CES – Product Round-Up

One month after the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the product development industry is still charged by the products and technology unveiled at the annual innovation wonderland. Over 3600 companies attended, many of which used the show as a platform to unveil their new products for the coming year. Other companies showcased prototype concepts in hopes of gaining enough visibility and public interest to turn them into a reality.

The following list features some of the most talked about and interesting products that debuted at CES 2016. To be clear, this list barely scratches the surface of the innovative concepts and products that appeared at the show. It will give you a glimpse at a few of the gadgets and gizmos that may impact the world of product development.

Product Trend: Virtual and Augmented Reality

At long last, virtual reality (VR) is becoming an actual reality. The following products made a splash at CES proving that VR is not a sci-fi dream.

Oculus Rift

Calling all gamers! (Gizmodo)

What: VR goggles in a headset that produce a 3-D experience for gaming, watching movies and more.

Claim to Fame: After generating anticipation from its 2012 Kickstarter campaign, the Rift is finally being released. You can purchase the Rift for a meager $600. Shipping starts March 28.

Fun Fact: The Oculus Rift is owned by Facebook (purchased for a whopping $2 billion).

Question: How will Facebook use VR to enhance social media?

DaQri Smart Helmet

The hardhat that helps you work! (Josh Valcarcel/Wired)

What: The Augmented reality (AR) hardhat is designed for construction, manufacturing and other industrial applications. It gives actionable data and expertise to industrial workers based on their environment and real-time needs.

Claim to Fame: The smart helmet is designed to be customizable for specific industrial situations. The device takes relevant data and overlays it on what the user is actually seeing. It’s being released this year and is currently in testing with Fortune 500 companies.

Fun Fact: The Daqri smart helmet uses an Intel Core m7 processor.

Question: What are other VR/AR applications for the industrial sector?

Product Trend: Retro Electronics

For hipsters and vintage enthusiasts clinging to the product stylings of yesteryear, we have good news: retro is back. These products are a nod to products of a previous generation but prove they’re “not your mama’s consumer electronics.”

Kodak Super 8

“Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away” – Paul Simon, “Kodachrome” (Newsshooter.com)

What: The 50 year old classic camera is back and even better! The upgraded version of the legendary movie camera comes with digital functionality and accolades from famous filmmakers.

Claim to Fame: The camera echoes the design of the original Super 8 camera from 1965. It uses 8mm film (remember that?). The upgraded Super 8 unites digital with analog – a dream come true for filmmakers.

Fun Fact: The new Super 8 has support from legendary filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino and Steve McQueen.

Question: What about CGI?

Polaroid Snap

Instant printing for instant gratification (Polaroid Corporation)

What: In the dark ages, before digital photography and cellphone cameras, it could take weeks to see your pics. Polaroid gave us an instant-printing camera and in doing so, instant gratification. The Polaroid Snap gives us instant printing and digital photography.

Claim to Fame: The Snap lets users choose from multiple color modes: normal, black and white and sepia. The camera stores up to 32 gigabytes and captures details with 10 megapixels. It’s available for $99.

Fun Fact: The Snap doesn’t require ink cartridges or ribbons.

Question: Do we still get to “shake it like a Polaroid picture”?

Sony PS-HX500

Vinyl goes digital with DSD 5.6 MHz native conversion. (PRNewsFoto/Sony Electronics)

What: Some call them record players; some call them turntables (there’s actually a difference). No matter what you call these audio players, this is the new way to listen to vinyl.

Claim to Fame: Sony’s PS-HX500 allows audiophiles to listen to their vinyl collections in high-resolution audio. Added bonus: You can convert records into digital audio files.

Fun Fact: The Sony website recommends you use the PS-HX500 with their latest Walkman (another upgraded classic).

Question: Can we go from digital to vinyl?

Product Trend: Wearables That Won’t Make You Look Fat

Wearables were all the rage in 2014 and 2015. CES 2016 showed us that the trend of fitness wearables is not going away.

Fitbit Blaze

The Blaze automatically tracks your workouts and sleep…If only it could stop you from eating that donut. (Business Wire/Fitbit, Inc.)

What: The market-leader, Fitbit, has come out with a watch!

Claim to Fame: The Blaze lets users track activity, monitor heart rate, check the time and receive some push notifications. It features GPS, on-screen workouts and a variety of band options.

Fun Fact: The Blaze has a five day battery life.

Question: Is wearable technology a precursor to implanted chips?

Under Armour UA SpeedForm Gemini 2 Record Equipped

Step aside smarty pants! These are some smarty shoes. (Under Armour/Footwear News)

What: Smart workout shoes that track and store workout information including time, date, duration and distance. They are part of Under Armour’s connected products portfolio.

Claim to Fame: A smart shoe that stores up to five workout sessions before data has to be uploaded to another device.

Fun Fact: The app will alert you when new shoes are needed.

Question: How about a smart bow-tie that helps users tie it properly?

Product Trend: Drones

Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) began in 1849 when Austria sent unmanned balloons filled with bombs to attack Venice. Until recent decades, major drone innovation has primarily been the business of global militaries. Today, drones have captured consumer interest and we see the sky’s not the limit when it comes to drone applications.

Ehang 184 Drone Taxi

By definition, a drone is unmanned. If the drone taxi carries a passenger, is it still a drone? (PRNewsFoto/EHANG)

What: An autonomous passenger drone that carries one person.

Claim to Fame: It’s the world’s first passenger drone.

Fun Fact: The EHANG 184 can carry up to 260 pounds, has a 23 minute battery life and can reach up to 11,000 feet.

Question: What type of air traffic control will be needed?

Product Trend: Amusement

LG Roll-Up OLED TV

It’s a far cry from the tube TV, but you can roll it up into a tube. (Sarah Tew/CNET)

What: Not since the Fruit Roll-Up have we seen such a wonderful use of roll-up technology. Finally, a TV that can roll up into a cylinder!

Claim to Fame: The LG Roll-Up OLED TV features a thin screen mounted onto a plastic sheet. The innovation was only seen by select journalists at CES; we’ll take their word for it.

Fun Fact: According to LG’s website, “OLED, short for organic light-emitting diode, is a display technology with self-lighting pixels that can be individually controlled to achieve perfect black and infinite contrast.”

Question: How will this technology impact other devices with monitors?

Ripple Maker

3-D printed foam might make those lattes a little sweeter. (Steam CC)

What: A 3-D printer that turns coffee beverages into art. Designed to be used at cafes by a trained barista.

Claim to Fame: The Ripple Maker prints foam images. Choose from an image library or print custom designs. The Coffee Ripples app allows customers to create their own designs and connects over WiFi to the Ripple Maker for personalized creations.

Fun Fact: The Ripple Maker is powered by 3-D printing and inkjet technology. The foam art takes only ten seconds to produce.

Question: Can we apply this technology to other foamy beverages? Can we finally have our faces in the foam of a Guinness?

Personal Favorite

Obviously, our CES favorite speaks to our inner nerds. A connected toy that combines advanced technology with Star Wars? Yes, please.

Sphero BB-8 and Force Band

“Where do you come from?” – Rey to BB-8, Star Wars: Episode VII (© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd.)

What: The smartphone controlled droid is already on the market. The soon-to-be-released Force Band is a wrist band accessory that allows users to drive the toy with hand gestures.

Claim to Fame: One number greater than bb7 and controlled by The Force!

Fun Fact: Since it’s connected, the toy robot can evolve. Users don’t need to upgrade the toy; they just have to upgrade the apps.

Question: Who will buy us one?