CES 2016 Sneak Peek: 9 Cool Gadgets
The 2016 Consumer Electronics Show will be a hotspot for new technologies in robotics, wearables, and the Internet of Things. Here's a snapshot of what to expect at the coming show.
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Each January, hordes of people descend on Las Vegas for the annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to check out the breakthrough tech innovations coming next to the world.
The show is produced by the Consumer Technology Association, formerly the Consumer Electronics Association, which recently changed its name to reflect the evolution of new technologies and inclusion of non-hardware companies like Uber, Lyft, and Yelp.
Emerging tech trends will be present in the 20,000 new products expected to appear at next year's show, which will take place January 6 through 9. The 2016 exhibit space will consist of more than 3,600 exhibitors and measure 2.3 million square feet, as reported at the 2016 CES Unveiled preview event in New York this week.
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Certain trends will have a markedly larger presence at CES 2016. The robotics exhibit space, with 22 exhibitors, will be 71% larger than it was in 2015. Automotive exhibits increased by 25%, with 100 automotive technology companies and nine automakers.
At CES, we'll be keeping a close eye on the virtual reality space, which is 80% larger than last year, in addition to the evolution of smart homes, drones, and health technology. A curated area of startups will consist of 500 up-and-coming businesses.
The CES Preview gave attendees a look at some trends and technologies that will take the floor at CES 2016. Here are some of the gadgets we'll expect to see at the January show. What are you interested in learning more about from CES? We'd like to hear your thoughts.
(All images are by Kelly Sheridan/InformationWeek)
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LifeSite aims to provide secure storage for personal information in the LifeSite Vault. The Web-based tool and companion mobile app provide a space for storing sensitive data like financial records, legal documents, passwords, and emergency contacts. LifeSite claims data is protected by permission-based sharing and high-level document encryption. Users can choose to create a backup contact in case of emergency.
LifeSite was demoing its platform for personal and family storage at CES Unveiled, but it also offers secure storage options for the enterprise.
Quell, from NeuroMetrix, is a band designed to provide drug-free pain relief through a new technology called wearable intensive nerve stimulation (WINS). It's intended for patients with chronic pain caused by conditions like Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, and Sciatica.
When worn, the band stimulates sensory nerves, which carry neural pulses to the brain. These pulses trigger a natural response that blocks pain signals throughout the body. Therapy sessions are delivered every hour, and they continue during sleep.
Quell also connects to your smartphone so you can track therapy sessions, control features, monitor quality of sleep, and store data to the Quell HealthCloud via mobile app.
IonVR is a mobile virtual reality headset uses a smartphone as its display. Smartphones with screens measuring 4.5 to 6 inches and running platforms including Android and iOS will work.
The device runs on MotionSync Technology (patent pending), which aims to address virtual reality sickness through a smoother VR experience. The headset uses a modular system to hold the phone so users don't need to buy a new headset when they replace their smartphone. The modules for holding the smartphone can be replaced as new devices are released.
IonVR lists gaming, entertainment, and live sports as potential consumer applications for its headset. Potential enterprise applications include medical, promotions, and real estate. The above image depicts IonVR's proof-of-concept prototype.
Adidas had its SmartRun watch and Smart Ball on display at CES Unveiled.
The high-end running watch, which retails for $300, aims to help serious runners improve with real-time coaching through miCoach training plans created by running coaches. Other features include a strap-free continuous heart rate monitor, GPS for recording speed and distance, workout review, wireless music player, and up to eight hours of battery life (four with coaching and music).
The Smart Ball is a soccer ball with an integrated sensor that provides feedback on speed, spin, trajectory, and strike point. Data is uploaded to your iPhone or Android phone.
Sengled aims to use "smart" light bulbs to transform your home into a connected home.
The company sells a range of light bulbs with varying functionalities. The Snap light bulb, for example, has a wireless HD camera so that you can attach it to your porch or garage for outdoor monitoring. Video can be reviewed instantly or stored in the cloud.
The Boost bulb, another smart bulb, provides WiFi in addition to LED light, so you can add connectivity to Internet dead zones within the house. The Voice bulb responds to your voice, notes your appointments, and sends you reminders. You can also use Voice to send alerts if it records sounds such as a smoke alarm or crying baby.
Skulpt is a company that creates fitness devices to specifically monitor muscle health through electrical impedance myography (EIM). The Skulpt Aim measures electrical current flow in different directions and depths to determine muscle condition and body fat percentage.
You can use the device to measure muscle quality on different parts of the body and view more detailed feedback, including a body "heat map" in the tool's mobile app. Here, the Skulpt rep is measuring the muscle quality of my forearm. Spoiler alert: I need to hit the gym.
Klaxoon aims to provide a new means of communications for groups of people, specifically those in the workplace. The cross-platform tool works on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone devices.
The startup aims to use mobile devices to make group communications more interactive. Based on content, users can propose activities to boost engagement, including surveys, challenges, brainstorming sessions, quizzes, or live messaging. If someone is giving an educational presentation, for example, he or she can launch a survey to determine how many people understood the content.
The Klaxoon Box (pictured) stores the presentations and activities for you and up to 40 participants. This way you can access group content remotely without the need for an Internet connection. With Klaxoon Cloud, up to 1,000 participants can connect to a single session.
Klaxoon aims to provide a new means of communications for groups of people, specifically those in the workplace. The cross-platform tool works on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone devices.
The startup aims to use mobile devices to make group communications more interactive. Based on content, users can propose activities to boost engagement, including surveys, challenges, brainstorming sessions, quizzes, or live messaging. If someone is giving an educational presentation, for example, he or she can launch a survey to determine how many people understood the content.
The Klaxoon Box (pictured) stores the presentations and activities for you and up to 40 participants. This way you can access group content remotely without the need for an Internet connection. With Klaxoon Cloud, up to 1,000 participants can connect to a single session.
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