It's almost that time of year again; that's right, IFA 2023 is just around the corner. But if you're wondering what IFA is, who goes to it, and what IFA means, we've got you covered.
What Is IFA? What Does IFA Mean?
The IFA consumer electronics trade show has been held annually in Berlin, Germany, since 1924. IFA stands for Internationale Funkausstellung, as the consumer tech show began life as an international radio show, showcasing new and promising radio tech.
IFA was first held in 1924 at the Berlin Fairgrounds, gathering 178,000 visitors who came to see the latest radios and televisions.
As consumer electronics evolved over the decades, IFA expanded its focus beyond just radios. The trade show began exhibiting more home appliances and entertainment devices in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s, video recorders and game consoles started appearing at IFA as those technologies emerged. The name was changed to Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin in 2005 to reflect its broader scope beyond radio.
Today, IFA has grown into one of the world's leading trade shows for consumer electronics and home appliances. It is held every year in September at the Messe Berlin, at the center of which is the Funkturm Berlin (Berlin Radio Tower), which is appropriate given the event's history. Tuning into IFA coverage is one of the best ways to find the latest gadgets and tech from around the world.
What Tech Is Shown at IFA? Which Brands Will Be There?
FA typically attracts over 1,500 exhibitors and 240,000 attendees from over 100 countries. Major companies like Samsung, LG, Sony, and Bosch use IFA to unveil their newest smart devices and innovations to the public.
Some of the product categories featured each year at IFA include smart home technology, virtual and augmented reality, wearable devices, computers, televisions, audio equipment, and smart energy products. Automotive electronics and household appliances are also on display. There are special sections for startup companies and university research projects to exhibit their cutting-edge prototypes and proofs of concept.
In addition to the exhibition halls, IFA hosts conferences and presentations about technology and innovation. Leading experts and companies give talks on topics like 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainability. There are also media events, awards ceremonies, and opportunities for attendees to test out the new products.
Check out who we gave our awards to at IFA 2022—there are some interesting winners in there, that's for sure.
When Is IFA 2023?
IFA 2023 will take place from 1st to 5th September 2023. Incidentally, this is the 99th edition of IFA, with the 2024 event set to bring up IFA's century.
Is IFA Better Than CES?
IFA remains one of the largest consumer tech events in the world. Despite the overall scale of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas (held in January each year), IFA and CES are neck and neck in terms of attendance, with IFA nudging ahead.
For example, in September 2019, IFA saw 245,000 visitors, while CES 2020 saw around 171,000 (before the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to stay at home and away from tech expos!). The figures for both events are still recovering following the pandemic.
Whether one is better than the other really comes down to what you want from a consumer tech show. CES is vast and filled with new technology at every corner, while IFA feels slightly more compact (as the majority is hosted at the Messe Berlin) yet still delivers heaps of shiny new tech.
MakeUseOf Reporting From IFA 2023
With IFA 2023 just around the corner, MakeUseOf's coverage of the event will begin ramping up in earnest, bringing you the best new tech, the weirdest new gadgets, and reporting from the IFA 2023 floor and Messe Berlin throughout the entire show.
Keep your eyes peeled for our ongoing IFA 2023 coverage over the coming weeks, as we're expecting some big announcements and new tech from household names.
IFA 2023: What Is It, When Is It, and What Does IFA Stand For? - MUO - MakeUseOf
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