CES usually sets the scene for the year in terms of what electronics we can expect to see on the shelves.
From huge TVs to the latest cars, the show is the setting for big launches each January. But what caught our eye as we wandered the halls?
Withings U-Scan
After years of developing smart scales, smart thermometers and smart blood pressure cuffs, plus a watch or two thrown in for good measure, Withings was back at CES to announce its latest product.
This time, Withings offered up U-Scan, a new analysis system that will monitor things such as your nutrition or menstrual cycle. How does it do it? Through a small device that sits in the toilet bowl. Because U-Scan, as you might have deduced, monitors your urine.
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You’ll need the U Scan device, which is expected to cost about €500, and the appropriate cartridge for what you are trying to measure, which will cost €30 and last about three months.
Then all you have to do is link the device to your smartphone, and start monitoring. The information will be delivered to your smartphone, so you can keep a close watch on everything.
At the moment, there are two cartridges: the Cycle Sync, which monitors hormonal menstrual cycles; and the Nutri Balance, which tests biomarkers for hydration and nutrition, including protein-vegetable balance, ketones, and vitamin C levels.
Heat It
When it gets to a certain point of the year, some of us transform into walking, talking meals for insects. By simply venturing outside past a certain point in the evening, you are offering yourself up as the bug equivalent of a McDonald’s drive-through, dispensing Happy Meals for all.
And there are plenty of products touting themselves as a solution to the intense itching that follows – although not all of them are guaranteed. But the makers of Heat It, a small smartphone-powered device, claim they can provide an alternative.
The device uses targeted heat to briefly heat the skin around the affected area, relieving the itching caused by insect bites. It is small enough to put on a keychain, and you can customise the treatment – at four, seven and 10 seconds – via the accompanying app.
There are two versions available now, one for iPhone and one with a USB-C connector.
L’Oréal Hapta
While there were plenty of smart patches and LED face masks around CES, one of the more attention-catching devices came from L’Oréal.
The beauty giant unveiled a new make-up applicator aimed at those with limited physical mobility in their hands. The Hapta make-up applicator, based on technology developed by Verily, has sensors and motion controllers to keep it in the correct orientation for applying your lipstick. It also has magnetic attachments, and it swivels 360 degrees to make it easy to use. Its designed for precision application, giving users back some independence.
Although the initial launch will be with Lancôme lipstick, the device could be used in future for other make-up, including mascara.
BMW i Vision Dee
This may be a concept car, but BMW’s new technology will eventually make its way into the company’s line-up in the future. At CES the car maker showed off the i Vision Dee, a colour-changing car that could wink, blink, and recognise drivers as they approach the car.
Inside it has a sparse dashboard, with the focus on the head-up display that not only stretches the width of the windscreen but can also be customised to what suits the driver. That means you can have the bare bones of information, or use the slider to include directions, social media messages and so on – without causing a distraction.
LG’s wireless OLED TV
LG showed off a giant TV at CES that was not only mammoth – 97 inches – but also wireless.
The M3 uses a transmitter box that can be located up to 30ft away from the TV to deal with all your games consoles, set-top boxes, dongles, media players and sound bars.
That leaves your TV without the usual tangle of wires to deal with and, most importantly, without compromising on picture quality
