A rollable TV, an exoskeleton and more: Stories from the second day of CES
As CES reaches its halfway point, we talk about what's hot, what's happening and what's wowing us.
W.P. Hong, head of Samsung's IT business.
Taxi lines are miles long, traffic is terrible, and the Las Vegas Convention Center is bursting at the seams with 170,000 people from all over the world. Toss in an avalanche of gadgets and new tech and it can only mean one thing: CES has arrived.
Now in the second day of its four-day run, CES continues to deliver on the tech trends that may develop in the next year, or may leave the show floor never to be seen again. Here's what we saw today. Catch all of CNET's CES coverage here.
Samsung and IoT
Samsung's IT business president, W.P. Hong, used a keynote address to promise that the "Internet of Things" isn't just some vague concept that's happening in the future, it's already here. Not surprisingly, Samsung extolled his company's own products like the Family Hub Refrigerator and the FlexDuo stove. But it's not just about hardware, as the South Korean tech company is making IoT software and services as well.
Cord-cutters, rejoice
Magnavox, a brand you probably haven't seen since last you owned a VCR, is back with new DVRs that make it easier to divorce your cable company overlords. Each of three models come with at least two tuners (one box, the 560HS, even has six), at least 1TB of storage, a free and easy-to-navigate electronic programming guide, and Wi-Fi for beaming live and recorded programming to iOS and Android devices.
Hey, buddy? Wanna buy an iPad Pro?
CES and security
Last month the Consumer Technology Association, the organizers of CES, announced stricter security regulations that would include bag checks, metal detectors and pat downs and a ban (thankfully) on wheeled bags on the show floor. As our Shara Tibken learned, the security checks are more random than mandatory and she had a novel, and heavy, way to skip them altogether: leave the bags at home and wear a jacket with 18 pockets that even fits an iPad Pro.
Attendees were treated to a lively and engaging discussion focused on the current market for smart home technology.
CNET's Smart Home Panel
Executive Editor Rich Brown sat on a panel focusing now how we can bridge the wide gap between using a single smart home and a houseful of them. Rich was joined by execs from Samsung, Big Ass Fans, Intel, Nest and Amazon. CNET Reviews Editor-in-Chief Lindsey Turrentine moderated.
CNET's Connected Car Panel
Earlier in the day we also hosted a panel asking what the next-generation of connected cars will mean. Tim Stevens talked with execs from Ford, General Motors, BMW and Pandora.
Moto > Motorola
Admittedly, I'm not excited by this news. Motorola Chief Operating Officer Rick Osterloh told Roger Cheng that the over the next year the company will use only the Moto brand on its high-end products rather than the full Motorola name (budget devices will get the Vibe brand). It's a sad turn for a the company that built the cell phone though I suppose "Moto" is some consolation. If you remember, Lenovo purchased Motorola in 2014.
Lenovo does the Tango
Speaking of Lenovo the company announced this evening that it would sell Google's Project Tango phone this summer for less than $500.
Age in an instant
Because everyone wants to do that. But it's not a joke as Iyaz Akhtar tried on a 40-pound exoskeleton to feel what it's like to age. The suit adds resistance as you attempt to move and diminishes your eyesight and vision. Tron it is not.
The Internet is for...
On the livelier side, a company called Naughty America (yes, you read that correctly) gave Brian Tong a virtual reality adult entertainment demo (you read that correctly, too). I won't say much here except to watch the video. It's SFW, but I won't speak for Brian.
Just roll with it.
Poster tube not included
LG's concept TV isn't just bendable, you can roll it up like a poster. Just 0.18mm thick, it blew David Katzmaier's mind, a man who seen more TVs than all of us combined. He said it felt like a piece of plastic poster sheathing in his hand. Wow.
CNET's Must-See list
We're continuing to add to our list of the products you can't miss at CES. We're updating it daily so check back often.
The dashboard of the future, and how you will use it, at CES 2016 (pictures)
See all photos
And more...
- If you just can't use a treadmill without a huge TV in front of you, then you're in luck.
- Swiss custom carmaker Rinspeed showed a concept car called the Σtos. It's packed with tech of all kinds. Just don't ask me how to pronounce that name.
- The ModFace Mirror lets you virtually try on different makeup effects just through facial gestures.
- Sean Hollister had a lovely ride on the Emicro One, an electric scooter you can actually lift.
- US Marshals raided a CES booth run by China-based Changzhou First International Trade Co. after a competitor filed a patent infringement claim on a one-wheeled scooter that Changzhou makes.
