Even beds and toothbrushes are getting smarter now . . .
Speaking of smart products, the humble bed has had a bit of a makeover too. The Sleep Number will not only let you control both sides of the bed separately – for example, to raise the head of the bed slightly if you happen to have a bed partner who snores – but it will also monitor the quality and duration of your sleep. Once it has a good idea of your sleep patterns, it will then make a few recommendations to let you get the best night’s sleep possible. It even has voice commands – so you can activate that Partner Snore feature – a built-in massage function, and lighting underneath so that you can find your way in the dark if you need to.
Every year there are products that capture the imagination of the CES-going public.
Last year, the Hapi Fork was the talk of the conference, a device that would allow users to track their eating habits and get alerts if they were eating too quickly, a revelation that could lead to weight-loss in the long run.
But what products are making waves this year? In among the robots, fitness bands and high-definition TVs, there is plenty to discuss.
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At first glance, the Tao WellShell doesn’t look like much. But the portable device is actually a fitness coach, just in a different guise. The sensors on the device will measure pressure, so you can follow a number of exercises on an accompanying app that will use this to help you work on your strength. You can also use it to play games, tricking yourself into doing some of those isometric exercises without realising it.
Even the electric toothbrush is getting smarter. This wireless-enabled brush links in with an app that will let you know if you’ve missed a bit as you brush, if you’ve been brushing long enough or if you’re pressing too hard as you clean. That data can be shared with family members or your dentist, giving you a bigger incentive to listen to its advice than just simple curiosity.
This year smart products are everywhere, and earphones are no exception. LG unveiled a pair that will not only play your music, but you can use them to read your pulse rate as you run. The LG products uses the blood flow in your ears to determine heart rate and maximal oxygen consumption, and can send the data wirelessly to your phone.
How many times has something happened and you wished you’d had the foresight to capture the moment on video? Well now you can. The MeMini is a wearable camera that is designed to be worn all the time. It records everything as you go, but only “remembers” the last five minutes if you decide that you want to preserve the moment, allowing you to recall it and save it before it’s gone forever.
The Panono camera will let you take group photos by simply throwing it up in the air. The device uses an accelerometer that determines when your throw is at its peak, triggering the 36 cameras that each take a separate image and capture the scene in 360 degrees, before stitching them together using software in the cloud to create one big panorama. Make sure your aim is good though; the Panono’s cameras are fixed focus, so you have to throw straight up to get a clear shot.
Forget about activity trackers for humans; what about your pets? One company has developed a number of products aimed at the four-legged family member, from an activity tracker that will measure just how active your furry friends are – and let you know if they should be a little more active – to an iPhone remote control that you can teach your pet to respond to. For example, when the remote is activated and plays a sound, your dog could be trained to sit.
