Tomorrow's technology revealed

Because alongside smart homes, 'super-ultra-HD' TVs, floating speakers and more, Sony will be unveiling a new version of its once popular Walkman.

It will be among the many technologies on show, with the event being a chance for the latest and greatest gadgets to be shown off by thousands of manufacturers. 

Hot trends this year include Internet connectivity in everyday products such as cars and appliances and the growth of online video as an alternative to traditional television channels.

New TVs with sharper images and better colours are also expected. 

The four-day show begins Tuesday, though pre-show events took place yesterday and will continue into today.

Among the many new technologies on show, most companies will be pushing the so-called 'Internet of Things' to try and make their device appeal to consumers.

Current iterations primarily include our ability to control gadgets such as lights and security alarms or view data remotely through a smartphone app.

The Internet of Things could mean big business for gadget makers. 

The Consumer Electronics Association projects sales of smart energy and security systems alone will total £375 million ($574 million) this year, a 23 per cent increase from 2014.

Although that pales by comparison to the £12 billion ($18 billion) spent on TVs and displays, growth has been swift.

In terms of people smartening up their homes in earnest, though, it will probably be another two years before devices are cheap and widespread enough for the typical consumer, says Eduardo Pinheiro, CEO of Muzzley, which makes a hub that allows devices to talk to each other. 

It's not just smart homes that will take centre stage at CES, though - improvements to more 'regular' gadgets will also be revealed.

There are even rumours that Sony is planning to unveil a new version of its Walkman - although what exactly it might be is unknown.

But with the recent discontinuation of the iPod, it could perhaps signal a return to the era of the portable MP3 player that was once so popular.

Elsewhere, to highlight the growing importance of self-driving cars, Audi sent an automated A7 ‘supercar’ on a 550-mile (885km) journey from San Francisco to Las Vegas to prove the driverless car could soon be a reality on the world’s motorways.

(dailymail.co.uk)