CES 2021 Pivots to an All-Digital Experience

CES 2021 will be an all-digital experience, following a decision made by the Consumer Technology Association amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the United States. Taking place from January 6-9, 2021, the show will let companies showcase new products and other tech news through live streaming video feeds.

ces logo

"Amid the pandemic and growing global health concerns about the spread of COVID-19, it's just not possible to safely convene tens of thousands of people in Las Vegas in early January 2021 to meet and do business in person,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA.

“Technology helps us all work, learn and connect during the pandemic – and that innovation will also help us reimagine CES 2021 and bring together the tech community in a meaningful way. By shifting to an all-digital platform for 2021, we can deliver a unique experience that helps our exhibitors connect with existing and new audiences."

CTA said that it plans to reveal more information about ‌CES 2021‌ as the event gets closer. The association also noted that it plans to return to its typical in-person conference in Las Vegas for CES 2022, where it will "combine the best elements of a physical and digital show."

While Apple typically doesn't attend CES, in 2020 the company did make an appearance to showcase its HomeKit platform. Otherwise, many Apple accessory companies do attend the show and introduce new products each year.

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...

Top Rated Comments

Fattytail Avatar
72 months ago
What are the tech YouTubers going to do then? Video reactions to product reveals?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
diego.caraballo Avatar
72 months ago

(think hotel bar and dinner meetings)
"Hookers"
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
calzon65 Avatar
72 months ago
Sad state of the times we live in.

Being able to see products in person is the whole point of CES, not to mention the invaluable face-to-face discussions, impromptu meetings and deals cut every year (think hotel bar and dinner meetings).

Obviously with COVID-19 there is little choice but to have a virtual CES, which is better than nothing, but it will be a flop and not nearly the kind of beneficial meeting where everyone is face-to-face.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spazzcat Avatar
72 months ago

Lame. How about everyone who's sick or scared of getting the big bad coronavirus just don't go to CES? Problem solved!
Thank you, internet doctor, for putting all this to rest for us, the doctor has spoken...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fhall1 Avatar
72 months ago
WOW - that's a lot of revenue lost for Las Vegas!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
omihek Avatar
72 months ago
Lame. How about everyone who's sick or scared of getting the big bad coronavirus just don't go to CES? Problem solved!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)