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The weird world behind the scenes at Europe's largest tech show

CNET has been on the ground at the IFA tradeshow in Berlin, to see the latest tech launches. Here's what goes on behind the scenes.

Andrew Lanxon
Andrew is CNET's go-to guy for product coverage and lead photographer for Europe. When not testing the latest phones, he can normally be found with his camera in hand, behind his drums or eating his stash of home-cooked food. Sometimes all at once.
Andrew Lanxon
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1 of 30 Richard Trenholm/CNET

Welcome to IFA, the largest technology tradeshow in Europe. Held in Berlin, Germany, the show sees tech giants like Samsung, Sony, LG and many more come together to launch their latest gadgets.

CNET attends the show every year to get first looks at all the new gear, but it's behind the scenes where the most interesting sights are often found.

Click through to see what it's like to report from this big show.

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2 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Samsung holds its launch events at the Tempodrom in Berlin, which doesn't always have the wonderful glowing orb above it. This year, it was the site of the launch of the new Gear S3 smartwatch.

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3 of 30 Richard Trenholm/CNET

The IFA show halls are full of stages where brands do a variety of things to drum up interest for their products. We have no idea what's going on here.

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4 of 30 Richard Trenholm/CNET

What says 'audio quality' quality better than a giant military truck?

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5 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

A gaggle of tech journalists photographing a dancer in a private bar is a normal sight at IFA.

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6 of 30 Richard Trenholm/CNET

Asus' press conference took us down to the docks.

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7 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Before the show opens to the public, press are able to walk around freely -- even though the stands aren't fully constructed and there's rubbish everywhere.

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8 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

There are a lot of escalators in the show halls. CNET's Luke Westaway loves escalators.

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9 of 30 CNET

It's important to enjoy local delicacies when you're in town. The CNET team is about to drink a few.

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10 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Roger Cheng flaunts the Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch.

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11 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The food options are not great at IFA.

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12 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

A Sony rep and his train set.

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13 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

CNET video producer Jonathan Garnham hauls his equipment around all day, making him something of a trooper.

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14 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

What a handsome pair!

From left to right, Luke Westaway and Andrew Hoyle hide under the branches of a tree to record an episode of the CNET UK podcast. Tree leaves do not make for good audio production.

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15 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The walkways between halls are littered with packing crates.

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16 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

I don't know what this man thinks he's up to.

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17 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Luke Westaway tries out Samsung's Gear VR bungee jump. One of a variety of challenges and games you'll find around the halls.

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18 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

A policeman tries out the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Possibly to check for battery safety.

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19 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

This robot sketching arm is not an optional accessory for the Note 7.

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20 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Important meetings often happen in the front section of pedal boats at IFA.

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21 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

I don't know what this is or why it's here.

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22 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The mascot of IFA -- Miss IFA -- seen in the flesh on the show floor. A rare treat.

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23 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Kent German and Rich Trenholm working hard in the glorious IFA press room.

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24 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

LG used its OLED TVs to create a tunnel featuring the Northern Lights over Iceland.

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25 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Three hip-thrusting robots, dancing in unison in front of children. Standard.

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26 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

It's important to keep fit however you can, such as while on this bike at IFA.

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27 of 30 Richard Trenholm/CNET

Samsung treated us to a beach.

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28 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Luke Westaway says an emotional goodbye to IFA as we leave on the last day.

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29 of 30 Luke Westaway/CNET

A boy-bin-robot, trundling around and singing. We don't know why.

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30 of 30 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Jonathan Garnham relaxes as only a CNET video producer can.

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