The DeanBeat: What to expect at the surreal CES 2021

It’s going to be a surreal CES 2021 this year, as the big tech trade show is going to start on Monday as an online-only event instead of the techpalooza event that is usually held in Las Vegas. This year, the event could have 150,000 attendees, but they’re all going to be browsing from afar.

The pandemic has driven the Consumer Technology Association‘s big event into an online affair with 1,000 exhibitors and more than 100 hours of programming. Starting Monday, I’ll be among the 6,000 or so journalists attending the CES Press Day, which starts at the ungodly hour of 5 a.m. Pacific time with LG’s event. Samsung Electronics’ event is usually the biggest affair that draws the longest line for the media. But it will kick off at 6 a.m. Pacific and last for just half an hour. Other companies hosting press events include Hisense, Bosch, Here Technologies, Panasonic, Philips, Skyworth, Canon, TCL, Mercedes-Benz, Magna International, Kohler, Intel/Mobileye, Omron, Caterpillar, and Schneider Electric. Sony will wrap up the day at 2 p.m. Pacific time. I’m hoping Sony will tell us how many PlayStation 5 consoles it sold over the holidays.