Top Three Takeaways from CES 2021

The tech industry’s hottest annual event, where new consumer electronics debut on the global stage, looked a little different this year in a fully virtual incarnation. Typically, the event takes place in Las Vegas, where thousands of people gather from around the world to see the new products on display and network with other attendees. Even though the show was held virtually, the panel discussions and new product introductions did not disappoint. Under unprecedented conditions, CES 2021 reemphasized that technology is constantly evolving, and so are the electronic components that help power each product.

Here are our top three takeaways from the event:

1.) There was no shortage of new product introductions to help address COVID-19-induced issues.

The standard new product releases and upgrades from many smartphone and laptop makers were still vividly present at CES this year. But an entirely new sector was the debut of products to help address the growing pandemic we face. We saw products such as the BioButton, a sticker that helps detect coronavirus symptoms, and the AirPop Active+, a mask that helps track workouts and air quality. While many of these COVID-19-related products are still coming to fruition, they will still require a multitude of electronic components.

2.) Smarter and more sophisticated automotive technology is in high demand.

Ranging from improved infotainment systems and autonomous technology to electric cars and flying vehicles, automotive advancements were a significant part of CES. Around the globe, WFH and LFH orders altered demand for automobiles. Since consumers were not commuting or traveling like they used to, automotive sales remained stagnant for the majority of 2020. Now, with COVID-19 vaccines being gradually distributed and administered, consumers are more hopeful than ever for a safe return to work and school. As we have seen with smartphones, consumers are looking to purchase the latest and greatest products available. The same is starting to become true for the automotive industry: Consumers want the smartest and most sophisticated technology in their vehicles.

3.) Many last-time buys are foreseen across commodities due to the introduction of new hardware.

Several top chip manufacturers debuted their new, faster, and more efficient product lines at CES this year, paving the way for extended battery life in smaller, thinner electronic devices. Major manufacturers, such as Intel, Advanced Micro Devices, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm, introduced their latest chips at the event. From faster processors to newly designed graphics cards, these innovative pieces of hardware will likely start to be worked into engineering designs. Components from these manufacturers that were used in previous devices will likely be faded out since new technology will be available. Once this happens, customers can expect manufacturers to hold EOL and LTBs for their products.

For nearly four decades, Smith has been there to support the hardware requirements that help power the world’s innovation. As we have seen from the events and product debuts at CES 2021, the introduction and mass spread of technology products is not going away anytime soon, even during massive global disruptions. Whether customers need help during a period of intense electronic component demand or are looking to narrow their supplier base to a single, full-service distributor, Smith will continue to provide support for the new innovations to come.

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