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Scenes from CTIA (photos)

As CTIA comes to a close, CNET brings you the highlights of the annual wireless trade show.

Kent German
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
Kent German
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1 of 18 Lynn La/CNET

Hello, New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS--CTIA took place at the Ernest Morial Convention Center on the banks of the Mississippi.
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2 of 18 Seth Rosenblatt/CNET

AT&T goes southern

The night before the show began, AT&T debuted home security, called Digital Life (read CNET's report), at an event in a century-old private home in New Orleans' Garden District.
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3 of 18 Kent German/CNET

Blowing smoke at HTC

At HTC's booth, a performer blew smoke bubbles that flew over the crowd.
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4 of 18 Kent German/CNET

And smoke rings

He also used a glass tube to blow smoke rings.
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5 of 18 Kent German/CNET

LG shows off

Though it introduced no new phones, LG's booth was one of the biggest at the show.
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6 of 18 Lynn La/CNET

Time for some tunes

A four-piece jazz band played for members of the press and analysts at the Pepcom press event on the show's first night.
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7 of 18 Lynn La/CNET

Juggling Jabras

At the same event, a performer juggled Jabra Bluetooth headsets.
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8 of 18 Lynn La/CNET
A sand artist at Kyocera's booth performed with sand and music to illustrate the waterproof ability of the Kyocera Hydro.
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9 of 18 Lynn La/CNET

LG parties

LG threw a party at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street.
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10 of 18 Kent German/CNET

The CEO speaks

At the show's last keynote, CTIA CEO and president Steve Largent opened for a special guest.
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11 of 18 Kent German/CNET

Hail to the chief

During his speech, former President Bill Clinton said that the wireless industry is a good example of people working together to solve problems, and he urged politicians to take note.
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12 of 18 Marguerite Reardon/CNET

The FCC chimes in

At the first keynote, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski defended his agency's decision to deny AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile.
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13 of 18 Kent German/CNET

You won't find them here

Handset manufacturer Eyo showed its wide range of handsets that are available only overseas.
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14 of 18 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

iKeep Charger

One of the worst accessories we saw at the show, the iKeep Charger ($49.99) is a cheaply made, oversize plastic carabiner with a pull-out cord that attaches to a two-in-one charging plug. The 30-pin iPhone connector is on the end of the cord, but you can also flip down the top to access the Micro-USB connector. Flip too enthusiastically, like we did, and you'll easily pull off the plastic panel to expose some circuitry underneath.

To retract the cable, just keep pulling until the string snaps back. Or, if you're like us, pull it out all the way without successfully retracting it, then hand the iKeep charger back to its minder and walk away.

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15 of 18 Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Cases on display

Skinit's magnetic wall of iPhone and iPad cases urges you express your love of mustaches, vintage bikes, and "The Hunger Games."
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16 of 18 Brian Bennett/CNET

For the real fan

This "Star Wars"-themed Bluetooth headset with Boba Fett by Earloomz may be the geekiest thing ever.
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17 of 18 Kent German/CNET

Unique USBs

We loved these USB sticks in the shape of super heroes and "Star Wars" characters.
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18 of 18 Kent German/CNET

iPads get love, too

iWalk showed off a cool iPad extended battery that doubles as a stand.

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