Tech talk: CES 2015 Las Vegas

Every year at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas thousands of companies – the giants, such as Intel, Samsung, Sony and Sharp, and the smallest startups – display the latest gadgets. More than 200,000 people from around the world attend this multi-day exhibition, the media is anxious to catch the first glimpse of the new innovations, and many of the events are broadcast live on the Internet. Businesses use CES as a place to test out their prototypes in the market or to increase exposure of new products. At CES 2015, some of the hottest newest trends included ultra-widescreen, bendable and curved TVs and fashionable wearable technology. Laptops are apparently seriously planning their comeback, and quadcopter drones seemed to be everywhere. A variety of home appliances will soon be available in smart versions, and in the category of IoT (Internet of Things), LG introduced a clever washing machine that lets you do two loads of laundry at once – even if you're not home! Smartphones were all about the selfie, and of course there was an Israeli presence at CES, too. Here is an overview of the most unique products unveiled at CES 2015: The future lies in the screen The highlight of CES 2015 was a new line of Super UHD (SUHD) extremely large, 4K quality TVs with Quantum Dot technology. A few models boasted 8K quality, even though few shows broadcast on TV even come near to this quality. Samsung introduced its innovative SUHD technology driven by the Tizen operating system it developed, available from 48 inches up to 88 inches, with a curved screen and fast navigational capabilities of high-quality films. The new operating systems make viewing a more user-friendly experience. At some point in the near future, our living- room TV screens will be full computers in every respect. Sharp showcased its Beyond 4K technology, which it claims can actually deliver 8K-like pictures on 100-inch screens due to its Quattron+ technology. Another trend that we'll see in 2015 is a number of TV programming packages that will offer real-time viewing on all devices – TVs, tablets, laptops – at relatively low cost (starting at $20 per month in the US). In Israel, Cellcom has begun offering a similar service, with a package that does not currently offer many shows but does show promise for the future. Hottest gadgets Bionic Bird: One of the most eye-catching drones at the show, Bionic Bird, is controlled by radio frequency and Bluetooth 4, has a camera and allows for a range of 100 meters. Controlled from your smartphone, Bionic Bird looks like a real bird even though it's made out of foam, it's lightweight and can withstand collisions against a wall or the ground even at full speed. It will cost $139 when it comes on the market. Sony FDR-AX1 Digital 4K Video Camera: Sony's most groundbreaking model, which supports 3840 x 2160 4K resolution, is comfortable to hold and has a new image processor that offers accelerated performance that can catch fast-moving sports and action footage. The video camera costs $499, a great price for such a high-quality camera. Vibe Xtension Selfie Flash: Lenovo's new accessory for Android phones gives you all the lighting support you need to take the perfect selfie. It fits right into the headphone port and lets you take high-quality pictures without having to upgrade to a phone with a better camera. It costs a reasonable $29. G Flex 2: G Flex 2 is LG's second- generation curved smartphone with a 5.5-inch screen, a tad bit smaller than the previous model. The G Flex 2's flexible-display technology is truly impressive, and it has a self-healing back that makes scratches disappear quickly. It'll be interesting to see if this type of phone becomes popular. Intel's Compute Stick: Intel has launched its new Compute Stick, which is the size of a disk-onkey. It comes with Windows 8.1 and will soon be available with Linux. The Compute Stick is essentially a complete PC, and it connects to a TV via HDMI (though it also requires a USB connection). The Compute Stick currently sells for $149. Products worth talking about Acer Revo One RL85: The new Acer mini PC may be shaped like an egg and the size of a coffee cup, but it is still a full computer. Intel Cherry Trail: Intel has begun marketing Cherry Trail, its 14-nanometer processor for tablets. It incorporates innovative technologies that enable superior performance and longer battery life. Cherry Trail can determine whether you are indoors or outdoors and can connect to a projector without the use of cables. Intel True Key: Are you tired of having to remember all the passwords to the sites you frequent? Intel Security has come out with True Key, a new technology that uses facial math – the distance between your eyes and your nose – and other features to log onto your computer or apps. The more factors you add, the stronger your True Key will become. Nixie: Nixie is a camera that is both wearable and flyable, and you wear it like a wristband. Whenever you want to capture something you're doing on video, be it rock-climbing or jumping rope, all you do is throw the camera up in the air and it records your actions in high definition and then comes back to you. Curie: Intel has developed a prototype module called Curie that is a microcomputer the size of a small button. It has a unique shape and can easily be used as a wearable device – in a ring, for example. Israeli companies that presented products Zuta Labs has recently come out with the first mini robotic printer. The printer moves like a robotic vacuum cleaner across a piece of paper and is controlled through a smartphone app. It's small enough to easily fit in your bag and be taken anywhere. It costs $199.50. Sensibo allows you to control your air conditioner even when you're not home. It works on every air conditioner through a remote infrared device that connects to your smartphone. You can cool or heat your home before you arrive, have the a/c turn off automatically when you leave and avoid cooling or heating an empty room. SwitchBee allows you to control your smart home anytime, anywhere from your mobile or tablet. You can schedule timers on switches and thereby avoid wasting energy. In addition, SwitchBee helps you keep your home more secure. Muv Interactive has come out with bird, an innovative wearable ring-like device that's worn on the index finger and transforms surfaces into a 3-D interactive workspace. All you do is move your finger to operate screens on surfaces as if they were touch screens. It offers accurate control, is extremely sensitive and also includes remote touch, hovering, depth sensing and gesture control. Silentium's motto is “Silence in a chip.” It is marketing its product to companies that manufacture machinery, and it claims that a chip embedded in products produces an opposite sound wave that reduces noise by 90 percent, which is a great USP and a terrific way to differentiate products from those of competitors. If you run a young startup, have developed an interesting app or have a question, please feel free to contact info@social-wisdom.com. Translated by Hannah Hochner.

Tech talk: CES 2015 Las Vegas

Businesses use CES as a place to test out their prototypes in the market or to increase exposure of new products.

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Tech talk: CES 2015 Las Vegas

Businesses use CES as a place to test out their prototypes in the market or to increase exposure of new products.

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