The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. Held annually in Las Vegas, it has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for more than 40 years and is the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
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2013 started off strong with the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES). If you've never heard of it, or didn't follow it this year, CES is where all the big tech news and developments are released for us nerdy folks to drool over.

Here are some of the big trends I noticed this year:

Wireless Charging
The tech world really seems to be getting behind the trend of wireless charging platforms for devices. It was announced on Monday at CES that 30 companies across the smartphone industry are joining the Power Matters Alliance (PMA) organization, which consists of government leaders and major companies such as Starbucks, AT&T and Google working to get rid of cable-based charging plugs and embrace wireless power. How cool would it be to be able to walk into Starbucks grab a coffee and place your phone down on a table to charge while you recharge? People are saying this could very much be a reality in the next year or so.

Gigantic Smartphones
Remember when our mobile devices were tiny little flip phones--smaller the better? Now we're seeing the trend of bigger is better when it comes to the newest and greatest mobile phones on the market. I'm sorry but this is a trend I can't get behind. The screens keep getting better, which in theory sounds great, but eventually I'll have to buy a purse to fit my mini HD TV/Phone. Fashion and functionality have me here.

Wearable Tech
Watches and wristbands were all the rage this year at CES. The Pebble Watch had to be one of my absolute favorites (and a wish-list item)! Pebble raised $10 million on Kickstarter for its smart watch before it became a reality. The Pebble syncs to Android phones and iPhones, and displays incoming messages and caller information. Users can also program it to send custom alerts. The e-ink style LCD display makes it easy to see in bright sunlight, and you can customize the way you want the time to display

Don't get me wrong, as an advertising major, I am all for creative and innovative ways of online advertising.  But these comment advertisements that are disguised as a person just carrying on a conversation about a product just kills me!

Not only does it just say to me "DISH is annoying" but it also says, "DISH employees can't spell and the entire corporation is entirely unprofessional."

This is a giant fail, right?

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was this week in Las Vegas and companies pulled out all the stops to make sure this was an event to remember!

Most of the world is far too busy to keep up with CES. It's like a full-time job trying to keep up with who unveiled what and what is about to become the next big thing in technology! The news pours out faster than the technology becoming outdated. There's also a large chuck of people that don't care about CES because some very important, life-changing companies are not present at the event... like Apple (everything else is just a cheap knock off in comparison).

But there is more to CES then the competing superpowers, Microsoft and (the absent) Apple. Some of the coolest, strangest gadgets make their way into the mainstream by way of CES. So after asleepless night, I have compiled all the main highlights of CES.

Microsoft's flop.  Microsoft's keynote speech, which has been the opening CES spectacle since 1998, was entertaining but lacked the substance that the techies need to survive. Recently, Microsoft disclosed that they would not be a part of CES 2013, so this would be their last opening keynote.

From the host Ryan Seacrest to an on-stage choir singing tweets, Microsoft's show was incredibly entertaining... but none of it was technology news! This dog and pony show did nothing for the company's position in the marketplace and it definitely doesn't help to sell their products.

Microsoft pulling out of CES comes as no surprise to many. Apple doesn't participate in CES since they hold their own earth-shattering keynotes and events. Perhaps Microsoft will follow.

Justin Bieber likes robots.  It's safe to say that JB has had an awesome year. And what better way to start a new year then to endorse some robots...? Wait. What does Justin Bieber have to do with robots? No one knows. No one, including this Mashable reporter who just really wanted to see the robots but had to deal with the Biebers of CES.

I understand that the Biebs got his start through social media and technology (he was "discovered" on YouTube) but that doesn't really cross over to robots. However, someone thought that just because this robot dances, it's one in the same as JB.

And dance is all it does. The Tosy mRobo robot dances to the music that you upload to it. Lame. I want one that makes me a sandwich and does my laundry.

Waterproofing Tech Toys.  Liquipel debuted its revolutionary waterproofing process for your smart phones. This thin covering, which they claim "you'd need a powerful microscope to detect," protects your phone from spills and from being completely emerged without the need of a case. At this point, I'm sold! But some of you probably want to know what the price point is... the prices range (for the iPhone) from $59.99 to $79.99 depending on the type of skin. Not too bad! The only catch is that you have to cut ties with your device and send it to them. After they've received it, they'll have the job completed in about 3 days. Can you sacrifice these few days for a worry-free life where your phone and water can coexist in close proximity?

High Tech Baby Stroller. Not that I'm interested in stroller shopping but 4Moms has debuted the most sophisticated stroller on the market, the Origami. Origami is a power folding stroller in which the back wheels, when rotating, power a battery that can be used to charge and run plethora of gadgets. This high tech stroller comes with running lights, MP3 hookup, a LCD screen with tripometer, and, of course, a power folder. Perfect for the tech mom on the go.

iSpy the iPad 3 at CES.  According to iLounge, you may have been seen the iPad 3 at CES and not even have known it. That's right. According to their report, the next-generation tablet is almost unrecognizable unless it is compared side-by-side with the iPad 2. iLounge notes differences in:

• Body thickness - approximately 1mm increase
• Rear camera - larger than predecessor, silver ringed and similar to the iPhone 4s (minus the LED flash)
• Screen - rumors have suggested a smaller screen, however, nothing of the short was spotted at CES but it can still be expected

With these small of changes, I almost expect for this to be an iPad 2S. I feel as though we are in for another iPhone 5 deboggle where our expectations get so high then we are just left with a disappointing iPhone 4S at the unveiling.

However, the expected "unveiling" of the new iPad is between now and mid-2012 and a lot can change, pre-production wide. So who knows what the finished product will be!

What else did I miss? Did some of you have more time to follow the releases more closely than I did? I'd love to hear what excited you!