Why CES matters: The tech that changed the world

set the trend in tehc not just for the next year but ever more? Join us as we count down the best CES gadgets of all time, and stay tuned for more coverage of the Las Vegas expo next week.

Sony XEL-1 (2007)

Despite standing only 11 inches across, the XEL-1 was a landmark in TVs, as it was the first OLED set to be commercially available. The thing is, it cost a whopping £3,500. For an 11-inch set. And it only went on sale two years after being shown off at CES 2007. Nevertheless, it paved the way for today's OLED TVs with their glorious black depths and vibrant contrast, and for that, we salute it. Still, if you bought one, we can't help but think you would've been better off waiting a few years.


Palm Pre (2009)

Palm's handset ran the company's WebOS, which added such innovative features as Deck of Cards, which made it simple to multitask, and Synergy, which collated all your emails, contacts and calendar appointments in the same place. It was also the first to offer both a decent touchscreen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. While it may have bitten the dust shortly after, it laid the groundwork for future operating systems, helping change how we use our mobiles - it's hard not to see a lot of it in how Android handles multitasking today. No surprise, since one of WebOS' chief architects now leads up Android design at Google.

  
Parrot AR.Drone (2010)

Drones are an up and coming type of gadget, and it's all because of this fellow. He rocked up at CES 2010 to huge plaudits, showing that a flying device could be fun, easy to control, and – crucially – affordable. Experts predict city skies will soon be abuzz with drones. So if you find it bothersome, blame this chap.

Sony Xperia Z (2013)

This wasn't the first smartphone under the Sony Mobile moniker since it bought out Ericsson from the Sony Ericsson partnership, but it was by far the best. The landmark smartie packed waterproof skills, a big screen and a great camera, and it announced to the world that Sony was back in business. Its subsequent iterations have stuck to the same winning formula, and a good thing that is too.


Oculus Rift (2014)

Oculus had shown off its Rift virtual reality headset before, but last year's CES was where people really saw what it could do. The version on show was the 'Crystal Cove' prototype, and it did away with the motion blur that made so many wearers' stomachs churn. The head tracking was also more accurate. All in all, it made for a much more realistic experience, and showed that virtual reality wasn't just the stuff of science fiction. We can't wait until it goes on sale.