I head to Las Vegas every January for a massive technology and electronics circus known as CES (yes, that stands for the Consumer Electronics Show but they much prefer the acronym). It’s massive. I mean, it’s more massive than you can imagine; over 180,000 people attended the show this year, with over 4,500 vendors exhibiting their wares in booths ranging from a closet to a football field in a total exhibition space of 2.7 million square feet…
January begins the same way, year after year. For over a decade, I’ve had the opportunity to travel with the Ask Dave Taylor team to CES, the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. Some assume I attend for the parties and although that is true, it’s so much more than that. It’s my time to dive deep into the latest technology trends, reconnect with some old friends and get to know potential clients. I’ve been fortunate to spend time with some of the smartest people in our industry at CES, debating the future of the latest trends, while reviewing some of the coolest gizmos and gadgets that have come to market. Every year brings new challenges, new opportunities and stories to tell. This year was no different.
Part of keeping up on the industry is attending trade shows. I actually think that every professional should be attending trade shows and conventions in their area of expertise at least once a year, whether they’re smaller local events or large national or global events.
In the tech business, the biggest conference is the Consumer Electronics Show and we always have a strong presence at CES each year, helping plan our editorial calendar and efforts for the remainder of the year.
The 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas, NV. We came, we saw, we tried to conquer!
When we moved into new offices it became clear that it was also time to move beyond wires for our audio setup. Having things hanging down from the walls, having to plug devices in, having to worry about compatible charging docks, it all seemed so darn 20th Century.
The quest was on for a really good wireless audio solution, so that’s what we had on our minds when we attended the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show.
While Apple’s AirPlay was getting good visibility at CES this year, the problem was that the gear we could find was more aimed at bedside tables and desks than audiophile-level multi-speaker devices that could be wall mounted and enjoyed by everyone.
When we bumped into audioengine, however, things became interesting. They sell audiophile-level bookshelf speakers and a small amplifier that makes the tiniest of iPods sound like a fancy hi-fi system, while still having a remarkably small footprint: the P4 speakers are only 9″ high by 5″ wide and 6″ deep, and the N22 amplifier is 7″ x 3″ x 5″ deep. Tiny. With sound far beyond what you would expect.
And it’s pretty darn sweet.
