CES 2017 Day 1 highlights - Samsung QLED TVs, Panasonic OLED, 4K Blu-ray

The first day of CES is given over to CES Unveiled, which highlights some of the most exciting tech to be showcased in the coming week. It's always a great glimpse of what's to come, and this year was no different - we saw TVs aplenty, soundbars, headphones and more.

And these were no bit-part players, either - the likes of Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Shure all had announcements to make. So what do these big hitters have in store for 2017? Read on and find out.

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Samsung's first QLED TVs

Samsung confirmed it was working on QLED TVs, and now it's made good on its word by launching its first three ranges. The flat Q9 and Q7, and curved Q8, all use the new technology in an effort to deliver optimal brightness and power efficiency, and all in a set no thicker than an OLED screen. They all come with 4K and HDR support, too. The all important pricing and release dates are yet to be confirmed, but hey, that's what CES day two is for!

MORE: Samsung takes aim at OLED with three QLED TV ranges

MORE: What is QLED TV? How the next TV tech compares to OLED

Panasonic's flagship EZ1002 OLED TV

Samsung wasn't the only company outing new TVs at CES. Panasonic took the wraps off the stunning EZ1002, its second-generation OLED set. This 65-inch flatscreen claims to output more than double the peak brightness of a standard OLED TV, plus it's got HDR support for HDR10 and the new Hybrid Log Gamma HDR standard set to launch later this year. Add what's claimed to be the most powerful video processing ever seen in a consumer TV, and you've got quite a TV on your hands. Look out for a hands-on review later in the week.

MORE: Panasonic unveils flagship EZ1002 OLED TV

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Panasonic's three new 4K Blu-ray players

With superior picture quality to streaming, Ultra HD Blu-ray is emerging as a force to be reckoned with. Panasonic has taken note and launched three new 4K Blu-ray players at CES: the DMP-UB400, DMP-UB310 and DMP-UB300. As well as handling 4K discs, all three are compatible with 8K video, meaning they're future-proofed. They all upscale to 4K, too. Look out for them hitting the UK soon.

MORE: Panasonic launches three new 4K Blu-ray players

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Amazon's Alexa voice assistant comes to TVs

Amazon's Alexa voice assistant is already present in its Echo speakers, and Lenovo's Harman Kardon-powered speaker, and now she's found her way into TVs. Fire up a compatible 4K telly from US firms Westinghouse, Element or Seiki, and you can ask Alexa questions and have her fetch you information while you watch. There's no word on whether these sets will come to the UK - maybe we should ask Alexa.

MORE: Amazon Alexa voice control comes to 4K TVs

MORE: Amazon Echo review

Shure Apple Lightning adapter with built-in DAC and amp

You don't need to ditch your current headphones if you buy an iPhone 7. If you have a pair of Shure headphones that use the MMXC connector, this Lightning adaptor will mean they play nice with your new iPhone. Plus a DAC and amp are built into the in-line remote. It's due in the spring.

MORE: Shure launches Apple Lightning adaptor with built-in DAC and amp

MORE: Apple EarPods with Lightning Connector review

Fuse in-ears make Bluetooth headphones modular

We've seen modular mobiles before, but modular headphones? The Fuse earbuds knit together using a connector to make a pill-shaped module which is then compatible with various storage options. Clever.

MORE: Fuse in-ears bring modular design to Bluetooth headphones

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LG's first Dolby Atmos soundbar

LG's first Dolby Atmos-compatible soundbar supports hi-res audio, has a slimline design and two upwards-firing speakers. Chromecast support means you can stream to it, and it works with 4K Blu-ray players. Atmos with one speaker? It seems it can be done...

MORE: The SJ9 is LG's first Dolby Atmos soundbar

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Joe Svetlik

Joe has been writing about tech for 17 years, first on staff at T3 magazine, then in a freelance capacity for Stuff, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Men's Health, GQ, The Mirror, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar and many more (including What Hi-Fi?). His specialities include all things mobile, headphones and speakers that he can't justifying spending money on.