It's where the VCR, camcorder and HDTV debuted.
The International CES, a sprawling convention of gadgets and software, is the place for companies hoping to cash in on the next big thing in technology and consumer electronics. And it's happening right now in Las Vegas.
This year, more than 3,000 companies have products on display. The convention floor spans nearly 2 million square feet — the size of three dozen football fields.
Most products debut today when the trade show floor opens at the Las Vegas Convention Center and at LVH.
Some will catch on, like the compact disc player introduced at CES in 1981. Others will fall into the bin of forgotten toys, like the laser disc player that debuted in 1974.
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Clipster, a small mobile speaker to share music, is one of the new products on display at the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas. Photo by: Ron Sylvester
Clip-on speaker
More than 110 exhibitors will vie for the chance to enhance the soundtrack of your life.
Several want to help you share tunes with the world and hope to bring back the feel of 1980s boom boxes. Only now, they are smaller with better sound.
The Clipster, for example, streams music via Bluetooth from an iPhone, iPad or Android device. It hooks to a belt or hangs from a person's ear.
The product from ION Audio is set for release this spring with a suggested retail price of $29.99.
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Yurbuds, ear buds that stay in your ear during workouts, is one of the new music gadgets on display at the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas. Photo by: Ron Sylvester
Endurance headphones
These ear buds are designed to stay in your ears no matter what you're doing.
Place them in your ears, turn them, and they lock into place. They come in five sizes and are ergonomically designed to fit ears comfortably and safely.
Not sure of your ear size? Send a picture of your ear to Yurbuds, and the company will match the photo to a 3D database that will determine the correct size.
This year's Limited Edition Inspire headphones are available now for $99.99.
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Velodyne's vFree earphones, which have customizable skins, are among the gadgets on display at the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas. Photo by: Ron Sylvester
Old-school headphones
Just as the the boom box is being reinvented, so are 1970s-style headphones that fit over your head.
Velodyne's vFree earphones pick up music without cords via Bluetooth. Owners also can slip a skin over the headphones to make them customizable.
They sell for $199.
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New generations of tracking mouses and presenting aids that fit over your finger like a ring are among the gadgets on display at the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas. Photo by: Ron Sylvester
Finger mouse
Genius will unveil the latest generation of its Ring Mouse this year.
The product shrinks and combines a computer mouse, presenter and laser pointer into one small ring. It has been around for a couple of years, but this year, developers created rings with single functions. The newest version is a mouse only, which allows users to search the web by moving their fingers.
The Ring Mouse is available now and sells for about $70.
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Datagard, which enhances data security for your cell phone, is among the new items on display at the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas. Photo by: Ron Sylvester
Secure phones
Lots of systems can protect laptops from cyber criminals, but few are equipped to protect iPhones and Androids from attack.
Bryan Davies, chief executive of the British-based Venom, said he has the answer: Datagard.
"Other products provide antivirus protection only, which also slows down your phone," Davies said.
Datagard is server based, so it doesn't eat memory or battery power. The military-grade security software is updated several times a second. It also compresses your mobile data by 25 percent.
The app is free, but service costs $49.99 a year.
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HzO has developed a technology for cell phone manufacturers that will waterproof your phone. It is among the displays at the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas. Photo by: Ron Sylvester
Waterproof phone
Many people have dropped their phone into a pool, toilet, bathtub or other wet space.
HzO has come to the rescue. The company is selling a waterproofing technology to cellphone manufacturers.
Officials won't say what company is picking it for its product or when it will be available, but officials say one cellphone maker plans to announce its use Wednesday.
Stay tuned.
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Trakdot was developed to keep track of your luggage while flying. It is one of the products on display at the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas. Photo by: Ron Sylvester
Luggage security
TrakDot wants to make sure you know where your luggage is, even if the airline doesn't.
It developed a small device that fits inside a bag and tracks it in real time using text messages and email.
TrakDot uses cellphone signals to keep track of luggage, so it doesn't interfere with airplane GPS devices.
When it becomes available in March, TrakDot is expected to sell for $50 with a $12.99-a-year subscription fee.
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MyLink, which connects your cell phone to your car for voice commands, music and navigation, is one of the products on display at the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas. Photo by: Ron Sylvester
Smart phone
Plug an iPhone into MyLink from General Motors, and the phone becomes your car radio.
"It's like you have a smart phone but a dumb radio," said Brad Wolfe, GM's connected customer care specialist.
Use voice commands, access navigation and reach Internet radio stations from around the world. Ask Siri to make calls or check your schedule. But don't ask her to surf the web: The connection is programmed against doing anything that would take a driver's eyes off the road.
GM says the technology will be available in its Chevy Spark EV electric cars and Sonic models.
