The best -- and most bizarre -- from Day 1 of CES

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by dealmaker, Jan 8, 2020.

  1. dealmaker

    dealmaker

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    The best -- and most bizarre -- from Day 1 of CES
    The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) kicked off its first full day yesterday in Las Vegas. As usual, the event featured the best, the brightest, and the most bizarre tech out there.

    Here are 3 trends we noticed on Day 1:

    1. Car culture is still in the fast lane
    The cars of the future may not look like your mom’s Mazda (and they may not guzzle the same gas). But judging by yesterday’s hype, car culture isn’t going anywhere.

    • Electric cars were everywhere. Established automakers likeAudiandMercedes-Benzshowed off sleek new electric designs, but so didless-established car companieslike Fisker, Faraday, and Byton.
    • EvenSony made a car,a shocking reminder that the future of automaking is wide open. But the Japanese electronics giant’s electricVision-Sraised a lot of questions (Sony didn’t make it clear if it plans to put the car into production).
    • AnAvatar-inspired carfrom Mercedes-Benz wasa glowing, blue symbol of self-driving hype. The scale-covered, steering wheel-less Vision AVTR (for Advanced Vehicle Transformation) ride recognizes the driver’s pulse and breath and moves sideways like a crab -- but there are no plans to put the glowing blue beast into production.
    • Andfancy in-car entertainment systemswere a good reminder that self-driving cars will also usher in a new era where cars aren’t just vehicles but also mobile entertainment centers that have giant screens (see Byton’s48-inch screen) and myriad infotainment features (see partnerships withAmazonandAccuweather).
    2. For better and for worse, everything is connected now
    Technological improvements have made it possible for almost anything to be connected to the internet. But while some smart objects can be wonderful (e.g., the ones thatimprove accessibilityfor disabled folks), others can be worrisome (e.g., the ones thatdish out personal data).

    Some of the most noteworthy connected objects:

    • Arazorthat’s AI-powered and Bluetooth (The Next Bic Thing)
    • Atoothbrushthat maps your mouth (Plaqless Pro)
    • Atoilet-paper dispenserthat delivers toilet paper via app (Rollbot)
    • Atrash canthat ties up its own garbage (Townew)
    • Abathmatthat weighs you and tracks health (Mateo Bath Mat)
    • Apillowthat analyzes your snoring patterns (Motion Pillow 2)
    • Afake kittenthat purrs but has no head (Petit Qoobo)
    • Aballthat… just rolls around after you? (Ballie)
    3. We’re not sure why, but bendy screens are a big thing now
    For years, flexible screens have been treated like a Holy Grail for electronics companies. And whether or not people actually want them, the flexy tech has finally arrived:

     
    #1     Jan 8, 2020
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