Craziest gadgets of CES 2015: Smart belts, smart wallets, Android cookers and more
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/132224-crazie...s-and-more
The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas each year is the ideal place to see all of the top products to be launched in the proceeding 12 months or so. TVs, smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, laptops and other everyday entertainment devices are unveiled during the convention and the press conferences by the major companies.
However, there's another side to CES too. Alongside OLED TVs and fitness bands are gadgets that, well, don't really fit into many of the conventional categories. Some of them are Bluetooth enabled. Some have interesting features that you wish you'd thought of. And some are just plain weird.
We've decided to round-up some of the craziest that can be encountered at this year's event, CES 2015. And you'll probably find that there are plenty you'd actually like to own.
Slow Control Baby Gigl
The Baby Gigl from Slow Control is a smart baby bottle that keeps track of how fast and how much a baby is drinking and sends the results to a smartphone. It's from the same company that demonstrated a Bluetooth fork a couple of years back and even gives hints and tips to new parents on how to hold the bottle, including the optimum angle to hold it at in order to ensure the baby doesn't take in too much air.
To be honest, we've been left thinking whether there's a need for a smart baby bottle, especially at around $100 (£65) a pop. That said, the app does keep track of the time of feeds and overall quantity consumed, so there's something to be gleaned from the additional data. And it's a bit of a Gigl at least (sorry).
Logbar Ring
Much is expected of Logbar's Ring considering that it raised more than $880,000 on Kickstarter earlier this year, but it will have to become a tighter, smaller, better-looking device if it's really to take off.
The prototype version we saw at CES is just too big and, well, ugly to be any more than an interesting talking point, no matter how useful some might find it.
The device basically controls products around the home with simple finger gestures, communication either through a direct wireless connection or an infra-red signal hub, which can send remote codes to home entertainment kit, for example.
Another issue with it is the price, even for early backers of the Kickstarter project, it cost $165 a Ring. That's a lot of dough considering (conside-RING, geddit?.. sigh).
Emiota Belty
Another wearable that perhaps fits the "what the?" category is Belty, a smart belt that is designed to automatically adjust itself based on your activities for the day.
It keeps track of your waistline throughout the day and loosens or tightens accordingly, depending on whether you've eaten too much or exercised. It also contains an accelerometer and gyroscope to judge your actions, even giving you a reminder if you need to be more active.
It syncs with a dedicated app to show you the data collected and considering the tech inside, we doubt it comes cheap.
myBrain Melomind
Forget the fact that myBrain begins with a lower case letter, its Melomind is the more mental thing to get your noggin' around. Literally.
It is an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset that links with a smartphone and claims to put you into a stress-free place. While wearing the cap, you pop your headphones on and sit back, while the dedicated app plays soothing sounds based on the brain activities is measures.
Of course, those measurements might read off the chart every time you realise you coughed up almost $300 for the device.
Dacor Discovery iQ 48 Duel-Fuel Range
The long-named Dacor Discovery iQ 48 Duel-Fuel Range is an Android-powered smart cooker that can be controlled via a dedicated application for precise baking. It contains a Android-based tablet on the front of the hob, but can also be controlled by an iOS device remotely.
Through the cooking application, users can watch recipes and the cooker itself can set temperatures automatically.
It's all rather clever really, with Wi-Fi connectivity even ensuring that the latest software and recipes are downloaded. You just need to be a bit flushed though, with the 48-incher priced at $11,999. A 36-inch version is also available at $8,999.
Skechers Gamekicks
Kids are never content with normal sneakers these days, so expect them to go giddy over the idea of a pair of Skechers Gamekicks. Not only do the trainers flash lights, like others on the market, they come complete with an version of electronic game Simon in one of the shoes.
The idea is that instead of kids whinging for your smartphone they can entertain themselves with their footwear instead. Available in the coming weeks in the US, the Skechers Gamekicks will cost around $65.
There are two versions available, for boys and girls, and even sport a built-in speaker to add a little extra pizazz to the proceedings.
Pacif-i Bluetooth dummy
Dubbed as the world's first Bluetooth smart dummy (pacifier), this will be seen by many as the Internet of Things going a step too far.
The point? Well, it has a temperature sensor built into the dummy's silicon teat that connects to an accompanying app in order to rely information to your smartphone.
The app determines when a baby's temperature reading is most accurately read, then time-stamps and plots the temperature data in a graph. Parents can then keep track of their child's state, especially during illness where they can use that data if a visit to or by a doctor is needed.
If that wasn't enough, the Pacif-i also features an proximity sensor that allows parents to monitor the dummy’s location and be alerted when their child wanders off or, presumably, chucks it out of the buggy.
The pacifier also features a buzzer alarm that can be activated by the app when it has been misplaced or hidden by a child. Presumably not when its in their mouth though, that would just be weird.
MaMaRoo
What's better than a rocking chair for your baby? A Bluetooth app-controlled rocking chair for your baby, of course. That's what the latest version of the 4Moms' MamaRoo does, lets you rock your baby to sleep as if it were in your arms via a robotically, algorithmically-controlled seat.
Although the kiddy gadget has been out since 2010, this is the first time you can control the movement, be it kangaroo or tree swing via your phone. The new chair is expected to be out shortly and depending on which fabric you opt for will determine whether it costs you $239 or $269.
Wocket Smart Wallet
If you, like many of us, have too many credit or debit cards in your wallet or purse, often leaving you to decide which one to use, Wocket could be for you. Alternatively, like us, you might have multiple PIN numbers for your cards and often forget which one has which PIN. Again, Wocket could help out.
It's an electronic wallet you see, that stores all the information of your existing cards on one device and imprints that info onto one, universal card when you want to use it. You can even store details of your loyalty cards to save you having to pull them out in a shop too.
The device can store up to 10,000 cards and has a Voicematch biometric voice print and PIN system to ensure your details are secure and the card cannot be used without you telling it so. And the touchscreen easily finds all your cards inside the device's library.
Currently, you have to request an invite to buy a Wocket from the website wocketwallet.com. It costs $149.99.
Tagg GPS Plus pet tracker
The Tagg has been around for a while - a pet tracker that keeps track of your dog or other animal - but the company has unveiled a new version that not only reports the position of your pet if it is lost, but adds a whole swathe of new features. This includes the ambient temperature of your pet's location, which will be sent to your smartphone if you need to know such a thing.
We could see this particular sensor would be useful if your dog, for example, has been left in a hot car. Many animals can die in such situations and there are too many real-life examples of such instances. However, our tip would be not to shut your dog in a hot car rather than keep track of whether it is. Just saying.
Other new features of the Tagg include better power management, ensuring that you only have to charge the device two or three times a month, and a better attachment system to fix it to most collars.
The Tagg GPS Plus costs $99.95 on pre-order now, with a general RRP of $119.95.
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/132224-crazie...s-and-more
The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas each year is the ideal place to see all of the top products to be launched in the proceeding 12 months or so. TVs, smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, laptops and other everyday entertainment devices are unveiled during the convention and the press conferences by the major companies.
However, there's another side to CES too. Alongside OLED TVs and fitness bands are gadgets that, well, don't really fit into many of the conventional categories. Some of them are Bluetooth enabled. Some have interesting features that you wish you'd thought of. And some are just plain weird.
We've decided to round-up some of the craziest that can be encountered at this year's event, CES 2015. And you'll probably find that there are plenty you'd actually like to own.
Slow Control Baby Gigl
The Baby Gigl from Slow Control is a smart baby bottle that keeps track of how fast and how much a baby is drinking and sends the results to a smartphone. It's from the same company that demonstrated a Bluetooth fork a couple of years back and even gives hints and tips to new parents on how to hold the bottle, including the optimum angle to hold it at in order to ensure the baby doesn't take in too much air.
To be honest, we've been left thinking whether there's a need for a smart baby bottle, especially at around $100 (£65) a pop. That said, the app does keep track of the time of feeds and overall quantity consumed, so there's something to be gleaned from the additional data. And it's a bit of a Gigl at least (sorry).
Logbar Ring
Much is expected of Logbar's Ring considering that it raised more than $880,000 on Kickstarter earlier this year, but it will have to become a tighter, smaller, better-looking device if it's really to take off.
The prototype version we saw at CES is just too big and, well, ugly to be any more than an interesting talking point, no matter how useful some might find it.
The device basically controls products around the home with simple finger gestures, communication either through a direct wireless connection or an infra-red signal hub, which can send remote codes to home entertainment kit, for example.
Another issue with it is the price, even for early backers of the Kickstarter project, it cost $165 a Ring. That's a lot of dough considering (conside-RING, geddit?.. sigh).
Emiota Belty
Another wearable that perhaps fits the "what the?" category is Belty, a smart belt that is designed to automatically adjust itself based on your activities for the day.
It keeps track of your waistline throughout the day and loosens or tightens accordingly, depending on whether you've eaten too much or exercised. It also contains an accelerometer and gyroscope to judge your actions, even giving you a reminder if you need to be more active.
It syncs with a dedicated app to show you the data collected and considering the tech inside, we doubt it comes cheap.
myBrain Melomind
Forget the fact that myBrain begins with a lower case letter, its Melomind is the more mental thing to get your noggin' around. Literally.
It is an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset that links with a smartphone and claims to put you into a stress-free place. While wearing the cap, you pop your headphones on and sit back, while the dedicated app plays soothing sounds based on the brain activities is measures.
Of course, those measurements might read off the chart every time you realise you coughed up almost $300 for the device.
Dacor Discovery iQ 48 Duel-Fuel Range
The long-named Dacor Discovery iQ 48 Duel-Fuel Range is an Android-powered smart cooker that can be controlled via a dedicated application for precise baking. It contains a Android-based tablet on the front of the hob, but can also be controlled by an iOS device remotely.
Through the cooking application, users can watch recipes and the cooker itself can set temperatures automatically.
It's all rather clever really, with Wi-Fi connectivity even ensuring that the latest software and recipes are downloaded. You just need to be a bit flushed though, with the 48-incher priced at $11,999. A 36-inch version is also available at $8,999.
Skechers Gamekicks
Kids are never content with normal sneakers these days, so expect them to go giddy over the idea of a pair of Skechers Gamekicks. Not only do the trainers flash lights, like others on the market, they come complete with an version of electronic game Simon in one of the shoes.
The idea is that instead of kids whinging for your smartphone they can entertain themselves with their footwear instead. Available in the coming weeks in the US, the Skechers Gamekicks will cost around $65.
There are two versions available, for boys and girls, and even sport a built-in speaker to add a little extra pizazz to the proceedings.
Pacif-i Bluetooth dummy
Dubbed as the world's first Bluetooth smart dummy (pacifier), this will be seen by many as the Internet of Things going a step too far.
The point? Well, it has a temperature sensor built into the dummy's silicon teat that connects to an accompanying app in order to rely information to your smartphone.
The app determines when a baby's temperature reading is most accurately read, then time-stamps and plots the temperature data in a graph. Parents can then keep track of their child's state, especially during illness where they can use that data if a visit to or by a doctor is needed.
If that wasn't enough, the Pacif-i also features an proximity sensor that allows parents to monitor the dummy’s location and be alerted when their child wanders off or, presumably, chucks it out of the buggy.
The pacifier also features a buzzer alarm that can be activated by the app when it has been misplaced or hidden by a child. Presumably not when its in their mouth though, that would just be weird.
MaMaRoo
What's better than a rocking chair for your baby? A Bluetooth app-controlled rocking chair for your baby, of course. That's what the latest version of the 4Moms' MamaRoo does, lets you rock your baby to sleep as if it were in your arms via a robotically, algorithmically-controlled seat.
Although the kiddy gadget has been out since 2010, this is the first time you can control the movement, be it kangaroo or tree swing via your phone. The new chair is expected to be out shortly and depending on which fabric you opt for will determine whether it costs you $239 or $269.
Wocket Smart Wallet
If you, like many of us, have too many credit or debit cards in your wallet or purse, often leaving you to decide which one to use, Wocket could be for you. Alternatively, like us, you might have multiple PIN numbers for your cards and often forget which one has which PIN. Again, Wocket could help out.
It's an electronic wallet you see, that stores all the information of your existing cards on one device and imprints that info onto one, universal card when you want to use it. You can even store details of your loyalty cards to save you having to pull them out in a shop too.
The device can store up to 10,000 cards and has a Voicematch biometric voice print and PIN system to ensure your details are secure and the card cannot be used without you telling it so. And the touchscreen easily finds all your cards inside the device's library.
Currently, you have to request an invite to buy a Wocket from the website wocketwallet.com. It costs $149.99.
Tagg GPS Plus pet tracker
The Tagg has been around for a while - a pet tracker that keeps track of your dog or other animal - but the company has unveiled a new version that not only reports the position of your pet if it is lost, but adds a whole swathe of new features. This includes the ambient temperature of your pet's location, which will be sent to your smartphone if you need to know such a thing.
We could see this particular sensor would be useful if your dog, for example, has been left in a hot car. Many animals can die in such situations and there are too many real-life examples of such instances. However, our tip would be not to shut your dog in a hot car rather than keep track of whether it is. Just saying.
Other new features of the Tagg include better power management, ensuring that you only have to charge the device two or three times a month, and a better attachment system to fix it to most collars.
The Tagg GPS Plus costs $99.95 on pre-order now, with a general RRP of $119.95.
