Axios Tech Reporter Writes Off Virtual CES as ‘Mostly an Afterthought’

This year's all-virtual CES was “largely irrelevant," blogged Axios tech reporter Ina Fried Tuesday. “Forced online by the pandemic and overshadowed by the attack on the Capitol, the 2021 edition of CES was mostly an afterthought as media's attention focused elsewhere.” Lost with the digital event was much of the physical show’s “draw” in getting “to meet people face to face and touch and use the latest products,” she said. The virtual CES “was able to potentially market itself to a bigger audience,” said Fried. “But holding attention is tougher for virtual events, especially those that stretch over days. When people force themselves on to a packed airplane and overpay for a couple nights at the Wynn, they are likely to be in full CES mode from morning to night. At home, it's easier to move on to other things, especially given everything that's going on right now.” CTA didn’t comment.