CES 2019: Apple And Samsung Steal The Show

Once again, the two major players steal the show. Yes, we’re talking about Samsung and Apple and the show here CES 2019 – the world’s largest consumer electric show where tech firms from around the world come to showcase their best and latest products.

At CES, big tech companies such as Samsung, Sony, and LG reveal their newest offerings like TVs, home devices, etc. On the other hand, smaller players exhibit everything from robots making bread to toothbrushes that take only 10 seconds to wholly scrub your mouth. This year, CES has also witnessed big announcements from Amazon and Google, major players regarding voice assistants for smart home devices.

Samsung took the stage

But after all, hardly any other firm can hold a candle to Samsung and Apple, they don’t even need a noisy press conference to draw people’s attention.

Regarding Apple, it now gives TV manufacturers like Vizio and LG access to its HomeKit and AirPlay technology, and Samsung’s TV in 2019 will be offered with iTunes built in. This is a natural step Apple has done to pave the way for its launch of the long expected video streaming service.

LG announced support for AirPlay 2

About Samsung, it said on Thursday that it will launch the Galaxy S10 on February 20 in San Francisco, shortly before the MWC held in Barcelona. This is among the most anticipated devices to be launched in 2019, packing significant tech changes.

Both companies’ developments drew a lot of attention from attendees at CES and those watching from far away.

Apple boosts its services

Neither has Apple ever present itself at CES nor does it have a booth or press conference here. Instead of showing up at the event or releasing CES product-related news, the iPhone maker holds its own events.

Yet, it looks like Apple’s strategy for this year is a bit different, in which it focuses on boosting its image as a service provider. Near CES location, the company put up a huge sign to help attendees remember how it prioritizes user privacy.

Apple put up a huge sign near CES

Moreover, it made an early announcement at the show that AirPlay 2 will soon be available on TVs, allowing users to stream music, video as well as other contents directly from an Apple device to their televisions.

The iPhone maker, however, keeps its tradition not to show up at CES, it leaves the work to its partner.

After iPhone sales slowed down, Apple tried to become a service powerhouse. Nevertheless, if Apple keeps restricting its streaming services exclusive to its own devices only, it cannot get more customers. Therefore, it’s a smart move to widen the range of devices that it provides the services, like LG, Vizio, Sony, and Samsung televisions as announced at CES.

LG announced support for Apple's AirPlay 2

Earlier this week, Ben Bajarin, an analyst at Creative Strategies, said that Apple appears to offer its previously exclusive services to more third-party companies, and their work with AirPlay 2 is paying off. He added that CES may witness broader support of the company for HomeKit and Siri.

Samsung plays the Galaxy S10 card

Despite gaining most of its reputation for the Galaxy series, a large part of Samsung’s products are laptops, televisions, and home appliances like fridges and washing machines. At CES, the company made a lot of announcements related to these devices, including TVs, the partnership with iTunes, a smarter Bixby voice assistant as well as four healthcare robots.

Also, Samsung unveiled a smaller version of its MicroLED TVs which it introduced at CES 2018. The MicroLED technology surpasses LED with outstanding brightness and terrific photo quality with the assurance of less burn-in. The Korean tech firm will offer its new 75-inch modular televisions for both commercial users and regular users.

Samsung's MicroLED 75-inch TV

This year, Samsung executives took turns to go on stage and introduce new capabilities of the Bixby voice assistant. Bixby works across various devices, allowing its users to do stuff from searching their iTunes libraries to receiving suggestions for the best cycle in their Samsung washing machine. Bixby can also help users check their cars’ fuel tank through the digital cockpit.

CES 2019 also saw Samsung’s attempt to reach users in the robotics field, including air purification with its Bot Air, health monitoring with the Bot Care, shops and restaurants with its Bot Retail, and mobility issues with GEMS (short for Gait Enhancing and Motivating System).

Samsung Bots

However, above all the cool tech, the biggest news is probably what Samsung released on Thursday due to decreasing coverage at CES, despite its previous press conference at the show. Particularly, the Korean giant said it will reveal its next flagship at 11AM, February 20, at an Unpacked event held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.

Avi Greengart said that for years, CES hasn’t been a major stage for phones so any hint of a flagship to be launched can bring a fresh breath to the show.