Last week, the tech world relocated en masse to Las Vegas for the annual Consumer Technology Association expo (or CES), which this year (as one would expect given recent trends) was heavily focused on VR and everything VR related. However, what with my recent extensive coverage of the Oculus Rift, I thought I'd ignore the more obvious stories, and instead delve a little deeper, exposing some of the more interesting announcements from this year's show, which might have flown under the radar of some publications. Enjoy!
Netflix goes GLOBAL
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings confirmed today during the streaming giant's CES 2016 keynote that the video streaming service is now available worldwide. The service is now available (legally) in more than 130 countries around the world, including South Korea, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and even Antarctica, among many others. Language support for Arabic, Korean, and both simplified and traditional Chinese was also added to the 17 other languages available. Hastings stated (rather grandly) during the keynote: “The number one question I get is: When is Netflix going to be available here? The answer is now.” Where next for Netflix then? The moon perhaps?
ZTE announce plans to design a crowdsourced mobile phone
Smartphone manufacturer ZTE is planning to design a crowdsourced mobile phone as part a bold new consumer initiative named “Project CSX.” Announcing the project at CES last week, ZTE CEO Jeff Yee caught the public's attention by suggesting the possibility of a flexible screen for the device, which is to be designed based on ideas collected through the Z-Community online forum, which will act as a platform for fans to talk and generate ideas. Yee says ZTE will release the resulting phone at next year’s CES conference. Yee said: “Z-Community will bring people together to contribute their ideas or vote on what matters to them. We will build the device that our users want.”
ZTE is planning to design a crowdsourced mobile phone as part a bold new consumer initiative named “Project CSX”
ZTE has precedence in using crowdsourcing and consumer feedback to fine-tune other products, including its Axon Passport 2.0. The company’s flagship smartphone, Axon, was designed based on feedback from more than 6,000 American consumers. The Z-Community project is part of ZTE’s effort to increase brand awareness among its US consumers, as although it is the fourth largest smartphone supplier in the country, it's been proven that the company has surprisingly low consumer brand awareness. Not surprising, considering that until I came across this piece of news, I'd almost forgotten that the company existed. Granted I don't like in the US, but still. Either way, with such a forward-thinking project, 2016 should see them making a few cheeky headlines.
The drone to end all drones!
The frankly quite terrifying (and horribly cool) Ehang personal drone was shown off at this year's show, and it certainly managed to turn a few heads! The giant drone is large enough to carry one passenger to a predetermined destination. Simply punch the coordinates into the accompanying smartphone app, climb in, and let it whisk you away to your chosen destinations. As thrilling as the drone might be though, the company behind it is still working out some of the kinks. Indeed, the kinks were so pressing that the drone wasn't actually working at CES this year, though there's always hope for next year!
Kodak bring Super 8 film into the modern age
In an effort to bring the magic and mystery of Super 8 into the modern world, Kodak has launched a new version of its 1965 Super 8 professional film camera, with the aim of combining the classical craft of filmmaking with digital convenience. The company has worked with designer Yves Béhar, founder of consultancy Fuseproject, and major Hollywood film producers to bring back the analogue camera, only now with a host of convenient and powerful digital functions. The new and improved Super 8 was officially launched at CES, and is being described by Kodak as the next generation of film cameras for a new generation of creators. While the camera records on film, users will be able to purchase a digital transfer, allowing them to access scans on the cloud, then edit and share them. It will also include an integrated microphone, a digital viewfinder, the ability to connect to other electronic devices, and a leather, pistol grip handle for comfort. The device will be made of metal, and finished with black and bone china. Alongside the new camera, Kodak has also introduced post-production and film development tools, which will accompany the new gadget.
Kodak has launched a new version of its 1965 Super 8 professional film camera, with the aim of combining the classical craft of filmmaking with digital convenience
Béhar, who was briefed with ensuring the new Kodak Super 8 camera design echoes the look and feel of the original, while adding a modern sensibility, said: “Kodak has always represented innovation that is approachable, while delivering the craft of filmmaking. Our design aspires to express both these ideals. We are designing the Kodak Super 8 camera with robust materials and new ergonomic features to serve the needs of Super 8 fans, whether shooting action or static scenes.” The new Kodak Super 8 is expected to launch in autumn of this year, according to the company. A final price is yet to be announced, though I wouldn't be surprised if it's a little pricier than your average digital camera (and rightly so, as this is a premium product after all).
The LG TV that can be rolled up like a newspaper
LG is launching a new kind of OLED TV that can be rolled-up like a newspaper. The 30R 18-inch display is just one of several items in the company's OLED (organic light-emitting diode) department, though it's also likely the most noteworthy. The others include a paper-thin 55-inch TV and a pair of 65-inch concave and convex designs. These developments are almost certainly related to the $8.7 billion factory the company invested in for OLED manufacturing late last year.
Self-lacing trainers FINALLY a reality!
Footwear company Digitsole's new Smartshoes finally make Marty McFly's dreams a reality. The snazzy sneakers connect to the wearer's smartphone or smartwatch to warm or cool feet, track footsteps, and even lace themselves up! The trainer features laces that are hidden beneath the tongue of the shoe, and which can be tightened or loosened using an app. Digitsole's Smartshoe follows its Warm Series collection of insoles, which were launched last year and could be turned on via app to heat up cold feet.
Digitsole's new Smartshoes connect to the wearer's smartphone or smartwatch to warm cold feet, track footsteps, and even lace themselves up
The Digitsole Smartshoe includes the same function, and wearers can also precisely measure and control the trainers' temperature using their smartphone. They can also keep track of how far they've walked and how many calories they've burnt, and input height and weight data to customise the shoes further. The trainers will also include an integrated torch and shock absorption measurement. The battery, meanwhile, will last for several days, and can be wirelessly recharged with a device that fits over the top of both shoes at once. The trainers are set to launch this autumn for around £300. A steal!
The games console for dogs
This year's hottest new gaming console (at least until the Nintendo NX is officially unveiled that is) isn't fit for humans, because the CleverPet Hub is designed for dogs. The creator of the CleverPet Hub, Daniel Knudsen, said: “A lot of dogs stay home all day with nothing to do,” and his answer to this supposed problem was to design a console that would give dogs a constructive release for their energy. He added: “We've got a combined 30 years of experience training animals with computers and machines.” What does the machine actually do then? And how does it work? I'm as clueless as you are, but the idea made me smile!
Fitbit unveil potential Apple Watch killer!
Wearable technology company Fitbit used the CES show to unveil a stunning (and affordable) new smartwatch with customisable straps and frames. Like the San Francisco company's existing line of activity-tracking wristbands, the Fitbit Blaze smartwatch is geared towards fitness and exercise, though unlike their other devices, there's a greater emphasis on design here that puts it toe-to-toe (or wrist-to-wrist) with Apple's offering. It comes with a variety of interchangeable strap, frame and display options, so users can personalise their product. The device provides on-screen workout tips, heart-rate tracking and automatic exercise recognition, and sports a number of features similar to the Apple Watch. When linked to a compatible smartphone via Bluetooth, Blaze displays notifications of incoming calls, text messages and calendar alerts. Users can also answer calls with the device. Activity stats like distance, pace and minute-mile split times can also be gathered using the phone's GPS.
Fitbit used the CES show to unveil a stunning (and affordable) new smartwatch with customisable straps and frames
Fitbit CEO and co-founder James Park, said: “One of the first things we learned in this industry is that fitness is personal – and if something isn't your style, you won't wear it. With Fitbit Blaze, we pushed the boundaries of what's possible to create a beautiful, versatile device that can be customised to fit your personal style – while packing a powerful fitness punch to help you reach your goals. Fitbit Blaze delivers a combination of innovative features that were carefully selected with intention and purpose, designed to motivate and offer a fitness experience that is more effortless and more useful with advanced guidance and coaching.” The Blaze is available now from select retailers and online for approximately £135. Global release is set for March 2016, and at that price, I can see it really giving the significantly more expensive Apple Watch a run for its money!
Mediacom created a connected experience
MediaCom was on the ground at this year's CES, curating a week-long schedule for clients ready to see and experience the newest technologies and the most exciting product launches from some of the most vibrant companies in the world. MediaCom's program was full of the ideas, people and things that will help clients build the most connected, experience-rich communications systems possible. In addition to these sessions, MediaCom also hosted custom tours and VR experiences during CES with partners that included WIRED, CNET and AOL/Engadget.
The affordable computer for the offline world
The Endless Mini, which was unveiled at this year's CES, is a surprisingly powerful desktop computer available for as little as $79 (about 50 quid). Endless is building Linux-based, offline computers for people who have never owned a computer, particularly those in developing nations. Usually, when people talk to me about bringing offline populations online, they’re focused on smartphones, but Chief Growth Officer Marcelo Sampaio believes that a keyboard and mouse will always be a better interface for certain tasks, so the main obstacle to computer adoption has not been lack of knowledge of a steep learning curve, but cost and Internet connectivity.
The Endless Mini is a surprisingly powerful desktop computer available for about 50 quid!
To be clear, the Endless Mini price tag doesn’t include a screen, a keyboard or mouse, but a customer’s TV could serve as the screen, while a keyboard and mouse could cost as little as $10. It offers pretty standard graphical interface of course (light years away from the more complex likes of Windows and OSX), but it's this simplicity that really helps it to stand out from the herd. Endless is available for online purchase now in the US, but more importantly for reaching its target audience, it has a presence in 20 countries, thanks to partners like Mexican telecom company América Móvil. Endless CEO and Chief of Product Matt Dalio, said: “Everybody in the world deserves the option to have a computer. Cheap hardware is a commodity. The operating system is the key.”
Star Wars makes an impression
CES is where the latest and greatest tech is shown off, and with Star Wars being on the minds of everyone at the moment, there was no shortage of Star Wars clobber being shown off. Perhaps the most striking Star Wars-related piece was a fully-realised 3D printed Stormtrooper from Star Wars: The Force Awakens sporting polished white armour and signature helmet with the black accents, including the standard issue equipment and laser rifle. It took 40 different pieces to put him together, with Anovos Productions using 3D Systems’ printers to recreate the prototype Storm trooper, which is expected to be manufactured for cinema promotions. Toy company 3Dplus Me, meanwhile, showed off their “Super Awesome Me” figures, which allowed users to make a 3D scan of their faces and plant it onto a Star Wars action figure, literally turning themselves into their own Star Wars action figures. The stuff that dreams are made of or what!
