At CES 2014 in Las Vegas, more than three thousand companies unveiled tens of thousands of new products, from giant 4K TVs to tiny versatile computer chips. We have selected a couple of the best that stand out from the crowd and represent the most innovative products for the coming year.
Valve 13 Steam Machine
The biggest change in gaming on the home TV screen is coming. The new generation of gaming PCs will run on the Steam operating system and will allow easy game downloads, component upgrades and more options than any console currently on the market. You can read more on the official website.
Pebble Steel
A smart watch that will undoubtedly be a huge success in its category. The Kickstarter project Pebble Steel brings a welcome change, namely the replacement of the plastic case for the metal look of analog watches, as well as the option of replacing steel and leather straps and a Gorilla Glass screen. There will also be a new app store called the Pebble AppStore. The starting price will be €249, but we can expect it already on January 28.
Sony 4K Handycam FDR-AX100
Sony introduces a new camera capable of recording 4K video at 3840×2160 resolution at 30 frames per second in XAVC-S format. But it can also record in a lower resolution for the popular MP4 format in full HD with a resolution of 1920x1080 and at a speed of 120 frames per second for serious slow-motion recordings. As they say, the new model is significantly more compact, 46 percent smaller and 67 percent lighter than previous models. The balanced optical SteadyShot system reduces shake and ensures steady shooting even at 12x zoom. You can also pair the camcorder with your phone or tablet, which can act as a remote control via WiFi, and also allows you to instantly save footage to other devices. All this will be available in March for only €1,500.
EyeLock myris Iris Scanner
If PulseWallet is the future of payments, EyeLock is the future of personal data protection. The mouse-sized device aims to secure access to your data and websites with a sensor that recognizes your eye. The company claims that this method of biometric identification is more secure than a fingerprint. Forgery and false identification are much less likely, as even twins do not have identical iris patterns. The sale is announced for the first half of 2014.
Intel Edison
A miniature Edison computer, the size of an SD card, could be the future of wearable technology. Intel managed to add WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity to the 22nm dual-core processor. It is powered by Linux operating system. Of course, the device is aimed at developers, who could use it for the unlimited possibilities of developing everyday objects. As an example, they showed a simple connection between a child's toy - a small frog that monitors the child's main vital signs and communicates the results to parents via an LED coffee cup. Another example is the connection between the same child's toy and a milk warmer, which turns on when the toy hears the child's cry. The case is really simple, and Intel realizes that this is not enough for developers, so they have created a "Make it Wearable" competition and prizes of €1 million for the most imaginative and innovative uses of the IntelEdison computer. It will be available sometime in mid-2014.
Makerbot Z18 Industrial 3D Printer
Three-dimensional printers have almost reached the stage where we will be able to copy and print objects right at home. Makerbot Z18 is one of the first that will be able to make larger objects up to 30x30x45 centimeters in size (eg bowls, lamps and even smaller pieces of furniture) or up to 10 smaller products at the same time. For €5,000, it will also be more affordable and represents the first step towards domestic 3D printers.
Among other things, the company also presents a smaller Makerbot Replicator Desktop model at a price of €1,500, which you can see in the video.
Airtame
Another option for wireless mirroring of your computer screen to another screen. A Danish startup group has introduced a rather impressive HDMI connector that connects to your PC via a WiFi network (supports Windows, OS X and Linux). Its specialty is that you can transfer the screen of one computer to an unlimited number of other devices with a connector.
Airtame has already reached its goal of €120k on Indiegogo, but you can still pre-order at €65 for one Airtame connector on Indiegogo.
PulseWallet
Forget about paying with plastic or mobile devices, even fingerprints are outdated technology, you will be able to pay even easier - with your own palm. PulseWallet is a scanner that captures the unique placement of veins in your palm and combines it with your data and cards. Soon we will just wave in front of the cashier in the store.
