The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the key trade show that for over 50 years, lets us know what to expect in the world of innovation. What we’ll be using (or thinking about using) along with what companies are investing in is the main agenda and 2018’s roster of products were pretty impressive to boot. Here’s what caught our eye.
Lenovo ‘Mirage Solo’
The first completely wireless VR headset is here via Google’s Daydream VR platform. No tethering. No cords. Just boot up and start moving. The set allows more mobility, and the Mirage Solo has built-in sensor motion tracking (dubbed “WorldSense”). It comes with 64GB of storage, 4GB of RAM, and has an expandable SD card should you want to get more VR experiences, whether it’s immersing in Blade Runner quests or zipping to locations around the world. Oh, and there’s a 110-degree field view so greater depth in viewing options is another bonus.
Spire Studio
This all-in-one portable recording studio can be taken anywhere you are and is paired with a free, integrated iOS app (unfortunately no Android app as of yet). iZotope has been crafting software for over 15 years, but this is the company’s first foray into consumer hardware products, and those that idle the DIY approach will be pleased to know this is a device that’s got the capacity to record studio-quality compositions. Available come spring/summer, the Spire Studio has already been supported by the likes of The National’s Matt Berninger and The Who’s Pete Townshend as well as veteran record producers including four-time Grammy winner, Chris Shaw (Bob Dylan, Wilco), and Catherine Popper (Jack White, Ryan Adams). If it’s good for them, it’s good for us. It comes with a built-in omnidirectional mic, two XLR 1/4″ jacks for instruments (or more mics) to be plugged in, adjustable levels for all inputs (simply hit the SoundCheck button), and of course all the stylings that musicians comes to know– delays, fades, reverbs can all be worked in. You can layer up to eight tracks, too. Check out Sondre Lerche recording his track “Hello Stranger” here.
LG 4K OLED TV
Everyone is talking about LG’s rollable 65-inch 4K OLED TV, and rightfully so–it descends into its stand, rolling into a tube about 100 millimetres in diameter. Sure, the 8K has gotten its abundance of attention, and this 65-inch TV is merely a prototype for now, but that doesn’t make it less exciting. The OLED modes allow viewing ratios to switch from a small fraction to a 21:9 aspect ratio to full range extendability, meaning you can tweak the way you watch the screen depending on the formats you’re viewing. Just think about how great this could integrate into small spaces.
Xenoma E-Skin Pyjamas
Innovation is great for entertainment, but it’s also essential in producing products that aid in one’s health, and these e-skin pyjamas are meant to support those living with dementia. While that in itself is great, we can’t help but think about other soon-to-be released products that can benefit our bodies, both mentally and physically, and how smart clothing will continue to change the way we buy and use our clothing. If apparel can be adaptable and serve medical purposes, without looking too medical-y, we’re on board. Cloth sensors run in the seams of the shirts and pants and can pick up when a patient is moving about, while the sensors found in the shirt monitor breathing. According to Xenoma, you can wash the fabric more than 100 times before any wear and tear may show. Giving patients more autonomy over their lives while easing caregivers ongoing demands is a win-win.
L’Oreal UV Sense
The new wearable, which looks as small as a thumbtack (less than two millimetres thick), is simple monitoring for skin protection. Nothing too fancy–no WI-FI capabilities, for example, but this is the first battery-free wearable that also has a NFC-enabled sensor and includes the MY UV Patch, which helps people track their UV exposure. You can re-stick it (with the help of replaceable adhesives) onto other items like your sunnies, too. The UV Sense can store up to three months of data and it basically looks like some colourful nail polish. It is compatible with both iOS and Android. Check for it via the La Roche-Posay brand this year.