CES 2013: What to expect as Samsung, Sony, Asus, LG, et al. get ready to impress

Over 150,000 visitors from over 150 countries trawling around 1.85 million square feet of exhibition space - CES is a huge event.

More than 3000 exhibitors are expected to be showing their latest and greatest products at CES 2013. Over the last few years the Las Vegas showcase has seen some major unveilings, so what can we expect this year?

Read more: CES 2013 - the latest updates | Best of CES 2012

Phones and tablets - and lots of them. Samsung in particular is likely to be making a big push for more smartphone and tablet market share, so expect some new devices and major announcements from the South Korean company.

Always conspicuous by its absence, the shadow of Apple will loom large over CES once more; so much so that an entire hall of Apple themed paraphernalia is once again making an appearance. Everything from cases to docks and the assorted landfill of tomorrow will be on show - but Apple itself doesn't attend CES.

Neither this year does Microsoft. Despite having its first piece of hardware - the Windows 8 Surface tablet - the company will not have a stand at CES 2013. Normally one of the biggest presences on the showroom floor, Microsoft's absence has raised eyebrows in the industry.

All this leaves more space for massive TVs, another product that will be making a big impact at CES 2013. Last year we saw some real monsters, Sharp's 80in LCD TV Click here for our latest reports from Monday 7 January.