International CES set to kick off in Las Vegas, starring 4K TVs, the Internet of Things and rapper 50 Cent

The world’s largest consumer electronics show, the International CES, is set to kick off in Las Vegas this month, with consumer electronics giants hyping their key product announcements ahead of the event.

According to event organisers, the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected devices will be a key theme of this year’s show, which has attracted a total of 900 exhibitors and will run from January 6 to 9.

“It’s all about the opportunity to connect everyday items like cars, home security systems and kitchen appliances to networked devices like PCs and smartphones for greater control and management of our everyday lives,” CES senior vice president Karen Chupka said in a statement.

Major consumer electronics brands set to deliver press conferences unveiling their 2015 product lineups at the show include Sharp, Chevrolet, iDevices, ZTE, Sony, Bang & Olufson, Audi, MakerBot and Kenwood.

Ahead of the show, Lenovo has taken to social media to tease that its first “big reveal” is less than 12 hours away, while LG is hyping a 4K ultra-HD TV and enigmatically posting “What am I” over a cropped image of a screen with a thin bezel.

A number of electronics giants have turned to celebrities to add to the star power of their displays, with rapper 50 Cent, talk show host Dr Phil, TV personality Ryan Seacrest and Battlestar Galactica star Tricia Helfer involved. NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal, Clyde Drexler, Calvin Murphy and Adonal Foyle will also appear at the show.

THE 1ST BIG REVEAL comes 12 hours from now–looking forward to a big #CES2015 in Vegas. #LenovoCES pic.twitter.com/ApCR89dCEa

— Lenovo (@lenovo) January 4, 2015

Are you ready for #CES2015? Stay in-the-know with LG and follow #LGCES: https://t.co/Fr72vJd0O9. pic.twitter.com/NrVYAo0Wd5

— LG Electronics (@LGUS) January 3, 2015