The Best (and Worst) of CES 2015

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is currently in full swing, so we’re sharing our picks for the best and worst tech reveals of 2015.

No lengthy introduction here — we’re just going to get right into it:

The Best

Internet of Things (IoT)

This is one we just can’t touch on enough. In fact, we probably couldn’t get away from it if we wanted to. Tech companies are making a huge push for the Internet of Things at CES this year, with a few developments well worth noting:

Samsung’s BK Yoon promises more than $100 million in funding to create an open operating system for IoT

This is likely the most important announcement we’ve seen so far at CES. The Internet of Things, at its current state, is disjointed because it lacks interoperable standards. Devices from different manufacturers can connect to the Internet, but, as it stands, they can’t communicate with each other.

For the Internet of Things to work, we need large groups of developers working on a common operating system. Ultimately, the Internet of Things is about mass communication, which means cohesion and language are key.

Google accomplished this years ago in mobile by making Android an open and free system. Now Samsung is taking the initiative with IoT by promoting an open ecosystem for connected devices.

Yoon explains the company’s new policy a bit further in his keynote:

“I’ve heard people say they want to create a single operating system for IoT, but these people only work with their own devices. We can deliver the benefits of IoT only if all sensors can talk to each other… I’m making a promise that our IoT devices and products will be open. We will ensure that others can easily connect to our devices.”

Connected Cars

Here’s something I’m particularly excited about — in part because it’s really cool, and in part because I get to say, “I told you so.”

The device in focus is Automatic Labs’ Automatic “smart driving assistant,” which plugs into your car’s diagnostic port and pairs with your phone as well as a Nest smart thermostat if you have one.

The mobile app logs fuel efficiency, trip cost, and driving habits so you can take the cheapest routes possible. It also tags open parking spaces through GPS, which is obviously pretty handy.

What’s particularly exciting, though, is how the Automatic interacts with your home. By teaming up with Nest Labs, the device is saving you countless dollars on monthly power bills: as your car gets closer to home, it activates your thermostat. This way, your house can reach the temperature you want by the time you get home, and you don’t have to waste any energy in the process.

Further, Audi has also been boasting its connected car capability. The luxury car manufacturer has teamed up with LG to create a smartwatch that can control your car. Using NFC, the car can communicate with your watch to adjust climate control, unlock the car, and start the engine.

Combine this with self-driving cars, and we’ll all be feeling like James Bond soon enough.

Robots

Self-Driving Cars

Mercedes’ new F015 Luxury in Motion is being marketed as a fully autonomous car that produces no carbon emissions whatsoever. The vehicle is powered by a fuel cell that produces electricity by combining oxygen and hydrogen to make water.

If that’s not futuristic enough for you, just take a look at the design:

For navigation, the car reportedly uses a series of radar sensors and cameras to get around and avoid accidents. We’ve yet to see how this thing can handle adverse scenarios like roadblocks and weather, but it’s been exciting nonetheless to see the F015 roll around the strip hotel without a driver.

Beer Bot

Even if you’re well out of college, one of the coolest things on the floor at CES this year is Empire Robotics’ beer pong-playing robot. Its aim isn’t perfect, but it’s better than any human I’ve ever seen play the game.

Now, I’m not sure if it should get a penalty for not actually being able to drink any beer, but I guess we’ll let it slide for now. (Chill, it’s just a game, bro.)

And while this certainly isn’t a marketable product, it’s a prime example of the versatility of modern robotics.

The Worst

Smart Glasses

Despite the obvious commercial failure of Google Glass, there are still countless tech companies out there pushing the whole computerized glasses thing.

Now, the concept may very well have a bright future ahead of it, but the product reveals at CES reaffirm we’re just not there yet.

Intel has reportedly dumped more than $24.5 million into virtual reality firm Vuzix (OTC: VUZI). Lenovo is showcasing its M100 smart glass wearable (also in collaboration with Vuzix). And Sony is pushing its own Google Glass imitation called SmartGlasses.

Unfortunately, none of these major tech companies have yet to solve two of the biggest hurdles in creating marketable smart glasses: price and style.

As for price, there’s no consumer tag on any of the new reveals just yet, but prototypes of these devices are running around $1,300 apiece. Until cost per unit can be brought down, the products won’t be accessible to the average consumer.

As for style, it’s no secret that wearable glasses have so far looked both nerdy and pretentious. There’s a reason the term “Glasshole” came to be, and it has a lot to do with the fact people that wearing the product end up looking something like this:

(OK, I’m cheating here a little with the mustache, but you get the idea.)

Sony has attempted to solve these fashion woes this year by making its glasses unit detachable, but that just defeats the purpose of having a heads-up display (HUD) in the first place.

The selling point to a wearable display is that it’s seamless and there when you need it — not that you can easily detach it because it’s so embarrassing to wear.

Washing Machines

Maybe it’s just my natural disdain for doing laundry, but LG’s “futuristic” Twin Wash washing machine seems to be one of the most over-hyped products featured at CES this year.

Time.com referred to the product as “Taking CES by Storm,” “revolutionizing your laundry experience,” and proof that “innovation isn’t dead.”

But really, it’s just a front-loading machine that has a bottom compartment for delicates so you can do two loads at once. Snore.

It also has WiFi and NFC enabled, but really, what’s the point? Can you think of a single practical reason your laundry machine needs to be connected to the web? I sure can’t.

Now, I’m not saying this is a bad product (it seems like a nice washer), but I just don’t get the hype.

There are over 3,400 exhibitors and millions of square feet to walk at the Vegas Convention Center. Washing machines are among the least exciting things to look at, and besides a few blog heads looking for clicks, there doesn’t seem to be much of a revolution going on around here.

Until next time,

Jason Stutman

Check us out on YouTube!