CES 2016 Tech
Ray Rush
January 9th, 2016
Ray Rush
January 9th, 2016
Hi BHM techies and techie-fluids,
It’s Ray Rush back in the belly of the annual Vegas nerdcore beast called the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). I'm a legend here, so I tell myself while drinking/working hard to get you the scoop on some of the new tech gadgets and trends that'll either make your life easier in the future or infinitely more complicated.
The word this year is super-connectivity. Not just phones. Everything.
But before we start, let’s enjoy some of the interesting sights on the floor this year.
It’s Ray Rush back in the belly of the annual Vegas nerdcore beast called the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). I'm a legend here, so I tell myself while drinking/working hard to get you the scoop on some of the new tech gadgets and trends that'll either make your life easier in the future or infinitely more complicated.
The word this year is super-connectivity. Not just phones. Everything.
But before we start, let’s enjoy some of the interesting sights on the floor this year.
And of course, a little DIY signage for the BHM “booth” that was me sitting on an overturned mop bucket in front of a wet floor sign while sharing a chicken Caesar wrap and kale salad with a bored promo girl as we kept an eye on the janitor’s six-month-old baby shaking an expensive tablet like a wooden rattle. Wait… who am I kidding? There was no kale. And yes, I am that ripped.
OK, back to the serious stuff. Tech my friends, which has grown from the wee-wearables smart watches and fitness trackers that dominated last year’s show to much larger and more complicated connected appliances and gadgets such as kitchens, cars, clothing, drones, general electronics, and a wide range of lifestyle products to name a few.
I’m glad to report that CES this year was in no way a letdown. The 3,800 exhibitions that touched on nearly every global industry set a record for the show. There was a World’s Fair wonder vibe of futuristic showmanship featuring technology that will be available this year and not in thirty to fifty years. These are some examples that blew my mind.
I don’t know where LG gets the energy to continue to push the limits of bendable displays and touchscreen applications, but they topped themselves this year with a booth focused on smart appliances where I witnessed, firsthand, a stove that can automatically measure the contents in the pot, mix the contents, regulate the temperature, send pics to notify cooking progress and then send an alert when finished. Now nothing can get in the way of your binge watching. I’m adding a few inches to my waistline just thinking about it.
Sorry, I wasn't able to get a photo. Here's the next best thing. |
Seems like overkill, right? Well, welcome to CES 2016. To have a full meal prepared entirely for you without you in the room is both amazing and scary. But, it’s a new world we’ll need to get used to according to the dozens of well-funded start-ups seeking to push the connectivity limits even further.
Like this gem. Welcome, the Laundroid! Yes, it folds your laundry. Saving you 365 days of pesky folding on average... a year. Another score for non-stop binge watching! Big bonus if version 2.0 can also put the clothes away. |
This device called the Chisel from Indiegogo darlings Skulpt basically knows you better than yourself. It reads all vitals based on specific parts of your anatomy. Just place it where you want it and you will know what is happening… NOW! Your obsessive fitness friends will have another dozen new metrics to share on social media. Fantastic.
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Intel got all fashion-y with this Smart Dress (aka #ArenalineDress) that includes special wiring built into the dress to measure perspiration, comfortability, and a whole host of body and mood analytics. I’m assuming it also gives you haptic feedback when you hit that perfect duck face/fish gape selfie pose.
As interesting as the wearable tech is, the story of the NYC-based company that 3D printed it, Chromat, led by innovative designer Becca McCharen is also amazing and one of the first really well-integrated wearable fashion concepts I’ve ever seen (yes, I’m looking at you Apple). Disclaimer: that isn't my hand. I think. |
Wired has a great recap of other highlights. Overall great show and hope to see some of you out there next year. Feel free to stop by the Bloated Hippo booth for cold leftovers, warm beer, and sorry in advance for the smell. I’m sure the robot drones will clean it all up.