{"id":27305,"date":"2021-12-26T17:17:02","date_gmt":"2021-12-26T17:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rbsitsoftwaresolution.com\/blog\/ces-2022-microsoft-google-intel-are-latest-to-drop-out-over-covid-surge.html"},"modified":"2021-12-26T17:17:02","modified_gmt":"2021-12-26T17:17:02","slug":"ces-2022-microsoft-google-intel-are-latest-to-drop-out-over-covid-surge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rbsitsoftwaresolution.in\/blog\/ces-2022-microsoft-google-intel-are-latest-to-drop-out-over-covid-surge.html","title":{"rendered":"CES 2022: Microsoft, Google, Intel are latest to drop out over COVID surge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With COVID cases surging, companies are backing out of attending CES in person.<\/p>\n

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\n Sarah Tew\/CNET
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This story is part of CES<\/span>, where CNET covers the latest news on the most incredible tech coming soon.<\/p>\n

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CES 2022<\/a><\/span>\u00a0continues to lose major exhibitors as the omicron variant creates a spike in coronavirus infections. On Friday, Microsoft confirmed that it will no longer appear in person at the Las Vegas tech show, which starts Jan. 5.<\/p>\n

Microsoft joins a growing list of companies switching to virtual-only appearances that already includes T-Mobile, Google, Intel, Lenovo, TikTok and Meta.<\/p>\n

“The health and well-being of our employees is our ultimate priority. After reviewing the latest data on the rapidly evolving COVID environment, Microsoft has decided not to participate in-person at CES 2022,” Microsoft said in a statement emailed late Friday. The company said it will join the show virtually.<\/p>\n

Discover the latest news and best reviews in smartphones and carriers from CNET’s mobile experts.<\/p>\n

Despite the lengthening list of departing exhibitors, the Consumer Technology Association, which runs CES, said Thursday that additional exhibitors have signed up for physical space on the show floor. “While we recently received 42 exhibitor cancellations (less than 7% of our exhibit floor),” the CTA said, “since last Friday we’ve added 60 new exhibitors for our in person event.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

Though higher-profile companies are announcing withdrawals, the CTA emphasized that the show floor also plays host to small and medium-size companies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Over 2200 companies are confirmed to participate in person at CES 2022 in Las Vegas. Our focus remains on convening the tech industry and giving those who cannot attend in person the ability to experience the magic of CES digitally.<\/p>\n

\u2014 CES (@CES) December 24, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

The rapid spread of the omicron variant<\/span> and rise in\u00a0COVID-19<\/a><\/span> cases are making many people uneasy. On Dec. 20, the US surpassed 291,000 new daily cases — the highest number since the pandemic peak on Jan. 8, 2021, when the US crossed 294,000 new daily cases, according to the CDC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The CTA said that it believes the event can go on due to vaccination and masking requirements, the availability of COVID tests for attendees, social distancing measures and lower attendance. CES 2022 is scheduled to take place virtually and in person from Jan. 5 to 8, with press day on Jan. 4. But an increasing number of companies recently decided to go digital-only.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The wave seemed to start Tuesday when T-Mobile announced<\/a> that CEO Mike Sievert was no longer scheduled to deliver a keynote presentation either in person or virtually and that the company planned to “significantly limit” its physical presence at the show.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here is the growing list of companies that have changed their minds about attending CES:<\/p>\n