Best Tech of CES 2012

The Elusive Nature of Time and Consumer Electronics

Consumer electronics often prove to be an unreliable indicator of time’s passage. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), in particular, is a notably poor measure. Having attended CES more than ten times, the experience has consistently been similar: a week characterized by a rapid succession of announcements and visually appealing gadgets.

The exhibition halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center, along with its numerous associated Expo Halls and hotel suites, are filled with the remnants of ambitious ideas and the inevitability of planned obsolescence. This is inherent to the nature of the industry. While some devices showcased at CES have become integral to our daily lives, many others have faded into obscurity, often without even reaching retail shelves.

CES 2022 and the Evolution of the Show

CES 2022 presented a unique situation, largely influenced by global events rather than developments on the show floor. Despite this, certain attractions, such as a performance by a member of the Backstreet Boys demonstrating home boxing equipment, were still planned. The relevance of large, in-person conferences had already been questioned before the COVID-19 pandemic, though CES consistently stood out due to the importance of direct interaction with the announced hardware.

The 2021 iteration of CES served as a trial run for a fully virtual event, following a near cancellation in 2020. The results were, however, somewhat underwhelming. In contrast, CES 2012 experienced record-breaking attendance, reaching 153,000 visitors after a period of decline linked to the global recession.

Growth continued in subsequent years, with the event expanding its footprint across Las Vegas, peaking at approximately 182,000 attendees in 2019, as reported by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).

A Shift in Focus: From Phones to Automotive

In 2012, CES retained a strong focus on mobile phones, a characteristic that has since diminished. The rise of Mobile World Congress and the trend of major companies hosting independent product launches have altered CES’s role as the primary venue for phone-related news. This void has been filled by other categories, most notably the automotive industry, which now occupies a central position at the show.

The Rise of LTE and the Windows Phone Challenge

LTE technology was a dominant theme at CES 2012, mirroring the later prominence of 5G. CNET playfully dubbed the event a “4G Orgy” in a headline. Following a demonstration of Wimax technology at the show five years prior, Sprint officially transitioned to LTE.

The Sony Xperia S and the Droid 4 garnered significant attention. The Droid 4 represented Motorola’s attempt to preserve the physical keyboard, five years after the original iPhone signaled the decline of BlackBerry.

However, the spotlight truly belonged to two LTE-enabled Windows Phone devices. While the HTC Titan II was the first to incorporate the next-generation wireless technology, the Nokia Lumia 900 captivated attendees with its 4.3-inch AMOLED display, 8-megapixel camera, 512MB of RAM, and striking design.

Nokia’s Gamble and the Demise of Blogging Camcorders

Just a year before, Nokia’s CEO, Stephen Elop, famously described the company’s situation as a person standing on a burning platform. The partnership with Microsoft was Nokia’s strategic response. A year later, Nokia sold its mobile division to Microsoft.

Similar to the Droid 4’s effort to maintain the QWERTY keyboard, Sony’s Bloggie represented a final attempt to revive standalone blogging camcorders. This occurred after Cisco discontinued its Flip Video business, having acquired the popular camcorder in 2009 for $590 million.

The Ultrabook Moment and the Promise of 3D Printing

The concept of ultrabooks experienced a brief period of prominence at CES 2012. However, by mid-year, reports of the category’s impending failure had already begun to surface. Intel introduced the category at Computex 2011, aiming to provide an alternative to the MacBook Air.

Strict guidelines regarding thickness, weight, and battery life were established by Intel. Ultimately, the high cost and evolving specifications hindered the category’s success, alongside the growing popularity of smartphones and tablets.

Desktop 3D printing emerged as a promising technology at CES 2012, with MakerBot taking center stage. The NYC-based company, originating from the RepRap open-source project, unveiled the Replicator. This system, an improvement over the Thing-O-Matic, featured a Star Trek-inspired name and represented a significant step toward the vision of a 3D printer in every home.

However, pricing, technical limitations, and the emergence of more advanced technologies from companies like Formlabs ultimately dampened the prospects of many companies in the space, resulting in a substantial tech hype bubble. A year later, MakerBot was acquired by 3D printing leader Stratasys, which shifted its focus to the educational market.

Conceptual Innovations and the Cyclical Nature of Technology

CES consistently showcases concepts that remain largely unrealized. The Samsung Smart Window exemplifies this trend. This transparent window display with touchscreen functionality attracted attention during a period when integrating screens into every surface was a popular idea, but it never progressed beyond a demonstration at CES. Interestingly, Samsung has since invested in artificial smart windows as part of its C-Lab initiative, highlighting the cyclical nature of the consumer electronics industry.

Looking back, CES 2012 appears to have been more miss than hit. The most heavily promoted products often suffer the most in retrospect. While widespread adoption of 3D printers and smart windows did not materialize, LTE technology proved to be a lasting success.