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Amazon among key tech companies abandoning CES plans due to Covid-19 concerns


A Rivian electric pickup truck with Alexa integration is displayed during Amazon Automotive during CES 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 7, 2020.

Steve Marcus | Reuters

Amazon, Facebook parents Meta, Twitter and Pinterest will not send teams to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas because of growing concerns about Omicron, the companies said on Tuesday.

CES, billed as the annual showcase for new tech trends and gadgets, has drawn more than 180,000 people from around the world to a range of casinos and conference spaces in the past. .

Amazon and smart home unit Ring said they would not be at next month’s event due to the “rapidly changing situation and uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant” of the coronavirus, a company spokesperson said. company told Reuters in an email.

Bloomberg News first report that Amazon and Ring have decided against an in-person presence at the show.

Conference sponsor and US wireless service provider T Mobile also said much of its team would no longer be involved and its chief executive would not give keynote speeches.

“We are prioritizing the safety of our team and other attendees with this decision,” said T-Mobile, expressing confidence that CES organizers have taken safeguards in place. overview.

Other companies have not planned large face-to-face meetings.

The Consumer Technology Association, which runs CES, said on Tuesday the show will run from January 5 to January 8. Health precautions will include vaccination requirements. , mask wearing, and the availability of COVID-19 tests.

Twitter has planned for some employees to attend, participate in the panels. However, both Twitter and Facebook say they are now exploring online opportunities.

Pinterest, before the cancellation, planned a miniature meeting area for its sales teams and partners, compared to previous years.

But many companies, such as Qualcomm, Sony Electronics and Alphabet of Google and its self-driving car unit Waymo said they are planning to attend and showcase new hardware or hold meetings.

On Tuesday, Synthetic engine CEO Mary Barra said she was still prepared to introduce the American automaker’s electric Silverado pickup truck and discuss the company’s strategy face-to-face at the conference on January 5.

Other companies have long planned a virtual presence, among them chipmakers Nvidia, has two executives deliver a keynote video.

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