7 best takeaway ideas from CES 2014

 

A show like CES crams in a lot of technology into a short time. After taking in all of CES over four days, Karan Bajaj came away with these ideas: concepts that promise to change how we use and perceive technology in the near future 

1) Fitness trackers 

While existing players like Fitbit, Nike & Jawbone did not show anything new, a number of new products were announced. Most track steps and monitor sleep while a few can also track heart rate. We especially liked Garmin's Vivofit that offers a battery life of 1 year. Razer's Nabu, which has two displays and combines a smartwatch with fitness band is also impressive. Other products to look out for include LG Lifeband Touch, Sony Core and Epson Pulsense. 

Smartwatches 

Smartwatches seems to be the new 'in thing' — we saw several of them from various new players. Intel showed a prototype with location based notifications, ZTE announced a smartwatch that connects with your phone to show notifications. Neptune's Pine and Burg's Smartwatches work independently of a smartphone and have their own SIM slots for calls and data connectivity. Among other launches, the SonoStar, Kreyos Meteor, Martian Notifier and smartwatches from Archos proved impressive. 

2) Android will move into cars 

Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Google and Nvidia have formed the 'Open Automotive Alliance' to develop connected cars. Nvidia showcased Tegra powered car infotainment systems and they have been working with Google for tablets and gaming products (Nvidia Shield). Audi demoed Mobile Audi Smart Display — a 10.2-inch Android tablet for in-car use. Hyundai announced that the Genesis will be the first vehicle with Google Glass integration. With major car makers joining tech firms with a common goal, we expect Android in cars to be a big feature of 2014. 

3) Web will invade everything 

Pretty soon, all new TVs will have smart features and web-connected interfaces. To make sure that owners of 'dumb' TVs don't feel left out, some innovative products have been launched. Case in point is the InAir Smart HDMI Adapter. This tiny adapter plugs in between your set-top box and TV (using the popular HDMI interface). It overlays a display on top of your TV video feed and can show details regarding the content you are watching or you could access your social network feeds on the TV screen. The device can be controlled via a smartphone app. 

4) TV technology will astound you 

CES 2014 was a big platform for all TV makers to launch their UHD (4K) and OLED TVs. Companies like Samsung, LG and Panasonic announced an entire range of 4K & OLED TVs that will launch over the year. The shift appears to be similar to what we saw earlier — from SD (standard definition) to HD. Now 4K resolutions are set to replace HD as the future. Another aspect that saw renewed interest was smart TV interfaces. LG showcased the WebOS based interface while Panasonic announced a new Life+ interface with face detection and information personalised to the user. This means that the next generation of televisions will not only be smarter but also much more interactive. 

5) Toys will advance 

Some toys are incorporating an incredible amount of technology. We're already fans of Parrot's AR. Drone — this year they've launched a palm sized version called the MiniDrone. It has two wheels on the side that protect it from bumps and enable wall climbing. Parrot also announced Jumping Sumo — a two-wheeled bot that can jump three feet in the air. Another announcement was Sphero 2B — a cylindrical bot with customizsable tyres. It can move at a speed of 14 feet/second and can scoot over rough terrain without damage. All these toys are controlled by smartphones. 

 

6) All devices will stay connected 

In terms of connectivity, your smartphone, tablet, TV and even some refrigerators can connect to the Internet for information and updates. However, as the next step, we saw manufacturers aiming at making new types of devices also connect to the Internet. Qualcomm took a step in connectivity for automobiles by showcasing an Audi A3 with built in 4G LTE connectivity (using Qualcomm's Gobi chipset). On the other hand, Liquid Image announced the Ego LS HD action camcorder with built in 4G LTE connectivity. The camcorder is capable of streaming live video over a fast 4G data connection. 

7) Everything will be app controlled 

The old adage 'there is an app for that' takes an all new meaning post CES 2014. No longer are apps are just to be used with accessories and toys. Thanks to a bunch of new app-controlled devices across categories, your smartphone can now control your entire universe. For starters, you can lock or unlock your home doors with smart locks that work with smartphones from Okidokeys. NetatMo Thermostat lets you set a home temperature from anywhere using your smartphone. Belkin's WeMo cooker lets your remotely cook food from your smartphone (with notifications about how its coming along). Plus, we already have bulbs from Philips that can change hues using apps. This year, a number of other manufacturers also showcased similar app controllable bulbs.