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Tag: CES 2022

  • CES Closing a Day Early Over COVID

    CES Closing a Day Early Over COVID

    CES has announced it is closing a day early, on January 7, as a result of a surge in COVID cases worldwide.

    CES is one of the premier technology events, giving tech companies the opportunity to show off their latest and upcoming products. The event is especially important to smaller companies that may otherwise struggle to get the attention companies like Apple, Google, Samsung, and others get.

    Despite hopes CES 2022 would return to normal, the Omicron variant of the COVID virus started thwarting the organizer’s plans. Major companies started pulling out of the event over health concerns, and at least one CEO cancelled his plans to present a keynote.

    The organizers are now cutting the conference short by one day, and taking additional steps to ensure everyone’s safety.

    “As the world’s most influential technology event, CES is steadfast in its pledge to be the gathering place to showcase products and discuss ideas that will ultimately make our lives better,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “We are shortening the show to three days and have put in place comprehensive health measures for the safety of all attendees and participants.”

    Among the measures taken are proof of vaccination, mandatory masks, COVID test before entering the event, and PCR tests before attendees head home. Given how often events like CES have turned into superspreaders, it’s good to see the organizers taking the measures they are.

  • Microsoft Pulls Out of CES 2022

    Microsoft Pulls Out of CES 2022

    Microsoft is the latest company to pull out of CES 2022 over concerns about the omicron COVID variant.

    CES is one of the biggest electronic events and, like most large trade shows and events, has struggled to keep going during the pandemic. The shows organizers have vowed to go on with the 2022 event in January, but multiple high-profile companies have already bowed out over amid the omicron surge, including T-Mobile, Intel, Meta, Twitter, and Pinterest.

    According to The Verge, Microsoft is the latest company to pull out.

    “After reviewing the latest data on the rapidly evolving COVID environment, Microsoft has decided not to participate in-person at CES 2022,” said a company spokesperson.

    While CES organizers want to press forward, if high-profile companies keep dropping out, there may not be a conference to save.

  • T-Mobile Limiting CES Participation, Mike Sievert Backs Out of Keynote

    T-Mobile Limiting CES Participation, Mike Sievert Backs Out of Keynote

    T-Mobile is yet another company that is backing out of CES, and CEO Mike Sievert is canceling his keynote appearance.

    CES is one of the biggest electronics trade shows, giving smartphones and device makers an opportunity to show off their new product lines. Many were hoping for more of a return to normal with CES 2022 in January, but the surge of omicron COVID cases is putting a dent in that. Meta, Twitter, and Pinterest already announcedthey would be pulling out of the event.

    T-Mobile is also altering its plans for CES, significantly limiting in-person participation. CEO Mike Sievert also will not be giving one of the keynotes, either in-person or virtually.