The
“Show of Shows”, and the untold story….
© 2016 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
CES, THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, can truly be called the SHOW-OF-SHOWS when it comes to new
technology, electronics and gadgets. This year was no exception with attendance
exceeding 170,000 including 50,000 from other countries and some 6,000
journalists. Imagine 2.5 million square feet with 3,800 exhibitors all showing their
wares.
Once again, the highlights of this year’s show were 4K and OLED flat
screens, automobiles, yes that’s what I said automobiles, wearables, drones and
many unique items typically never mentioned in print. In addition,
manufacturers, such as Kodak, used this event to make announcements.
Kodak
announced the return of the Super 8mm camera ($400 - $700) that shoots on film
and when processed by Kodak, gives the customer a shareable video version on an
SD card that’s suitable for YouTube. Is this the direction an ailing company
should be taking? http://bit.ly/1lix7xj
GM, one of many automobile companies at the show, announced the BOLT EV,
GM’s second electric car that goes over 200 miles on a charge, priced under
$30,000 including tax rebate and will be possibly available at the end of this
year. http://bit.ly/206RIV8 What’s interesting about this announcement is that GM
used CES and not the upcoming Detroit auto show to introduce it.
In the 4K world of flat screens ULTRA HDR (high dynamic range) PREMIUM
was announced as a new standard for color and dynamic range in sets labeled as ULTRA
HDR PREMIUM. Samsung, Sony, Panasonic and LG are the current proponents
of these specifications. Availability 3
- 6 months. 4K Blu-Ray players were visible by Samsung and Philips with
the thought by others that the disc medium as we know it today may not compete
with streaming in the foreseeable future. Warner Brothers says it will release
35 4K Blu-Ray movies in 2016.
CES is such a large show, so let’s look at some items that never seem
to make the headlines.
Garmin’s Varia Rearview Bike Radar: Winner of the
CES Innovation Award, the Varia warns cyclists of vehicles approaching from
behind up to about 153 yards and displays the information on a screen mounted
on the bike’s handlebars. $199.99 and available now. http://bit.ly/1LmsCwR
iNail
Intelligent Printer: A digital printer that prints designs on your
fingernails. This $2800 printer prints from a vast selection of designs
directly on your nail. Available now http://bit.ly/1KjzhDF
Polaroid PBT4000 Portable Turntable: Bluetooth
enables interfacing with other Bluetooth devices for the purpose of listening
or transferring 33’s, 45’s and 78 RPM vinyl to a digital format. $99 and
available now http://bit.ly/1RWvSRl
DietSensor: With
corresponding app helps you to measure daily food intake and make
recommendations about what to, or not eat. Not yet available http://www.dietsensor.com/
G.Fast by Sckipio: This technology
will give your telephone provider the ability to offer even faster speeds 50
times faster than broadband. Available later this year in the USA http://bit.ly/1ZDNaJ2
KeyMouse: A split
keyboard that fits your hand perfectly. Move around the two keyboard halves,
and it becomes a mouse. Works with Windows, MAC and Linux OS. $399 and now
taking preorders www.keymouse.com.
So, that’s a little
condensed taste of CES 2016….
Images:
CES; GM; Garmin; iNail; Kodak; Polaroid;
DietSensor; KeyMouse
Bob Skidmore is a freelance
writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent,
or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his
points of view and not those of the manufacturer. The manufacturer generally
supplies products at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is
received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of
review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior
ratings. In some cases news services and press releases made available
to the GADGETEER are used to compile this column.
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