What we're expecting from CES 2016: year's key tech show

CES
The world's biggest consumer electronics showcase is almost upon us once again - and most of the major gadget manufacturers are getting ready to show off their wares for 2016.
Join us as we take a tour of what we're likely to be seeing in Las Vegas from 6 January (though we'll be bringing you regular updates from the show starting from 4 January).
From the virtual reality headsets we're finally hoping to see go on sale next year to the latest in car kit (self-driving or otherwise), the Consumer Electronics Show 2016 is going to be a huge event, one that's likely to take in more types of technology than ever before.

Computing

Dell XPS 13
If you're in the mood for desktops, laptops, 2-in-1s and all-in-ones, most of the big names are expected in Las Vegas, including Samsung and Lenovo. We're going to get a closer look at the Acer Revo Build modular PC, HP has a curved Windows 10 all-in-one it would like you to fall in love with, and there should be plenty of other new hardware to see.
Dell launched the rather nice XPS 13 at the same event last year so hopes are high that the famous computer builder will once again have a few surprises in store. Expect to see Windows 10 and the new USB Type-C standard just about everywhere you look, and there might be more hardware for Windows 10 Mobile in the pipeline as well.

Virtual reality

HTC Vive
2016 is set to be the year of virtual reality, with three major headsets - from HTC, Oculus and Sony - scheduled to go on sale. All three companies are going to be attending CES this year, so we're expecting to see plenty of hands-on demos and perhaps a release date or two? What we do know is HTC is showcasing a new dev version of the Vive at the event.
With dozens of smaller companies getting involved in the VR revolution, there should be plenty of other related software and hardware to gawp at, including the Ricoh Theta S 360-degree camera - launched at IFA earlier this year, it's already been officially named as one of the best gadgets on show at CES 2016 a month before the event even starts.

Drones and robots

DJI drone
You don't need to be a tech expert to know that drones are some of the hottest gadgets at the moment and we should be seeing plenty in Las Vegas at the start of January. Manufacturers like DJI will be rubbing shoulders with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and we should hopefully see a batch of new products breaking cover.
GoPro has just announced its first drone, called Karma, and the rumour is that the company will be showing it off in Las Vegas. Robotics continues to march ever closer to the mainstream too, and we might well see something more in this direction as the CES organisers try and broaden the scope of the show beyond fridges and phones.

Smartphones

Samsung Galaxy S6
While the biggest smartphone news and launches are usually held back for Mobile World Congress in the spring, there should still be plenty of shiny new mobiles to peer and poke at in CES in January. Sony, LG, Asus, Huawei and others are all going to be present and correct and we're expecting news of new handsets from at least some of them.
One of the pre-CES rumours doing the rounds is that Samsung is going to push its Galaxy S7 flagship out earlier normal - or maybe just tease it and save a full release for MWC. Next-generation processors from the likes of Qualcomm, Nvidia and Samsung are also expected to make an appearance before finding their way into your new phones.

Cars

Faraday Future
Autonomous vehicles have come on leaps and bounds in the last 12 months and self-driving cars should be front and centre at CES 2016. It sounds like Nvidia has something to show off in this area and a mysterious Tesla rival called Faraday Future is going to be debuting its first automobile - could this be the Apple Car we've been waiting for so long?
There will be more car exhibition space than ever and the likes of BMW, Ford, Mercedes, Toyota, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Audi are going to be there, as well as the big players from the US - we suspect green engines, electric power and autonomous technology will be dominating the models that make it to the floors of the convention centres.

...and the rest

Huawei smartwatches
A handful of smartwatches and fitness trackers are usually par for the course, so keep an eye out for those, as well as the usual glut of television sets from the major manufacturers: expect more 4K, more curved screens but no real innovation this time around. The best sets for 2016 should still be well worth checking out though.

There will also be other gadgets of every shape and size being demoed in the hotels and casinos of Vegas: speakers, printers, scooters, innovative battery packs, smart home kit and more besides. Even Netflix has a slot booked at CES 2016, though we're not sure yet what we can expect to hear about it: more original content for the network, perhaps?
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