Hey gang, Valkor here. With the International Consumer Electronics Show aka CES 2015 just around the corner, it’s time to prep my body for all the walking, pushing my way through crowds and ingesting tons of alcoholic beverages to help with my survival of the Las Vegas Tech event. And what better way to kick things off than to check out CES Unveiled 2014 here in NYC. Sure it’s not as big, hell it’s just a tiny dot in the grand scheme of things, but I’m not one to complain as I walked away with a few choice items that’ll be of interest.
Waka Waka – Even though it’s been two years since Hurricane Sandy took its hold on us here on the east coast, its effects still resonate with us today and a lot of us were lost without power or ways of making it through those many dark nights. Now there are tons of companies pushing gadgets that will save us a lot of trouble such as Waka Waka and their “Waka Waka Power” solar powered charger; not only does it make for a cool case, but you have an alternative to charging your device (you can also plug it in) plus it works as a flashlight and a beacon in case of emergencies. As a bonus incentive, Waka Waka haa a “buy one give one”, in which they’ll give a case to someone in need, especially in areas where power is lacking.
Sengled – When it comes to lightbulbs, we normally don’t think much about them other than when its time for them to be changed. Enter Sengled, who’re about to give bulbs something more to do other than provide light. First up is the Boost, which will extend the range of your Wi-Fi, especially if you’re trying to access it in areas that may have a dead zone. Next is the Pulse, which doubles as a speaker so you can connect to it wirelessly through your smartphone and jam to some of your favorite hits. Finally (not shown), is the Snap – this is the one to keep an eye on because it provides an extra layer of security in your home. It contains an HD camera, microphone, voice and motion activation/detection and facial recognition. A smart lamp for the new smart homes? Yes indeed!
ReST – I had the opportunity to meet with two companies with smart bed technologies and the first was a run in with a rep holding an iPad attached to a sheet. ReST (short for Responsive Surface Technology), is a mattress layer, which rest atop of your bed that provides feedback on your sleeping habits and adjusting to fit your needs. It’s a great idea and I can’t wait to get the full experience at next year’s show.
beddit – Way different than ReST, beddit is similar to ReST, with the only real difference is that beddit is a strap as opposed to a layer of mattress. beddit provides feedback on your sleep habits that you can use to adjust and improve your habits for a better night’s rest and a healthier you. Definitely a great alternative if you’re not interested in shelling out the bucks for a mattress.
Myris – It’s becoming a necessity that we try our best to protect our virtual selves the best way possible without letting crucial information fall into the wrong hands. I’ve tried my share of password managers, but the most unique device I’ve seen to date is Myris; Myris allows you to enter your favorite sites without having to type in anything, but using your eyes – both of them – to access your them or even your own laptop. No more worrying about people looking over your shoulders as you log into your favorite sites or better yet, no one is peeping into your computer while you’re away. You can also set Myris so that other users can have access such as family members or a friend (in case of emergencies… you never know).
Edwin the Duck (Valkor Favorite) – We’ve all had one when we were kids and if you don’t know Sesame Street Ernie’s “Rubber Ducky” song, shame on you (vid embedded below). Edwin is looking to take the common bathtub toy to the next level. Edwin is a “smart toy” that brings more usefulness to the toy such as linking to a smartphone or tablet, having a Bluetooth speaker (play music in and out of water), plays interactive games on a tablet, has a light that changes colors and can be used as a nightlight, and for the parents Edwin can detect water temps so if things are too hot or too cold you’ll know beforehand.
And this is only a taste of what’s to come when the big show kicks in and I’m looking forward to it. I missed out on the 2014 show, but all the stars are aligned just right for me to make my return next year. So stay tuned for TOV’s unique style of coverage.