CES usually attracts over 170,000 to Las Vegas, all in search of new, cool, and useful products to gawk over. 2022 was a hybrid affair thanks to the help of Summit Engine, which is the software that powered the event, built and operated by Web Summit. Like most things these days, the fate of CES 2022 was unknown leading into the new year, especially as companies like Microsoft, Google, Peloton, P&G, Intel, Pinterest, and others decided not to attend the large tech conference in person due to the surge of COVID-19 cases. But the show went on. Here’s what was announced this year.
Project Sophia
Razer showed off a prototype for its modular gaming desk concept called Project Sophia. Based on a video presented, the desk’s components, including microphones and wireless charging pads, can be swapped. Users can incorporate pieces like calendar displays, audio mixers, and even a mug heater to keep beverages toasty. It also comes with a 65-inch OLED display. While this may be a prototype, it sure gives some ideas about how elevated, connected desk spaces could be designed.
Samsung OLED TV
Photo courtesy: Samsung
Samsung unveiled its OLED TV with a 65-inch QD Display. The TV is the “world’s first true RGB self-emitting Quantum Dot OLED display…combining the contrast levels of RGB OLED with the colour and brightness of quantum dots,” reads the description from CES, who awarded it a “Best of Innovation” product. Samsung claims this version of OLED offers the “widest range of colour expression among the existing display technology.” The OLED TV is built with Samsung’s 2022 Neo Quantum Processor and comes with four HDMI 2.1 inputs.
The Freestyle by Samsung
Samsung also showed off The Freestyle, a tiny US$900 (CA$1,145) protector that can project up to a 100-inch screen on basically any flat surface. It comes with a built-in cradle, weighs under 2 pounds, and can swivel up to 180 degrees with surround sound thanks to the 5-watt woofer. The resolution is a full 1080p with auto-focus, and all you need to do is plug in the device via USB-C to get things going. The Freestyle also comes with access to Samsung’s Smart TV platform. The microphone used to summon Bixby or Alexa can be turned off.
LG OLED 97″ TV
Photo courtesy: LG
It feels like TV’s can’t get any bigger — but that’s not the case in LG’s world. The company announced a gigantic 97-inch TV, a world first. The C2 and G2 TV’s use OLED evo technology, which the company says is brighter than previous OLED models. All new LG TV’s will use the webOS 22 smart TV platform and have an “Always Ready” mode that turns the TV into an art display when it is not being used. LG is also introducing its very first health platform, LG Fitness, so users can stay healthy at home.
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV
Photo courtesy: General Motors
General Motors unveiled the Chevrolet Equinox EV, an all-electric SUV that will go on sale in fall 2023 at a price of approximately US$30,000 (CA$38,189). It will utilize GM’s Ultium platform and is said to have a range of up to 640 km on a full charge. GM also unveiled the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV, an all-electric, full-size pickup truck, and a larger electric Chevrolet Blazer SUV — both coming in 2023.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3
Photo courtesy: Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a 17.3-inch ultrawide laptop that comes with a second screen. The second display is an 8-inch LCD colour touchscreen, which houses frequently used apps and widgets. The laptop operates with a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, with up to 32GB of memory and 2TB of storage. This concept is great for anyone who yearns for a more tangible feel to the work they do or can appreciate multitasking in a new way. The second screen can duplicate the primary display, or you can mirror your phone by using Microsoft’s Your Phone app. The laptop, which runs on Windows 11 Pro, is available in May at a starting price of US$1,399 ($CA1,780).
Moen Smart Faucet
From Left: Moen Smart Faucet, Smart Leak Detector, Smart Sump Pump Monitor, Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff, Smart Shower
Photo courtesy: Moen
Moen’s Smart Faucet received an upgrade at this year’s CES 2022, complete with motion control sensors that can read gestures to control temperature and the amount of water dispensed. By using the Moen Smart Water App and voice activation via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can command more of your water at any time. Keep in mind that this faucet is part of a system of products from Moen, all of which are designed to eventually be connected. Moen has a “smart shower” coming to the Smart Water App in 2023.
TEASER: Sony’s Playstation VR2
Photo courtesy: Sony
Sony gave us a teeny bit more information about its next virtual reality (VR) headset, PlayStation VR2, which is said to include haptic feedback in 4K. It will also include 3D audio, four cameras, tracking IR, and have a field of view of approximately 110 degrees. No word just yet on how it looks, when it will be out, and how much it will cost.
CyberPowerPC Kinetic Series case
Photo courtesy: CyberPowerPC
Here’s something that really caught our eye. The CyberPowerPC Kinetic case has 18 individual vents that expand and collapse to help with airflow. Inspired by kinetic architecture, when the temperature is high, it contracts to allow more air in. When the temperature is low, it expands to control airflow as well as noise and dust. This case can sense the environment and provide a visual exhale like no other — and we’re all for it. Look for it later this year at a price of US$249 (CA$316).