CES 2023 What's the future of custom?

By rough count, this past CES marked my twentieth attendance, which may seem like a lot to some, but is merely a drop in the bucket compared to some of the veteran A/V journalists out there. Nevertheless, it’s enough to provide some valuable perspective on attending the show.

- JOHN SCIACCA

Over the years, I’ve experienced CES in Vegas during varying weather conditions, including scorching 80-degree temperatures, heavy snowfall, 170,000 people in 2020 and its return with a post-pandemic attendance of 40,000 people in 2022, along with everything in between.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) reported that this year’s show had over 3,200 exhibitors and more than 115,000 attendees. Similar to the recent CEDIA show, CES seemed to be making strides in returning to its former glory. However, it’s undeniable that CES’ focus has shifted in recent years. While there were still major TV announcements (which were covered online by EiC Mark Henninger), audio seemed like a distant memory. The show’s main themes centered around automotive technology, energy management, VR/AR, smart home devices, and wellness products.

However, there was plenty to keep me optimistic and excited for the future of custom installation and smart home technology, and here are some of the things that caught my eye at the show: While “the Internet of Things” (IoT) was a common theme in the past, it’s now assumed that all devices will be smart and connected. Recent studies also show that over 70% of households own a smart home product in at least one of 30 different categories, demonstrating that consumers are readily embracing the technology.