It may already be day three of CES 2024, but tech announcements show no signs of slowing down; In fact, after hours of roaming the showroom, we're discovering more hidden gems than ever after the big opening announcements earlier this week.
We've already rounded up the best smart home tech from CES 2024 and the best wearable and fitness tech at the show, but what about some of our most innovative finds? You'll find some of the best below, including one of the best AI hardware components yet, some fascinating neural headsets, and a portable oven (yes, really).
However, it hasn't all been technological eccentricities, because we have also found time to look at the LG C4 OLED TV (spoiler: it will probably be one of the best TVs of 2024) and a promising and affordable 100-inch TV. Hisense screen. All this through a smart and ecological hair dryer from Loreal, of course.
For a quick look at some of the most intriguing technologies of the year, read on for all of our highlights from the third day of CES 2024.
1. LG C4 OLED TV
Transparent OLED TVs may be all the rage at CES 2024, but the ones we're actually going to buy look more like the new LG C4 OLED, and our watching time suggests the C4 will be one to watch (quite a bit). literally) again this year.
LG claimed in its CES announcement that the LG C4 would be brighter than last year's LG C3, despite using the same OLED panel. We were a little hesitant, but our brief time with the machine (which you can read more about in our LG C4 hands-on review) confirmed that its brightness boost is very real indeed.
Combine this with processing improvements, including the addition of LG's lossless wireless Dolby Atmos sound, and you've got a TV that we're eager to put into proper testing this year to see how it stacks up against the best OLED TVs.
2. Rabbit R1
Smartphones have now devoured most wearable devices, but a new AI-powered one is making waves at CES 2024. The Rabbit R1 is the first truly interesting AI hardware (more so than the odd Humane AI Pin) we've seen since so. The ChatGPT explosion began a little over a year ago and could be a glimpse into next-generation voice assistants.
What does Rabbit R1 do? We would recommend watching the R1 launch video (which was clearly influenced by the original release of the iPhone) for a longer explanation, but it's essentially a tool for talking to your favorite apps using natural language. Instead of switching between apps, “rabbits” are created that can perform tasks (like booking a flight or shopping) using voice commands.
We highly doubt the R1 will replace smartphones, but it's right on today's archaic app-swiping experience, and it's a solid model for how next-gen Siri or Google Assistant could use AI.
3. Amazfit Helio Ring
We're still waiting for the long-rumored Samsung Galaxy Ring, but in the meantime Amazfit has announced another contender for the title of best smart ring at CES 2024 called the Helio Ring.
Like the Oura Ring, Amazfit's rival promises to offer detailed sleep tracking and recovery stats for your workouts. You can probably wear the Helio Ring swimming or even in a downpour, as it is water resistant up to 100 m. And like the best Garmin watches, it will also give you a daily readiness score based on your effort and sleep.
We don't have a price or release date for the Helio Ring yet, and unfortunately you'll need a monthly subscription to unlock all its features, but we're very interested in trying it out later this year.
4. Neural headphones
Rather than a single product, neural headphones are an exciting new genre of technology that we've seen several examples of at CES 2024. By tapping into your auditory nerves, these cans can effectively read your mind, giving you hands-on control of your technology. free. or increase your ability to relax.
We reviewed four examples of neural headphones at CES and they all bring their own spin to the concept. The Naqi Neural Earbuds, for example, were developed as an alternative to brain implants and give you control over your Windows or Mac computer. Meanwhile, the NeurGear ZenBuds stimulate the vagus nerve to trigger a rest response.
With other examples like the Earable Neuroscience Frenz Brainband ($490, ships February 2024) that plans to help us fall asleep and stay asleep, it's definitely a big tech trend to watch out for this year.
5. Kohler Plus Anthem
The shower may be the last place you'd want technology to colonize you, but our time with Kohler's Anthem Plus digital control has convinced us of the benefits of the “digital shower.”
This touch-sensitive controller combines with a digital thermostatic valve to give you a gloriously multi-sensory shower experience that allows you to customize the water, light, sound and even steam. It's not cheap, starting at $2,800 (around £2,200 / AU$4,180), but you could probably start charging visitors for showers.
6. Hisense 110UX ULED TV
You can't end the day at CES without seeing some seriously huge TVs and Hisense didn't disappoint us on day three of the show, showing us its mini-LED lineup for 2024, including a massive 110-incher.
The 110UX is shaping up to be an impressive package in every respect, despite its size, with 40,000 local dimming zones and a scorching 10,000 nits of brightness. On the audio front, you also get a built-in 4.2.2-channel speaker system bolstered by the new Dolby Atmos FlexConnect wireless audio technology.
But if you've been up for grabs and don't have room for a 110-inch TV, Hisense will also launch the regular 100-inch QLED model in 2024, and if history is any guide, that model will be impressively affordable for its size.
7. Willtex Willcook portable oven
One of the phrases we weren't expecting to find today was “portable oven,” but CES has a habit of surprising us, and sure enough, we found ourselves on the show floor testing out a backpack that can cook food.
Okay, so Willcook isn't an oven in the traditional sense, but it does have a fine mesh fabric that its manufacturer calls an “embedded heat ray.” After sticking your hand inside, we can attest: this thing gets hot enough to simmer food (even meat, fish, and curries) while you're on the go.
The idea is that you can prepare dinner while you are coming home from work or while you are on a camping trip. We think the technology could have better applications in a winter coat (which was another prototype Willtex showed us), but the portable oven will go on sale in the US in September for around $200.
8. Auracast Bluetooth
If you don't know much about Bluetooth Auracast, you can expect to hear a lot more about it in 2024. Wireless technology, meaning your compatible wireless headphones aren't limited to just the devices you're paired with, is just starting. to deploy on everything from portable speakers like the JBL Clip 5 to Samsung 4K TVs and headphones.
But our demo showed us some practical applications that we're excited about. For example, you could be at a sports bar watching a TV that you could tune in without needing to pair. Or you could be at an airport receiving departure announcements directly to your ears so you don't miss the last call.
In the future, Auracast should also let you tune into two streams at once, allowing you to watch TV while also receiving airport gate announcements when they are made. We'll need more devices to support it, but Auracast could change the way we use headphones.
9. L'Oréal AirLight Pro
How smart can a hair dryer be? Well, if you've been eyeing the Dyson Supersonic, you'll definitely be interested in the Loreal AirLight Pro. It combines a number of impressive technological advancements that make it super efficient and eco-friendly, and also smart enough to please the gadget geek in you.
That efficiency, which apparently allows the Airlight Pro to use 30% less energy than a traditional hair dryer, comes from its combination of air and infrared heating elements, which make it a bit like drying your hair in the sun and wind. Surprisingly, it can also recognize attachments and then adjust settings depending on which one you have installed.
Naturally, the Airlight Pro is also connected to an app (for Android and iOS devices), allowing you to make more adjustments and custom settings on your phone. Read our hands-on review below, which might convince you that Loreal's hairdryer is worth the roughly $400 (around £315) it will cost when it goes on sale in June (in Europe) and in the US before end of 2024.
We are covering all the latest news. CES news of the program as it happens. Stay with us for the big stories on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home devices and the latest in artificial intelligence.
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