The annual Consumer Electronic Show (CES) was back in full swing as more than 115,000 attendees headed to Las Vegas for a glimpse at the future of technology. They were treated to televisions that eliminated the need for wires (either completely or just mostly); devices utilizing Matter (an open-sourced smart home protocol developed by Apple, Google, Samsung, Amazon, and more); and screens that can bend, flex, and contract in ways you couldn’t imagine. While all that is certainly interesting, the following devices and concepts may be even more attention grabbing to those working in healthcare and marketing.
Lenovo: Increasing Dual Screen Versatility
As companies continue to tinker with the best way to utilize dual screens, Lenovo introduced the Yoga Book 9i, the first full-sized OLED dual-screen laptop. Where you would normally find a keyboard and touchpad, you now have a second 13.3-inch screen, offering users a world of possibilities for multitasking, especially if you use the detachable Bluetooth keyboard and folio stand for unique ways to work.
Withings: Monitor Your Urine
Surprisingly, pee was a minor theme this year with a few companies introducing tech to capture health information from your urine. One such device, the Withings U-Scan, is a miniaturized health lab that fits within your toilet and is being developed for both consumer health and professional medical markets. The device can hold customizable cartridges designed to monitor certain metrics. For example, it will initially launch in Europe with U-Scan Cycle Sync for women’s monthly cycle tracking and U-Scan Nutri Balance, a detailed metabolic guide to hydration and nutrition.
L’Oréal: Making Makeup More Accessible
Since applying makeup can be challenging for the estimated 50 million people who live with limited fine motor skills, L’Oréal developed a solution. HAPTA is a handheld, ultra-precise makeup applicator with built-in smart motion controls that makes it easier for people with limited hand and arm mobility to steadily apply lipstick. A magnetic attachment allows for easy ergonomic use enabling 360 degrees of rotation and 180 degrees of flexion, plus a “clicking” feature lets users set the intended position and keep it there during use.
BMW: Car with a Personality
The BMW i Vision Dee may just be a prototype, but it drew a lot of attention. “Dee” stands for Digital Emotional Experience, which comes into play in a variety of ways. For one, the car expresses emotions through facial expressions as you approach. It even talks with you—expressing moods like joy, astonishment, or approval. Owners can also express their own moods and style as the vehicle’s surface can change colors among 32 options. And the BMW Mixed Reality Slider lets drivers choose what digital content, if any, to display on the internal windshield, including driving-related information or full virtual worlds.
HTC: Consumer-Friendly VR
If the metaverse is ever going to take off, it will require hardware that more consumers will embrace using. Perhaps the HTC VIVE XR Elite ($1,099) is a step in that direction. The all-in-one virtual reality (VR) headset weighs just 625 grams and can easily be transformed into a glasses form factor for mixed reality (MR) capabilities. Plus, HTC announced new partnerships for its VIVERSE, the name of its virtual environment, including with ELLE Taiwan and Warner Music Taiwan for unique fashion and music experiences in the virtual world.
