Monday, February 1, 2016

CES ~ 2016



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


FirstResponce: Bluetooth connected pregnancy test. $15.99 available now http://bit.ly/1npVeMa


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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