The consumer electronics industry looks to CES to find the next breakthrough technology to revolutionize our lives. Those, of course, are rare and uncommon. We then hunt for big modifications in current technology, such as a new display that will make our old televisions appear dark and dreary. Spoiler alert: there was no product in either category at CES this year.
Rather, this year's CES was primarily about tweaking current items. For instance, the Korean consumer technology behemoths LG and Samsung were all about placing different and, in LG's case, electrically changeable colors on the exteriors of their refrigerators. Yet consumer electronics isn't only about major firms or game-changing concepts.
When electronic fans initially came across FluentPet, they thought it was a bit peculiar - a collection of interconnected pads and buttons created to enable dogs to communicate with humans using words. But then fans remembered some previous equipment used for communication experiments with apes and recent studies showing that the average dog can understand nearly 100 human words.
Technology for Pets
Technology enthusiasts then took the time to speak with the founder, Leo Trottier. He mentioned that he was working on a Ph.D. in cognitive science when he began creating technology for pets. Previously, his startup had developed CleverPet, a device that engaged with dogs.
FluentPet's device includes an expandable collection of buttons embedded in interconnected foam pads. The owner records a word or phrase for each button, ideally one that the dog is familiar with, such as "play" or "treat." The owner then demonstrates to the dog that pressing the button will produce the sound of the recorded word and prompts the owner to provide the corresponding object or action. A dog that wants to assert dominance may quickly learn to use this device.
According to Trottier, some cats have been able to figure out how to use the device; however, it can be uncertain as cats aren't naturally inclined to communicate with humans as much as dogs are. The FluentPet set costs 160 US dollars and comes with the main speaker unit and six buttons.
A sign welcomes attendees in the Las Vegas Convention Center lobby at CES 2023.
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Improved Wearables
As reported by The New York Times, It seems that vinyl records have made a comeback in recent years, as even some adult children have taken an interest in some old albums that have been gathering dust in a cabinet. Unfortunately, some individuals have switched to a more convenient multi-room Sonos system, with turntable, amplifier, and speakers no longer in use, leaving old albums in a state of limbo.
The Victrola Stream turntable is a solution for those who want to continue enjoying their vinyl collection, even after transitioning to a Sonos system. The turntable, which ranges in price from $599 to $799 depending on the quality of the stylus and materials, can be easily connected to a Sonos system by simply plugging it into a power outlet. The company targets individuals like myself, who are unwilling to part with their vinyl collection but have also adopted a Sonos system.
The message from CES seems to be that people are becoming more accustomed to wearing Bluetooth earbuds throughout the day. This can have benefits such as reducing noise, improving hearing, connecting to wearables, and providing audio for podcasts and phone calls. Those who frequently use Bluetooth earbuds anticipate that the stigma associated with wearing them will diminish as they become more widespread.
Innovation for Smarter Home
Nova is working on making Bluetooth earpieces less noticeable by transforming them into earrings. The Nova H1 Audio Earrings can be worn as a clip-on or pierced and come in silver and gold. They cost €595 and €695 respectively. The earrings do not sit inside the ear, which allows for better awareness of one's surroundings.
Why not have a genetically engineered houseplant at CES, as biotechnology is increasingly incorporated into the event? The Neo P1 from Neoplant is created to eliminate formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylene from the air. The company claims it is 30 times more effective at purifying air than other current air-cleaning houseplants.
Neoplant aims to market containerized live plants designed to optimize air intake and claims that they are difficult to kill. The combination of the plant and container will be priced at $179. At the time of the display, the company only had seedlings on display. Unlike engineers who often work long hours to prepare a product for exhibition, plants cannot work overtime.
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