Superfast 5G on the slow road at gadget gala

"5G networks are still in their infancy around the world," said Steven Koenig, vice president of market research at the Consumer Technology Association, which organizes the show. "There are 50 different carriers running 5G over the world but it's still pretty limited in scope and coverage." The annual Las Vegas gathering opens Tuesday with more than 4,500 exhibitors brings out about 175,000 attendees searching for innovations of the future.

Since smartphones are on the front line when it comes to mobile data networks, consumer electronics firms competing in that market are taking their time rolling out the devices.

With 5G, backers say, self-driving vehicles will think and react faster than human drivers, with the added benefit of knowing what cars or trucks around them have in mind. People will interact with insightful holograms. Jewelry will track a wearer's health.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2020