatGPT powers into its in-car voice assistant. And let’s not forget the audio revolution with JBL, Sennheiser, and others introducing AI-powered running coaches seamlessly integrated into bone-conducting headphones.
As the curtains drew to a close, it was crystal clear: CES 2024 wasn’t merely a product showcase; it was a pulsating testament to the ever-evolving tapestry of technology, where surprises and innovation collided in a symphony of digital marvels.