Smart Toilets and Big Corporate Booths: Has CES Forgotten What Innovation Looks Like?
Every January, tech thought leaders, professionals, and enthusiasts gather at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), hosted this year in Las Vegas. Once celebrated as the ultimate platform for groundbreaking innovation super-startups and a must-attend event, CES has lost much of its luster in recent years. What was once a showcase for progress and meaningful advancements has devolved into a bloated spectacle where hype overshadows substance, genuine innovation gets drowned in noise and gimmicky products take center stage amid corporate posturing.
Note: CES 2025 is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, January 7, 2025, to Friday, January 10, 2025. More info here.
The Problem of Overhype
The sheer volume of announcements and social media hype at CES has diluted its impact. Companies race to unveil flashy prototypes and outlandish concepts—"smart" toilets, “smart” planters, robotic dogs, automated litter boxes, and other AI-powered devices aimed at improving daily life—most of which never make it to market. These headline-grabbing stunts rarely translate into meaningful advancements or consumer value, leaving many wondering: is CES about real innovation or just a PR circus?
Lack of Depth
CES has devolved into a chaotic jumble of buzzwords: AI, 5G, metaverse, Web3, and gamification among others. While these technologies are undoubtedly significant, CES often presents them in the most superficial way possible. For every genuinely interesting development, there are a dozen cookie-cutter pitches that feel more like buzzword bingo than a serious attempt to push the industry forward.
The Big Tech Takeover
Once a platform for scrappy startups and unexpected breakthroughs, CES is now dominated by tech giants and major corporations that can afford lavish booths and extravagant presentations. Their dominance leaves little room for smaller players to stand out, turning CES into a showcase for already-established brands rather than a proving ground for new ideas.
Personal Note
I miss the COMDEX – the premier computer trade show held annually from 1979 to 2003, primarily in Las Vegas. Confession: In my 3rd year at Microsoft, I helped introduce OS/2 at COMDEX 1989.
The COMDEX shows showcased the latest innovations in personal computing, software, hardware, and IT technology, attracting technology enthusiasts, businesses, and industry leaders worldwide. Known for its significant influence during the rise of personal computers, COMDEX was a key platform for major product launches and industry networking. It eventually declined in relevance due to the emergence of CES, more specialized trade shows and evolving industry dynamics.
CES has been around since 1967, making it over 55 years old as of 2025. The first CES took place in New York City and featured around 250 exhibitors with an attendance of about 17,500 people. My first CES was in 1991; I really liked it. It was a manageable show. This year CES is expected to host over 4,500 exhibitors and attract more than 150,000 show attendees.
What CES Should Be
The tech industry deserves a large-scale forum for genuine collaboration and meaningful exploration of ideas. Right-scaled industry-specific events tend to be far more useful, impactful, and rewarding—such as the RSA Conference for cybersecurity professionals, which draws approximately 45,000 attendees and is scheduled this year for April 28 through May 1. Find more details here. CES could regain relevance by downsizing into specialized sub-shows, prioritizing quality innovations, and fostering deeper discussions on technology's real-world impact. Until then, it risks being little more than a shiny, overpriced distraction.
Dear CES Organizers: It's time to rethink your mission—innovation deserves a stronger platform.
What’s your take on CES? Are you inspired by its spectacle, or do you agree it’s losing its way? Let me know in the comments!