Here’s What Happened at CES on Monday, in 9 Photos
The annual confab for the consumer electronics industry is in full swing here in Las Vegas.
Though this year’s CES doesn’t officially start until Wednesday, a packed schedule of events and press conferences is already underway.
Here’s a look at what happened on Monday.
1.) Virtual and augmented reality hardware stole the limelight.
There were plenty of people walking around in their own little worlds—literally!—as manufacturers trotted out VR and AR technology for attendees to try. The category has been on fire since Facebook (FB) acquired Oculus VR for $2 billion in 2014. Above, the IonVR Mobile Virtual Reality Headset at the CES Unveiled event.
2.) Wearables took a star turn.
Apple (AAPL) doesn’t officially participate at CES but its Watch was visible everywhere as vendors showed off accessories and competing devices for a nascent industry that’s expected to explode in the next decade. Above, the Misfit Shine 2 fitness and sleep tracker.
3.) Drones all over the 702 area code.
Unmanned, autonomous vehicles—a.k.a. drones—were buzzing all over the Las Vegas Strip well before CES even kicked off, and high-profile deals were announced (such as Ford’s partnership with drone-maker DJI) in advance of the show. Note that the device pictured above isn’t actually a drone at all—it’s the Lily Camera, a throw-and-shoot camera much in the vein of a GoPro (GPRO) product. But when you toss it up in the inky night air of Nevada, it looks awfully like a drone—a sign, perhaps, of how much the category continues to captivate us.
4.) Nvidia took pole position.
Nvidia (NVDA), known for its manufacture of computer graphics chips, always makes a splash at CES. This year was no exception. CEO Jen-Hsun Huang announced the Drive PX 2, a “brain” designed to power self-driving cars.
5.) Faraday Future gave us a sneak peek of something special.
The mysterious electric automaker, possible rival to Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors (TSLA) and backed by Chinese Internet billionaire Jia Yueting, finally showed a little skin at this year’s CES by showing off its FFZero1 concept car for the first time.
6.) Ah, there’s that drone we were looking for.
Pictured: A DJI model on the floor of the CES Unveiled press event.
7.) Security was top of mind.
There was an array of products aimed at protecting personal information. Pictured above is a Qkey, a removable security device for personal information meant to be used for online shopping, at the CES Unveiled event.
8.) Tennis legend Andre Agassi showed up.
The tennis star (and Las Vegas resident) was on hand to promote Square Panda, a startup company and phonics playset designed to help very young children learn. Agassi’s eponymous foundation backs various education initiatives.
9.) Oh, and Star Wars.
So much Star Wars. (Hi, BB-8.)
