Every January, the consumer electronics industry storms into Las Vegas like a traveling circus. Some 2,000 vendors show off new products, that keep us entertained and make our lives easier and more simplified. But that last part can be a bit of a stretch. Are we really better off when we have a Bluetooth-equipped stereo shower speaker or an iPhone case with a built-in bottle opener?
This year’s trade show was once again a vast mixture of the fantastic, the far-out and the frivolous. But I found five new high-tech products that actually could take some of the speed bumps out of the curvy road ahead. Some are already available while others are scheduled to arrive later this year.
Smart thermostat
The Nest thermostat uses a computer chip to figure out your preferred heating and cooling levels. After you set up a program, it uses a sensor to determine when you’re in the house and when you’re asleep or away. It automatically makes appropriate adjustments to set comfort levels or conserve energy. The Nest also has a built-in Wi-Fi connection to let you manage it from a computer or from an Apple or Android mobile device.
Combo pad
The new Padfone from ASUS Computer International literally merges a smartphone with a tablet computer. The 4.3 smartphone can be used on its own or snapped into the back of a 10-inch display screen, turning it into a full-sized tablet. Combining the two devices eliminates the need to manage separate calendars, contact lists and app collections.
Health watch
The Basis wrist band keeps track of your heart rate and other health data without using bulky chest straps. The band collects data on your heart rate, calories burned, physical activity, and sleep patterns and delivers the information to personal online monitoring program.
Fancy fridge
Samsung’s new refrigerator is the latest example of the move to build computer smarts into everyday home appliances. The front of the four-door unit contains an eight-inch color LCD screen that links to information from inside and outside of the refrigerator. The screen can bring up the family calendar from Google or a quick-fix recipe from Epicurious.
Pet finder
The Tagg Pet Tracker lets you know when your four-legged wanderer goes on a walkabout. A rechargeable collar clip contains a GPS tracking system and a transmitter. It lets you designate a “Tagg zone” where your pet is free to roam. If he leaves the zone, you get an alert by text message or email alert and a map showing his current location.
