Once again, it’s that annual moment when the globe’s major tech players gather in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
Spanning from January 9 to 12, numerous large and small companies will present their latest innovations, ranging from TVs and laptops to experimental technologies and electric vehicles. The predominant theme this year is the integration of generative artificial intelligence, with brands expected to incorporate AI into our everyday devices. Despite the AI focus, CES promises a myriad of other exciting developments that extend beyond artificial intelligence, fueling our anticipation for what’s in store at the event.
Here are some of our favourites:
Beamo Thermometer Takes Wellness to the Next Level
Withings has introduced the Beamo, a revolutionary four-in-one health device that goes beyond traditional thermometers. Resembling a game stick, the Beamo integrates a thermometer, electrocardiogram (ECG), oximeter, and stethoscope in a single, portable device. Unveiled at CES 2024, this innovative health tool offers a quick health checkup by providing insights into various aspects of your well-being.
Compact and smaller than a smartphone, the Beamo allows users to measure their temperature at home while also offering wellness metrics similar to advanced wearables and smartwatches. Depending on where it is applied on the body, the device provides information on blood oxygen levels, heart rate readings, and even functions as a “digital stethoscope” to capture chest sounds.
With expected clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration in June, the Beamo will be available for purchase at $250. This all-in-one health companion aims to streamline health monitoring with convenience and efficiency.
Era of ‘See-through’ TVs
LG has introduced a transparent OLED screen that seamlessly transforms from a mesmerizing “fish tank” display to a substantial 77-inch television. In a departure from competing technologies, LG’s creation is not just a prototype but a tangible product set to hit the market later in 2024. This innovation addresses the challenge of large black TV screens dominating living room walls when not in use, offering a sleek and transformative solution.
Samsung, not to be outdone, showcases its own foray into transparency with the debut of the first transparent version of its Micro-LED display technology at CES 2024. Samsung claims that its Micro-LED technology, compared to existing options, produces brighter, clearer images and boasts increased transparency. However, it’s worth noting that Samsung considers this transparent Micro-LED tech a concept and not yet available in the market.
AI Revolutionizes Dental Care
In the realm of dental hygiene, artificial intelligence takes center stage with the Oclean X Ultra Wi-Fi Digital Toothbrush. This cutting-edge toothbrush features an algorithm-controlled motor, offering five brush modes tailored to specific needs. Its interactive touchscreen visually guides users to areas they may have missed during brushing, while an AI voice guide assists in enhancing brushing techniques. Additionally, the toothbrush is equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing users to sync it with their home network and store brushing history for later analysis on a dedicated app. Boasting an impressive 40 days of battery life through wireless charging, the Oclean X Ultra is set to be available for purchase in the U.S. in the fall, priced at $130.
Samsung ‘AI for All’ CES 2024 announcements
During CES 2024, Samsung unveiled its innovative approach to incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) for an intuitive user experience across their devices. The company showcased AI-enabled features in Visual Display Products and Digital Appliances, aiming to bring novel experiences to households.
One of the highlights was the introduction of the Galaxy Book4 series, equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors and a range of generative AI features. Notably, these laptops can utilize a Samsung smartphone as a web camera. Samsung also presented the Neo QLED 8K QN900D, featuring an integrated AI Processor, NQ8 AI Gen. This processor boasts an 8 times larger AI neural network and a two times faster NPU compared to its predecessor. It enhances tasks such as automatic upscaling of low-resolution content to 8K, and AI is utilized for voice amplification.
The company showcased an updated version of Ballie, a Samsung AI robot initially introduced in 2020. Expanding AI integration beyond traditional devices, Samsung introduced the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator. This refrigerator includes a massive 32-inch display with AI Vision Inside and AI Family Hub. Additionally, the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo now features an AI Hub with a 7-inch LCD screen. Lastly, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo employs AI for an efficient cleaning experience.
XReal Air 2 Ultra AR Glasses priced at $699
XReal is set to make waves at CES 2024 with the announcement of its latest AR glasses – the Air 2 Ultra. Priced at $699 these sunglass-like AR glasses are positioned to rival devices like the Meta Quest 3. Despite being nearly twice the cost of the XReal Air 2, the Air 2 Ultra boasts more powerful hardware, featuring 6DOF tracking and a dual 3D camera setup for scanning and mapping the surrounding environment.
The AR glasses come equipped with two high-resolution 1080p screens, one for each eye, offering up to 500 nits of peak brightness and a refresh rate of 120Hz. Remarkably, the device weighs a mere 80 grams while packing such advanced hardware. Compatibility spans across macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS.
The XReal Air 2 Ultra AR glasses are slated to hit markets including the US, the UK, China, Japan, and more via the official website, promising an immersive augmented reality experience for users.
Belkin unveils World’s First DockKit-Compatible Stand for iPhones
Belkin has made waves with the announcement of its groundbreaking Auto-Tracking Stand Pro with DockKit, touted as the world’s first DockKit-compatible stand designed specifically for iPhones. Priced at $179.99, this motorized stand not only facilitates 15W wireless charging but also introduces an innovative movement tracking feature, ensuring individuals remain in the frame even as they navigate the room.
The Auto-Tracking Stand Pro boasts an impressive 5-hour battery life without the need for a power supply. Users have the flexibility to activate or deactivate the tracking feature at their convenience with the touch of a button, adding a level of control to the interactive experience. This stand caters to the modern user’s needs, combining functionality with cutting-edge technology.
Dell unveils cutting-edge Alienware Gaming Laptops
Dell has raised the bar in the gaming laptop arena with the introduction of three high-performance Alienware branded models at CES 2024. The Alienware m16 R2 boasts a redesigned form factor and upgraded hardware, the Alienware X16 R2 stands out as one of the thinnest and most premium 16-inch gaming laptops produced by the company, and the Alienware m18 R2 is a powerhouse featuring an expansive 18-inch display.
The Alienware m16 R2 introduces a new stealth mode, allowing users to swiftly disable all lighting effects with the press of F2. All three laptops are fueled by Intel Core Ultra H series processors and offer up to RTX 40 series mobile graphics cards. With up to a 240Hz refresh rate display, these gaming laptops promise an immersive and smooth gaming experience. Additionally, each laptop features an upgraded 1080p web camera to enhance video communication.
In terms of pricing, the Alienware m16 R2 starts at $1,649.99, the Alienware X16 R2 is priced at approximately $2,099.99, and the Alienware m18 R2 kicks off at around $1,899.99. The availability of these laptops in select markets is set to commence on January 11, 2024, marking a new era for gaming enthusiasts seeking cutting-edge performance and design in their portable gaming devices.
Lenovo unveils world’s first ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid
Lenovo has taken a bold step in laptop innovation with its latest announcements at CES 2024. The standout reveal is the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid, hailed as the world’s first 2-in-1 laptop running both Android and Windows OS. This groundbreaking device combines the versatility of a 2-in-1 form factor with the seamless integration of two operating systems, offering users a unique and flexible computing experience.
Additionally, Lenovo introduced a range of new laptops in the popular Yoga series. The lineup includes models such as the Yoga Slim 7i (14-inch), Yoga Pro 7i (14-inch), Yoga Pro 7 (14-inch), Yoga Pro 9i (16-inch), and the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 (14-inch). These laptops feature OLED screens with up to 3K resolution, providing stunning visual experiences. Furthermore, the inclusion of a Bowers & Wilkins soundbar enhances the audio quality, delivering an immersive multimedia experience.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Super series
NVIDIA is set to launch three new graphics cards in the RTX 40-series Super lineup this month, promising improved performance at competitive price points. Addressing concerns about the pricing of the RTX 4080, NVIDIA is replacing it with the RTX 4080 Super, which will be available at a reduced price of $999 starting January 31st.
This $200 price cut is expected to exert pressure on AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 XT ($899) and XTX ($999) cards. In addition to the RTX 4080 Super, NVIDIA is introducing the RTX 4070 Super on January 17th, priced at $599, and the RTX 4070 Ti Super on January 24th, priced at $799. While the RTX 4070 Ti is being phased out, the RTX 4070 will continue to be available at a more affordable price point of $549.
Intel announces new 14th Gen HX gaming laptop processors with clock speeds up to 5.8GHz
Intel has officially launched its 14th Gen HX gaming laptop processors, featuring an impressive clock speed of 5.8GHz. In contrast to the recently introduced Intel Core Ultra series, these processors do not include a neural processing unit (NPU) but prioritize delivering enhanced overall performance.
The flagship model, the Core i9-14900HX, is highlighted for its gaming prowess, outperforming the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX according to Intel’s claims. With 24 cores and the capability to reach 5.8GHz, it supports up to 192GB of RAM. This focus on performance positions it as a formidable option in the gaming laptop market.
In addition to the gaming laptop processors, Intel has expanded its lineup with new entry-level desktop CPUs. The Core i9-14900, featuring a 24-core CPU and a 65W base TDP, and the Intel Core i7-14700, equipped with a 20-core CPU, were also announced.
Asus ROG Phone 8, ROG Phone 8 Pro and ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition
Asus has unveiled its latest additions to the gaming-focused ROG Phone series, introducing the ROG Phone 8, ROG Phone 8 Pro, and the ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, all models feature a substantial 6.78-inch 165Hz AMOLED screen. Running on the Android 14 operating system, these devices boast IP68 water and dust resistance for added durability. A robust 5,500mAh battery supports 65W fast charging.
A notable improvement comes in the camera setup, featuring a 50MP primary Sony IMX890 sensor, a 13MP ultrawide camera, and a 32MP lens offering 3x optical zoom.
to be continued..
Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
